I’m so unsettled. I refuse to give any identifying information and made this account tonight so that I can get this experience of my chest. Truly don’t care if you believe me or think I’m crazy.

A few weeks ago I went for a solo camping trip. None of my friends were available and NBD because I’ve been in wild spaces most of my life. I hit the road late and knew I’d be arriving in the deep forest late that night. I had limited time so figured I’d rather get out and sleep in if I was tired in the morning.

Gorgeous night. Set up my tent with a cold beer and stogie. Stars danced above me and every breath was a cold and damp relief from day’s earlier heat. I was content.

I didn’t make a fire but just finished my beer and was pretty wiped. I got settled in my tent and passed out.

I awoke abruptly, sweaty, out of breath, and on edge. I am not an anxious person but there was a heavy air and weight around me. I was so confused. It was dark. What time was it? Why am I shooting out of bed? It was pretty quiet out and didn’t hear anything but I had an overwhelming sense I needed to not be in my tent.

I instinctively grab my head lamp, keys and buck knife. I scan the trees. Trees in the middle of the night look terrifying with a head lamp. It’s like Blair Witch Project even if you’re in a National Park. I see nothing. Again, I feel exposed, watched, and on edge. I feel, an almost compulsive itch, to get in my car. I walk quickly. I feel crazy. I open the car and get in. Lock the doors. I almost started to laugh at how absurd I was being. Until I didn’t.

I could see the shape of a tall figure, human, looking through my soul. I turned the car on. The lights flashed on. I see a person 25 yards away, wearing this strange hoodie, pulled down low, but the face looks stretched and distorted. It almost looked like that fucking Outsider dude from the HBO series. It knew I knew and I knew that I had seen him. He darted behind a tree. I felt the most overwhelming sense of dread in my life.

Fuck this.

I legit flipped a U-turn like a bat out of hell and drove away with all my camping gear still there. Will NEVER go back to that area. After having a solid panic attack and pulling over to puke, I pulled myself together and drove straight home. I have not told a soul… I feel crazy.