I’ve always loved walking alone. There’s something about the solitude, the quiet, that fills me with a sense of peace and freedom. I’ve spent countless hours wandering through the streets, exploring every nook and cranny of my small town. But lately, something has changed. Something dark and sinister has taken hold of my beloved walks, turning them into a nightmare I never could have imagined.
It all started a few months ago. I was walking along my usual route, lost in my thoughts, when I felt a shiver run down my spine. I glanced around nervously, but there was nothing out of the ordinary. Shrugging it off as a figment of my imagination, I continued on my way. Little did I know, that shiver was just the beginning.
As the weeks went by, the feeling of being watched grew stronger. It was as if a pair of eyes was constantly boring into the back of my skull, lurking in the shadows just out of sight. I tried to ignore it, to convince myself it was all in my head. But deep down, I knew something was terribly wrong.
One night, as I made my way home after a particularly long walk, I heard footsteps behind me. They were faint at first, barely audible over the sound of my own footsteps. But they grew louder with each passing block, echoing in the empty streets. I quickened my pace, my heart pounding in my chest. The footsteps matched mine, step for step.
Fear clenched at my throat as I turned a corner and found myself face to face with a man wearing a tattered black trench coat and a wide-brimmed hat pulled low over his eyes. His face was hidden in the shadows, but I could feel his gaze burning into me. Panic surged through my veins as I stumbled backward, desperate to escape.
But he was faster. With lightning speed, he lunged at me, his hands reaching out to grab me. I barely managed to sidestep his grasp, narrowly avoiding his clutches. I sprinted down the street, my heart pounding in my ears. I was sure he was right behind me, his footsteps thundering in my ears. I didn’t dare look back.
For days, I was haunted by his presence. Everywhere I went, I could feel his eyes on me, his presence lurking just out of sight. Sleep eluded me, and I became a shell of my former self. The maniac had taken control of my life, trapping me in a never-ending nightmare.
I tried to seek help, turning to the police and my friends for support. But no matter how hard I tried to explain my situation, they dismissed it as a figment of my imagination. They chalked it up to stress or lack of sleep, refusing to acknowledge the very real terror that consumed me.
Determined to rid myself of this madness, I delved into research. I scoured books and online forums, desperate for any information that could help me understand what was happening. That’s when I stumbled upon a chilling tale that sent shivers down my spine.
Legend spoke of a maniac who roamed the streets, preying on those who dared to walk alone. He was said to be a ghostly figure, appearing only at night and disappearing without a trace. According to the stories, he had been terrorizing the town for decades, his victims vanishing without a trace.
I knew then that I had stumbled upon the truth. The maniac was real, and he had set his sights on me. Armed with this knowledge, I devised a plan to confront him, to put an end to this nightmare once and for all.
On one fateful night, as the moon hung low in the sky, casting an eerie glow over the deserted streets, I set out to find the maniac. I armed myself with a small pocket knife, my trembling hands barely able to grip the handle. But fear gave me strength, fueling my determination to rid myself of this torment.
I walked through the town, retracing my usual routes, searching every dark alley and hidden corner. And then, I saw him. Standing in the distance, his silhouette illuminated by the moonlight. His eyes met mine, and a twisted grin spread across his face. I knew then that he had been waiting for this moment, relishing in my fear.
With a surge of adrenaline, I charged at him, my pocket knife held high. But as I lunged forward, he disappeared into thin air, leaving me standing there in the empty street, my heart pounding in my chest. It was as if he had never existed at all.
Defeated and broken, I collapsed to the ground, tears streaming down my face. The maniac had won. He had driven me to the brink of madness, leaving me a shell of my former self. I realized then that I could never escape him, that he would haunt me for the rest of my days.
And so, I continue to walk alone, haunted by the memory of the maniac. Every step I take, I can feel his presence lingering just out of reach. The streets that once brought me solace now serve as a constant reminder of the terror that awaits.
But still, I walk. For in the darkness and solitude, I find a sliver of peace. In the face of unspeakable horror, I refuse to let fear consume me entirely. I am a survivor, bound to the maniac by an unbreakable thread. And as long as I continue to walk alone, he will always be with me, lurking in the shadows, forever haunting my steps.
Author: Opney. Illustrator: Stab. Publisher: Cyber.
