12 TRUE Terrifying Christmas Horror Stories | True Horror Stories

before we start make sure to like subscribe and comment down below what time you're watching this thanks it started like any other Christmas or at least the kind of Christmas I'd grown used to cold Bleak and full of reminders that I was stuck in a place I didn't belong it wasn't the weather or the isolation of our tiny Cabin in the Woods it was what or who was inside it my dad I woke up to the kind of Silence you only get when the snow falls thick and heavy muffling everything the cabin groaned under the

waited the storm outside I could feel the cold biting at my face even under the blanket when I dragged myself out of bed and caught my reflection in the mirror the bruise on my cheek was already a dark angry purple I didn't need to remember the slap to know how it got there my father had made his Mark again literally he hadn't always been this way I know that sounds like the thing everyone says about a terrible parent but it's true before mom died he was different he used to sing Christmas carols off key and

make up the words when he forgot them now he barely got out of bed unless it was to grab another bottle I muttered a half-hearted Merry Christmas to my reflection and pulled on the warmest clothes I could find though nothing in the house ever seemed warm enough downstairs I found him exactly where I expected passed out on the couch an empty bottle of whiskey tipped over beside him I stepped around the mess ignoring the stale smell of alcohol that always seemed to hang in the air and grabbed a piece of toast my phone buzzed as

I sat at the table Uncle jerck thank God Lucas Merry Christmas his voice was so warm and loud it felt like opening the door to sunlight I'm on my way got a surprise for you this year so don't go anywhere I smiled for the first time all day Uncle Jerick was the only reason I looked forward to Christmas at all every year he showed up with something incredible a globe from Vienna a scarf from Moscow he brought the world to me in a way that felt almost magical hanging up I decided I'd at least try

to make the place look halfway festive before he arrived I headed out into the woods the snow crunching loudly under my boots the air was sharp but the kind that wakes you up I didn't have to go far before I found it the perfect tree it was tall its branches wide and thick with needles by the time I dragged it back to the cabin and set it up I was soaked cold and out of breath for once I felt a flicker of Pride that didn't last long the door slammed open and my dad stumbled in

his face Twisted with that familiar scowl what's this you think a tree is going to fix anything waste of time he Shrugged into his coat muttering about the tavern maybe I'll actually have some fun for once he he left before I could say anything not that I had much to say to him anymore I stared at the tree for a moment then started hanging the ornaments we'd had since I was a kid most of them were chipped or faded but I made it work by the time Uncle jerck arrived the cabin looked as good as

it was going to get he walked in with his arms full of bags and boxes his big laugh filling the space like it could Chase all the darkness away for a while it did we had dinner he even brought real turkey we talked about his travels he told me he had big plans for me when I turned 18 we'll get you out of here kid he said just wait I didn't realize how badly I needed to hear that until he said it the storm picked up after dinner snow slapped against the windows and the wind

howled like it had a grudge we were by the fire talking about anything and everything when there was a knock at the door it startled both of us nobody came out here unless they had a reason especially in a storm like this when jerck opened the door there was no one there just a small box sitting on the step perfectly wrapped in shiny red paper and tied with a gold ribbon do you know anything about this he asked holding it up I shook my head but curiosity got the better of me I tore the ribbon

off pulled back the paper and found a smaller box inside then another by the time I reached the last one my hands were trembling inside was a finger I know that sounds impossible but it was real pale severed cleanly the nail painted bright red there was a scrap of paper tucked next to it with a name I hadn't heard in years ma Novak I could barely breathe ma had been a bully back in grade school she once shoved me so hard I chipped a tooth we need to call the police jerck said his voice sharp

but before he could grab his phone there was another knock this time the box was bigger and heavier when I opened it I almost threw up inside was an ear packed in straw like it was some kind of sick trophy the note said Victor Petro Victor was the landlord who'd kicked us out after my mom died the storm outside seemed louder like it was pressing against the house my hands were ice cold as I opened the third box it was larger than the others and this time there was no straw just a severed foot pale

and Limp my father's name was scrolled on the Note inside that's when the lights went out the cabin plunged Into Darkness only the glow of the fire lit the room throwing Shadows on the walls then faintly I heard it crunch crunch crutch steps in the snow slow and deliberate heading toward the door jarck grabbed the fireplace poker motioning for me to stay back the steps stopped just outside my heart was pound pounding so hard it felt like it might burst the door creaked open but there was no one there only the outline of a figure

in the snow holding something another box I don't know how long we stood there Frozen the figure didn't move eventually it turned and walked into the storm disappearing like it had never been there the police never found out who or what it was my father was discovered Days Later alive but missing a foot rambling incoherent about something white and cold Ma and Victor they weren't so lucky every Christmas sense I've heard it the faint sound of footsteps in the snow and every year I wonder is it coming back for me it was Christmas Eve if

you'd asked me that morning I'd have told you it was shaping up to be perfect snow was falling in big fluffy flakes the kind that makes everything look magical but doesn't immediately turn into slug the office was decked out in its usual Holiday finery Lights garlands stockings pinned to cubicles everyone was buzzing about their plans for the break I couldn't wait to get home my sister had flown in with her fiance tomorrow we'd be at our family's Cabin in the Woods drinking cocoa by the fire I'd been texting my mom all day she kept asking

