The wind held through the woods as branches twisted and cracked in the night.

The sound was akin to a pair of white-tailed deer clashing in the rut, their antlers

entwined in combat.

The bitter cold bit at the nape of my neck.

The chill in the air forebowed of an early winter,

one that I wasn't entirely ready for.

I pulled up the collar of my jacket and stared into the dark hollow.

A shadow whipped across the field in the moonlight, causing my heart to thunder in my chest. My anxiety raced, leaving me

nauseous. Bile rose in my throat. I nearly went to my knees as I failed to hold

back the vomit, spewing dinner in the dirt and all over my boots.

I cursed the memory of my dead wife, forever talking me into moving here as I wiped the wretch

from my chin.

The young cow stirred anxiously beside me and let out a grumble.

I tightened my grip on her lead rope and padded her side soothingly.

Easy girl, easy. My nerves were ravaged by adrenaline. My free hand

shook at my side uncontrollably as if it existed independent from my body, I loathed Halloween.

For the week leading up to the offering on the 31st of October each year, I hardly slept

because the nightmares kept me awake.

Fatigue made my eyelids feel as heavy as steel curtains,

but fear wouldn't let me close them.

My gaze still peered into the void of the forest at the edge of the property,

searching for movement.

...