Into The Woods

It was a cold brisk night, I watched through the window as the tree branches swayed with the wind. Flurries of snow danced in the moonlit sky, and they covered the ground in a thin sheet of white. Today was Ben's birthday, and we had big plans to play video games at his place all night to celebrate. We had played for hours, restless from cans upon cans of mountain dew. Part way through our last game Ben tossed his controller down and shot me a grin. I knew that look all too well.

"Want to go explore in the woods behind my house? Ben said excitedly.

"Right now? It's the middle of the night."

"Exactly." He tossed me a flashlight. "We'll take these with us."

I turned to the half open window, something more than the usual chill of winter crept up my spine.

Ben's parents went to bed hours ago, so we left his room quietly, and with Ben leading the way we snuck downstairs. The front door was a bit loud so we climbed out of the living room window instead. It was only a few feet above the ground anyway, and much quieter.

I clenched my flashlight tightly as we headed through the backyard towards the trees. The gray overcast summoned an unusual darkness as the clouds passed in front of the full moon above us. The cold wind biting at my face as we took each step deeper and deeper into its frozen wonderland.

"What are you waiting for? Come on." Ben said as he flicked his flashlight on.

I flipped the switch on my light to make sure it worked, it did. I turned it back off and I stuck behind Ben using his light for guidance.

"I found something down by the creek the other day. I want to show it to you." Ben said

"What is it?" I asked.

"Just wait and see."

He took us deeper and deeper trying to find this creek, then stopped abruptly.

"Did you hear that?"

I didn't hear anything, so that's what I told him. We stood still in attempt to listen closely, then came the sound of twigs breaking under the footsteps of something.

"Probably a deer or something, let's go." He said.

I kept it to myself but to me it sounded like something bigger, heavier. A lot different than the light prance of a deer in the woods. Ben shined his light in the direction of the sounds, but with all the trees and the flurries turning to a heavier snow, we could barely even see each other. I started shivering, I don't know if it was from the cold or out of fear. I wanted to turn back right then but Ben was already moving forward so I followed.

We got to a small hill and at the bottom was the creek, frozen and smooth. Ben climbed down and walked onto the frozen water.

Ben started.

"It's not here. Where'd it go?"

"What's not where?" I replied.

"What I was gonna show you. I put it behind this rock."

"Well it's not there so you might as well just tell me what it is?"

"It's better in person." He sighed. "It was a gun. It was silver with a wooden handle. I didn't shoot it but it's still cool."

"I've never actually held a gun before." I added

Ben turned and started looking further down the creek.

"Let's keep looking."

I started looking down the other direction but I couldn't imagine us being able to find it in all this snow, so I went to get Ben.

Right then I heard a pain filled groan coming from his direction.

"Ben?" I yelled, "Are you okay?"

He answered, thank god.

"Yeah, I slipped." He struggled to catch his breath for a second. "Think I just got the wind knocked out of me."

He was laughing at himself, and I even laughed at myself for getting so freaked out. I shouted again asking him to come back up. The snow was getting heavier cutting down the visibility, it was best for us to start heading back. I called for him. He did not answer this time.

"Ben!" I yelled again.

"Come on man this isn't funny."

Still no answer, it was too quiet. The silence was broken by the sound of nostrils exhaling loudly from behind me. It didn't sound human, and it didn't sound like a deer either. I didn't even think before turning around quickly, fumbling for my flashlight. All I could see was darkness behind the flakes of snow whipping in front of my eyes. I flipped the switch on the flashlight but nothing happened. Shaking and rapidly looking around in a panic, I kept trying the switch hoping for light. I smacked the flashlight on my palm a few times and gave it one last attempt. It flicked on, revealing a dark outline. The only things I could make out were two bright yellow eyes glaring at me from behind a tree just a few yards in front of me. The light instantly flickered back off and I jumped backwards in fright. I lost my footing and felt my stomach turning as my body fell to the ground, and then tumbling down the hill.

I landed on the ice. I sat up and wiped my face, and got the sudden tickle of what I thought were tears running down, until my lips captured the taste of blood. Maybe I cut myself during the fall. I ignored it as there was no time to check for cuts, I had to find Ben so we could get out of there. I laid my palm down for leverage to stand. I expected a cold sensation when my hand hit the icy surface, but instead I felt fabric like a coat or shirt. With the snow being so heavy I couldn't see what was directly next to me on the ice. I leaned forward for a better look when something grabbed my arm and squeezed tight, it was Ben. I could hear him whispering, "Run, hurry, get out of here."

What does he mean run? I'm not running anywhere without him. I thought that until I looked closer, he was lying there in a pool of blood, and I was sitting in it. He turned his head toward me, and I jumped back at the sight of his neck, gushing blood from a gaping hole just under his right ear. It looked like something took a bite out of him.

I struggled to get up, slipping in the layer of fluid that was surrounding us. I couldn't leave him here, I dragged him up the hill as carefully as I could, then laid him down, and he was no longer breathing. Ben was gone. Ignoring the danger lurking in the shadows around me, I fell to my knees next to him.

I cried out, "Oh god no. . . . no, no." Crying with my forehead on his shoulder.

My grieving was interrupted by that distinct sound the creature made, snapping sticks and twigs with each menacing step. This time it was louder and approaching fast. It was charging at me. I took off sprinting, knowing I would never be able to live with myself leaving Bens body in this cold cruel place, but I had no choice. If I didn't make it out alive, no one would know what really happened.

The steps were close behind me, and I could hear the heavy breathing now. This thing was gaining on me. I could see the opening of the trees leading into Ben's backyard, forcing myself to push on. Keep going, keep going. I burst out of the trees and into his yard, darting towards the window. I couldn't bring myself to look back, I was too scared, but I did notice that the loud breathing had subsided. I dove into the window landing on the glass night stand that placed under the window sill, crushing it with my bodyweight. A slice ran from my wrist to my elbow, spilling blood onto the carpet. The disruption woke Ben's mother and I heard her rushing downstairs. The flow of blood grew stronger, and my vision became distorted. All I could see was her blurry figure leaning over me shouting "Call an ambulance!" I started dozing off and the last muffled words I heard that night came from her, leaning out the window, "Ben! Where's Ben?"