2025 Spooky Story Competition

It was a night sculpted from an abyss. Stars shared an ethereal glow beneath the crescent moon.An intimidating forest loomed ,its enormous trees watching over the land. Dark gnarled bark,damp soil.The silence was absolute -until smoke curled into the sky .A breeze carried the sting of ash. Footsteps. Fast. Desperate. Two boys darted between the trunks, pale faces flashing in the moonlight. Behind them,the smoke thickened ,licked with red - not just fire. They didn't look back. Couldn't The wind rose,howling. The trees creaked,swinging like they were cheering the chase,eager for a kill. The boys stumbled, sprint slowing to a ragged jog , then to a walk. They gasped for air,bracing for what came next. A crack - close. It wasn't the wind. It wasn't the fire. It was a laugh. The boys froze,breathing hard,staring into the dark. From the smoke , a figure stepped out - tall,thin,moving too slowly to be human. “Boys…” It was their sweet mothers voice . Soft. Sweet. But when the moonlight touched her face,their stomachs turned.Her smile was too wide. Head tilting unnaturally. Her eyes - empty. “Come here,” she whispered. They stumbled back,shaking their heads. “Come here,” This time it was louder,sharper - and the thing began to run. The forest erupted - snapping branches,pounding feet,the boys

runner up!

screaming as they bolted into the black. The wind roared,smoke choking the air. Then - silence Two thuds echoed through the trees. Laughing had started again.

BY JACK JAMES