1 00:00:05,860 --> 00:00:04,590 [Music] 2 00:00:10,540 --> 00:00:05,870 [Applause] 3 00:00:12,890 --> 00:00:10,550 [Music] 4 00:00:17,750 --> 00:00:12,900 [Applause] 5 00:00:21,910 --> 00:00:19,670 welcome to the best of first person 6 00:00:24,790 --> 00:00:21,920 episodes of phantoms and monsters 7 00:00:28,830 --> 00:00:24,800 please like subscribe and hit the bell 8 00:00:31,830 --> 00:00:28,840 icon so you'll be notified of all future 9 00:00:33,510 --> 00:00:31,840 uploads 10 00:00:35,110 --> 00:00:33,520 deadly pale humanoid monsters 11 00:00:36,310 --> 00:00:35,120 encountered in tennessee's cherokee 12 00:00:38,069 --> 00:00:36,320 national forest 13 00:00:39,350 --> 00:00:38,079 in the early days of february just 14 00:00:41,350 --> 00:00:39,360 before my senior year 15 00:00:43,110 --> 00:00:41,360 i was prompted by my father to undertake 16 00:00:44,869 --> 00:00:43,120 a rite of passage as he called it 17 00:00:46,549 --> 00:00:44,879 i was to be left alone to fend for 18 00:00:48,470 --> 00:00:46,559 myself in a section of tennessee's 19 00:00:49,510 --> 00:00:48,480 cherokee national forest for three days 20 00:00:50,790 --> 00:00:49,520 and two nights 21 00:00:52,950 --> 00:00:50,800 i was against the trip from the 22 00:00:54,630 --> 00:00:52,960 beginning sure i liked hunting and 23 00:00:56,869 --> 00:00:54,640 camping but this was extreme 24 00:00:58,950 --> 00:00:56,879 too extreme for my tastes but it was 25 00:01:00,709 --> 00:00:58,960 tradition passed down from father to son 26 00:01:03,349 --> 00:01:00,719 in my family for generations 27 00:01:05,270 --> 00:01:03,359 who was i to break tradition so against 28 00:01:06,710 --> 00:01:05,280 my reservations and against the feeling 29 00:01:08,550 --> 00:01:06,720 that this was a stupid idea 30 00:01:11,030 --> 00:01:08,560 i packed up my backpack grabbed my 31 00:01:12,870 --> 00:01:11,040 30-ought 6-bolt action rifle and climbed 32 00:01:14,950 --> 00:01:12,880 into the cab of my dad's pickup 33 00:01:16,950 --> 00:01:14,960 it was a long drive i was a little 34 00:01:17,670 --> 00:01:16,960 pissed that my dad was basically forcing 35 00:01:19,510 --> 00:01:17,680 this on me 36 00:01:21,030 --> 00:01:19,520 and our uneasy silence only made the 37 00:01:22,870 --> 00:01:21,040 hours feel like days 38 00:01:24,630 --> 00:01:22,880 we only stopped once at a gas station 39 00:01:26,710 --> 00:01:24,640 about 10 miles from our cabin 40 00:01:28,550 --> 00:01:26,720 it was 15 miles of dirt to my dad's 41 00:01:29,749 --> 00:01:28,560 cabin that his grandfather had left him 42 00:01:32,469 --> 00:01:29,759 which would in turn 43 00:01:33,990 --> 00:01:32,479 be left to me it was tradition after all 44 00:01:34,710 --> 00:01:34,000 but i wouldn't be getting the luxury of 45 00:01:36,870 --> 00:01:34,720 the cabin 46 00:01:38,710 --> 00:01:36,880 no we were parking the truck and my 47 00:01:39,990 --> 00:01:38,720 father was driving me up deeper into the 48 00:01:42,230 --> 00:01:40,000 woods on a four-wheeler to 49 00:01:44,389 --> 00:01:42,240 a random undisclosed point i would then 50 00:01:46,389 --> 00:01:44,399 have three days to find my way back 51 00:01:48,310 --> 00:01:46,399 if i succeeded i'd become a man in my 52 00:01:50,069 --> 00:01:48,320 dad's eyes and we'd also be getting a 53 00:01:51,990 --> 00:01:50,079 new swimming pool for the summer 54 00:01:53,429 --> 00:01:52,000 it was bribery but i would be going into 55 00:01:55,190 --> 00:01:53,439 my senior year in august 56 00:01:57,670 --> 00:01:55,200 and having a big pool would cement my 57 00:01:59,749 --> 00:01:57,680 popularity it was vain and i was doing 58 00:02:01,749 --> 00:01:59,759 this for mostly selfish reasons but i 59 00:02:03,350 --> 00:02:01,759 also wanted to make my dad proud 60 00:02:05,109 --> 00:02:03,360 i stepped out of the toasted truck to 61 00:02:07,030 --> 00:02:05,119 the calm frigid forest air 62 00:02:09,270 --> 00:02:07,040 the cabin was a small two-story log 63 00:02:10,150 --> 00:02:09,280 affair worn from age but obviously well 64 00:02:11,830 --> 00:02:10,160 maintained 65 00:02:13,589 --> 00:02:11,840 a new wooden wraparound porch had been 66 00:02:15,110 --> 00:02:13,599 built last summer and was in need of 67 00:02:16,309 --> 00:02:15,120 staining that we've never gotten around 68 00:02:18,150 --> 00:02:16,319 to but otherwise 69 00:02:19,670 --> 00:02:18,160 the cabin was pristine it was a 70 00:02:21,110 --> 00:02:19,680 tremendously peaceful place 71 00:02:23,030 --> 00:02:21,120 far removed from the troubles of 72 00:02:24,630 --> 00:02:23,040 civilization and i felt like i was 73 00:02:26,229 --> 00:02:24,640 intruding on hello ground 74 00:02:28,150 --> 00:02:26,239 i brushed off the shiver that clawed 75 00:02:29,030 --> 00:02:28,160 down my spine and buttoned my long coat 76 00:02:30,949 --> 00:02:29,040 to my neck 77 00:02:32,630 --> 00:02:30,959 immediately most of the chill went away 78 00:02:34,630 --> 00:02:32,640 and i shook off my unease 79 00:02:36,229 --> 00:02:34,640 before i could take a step to the cabin 80 00:02:37,830 --> 00:02:36,239 my dad came around the front of the 81 00:02:40,070 --> 00:02:37,840 truck and held out his hand 82 00:02:41,750 --> 00:02:40,080 thomas hand me your bag he demanded in a 83 00:02:43,910 --> 00:02:41,760 curt no-nonsense tone 84 00:02:45,190 --> 00:02:43,920 as he told me to hand him my backpack i 85 00:02:47,110 --> 00:02:45,200 did so without question 86 00:02:48,550 --> 00:02:47,120 and he immediately went inside telling 87 00:02:50,309 --> 00:02:48,560 me to wait on the porch 88 00:02:51,990 --> 00:02:50,319 i marched across the wood and sat in the 89 00:02:53,030 --> 00:02:52,000 rocking chair while my dad bustled 90 00:02:54,550 --> 00:02:53,040 around inside 91 00:02:56,630 --> 00:02:54,560 i loaded everything you'll need for 92 00:02:58,309 --> 00:02:56,640 three days in the bag you have a couple 93 00:02:59,030 --> 00:02:58,319 days of food but it's only for an 94 00:03:01,110 --> 00:02:59,040 emergency 95 00:03:02,070 --> 00:03:01,120 i also added a flare gun for an actual 96 00:03:03,910 --> 00:03:02,080 emergency 97 00:03:05,910 --> 00:03:03,920 he handed me back the bag and it was 98 00:03:07,670 --> 00:03:05,920 stuffed full a lot had been added to it 99 00:03:09,830 --> 00:03:07,680 so much that string strained against the 100 00:03:11,509 --> 00:03:09,840 nylon fabric i hafted it onto my 101 00:03:12,229 --> 00:03:11,519 shoulder and though it was much heavier 102 00:03:14,390 --> 00:03:12,239 than before 103 00:03:15,350 --> 00:03:14,400 it wasn't cumbersome or unwieldy i could 104 00:03:17,110 --> 00:03:15,360 carry it all day 105 00:03:19,110 --> 00:03:17,120 and i didn't think it would bother me 106 00:03:20,630 --> 00:03:19,120 after he handed me the pack we unloaded 107 00:03:22,149 --> 00:03:20,640 the four wheeler from the back of his 108 00:03:23,990 --> 00:03:22,159 truck and we set off up the small 109 00:03:26,070 --> 