Expedition Journal: The Hidebehind Encounter

Date: April 17, 1887
Location: Black Hills Forest, North America
Lead Magizoologist: Alexander Blackwood

Introduction: The Phantom of the Woods

Among the most elusive and terrifying creatures in North American folklore is the Hidebehind. Stories of this shadowy predator date back centuries, whispered around campfires by those who venture too deep into the woods.

Said to be capable of vanishing behind any object in an instant, the Hidebehind preys on the unwary, stalking them unseen until it is too late.

Our mission was to investigate the legitimacy of these claims and, if possible, document the behaviors of this spectral entity. What we would soon realize, however, was that hunting the Hidebehind was far more dangerous than we had ever anticipated.

Creature Profile: The Hidebehind

Classification: XXXX (Extremely Dangerous, Highly Evasive)
Habitat: Dense forests, particularly in North America

Abilities & Traits	Weaknesses
Perfect concealment – hides behind any object	Weak to bright light and fire
Unnatural speed and agility	Bound to dense, shadowy forests
Carnivorous – preys on the unwary	Vulnerable to sustained light spells
Nearly invisible – only seen in fleeting glimpses	–

Did You Know?

• The Hidebehind is nearly impossible to track, as it can vanish behind any object instantly.
• It preys on travelers who wander alone or stray from light sources.
• Despite its terrifying abilities, it is repelled by bright light and fire.

Expedition Log

Lillian Hawthorne’s Entry:

The Black Hills Forest is thick with ancient trees, their towering forms blotting out much of the sky. As we ventured deeper, an eerie silence settled over the woods. No birds, no rustling of small creatures—only the distant howl of the wind weaving through the pines.

It was as if the entire forest was holding its breath. The moment we stepped beyond the known trails, a dreadful unease settled in.

“We weren’t alone, though we saw nothing watching us.”

Each step forward was taken with caution, our wands gripped tightly. We had encountered many dangerous creatures before, but none with the unnatural presence we felt pressing in from all sides.

Evelyn Rosethorn’s Entry:

Night fell faster than expected, forcing us to make camp earlier than planned. Alexander set up protective enchantments around our perimeter, while Tobias lit several lanterns—light being the only known deterrent to the Hidebehind. We took turns keeping watch, though the feeling of unseen eyes never left us.

In the dead of night, the first sign of trouble came.

A distant crack of a branch snapped through the silence. Tobias, who had been on watch, turned in the direction of the noise, wand raised. Nothing. Then another sound—closer. A whisper of movement, too quick to be natural. The shadows beyond the fire flickered and stretched, shifting as if something unseen was moving within them.

A Moment of Terror

Tobias Flint’s Entry:

The attack came without warning. One moment, we were scanning the darkness for movement—the next, Lillian let out a strangled gasp. She had seen it, just for a second. A looming silhouette, impossibly thin and shifting like smoke. But when we turned toward it, it was gone.

Then, Evelyn screamed.

Spinning around, we saw her stumbling backward, her lantern shaking in her grasp. A shadow darker than the night itself had materialized behind her, stretching and twisting in unnatural ways.

Without thinking, I conjured a blast of light. The thing shrieked—a guttural, unearthly sound—and vanished into the trees. I had only caught a glimpse, but it was enough. Hollow eyes, shifting limbs, an unnatural distortion of form.

“It had been mere inches from taking her.”

Alexander took charge immediately. We formed a tight circle, our wands raised high, flooding the area with light. The Hidebehind could not attack so long as we maintained our vigilance, but we knew we wouldn’t last until morning.

The Escape

Alexander Blackwood’s Entry:

Our situation was dire. We had confirmed the Hidebehind’s existence beyond doubt—but at the cost of our safety. It was faster than we had imagined, nearly invisible, and seemingly intelligent enough to test our weaknesses. Our only option was to retreat before it found a way through our defenses.

We moved slowly, staying within the protective glow of our lanterns. The path back felt longer than it should have, the trees pressing in tighter around us. Every so often, we caught glimpses—shadows flickering, too quick to be the wind. It was herding us, waiting for us to slip up.

And then the final test came.

The last stretch of our journey required crossing a narrow ravine. The bridge was old, creaking under our weight. Halfway across, a gust of wind extinguished one of our lanterns. For a split second, darkness swallowed the space behind us.

That was all it needed. We had seconds to act. Tobias threw down a vial of enchanted fire, the explosion of light forcing the Hidebehind back into the shadows.

“That was our chance. We ran.”

A shriek tore through the night as the Hidebehind lunged. Lillian barely had time to react, raising a shield just as the creature’s elongated claws swiped toward her. Sparks flew as the magic held, forcing the beast to recoil.

We did not stop until we reached the tree line, where dawn’s light had begun to touch the horizon. Only then did the oppressive presence fade. Only then did we believe we had truly escaped.

Conclusion: A Relentless Predator

The Hidebehind is not a mere legend—it is real, and it is far more dangerous than we had anticipated. It is not simply a creature of the wild, but a nightmare given form, lurking in the corners of sight, striking only when unseen.

We left the Black Hills Forest with more questions than answers. How many travelers had vanished, never knowing what had stalked them? How many times had we nearly been claimed by the dark, never realizing what lurked just beyond our vision? Perhaps the most terrifying truth is this: the Hidebehind does not need to be fast or strong. It only needs you to blink.

Key Discoveries

1. The Hidebehind uses its ability to hide behind objects to ambush its prey.
2. It is repelled by bright light and fire, making these essential for survival.
3. Its presence is often preceded by an eerie silence in the forest.