when I'd get home reminding me my sister was already there you're the last piece of the puzzle she said mom my shift ends at 6 I replied for the third time I'll be there soon I promise cross the desk Aaron my coworker overheard and leaned over with a grin bet your family's going full Hallmark movie right now something like that I said laughing what about you big plans just the usual food chaos trying to keep Uncle Joe from saying something wildly inappropriate she said shaking her head with mock exasperation classic Christmas we chatted a bit

longer but eventually I had to get back to work it was quiet that afternoon which was both a blessing and a curse on one hand I could finish up without too many interruptions on the other the quiet made the hours crawl by then the gifts started arriving every year we did a secret sand exchange every year was basically the same candles chocolates the occasional quirky mug I wasn't expecting anything groundbreaking when I saw the little pile of packages on my desk after lunch I smiled and started unwrapping the first was a box of fancy chocolates

predictable but I wasn't complaining the second was a pair of gold earrings which were actually really nice but the third the third was different it was wrapped in plain brown paper no bow No Tag inside was a small velvet box the kind you see in romantic movie proposals I hesitated before opening it suddenly very aware of Aaron watching me with eager curiosity when I finally lifted the lid I found a delicate heart-shaped locket with a tiny diamond at its Center it was beautiful there was a note too would you spend Christmas dinner with me Aaron

gasped practically jumping out of her chair oh my God you have a secret admirer she said who do you think it is I Shrugged trying to play it cool probably someone being funny or weird I glanced around the office but no one looked suspicious or particularly romantic you should say yes Aaron teased you've got to admit that's a bold move I laughed it off but something about the gift stuck with me it wasn't just the locket it was the note the handwriting was neat almost too perfect there was something strange about the way the question

was phrased not would you like to spend dinner with me but would you spend dinner with me it felt odd I told myself I was overthinking it by the time the office started clearing out I'd all but forgotten about the locket Aaron was the last to leave calling out a cheerful merry Christmas as she bundled up and headed into the snow I stayed behind to finish some lastminute tasks the quiet didn't bother me until the lights flickered once twice then they went out completely great I muttered pulling out my phone from for light the emergency

generators didn't seem to be kicking in which meant the elevators wouldn't work the main doors were locked electronically I tried calling security but the line didn't connect my phone battery was down to 5% I knew I'd have to save it for emergencies then I heard it fo steps at first I thought I was imagining things the sound was faint just a soft Shuffle in the distance but as I stood there holding my breath it got closer hello I called trying to keep my voice steady a beam of light appeared bouncing off the walls as someone

turned the corner a man stepped into view holding a flashlight hey he said his voice friendly you okay I nodded trying to shake off the initial wave of panic yeah just stuck the power's out he smiled I'm Ryan new guy I was about to head out when everything went dark thought I'd see if anyone else was around there was something disarming about his demeanor for a moment I felt relieved at least I wasn't alone we decided to check the basement together thinking maybe the circuit breaker had tripped the stairwell was cold and drafty the further

we went the more I regretted not just waiting upstairs the basement smelled musty like damp Concrete in Old cardboard the fluorescent lights flickered faintly before going out altogether Ryan Shone his flashlight around muttering something about the breaker box while he fiddled with the switches I glanced at my phone again 3% doesn't look like it's coming back on Ryan said finally we should head back up I've got some candles at my desk I hesitated but followed him at least the glow of the candles would be better than the oppressive Darkness down here when we reached his

desk I noticed it was surprisingly tidy for a guy who claimed to be new there were photos of Landscapes pinned to the walls a mug that said world's okayest employee a notebook lay open on the desk that's when I saw it the handwriting on the open page matched the note I'd found with the locket my stomach dropped you like the locket didn't you Ryan's voice broke the silence startling me I turned to find him watching me his expression is unreadable yeah it was nice I stamp trying to keep my tone casual I knew you would

he smiled but it didn't reach his eyes something about the way he said it sent a chill down my spine I needed to leave now listen I should probably why don't you stay a little longer he interrupted stepping closer Panic set in I backed away but he blocked my path you don't get it do you he said his voice low and cold I've been waiting for this for you my heart raced as I realized how wrong I'd been to brush off the unease I'd felt earlier this wasn't a random power outage this wasn't just bad

luck he planned it the rest is a blur flashes of movement my own voice screaming the glint of a knife in the candl light somehow I got away somehow I made it to the stairwell and pounded on the door until someone heard me by the time the police arrived Ryan was gone they found his notebook though page after page filled with my name my schedule details about my life I'd never shared with anyone I didn't go home that night I couldn't Christmas it hasn't been the same since it started like any other festive trip I

was driving the kids back home after a visit to their grandparents my parents had just moved to this old farmhouse way out in the countryside it was a beautiful place but way too isolated for my taste every time I visited I couldn't shake the feeling that we were a little too far from well everything the kids were in the back seat buzzing with Christmas excitement Ellie my 5-year-old was still fully sold on the magic of Santa Liam at 9: was teetering on the edge of Doubt but hadn't completely let go yet they were debating who

might get what under the tree their voices overlap like a cheerful little duet then we saw it a sign on the side of the the road painted and messy bold letters Santa's Winter Wonderland 9 M ahead Ellie's gasp could have shattered glass Santa can we go mom please please Liam leaned forward trying to act cooler about it it could be fun you know if we're not in a hurry I wasn't sure we'd already had a long day and honestly the idea of more detours wasn't appealing but then Ellie hit me with a puppy dog eyes

