Darkness had set in a little too fast, far quicker than Ronald was expecting. He had always enjoyed hiking, walking through the untamed nature that occupied the landscape. However this time, he had spent too long admiring the beauty around him. Ronald had only anticipated spending a few hours in the thick forest, but he somehow had gotten turned around. Even with his compass, he was unable to find his way back. It didn’t help that he had gone alone, and had no cell service.

“Son of a bitch…” he murmured to himself as his phone began to run out of power, the sun setting in the distance. The last thing he wanted to do was spend a night in the woods. As much as he liked nature, he knew that certain predators came out in the dark, using the shadows to hunt their prey.

Ronald continued to walk in the direction he thought he came from. The sun was no longer visible, and darkness crept across the sky. It wasn’t long before it was completely pitch black. He had wasted his phone’s battery trying to get service, and now he was left without a source of light. He cursed himself for being so underprepared.

As he continued to hike through the forest, creatures around him became alive. He heard the howling of wolves, the chirping of insects, and the calls of owls. Wiping his forehead, he took a seat on what felt like a stump of some sort.

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As Ronald contemplated his thoughts, a stick broke behind him with a snap. He whipped his head around as fast as he could, but he saw nothing in the darkness. A terrifying reality set in. Even if some creature was around, he’d have no idea. It was so dark, that it could come face to face with him and he still wouldn’t know it was there.

Another snapped twig was heard, Ronald staring in the direction of the sound. Fear trickled down his spine, he indeed wasn’t alone. After a few seconds, he began to feel moisture collect on his neck. Confused, he turned around. That’s when he bumped his face into something that he couldn’t see, something soft.

Ronald jumped to his feet and began to run. He didn’t make it very far before tripping on an unseen object. Before a second could pass, he felt his throat being choked as he was picked up from the ground. He couldn’t breathe, the hand around him gripping harder with its leathery texture.

Ronald felt a sharp pain in his chest, warm liquid soaked his clothing. Out of the darkness, he saw two white eyes gleaming, staring into his soul. He felt numb, touching his chest and feeling a large hole, big enough to fit his own fist. Before he could collect his thoughts, his body was thrown to the ground. Ronald drifted into unconsciousness, unable to comprehend the creature that had stolen his heart, and his life along with it.