The Park Ranger
This story may seem a bit unbelievable, but it happened. I'm kind of putting myself out there a little, detailing my job and the like, but this is one of the scariest experiences I've had working out in the wilderness and I know you people like to read spooky stories at night. So, whenever you're out and about, camping or whatever, feel free to tell this story.
I work near Eugene, Oregon, as a park manager. A few weeks ago, I was on a firewatch towards sunset, and was out hiking a little more than a half-mile from my tower. Usually, I get nothing more than hikers and the occasional deer, but that afternight was different. After about an hour's long patrol, I returned to my tower for a Dr. Pepper and sat there out on the deck watching the sun set. Through the corner of my eyes, I saw something move at the foot of the tower, near the clearing on which it stands.
I took my sunglasses off to try to get a better look and nothing. I called it in to my radio, and having nothing better to do, walked down the stairs and gave the area another look around. When I shined my flashlight about the area, I heard a branch snap. Something nearby, something large. Fearing it was a black bear, I shouted and made as much noise as possible, hoping to spook it, but got nothing. Another branch snapped behind me, some six feet. I turned. Nothing.
Leaves rustled around me as whatever it was moved around me, pacing me, trying to keep an eye on me - all the while I felt the unmistakable presence of SOMETHING, something large - and occasionally heard branches snap. I began to walk back to the tower, carefully, when I saw a brush on the other end of the clearing get pulled away and a shadowy figure emerge. I ran, hand up on my radio. I called for help, and got squelch in response. I ran deeper into the woods.
Snap. Snap. Snap. Snap. Rustle. Rustle. Rustle. I ran hard and hid behind a tree. The sounds stopped whenever I did, and after a few moments, I paused, trying to catch my bearings. I stepped out from behind the tree and shined a MagLite around. Nothing. Another branch snap. I turned, now worried out of my head, and felt something slam against my back. I hit the ground.
I rolled and shouted in fright, fumbling in the dark for my flashlight. Rolling onto my back, I aimed the flashlight up - unsteadily, and caught the glint of light on brass. A skeletal hand lifted the mouth of a trumpet up to a skull's teeth, and phantom lungs played a simple two-note song and I shit myself in fear.
Originally uploaded on July 22, 2015
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