I love the sound of falling snow. It's kind of like watching lightning or seeing a shooting star.

It's just one of those unique things you have no control over that doesn't always present itself,

but when it does, it's a treat. I'm not really the hiking type, but when it's snowing out, I just can't

help myself. We've all got those irresistible cravings. This happened during one of those snowy

nights. I live in a woodsy area. It's not really in the woods per se, but it's

close enough. If I wanted to access an expansive, dense forest, I'd only have to drive

a few minutes. I didn't have any major obligations the next day, so it was either a Friday or

Saturday, probably a Saturday, because I remember being slightly hung over from going

out the previous night. It also wasn't supposed to snow that night, which I remember specifically

because I have a habit of checking the weather obsessively during the winter months. I was sitting

in my room reading a book when it just started snowing, abruptly as if someone had just casually

flipped a switch.

I didn't even notice it at first, but by the time I realized what was going on, there was already a considerable amount of snow on the ground.

Without thinking too much, I instantly knew what I wanted to do.

Take a snow walk, so that's what I did.

The spot I drove to is pretty secluded for the

most part. It's a local hiking trail that usually doesn't see that much traffic. I stepped out,

admired the snowfall for a few seconds, and started walking. I didn't really have a defined plan in my

mind. My only objective was to get deeper into the woods so I could more fully appreciate the

snow.

After about 20 minutes of walking, I was finally satisfied with how far I'd gone.

But then, the literal moment I stopped to appreciate the snow, I heard something, something

...