Its really, really quiet...

Mitch really wished they hadn't split up. That someone hadn't smashed the lap when the thing had appeared behind them setting up camp. He'd looked up and there it was, inches from them all, emerging from a tree. They had all split.
And Mitch was realizing that he was the one that the thing was following.

He just has the small flashlight attached to his rifle, and when he shone it over the trunks of the dense woodland, he could see it. Just hiding behind a tree, distant enough but keeping an eye on him. He'd fired at it, the 5.56 round smacking into the wood. But then it had moved out of sight.


Then it came back when he next looked.
Mitch tried to keep moving, but it kept appearing behind the tree trunks.

Until he couldn't see it.

"Oh this is a fucking joke, this is bullshit man" the rat hybrid muttered to himself. Part of him wanted to call for the others. But part of him thought that would just confirm to the thing, that he was vulnerable.

He paused, surveying the trees again with his light. Nothing. Just a deep stillness, no birds.
In his mind, he remembered the kids in the campground on the edge of the woods, playing in the dust and dirt. Singing a ditty.

Into the woods, you will find, the big wide smile of the Hide Behind!
Teeth so long, mouth so wide, eyes so big peeking round the side!
Try to look he will hide away, he follows your trail through night and day!
When you are looking the wrong way, he grab you and pull you away!
So run, run all the way home by the while, and hope all you see is that big hungry smile!

He gulped. Something was breathing on his neck.



Gift doodle I did back in 2023 for  snakedakyoot of his rodent character Mitch.
Fineliner pen and Ink brush pen.