By Christian Barragan

Mari tightened her hoodie around her face as she hastened through the forested trail. Adrenaline surged through her body, yet she ensured her movements were precise. Despite her growing fatigue, she knew she couldn’t stop. She thought of her son, Nolan, waiting for her at home. 

Mari!

The voice undulated from behind her. The familiar cry of her friend Ansa. A friend who, only minutes earlier, had been by her side as they both attempted the secluded trail for the first time. The sun was already setting, straining her weak eyes, but the parking lot couldn’t be more than a few minutes away. She wouldn’t stop until she made it home where she could call for help. The cell service in the forest was nonexistent. She wouldn’t stay a minute longer than she needed to. And she wouldn’t turn around. Ansa made that mistake. 

Help me, Mari!

Mari knew that wasn’t Ansa. Her friend had uttered those same words earlier in the day, probably while stepping in a puddle. Whatever was imitating her friend was only using what she’d said during her time there. Phrases it might have heard. The thought made her skin crawl. How long had it been following them? She could sense it lurking, imploring her to turn around and face it. 

I’m over here! 

The voice stung with urgency. She refused to imagine what kind of creature could be behind her, or what it could do if she turned around and saw it. It was silly to think that was the only way it could hurt her, but that was how it got Ansa. The two had heard a faint sound while Mari had scouted ahead and Ansa turned around to investigate. She disappeared before Mari could see where she had gone. Then she heard the voice. 

Turn around!

If the creature could hurt her otherwise, why hadn’t it? She wasn’t moving very fast, and it had been trailing her for some time. Upon closer inspection, the trail didn’t look like it had been used by anyone else recently, given the lack of footprints and litter.  

Come back!

She would come back. She promised. She wouldn’t abandon her friend, but she couldn’t save her by herself. And she couldn’t leave Nolan alone. He’d be waiting for her. If she were to take longer than usual…

…Help me, Mari!

No, she wouldn’t let that happen. She breathed a little easier as the texture of the trail started to change. As she kept her focus on the horizon for the parking lot, she tripped on a root. Careful not to turn around, she heaved herself upright and rushed forward. She wondered what pace she needed to keep to stay ahead of the creature. The uncertainty of how it operated and what it wanted made her stomach churn. Another pang of fear swelled through her being. Her head throbbed as her blood rushed to her brain. 

Bet you can’t find me!

Mari stopped. That wasn’t Ansa. Well, it wasn’t her voice either. It was Nolan’s. He’d surely uttered those words any number of times when they’d played hide and seek at the park, but never here. Never in this forest. Surely he couldn’t have come here by himself?

Bet you can’t find me!

Help me, Mari! 

Both of them. No, it was the creature. Nolan couldn’t have come on his own. But then how could the creature use his voice?

Mari’s heart pounded. All the more reason to leave as quickly as possible. She had to make sure that her son was safe at home. She had to get someone to help Ansa. She hurried down the path, finally seeing the parking lot come into view. Her mind flooded with her last few memories of Nolan. She reached her hand into her pocket to grab her keys…

It’s got me, mom! 

Mari halted. A chill reverberated through her spine. Suddenly the rules she had built in her head about this creature seemed stupid. She didn’t know anything about it, despite pretending to.

TURN AROUND!

MARI!

She kept telling herself it wasn’t them. With each cry, she believed herself less. She sank to her knees, trying to drown out the noise. Her sobs filled the space around her. The parking lot was right ahead, empty except for her car. There wasn’t anyone else around. 

Mom!

“Nolan?” she cried out. “Is that you?”

It’s me, mom! Aren’t you coming? 

“Tell me your middle name!”

MOM!

Every cell in her body beseeched her to turn around and help her son. He sounded so close, even closer than Ansa. But her mind was not yet convinced.  

The car was only a few yards away. How long would it take for the authorities to arrive? She hesitantly stepped forward, passing through the gate and unlocking the car.  

Are you leaving without me? 

Mari froze. This was ridiculous. She had to make sure he was safe. She had made it this far without any incident. Then she could go home. 

Almost there! 

Mari spun around. All the tension built in her mind and body released as she faced the dissipating sunlight. 

The eternal shadows of the forest were much too lovely to leave behind. 

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