00:03:24,000 walking trail next to the house 110 00:03:27,750 --> 00:03:26,080 from memory the path went on for dozens 111 00:03:29,190 --> 00:03:27,760 of miles and followed the stream as it 112 00:03:30,869 --> 00:03:29,200 snaked through the wilderness 113 00:03:32,869 --> 00:03:30,879 we rode until the dirt road ended and 114 00:03:34,710 --> 00:03:32,879 humanity fell away to the deep woods 115 00:03:36,710 --> 00:03:34,720 the ride got bumpy as we wound around 116 00:03:38,630 --> 00:03:36,720 trees and over small rocks and for a 117 00:03:40,789 --> 00:03:38,640 minute i was afraid of hazards 118 00:03:42,630 --> 00:03:40,799 my dad was an experienced outdoorsman 119 00:03:44,470 --> 00:03:42,640 though and knew these woods well 120 00:03:46,550 --> 00:03:44,480 a few hours later we'd apparently 121 00:03:48,630 --> 00:03:46,560 reached a destination it was a small 122 00:03:49,910 --> 00:03:48,640 clearing nestled under cops the remains 123 00:03:51,670 --> 00:03:49,920 of the previous campsite 124 00:03:53,429 --> 00:03:51,680 long since put out rested in the center 125 00:03:54,149 --> 00:03:53,439 of the dirt surrounded by a circle of 126 00:03:55,830 --> 00:03:54,159 rocks 127 00:03:57,750 --> 00:03:55,840 i was up here scouting a couple weeks 128 00:03:59,110 --> 00:03:57,760 ago so i know the route i'd take to get 129 00:04:01,589 --> 00:03:59,120 back he said cheekily 130 00:04:02,229 --> 00:04:01,599 be careful son and call me if there's an 131 00:04:04,309 --> 00:04:02,239 emergency 132 00:04:05,750 --> 00:04:04,319 i'm only a few hours away and i should 133 00:04:06,390 --> 00:04:05,760 be able to see the flare if there's 134 00:04:07,990 --> 00:04:06,400 trouble 135 00:04:10,070 --> 00:04:08,000 yeah because i'll be able to get a 136 00:04:11,350 --> 00:04:10,080 signal out here i replied holding up my 137 00:04:13,270 --> 00:04:11,360 now useless phone 138 00:04:14,710 --> 00:04:13,280 well there's always the flare gun but 139 00:04:16,629 --> 00:04:14,720 i'm confident you'll be fine 140 00:04:18,469 --> 00:04:16,639 and besides the flare is really only 141 00:04:20,949 --> 00:04:18,479 there if you decide to give up he said 142 00:04:22,390 --> 00:04:20,959 laughing with a parting wave he departed 143 00:04:23,909 --> 00:04:22,400 rolling back down the mountain and 144 00:04:24,870 --> 00:04:23,919 leaving me stranded in the woods for 145 00:04:26,950 --> 00:04:24,880 three days 146 00:04:28,550 --> 00:04:26,960 the first thing i did was take inventory 147 00:04:30,469 --> 00:04:28,560 and catalogue my belongings 148 00:04:32,070 --> 00:04:30,479 i undid the pack and carefully emptied 149 00:04:34,390 --> 00:04:32,080 its contents onto the ground 150 00:04:35,590 --> 00:04:34,400 i had a pair of long johns some extra 151 00:04:37,430 --> 00:04:35,600 socks and underwear 152 00:04:39,670 --> 00:04:37,440 a box of matches a hunting knife and 153 00:04:40,950 --> 00:04:39,680 miniature shovel a ziploc bag filled 154 00:04:43,030 --> 00:04:40,960 with a blend of spices 155 00:04:44,790 --> 00:04:43,040 a canteen of water two days of vacuum 156 00:04:46,950 --> 00:04:44,800 sealed rations and water pouches 157 00:04:47,830 --> 00:04:46,960 and the flare gun along with my hammock 158 00:04:49,670 --> 00:04:47,840 and blanket 159 00:04:51,670 --> 00:04:49,680 i had everything i needed to make camp 160 00:04:52,710 --> 00:04:51,680 and survive if my hunting skills proved 161 00:04:54,550 --> 00:04:52,720 to be lacking 162 00:04:56,390 --> 00:04:54,560 i had over 30 miles of wilderness to 163 00:04:58,070 --> 00:04:56,400 hack through before i hit the main roads 164 00:04:59,030 --> 00:04:58,080 and could circle back to the cabin on 165 00:05:00,790 --> 00:04:59,040 the main road 166 00:05:02,710 --> 00:05:00,800 dad told me it should take me at least 167 00:05:03,670 --> 00:05:02,720 two days three if i didn't get lucky 168 00:05:05,350 --> 00:05:03,680 with my hunts 169 00:05:07,430 --> 00:05:05,360 i had a few hours to kill before 170 00:05:08,870 --> 00:05:07,440 nightfall and i wanted to get some miles 171 00:05:10,790 --> 00:05:08,880 in and find my bearings 172 00:05:12,469 --> 00:05:10,800 the best bet i thought would be to hike 173 00:05:14,310 --> 00:05:12,479 along the stream until it ended 174 00:05:16,230 --> 00:05:14,320 it was somewhat close to the trail but 175 00:05:17,830 --> 00:05:16,240 not on it as that would be cheating but 176 00:05:19,270 --> 00:05:17,840 it would give me an excellent landmark 177 00:05:21,670 --> 00:05:19,280 to keep me oriented 178 00:05:23,029 --> 00:05:21,680 so with mild hesitation i packed up and 179 00:05:24,710 --> 00:05:23,039 set off through the woods 180 00:05:26,230 --> 00:05:24,720 i would have to hunt before it got dark 181 00:05:28,070 --> 00:05:26,240 if i didn't want to go hungry 182 00:05:29,510 --> 00:05:28,080 and i only had an hour or two before the 183 00:05:30,390 --> 00:05:29,520 light fell enough to make hunting 184 00:05:32,070 --> 00:05:30,400 impossible 185 00:05:34,070 --> 00:05:32,080 after searching around for about 10 186 00:05:35,830 --> 00:05:34,080 minutes i found a good spot to set up 187 00:05:37,350 --> 00:05:35,840 camp for the evening and i dropped my 188 00:05:39,110 --> 00:05:37,360 bag and grabbed my rifle 189 00:05:41,430 --> 00:05:39,120 chambered a cartridge and double checked 190 00:05:42,950 --> 00:05:41,440 the safety my game was rabid since i 191 00:05:44,070 --> 00:05:42,960 didn't have the tools needed to string 192 00:05:45,749 --> 00:05:44,080 up and gutted deer 193 00:05:47,830 --> 00:05:45,759 i set off and crept through the brush 194 00:05:49,990 --> 00:05:47,840 looking for signs of a nearby den 195 00:05:51,990 --> 00:05:50,000 rabbits are most active at dawn or dusk 196 00:05:54,070 --> 00:05:52,000 so it was the perfect time to hunt them 197 00:05:55,909 --> 00:05:54,080 less than five minutes later i found 198 00:05:57,830 --> 00:05:55,919 signs of rabbit trails in the underbrush 199 00:05:59,590 --> 00:05:57,840 a few hundred yards from camp i leaned 200 00:06:01,270 --> 00:05:59,600 against the tree just waiting 201 00:06:02,950 --> 00:06:01,280 the rabbit i wanted appeared half an 202 00:06:04,390 --> 00:06:02,960 hour later hopping out of the brush 203 00:06:06,309 --> 00:06:04,400 without a care in the world 204 00:06:08,550 --> 00:06:06,319 it was a plump eastern cottontail it 205 00:06:10,469 --> 00:06:08,560 stopped and sniffed giving me my opening 206 00:06:12,150 --> 00:06:10,479 the crack of my rifle pierced the air 207 00:06:14,230 --> 00:06:12,160 and the cottontail dropped dead 208 00:06:16,070 --> 00:06:14,240 i'd hit my mark taking it in the neck so 209 00:06:18,070 --> 00:06:16,080 as to not spoil any of the meat 210 00:06:19,909 --> 00:06:18,080 it was a decent sized rabbit more than 211 00:06:20,870 --> 00:06:19,919 enough for dinner i bagged it and went 212 00:06:22,390 --> 00:06:20,880 back to camp 213 00:06:24,070 --> 00:06:22,400 