The Camping Trip, by Josie Beckett

Not so long ago, two friends came to a forest and built a campsite. The forest was known for being as dark as night all day because of the thick trees. They were seeking a holiday. They roasted marshmallows and warmed themselves in front of the fire. The light and smell of the fire and marshmallows wafted deep into the forest where the beast lived. Suddenly, the fire went out, and the wind howled.

The beast stalked silently through the trees, advancing on the two friends. As it crept, a twig snapped. The wind stopped. The friends looked up. With their hearts beating in their ears, they raised their weapons: an old hammer and a butter knife.

The beast leaped from the trees at the two friends, licking its lips. The friends howled in defiance as they brought their hammer and butter knife down on it. The beast snarled and ran before stumbling and then limping away, its back leg gravely wounded.

The friends celebrated, cheering. However, deep in the forest, all the beast’s friends watched it die from its injuries. They swore to avenge it. The two friends had won this time, but in the next battle, they wouldn’t be so lucky.