Everytime to pass by the woods, think of this story and poor Jimmy Barnes because one day, it could be you! "The Twig Man" Today was Jimmy’s first day of school in a new town but he didn’t dread that, he feared the walk down the country road that lead to the bus stop. Not even a bellyful full of warm oatmeal calmed his nerves so as he began to walk he whistled a tune, but as he walked along he could hear what sounded like footsteps following him from the woods. "It must be animals." He thought to himself. However he decided to pick up the pace. As he continued to walk Jimmy's whistling became more erratic and faster as did his footsteps and that was because the echoing footsteps that accompanied him kept up. Soon Jimmy made it past the woods, over a small bridge and to the corner. He could see the bus coming up the road so Jimmy smiled, now thinking that the footsteps were just raccoons or something. Once three o’ clock hit, Jimmy rushed out of the main school doors and soon he was walking past the woods again. At first the only sounds around were of crickets and birds but then the next moment later, the phantom footsteps echoed alongside of Jimmy. Without even a second thought, Jimmy broke into a run and sped down the road, thinking that he could outrun them. When he burst through the front door with sweat dripping down his face, Jimmy’s father jumped up. "What's wrong?†"There's something out there in the woods...it followed me.†Jimmy gasped. Jimmy's mom looked worried and was about to answer but then a loud laugh interrupted her. Jimmy’s father was slapping the table and giggling like he had heard the best joke ever told. Jimmy stared at him. "What's so funny?" His father smiled back at him. "It's just echoes and critters forging for food. Everyone hears it, so don't worry." Jimmy’s emotions went from shocked to relieved and soon he grew embarrassed. "Are you sure?" He nodded. “Trust me.†The next morning came and Jimmy was up early and after another meal of warm oatmeal he grabbed his coat and was out the door with school books in hand. Once he started down the road it didn't take long before the phantom steps begun and he also heard the leaves rustle in the woods followed by sticks and twigs cracking beneath weight. Jimmy tried to ignore it all but his morbid curiosity got the best of him so turning his head he now saw what looked like glowing reddish-yellow eyes looking back at him through the thick trees. In a flash, Jimmy broke into a run and headed to school, not looking back. Once school let out, Jimmy could hardly wait to get home to tell his dad what he saw that morning, but getting home meant getting past the woods. A short time later the long dirt road stretched out before him and soon he was crossing the bridge which was when the phantom steps started. One step, then two, then three. "That's it!" Jimmy screamed. He spotted a small rock beside his foot and picked it up before hurling it towards the footsteps. A soft thud sounded followed by a low growl unlike Jimmy had ever heard before and that’s when his instincts took over. Needless to say he ran double-time all the way home. When he burst through the door, Jimmy’s mom rushed over when she saw the horrified look on his face. Jimmy’s dad however, was calm. "Don't tell me,†he said, “the monster in the woods scared you again?†Jimmy's mom shot him a hard glare in his direction. "Hush, can't you see he's scared? "There is something there,†Jimmy said, “I saw it. I heard it." "What did you see?" Jimmy's dad asked, an amused smile on his face. "It looked like a tree with glowing eyes. It walked and it growled." Jimmy's dad laughed. "It's just your mind playing tricks on you. You probably saw a deer, not a monster." "I know what I saw, I know what I heard." Jimmy spat. "All right then." Jimmy's dad sighed. "After school I'll meet you at the bus stop and I'll walk you home. If there's something there, I'll be with you. Okay?" Nodding, those words didn't comfort Jimmy but he knew that was the best his father was going to do. It was a long night and Jimmy hardly slept but he had an idea that he would cover his ears, look straight ahead, and run to the bus in the morning. He knew that he would feel better knowing that his dad would be waiting for him once he got off the bus so that was some relief. The next morning, Jimmy gathered his things and left. The day went along as normal at the Barnes' home. Around noon, the phone rang and Jimmy's mother answered. It was Jimmy's school. They told her that Jimmy had not reported to home room and they wondering if there was a reason he was out for the day. Jimmy's mom explained that he left for the bus in the morning so she assumed he was at school. Worried, she slammed the phone down and told her husband that Jimmy hadn't shown up to school so he should go look for him. Going out the door, Jimmy dad rushed down the long country road and as he came up to the small bridge he could see something lying in the middle of the road. Getting closer he could tell it was Jimmy's books and jacket, but what stood out was a circle of twigs that surrounded Jimmy's belongings. Jimmy was nowhere to be seen so his father cried out for him but got no answer. The local police were contacted and began a search and after no luck the state police got involved. For three weeks they scoured the woods but no body was ever found. Jimmy Barnes was never seen nor heard from again. The End Word Count- 994 words