As we finished setting up camp, the sun was beginning to set and a stranger appeared at the edge of the woods. “This is not a safe place to camp.” He said with an old gravelly voice that has smoked way too many cigarettes. “People disappear from here.” “There’s another camp about ten minutes up the trail, it’s safe there.” “The ground here is cursed.” As he turns and disappears into the woods. “Yo...

In the silence I can finally sleep. Though even out here away from everything, it’s still not completely quiet. The fan in my room still drones on. I can hear the freeway miles away, telling me a storm is approaching. A cricket in the next room, chirping. A whippoorwill not far off calling out. I long for sleep that refuses to come. My eyes heavy, my thought’s racing. Every little sound a distract...

When I look in the mirror, I have to focus on my reflection. The demons of my past dance in the shadows around me. They beckon me to lean closer, to reach out and take their hand. I feel them brush against my skin. I turn to see but they are gone. I shiver uncontrollably, knowing if I look again they’ll be there to haunt me. Always in the shadows of my reality.

I cover the mirror with the black ...