and I caved parenting right sometimes you just want to give them the magic moments they'll remember the signs kept coming each one a little sloppier than the last Almost their one promised the letters were smudged like someone had painted it with frozen fingers the road narrowed turning into a dirt path surrounded by spinley trees the snow had started falling harder muting everything around us I kept glancing in the rearview mirror half expecting something to jump out of the woods and then we arrived it wasn't a Wonderland not even close the clearing was dimly lit by

half dead strands of Christmas lights strung between crooked poles there were a few battered Caravans parked at odd angles and a port a cabin leaning so far to one side I thought it might topple over a plastic Santa figure stood near the entrance its face was cracked and missing one eye uh mom Liam's voice had a nervous Edge Elly though was still holding out hope where's Santa maybe inside I said trying to sound upbeat truthfully my instincts were screaming at me to get back in the car and leave but I didn't want to ruin the

night for them we crunched through the snow toward the pter cabin and I knocked on the metal door the sound echoed like a gunshot and for a few seconds there was silence then a creek behind us a door to one of the Caravans opened and out stepped a man he was tall and heavy with a beard that might have passed for Santa's if it hadn't been so patchy he wore a red tracksuit that was torn at the knees and his Santa hat looked like it had been through a drier fire you here for Santa he

asked his voice was grally Ellie nodded eagerly but Liam took a step closer to me his hand brushing against my coat uh yeah I said is he available the man grunted in motion for us to wait he disappeared back into the Caravan and through the open door I caught a glimpse of cluttered shells and a rifle propped casually in the corner my stomach Twisted a few minutes later the man reappeared in a filthy Santa jacket that didn't quite fit over his stained undershirt come on in he said gesturing toward the porter cabin inside the smell

hit me first it was musty like wet socks left in a gym bag too long the walls were draped with tinsel that looked like it had been salvaged from a trash bin and a single string of flickering lights cast Eerie shifting shadows in the corner was a sagging armchair where Santa plopped down with a grunt come on kids he said patting his lap tell Santa what you want for Christmas Ellie hesitated her wide eyes flicked to me Liam tugged on her sleeve and whispered let's go this is weird he wasn't wrong I stepped forward trying

to keep things polite you know what we're probably running late maybe we'll hey's voice snapped loud and sharp cutting me off you think this is Free 50 Quid or you don't leave I froze sorry I said quickly I don't have cash on me we just you're not going anywhere until you pay he growled standing up behind him Shadows moved more people emerged from the Caravans a wiry teenager holding a crowbar a woman with strain hair and a cigarette dangling from her lips and a few others I couldn't make out hand over your purse the man

said stepping closer my heart was hammering now I reached for my bag fumbling but before I could pull it out a kid a kid darted forward and snatched it right out of my hands he bolted back toward the Caravans laughing as the group cheered him on consider it a donation the woman sneered blowing out a stream of smoke I grabbed the kids and bolted the gang followed us their voices echoing through the clearing my hands shook as I shoved the kids into the car and slammed the doors the engine sputtered before roaring to life and

I threw the car into reverse spinning us back toward the road as we sped away I glanced in the rearview mirror the man in the Santa suit stood in the middle of the path watching us his figure loomed dark and twisted until the snow swallowed him whole for Miles none of us spoke finally Ellie whispered was that the real Santa no Liam said his voice shaking the real Santa wouldn't be like that I nodded gripping the wheel tighter no sweetie that wasn't Santa but deep down I couldn't shake the feeling that we'd Escape something much

worse than a bad Christmas memory [Music] It Happened One Christmas when I was 12 years old since that night I've never looked at Christmas the same way we lived in a tiny snow covered town in Vermont picture a postcard perfect scene narrow streets cozy houses with smoking chimneys a thick layer of snow muffling every sound except the crunch of boots and the distant chime of a bell my mom adored Christmas she would start decorating the day after Thanksgiving with twinkling lights garlands and candles in every window window that year she outdid herself with a massive

tree that almost touched the ceiling the house smelled of pine needles and cinnamon it felt magical at least it did until it didn't that Christmas Eve a fierce snowstorm raged outside the wind hurled itself against the windows howling as if it wanted to come inside snow piled up so quickly that you couldn't see the end of the driveway we had planned to attend the town's carolling event but the WEA forced us to stay home so it was just Mom Dad our dog Bandit and me cozy in the living room the fire crackled in the Hearth

mom served her famous peppermint cocoa and Bandit lay stretched out on the rug snoring it was warm and perfect then the doorbell rang we froze no one was supposed to visit especially not in weather like this Dad frowned as he stood to check and I followed him too curious to stay behind when he opened the door the wind practically screamed but no one was there all we saw was snow blowing sideways under the porch light except for a box it sat on the mat perfectly wrapped in shiny red paper with a big green bow there

was no name no card just the Box dad brought it inside and we all gathered around staring at it as though it might explode who would drop this off in the middle of a storm mom asked frowning I don't know maybe a neighbor dad Shrugged something about it felt off to me who goes out in the storm to deliver a gift and doesn't wait to see the recipient open it can I open it I asked my hands already itching to tear the paper after all it was Christmas Dad nodded and I ripped the wrapping paper

inside was a plain cardboard box when I opened it I found a cookie jar but it wasn't just any cookie jar it was shaped like a grot tesque ceramic head with greenish skin bulging yellow eyes and a jagged toothy grin it resembled the Grinch but looked far more Sinister like someone had sculpted it after a nightmare its red Santa hat was chipped and the jar had a faint musty smell as though it had been stored in an attic for decades wow that's unique mom said forcing a smile creepy I muttered the Jar's eyes seemed to

