There's a Man in the Woods

Part 2: Accursed

Previously on "Part 1: Presage":

The sound of morbid humming cut her off mid-sentence, audible throughout the whole car. She quickly attempted to turn down the volume, but it kept getting louder, and louder, rebelling against her efforts.

The sound was sickening. The sound of a church bell could be heard, banging ruthlessly, seemingly inside her ears, shaking the ear drums of her victimized ears.

Her heart quickened, beating on her chest as if it wanted to break free from its' cage, looking back up to the road she sees,-

"NO!"

Continued..

"NO!" She swerved, trying to pass the man who had somehow stood in the middle of the road, but ended up running over him, or more so, it. She steers into the small ditch at the side of the road, putting the pedal to the metal with her breaks, halting the car. Panting, she jumps out of the car, grabbing her jacket for protection from the rain, knowing she would have to see what she had done, preparing herself for the worse. But, her eyes slowly relax, staring at the victim of the incident.

"I mean.. sad, but it's better than a dead man," she said, as she threw on her outer jacket she had previously grabbed from the car, putting the hoodie on her head from her inner jacket to keep dry from the rain. Sighing as she stares at the dead crow, finally glancing at the damage done to her car.

One of the wheels on her car became deflated, having sharp pieces of wood impaled into the tire. She rolls her eyes, already knowing the rest of the night wouldn't pull through positively, she pulled her phone out of her pocket. She types in the password into her phone, which expectedly unlocked the phone. Her eyes dart over the screen as she taps to call her friend Willow for a ride back, deciding to surrender on trying to get to work, accepting that her boss would have to somewhat understand her situation after her lecturing.

She grumbles as her phone exhibits the words, "No connection" on the screen. She groans out loud, throwing her phone to the ground in anger, only to pick it back up, knowing it may be a resource she would need later.

The only option left was to take shelter.

Now.

Walking back to her friend's house would be the dumbest option, it's almost 2 miles away! Even the church down the road is worse than her friend's house, she'll be soaking wet, and in an abandoned, creepy church, and from past experiences, she knew that church wasn't holy anymore.

The woods, the only thing left to which she could say, was the better option. Through the small wood area were two houses, often waving at the passerby's were middle-aged couples who occupied the houses. If Merula could get there, she could then have shelter, with an opportunity to call for her friend. And that's exactly what she did, or moreover attempted.

She made her way past the giant tree branches, into the woods. The wind groaned and moaned through the trees, creating a harmony as Merula made her way through the woods.

As small as the wood area was, it seemed to be stretching on, and on, into nothing but infinite.

But, Merula kept her head high through the storm and pushed on.

SNAP!

Merula flinched from the suddenly noise that cracked through her ears, quickly turning herself directly to where the sound had occurred. Seeing that there was nothing in particular of interest, she pushed up her glasses, brushing her dark curls into her hoodie to keep them out the way, and continued on with caution.

"MEEEEERRRRUUUULLLAAAA...," the wind called.

A jolt of fright made its way into her spine, through her whole body. She whipped around, looking for whatever called out to her, desiring for an explanation.

"MEEEEERRRRRUUUULLLLAA!," the wind called louder.

CRACK!

SNAP!

SNAP!

Sounds of nimble steps could be heard crushing the sticks who dared to be in their path, constantly making the repeated sounds all around Merula. Panic arised, her rapid heartbeat increasing by the second.

But then, it stopped.

Thinking the worst was over, Merula let out a sigh of relief, though it was known to her, she thought that she was now, somewhat, safe.

"Merula."