This story didn’t happen to me, I heard it from a cousin’s friend’s uncle during a funeral, but it goes like this.

In the woods of rural Maryland, there is a creature that has been the subject of fear and fascination for centuries. The locals call it the Snallygaster, a beast with the wings of a bat, the body of a bird, and a long, sharp beak that can pierce through flesh and bone.

Many who have seen the Snallygaster have never lived to tell the tale, and those who have survived the encounter tell of a terrifying creature that moves fast and emits a bone-chilling screech that echoes through the night.

On the evening of June 13, 1987, a group of teenagers decided to camp out at Catoctin Mountain Park, hoping to catch a glimpse of the legendary Snallygaster. As the sun began to set, they huddled around a campfire, telling ghost stories and trying to calm their nerves.

But as the night wore on, they began to hear strange rustling in the bushes, and a foul smell filled the air. Suddenly, a piercing screech filled the night, and the group saw a dark, shadowy figure swoop down from the trees, its sharp beak gleaming in the moonlight.

As the Snallygaster attacked, the teenagers fought back with all their might. One of them managed to grab a large branch and, with a fierce swing, hit the creature on the side of its head, causing it to stumble.

Quickly, another teen grabbed a large rock and threw it with all their strength, hitting the Snallygaster in the chest. The creature let out a loud screech and flew away, its wings beating furiously as it retreated into the darkness.

The teenagers were shaken but alive, and they knew that they had only survived thanks to their quick thinking and bravery. They helped each other up, sharing a sense of relief and camaraderie.

As they made their way out of the woods, they could hear the distant screech of the Snallygaster, a reminder of the danger that lurked in the shadows. But they also knew that they had faced that danger head-on and come out the other side stronger and more united.

From that day on, the teenagers were known as the Snallygaster Survivors, and their tale of bravery and heroism was told throughout the town. They knew that the creature was still out there, but they also knew that they were ready to face it again, should it ever come back.