Image provided by @southcypress.

What was going to be a quaint little hike?

Turned out to be more.

Then anyone could of ask for

The day started out with a short drive.

To an area I had hiked before

Once there I got my things together.

Set out on what I thought would be!

A magical, awe-inspiring day

What I did not know was

It would be the most horrifying day.

Of my life

I knew I had gotten a late start.

The seasons where changing

So, the day was short.

As I was walking and taking in the

Beauty of the landscape around me

I did not pay attention to the time of day.

I was on a hike and wanted to photograph.

Nature’s beauty as the seasons changed before me.

It was not long before I noticed I had gone further than before

Pressing on again not paying attention to time

I stopped every so often to take a picture or two.

I wanted to capture what I was seeing.

To share with others of my adventure

So, darkness had fallen.

Everything looked different.

The sounds were different as well.

I turned back thinking I would be fine.

The sounds were closer, like I was not alone.

I had not seen anyone while I was hiking.

Was it just my mind, was it the darkness that surrounded me?

My heart started pounding, I was all alone

My pace quickened.

Then I stopped looking around, at the quiet that surrounded me.

What was happening, who was out there watching me?

I started walking again.

The noise and sounds grew closer like

They were right beside me.

I could not see the darkness that surrounded me.

It kept me from seeing who was following me.

It was just me, the darkness and the trees that surrounded me.

The trail was not wide, it was narrow.

So, the brush and trees were right up against me.

Whatever was out there with me?

Could have been right beside me.

I would not have seen due to the darkness that surrounded me.

My pace quickened once again.

Not knowing how much further to my car

The sound, the noise whatever it was.

Was still following me.

If I stopped it would stop, no noise just silence.

In the darkness with the brush and trees that surrounded me

I had to get close to where I had parked my car.

What should have been a quick little hike?

Turned out to be a crazy unknown follower.

Following me

Letting me know I was not alone and

I was in their home alone.

Were they out to hurt me, or guide me back home?

It is unknown, I did not see them, I could just hear them.

So, the lesson to this story is.

When you are out hiking on your own

You are never alone.

There is always something or someone.

Watching you

You are never alone.

Arnold Hampton