The Campfire Ghost

A lone campfire burns in a dark, misty forest with tall trees casting long shadows. The mood is mysterious and atmospheric. — The Campfire Ghost

The fire crackled, sending tiny sparks into the night sky. Ben, Lily, and Noah huddled around it, wrapped in their jackets, the orange glow casting long shadows on the ground.

"Alright," Ben said, grinning, "who’s ready for a scary story?"

Lily smirked. "As long as it’s actually scary this time."

Noah scoffed. "Yeah, last time you told us about a werewolf that got scared of a squirrel."

Ben rolled his eyes. "Fine. This one is different." He leaned closer to the fire, his voice dropping. "It’s about the Campfire Ghost."

Lily nudged Noah. "Here we go."

Ben ignored her. "A long time ago, there was a boy who got lost in these very woods. His friends never found him, but on nights like this, when kids gather around a campfire… he comes back."

Noah raised an eyebrow. "And does what?"

Ben’s grin faded. "He watches."

A gust of wind rushed through the trees, making the flames flicker.

Lily shivered. "Did it just get colder?"

Ben opened his mouth to reply, and then, from the darkness beyond the fire’s glow, something moved.

A Night in the Woods

Children sit around a campfire in a dark forest, surrounded by tall trees. The firelight casts a warm glow on their faces, creating a cozy atmosphere. — A Night in the Woods

Camp Blackwood had been around for years, tucked deep in the forest, miles away from the nearest town. The cabins were old but sturdy, and every summer, kids came for campfires, canoeing, and ghost stories.

Tonight, the woods felt different.

Lily glanced over her shoulder. The trees stretched tall and silent, their branches barely shifting despite the wind. The rest of the campers were asleep in their cabins, leaving the three of them alone by the fire.

Noah poked at the flames with a stick. "So, what’s this ghost supposed to look like?"

Ben shrugged. "No one knows. Some say he looks just like a regular kid, but when he steps into the light… he’s not human anymore."

Lily rolled her eyes. "Oh please."

Then came a snap. A branch broke just beyond their campsite.

The three of them froze in horror.

Noah’s eyes darted toward the trees. "That wasn’t one of us."

The fire flickered again. The shadows shifted.

From somewhere in the woods, a soft, raspy breath could be heard.

The Ghost in the Dark

A cloaked figure with glowing eyes stands by a campfire in a foggy forest, surrounded by logs. Eerie mood with dark, muted colors. — The Ghost in the Dark

Lily grabbed Noah’s arm. "Did you hear that?"

Ben nodded, his face pale. "It sounded… close."

They turned toward the woods, their breath curling in the cool air. The fire’s glow stretched only a few feet, leaving everything beyond it pitch black.

Then, they heard footsteps.

Slow, deliberate.

Something, or someone, was approaching.

Noah stood quickly. "Who’s there?"

No answer.

Lily swallowed. "Guys… what if it’s not an animal?"

Ben took a step toward the dark. "Maybe it’s another camper messing with us."

Then the fire dimmed just for a moment. The flames bent as if something had stepped in front of them.

And then they saw him.

A boy stood at the edge of the light.

His clothes were torn, his skin pale, his face half-hidden in shadow.

But his eyes, his eyes were completely black.

A Warning Too Late

Creepy child with a skull-painted face approaches a campfire in a dark forest, wearing torn clothes. A tent is visible in the background. — A Warning Too Late

No one spoke.

Noah’s heart pounded so loudly he could barely think. The boy didn’t move, didn’t blink. He just stood there, watching.

Ben found his voice first. "Hey… uh, are you lost?"

The boy tilted his head. His mouth moved, but the words were soundless.

Then, he stepped forward.

Lily stumbled backwards, nearly knocking over the campfire. "Stop!"

The boy didn’t stop.

He stepped closer, and for the first time, the firelight touched him fully.

His skin was cracked, like old, dry wood. His mouth hung open, but there were no teeth, no tongue, just emptiness.

Then, finally, he spoke.

A voice, distant and hollow.

"Leave… now."

The flames flared suddenly, casting wild shadows.

Then the fire died and everything went dark.

The Chase in the Shadows

Three kids run in a misty forest with a dark, hooded figure following. Tall trees surround them, creating an eerie, suspenseful mood. — The Chase in the Shadows

Noah grabbed Lily’s wrist and ran.

Ben followed, breath ragged. They crashed through the trees, branches scratching their skin. Behind them, footsteps followed.

"Faster!" Lily gasped.

The boy’s voice echoed through the woods.

"Too late."

The trees thinned ahead of the cabins!

They burst into the clearing, sprinting toward the safety of the camp. But the moment they reached the first cabin, everything changed.

The cabins… were gone.

The entire campsite was missing as if it had never been there.

Ben spun in circles. "No. No, no, no—this isn’t right!"

Noah turned back toward the woods. The boy stood at the treeline, smiling.

The Camp That Never Was

A lonely campfire burns in a misty, dense forest clearing surrounded by fallen logs. The atmosphere is eerie and somber. — The Camp That Never Was

Lily’s breathing was shallow. "Where… where are we?"

Ben backed away, shaking his head. "This isn’t happening."

The boy stepped forward. "You… stayed too long."

Noah clenched his fists. "What do you mean?"

The boy’s smile faded. "The fire keeps you safe. But once it dies… you belong to the woods."

Ben’s voice cracked. "No. We—we were just by the fire—"

The boy shook his head. "Not anymore."

The trees began to move.

Branches stretched, curling toward them. The ground beneath their feet softened, turning into a dark, endless shadow.

Lily screamed as something grabbed her ankle. "Help!"

Noah lunged for her, but the darkness pulled her down.

Ben turned to run only to see more figures emerging from the trees.

More kids. More ghosts.

They reached out, and then everything vanished.

The next morning, the camp counsellors searched the woods.

They found the campfire, burned out, the logs nothing but ash.

But no sign of Ben, Lily, or Noah.

Only a single footprint in the dirt. From the trees, deep in the woods, a voice laughed softly.

The fire was gone.

The woods had claimed them.

Forever.