follow you no matter where you stood inside were cookies dark chocolate chip ones that smelled amazing against my better judgment I grabbed one it was delicious melt in your mouth good but the jar itself gave me the creeps that night I left it in the kitchen and went to bed bandit wouldn't stop pacing the hallway growling at nothing I blamed the storm and eventually fell asleep to the sound of wind rattling the windows sometime in the middle of the night I woke up something was moving down downstairs at first I thought it was the house

settling then I heard it a soft shuffling noise like paper being dragged across the floor Bandit was barking wildly his low growl turning into sharp frantic Yelps my heart raced as I grabbed my flashlight and crept downstairs Bandit stood in the kitchen doorway furb bristled teeth Beed that's when I saw it the cookie jar was on the floor it's lit off and crumbs scattered everywhere Crouch de side it was someone or something it was tall and hunched with greenish skin and long bony fingers its yellow eyes glowed in the dark when it turned to look

at me it grinned that same Jagged too wide grin from the jar my chest tightened with fear Merry Christmas its voice was low and grally I didn't think I ran up the stairs banded following close behind barking furiously heavy footsteps pounded behind us getting closer and closer I threw myself into my parents room and slammed the door what's going on dad asked groggy he's here he's real I gasped trying to catch my breath I told him everything the jar the footsteps the creature dad checked the house but found nothing the kitchen was spotless the jar

back on the counter as if it hadn't moved he told me it must have been a bad dream but I knew better after that night strange things kept happening Bandit refused to go near the kitchen the jar would move on its own sometimes just a little other times to completely different spots at night I would hear faint chuckling like it was mocking me we tried throwing it away twice but every time it came back no explanation no reason just sitting there on the counter waiting finally around New Year's it vanished one day it was there

and the next it was gone but I've never forget gotten every Christmas I half expect to hear that laugh again some gifts I've learned should never be opened and some can't be thrown away it was Christmas Eve the kind of cold where your breath freezes the moment it hits the air I remember it so clearly snow had piled up outside our little house at the edge of town everything was silent except for the occasional groan of tree branches weighed down by Ice inside though things were supposed to feel warm and festive supposed to I was

sitting on the carpet by the fireplace flipping through an old comic book that I'd read at least 10 times before Lily my little sister was by the window her nose was practically pressed against the frosty glass she was staring out into the dark like she was waiting for something or someone do you think Dad will come this time she asked she she didn't look at me her voice was so hopeful it hurt I didn't know what to say I wanted to tell her yes but the truth was I didn't think he would dad had been

gone for months he promised he'd be back by Christmas but he'd made promises like that before they always broke maybe I kept my eyes on the comic you know how busy he gets she didn't respond she just kept staring out the window her breath fogged up the glass Michael helped me with this mom's voice pulled me back to the moment she was standing on a wobbly chair trying to drape a string of tinsel over the top of the tree the tree itself was well let's just say it had seemed better days half the branches were

bare most of the decorations were homemade popsicle sticks paper stars that kind of thing mom was trying her best but you could see how tired she was she hadn't smiled much in weeks coming I muttered getting up I steadied the chair for her while she reached up her hands were shaking a little thanks sweetheart she stepped down it's starting to look like Christmas don't you think I didn't answer it didn't feel like Christmas not without dad dinner was quiet too quiet mom kept asking us about school Lily was distracted I didn't feel like talking around

7 mom stood up and grabbed her coat I have to go pick up Grandma she looked at me Michael you're in charge lock the doors and don't open them for anyone okay okay I rolled my eyes it wasn't the first time she'd left me in charge I was used to it what if Dad comes Lily asked her voice was small mom hesitated she looked like she wanted to say something but didn't finally she just said if he comes he can wait that was odd but before I could ask about it she was out the door

she left me and Lily alone in the house the fire crackled in the fireplace the clock ticked loudly in the quiet an hour passed Lily was Restless bouncing between the window and the Christmas tree I tried to get her to play a game but she wasn't interested then came the knock it was soft at first three quiet Taps on the front door I froze my stomach Twisted Lily's face lit up like the tree it's Dad she cried she ran for the door Lily wait I jumped up and grabbed her arm but she shook me off

before I could stop her she had the door open a man stood there he was wearing a Santa suit but it was filthy it was stained and torn in places his hat was crooked his beard looked like a had been glued on in a hurry he was holding a sack slung over one shoulder his boots left wet muddy prints on the porch ho ho ho his voice was flat like he didn't care at all dad Lily asked she stepped closer the man tilted his head and smiled it was a big two wide smile not quite

he added but I've brought present my stomach churned mom said not to let anyone in I tried to sound firm but my voice wobbled I knew he could tell he didn't wait for an invitation he stepped inside brushing past me like I wasn't even there his sack hit the floor with a heavy thud the smell hit me a damp musty smell mixed with something metallic blood no it couldn't be I shook the thought away you've been very good this year haven't you he said he crouched down to Lily's level Lily nodded her eyes were wide

well then he reached into his sack this is for you he pulled out a doll porcelain with glassy eyes and a pale face it looked wrong somehow but Lily didn't seem to notice she hugged it to her chest smiling and for you he turned to me I don't want anything I took a step back but I insist he reached into the sack again he pulled out a wooden box it was small and heavy the lid was nailed shut he handed it to me I felt a chill run down my spine what's in it I asked

