The Psychology of Fear

Lost in The Woods

As the students came back from lunch Professor Henry made sure that everything was as it should be. He did not want them to know what he had in store for them. He told them to take their seats so they could get started. My name is Jessica and I have a fear of being lost in the woods.

Six months ago before my fear began my friend and I decided to explore some of the woods in our area for fun. As we made our way into the woods we made sure to leave markers as we went along so we would not get lost. Just as the sun was starting to go down we decided to turn around so we would be out of the woods before it became completely dark. As we were walking along we noticed we could not find any of the markers we had left. To make matters worse we began to hear what sounded like a pack of coyotes. We started to get scared and took off running. As we were running along we noticed what appeared to be a fire. We were hoping that whoever had the fire burning could tell us how to get out of the woods, but as we came upon the fire there was no one there.

We figured there was no harm in us getting warm by the fire so we stood there for a few minutes. As we did we could hear the coyotes and it sounded like they were much closer this time. We knew we did not have much time before they possibly found us, so we continued to walk hoping to find a marker to lead us out. As we listened to the coyotes howling we noticed  a sound like that of a trap when it is being set off. Shortly after this we heard what sounded like an animal in pain. One of the coyotes had apparently set a trap off and was hurt. A thought suddenly occurred to us both. What if the person who had started the fire had also set the trap and what if they had set more of them in these woods? We stopped dead in our tracks knowing we had to watch every step we took carefully.

As we started to slowly walk hoping and praying that we did not step on a trap we began to hear a rustling in some of the trees behind us. It was pure terror that coursed through us. We knew if we took off running we could step on a trap, but if we walked slowly whatever was near those trees could get us. Our thoughts were cut short by my friend Ashley's screams as her foot landed on the trap in front of us. She could not help but scream from the pain that was inflicted upon her in that brief moment. As I tried to remove her foot from the trap a man wielding a machete came out from behind the trees. Before I had time to think Ashley yelled at me to go and get help. I took off and as I did I knew there would be no saving Ashley. I heard her screams and what sounded like the machete chopping into her body.

As I slowly walked along I silently sobbed knowing I could not let the man hear me. Soon I noticed a group of people rushing toward me with flashlights. I had told my parents where we were going and luckily some of our neighbors knew these woods well and came to find us. The unfortunate part was having to tell Ashley's parents that she did not make it. The next day when it was light out they went to find Ashley's body. When they got to where her body should have been there was no trace of it not even a speck of blood. They also checked out where the fire had been the night before and there were no ashes. I could not believe it. They were never able to find Ashley's body, but they did find one single item laying on the ground. It was the trap Ashley's foot had been in the night before and to this day that man is still out there.

As Jessica finished her story everyone agreed that it was bone chilling. Professor Henry asked if they needed a minute or if they were okay continuing their stories. They all agreed they were ready and so the stories continued.