Mimic see, Mimic do

A fictional tale based on Appalachia folklore by Dakota Baker,

If you hear a familiar voice call your name in the woods, keep walkin’.

I was lollygagging through the woods, like I did everyday after school.

It was a welcome escape from reality. I didn’t much like thinking about all the things that worried me.

Kicking leaves, turning rocks, and rolling dead logs. What critters would there be to uncover today?

I had taken my normal path, hopping over tree roots, running over the downed tree trunk.

After finding nothing of particular interest; some rollie pollies, the occasional centipede in which I despised to uncover. For some reason, that many legs never sat right with me.

I changed the course of my evening stroll over to the pond. Maybe I’d get lucky and catch a tadpole or two. Every once in a while I’d find a ginormous one.

As I was walking around the edge of the pond, keeping an eye out for anything of a peculiar nature, I heard my name shouted from the distance.

I couldn’t tell which direction it had come from exactly, I paused and listened harder, looking around me.

But, I didn’t see anyone around me. I listened for several seconds before shrugging it off and resuming my search. I knew the sun would start to go down soon and I’d have to return home.

As I continued scanning the pond, I saw a dark shadow out of the corner of my eye.

I whipped my head around in the direction I had detected the movement. But saw nothing, not even a forest animal.

I stared in that direction for a minute or so. When no creature appeared, I resumed scanning the pond.

I searched the shallow areas around the edge of the pond until the sky began to turn hues of purple and pink. My cue to begin my trek back home.

As I started my return home, I once again heard my name shouted from the distance. It sounded like my dad’s voice. Even though I thought it might be too far for him to hear me, I hollered back, “I’m comin!” No response.

I quickened my pace, worried I was in for a world of trouble if I was late for supper.

Again, I heard my name being called. But this time it sounded like it came from behind me. Slowing my steps I turned my head, never breaking my stride. I thought I had seen a dark figure duck behind a tree. Surely my mind was playing tricks on me, I thought to myself. Just the trees casting shadows as the sun sets.

But now my heart was racing and my gut was telling me I needed to get home.

I again quickened my pace to the point of a jog. I heard my name again, I ignored it and started running.

As I was running I heard my name called over and over again. First from my dad, then my mom, followed by my sister.

I didn’t stop, I didn’t look back.

I ran and ran and ran until I made it to the tree line and my home came into view. But I never slowed until I made it to the porch steps. Just as I reached the top of the steps and was gasping for breath, my mom opened the screen door. “Just in time for supper”, she said with a smile and a laugh.

I looked up at her confused, “I thought I heard you calling for me?”, I asked. She gave me a puzzled look and told me she was coming outside to check for me when she saw me on the porch steps. She turned to walk in the door, summoning me to come eat while it was still hot. As I was about to walk through the front door, I turned and looked behind me in the direction I’d run from.

Somewhat hidden by the darkness of the forest, I saw a human-like shadow with glowing eyes watching me.