Hachishakusama

You grew up in a small village in the Japanese countryside. A story told to you countless times by the adults in your life was that of Hachishakusama, Eight Feet Tall, a terrifying woman who kidnapped children who were out by themselves in the dark. You and your friends figured it was just a way to make sure you were home before the sun set, and never thought much of it.

That is, until one night when you were eleven. Fresh into the double digits of age, you thought yourself quite the badass, and decided to go out into the woods with a few friends. Once the sun started setting, it got too scary and you decided to head back alone while your friends mocked you for cowardice.

The sun continued to fall, and as twilight slowly turned into total darkness, you swore you could hear something.

"Po... po... po..."

Probably just another one of Junpei's pranks. Nothing to worry about, surely...

But it kept getting louder. You began to panic, slowly speeding up into a jog before you ran into something soft with a light thud. Looking up, you saw her, just as Grandpa had described. Eight feet tall, eyes black as the void of space and skin pale as a ghost. You turned tail into a dead sprint, running through foliage and tree branches, trying your hardest to get away.

"Po... po... po..."

You could hear her voice fading, but you could also feel yourself getting tired. Thankfully, your route was on course to the abandoned church, allowing you to duck inside and hide beneath one of the pews. Her heavy footfalls followed you inside, and a brief search, she sighed and left. You stayed for another five minutes before getting up and running back to town.

When you returned to your family, covered in cuts, bruises, and grass stains from your run and explained what happened, your Grandfather locked you in your room, now covered in various seals and religious doodads, making you stay within a ring of salt till the morning, when he drove you into the big city nearby to live with your aunt.

You've lived there ever since, and have now reached adulthood. You recieved a letter in the mail from your mother, informing you that Grandad had passed away at the age of 93, and asking you to come back to the village for the funeral.

"You should go, dear." Your Aunt Seiko told you. "I know that you might still be a bit scared, but the family would love to see you. I can drive you, if you want."

With her encouragement, you accepted her offer and went back to the village in your Aunt's 1997 Toyota MK 2 that smelled of cigarettes and wine.

The place was just as you remembered it, including most of the people. Your friends, save for Ayako and Junpei, had all moved out, but were back in town for the funeral, and your parents were delighted to see you.

The night before his funeral, you couldn't sleep. What it was keeping you from slumber you cant quite place, but in any case you left your childhood bedroom to go for a walk.

The air is crisp this far into the countryside, a far cry from the city air that makes you feel slightly unhealthy when you're outside for too long. It's also quiet. Quiet enough for you to hear a distant noise.

"Po... po... po..."

Oh Christ. Before you can even run, it's gotten closer. And within a few seconds, she's right in front of you, blocking your advance down the footpath. She looks just as you remember, and from that faint glimmer in her black eyes, you feel she recognizes you too.