We splashed our feet in the cold water

A few weeks ago, my brother and I decided to explore the woods behind our house. The trees were tall, their branches swaying gently, and a small creek ran through the middle. The place was quiet, peaceful even. We splashed our feet in the cold water, laughing, not knowing that something was watching us.

As the sun began to set, my brother suggested we head home. I agreed, but as we walked, a strange feeling crept over me—like we weren’t alone. I turned around and froze.

Far in the distance, just beyond the trees, stood a dark figure. It had no features, no details, just a shadow shaped like a person.

I grabbed my brother’s arm. “Do you see that?”

He looked where I pointed and went pale. “We need to go. Now.”

I didn’t ask questions. We ran straight home, locking the door behind us. My brother was out of breath, his face serious.

“That thing… it followed us,” he said. “I think we brought it here.”

At first, I wasn’t worried. Maybe it was just our imagination. But the next morning, strange things started happening.

Before sunrise, we all woke up to a woman’s voice outside, screaming for help. But when we looked, no one was there.

Later that morning, our mom was cooking when a loud crash echoed through the kitchen. She turned to find every pot and pan had fallen to the floor.

Our dad was drinking his coffee, listening to the radio, when the channels started switching on their own. No matter what he did, the dial kept turning.

My little sister was watching TV when, suddenly, the channels began flipping rapidly, just like the radio. She swore she didn’t touch the remote.

When my brother stepped outside, he saw the pool float moving in circles, as if someone unseen was pushing it.

I sat alone in the dining room, lost in thought, when the lights above me flickered. The room fell silent.

We had brought something back from the woods. And whatever it was… it wasn’t leaving.