light was fading as i reached my 214 00:06:26,550 --> 00:06:24,080 campsite which made fire 215 00:06:28,629 --> 00:06:26,560 priority one when i had light to work by 216 00:06:30,150 --> 00:06:28,639 i cleaned the rabbit making sure to not 217 00:06:31,350 --> 00:06:30,160 perforate the bowels and remove the 218 00:06:33,189 --> 00:06:31,360 organs and skin 219 00:06:34,950 --> 00:06:33,199 i walked away from camp and buried the 220 00:06:35,590 --> 00:06:34,960 offal in height in a small hole next to 221 00:06:37,510 --> 00:06:35,600 a tree 222 00:06:39,189 --> 00:06:37,520 when the meat was cleaned i rubbed some 223 00:06:40,150 --> 00:06:39,199 spices into the meat to remove some of 224 00:06:41,510 --> 00:06:40,160 the taste of game 225 00:06:43,590 --> 00:06:41,520 and skewered it with a stick i'd 226 00:06:44,870 --> 00:06:43,600 sharpened i wasn't the best cook and 227 00:06:45,510 --> 00:06:44,880 didn't have the right tools and 228 00:06:47,430 --> 00:06:45,520 ingredients 229 00:06:48,790 --> 00:06:47,440 so the meat was a little dry and bland 230 00:06:50,629 --> 00:06:48,800 but filled me up nicely 231 00:06:53,029 --> 00:06:50,639 and i washed it down with a swig from my 232 00:06:54,710 --> 00:06:53,039 canteen i even had leftovers 233 00:06:56,469 --> 00:06:54,720 i wrapped them up in cloth and sat them 234 00:06:57,749 --> 00:06:56,479 by the fire ready to be eaten for 235 00:06:59,510 --> 00:06:57,759 breakfast in the morning 236 00:07:01,189 --> 00:06:59,520 with nothing else to do for the evening 237 00:07:01,990 --> 00:07:01,199 and night had fallen an hour ago i 238 00:07:03,430 --> 00:07:02,000 decided to turn 239 00:07:05,670 --> 00:07:03,440 in for the evening and get an early 240 00:07:07,430 --> 00:07:05,680 start in the morning i had many miles to 241 00:07:09,189 --> 00:07:07,440 cover and i would have to hunt again at 242 00:07:11,029 --> 00:07:09,199 some point the next day for dinner 243 00:07:12,629 --> 00:07:11,039 in the morning i woke up refreshed from 244 00:07:14,629 --> 00:07:12,639 one of the best night's sleep i'd ever 245 00:07:16,390 --> 00:07:14,639 had and was eager to take on the day 246 00:07:17,990 --> 00:07:16,400 i was in such a good mood that it took 247 00:07:18,790 --> 00:07:18,000 me a few minutes to realize something 248 00:07:20,469 --> 00:07:18,800 was off 249 00:07:21,830 --> 00:07:20,479 in the middle of packing up my hammock 250 00:07:23,350 --> 00:07:21,840 and gathering my supplies 251 00:07:25,189 --> 00:07:23,360 i couldn't help but notice that the 252 00:07:26,070 --> 00:07:25,199 leftover rabbit was missing from next to 253 00:07:27,749 --> 00:07:26,080 the fire 254 00:07:29,110 --> 00:07:27,759 i searched around for it in vain 255 00:07:30,790 --> 00:07:29,120 thinking the wind might have caught it 256 00:07:32,790 --> 00:07:30,800 and blown it away from the camp 257 00:07:35,029 --> 00:07:32,800 but there was nothing i chalked it up to 258 00:07:36,710 --> 00:07:35,039 a wild animal but that unsettled me 259 00:07:38,230 --> 00:07:36,720 dearest didn't often eat meat and i 260 00:07:39,430 --> 00:07:38,240 didn't think a deer would get anywhere 261 00:07:41,110 --> 00:07:39,440 near my campsite 262 00:07:42,469 --> 00:07:41,120 the smoke from the embers of the fire 263 00:07:43,510 --> 00:07:42,479 would have been enough to keep most 264 00:07:45,189 --> 00:07:43,520 animals away 265 00:07:46,550 --> 00:07:45,199 black bears were common enough in the 266 00:07:48,629 --> 00:07:46,560 forest but they should still be 267 00:07:50,469 --> 00:07:48,639 hibernating during this time of year 268 00:07:52,309 --> 00:07:50,479 right now there wasn't anything larger 269 00:07:54,629 --> 00:07:52,319 than a deer in these woods so unless it 270 00:07:56,309 --> 00:07:54,639 was a coyote it had to have been a deer 271 00:07:59,189 --> 00:07:56,319 but there were no tracks anywhere around 272 00:08:01,110 --> 00:07:59,199 my campsite so no answers came to me 273 00:08:02,710 --> 00:08:01,120 i'd packed up camp and went to relieve 274 00:08:04,390 --> 00:08:02,720 myself when i found something that 275 00:08:04,950 --> 00:08:04,400 confused and terrified the hell out of 276 00:08:06,469 --> 00:08:04,960 me 277 00:08:07,990 --> 00:08:06,479 i went to piss by the tree where i 278 00:08:09,830 --> 00:08:08,000 buried the awful of the rabbit last 279 00:08:10,550 --> 00:08:09,840 night and right where i buried them was 280 00:08:12,629 --> 00:08:10,560 a hole 281 00:08:13,589 --> 00:08:12,639 it was rough with long claw marks gouged 282 00:08:15,029 --> 00:08:13,599 deep into the dirt 283 00:08:17,029 --> 00:08:15,039 as if something had ripped into the 284 00:08:18,469 --> 00:08:17,039 ground to get what i'd buried i buried 285 00:08:20,629 --> 00:08:18,479 them deep enough to not attract the 286 00:08:22,309 --> 00:08:20,639 scent of wild animals and i'd never seen 287 00:08:22,950 --> 00:08:22,319 claw marks like the ones next to the 288 00:08:24,869 --> 00:08:22,960 tree 289 00:08:26,070 --> 00:08:24,879 i didn't know what to make of them wild 290 00:08:28,070 --> 00:08:26,080 animals weren't that smart 291 00:08:29,589 --> 00:08:28,080 and they were skittish by nature no 292 00:08:31,430 --> 00:08:29,599 animal would risk getting close to a 293 00:08:33,670 --> 00:08:31,440 human unless they were starving and no 294 00:08:35,909 --> 00:08:33,680 human had claws like the ones i'd found 295 00:08:37,269 --> 00:08:35,919 without hesitation i grabbed my rifle 296 00:08:39,509 --> 00:08:37,279 and racked a cartridge 297 00:08:40,790 --> 00:08:39,519 i was petrified i walked a camp in a 298 00:08:42,949 --> 00:08:40,800 circle spreading out 299 00:08:44,630 --> 00:08:42,959 searching for any tracks or signs the 300 00:08:46,389 --> 00:08:44,640 only ones i'd found were some deer 301 00:08:47,829 --> 00:08:46,399 tracks about 100 yards from camp that 302 00:08:49,509 --> 00:08:47,839 were at least a day old 303 00:08:51,269 --> 00:08:49,519 there was nothing else even remotely 304 00:08:53,030 --> 00:08:51,279 resembling the marks i'd found 305 00:08:54,870 --> 00:08:53,040 there was nothing for me to find and 306 00:08:56,790 --> 00:08:54,880 even though i was freaked out i still 307 00:08:58,710 --> 00:08:56,800 had to hike back to civilization 308 00:09:00,150 --> 00:08:58,720 as the miles wore on i began to 309 00:09:01,590 --> 00:09:00,160 rationalize the experience 310 00:09:03,590 --> 00:09:01,600 thinking it to be nothing more than a 311 00:09:05,269 --> 00:09:03,600 hungry animal looking for food and brave 312 00:09:07,030 --> 00:09:05,279 enough to sneak into my camp 313 00:09:08,949 --> 00:09:07,040 i just hadn't buried the awful deep 314 00:09:11,110 --> 00:09:08,959 enough and some critter had smelled it 315 00:09:13,269 --> 00:09:11,120 that's all it was i managed to bag 316 00:09:14,949 --> 00:09:13,279 another rabbit purely on coincidence as 317 00:09:16,870 --> 00:09:14,959 it scampered out of the tree line 