2025 Spooky Story Competition

Torn and bleeding, her eyes still wild and desperate, she slid behind the rock and for a moment believed that she was safe. She had to think of something fast, either jump into the waterfall or accept her fate, it was now or never. She could hear his malicious cackling; the sound sent a bone-rattling chill down her spine. This journey had quickly turned into a nightmare. He was getting closer. “I know you are there, Bella”. Suddenly, she felt ropes bind themselves tightly around her arms and legs. She looked down, there was nothing there. Perplexed, she tried to move. They tightened. Dread rose from the pit of her stomach and engulfed her whole. This was it. She was done for, dead, and there was nothing she could do about it. Who was going to take care of little Felenia? Who was going to take care of Grandma? The thought made her cry, silently, and, as it was a little game, he called again: “This is fun!” Anger coursed through her veins. Determination overtook, and with all that she could muster, she jumped. Almost instantly, the invisible ropes tightened even more. It was suffocating, she couldn’t breathe properly. As soon as she hit the water, they seemed to lift, and she felt free again. This ant-like satisfaction did not last long. He had flown over and was studying the waterfall. In her fit of panic, Bella inhaled and choked. She had to breathe. The waterfall came to an end. She swam to the edge of the river, the rushing water masking her sounds, climbed out, and hurried into the undergrowth.