The ranch seemed bigger at sunset, the shadows stretching long across the fields.

Dad had given me a big job that evening, one he didn't usually let me handle alone.

Lucas, I need that patch of trees cleared out, he said. It's way out on the edge of our property. Pays good if you get it done.

He offered more money than usual, and I knew why. Those woods were thick and wild, a place we rarely went,

but I was saving up for a truck, so I figured it'd be worth it. I packed my gear that night and set my alarm for the crack of dawn.

The morning sun was already high by the time I loaded up the truck.

Chainsaw, gas, lunch, and my camping gear.

Dad said I might need to stay overnight, just in case.

I didn't mind.

It was just trees. How scary could it be? The drive was

rough, bumpier than usual, and the trees started to close in as I went farther. Branches

clawed at the sides of the truck, and the sunlight seemed to fade as I got deeper into the woods.

Finally, I reached the clearing, an overgrown patch of

wild trees. It was quiet, so quiet that I could hear my own breathing. I took a moment to look around,

feeling a strange, prickling sensation on the back of my neck, like someone was watching. But when I turned, nothing was there.

I shook off the feeling and got to work. The chainsaw roared to life, echoing through the

empty woods as I cut the first few trees. It felt good to be working, and I soon forgot the odd feeling. But as the hours passed, weird things started happening. One tree I cut just...

Disappeared. I swear I'd cut it down. The stump was there, cleanly sliced, but the tree itself was nowhere to be seen. I walked around, looking in every direction,

but it was gone. I shook my head, convincing myself I must have dragged it off without realizing.

Then as I took a break, the strange feeling returned, only stronger. I felt like someone was

right there, just outside my line of sight.

I turned quickly, but all I saw were the trees and shadows.

...