The Hazel Woods

[participant in the Royal Road Writathon challenge]

There's no need to be afraid. Simply don't try. Don't make that new dish. Don't put yourself out there. Don't experience new things. You can never fail if you never try. So there's no need to be afraid. Everything will be alright, in the sleepy town of Hazelwood.

But let's say you do try. That's alright. Don't fail. Don't let your parents down. Don't be late to your child's birthday party. Don't lose the big homecoming game. Just never fail. So there's no need to be afraid. Everything will be alright, in the sleepy town of Hazelwood.

But if you fail?

Run. Run until you hear the sound of squealing hogs. Run like there are rabid dogs braying at your heels. Run like cats are hissing in your ears like the wind. Run, and pray you don't see the visage of a man without a head. You need to be afraid, you disgusting failure. Everything is not alright, in the sleepy town of Hazelwood.