Deep into the Woods

My name is Wayne and I live in Battle Creek, Michigan. For those who are not familiar with the region, there is a very pleasant nature center just outside of town, called Grevers. Depending also on the season, it is a place that attracts people who enjoy hiking, cross country skiing, snow shoeing, or simply walking their dogs and having some time for themselves. And precisely, what I wanted, was to take a walk, following the dirt trail of Grevers, and relax. It was an Autumn afternoon, the sky was grey and cloudy like a mirror. The weather was relatively cold, but nothing I couldn’t handle. There were few people around, and as I kept walking, soon enough I realized there was no one else but me, taking that tour. I could listen to the wind, and the birds. But that was it. Surrounded by woods, from both sides of the trail, I felt like I was the only person in the world. Which was an oddly pleasant feeling. At least for a couple of moments. Nevertheless, my solitude wouldn’t last long. In Grevers there are not only trees but also ponds and swampy lakes. As I was passing by some of them, I listened to a noise. Like if something was being thrown into those waters. Since I had been immersed in such a deep silent tranquility, even that captured my curiosity. I thought it was probably a big turtle. And I like turtles, as probably most people do, so I decided to check it out. As I approached the swamp from where the noise came, I was surprised to see it wasn’t a turtle producing the noises in the water… But instead, a very tall and specially very thin old man, was sitting by the swamp’s shore, and throwing rocks at the water. He was dressed in dark green clothes, which seemed to be almost as old as himself. Suddenly, the man turned his head and looked at me. His big blue eyes and unexpressive face appeared to be analyzing me, but after a brief moment he smiled, got up, and started walking towards me. - Hello, stranger! Enjoying nature, hum? - he asked, shaking my hands, and introducing himself. - My name is Jebediah. - Hello… Jebediah. I'm Wayne. Nice to meet you. Yes, I guess so. It’s a nice day for a walk. - I answered. In theory, there was nothing wrong with the man. But the way he was staring at me, and how awkwardly thin he was, somehow made me uncomfortable. A feeling that increased when he said: - Absolutely. Listen, Wayne… I just found a very interesting and hidden cave, close to this swamp. There is an animal skeleton there. I am not an expert, but I really don’t know what kind of creature it can be. Follow me, and I will show you. Young people always have phones that can take pictures, right? Who knows, maybe we are in the presence of something unknown to science. An ancient local beast, for example. I will be glad to share this discovery’s credits with you. What do you say? - Oh… that… sounds intriguing! Unfortunately, I have to return home, Jebediah. I am already late, to be honest. I lost track of time. But I wish you luck! Goodbye for now! - I answered, willing to really go back. But as I turned my back on the man, he grabbed my arm, and insisted. This time appearing nervous, and anxious. - It’s just a few minutes away from here! Come with me! I… I may need your help. You never know. Will you refuse helping an old man? - he said. - I’m very sorry. But I have to go now. You can always come back another day with someone else. For sure the skeleton will not go anywhere… See you later. - I replied, releasing my arm from the old man. Or at least, I tried… The man had an immense amount of strenght, which was intimidating and weird, in someone that old, and thin. - Wayne… I really need you to come with me… Now I was really scared. - Let me go!! What are you doing?! - No… First… you do this… My fear and survival instinct kicked in, and I punched the man in the face. He wasn’t expecting it, and he let my arm go, as he fell on his back. I started running away from him. Meanwhile, the sky was already becoming dark. Closer to night than to day. And as I was running, I became terrified when hearing a scream. Not a scream of pain, but a roar. Like an animal. I looked back, and I couldn’t believe my eyes… Jebediah was shapeshifting! Still thin, but his face was now becoming larger, assuming the appearance of a primitive beast, and his long mouth developed sharp fangs. Horns were now coming out from his skull. And his hands grew claws. And he was now chasing me. I had to snap out of that traumatizing view, realizing I was now escaping from death itself. “Jebediah” was obviously a deadly predator. I assumed it was one of those mythical creatures mentioned in folk stories: a Wendigo. Half humanoid and half beasts who devour human beings… This explained his hungry eyes. The Wendigo marked me as as his next meal. I listened to his hostile screams coming closer and closer. I was running through trees, and swamps, breathing heavily. But the Wendigo was faster… And finally I felt the creature grabbing one of my legs. Terrified, it was now my turn to scream... for help. - Somebody!! Please!! Help!! PLEASE!! HELP!! - I shouted, ignoring the pain, as the Wendigo started to bite my leg. The sight of the creature with my own blood dripping from his filthy mouth, was disgusting. I didn’t want to die, Much less like that… And I kept screaming: - HELP!! I almost started laughing, out of pure relief, when I heard voices coming towards me. Towards us… - Hold on! We’re coming!! - the voices kept saying, as each second felt like an hour. The Wendigo looked around. Scared. He sent me a last hostile look, before running back into the woods, as fast as a mountain lion. Finally, a young couple, a man and a woman in their mid 20’s, walking their pit bulls, found me. They helped me, as I was wounded, to get out of that place. They asked me what had happened. I wanted to tell the truth, but… who would have believed me? So I just said: - A wild animal, that I failed to identify, attacked me… And when he heard you coming to help me, he ran away… Thank you again. You both saved my life. - Oh… I’m glad we were there for you! I just hope… I just hope that creature didn’t capture mister Jebediah! Such a nice old man that we met, in earlier… - the young woman replied. - Don’t worry… I’m pretty sure “mister Jebediah” is fine… - I answered back, finally returning to urban civilization…