it’s been quiet lately. or at least, i keep telling myself that.
the hum’s still there, but it’s like when a fridge runs too long. you stop noticing until it stops, and then everything feels wrong.
i figured maybe i’d get some air today. it’s easier to laugh at yourself in daylight.
no reason to be scared of a stupid sign when the sun’s out.
i wasn’t planning anything. just a drive, maybe a photo as evidence, something normal to post later so i don’t seem like i’m losing it.
the sky looked washed out. no clouds, but the light felt heavy. it's that ugly ugly grey that we get. people call it the "big grey" or "big dark", that happens for most of the year here in beautiful sunny washington state.
anyways the road out past mile ten still has that weird stretch where the trees lean in too close.
the air smelled metallic again, like rain hitting a coin. i checked the forecast: clear all day. there's some real scientific bullshit word for it.
rolled down the window to prove to myself i was imagining it.
the hum came back with the wind, low and even.
not loud, just everywhere.
i turned on the recorder app. figured if i caught it, maybe someone online could tell me what it was, power lines, feedback, whatever.
the brown park sign looks smaller every time i go.
the wood’s fine, no rot, but the posts are tilted more now.
it shouldn’t be, there hasn’t been a storm.
i parked and left the engine idling. sunlight hit the sign dead-on, but it didn’t throw a shadow. maybe the angle, maybe my eyes.
you will be happy to know i got the photo. it's fucking real. there's your goddamn proof.
i stood there a while. the hum dropped lower, almost like it was trying to sync with the truck’s engine.
after a minute, i think, i just got back in and started driving home.
listened to the file when i got back.
the hum’s there. steady, same pitch the whole time.
but around halfway through, there’s something else.
a few seconds of static, then these screams.
they’re distant, but sharp.
the weird part is that it was midday. no reason anyone should be calling like that unless theyre hurt, and the surrounding area doesn't allow hunting, there's no hiking trails just deep woods and brush. what i'm trying to say is that no goddamn human is walking around in that fucking neck of the woods.
the rest of the clip cuts off faster than i remember. maybe my phone glitched. again.
i’m gonna upload it here so someone can tell me if it’s just interference.
im getting sick of this. i feel sick. physically ill. i think im going to take a break with the holidays coming up. my dad's going hunting so it'll just be me and the dog these new few weeks. and it makes me feel like a child again. i'm scared of the dark again. i want to keep a light on but im afraid of what i'll see. just please someone help me.