Photo Credit: Wendy Reid
Just Before Dark
Just before dark, when the sun touches the horizon and the heat and humidity of the day begin to dissipate, the world becomes so quiet that it is easy to imagine that I am the sole inhabitant of the planet. But I am not. The crackling of dry leaves on the forest floor give warning of someone or something approaching. I turn in circles, trying to get my bearings although the orange light is almost gone and I can’t see a thing through the thick trees. The footsteps grow closer and closer and my heartbeat grows quicker and stronger, promising to break through my chest. It’s hard to breathe because my internal organs are working too quickly and I can’t get enough oxygen.
Fight or flight. I have no weapons or even vision on my side, so I begin to run away from the noise, in hopes that I will lose my pursuer. I am running, but my pace is deeply affected by the fact that I can’t see more than a few feet in front of me. My arms reach out into the black of night to try to feel any obstacles before I slam into them. I touch a tree and thankfully move to the side at the last minute, avoiding a face first collision. A loud noise to my right startles me and I cry out in fear. Turning to my left I run as fast as my legs can carry me but the footsteps grow louder. Hot breath caresses the back of my neck and I go down, hard, onto the damp forest floor. Strong hands dig into my shoulders and I kick and scream while my assailant turns me over to face him.
“What did I tell you about coming into the fucking woods at night?” As my husband stands up and walks away, I wonder if I would be safer following him home, or taking my chances in the dark of the forest.
*****
*This post will serve as my Insecure Writer’s Support Group post due for the first Wednesday of the month. I hesitate to write dark stories for the general public (insecurity) but then again, if you are following my blog then you should be familiar with my writing by now.
Hey you. For what it’s worth… This font looks awesome on my phone. Great story too!
Thanks Jennifer! A friend wrote out the html for the fonts for me.
Really really cool.
Hi Wendy,
I liked it, you had me going there wasn’t sure what was going to happen, you are so good with words and an inspiration to those of us who love to write. Keep on writing, we’ll keep on reading.
Thank you so much Lisa! Your comment has made my day.
A sunset is really beautiful. You really captured it quite well. I came from Debs site.
Thank you. I love sunsets and have taken dozens and dozens of photos of them. Welcome to my little piece of insanity.
Hey I thought that I was well behind on my posting
but yours is even further behind, hmm… Okay grab
a pencil and start writing the sequel to…
Fifty shades of Grey
I think you could vastly
improve on the original
Have fun tonight Wendy
and don’t be too wicked
Androgoth XXx
I know I am behind. I am currently putting my 2 first books on create space and I am also critiquing for a partner right now. I hardly have time to even work on my present novel.
Even though I prefer forests at night, that’s scary.
Whenever you need a good scare Binky, just pick up one of my stories. Except for the erotica.
Like I said…
lol
A Sequel Needs
to be Written
Androgoth XXx
To the erotic collection? That is in the works as well Andro, but I haven’t touched that one in awhile. I hate having a full time job. It really cuts into my writing time!
It is turning out most all of my flash is dark…some of it completely blacked out. This is fabulous.
Red.
Thanks Red. I find dark is the easiest for me to write.
I am waiting for another dark posting,
Have a fun rest of evening 
and if it is dark and bloody then all the
better
Androgoth XXx
You should read my first novel. It is dark, bloody and downright nasty in some spots.
Super creepy in a good way. =)
All my stories are creepy Stacie. I guess it’s me that creepy.
I’m not buying that at all. Super non-creepy people can write super-creepy stories!
Um…like Stephen King? No….he’s creepy too…lol
There is nothing wrong with a bit of horror
Interesting…
Wendy and what a dark and wicked treat
By the way what was your husband doing in
that forest?
Androgoth XXx
Thanks Andro…and not necessarily MY husband.
Ahhh a dark mystery, I like it
Have a wicked evening Wendy
Androgoth XXx
loved. and did you take the photo? supercool.
I took that photo last year. Glad you like the story as well.
I love the writing in this story. The ending is superb, and I can feel the dilemma. To me, the forest seemed safer and far nicer.
Thanks so much Paddy. And thanks for visiting!
That was marvelous, Wendy! You kept me in suspense and the wanting more to read!…You’re such a great writer!
Have a nice day, my friend!
Hugs xx
Wow, thank you so much Deb. You have a wonderful day (or evening) as well. xo
Loved the build up and conclusion!
Thank you Valentine. I could have made it much longer but I thought it might be more effective to end it this way.