318 00:09:18,710 --> 00:09:16,880 after the rabbit was clean i wrapped the 319 00:09:20,550 --> 00:09:18,720 meat in cloth and stowed it away 320 00:09:22,070 --> 00:09:20,560 i was hungry from the hike and the fact 321 00:09:23,829 --> 00:09:22,080 that my breakfast had been stolen 322 00:09:25,750 --> 00:09:23,839 that morning but i still wanted to put 323 00:09:26,550 --> 00:09:25,760 some more miles under my boots before it 324 00:09:28,470 --> 00:09:26,560 got dark 325 00:09:30,230 --> 00:09:28,480 as the sunlight faded from the canopy 326 00:09:32,630 --> 00:09:30,240 and my aching feet demanded a break 327 00:09:33,590 --> 00:09:32,640 i found a spot to set up camp it was a 328 00:09:35,350 --> 00:09:33,600 small campsite 329 00:09:37,110 --> 00:09:35,360 nestled up against a rocky mound that 330 00:09:39,350 --> 00:09:37,120 stretched skyward for a couple dozen 331 00:09:41,269 --> 00:09:39,360 feet with a slanted shelf near the top 332 00:09:43,509 --> 00:09:41,279 i felt comfortable having my back to the 333 00:09:45,590 --> 00:09:43,519 wall and abrasive trees next to the rock 334 00:09:46,710 --> 00:09:45,600 ensured i could set up my hammock i 335 00:09:48,630 --> 00:09:46,720 readied the campsite 336 00:09:50,470 --> 00:09:48,640 built a roaring fire twice as large as 337 00:09:52,630 --> 00:09:50,480 the one last night just to scare away 338 00:09:53,509 --> 00:09:52,640 any nearby animals and cooks a rabbit to 339 00:09:55,350 --> 00:09:53,519 perfection 340 00:09:57,670 --> 00:09:55,360 i was ravenous and scarfed down the meat 341 00:09:59,350 --> 00:09:57,680 with gusto despite my hunger there were 342 00:10:01,430 --> 00:09:59,360 still plenty of leftovers again 343 00:10:03,509 --> 00:10:01,440 but this time i was careful to stow the 344 00:10:04,389 --> 00:10:03,519 meat inside my pack which i kept next to 345 00:10:06,069 --> 00:10:04,399 my hammock 346 00:10:08,069 --> 00:10:06,079 exhaustion had worn me down from the 347 00:10:09,509 --> 00:10:08,079 many miles i'd walk that day and i was 348 00:10:11,430 --> 00:10:09,519 eager to get some sleep 349 00:10:13,509 --> 00:10:11,440 i laid my head on my pillow and was out 350 00:10:15,269 --> 00:10:13,519 like a light the stillness woke me 351 00:10:17,509 --> 00:10:15,279 like a veil of silence had been draped 352 00:10:18,630 --> 00:10:17,519 over the woods not a single sound rose 353 00:10:20,150 --> 00:10:18,640 from the forest floor 354 00:10:22,230 --> 00:10:20,160 other than the rustling of the leaves in 355 00:10:24,069 --> 00:10:22,240 the wind not even crickets 356 00:10:25,670 --> 00:10:24,079 animals instinctively go quiet in the 357 00:10:27,750 --> 00:10:25,680 presence of predators but this was 358 00:10:29,910 --> 00:10:27,760 unlike anything i'd ever felt before 359 00:10:31,509 --> 00:10:29,920 i lay in my hammock straining my ears to 360 00:10:33,750 --> 00:10:31,519 listen to any sound i could 361 00:10:35,509 --> 00:10:33,760 the fire had died out leaving only coals 362 00:10:36,230 --> 00:10:35,519 that sparked every time a stiff breeze 363 00:10:38,150 --> 00:10:36,240 rolled in 364 00:10:39,990 --> 00:10:38,160 the moon was fat in the sky and gave me 365 00:10:40,790 --> 00:10:40,000 ample light to see by as i stared up at 366 00:10:42,870 --> 00:10:40,800 the trees 367 00:10:43,990 --> 00:10:42,880 for some reason i was terrified to get 368 00:10:46,310 --> 00:10:44,000 up and look around 369 00:10:47,670 --> 00:10:46,320 my rifle was next to me resting just by 370 00:10:49,430 --> 00:10:47,680 head against the tree 371 00:10:51,030 --> 00:10:49,440 i could grab it in seconds and there was 372 00:10:51,990 --> 00:10:51,040 a round in the chamber but i couldn't 373 00:10:53,430 --> 00:10:52,000 reach for my gun 374 00:10:55,110 --> 00:10:53,440 couldn't do anything other than stare 375 00:10:55,750 --> 00:10:55,120 straight ahead and try not to move an 376 00:10:57,190 --> 00:10:55,760 inch 377 00:10:59,190 --> 00:10:57,200 because i realized something was 378 00:11:01,269 --> 00:10:59,200 watching me it's a hard to describe 379 00:11:01,670 --> 00:11:01,279 feeling i knew what it was on a primal 380 00:11:03,590 --> 00:11:01,680 level 381 00:11:05,350 --> 00:11:03,600 something instinctual right alongside 382 00:11:07,430 --> 00:11:05,360 the fear of being alone in the dark 383 00:11:09,110 --> 00:11:07,440 i knew that feeling too the presence 384 00:11:09,670 --> 00:11:09,120 persisted for a few minutes and didn't 385 00:11:11,509 --> 00:11:09,680 fade 386 00:11:13,990 --> 00:11:11,519 sweat poured down my neck as i fought to 387 00:11:14,949 --> 00:11:14,000 stay still eventually the silence and 388 00:11:16,870 --> 00:11:14,959 fear got to me 389 00:11:18,230 --> 00:11:16,880 and i had to do something i couldn't 390 00:11:18,710 --> 00:11:18,240 take it anymore and left from the 391 00:11:20,630 --> 00:11:18,720 hammock 392 00:11:22,310 --> 00:11:20,640 hitting the ground hard i ignored the 393 00:11:23,590 --> 00:11:22,320 pain radiating from my arms and 394 00:11:25,590 --> 00:11:23,600 scrambled for my rifle 395 00:11:26,710 --> 00:11:25,600 scanning all around me trying to find 396 00:11:29,030 --> 00:11:26,720 whatever it was 397 00:11:30,150 --> 00:11:29,040 as i spun around i saw it perched on the 398 00:11:32,150 --> 00:11:30,160 rocks above me 399 00:11:34,150 --> 00:11:32,160 for a single split second a flash of 400 00:11:36,230 --> 00:11:34,160 neon blue eyes stared back at me from an 401 00:11:37,110 --> 00:11:36,240 angular two pale body before it slunk 402 00:11:39,190 --> 00:11:37,120 out of sight 403 00:11:40,150 --> 00:11:39,200 my heart pounded in my chest and my head 404 00:11:42,069 --> 00:11:40,160 felt fuzzy 405 00:11:43,509 --> 00:11:42,079 it became hard to breathe and i fought 406 00:11:45,269 --> 00:11:43,519 to keep from passing out 407 00:11:46,550 --> 00:11:45,279 i was scared out of my mind because 408 00:11:48,870 --> 00:11:46,560 whatever that thing had been 409 00:11:49,990 --> 00:11:48,880 wasn't human and it wasn't an animal it 410 00:11:51,910 --> 00:11:50,000 was a monster 411 00:11:53,750 --> 00:11:51,920 i didn't sleep that night i built up the 412 00:11:55,030 --> 00:11:53,760 fire and huddled around it clutching my 413 00:11:57,269 --> 00:11:55,040 rifle till morning 414 00:11:58,949 --> 00:11:57,279 screw tradition and screw these woods i 415 00:12:00,629 --> 00:11:58,959 was heading back to the cabin at first 416 00:12:01,430 --> 00:12:00,639 light and i wasn't stopping till i 417 00:12:02,870 --> 00:12:01,440 reached it 418 00:12:04,790 --> 00:12:02,880 nothing else happened through the night 419 00:12:06,949 --> 00:12:04,800 but as dawn broke over the mountains 420 00:12:08,949 --> 00:12:06,959 my nerves were shot to hell and my eyes 421 00:12:10,710 --> 00:12:08,959 ached with a strain of keeping them open 422 00:12:12,550 --> 00:12:10,720 i stumbled to my feet kicked out the 423 00:12:13,269 --> 00:12:12,560 fire and slung