A laugh, receeding back into the darkness of night. It was long and low, creepy, as I stepped toward it. “What’re you doing?” Rochelle whispered angrily at me. “What do you think I’m doing,” I said to her and moved closer, “I’m examining.”

I held a pole in my hand for protection, although I don’t know how well that’ll work out if it does aim to kill. “Alyss,” Rochelle said before when I grabbed the pole, “that will not protect you. If it wants to kill you, it will.”

I finally reached the thing and began to poke it with the pole. “Alyss,” Rochelle hissed, “don’t bother it!” I continued to poke it.

It lept up and began to come at me. Repeatedly, I hit it with the pole. It jumped right back up and continued to chase me. “Told you so,” Rochelle said as she ran up ahead of me. “Shut up and run!” I yelled.

Both of us ran through the forest, dodging our way around trees and bushes. I rock got in our way and I tripped over it. The thing came and pulled me away by the ankle, and I was gone.