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A campfire story
“Just follow the lights, and you’ll be home before you know it.”
I repeat Mama’s words to myself like a prayer. If I say them enough, maybe I’ll stop hearing all the creaks and cracks of the nearly pitch-black forest around me. As long as I keep the small flickering lights on either side of me, I know I’m heading in the right direction.
A strange almost tickle arises on the back of my neck. You’re just scared because you’re alone, that’s all.
I think they’re fireflies. After all, they fade in and out like a carefully choreographed dance. If it wasn’t the dead of night and maybe I had the company of someone else, I would find the display beautiful. But it’s far too quiet to appreciate anything, and all that’s running through my mind is how the path in front of me is like a void.
Wait. It is too quiet. Shouldn’t there be the constant chirp of crickets and their other nocturnal friends?
More snaps come from my left and right.
For the first time since my trek began, I face the lights head on. Flicker, flicker, flicker.
I lock in on two that are alighting on and off in tandem. At the exact same time.
And the two next to those do the same.
And the two next to those.
All the blood in my body drops to my feet, and bile arises in my throat.
Eyes.
***
This was written for Mother Combs' Campfire Story challenge.
About the Creator
Alivia Varvel
time is the most precious commodity
https://www.aliviavarvel.com/
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Top insights
Excellent storytelling
Original narrative & well developed characters
Compelling and original writing
Creative use of language & vocab
Easy to read and follow
Well-structured & engaging content
Masterful proofreading
Zero grammar & spelling mistakes
On-point and relevant
Writing reflected the title & theme
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Comments (18)
Congratulations on your Top Story🎉
Gahhhhh!! So creepy 🫣🫣🫣 great work!!
A brilliant classic horror story! Awesome job!!
This one took me back to my young days when we actually told them around the campfire. Well done and congratulations!
Very nice, horror slice.
A Terrifying situation indeed. Very well written also. Congrats on your top story!
Well now, I subscribed after reading this! This was so creepy and paced beautifully. Well done! and Congrats on Top Story!
This gave me goosebumps!
Congratulations
Wow. I'm so glad this challenge exists, because I could not think of a single idea for this... and here is a phenomenal example of a short, punchy, authentically scary story! Congrats on TS, this is such a wonderful spooky read. Great job.
Fantastic job! Wow! I never considered this creepy possibility, and now I'm forever spooked night hikes and fireflies. You captured this so well, that build up, the turning to face them head on…I can tell you paid a lot of attention to the details. Bravo, and congrats on TS!
This is why I don’t hike
Yikes, and yikes, and...yikes! Just want to hide under the bed now...
Holy crap! This was so creepy! I could feel the tension rising up my spine as POV forges through the dark wood. Been there and let me tell you that you nailed that feeling
Omgggg this was soooo creepy! Well done!
Terrifying! Perfect spooky story for (almost) Autumn!
Wow! You set up so well. Did not expect the ending. Left me wanting to read more. Great job, Alivia!!!
Oh this is nice and scary I have chills