Part 3 — The Stranger in Red Shorts

According to the story, Taylor initially felt relieved.

Seeing another person in the woods was unexpected, but certainly less frightening than whatever had been screaming earlier.

At least that’s what he thought.

As he approached, the flashlight revealed more details.

The man looked rough.

He had a thick bushy beard.

Dirty, tangled hair.

And the appearance of someone who had spent a very long time outdoors.

But something immediately felt wrong.

The temperature was close to freezing.

Yet the stranger wore only a short-sleeve t-shirt and bright red shorts.

No jacket.

No boots suitable for the conditions.

Nothing that made sense.

Even stranger, he didn’t seem bothered by the cold at all.

He simply stood there staring into the darkness.

Then he spoke.

“Hey, what are you doing?”

The question sounded ordinary.

But according to the story, there was something unsettling about the way he asked it.

His voice felt flat.

Almost emotionless.

Taylor explained he was heading toward the lake to fish.

The stranger stared for several seconds.

Then asked another question.

“Are you going to keep the fish and eat them?”

Taylor replied that he probably would if they were good.

The stranger continued staring.

Not blinking.

Not smiling.

Not reacting.

According to the story, an overwhelming sense of dread suddenly washed over Taylor.

Stories World