The Figure in the Pine Grove

March 7, 2026

by Morton

1 min read

Story Premise 1 min read (183 words)

"My name is Clara. I was napping on the sofa when my younger brother, Leo, and his friend Sam burst into the room. They were breathing hard and their faces were pale. They had been playing in the backyard at dusk. As they headed for the back door, they both froze and stared toward the […]"

My name is Clara. I was napping on the sofa when my younger brother, Leo, and his friend Sam burst into the room. They were breathing hard and their faces were pale.

They had been playing in the backyard at dusk. As they headed for the back door, they both froze and stared toward the line of pine trees at the property’s edge. A boy who looked just like Leo was standing there, motioning for them to come closer. He said he had found something amazing and wanted to show them.

Sam grabbed Leo’s arm. “We’re not going,” he said firmly. “That doesn’t sound like Leo at all.”

At that, the figure in the pines became angry. Its voice dropped to a low, rough sound that wasn’t human. The two boys turned and sprinted for the house, slamming the door behind them.

They shook me awake, demanding to know why I had been in the grove. I told them I hadn’t moved from the couch. I asked what they were talking about. They just stared at me, too frightened to explain any further.

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