I keep hearing things at night. I stand out on the deck and I feel like I can hear things moving through the trees. It's probably just deer or something, but I can't help imagining it's something else.
I'm sure I'm making it out to be worse than it is. Are deer nocturnal? I see them out on the road sometimes, when I'm driving into town. I try not to think about it.
But last night it was worse. I heard...screams? That sounds so stupid to say but I don't know what else to call it. I was brushing my teeth and heard something out the bathroom window. I'm sure it was an animal, but my toothbrush was buzzing so I can't be sure.
And then this morning I found the bloody remains of...something, RIGHT in the middle of my yard. It was literal intestines, and they were fresh. I feel like I can't even post something like that to Twitter.
Like is it gonna get flagged if I post it? I don't know what to do... Maybe I can upload it separately and share the link or something.
Fair warning, this is pretty gross, so don't look if you're squeamish. I'm sure it's an animal, but what did this? And why was it left right in front of my house? i.imgur.com/3ZHKhb5.jpg
Yeah, sorry, it's disgusting. Anyway, I scooped it up with a shovel and flung them into the woods a ways away from the house. I dunno if bears are up here but I couldn't leave it. And besides, animal guts are the least of my worries right now. I have other things on my mind.
I've been trying to figure out what's written in this notebook from the woods. I've had it for a couple days and I can see faint letters but I can't make them out. A bunch of people replied and told me to do a pencil or charcoal rubbing, but I didn't have anything like that.
I found a bunch of pens but no pencils, so I had to go back into town. It was actually really hard to find charcoal. I finally had some luck at this little hardware store. The box didn't even have a price tag on it, so I feel like it had been sitting on the shelf for years.
It seems like people in town are starting to recognize me. I don't like it. I didn't plan to be here that long, but it looks like I might not have a choice. People are nice enough, but it seems like the kind of town where everyone knows everyone, and I definitely don't belong.
When I was in the hardware store, these little kids were following me around giggling and making fun of me. I think they were twins. I couldn't really hear what they were saying but I'm sure they were making fun of me because little kids are jerks.
On the way out of town I stopped at the grocery store, but they were out of some of the things I wanted. It seems like they're always out of stuff. They've been out of eggs for a couple days so I just got some pop tarts and stuff and left.
Anyway, the notebook. I've actually been putting it off for most of the afternoon because I wasn't sure I wanted to find out what that woman was writing in it. I can't ignore it forever. I'm gonna eat dinner and then I guess I'll try the charcoal. I'll be back in a bit.
Jesus. So I did a charcoal rubbing over the most recent page in the book, like people were telling me to. I'm not sure what I was expecting, but it wasn't this. I'm sort of freaking out.
What even is this? What the fuck. I feel like I'm gonna throw up. I need to go sit down. What the hell is going on?
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I'm still here. I'm alive. I left the house after that night.
I decided not to sell it. I don't think anyone would buy it, anyway. I locked the doors and I got in my car and I left. I'm home now, trying to process everything.
The morning after, it was so quiet and peaceful in the woods. It was like nothing had happened at all. I'm still not sure what to believe. It sort of feels like it happened to someone else. Or like I dreamed it, maybe.
It's been storming all day, and into the night. Thunder and everything. I've stayed inside all day. Nothing has happened yet. Maybe nothing will happen.
Still, I'm nervous. I've been freaked out all day. Maybe I shouldn't have stayed. I don't know what's wrong with me. I should leave tomorrow.
I'm not even really sure what I'm saying. I just need to occupy myself with something. Writing this makes me feel less alone. It's like I'm talking to someone.
I was in the kitchen washing a glass and I heard...something outside, on the deck. A scratching sound. And then it stopped. I thought I imagined it, but then I heard footsteps.
And for some reason I just ran outside without thinking. I don't know what's wrong with me. I don't even know if I'm scared anymore, I just want answers.
I'm sorry I haven't said anything in a while. I've been staying in a motel about an hour outside of town. When I left the house that night, I just kept driving until I felt like I was far enough away to feel safe.
I called a locksmith but they weren't able to come out right away, and there was no way I was going back to the house without new locks. So I've been waiting it out here until I can go back. Basically doing nothing. Jumping at every little sound and feeling crazy.
Finally, a couple days ago, the locksmith called back and said he'd come out, so I checked out of the motel and got in my car to drive home. It was a pretty long drive back, and the closer I got to the woods the worse I felt.
Sorry, I'm getting ahead of myself. I can barely type. Sorry. I'll try to explain.
Alright, so. I was in the woods out back yesterday when it started pouring. It happened really suddenly and even though I wasn't far from the house I got soaked anyway. It rained most of the evening. I left my clothes by the fireplace to dry and ended up going to bed early.
I'd basically forgotten about it after finding them outside the house. I put them in the back of the closet and pretty much stopped thinking about them.
But yesterday I found something else. There's this little alcove upstairs with built in shelves and a bunch of old books. Sort of a mini library. I was flipping through some of them looking for something to read when I came across this little book about wine.