The Disappearance of Andrew Henning

MISSING PERSONS REPORT

The week beginning August 15th 2011, the sheriffs department for Randolph, NH began to receive calls from residents of the town, concerning the absence of a Mr. Andrew Henning. It was reported that Mr. Henning had missed multiple appointments, starting from August 12th, including failure to pick up heart medication. Fearing an accident, an officer was dispatched to Mr. Henning's address. Arriving at the gated manor house on Tatro Hill Road, the officer found all windows and doors bolted from the inside. Failing to get a response from any occupants, the officer forcefully opened the front door and searched the house for any sign of Mr. Henning. Although the house was found to be completely empty, with no signs of a disturbance, one room warranted further investigation. The study was reported to be the only room in the house with an open door, all other rooms were locked. The officer observed two groups of regular scratches on the floor, leading in a direct line from the computer to the door. Lastly, the officer found a video camera, set up on the computer desk. It was discovered to contain a short video of Mr. Henning, dated August 10th, 2011. The following is a transcription of the video

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[The camera shakes as Mr. Henning adjusts the view. He takes a seat in front of the camera. He appears tired and unkempt. It is likely he has not shaven for a number of weeks, his eyes appear to be bloodshot and his hair is out of place. By all accounts this is far removed from his normal appearance.]

I've been such a fool, such a great fool. I thought I could ignore everything that happened, thought it was all in my head. I-if I'd just reached out earlier, if I'd just left earlier, everything would be OK. I know it would have been alright. I can't leave now, no... It's far too late for me to leave now. They're watching, they must be. I can't leave this house, I don't know if I can even leave this room! Oh Gods... I don't want them to get me.

[Mr Henning appears very agitated and visibly upset. He takes several deep breaths, composes himself and looks directly into the camera]

I have to warn... you... somebody... everybody. I know you won't believe me. You can't. But I have to try, at least.

[Mr Henning takes another deep breath]

Everything started about about 2 months ago. I left the house for the first time since... since  Evelyn (spouse)... my beautiful Evelyn passed. I'd spent far too long, cooped up in the dark. We always loved to work in the forest near here, she spent hours among the trees with her paints... So, I decided to take a walk through the forest, to try and keep the good memories of her alive. It worked... at first. Surrounded by the trunks of ancients you can forget your troubles, just for a little bit. I began to really feel... free, for the first time since she passed.
It didn't last though. I'd been lost in memories of a better time, wandering for hours, and realised only too late that I'd walked far from the path.

[Mr Henning visibly shivers at this point]

Standing in the forest, after night has fallen is an... interesting experience. Everything changes. Once calming trees begin to appear sinister . I wasn't really that worried, at the beginning. I'd been walking these woods for 15 years, I couldn't get lost. I knew there was nothing that could harm me. But try telling yourself that after an hour of aimless, directionless walking. I started to get uneasy, nervous. It wasn't quite the feeling of being watched but I felt as if... as if I were trespassing. (soft laugh) In hindsight, I guess I was.

After another hour of wandering, I had to admit I was lost, though I'd thought it impossible. I must've been in the oldest part of the forest, by then. The trunks were so widely spaced I could see for what felt like miles. I don't know how I didn't see it until I almost stumbled into it.