Night Vision

I had borrowed a pair of night vision goggles from my younger brother and decided to test them alone in a wooded hiking area. I had visited the woods before and expected to see deer and other animals. I walked in carrying a small flashlight, eventually sat on a fallen log, and put on the goggles. The green night vision made the darkness look almost bright. I watched animals for a while, then climbed a large tree so I could hide and wait for deer.

After about ten minutes, I saw a man dressed completely in dark clothing moving stealthily through the woods. He had come from the same direction I had taken and was moving from tree to tree, scanning the area as if searching for someone. Then I saw that he was carrying a large knife and gripping it as if he expected to use it.

I was suddenly aware that I was alone, unarmed, and hidden in the woods. I was afraid to move or breathe in case he looked up. I could not see anyone else, and I began to wonder whether he was searching for me. I remembered hearing rustling earlier and also remembered a white car following me closely during my drive to the woods. The car had passed me near the entrance, but I wondered whether its driver had seen my vehicle and come after me.

I stayed motionless while the man methodically searched. At one point he paused directly beneath my tree, and I was certain he would look up, but he eventually turned away. After what felt like a long time, he muttered in frustration and headed back toward the entrance.

I remained in the tree until daylight. Then I climbed down and made my way to the parking area while holding the small can of pepper spray from my keychain. My windshield had been smashed with a rock, and someone had scraped both sides of my car with something sharp. I reported the incident to the police, but I never learned who the man was or whether he had been following me.