Beware of the Shadow in the Woods

 The Shadow in the Woods

Act 1

The story begins with a group of five college friends, Mary, Tom, Lily, Mike, and David, who decide to go on a weekend camping trip in the woods. They arrive at the campsite and start setting up their tents, enjoying the beauty of nature and the freedom of being away from the city. They sit around a campfire, talking and laughing, and toasting to their friendship. They discuss the legend of the Shadow in the Woods, a mysterious figure who is said to haunt the forest, preying on lost travelers.

Despite the legend, the group decides to go on a hike the next day, excited to explore the wilderness. They set off on the trail, taking in the sights and sounds of the forest. As they walk, they notice strange markings on the trees, symbols they cannot identify. They shrug it off as the work of some mischievous locals and continue on their journey.

Act 2

As the day progresses, the group begins to notice odd occurrences in the woods. They hear strange noises, like footsteps and whispers, and feel like they are being watched. They try to ignore it, but the unease grows with every passing hour. As night falls, they return to the campsite, tired and unnerved. They build a fire and settle in for the night, trying to shake off the feeling of dread that has settled over them.

However, their sense of security is short-lived. In the middle of the night, they hear a blood-curdling scream that sends shivers down their spines. They rush out of their tents, trying to see what is happening, but all they see is a shadowy figure moving through the trees. They try to follow it, but it disappears into the darkness.

Act 3

The next day, the group decides to leave the woods, shaken by the events of the previous night. However, they quickly realize they are lost, unable to find their way back to their car. They wander through the forest, growing increasingly desperate and afraid. They start to see the symbols they saw on the trees the day before, and realize they are lost in the heart of the Shadow's domain.

As the day wears on, they become more and more disoriented, hallucinating and arguing with each other. They start to turn on each other, blaming each other for their predicament. They become paranoid and hysterical, with Mary collapsing from exhaustion and fear.

Act 4

The group becomes more and more lost, stumbling through the woods in a feverish haze. They begin to see the Shadow, lurking just beyond their vision. They see glimpses of it in the corner of their eyes, and hear its eerie laughter echoing through the trees. They try to run, but it seems to be everywhere, taunting them, and toying with them.

As night falls, they find themselves in a clearing, surrounded by the symbols and the Shadow itself. They huddle together, praying for salvation, but it is too late. The Shadow descends upon them, tearing them apart with its claws and teeth, their screams echoing through the woods.

Epilogue

The next day, a search party finds the remnants of the group, their torn and mutilated bodies lying in the clearing. The symbols on the trees are gone, replaced with a single message etched in blood: "Beware the Shadow in the Woods." The legend lives on, and people stay away from the woods, fearing the darkness that lurks within.

The end.