 

I was only 16 years old at the time of this event. I was a big fan of hiking, so every summer, my friends would invite me to travel around the country to set up camp. We were in a Honda Accord bound for the next city a few miles off the Oregon State. It was a beautiful sunny day - not a cloud in the sky, a perfect day for hiking. Me, Adam Ruyle, Sarah White, Mike Davis, and Jake Mills were heading out of the city to the next town, located some miles between a heavily forested area, dominated by tall, dense foliage and trees so dense and thick that it appeared as though they were blocking out the sun's rays. Midway out, we were caught in a storm and stranded. When the storm cleared, we were in a dense fog. We began to hear strange noises, rather like the giggling of a lunatic... also a sickening odor like that of blood. The noise got closer to the car and it was then we heard a loud whipping sound.

Out of the fog we saw what looked like a tall man, about six feet high, sticking straight up out of the water of the nearby pond. On top of his head was a tall hat with a reddish-pink ribbon. He appeared several more times, getting closer to the car. Words could not describe our fear. ''What do you think that was?'' Jake asked. ''Well, it definitely was no car, that's for sure'' said Adam. ''Maybe it's some kind of monster?'' Sarah joked. Then we just stared at each other in silence. Suddenly, everything went inexplicably silent. Not a bird chirped, not a bush rustled, not even the rain seemed to make any noise all of a sudden. I suddenly felt a pair of icy-cold hands squeeze around my stomach. ''We're dead. We died in that storm.'' Jake whimpered. ''No, no, we're going to be fine, trust me. We'll get back to town in a few hours.'' I said. ''Well, I hope so, I have a date tonight.'' said Mike. The atmosphere became less tense, and we began sharing cigarettes for the next twenty minutes.

The silence was broken once again by something out of the fog. I can only describe it as a high-pitched whine. That is when we panicked. All five of us grabbed our coats and went into the woods.. 'Keep together and try for the town!' I yelled.

After we were in the woods, we became split up in the fog. From behind I could hear the screams of my comrades one by one. The first scream lasted for what seemed like half a minute. I heard Adam call; ''he's got Sarah! He's got Sarah! Hey, help me! I gotta get out of here-'' - his voice was cut off in an abrupt cry.

The woods became eerily silent. I yelled ''Hey! Where is everyone? Adam, Sarah, Mike, where are you?'' from here on, it was just me and Jake. Jake grimaced and then fell to his knees. ''What's wrong?'' I asked him. ''Cramps.'' he said. I carried him with his arm wrapped around my neck. I carried him for what seemed like hours. Suddenly a flash of lightning illuminated the silhouette of a clearing. ''We're saved! Come on Jake, the clearing is just over the next hill.'' Then a gust of wind from the storm yanked Jake from me, causing me to fall flat on my face.

When I came to, I saw Jake running ahead of me, then that tall purple clad man suddenly appeared right next to him. I got a closer look at him just before my last friend was killed. He was wearing round, large, yellow-tinted glasses. He was wearing a purple suit, with a reddish-pink bowtie. Under his purple suit was a pale yellow blouse, and he had a gap between his two upper teeth. There appeared to be what looked like a pinkish cumberbund when he appeared for the last time. Also, as best I am able to recall, the eyes were brown and his hair was jet-black, short, and spiky, with a small nose and small ears.

From there, I must have blacked out from the shock, as the last thing I can remember is my legs burning like fire from all the running, and my insides shaking uncontrollably in fear. I honestly thought I was dead - an endless void of blackness as my mind shattered, unable to take in what I'd just witnessed. I finally made it to the town, and stayed there for most of the night. Early that morning I walked around and was found by the rescue unit. I was in shock, and from there, I'd suffer a nervous breakdown which lasted approximately three months before I could return to work.

There was an employee at the rescue unit who I told my story to, he maintained eye contact with me, and nodded every couple of seconds. After I had finished, he told me in a Southern-accented drawl ''you know,'' he said, ''the world has many secrets. There is a lot we don't know about, and people don't wish to believe something such as this is truth, because they are scared to. I believe you, but there isn't much I can do.''

I was in hospital for a couple of days, and there were times where I contemplated if I seriously believed what I had remembered. But that's when reality kicked me in the gut and I knew that my friends were dead, and that thing/person that got them was real.

I'm just wondering if anyone else has had encounters with this person or thing. I'm thinking of submitting this encounter to FATE magazine where I'll go into more detail, as it shall be cathartic for me. I'll answer anyone's questions.