Motorists pulled over on a rural highway at night describe standoff in headlights east of Clayton witnessed in Barbour County, Alabama

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I have been reluctant to share my story because of my field of work, and do not want to have people think I am 'crazy' as this could damage my career. But, as I get older, I feel this incident needs to be documented. The incident occurred in the winter of 1980 a few miles east of Clayton, Alabama in Barbour County. I was traveling with my Aunt, Grandmother and four younger cousins to a relative's house. It was dark and probably around 9pm from the best I can remember. For some reason, my Aunt needed to turn around and proceeded to pull off the roadway by a small clearing. I was in the front seat of the car with my Aunt, who was driving, and my Grandmother. As we turned off the road, the headlights caught a figure in mid-stride. It then immediately froze and did not move anymore. It was about 30 yards from the car ' very close. I could see the entire side view of this creature and its body was slightly turned so that it was looking at us. The most terrifying thing in my memory is thi...