Every local legend has a sliver of truth. But some truths are hungry.

Layla, a driven podcaster searching for America’s forgotten stories, convinces her friends to join her on a camping trip to a remote creek in the Appalachian wilderness—a place the locals call "Crybaby Creek." She hopes to capture the eerie audio phenomena that gave the place its name and turn it into the breakout episode for her show.

Armed with her high-end audio recorder, Layla is prepared for anything. Except for the sound no one can ignore: the faint, desperate cry of a baby in the pitch-black woods.

The group soon discovers the horrifying truth of the legend. The creature of Crybaby Creek is a perfect mimic, a predator that learns. It starts with a sound to lure you in, but it doesn’t stop there. It evolves, hunting them with their own voices, their private jokes, and their most secret fears.

Trapped in the suffocating darkness, they learn the one terrible rule: To answer is to feed it. As the mimic wields their own memories as weapons to turn friend against friend, Layla realizes her greatest tool—her recorder—wasn't just for listening. It was a formal invitation.

Perfect for fans of A24-style horror like The Ritual, the creature-driven dread of Nick Cutter, and the chilling folklore of The Blair Witch Project. This psychological survival horror novella explores a monster that doesn't just steal your voice—it hollows out your soul.