Out In The Open

Where It Started

I needed to get this out somewhere, I found this app and decided it would be a good place to share my story. With that being said, Hi, I'm Gillian, Your narrator throughout this story.

I was running around with my sister, Lottie. Through the grass fields, Pass the forbidden area sign, And across the weak and unstable wooden bridge we went. I tugged at my sister's now dingy white sleeve and asked to turn back. I hadn't been in this area for my parents had always threatened to ground me if I was ever found wondering here. She was older, braver, And a lot more independent than I was. Lottie poked and teased at me calling me a scaredy cat, And as any other kid would, I wanted to prove her wrong.

We began walking into the forest, Light slowly diminishing from between the trees. I spotted a caution sign. Whatever else had been written on the sign had been scratched out, Only leaving "Caution" written in bold red letters. I wanted so badly to turn back, Unfortunately I didn't know where "back" was. Lottie felt my grip on her arm tighten and she laughed. "Scared tiny tot?" She said mockingly. I whipped my head around to her yelling "NO". Nobody wants to seem weak, Especially not me. I'm not exactly liked in my family, I'm seen as the weakest, And smallest. I'm extremely sensitive compared to my relatives, Shorter too. Back to the story-

I heard noises as we descended deeper into the woods. By the look on Lottie's face I could tell she had heard them too, Yet she chose not to acknowledge them. A few steps later I felt a presence behind me. A cold hand touched my shoulder. I screamed and turned around, Lottie asked me what I was screaming about. Fear ran through my entire body as a black shadowy figure with bright sharp teeth stood before me. As I was screaming it was clear that Lottie couldn't see it. It lunged at me full force, I dodged it, Bumping into a tree. Lottie was about to walk towards me. "I always knew you were fucking cra--" is all she could get out before the beast launched itself at her. I closed my eyes, And covered my ears, Paralized by fear. I heard screams, Pleads for help, The tearing of human flesh.. suddenly, The noises stopped. I opened my eyes. Both that thing and my sister were nowhere to be seen. I was all alone in a dark forest with no way of knowing how to get home. I sat there in shock of what just unfolded in front of me. Hours flew past me as it began getting dark.

Though I felt lost, I managed to find my way back home. My parents were furious. As well as returning home extremely late, I had also returned without my sister. I told them exactly what had happened but it's hard for anyone to believe that a "black shadow demon" snatched my sister away in the middle of the woods. They called the police and a search began. They put in 12 hours of work before calling off the search until the next day. I was a prime suspect in the case since I was the last to see her alive.. And because of my story that easily seemed like a lie.

They said I was seeing things, They said I was crazy. They accused me of killing her in some type of psychotic rage. I wished I could convince to to believe at least one sentence that derived from my lips. Fortunately they didn't have enough evidence to support their accusations. A year later the case went cold. Investigations, Searches, Constant police visits, It all stopped.
My entire family still believed that I had something to do with her disappearance. This lead to them completely shutting me out, Only talking to me to tell me dinner is ready, To go to sleep, Or to get ready for school.
As the years went on, Dreams began to derive from those vivid memories of that day. I began to spot that shadow demon thing everywhere, From home to random places around town, I didn't matter, It was always there. To this day I fail to escape it's gaze. I bet It's waiting to get me alone, To take me away like it did my sister. I've gotten a therapist since then, I'm also on Antidepressants prescribed to me by my doctor.
Talking to my therapist about this doesn't help, So maybe whoever's reading this can give me some advice? I'll take anything at this point.