The Creature in the Forest

By Rem Oscuro

As the sun sets, the forest changes, other creatures wake and humans hurry home - but when they feel shivers down their spines, people run home. Beth feared for her niece because she knew some of the stories weren't just fairy tales. When Anna came tearing out of the forest, one day, Beth had to face the fact that maybe the creature had returned and was coming for both of them.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Rem Oscuro
• Release date: Mar 7, 2014
• ISBN: 9781310948237

Book preview

The Creature in the Forest

by

Rem Oscuro

Copyright © Rem Oscuro 2014

All rights reserved.

Chapter 1

Anna ran as fast as she could through the trees but the dark creature ran faster, snapping branches and rustling as it darted through the fallen leaves and mist. She heard it cackle but dared not look back.

Aunt Beth’s heart raced when she saw Anna sprinting so desperately. She disappeared inside the cottage. Anna nearly cried when she thought Aunt Beth was going to leave her outside to fight that thing off by herself.

Aunt Beth emerged from the gloomy, wooden doorway; loading up a shotgun, looking even more stern than normal.

Anna, quickly! she cried, looking desperately for the thing chasing her niece.

Anna wrapped her arms around her, nearly knocking her over. Aunt Beth shouldered the shotgun, staring hard in to the darkening forest.

She’d warned Anna about the lake and the woods, and told her to head back before the sun was low. As angry as she felt, she didn’t want to upset her any more.

What had she seen that made her bolt back to the cottage? This place could be creepy for a child to play alone sometimes, but how could she stop her being a child?

Aunt Beth could hear its feet thudding on firmer ground, and see a shadow flitting between the trees. She couldn't see if it was a man, an animal or something else, but she could feel it watching.

Anna, go inside and lock the door. she said firmly.

Anna held on tighter. They hadn’t had much of a friendship, and Anna had never hugged her other than when told to by her parents. If it hadn't been for that thing in the trees, she would have hugged her back.

"Anna, go inside and lock the door, and you be ready to let me in if I come running." she repeated, keeping her eyes fixed on the forest. Anna obeyed reluctantly.

Aunt Beth stepped off the cottage’s raised porch slowly and silently, keeping the gun raised, ready to fire. Her heart pounded in her chest like a hammer hitting the earth. She was as scared as she had ever been but she wanted to see it.

She felt it watching her, waiting silently for her to come close enough to the trees. It was too dark to see clearly, with only the fading light from over the lake making the silhouettes of trees visible.

Aunt Beth felt the shivers running over her shoulders and down her spine,