Horror Flash Fiction: In The Woods

The woods were deep, dark, and lonely.

At night, there would be peace among the stars.

During the day, there were howls and calls.

I clasped my hands so as not to hear the cries.

They continued on, long until sunset.

Then night would come, and there would be peace. And the twinkling stars.

How I loved to sit in the dark and gaze at the vast night sky, adorned with blinking stars.

Then, the day would arrive, and the screaming would begin.

Winter came, and the tranquil nights were longer. 

I no longer hear the screeching or the tired sobs of the men and women passing by.

I spent a blissful winter in the woods, watching sluggish creatures and twinkling stars when they peeked through the clouds.

Then spring came, and I heard the lone cries of a man. 

"Come back to me, dear. Please forgive me. I miss you. Return to me."

I refused to stray from my decision.

A year ago, I had a fight with my husband. I walked away into the woods, determined never to return. The night did not matter. I would find my way out to a new life away from his accusations and derision.

But I didn't. I fell from a cliff. When I awoke, I was no longer in my body.

An animal came to me and sniffed. Then bit, and ate me until it was full. What remained of me was hardly identifiable.

I knew my husband would come looking for me. Once upon a time, he loved me even though it had diminished over the years. 

He brought his friends and our family to search for me.

But they could never find me. 

What remained of my corpse was no more.

I was still here, however. I could gaze at the stars forever.