my voice was barely above a whisper open it and see his grin stretched wider before I could move the lights flickered and went out the house plunged Into Darkness Lily screamed I fumbled for the flashlight on the mantle when I clicked it on the beam landed on the man he was still standing there his grin was frozen in place let's play a game he said softly no my voice trembled you need to leave now he didn't move instead he reached into his coat and pulled out a knife the blade gleamed in the flashlights beam you

don't want to be on the naughty list do you he said he stepped closer my heart was pounding so hard I thought it might burst I grabbed Lily's hand I pulled her behind me run I whispered we bolted for the kitchen slipping on the tile as we scrambled for the back door behind us I could hear his boots stomping after us the sound was deafening like he was right on our heels we burst into the backyard the snow crunched under our feet the cold air burned my lungs but I didn't stop I dragged Lily toward

the woods the only place I could think to hide when we reached the trees I turned back he was standing at the edge of the yard his knife gleaned in the Moonlight he didn't follow us not yet you can't hide forever his voice echoed through the still night we ran deeper into the woods branches clawed at our clothes finally we found a hollow tree and crawled inside shivering I held Lily close I tried to keep calm it's okay I whispered he won't find us but even as I said it I wasn't sure I believed it

somewhere in the distance I heard the faint sound of bells not cheerful jingling Bells low mournful Chimes they grew louder closer then just as Dawn began to break I heard his voice again Merry [Music] Christmas the snow had started falling a few days before Christmas thick and soft covered ing everything in a crisp white blanket but that night the snow turned from magical to something I'll never forget and not in a good way I was 28 at the time working as a nurse in training which meant I was perpetually exhausted but running on sheer determination

a few days before I had crushed a major exam I felt like I deserved a break maybe even a mini Adventure Michael my boyfriend had invited me to spend Christmas with his family and I had already promised I'd be there but before that I wanted to visit my childhood best friend Ellie who lived a couple of hours away we hadn't seen each other in ages with the holidays approaching something inside me was tugging me to reconnect are you sure this is a good idea Michael asked over the phone when I mentioned my plan the weather's

rough and it's late it's just a quick trip I said brushing off his concerns I'll be fine famous last words right the first stretch of the drive was honestly kind of beautiful twinkling Christmas lights lined the houses the radio was playing non-stop carols I was even sing alone to Jingle Bell Rock but as the miles ticked by and the lights of the Town faded behind me the mood shifted the highway turned into a winding road flanked by tall shadowy trees my high beams lit up the snow swirling like tiny Diamonds the occasion gust of wind

rocked my car it was quiet too quiet I hadn't seen another car in at least 20 minutes I Shrugged it off and focused on the GPS which annoyingly started to lag great timing two road signs came into view ahead both dusted with snow I slowed down squinting to make out the names Cherry Ridge or Chestnut Hollow I guessed wrong he guessed wrong the road grew narrower the trees pressed and closer my music cut out replaced by Static I tried refreshing the GPS but it wouldn't load okay I muttered to myself gripping the wheel tighter it's

just a detour about 10 minutes later I spotted someone standing by the side of the road at first I thought my eyes were playing tricks on me because really who just stands out in the snow at night as I got closer I saw him clearly a tall man in red coat wearing what looked like a Santa hat he was just standing there completely still facing the road I slowed down slightly unsure if he needed help but he didn't wave or make any kind of motion he just stared my stomach Twisted I pressed the gas a

little harder maybe he's drunk I told myself but then a few miles later there he was again this time he was under a flickering Street Lamp he was closer to the road now as I drove past his head turned turned slowly to follow my car I could feel his eyes on me even after I'd passed him by this point I was more than a little freaked out my fingers tightened on the wheel my pulse was thuing in my ears I checked my rearview mirror half expecting to see him again but instead I saw something worse

headlights a rusted old pickup truck had appeared behind me out of nowhere at first I thought it was just another driver but then it started tailgating me its high beams glaring into my mirrors practically blinding me I tapped The Brak slightly a polite backoff gesture but the truck didn't budge if anything it got closer okay this is ridiculous I muttered trying to stay calm but then the truck swerved to the side pulling up beside me my heart dropped as I glanced over the driver was a man with a scruffy beard grinning ear to ear to

ear of course he was wearing a sand a hat he suddenly swerved toward me forcing me toward the edge of the road my tires skitted on the ice I had to fight to keep control adrenaline surged through me as I slammed on the gas my little car struggling to outrun the old Beast of a truck after what felt like forever I spotted a faint light up ahead it looked like a cabin the windows glowing warmly against the snowy Darkness without thinking I veered off the road and into the driveway skidding to a stop I jumped

out and ran to the door pounding on it with both fists help please someone's chasing me my breath fogged the air as I shouted the door creeped open an older woman appeared she looked like someone straight out of a Hallmark movie silver hair cozy cardigan and kind twinkling eyes what's wrong dear she asked her voice calm and soothing there's a man I stammered glancing over my shoulder he's following me he tried to run me off the road she nodded like she'd heard this story before come inside she said pulling me in and locking the door

behind me the cabin smelled like cinnamon and pine a fire crackled in the Hearth a small Christmas tree stood in the corner its ornaments glinting softly for a second I almost felt safe but then I heard it the crunch of tires on snow I peaked out the window the truck was there idling just beyond the trees the driver stepped out his Santa had a skew and started walking toward the cabin don't worry the woman said her tone unsettlingly calm she picked up a fire poker her grip steady he won't bother us for long I blinked

at her unsure if I'd heard her right before I could ask what she meant the man banged on the door yelling something I couldn't make out the woman motioned for me to stay quiet her eyes hard and determined the next few minutes were chaos the man broke a window his boots crunching on the wooden floor the woman didn't hesitate she swung the poker with surprising strength yelling Like a Warrior I grabbed a heavy Candlestick and joined in Adrenaline fueling my every move somehow I made it back to my car I don't remember much about how

