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If you have managed to make it this far, thank you for being brave enough to read the true tales of horror that have been compiled here. Not everyone has the stomach to face the unknown. Those that can do so unscathed are even more rare. The small seeds of fear that are planted in the dark have a way of taking root and spreading. That goes double when the seeds come from true stories, and be assured everything that you have read here is someone’s personal narration of their all-too-true waking nightmares.
Even though not all of the stories presented here had terrible consequences or even malicious entities bent on harm, it is important to give the unknown and the mystical the respect that they deserve. Don’t assume that just because someone had a pleasant encounter with a supernatural creature once that all interactions will end so civilly. Flirting with such a dangerous category of mystery and possible risk may cost more than you are prepared to pay. More often than not, these things have a way of turning out to be a terrifying trauma instead of a happy memory. Sometimes the happy part is just getting to live to another day.
Don’t be surprised if you start to notice things after reading this anthology that you used to ignore. Maybe it will be in the way an animal looks at you, or in the way the temperature drops suddenly. Perhaps you’ll be aware of a sudden silence, or a certain person that seems out of place. Whatever cautionary signs you pick up on, listen to their warnings. If you don’t, those unnerving signs may be the last things you ever experience. No matter how tempted you may be to investigate the supernatural hovering just in the shadows, think twice before you stake your life on it.
The next time a cold, whistling wind blows through the trees, or you smell a strange scent, keep your wits about you. Keep track of who you’re with, and pay special attention to that hidden figure lurking just out of sight. Don’t shrug off that chilling tingle spreading up your spine. Don’t fight that irresistible urge to flee. You never know what is waiting in the depths of the darkness or what malicious creature is planning on making its move. Your senses might just keep you from being on the wrong end of a folktale.
When it comes to the dangers of the unknown, it is typically best to err on the side of caution. The phrase better safe than sorry never had a more applicable situation. No matter where you fall on the skeptic scale, you have to admit that even the smallest possibility of these stories having truth behind them warrants a healthy sense of apprehension. The world and the universe are too large and too ancient to have exposed all of their secrets. All we can do is pick up the breadcrumbs that are left behind as hints in the form of ghost stories, urban legends, and yes, even folktales.
Double check your surroundings, arm yourself with salt, and keep your guard up. You never know what may come around the corner. If you’re in the woods, keep your friends close, and your firearms closer. Hopefully these reports have expanded your mind and given you an exciting scare. They might even come in handy the next time you’re gathered around a campfire.
Thank you for sharing in our frightful fun! If you enjoyed this collection of true horror stories and supernatural experiences, please leave a review and let me know what you though of the book.
