My high beams cut through the darkness of the night. It was a new moon and the clouds covered every last star in the sky. I was on a dirt road surrounded by forest. The leaves of late autumn covered the path. The stereo blared Joy Division’s Lost Souls, the stark gothic rock matching the gloom and lonely road.
A small child darted in the middle of the road, I slammed my brakes but the wet leaves made it difficult to stop. I swerved sharply to avoid collision only to hit the child by the driver’s side door. The visceral thud and bump of the tires were followed by a shriek of pain so loud my heart nearly stopped.
My hands were shaking and I could barely breathe. The kid darted out in front of me, in the middle of the night. Trick or treating was earlier, but not at midnight, not in the middle of nowhere. My phone had no signal and was playing from a downloaded track.
I opened the door to the car, it was stiff from the impact. A splash of blood painted the door but nobody was there. I checked under the car and the surrounding area, but nothing. The woods were silent except for the rustle of leaves.
“Hey, kid, I’m going to get help!”
I dialed 911 but no one answered, no signal the call disconnected. I needed to find this kid. Blood trailed outside my car leading off into the forest and into a steep embankment. I followed it and a piercing cry cut through the darkness.
“Don’t worry, I’m coming!” I yelled into the darkness.”
I ran toward the cry, stumbling over rocks as I went. I followed the cry until I found the edge of the ravine and it morphed into a maniacal laughter. The laughter grew louder and louder until a force pushed me down the ravine. My leg snapped and unbearable pain shot through my body.
The child appeared over me, as they raised a rock over my head, a twisted grin on their face.
The Vault of Dreams and Nightmares 