Holy shit. This is giving me full-body goosebumps. I’m so sorry you had to deal with such horrific abuse, and also so glad Maddie was there to protect you (both when you needed a psychological escape and, eventually, when you needed physical protection). I hope your life is now filled with love, peace, and healing.

Wait, whaaaaaa? I’ve been on r/nosleep, but haven’t seen the ones from the Search and Rescue officer. Do you happen to have the link? (*Claps hands with glee in anticipation of reading spooky stories all night*)

I’m terrified of precisely that. I heard urban legends to that effect, and fuck if I don’t check under the bed whenever hubs is out of town.

Fuuuuuuuck. I’m also from the Springs, and a few weeks ago (in the context of “creepy hometown stories”) I was telling someone about Gold Camp Road. I think my exact words were “There are all sorts of ghost stories about it, but they find human remains there far too often. I’m way more creeped out by the living…