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The Hide Behind

A women goes on a hike and finds herself being stalked by a creature.

By Amanda DeGrassePublished 5 years ago 5 min read
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Ever hear of the Hide Behind? I have, and I'm lucky to be able to tell the tale about my crazy encounter I had one day while I was out in the woods. It was a warm summer morning when I decided that I needed a little fresh air and adventure. I had just left my incredibly stressful job of six years as a case manager for the elderly. I packed my bags, broke my lease, broke up with my bum boyfriend, and moved back home with my parents. It was a huge step for me as I had been out of my parents' house since I was 18. They lived in a really cute part of Maine that was basically in the middle of nowhere. It was perfect and exactly where I needed to be to figure out my future.

I packed my backpack, got in my Jeep, and headed for a local hiking trail. The morning was young and full of potential. I arrived at my destination, grab my gear, my map, and headed out. I have never really been a fan of hiking or nature to be totally honest, but I needed a change. The trail was beautiful and there was so much to see and explore. Due to being so captivated by nature’s beauty the day had gotten away from me and before I knew it the time was about four in the afternoon. I put my phone on airplane mode, so I wouldn't be bothered while I took photos and wrote in my journal. I was only seeking peace and quiet. I needed to be alone and nothing was going to prevent that from happening. I had found a waterfall and quiet little spring where I decided to go for a dip in the water. I felt a little uncomfortable though because for some reason it felt as if I was being watched. Occasionally, I could hear breaches snapping as if someone, or something, was walking around the perimeter of the spring I had discovered. I was out in nature though, so it could have been anything. I quickly ate my lunch and that's when I thought I saw something moving behind the trees. I turned to get a better look, but nothing was there. I took my phone off airplane mode, but of course I had no service out here in the middle of nowhere. The weather suddenly changed drastically, as if it was going to downpour. There was nobody else around and I began to get really scared, so I began heading back to my Jeep. At one point I stopped walking to catch my breath and take a drink of water. It was then that I heard the trees and bushes rattling. I call out to see if anybody is around, but nobody answers me. I shout a few more times just to be sure, but no response follows. I have this dreadful feeling as if someone is following me or at least watching from a distance. I quickened my pace because something is clearly going on and although I am almost sprinting down the trail, the sounds remain close behind me. The faster I run, the faster the sounds appears to follow. Twigs were snapping and the bushes were swaying back and forth violently. The sounds were so thunderous, as if a whole army was following behind me. These sounds were not only frightening, but it seems to be the only thing I am able to hear and they were getting closer. I felt like I was going to vomit or pass out from the adrenaline and fear mixing together. If whatever was following me manages to catch me, I don’t know what would have happened, and I wasn’t about to become a “Gone Missing” poster in the local police department. I quickened my pace to a full sprint until I reached the end of the trail. I felt like I was flying on cloud nine, but I still wasn’t fully safe yet.

As I began getting into my Jeep I saw something in the rearview mirror standing at the entrance to the trail from where I had just emerged. It had to be about seven feet tall, covered from head to toe in thick snarled hair, two large vampire-like teeth stained with blood, and two sinister glowing yellow eyes. I blinked and the thing was suddenly gone. Back into the woods I hoped, but I wasn’t sticking around to find out. I hauled ass home and told my folks about what had occurred during my outing. I was so shaken and upset, but my parents didn’t seem as surprised as I had expected. They not only believed me, but told me a story about these creatures called the Hide Behinds. Apparently they are creatures that hide behind trees, lurking around the woods hoping to get in reach of unsuspecting prey. The story claimed that if the Hide Behind were to catch you, it then drags you back to its cave where it eats you while you’re still alive. Later that week I got my photos printed out and, much to my own horror, in every photo you could see the very same pair of yellow eyes that I had seen at the trail entrance that day from my Jeep. It appeared to be hiding behind the trees in every photo. The next day I got up, packed my bags, and headed back to Boston. This experience assured that I will never hike in the woods again. After my little brush with death, I decided I was going to go back to school for nursing and start a career in the city, far away from the woods and its dark mysteries. If you ever need direction in your life, I suggest talking to a counselor or friends, because a hike in the Maine woods could lead to the end of your future endeavors and a full stomach far more frightening than an unknown career path.

monster
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About the Creator

Amanda DeGrasse

I love to write short stories. I am a lover of horror, fantasy, space, and Aliens. Writing has always been my outlet and a place to escape from real life.

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