I got there or how I found the main rode Again by the time I reached Ellie's house the sun was Rising I was shaking so badly I could barely stand when I tried to explain everything to the police they looked at me like I was crazy they said there was no record of a cabin in that area no reports of a man in a truck just my tire tracks leading off the road even now I don't know what really happened that night all I know is that I haven't driven on a rural road after dark

since every every time I see a Santa hat my stomach knots up Christmas may be the season of Joy but for me it'll always carry the shadow of that snowy silent night I was 21 that year stuck in that awkward stage of life where you're technically an adult but still figuring out what that means I had this amazing girlfriend Sophie she was sharp funny the kind of person who could make anyone feel at ease that Christmas Sophie agreed to meet my family for the first time it felt like a big deal maybe even a little

nerve-wracking but she handled it like a pro the dinner was at my aunt's old farmhouse on the edge of town buried in snow and Nostalgia picture creaky wood floors a roaring fireplace and garlands of pine strung everywhere it smelled like cinnamon and roasted turkey exactly what you'd expect from a Hallmark card come to life Sophie nailed it with my family my notoriously grumpy Uncle even cracked a smile when she joked about how I once tried to bake cookies and set off the fire alarm I remember sitting there watching her charm my little cousins with her

love of mystery books thinking man this girl is something else we left late close to midnight snow was falling in these huge lazy flakes that looked beautiful but were starting to pile up on the roads my truck ancient and barely clinging to life was blasting lukewarm air that Sophie and I both pretended was enough to keep us warm the plan was simple drive back to my place exchange gifts binge watched some cheesy Christmas movie to save time I decided to take the back road through the forest it was a shortcut narrow unlit winding but I'd

driven it dozens of times before Sophie gave me a little side eye when I mentioned it but she didn't argue instead she tucked her coat Tighter and teased me about my brilliant shortcuts once we hit the forest the world outside felt different the headlights carved out a path through the dark the snow swirling hypnotically in front of us the trees crowded the road on either side towering in Black against the soft white the heater wheezed the tires crunched Sophie hummed a Christmas tune under her breath everything felt still quiet too quiet maybe and then out

of nowhere something darted across the road I slammed the brakes the truck sliding just enough to make my stomach drop we stopped with a jolt the snow outside swallowing the sound of the engine Sophie grabbed the dash her eyes wide what was that she asked her voice sharp I shook my head probably a deer I said but I didn't believe it whatever it was it didn't move like a deer it was upright running on two legs I leaned forward squinting into the darkness ahead the headlight stretched just far enough to light up the road but

beyond that nothing but black against so these protests I rolled down the window the cold slapped me in the face sharp biting it smelled like snow and pine clean but suffocating in the heavy silence I listened straining to hear something anything but the woods were still no rustling branches no no wind just nothing and then I saw it there standing just at the edge of the road half hidden by the trees tall lean dressed in what looked like layers of fur like someone had raided a hunter's closet and stitched together a patchwork coat the antlers

were what threw me off the most huge uneven gnarled strapped to its head like a crown at first I thought it might be a prank some weird chist Christmas thing maybe a guy trying to mess with late night drivers but the way it stood there completely still didn't feel right it tilted its head almost like it was studying me Sophie I said barely above a whisper lock the doors she didn't even hesitate I could hear the soft click of the locks as I kept my eyes glued to the figure the headlights caught its face for

what I thought was a face the skin was pale almost translucent stretched tight over bone its mouth hung open in a kind of Twisted grin but it wasn't smiling not really then it moved not quickly not aggressively just one slow deliberate step forward my chest tightened I couldn't move I couldn't think go Sophie's voice snapped me out of it I slammed the gas the tire spinning for a terrifying second before the truck lurched forward my eyes flicked to the rear view mirror half expecting the thing to come after us but it didn't it just stood

there Fading Into the Darkness as the road swallowed us neither of us spoke for a long time Sophie had her arms wrapped around herself staring out the window like she was afraid to look at me finally she broke the silence it wasn't running she said her voice quiet but firm it was stalking I didn't know what to say she was right the way it had moved slow deliberate it wasn't like anything I'd seen before and then just when I thought we were safe the truck sputtered the engine coughed gave a final pitiful whine died we

coasted to a stop in the middle of the road the silence hit like a punch to the gut no I muttered hitting the steering wheel no no no Sophie's voice was barely above a whisper what do we do now I didn't have an answer the nearest town was miles away my phone had no signal the only option was to walk grabbing the flashlight from the glove box I stepped out into the cold the snow was falling harder now the forest felt like it was closing in Sophie stuck close to me her breath coming out in

quick nervous Puffs we hadn't made it more than 100 ft when we heard it a low growl deep gutural rolling out from somewhere in the tree freze Sophie froze her hand clutching my arm I swung the flashlight around the beam cutting through the snow for a second I thought I saw something it's a shadow darting between the trees but it was gone before I could be sure then just ahead the figure stepped onto the road it was the same thing same Furs same antlers same sick twisted grin it tilted its head almost mocking ly let