my backpack over my 424 00:12:15,030 --> 00:12:13,279 shoulder 425 00:12:16,470 --> 00:12:15,040 i left the hammock tied where it was and 426 00:12:18,310 --> 00:12:16,480 set off towards the stream 427 00:12:20,150 --> 00:12:18,320 i was going to follow it to the trail 428 00:12:20,949 --> 00:12:20,160 and i'd be back at the cabin well before 429 00:12:22,870 --> 00:12:20,959 nightfall 430 00:12:23,990 --> 00:12:22,880 it took an hour of walking stumbling 431 00:12:25,750 --> 00:12:24,000 over uneven terrain 432 00:12:27,190 --> 00:12:25,760 until i found the stream and from there 433 00:12:29,110 --> 00:12:27,200 i found the worn trail 434 00:12:30,230 --> 00:12:29,120 i followed it for hours as the sun rose 435 00:12:32,310 --> 00:12:30,240 high in the sky 436 00:12:33,829 --> 00:12:32,320 i was so tired but the fear of death and 437 00:12:35,509 --> 00:12:33,839 that monster were the only things that 438 00:12:36,069 --> 00:12:35,519 kept me putting one foot in front of the 439 00:12:37,829 --> 00:12:36,079 other 440 00:12:39,829 --> 00:12:37,839 i was hungry thirsty and beyond 441 00:12:41,990 --> 00:12:39,839 everything else utterly exhausted 442 00:12:43,590 --> 00:12:42,000 but i kept pushing forward no matter how 443 00:12:45,350 --> 00:12:43,600 slow and tired i was 444 00:12:47,190 --> 00:12:45,360 i still had the rabbit tied up in my 445 00:12:49,590 --> 00:12:47,200 pack but i couldn't stop and eat 446 00:12:50,629 --> 00:12:49,600 as the day wore on i began to recognize 447 00:12:52,870 --> 00:12:50,639 parts of the terrain 448 00:12:54,629 --> 00:12:52,880 and i knew i was close to the cabin i 449 00:12:56,389 --> 00:12:54,639 was so late that i didn't pay attention 450 00:12:58,150 --> 00:12:56,399 to where i was walking and rolled my 451 00:12:59,590 --> 00:12:58,160 ankle on a small rock that jutted out 452 00:13:01,590 --> 00:12:59,600 from the side of the trail 453 00:13:03,750 --> 00:13:01,600 i lost my balance and careened off and 454 00:13:06,310 --> 00:13:03,760 hit my head on a nearby tree branch 455 00:13:08,069 --> 00:13:06,320 everything went black i awoke to dusk 456 00:13:09,430 --> 00:13:08,079 i'd been out for a couple of hours 457 00:13:11,110 --> 00:13:09,440 whether from the blow to the head or the 458 00:13:12,870 --> 00:13:11,120 exhaustion whichever it was 459 00:13:14,870 --> 00:13:12,880 i was still in the woods and night was 460 00:13:16,230 --> 00:13:14,880 coming quickly the monsters never 461 00:13:18,230 --> 00:13:16,240 appeared during the daytime 462 00:13:19,990 --> 00:13:18,240 so i thought i was safe in the light but 463 00:13:21,990 --> 00:13:20,000 light was running out and i still had a 464 00:13:23,670 --> 00:13:22,000 miler so till i reached the cabin 465 00:13:26,230 --> 00:13:23,680 i picked myself off the ground and 466 00:13:27,750 --> 00:13:26,240 dusted the dirt off i grabbed my rifle 467 00:13:29,990 --> 00:13:27,760 checked that it was still loaded and i 468 00:13:31,190 --> 00:13:30,000 flicked the safety off my finger stood a 469 00:13:33,110 --> 00:13:31,200 millimeter from the trigger 470 00:13:34,790 --> 00:13:33,120 and i kept my head on a swivel as i 471 00:13:35,430 --> 00:13:34,800 hastily jogged the trail back to the 472 00:13:37,030 --> 00:13:35,440 cabin 473 00:13:38,949 --> 00:13:37,040 relief swept through me when i saw the 474 00:13:41,829 --> 00:13:38,959 wraparound porch come into view 475 00:13:42,949 --> 00:13:41,839 i had made it back dad i yelled as i ran 476 00:13:45,430 --> 00:13:42,959 up on the porch 477 00:13:47,350 --> 00:13:45,440 dad we gotta go i ran around to the 478 00:13:48,470 --> 00:13:47,360 front door and stood stock still as my 479 00:13:50,550 --> 00:13:48,480 blood ran cold 480 00:13:52,710 --> 00:13:50,560 the door to the cabin was open and my 481 00:13:53,590 --> 00:13:52,720 dad was lying halfway inside and halfway 482 00:13:55,670 --> 00:13:53,600 on the porch 483 00:13:57,430 --> 00:13:55,680 he'd been mauled his body was nothing 484 00:13:59,110 --> 00:13:57,440 but ribbons and scraps of flesh that 485 00:13:59,829 --> 00:13:59,120 only half resembled what a human should 486 00:14:01,829 --> 00:13:59,839 look like 487 00:14:03,509 --> 00:14:01,839 i stared in silence my mind not 488 00:14:04,710 --> 00:14:03,519 comprehending what i was seeing 489 00:14:06,310 --> 00:14:04,720 he'd been wearing the red and 490 00:14:08,230 --> 00:14:06,320 black-checked flannel shirt i'd gotten 491 00:14:09,829 --> 00:14:08,240 him for his birthday it was the only way 492 00:14:11,670 --> 00:14:09,839 i could tell it was my dad 493 00:14:13,430 --> 00:14:11,680 his face had been ripped from his skull 494 00:14:14,470 --> 00:14:13,440 two white bone peeked out from his empty 495 00:14:16,470 --> 00:14:14,480 eye sockets 496 00:14:18,150 --> 00:14:16,480 the stench was ungodly a mixture of 497 00:14:18,949 --> 00:14:18,160 fresh meat and the iron tang of blood 498 00:14:20,949 --> 00:14:18,959 filled the air 499 00:14:22,150 --> 00:14:20,959 i clutched at my stomach and hurled bile 500 00:14:24,069 --> 00:14:22,160 on the wooden floorboards 501 00:14:25,910 --> 00:14:24,079 sinking to my knees as my throat burned 502 00:14:27,990 --> 00:14:25,920 raw as i heaved my guts out 503 00:14:29,829 --> 00:14:28,000 absolute panic ripped my sanity and took 504 00:14:31,430 --> 00:14:29,839 it for a joyride as i tried and failed 505 00:14:32,389 --> 00:14:31,440 to come to terms with the fact that my 506 00:14:33,990 --> 00:14:32,399 father was dead 507 00:14:36,310 --> 00:14:34,000 had been ripped to pieces by whatever 508 00:14:38,310 --> 00:14:36,320 was outside stalking me in the dark 509 00:14:39,590 --> 00:14:38,320 i had to leave had to get as far away 510 00:14:41,829 --> 00:14:39,600 from that place as i could 511 00:14:43,350 --> 00:14:41,839 or else i'd be next i screamed 512 00:14:44,069 --> 00:14:43,360 wordlessly and backed away from the 513 00:14:46,150 --> 00:14:44,079 porch 514 00:14:48,629 --> 00:14:46,160 i turned and ran to the truck it was my 515 00:14:50,790 --> 00:14:48,639 only avenue of escape and i had to hurry 516 00:14:52,470 --> 00:14:50,800 night had already fallen i scrambled the 517 00:14:54,150 --> 00:14:52,480 driver's side of the pikapin yanked on 518 00:14:55,670 --> 00:14:54,160 the handle hard enough to break it but 519 00:14:56,870 --> 00:14:55,680 it held and opened the door after a 520 00:14:58,550 --> 00:14:56,880 second of sticking 521 00:15:00,790 --> 00:14:58,560 i climbed into the cab and threw down 522 00:15:02,310 --> 00:15:00,800 the visor where my dad usually kept the 523 00:15:03,990 --> 00:15:02,320 keys but they weren't there 524 00:15:05,910 --> 00:15:04,000 the only other place they could be was 525 00:15:07,829 --> 00:15:05,920 in the pocket of my dad's jeans 526 00:15:09,829 --> 00:15:07,839 and i would have to get them stealing 527 00:15:12,069 --> 00:15:09,839 myself for the inevitable i clutched my 528 00:15:13,350 --> 00:15:12,079 