The Strange Encounter

It was a miracle that I even made it out alive. I have been coming into these woods since I was a kid and my father was strong enough to put me on his shoulders. As a young woman in today’s society a girl always has to be prepared for literally anything, even if it sounds crazy.The forest was over 500,000 acres and crossed in between two states, North Carolina and Virginia, you could hike, hunt, camp, and then some all in one area with the most natural beautiful tall white waterfalls.  One year ago my dad and I had our last hike together. He is still alive and kicking, but can’t get around like he used to in his younger years. There was a special spot 5 miles off the trail where we would sit by the river and I would catch him up on my life. Each time I visited and was headed out, I stopped by and just the same I would talk as if he was sitting with me, listening and responding in his usual way; “ya know, baby girl” he would say when he had the best advice a father could give his youngest. “You can do anything in this world you put your mind to and be successful, you just have to try and see what happens.” My father was like that for the most part and that’s what I would try and do, well did after college. I left my home town and even eloped with the guy I thought would be my ever after. When I came back home with my tail between my legs I felt a slight shame to let my parents know what I had been through with their 4 decade year marriage, not including the time they spent dating. So, I was a little distant with my folks, shame will certainly do that to anyone, I guess. 

See I am sort of a fit individual and go to the gym at least three times a week but I certainly wasn’t prepared for today’s adventure in the Red Blood Forest and with a name like that how can you not be intrigued to walk the grounds. I was one of the many who liked the country living and intended on it being that way until my demise. So, I would fight for my place here, by any means necessary. As soon as I sat down at the usual spot I heard a voice yelling from across the river, “Hi there, could you use some company?!” I wasn’t shocked by seeing another person but had this gut feeling that something was not right with this guy. He wore a flannel button down shirt covered with a fishing vest, jeans, and hiking boots. The strange part was the tone and pitch of his voice, it gave me chills and before I could give my response he yelled to me again; “stay right there, I’ll be right over.”

Right over, as if the river wasn’t deep, very rapid, and ran for miles, so the only way to get to my side was to go back to the trail and hike down. 

As soon as he left my view I stood up and began walking back to the main trail. And that’s when I heard a Whoosh sound and felt some of the ground shake. I became still for a moment and the woods got silent, the silence that happens when danger is near. No birds chirping, squirrels running through the leaves, the wind and river became still. 50 yards from where I stood, that strange man was crothing where I was sitting. He began to stand erect when I noticed that he was definitely taller than when he was standing across the river. He looked to have been at least near 7 feet tall.  “Hi friend, where are you going?”

I couldn’t comprehend what my eyes were seeing, how could he be this close this fast. I said nothing again and that’s when knew I was in danger 

I took off as fast as I could and dared not to look back. Although track or any form of running was not my strongest attribute growing up I was not letting this guy get close to me. I just kept telling myself, five miles, only five miles and you’ll be home free. The main trail usually keeps some traffic this time of the day with people leaving; only campers and crazy people are here after dark. I kept running and running until I started feeling that cramp in my side. It’s always on the right side and always when I decide to skip a week in the gym and slack off my routine. I wasn’t sure how far I had gotten whenI decided to stop running and just speed walk until the cramp went away. And that’s when I heard the voice again, “you can’t run forever, what prize will I have once I get to you I wonder.” Now there’s a prize for catching me, like who is this maniac. I began to pick up speed again and another Whoosh! I fell to the ground. This time he was standing above me grinning, exposing a serious amount of teeth and the smell was rancid; even dead rats didn’t smell this bad. 

“Got you was the first thing he said to me” just like a child when you’re playing the game IT. Still at a loss for words I just looked up and attempted to scoot back so I could stand. While leaning back on my hands and keeping eye contact, he pushed me back down with one hand on my right shoulder and with the other hand he pierced a nail into my other shoulder until it bled. I had never felt that type of pain in my life, I let out the loudest cry. He started mocking me and it almost sounded like I heard my own voice coming from this stranger. He stood back up and said, “let’s do this again, you run and I’ll catch you. I’ll count to ten, GO!” So, I did just that except, I didn’t stop this time. I could only assume he was running behind me but I knew I had to be getting close to the main trail. Only after a few minutes the silence of the forest ended like a snap of a finger, I could hear all of the sounds of nature again. I let my guard down and felt a sense of safety. Glancing back for a few seconds I saw a thin bright white light from the ground go into the sky. I still didn’t stop running. 

Eventually I started hearing laughter, the good kind, when friends are having a good time and had that “We did it” type of accomplishment. When I showed my face, I could only assume what they were thinking seeing someone sprint from the wounds and out of breath. I doubled over and fell to the ground when I finally got to my car. I checked my phone after hearing all of the dings! Since there is no cell service in most national parks. I had 12 missed calls and 20 text messages. I forgot I had promised my dad I would let him know I arrived safely and again when I was leaving. He knew the woods more than me and knew how much time it should take on the trails, even with the pit stop to our spot. The messages didn’t sound of concern for me in the forest but more of fear for self, I called him back and he answered on the first ring. Saying at the same time, “you’ll never guess what happened to me today!”