THE NATURE PRESERVE MONSTER

My Dearest Priya,

By the time you receive this letter, I will likely be gone, lost in the depths of the Catskills Nature Preserve. I write to you now, not only to bid you farewell, but also to implore you, with every fiber of my being, not to search for my body. Do not venture into this treacherous wilderness, for it holds an unspeakable horror that no human should face.

I can only imagine the shock that washed over you when the police arrived at our doorstep, delivering this disheveled backpack addressed to your name. It carries the weight of my fears, my anguish, and my desperate plea for your safety. Please, Priya, do not follow my footsteps into this nightmare.

In the final moments before I succumbed to the wild, I was haunted by a relentless presence. It was a creature unlike anything I had ever encountered before—a strange humanoid figure, draped in a cloak of gray. Its movements were swift and unholy, traversing the terrain with a speed that defied reason. I could never catch a full glimpse of its form, only fleeting glimpses as it stalked me through the trees.

You see, Priya, this journey to the Catskills was not a mere business trip as I led you to believe. I came here in search of the monster that had haunted my childhood nightmares, the very creature that whispered its existence in hushed tones. Foolishly, I thought I could confront it, defeat it, and rid myself of the fear that had plagued me for so long. But now, I realize I was in too deep.

The horror that prowls these woods is something beyond comprehension. Even the great Theodore Roosevelt himself feared such beasts within the National Parks of our country. I can only pray that this letter reaches the eyes of other travelers, that they may know of the terrors that lurk within these seemingly serene landscapes.

I must confess, my love, that I am sorry for deceiving you. I never embarked on a business trip; I embarked on a fool’s errand to confront my childhood demons. My longing for closure blinded me to the dangers that awaited. For that, I beg your forgiveness.

The first signs of the creature’s presence began to manifest an hour after sunset. The piercing shrieks and eerie rustling of leaves filled the air, creating an atmosphere drenched in dread. I ran, Priya, oh how I ran, but the creature was never far behind. It possessed an intimate knowledge of the trees, using them as its pathways, its vantage points, its hunting grounds.

As the branches snapped beneath its unholy weight and the leaves crunched with each step, I came to accept my fate. There was no escaping the clutches of this abomination. All my years of tactical training and hiking experience proved futile against this unstoppable force. I could no longer deny that death was closing in, its grip tightening with every passing moment.

With the weight of inevitability upon my shoulders, I finished writing this letter to you, my final testament of love and remorse. I dug a hole in the earth and buried it, hoping that one day it would be discovered, and others would be warned of the horrors that lie within. Armed with only a knife and bear spray, I set off into the night, resigned to my destiny.

Priya, my love, remember me as I was before this tragedy befell me. Cherish our memories, hold them close to your heart. But do not venture into these cursed woods, for there is nothing but despair and darkness awaiting you.

Live your life, Priya. Live it to the fullest, and do not let my absence consume you. Find happiness, find solace, and know that my spirit will forever be intertwined with yours.