out a sound I can only describe as a laugh a low rasping noise that made my skin crawl run I whispered grabbing Sophie's hand we ran slipping sliding on the icy Road the thing didn't chase us at first but we could hear it heavy footsteps crunching through the snow keeping Pace just out of sight then came the snapping branches the growls the UN stable sound of something closing in when we saw the cabin a faint light flickering through the trees it felt like a miracle we didn't think we just ran for it bursting through the

door slamming it shut behind us the cabin was empty abandoned but it was shelter I shoved a table against the door while Sophie collapsed on the floor sobbing outside the growls turned to scratching long deliberate scrapes against the walls circling us like a predator playing with its prey we sat there for hours clutching each other waiting for the sun to rise by morning it was gone Sophie and I never really talked about that night we broke up a year later but every Christmas Eve I think about that thing in the woods I don't know what

it was but I know one thing for sure whatever it was it wasn't human and it's still out there somewhere I've been home for Christmas a dozen times but this one this one will always stand out not because it was festive or heartwarming but because it still makes my skin crawl when I think about it it was Christmas Eve and I'd taken the train back to my little Hometown after finishing my last semester at College you know how it is snowy streets twinkling lights the scent of pine everywhere should have been cozy familiar but from

the moment I stepped off the train something about the place felt wrong like the town was holding its breath I chocked it up to my imagination or maybe just the weight of the Season it had been 5 years since my brother Liam disappeared no one really knew how to talk about it anymore there were no leads no answers nothing except a lot of whispered theories that led nowhere it was like he'd just been erased by the time I got home the snow was coming down hard the flakes swir R under the glow of the porch

light the house was the same as always big old little drafty you could practically hear it sigh when the wind picked up my parents greeted me with hugs and the usual attempts at cheer but it all felt a little forced I couldn't blame them this time of year had become a painful reminder of the person who wasn't there after dinner I retreated to my room upstairs it was exactly like I'd left it posters on the wall books stacked in halfhazard piles and the faint smell of something musty that I couldn't quite place but there was

something new a small box sat on my desk wrapped in plain brown paper I opened it there it was Liam's old Journal I hadn't seen it in years inside the front cover he'd written for Elliot in case you need to remember remember what I flipped through the pages most of it was the kind of stuff Liam was always jotting down down Doodles bits of poems random thoughts but near the end the tone changed his handwriting grew Shake here then I found the last entry it read there's something in the Woods I hear it at night

scratching at the windows No One Believes Me but it's getting closer stay away from the creek I sat there staring at the words my pulse thuing in my ears scratching at the windows Liam had never mentioned anything like this before it didn't make sense my parents had always said he probably wandered too far during the snowstorm that night got lost maybe fell through the ice but this it felt like something else entirely I told myself not to overthink it it was just Liam being dramatic right he'd always had a flare for the mysterious but as

much as I wanted to dismiss it I couldn't shake the feeling that he'd been scared really scared that night I couldn't sleep every little noise in the house seemed louder than usual the groan of the old radiator the creek of the stairs the soft Whisper of wind against the windows I turned off the light pulled the covers up to my chin and tried to ignore it all but then just past midnight I heard it a faint tapping at the window I froze it was probably just the tree outside I told myself I'd heard it scrape

against the glass a 100 times before still something about the sound made my skin it wasn't rhythmic like a branch swaying in the wind it was deliberate like someone or something was trying to get my attention I slid out of bed as quietly as I could my heart pounding the window was frosted over but I could see enough to make out the snow covered backyard at first it looked empty but then I saw it a figure stood just at the edge of the woods I couldn't breathe it wasn't Liam it couldn't be but whoever it

was they weren't moving just standing there staring up at my window then the house alarm went off the sound was deafening I stumbled back nearly tripping over the edge of my bed seconds later dad came bursting into my room shotgun in hand what the hell's going on He barked his eyes scanning the room I I saw someone I stammered pointing toward the window he didn't say a word he just marched over and peered outside I don't see anything he muttered after a moment though his knuckles were white around the shotgun stay here Dad did a

sweep of the property while I stayed behind my stomach in knots he came back a little while later shaking his head nothing he said probably just an animal but I knew what I'd seen and it wasn't an animal the next morning Dad reviewed the security footage when he called me over his face was pale Elliot he said Qui quietly you need to see this I leaned over his shoulder and watched as the grainy footage played it showed exactly what I'd seen a figure stood at the edge of the woods but then just before the camera

cut out the figure moved slowly deliberately by the time the clip ended it was standing right under my window staring up at the lens we didn't talk much after that what could we say the storm got worse as the day went on by evening the power had started to flicker we huddled in the living room with candles and blankets trying to pretend everything was normal but the tension was thick and every gust of wind against the house made me jump then we heard it soft steady footsteps crunching in the snow dad grabbed the shotgun in

motion for us to stay put but I couldn't help myself I followed him to the front door he opened it just a crack and the icy air bit at my face for a moment all we could hear was the storm then we saw them footprints in the snow LED from the woods to the porch and then back again I didn't sleep at all that night I stayed in my room clutching Liam's Journal replaying his words over and over in my mind whatever had taken him wasn't gone and now it wanted me I've lost count of

how many years it's been since this whole Christmas thing started but every year it's the same I don't know why we still do it or how it started but here we are stuck in a routine that feels more like a curse than a tradition the people change the house changes but the night the night stays the same this year like all the others we gathered at Rachel's Place she's always been the one to host it's funny because while the rest of us know exactly what this night means Rachel never really got it she's one of

