Greetings, friends. I hope this evening finds you tucked away someplace warm and well-lit, as I recount a chilling encounter with a malevolent phantom that stalks the darkness of Shining Cliff Woods.

It was during a late night investigation there that I first crossed paths with the entity known as Jeffers. He is notorious amongst local mediums for the sinister tricks he plays on those brave or foolish enough to venture into his domain after nightfall. What sort of twisted soul he was in life, now I cannot say for sure - but in death, he is a force to be reckoned with.

My team and I had combed through accounts of Jeffers before entering the woods. Witnesses described a hulking dark mass that shambled between the trees, following lone travelers before vanishing. It seemed this wraith fed on mortal fear, growing ever stronger whenever he could latch onto an unsuspecting victim, even after they fled his accursed forest.

I am no stranger to perilous hauntings, yet we proceeded with due caution as midnight approached. An unnatural chill permeated the air - heralding that Jeffers lurked nearby. We formed a circle and began reciting spells of protection, hoping to shield ourselves from the phantom's influence.

As we pressed onward through the woods, the gnarled branches overhead seemed to twist into claws, grasping at our heads. Our lanterns flickered eerily, despite no wind stirring. It was as if the forest itself had awoken to Jeffers' sinister will.

Retrieving my ouija board, I attempted to communicate with the lurking spirit. But Jeffers had no interest in parley. The planchette slowly crept to spell out "M-U-R-D-E-R", then "L-E-A-V-E N-O-W".

My team prepared to flee from the wrathful presence. Yet I would not so easily surrender this forest. Planting my feet firmly, I commanded the entity to halt. "You shall go no further!" My voice thundered through the woods.

The phantom recoiled, as if caught off guard by my defiant stance. Perhaps it did not expect us to hold our ground against its sinister presence. For a moment, Jeffers hesitated, unsure how to confront such resolute foes. Then slowly it retreated into the forest's depths, though its looming presence still permeated the air.

We continued our investigation, catching glimpses of the lurking phantom between the trees, a hunter stalking prey yet uncertain how to strike at foes who do not flee.

In the weeks after our confrontation, Jeffers' stalking persisted. A team member saw inky tendrils creep across their car window one night—the phantom's vengeance still lingered.

Others reported catching glimpses of the wraith while alone near the woods' edge, always at a distance. Jeffers seemed to be assessing us individually, searching for a weak link to terrorize.

Late one evening, our psychic medium sensed the looming presence over her shoulder at a deserted bus stop. Spinning around, she glimpsed a hulking shadow down the street which quickly melted into the darkness when she called upon her protective charms.

I too noticed shadowy movements tailing me on my way to the archives one misty dawn. Yet each time I turned to confront our lurker, it dissipated into the fog like a wisp of smoke.

Jeffers was resilient, but our resolve was unshaken. We stood together, refusing to show fear or allow the wraith to isolate us. After weeks of repeatedly being denied his prey, the disgruntled phantom finally abandoned his harassment campaign.

For now, it seems he has moved on to easier targets. But I suspect Jeffers' thirst for vengeance remains unquenched. We must ever be vigilant should the sinister stalker return.

So I caution those who value their mortal soul, do not tread within those haunted woods after nightfall! Seek not to engross yourselves in the affairs of vengeful spirits. For some evils should remain undisturbed in the darkness.