Down the Crooked Road

They say the forest at the edge of town is haunted. They say if you step into the woods at night, you never come out.

If you keep driving south, through town and out, you'll come to a road that enters Crooked Forest. This road is mangled and full of bumps and holes. It's the only road that enters the forest. Around it, thick bushes and mounds entangle themselves, framing the single vehicle road until it slowly disappears into the dark woods beyond.

People who live on the edges of the forest say they hear things at night. Not animals...no. Something different. More sinister. They don't allow their pets out at night anymore, not after what happened to Mr. Kole's cat. Torn to shreds. Something the Department of Natural Resources had never seen before. Children are told to come home at a certain time now. After what happened to Miss Hilary's daughter, Olivia, no child is allowed at night after 8 p.m. Olivia was found in a tree, hanging by a rope made of her own skin. It was all over the news. Our little town is cursed, some of the elderly say. Many of the high schoolers get out as soon as they graduate. No one wants to live here. Yet...it's hard to leave. At least that's what I am hearing.

Two days ago, a boy from my street disappeared one afternoon. Everyone says he went into Crooked Forest, but no search parties have ever stepped foot in there. At least...not until we did.