those people who just brushes it off it's just a little spooky fun she says every year I don't know if she believes it or or if she's just pretending but if I'm being honest I wish I could believe it too the worst part this year I was the only one who seemed to care 1 hour till midnight John called from the hallway his voice breaking through the tension in the air he was at the door again twisting the door knob like it would somehow come loose I don't know why he checks it every year as

if we're going to forget to lock it but he has to be sure I was sitting at the kitchen table swirling my my glass of water just water this year it's the only way to keep my mind clear there's no way I could drink anything stronger tonight not with what's coming I glanced toward the living room where everyone else was trying to act normal Mel was sitting on the couch taking long drags from her joint her eyes already half lited she was calm maybe too calm Ben was pacing his foot tapping nervously on the floor

every few seconds he would glance over at me but neither of us said anything we didn't need to we both knew what was coming and a quiet was enough to say everything Rachel was absorbed in her phone scrolling through whatever mindless crap was on there she couldn't even look up for a second it was like if she kept herself busy enough maybe it would just go away I was trying to distract myself too but I couldn't help it my eyes kept flicking back to the small hallway where the closet stood at the end the door

had been removed propped up against the wall I'd stopped trying to pretend it wasn't there the mistletoe hanging above it looked so innocent it always did but none of us dared to go near it I shifted in my chair feeling the familiar sense of unease creep up my spine I've been doing this for years and it never gets easier in fact every year it gets worse the first few times it was just some weird stuff happening a door creaking open on its own lights flickering but then and then things started to get darker worse I

remember the first time I actually saw one of the things one of them it was like seeing a nightmare walk out of the shadows and from that point on we all knew there was no turning back everything locked Ben asked his voice shaky John nodded his hands still on the door knob yeah we just wait there was that word again wait I think that's the worst part just sitting here knowing it's coming and waiting it feels like the second stretch on forever the fire in the living room crackled quietly and I could hear the soft

Whisper of wind outside but it didn't matter the quiet was the Calm before the storm finally Jon broke the silence all right here we go his voice had a hard Edge to it now I could hear it he was trying to sound calm but the tension was thick we all knew what was coming and none of us wanted to face it then it happened a cold blast of a slammed into us like a wall I felt it instantly a cold that cut right through my jacket I shivered but I didn't dare move then from the

closet oh God from the closet it came the first creature I can't even describe it properly it was like a person but wrong so wrong it had the upper body of a man but the lower half God I can still see it its legs were Twisted bent backward unnatural angles like it had been put together in a way no body should ever be and the face the face I don't even know how to explain it it was like it had been ripped apart and poorly stitched back together the skin hung loose like it was barely

holding on one of its eyes was gone replaced by this black gaping hole dripping something dark and thick I couldn't even look at it for too long it was like my brain was trying to reject it but my eyes wouldn't obey the thing didn't move at first it just stood there in the doorway staring at us the silence was deafening my breath was caught in my throat and I could feel the cold settling into my bones why does it always start like this Mel muttered but no one answered her we couldn't not when there was

no answer then like a shot it moved fast too fast I jumped back but it was already there slamming itself against an invisible area right in front of the mistletoe it hit the air with a sickening thud again and again each time with a little more Force Mel screamed but just as quickly as it had appeared it was gone vanished into the air like it had never been there at all we all froze listening waiting but then the next one showed up it was like something out of a twisted nightmare a humanoid figure yes but

it was all wrong the body was pieced together like some GR grotesque Patchwork doll its limbs were too long its skin a sickly gray and its face God its face was frozen in a horrible smile the kind of smile that makes your skin crawl the kind where you know it's not real not human and tried to move but it was too late the thing lurched forward making this sound like dry leaves scraping across Stone and lunch right at him get back I shouted grabbing Ben and pulling him down behind the couch with me but the

creature wasn't after us not yet it was stuck wedged in the doorway trying to free itself the sound of Bones cracking filled the room as it twisted and fought its arms breaking in unnatural ways then with one last desperate push it made it through stumbling into the room the air grew thick with the stench of Decay it shuffled toward us dragging its limbs behind it the smell of rot following in its wake why isn't it stopping Rachel whispered her voice trembling and then the room went freezing cold the kind of cold that makes your teeth

chatter the kind that feels like it's coming from the inside of your chest and that's when it happened the closet door burst open and a mass of thorny branches shot out like Spears they wrapped around everything chairs legs even the walls one shot toward Rachel wrapping itself around her ankle and dragging her toward the closet help please help me Rachel screamed but her voice was swallowed by the sound of splintering wood and the crunch of branches ripping through the walls we watched helpless as the branches pulled her in her body Twisted in ways it shouldn't

have her skin pulling away in Long strips blood pulled on the floor as her flesh tore off her bones I couldn't watch I turned away covering my eyes but the sound the sound of her skin crawling toward us wrapping around Jon was burned into my mind her voice pleading for help echoed in my head long after she was gone the cold returned after that but it wasn't over not yet by midnight we found Rachel's car parked outside the engine still running I rushed to the window and just as I looked out I saw her skinless

her body a twisted horrifying silhouette driving away her stiff pale hands gripped the wheel she didn't stop didn't even look at the house just drove away into the night and as I watched her vanish I realized that the night nightmare wasn't ending it was just beginning