rifle tight and exited the vehicle i 529 00:15:15,110 --> 00:15:13,360 knew i had to be fast 530 00:15:16,629 --> 00:15:15,120 knew i needed to already be far away 531 00:15:17,990 --> 00:15:16,639 from the woods but my feet wouldn't 532 00:15:19,990 --> 00:15:18,000 carry me any further 533 00:15:21,910 --> 00:15:20,000 i stared at the mutilated remains of my 534 00:15:23,430 --> 00:15:21,920 father and tried not to throw up again 535 00:15:25,110 --> 00:15:23,440 or break down in madness 536 00:15:26,710 --> 00:15:25,120 i squinted through my eyelashes and 537 00:15:28,629 --> 00:15:26,720 patted my dad's pants 538 00:15:30,629 --> 00:15:28,639 the keys were in his left pocket so as 539 00:15:31,670 --> 00:15:30,639 quickly as i could i stepped to the side 540 00:15:33,590 --> 00:15:31,680 and dug through them 541 00:15:35,189 --> 00:15:33,600 my hands clutched around the metal key 542 00:15:37,350 --> 00:15:35,199 and i yanked my prize free 543 00:15:38,230 --> 00:15:37,360 nearly stumbling from the force with the 544 00:15:39,829 --> 00:15:38,240 key in my hand 545 00:15:42,069 --> 00:15:39,839 i bolted from the porch back to the 546 00:15:43,590 --> 00:15:42,079 truck as i reached the open cab 547 00:15:45,430 --> 00:15:43,600 something thudded against wooden i 548 00:15:47,509 --> 00:15:45,440 turned searching for the sound 549 00:15:49,110 --> 00:15:47,519 movement from above me drew my gaze and 550 00:15:50,230 --> 00:15:49,120 i finally got a good look at what had 551 00:15:51,590 --> 00:15:50,240 been chasing me through these 552 00:15:53,350 --> 00:15:51,600 godforsaken woods 553 00:15:54,870 --> 00:15:53,360 it was on the roof of the cabin clinging 554 00:15:55,509 --> 00:15:54,880 to the side of the slanted roof with 555 00:15:57,430 --> 00:15:55,519 ease 556 00:15:59,030 --> 00:15:57,440 the monster was humanoid but it crawled 557 00:16:00,870 --> 00:15:59,040 on all fours like an animal 558 00:16:02,710 --> 00:16:00,880 its skin was pale white like paper and 559 00:16:04,230 --> 00:16:02,720 thick and rough leathery almost 560 00:16:06,389 --> 00:16:04,240 but what marked it as being something 561 00:16:07,990 --> 00:16:06,399 inhuman was its head it bore ethereal 562 00:16:09,829 --> 00:16:08,000 blue eyes that lit up the night and a 563 00:16:11,110 --> 00:16:09,839 large angular face that tapered to a 564 00:16:12,790 --> 00:16:11,120 point near its mouth 565 00:16:14,629 --> 00:16:12,800 its mouth which opened revealing 566 00:16:16,230 --> 00:16:14,639 thousands of minuscule of needlepoint 567 00:16:18,310 --> 00:16:16,240 silver teeth and rose stretching down 568 00:16:19,990 --> 00:16:18,320 its throat the creature's eyes never 569 00:16:20,870 --> 00:16:20,000 left mind and blinded with malicious 570 00:16:22,629 --> 00:16:20,880 intelligence 571 00:16:24,550 --> 00:16:22,639 it up turned its too many teeth into a 572 00:16:27,269 --> 00:16:24,560 gruesome smile i didn't think 573 00:16:28,470 --> 00:16:27,279 didn't panic i just reacted i raised my 574 00:16:30,069 --> 00:16:28,480 rifle and fired 575 00:16:31,910 --> 00:16:30,079 the bullet whizzed past its head and 576 00:16:33,350 --> 00:16:31,920 took it in the shoulder bright white 577 00:16:35,189 --> 00:16:33,360 blood spurted from the wound and 578 00:16:36,470 --> 00:16:35,199 splashed across the roof of the cabin to 579 00:16:38,230 --> 00:16:36,480 drip down the shingles 580 00:16:39,509 --> 00:16:38,240 it let out a high-pitched shriek of pain 581 00:16:41,189 --> 00:16:39,519 and recoiled from the shock 582 00:16:42,949 --> 00:16:41,199 it slid down the roof and into the tree 583 00:16:43,829 --> 00:16:42,959 line faster than i could line up a 584 00:16:45,670 --> 00:16:43,839 second shot 585 00:16:47,590 --> 00:16:45,680 when it broke from my line of sight i 586 00:16:49,430 --> 00:16:47,600 sprinted to the truck tossed in my bag 587 00:16:50,069 --> 00:16:49,440 and rifle and slid into the driver's 588 00:16:51,670 --> 00:16:50,079 seat 589 00:16:54,069 --> 00:16:51,680 thankfully the truck started on the 590 00:16:55,829 --> 00:16:54,079 first try and the engine roared to life 591 00:16:57,910 --> 00:16:55,839 i flicked on the high beams through the 592 00:16:58,790 --> 00:16:57,920 truck in reverse and spun around as fast 593 00:17:00,949 --> 00:16:58,800 as i could 594 00:17:02,629 --> 00:17:00,959 i was driving recklessly taking curves 595 00:17:04,789 --> 00:17:02,639 too sharply and doing everything in my 596 00:17:06,470 --> 00:17:04,799 power not to fishtail into a tree when a 597 00:17:08,710 --> 00:17:06,480 thud landed on the roof of the truck 598 00:17:09,990 --> 00:17:08,720 crumpling the aging metal i screeched 599 00:17:12,230 --> 00:17:10,000 panicked and jerked the wheel 600 00:17:13,909 --> 00:17:12,240 trying to throw it off i spun the wheel 601 00:17:14,949 --> 00:17:13,919 too much and clipped an overgrown tree 602 00:17:17,110 --> 00:17:14,959 in the process 603 00:17:18,789 --> 00:17:17,120 i tried to overcorrect myself but only 604 00:17:19,829 --> 00:17:18,799 ended up slamming the side of the truck 605 00:17:21,270 --> 00:17:19,839 into the tree line 606 00:17:23,270 --> 00:17:21,280 the truck crunched to a halt the 607 00:17:24,630 --> 00:17:23,280 passenger side crumpling like a bent in 608 00:17:26,150 --> 00:17:24,640 his tree branches snapped 609 00:17:28,069 --> 00:17:26,160 sounding wooden gunshots through the 610 00:17:29,909 --> 00:17:28,079 forest whatever was on the truck was 611 00:17:31,430 --> 00:17:29,919 flung to the side as we crashed 612 00:17:33,669 --> 00:17:31,440 it flew off the hood and hid a tree 613 00:17:34,870 --> 00:17:33,679 further into the forest bones cracked 614 00:17:36,549 --> 00:17:34,880 and when it fell to the dirt 615 00:17:38,470 --> 00:17:36,559 it left a smear of white blood across 616 00:17:40,230 --> 00:17:38,480 the bark i tried to start the truck 617 00:17:41,029 --> 00:17:40,240 again but it just groaned and wouldn't 618 00:17:42,950 --> 00:17:41,039 turn over 619 00:17:44,630 --> 00:17:42,960 with a half groud half grown the 620 00:17:45,990 --> 00:17:44,640 creature picked its bleeding body off 621 00:17:47,909 --> 00:17:46,000 the ground and glared at me 622 00:17:49,510 --> 00:17:47,919 its neon eyes glowing even brighter as 623 00:17:51,830 --> 00:17:49,520 it shrieked and crawled toward me 624 00:17:53,430 --> 00:17:51,840 i grabbed my rifle and left the truck i 625 00:17:53,909 --> 00:17:53,440 could follow the monster by its eyes 626 00:17:55,590 --> 00:17:53,919 alone 627 00:17:57,669 --> 00:17:55,600 and i perched my rifle on the hood of 628 00:17:59,669 --> 00:17:57,679 the truck and took aim it was slow as it 629 00:18:01,350 --> 00:17:59,679 crept toward me giving me plenty of time 630 00:18:03,029 --> 00:18:01,360 to line up the perfect shot 631 00:18:05,190 --> 00:18:03,039 i had my crosshairs centered right 632 00:18:07,190 --> 00:18:05,200 between its eyes and i rested my finger 633 00:18:07,909 --> 00:18:07,200 on the trigger a split second away from 634 00:18:09,830 --> 00:18:07,919 firing 635 00:18:11,270 --> 00:18:09,840 the creature let out another screen much 636 00:18:13,590 --> 00:18:11,280 higher in pitch than the others 637 00:18:15,830 --> 00:18:13,600 and my body jerked on its own accord my 638 00:18:17,830 --> 00:18:15,840 hand spasmed and i squeezed the trigger 639 00:18:19,669 --> 00:18:17,840 my shot went wide flying off into the 640 00:18:21,909 --> 00:18:19,679 woods and flooding into an old tree 641 00:18:23,669 --> 00:18:21,919 that had been my last bullet my rifle 642 00:18:25,190 --> 00:18:23,679 only held four shots and i hadn't 643 00:18:27,510 --> 00:18:25,200 brought any extra ammo 644 00:18:29,190 --> 00:18:27,520 i squeezed the trigger again and again 645 00:18:29,590 --> 00:18:29,200 terror gripped me as it slunk along the 646 00:18:31,110 --> 00:18:29,600 earth 647 00:18:33,350 --> 00:18:31,120 leaving a milk white trail of blood 648 00:18:35,430 --> 00:18:33,360 behind it i threw the gun at it and ran 649 00:18:37,430 --> 00:18:35,440 for the truck for the knife in my bag 650 00:18:38,710 --> 00:18:37,440 i wasn't going to let it get me i wasn't 651 00:18:41,190 --> 00:18:38,720 going to end up as food 652 00:18:42,710 --> 00:18:41,200 as a mutilated corpse like my dad i was 653 00:18:43,350 --> 00:18:42,720 going to kill it her myself if that 654 00:18:45,270 --> 00:18:43,360 failed 655 00:18:47,029 --> 00:18:45,280 i wouldn't let it eat me the thing was 656 00:18:48,789 --> 00:18:47,039 on me before i reached the cab 657 00:18:50,789 --> 00:18:48,799 it slammed into the side of the door 658 00:18:52,630 --> 00:18:50,799 pinning me as i was halfway in the door 659 00:18:54,310 --> 00:18:52,640 i lunged from my bag as the monster 660 00:18:56,150 --> 00:18:54,320 opened its jaws wide and bit through the 661 00:18:57,750 --> 00:18:56,160 metal door like it was cardboard 662 00:18:59,430 --> 00:18:57,760 it wrapped a chunk free and spatted on 663 00:19:00,150 --> 00:18:59,440 the ground as it eyed me with rage and 664 00:19:02,310 --> 00:19:00,160 hunger 665 00:19:03,990 --> 00:19:02,320 my hand closed around my bag and i tore 666 00:19:05,270 --> 00:19:04,000 the strings grabbing the knife that was 667 00:19:06,710 --> 00:19:05,280 at the top of the bag 668 00:19:08,870 --> 00:19:06,720 i slid it from its sheath as the 669 00:19:09,990 --> 00:19:08,880 creature was poised to bite i jammed the 670 00:19:12,070 --> 00:19:10,000 knife to the helt in the side 671 00:19:13,909 --> 00:19:12,080 of its face just below its glowing blue 672 00:19:15,669 --> 00:19:13,919 eye it reared back in pain 673 00:19:17,110 --> 00:19:15,679 sending a mind-pounding shriek of pain 674 00:19:18,950 --> 00:19:17,120 splitting through my psyche 675 00:19:20,230 --> 00:19:18,960 it stopped my heartbeat for a second as 676 00:19:22,070 --> 00:19:20,240 it jumped away from the truck 677 00:19:24,070 --> 00:19:22,080 and tried to dislodge the knife stuck in 678 00:19:24,870 --> 00:19:24,080 its cult i thought then that i'd landed 679 00:19:26,549 --> 00:19:24,880 a lucky blow 680 00:19:28,230 --> 00:19:26,559 and it was going to leave that i'd be 681 00:19:28,870 --> 00:19:28,240 able to get back in the truck and escape 682 00:19:30,710 --> 00:19:28,880 the forest 683 00:19:32,310 --> 00:19:30,720 but more howls joined the first and two 684 00:19:33,270 --> 00:19:32,320 more of the monsters slunk from out of 685 00:19:35,350 --> 00:19:33,280 the shadows 686 00:19:36,870 --> 00:19:35,360 this is where i'd die it was the only 687 00:19:38,470 --> 00:19:36,880 thought running through my head 688 00:19:40,310 --> 00:19:38,480 i couldn't run from them couldn't fight 689 00:19:41,990 --> 00:19:40,320 them i was going to die 690 00:19:44,310 --> 00:19:42,000 but i wasn't going to make it easy for 691 00:19:46,230 --> 00:19:44,320 them i grabbed my torn bag and i ran 692 00:19:48,230 --> 00:19:46,240 into the woods as fast as i could 693 00:19:49,909 --> 00:19:48,240 i was desperate to escape but the howls 694 00:19:51,430 --> 00:19:49,919 and thuds of too many legs padding 695 00:19:52,470 --> 00:19:51,440 through the dirt behind me told me i 696 00:19:54,470 --> 00:19:52,480 wouldn't escape 697 00:19:56,150 --> 00:19:54,480 they were close at my heels and the only 698 00:19:58,070 --> 00:19:56,160 thing that saved my life that night was 699 00:19:59,750 --> 00:19:58,080 gravity and my own clumsiness 700 00:20:01,590 --> 00:19:59,760 i tripped on a branch and tumbled to the 701 00:20:03,190 --> 00:20:01,600 ground as one of them sailed over me 702 00:20:04,710 --> 00:20:03,200 mouth-wide as the thousand needles 703 00:20:06,390 --> 00:20:04,720 closed around empty air 704 00:20:08,549 --> 00:20:06,400 it hit the ground a few feet away and 705 00:20:10,710 --> 00:20:08,559 turned hanging me up i backpedaled but 706 00:20:12,710 --> 00:20:10,720 hit a tree as it lunged a second time 707 00:20:14,310 --> 00:20:12,720 with nothing else in my hands i brought 708 00:20:16,310 --> 00:20:14,320 my bag up as it clamped down 709 00:20:17,830 --> 00:20:16,320 throwing me to the forest floor its 710 00:20:19,990 --> 00:20:17,840 teeth closed around my bag 711 00:20:21,830 --> 00:20:20,000 ripping the nylon to shreds but my mini 712 00:20:23,750 --> 00:20:21,840 shovel got lodged in its throat and it 713 00:20:25,750 --> 00:20:23,760 couldn't close its mouth all the way 714 00:20:27,669 --> 00:20:25,760 clothing and food poured out of its jaws 715 00:20:29,430 --> 00:20:27,679 and i scrambled out from under it 716 00:20:31,270 --> 00:20:29,440 my hand hit something plastic as i 717 00:20:32,390 --> 00:20:31,280 crawled away from the creature and even 718 00:20:33,990 --> 00:20:32,400 in the dark of the woods 719 00:20:35,669 --> 00:20:34,000 i couldn't fail to make out the bright 720 00:20:37,590 --> 00:20:35,679 orange handle of the flare gun 721 00:20:39,510 --> 00:20:37,600 it was a long shot but it was the last 722 00:20:40,870 --> 00:20:39,520 weapon i had and i clung to it as i 723 00:20:42,549 --> 00:20:40,880 stood up and ran away 724 00:20:43,990 --> 00:20:42,559 i didn't get far as the monster chomped 725 00:20:45,909 --> 00:20:44,000 through the metal shovel like it was a 726 00:20:46,710 --> 00:20:45,919 toothpick and spat out the remains of my 727 00:20:49,190 --> 00:20:46,720 backpack 728 00:20:51,110 --> 00:20:49,200 it held in rage and ran for me knowing i 729 00:20:53,270 --> 00:20:51,120 only had one shot i stopped running 730 00:20:54,950 --> 00:20:53,280 dropped to my knees and fired daylight 731 00:20:56,789 --> 00:20:54,960 split the night as my eyesight was 732 00:20:58,149 --> 00:20:56,799 obliterated by the burning red flare 733 00:21:00,310 --> 00:20:58,159 as it streaked through the air and hit 734 00:21:01,990 --> 00:21:00,320 the monster in the face like it had been 735 00:21:04,149 --> 00:21:02,000 doused in kerosene the creature 736 00:21:05,590 --> 00:21:04,159 went up in a gulf of flames its flesh 737 00:21:07,110 --> 00:21:05,600 sizzled and popped like grease in the 738 00:21:07,830 --> 00:21:07,120 pan as it cracked and blackened in 739 00:21:09,750 --> 00:21:07,840 seconds 740 00:21:11,430 --> 00:21:09,760 it howled in agony screaming such a 741 00:21:12,950 --> 00:21:11,440 high-pitched sound that my ears bled 742 00:21:15,190 --> 00:21:12,960 and i fell to my knees as my 743 00:21:16,870 --> 00:21:15,200 consciousness waned by the time i rose 744 00:21:18,230 --> 00:21:16,880 to my feet and wiped the blood from my 745 00:21:20,070 --> 00:21:18,240 ears it was dead 746 00:21:21,909 --> 00:21:20,080 it was now nothing but a charred carcass 747 00:21:23,830 --> 00:21:21,919 burning under the crackling fire 748 00:21:25,669 --> 00:21:23,840 the flare still burned illuminating the 749 00:21:27,510 --> 00:21:25,679 night and showing me the other two 750 00:21:29,270 --> 00:21:27,520 creatures that had crept upon us 751 00:21:31,430 --> 00:21:29,280 i was out of weapons and out of hope but 752 00:21:33,110 --> 00:21:31,440 they stayed back just at the tree line 753 00:21:35,190 --> 00:21:33,120 watching me and the flaming carcass of 754 00:21:36,950 --> 00:21:35,200 their friend fire was their weakness it 755 00:21:37,510 --> 00:21:36,960 seemed and even though i had no more 756 00:21:39,510 --> 00:21:37,520 flares 757 00:21:41,190 --> 00:21:39,520 i've left them it was the most reckless 758 00:21:42,390 --> 00:21:41,200 thing i could have done but i had no 759 00:21:44,310 --> 00:21:42,400 other options left 760 00:21:46,230 --> 00:21:44,320 i raised the empty flare gun and they 761 00:21:47,430 --> 00:21:46,240 flinched they took a step back and 762 00:21:49,350 --> 00:21:47,440 stayed low to the ground 763 00:21:51,190 --> 00:21:49,360 like they were ready to bolt i pressed 764 00:21:52,870 --> 00:21:51,200 my luck and took a step forward 765 00:21:54,390 --> 00:21:52,880 they turned and ran as fast as they 766 00:21:56,470 --> 00:21:54,400 could deeper into the forest 767 00:21:58,470 --> 00:21:56,480 howling as they did so as soon as they 768 00:22:00,950 --> 00:21:58,480 were out of sight i ran myself 769 00:22:02,390 --> 00:22:00,960 i ran as fast as my legs would carry me 770 00:22:03,990 --> 00:22:02,400 not caring about the scrapes and 771 00:22:04,950 --> 00:22:04,000 scratches from the branches whipping at 772 00:22:07,430 --> 00:22:04,960 my face 773 00:22:09,029 --> 00:22:07,440 i only cared about my own survival i hit 774 00:22:09,909 --> 00:22:09,039 the road leading to the highway and ran 775 00:22:11,669 --> 00:22:09,919 for hours 776 00:22:13,430 --> 00:22:11,679 there were too many miles between me and 777 00:22:15,669 --> 00:22:13,440 the highway but i didn't care 778 00:22:17,590 --> 00:22:15,679 i just kept running by the time i hit 779 00:22:19,750 --> 00:22:17,600 the pavement it was daybreak and i knew 780 00:22:21,830 --> 00:22:19,760 i could stop running but i kept on 781 00:22:23,669 --> 00:22:21,840 because i had nothing else but the run 782 00:22:24,549 --> 00:22:23,679 if i stopped it would mean accepting 783 00:22:26,789 --> 00:22:24,559 what just happened 784 00:22:28,870 --> 00:22:26,799 and i didn't think my mind would survive 785 00:22:30,470 --> 00:22:28,880 i ran until i hit the gas station we'd 786 00:22:32,630 --> 00:22:30,480 stopped at only three days ago 787 00:22:34,470 --> 00:22:32,640 what felt like a lifetime ago the gas 788 00:22:36,470 --> 00:22:34,480 station attendant took one look at me 789 00:22:37,909 --> 00:22:36,480 out of breath with bloody torn clothing 790 00:22:39,590 --> 00:22:37,919 and called the police 791 00:22:41,350 --> 00:22:39,600 he was kind enough to give me all the 792 00:22:42,149 --> 00:22:41,360 water i wanted while we waited for the 793 00:22:43,909 --> 00:22:42,159 police 794 00:22:45,909 --> 00:22:43,919 i drank it in silence while i sat 795 00:22:47,590 --> 00:22:45,919 huddled in on myself trying to calm my 796 00:22:49,350 --> 00:22:47,600 racing heart and not to think 797 00:22:50,710 --> 00:22:49,360 it took the cops nearly an hour to 798 00:22:52,710 --> 00:22:50,720 arrive from the nearest town 799 00:22:54,789 --> 00:22:52,720 and when they did i finally had to tell 800 00:22:56,549 --> 00:22:54,799 them my story they didn't believe me 801 00:22:58,710 --> 00:22:56,559 because of course they wouldn't i 802 00:23:00,390 --> 00:22:58,720 sounded insane raving about monsters 803 00:23:01,430 --> 00:23:00,400 with glowing blue eyes and white blood 804 00:23:03,830 --> 00:23:01,440 like a madman 805 00:23:05,750 --> 00:23:03,840 however the officer was patient and kind 806 00:23:08,149 --> 00:23:05,760 taking down my statement word for word 807 00:23:09,830 --> 00:23:08,159 despite the skepticism on his face i 808 00:23:10,310 --> 00:23:09,840 told them where to find the cabin the 809 00:23:12,230 --> 00:23:10,320 truck 810 00:23:13,350 --> 00:23:12,240 everything they found it all right where 811 00:23:14,950 --> 00:23:13,360 i told them it would be 812 00:23:16,870 --> 00:23:14,960 but there was no sign of the creature 813 00:23:19,350 --> 00:23:16,880 i'd killed not even ashes 814 00:23:20,710 --> 00:23:19,360 my dad's body was also gone the only 815 00:23:21,590 --> 00:23:20,720 sign that had been there at all were the 816 00:23:23,270 --> 00:23:21,600 bloodstains 817 00:23:25,430 --> 00:23:23,280 the police chalked it up to a wild 818 00:23:26,070 --> 00:23:25,440 animal attack attributing my story to be 819 00:23:27,750 --> 00:23:26,080 just that 820 00:23:29,750 --> 00:23:27,760 a story by a scared teenager who 821 00:23:31,990 --> 00:23:29,760 witnessed an animal kill his father 822 00:23:34,149 --> 00:23:32,000 the reporters the kids at school hell 823 00:23:36,630 --> 00:23:34,159 even my mother they didn't believe me 824 00:23:38,470 --> 00:23:36,640 but i know the truth i'm not crazy 825 00:23:40,630 --> 00:23:38,480 there's something evil in that forest 826 00:23:42,390 --> 00:23:40,640 whatever it was there's more than one of 827 00:23:44,230 --> 00:23:42,400 them and they burn just fine 828 00:23:46,710 --> 00:23:44,240 if you camp out in the tennessee forest 829 00:23:48,710 --> 00:23:46,720 at night be careful learn from my story 830 00:23:55,269 --> 00:23:48,720 and for the love of god carry a fire 831 00:23:58,710 --> 00:23:57,830 this is lon strickler if you like this 832 00:24:00,470 --> 00:23:58,720 program 833 00:24:01,830 --> 00:24:00,480 it would help us if you would give it a 834 00:24:04,710 --> 00:24:01,840 thumbs up 835 00:24:05,190 --> 00:24:04,720 then subscribe and click the bell icon 836 00:24:07,510 --> 00:24:05,200 so you 837 00:24:09,669 --> 00:24:07,520 get notification when we upload new 838 00:24:12,789 --> 00:24:09,679 first person encounters 839 00:24:15,269 --> 00:24:12,799 we have many more to come very soon and 840 00:24:17,590 --> 00:24:15,279 by the way if you have a suggestion