The Boy Next DOOR.

In the cool, cozy forest, a young boy of about nine years wandered along a narrow pathway. His chubby cheeks flushed with exertion, and a pink backpack clung to his back. The sun's dappled rays filtered through the leaves, casting shadows on the ground. The air smelled of damp earth and pine needles, and the boy's eyes darted around, searching for any signs of familiarity. The forest seemed to hold its breath, as if whispering secrets to the lost child.

  How could there be a young boy all alone in a forest?! How possible is that?

A Few Hours Ago..

"Is everyone set?!" a young teacher asked a group of little children as she zipped up the backpack of a nine-year-old boy in front of her.

"Yes, ma'am!" the kids replied firmly, wild smiles spreading across their faces.

From the look of it, they were all excited for an excursion.

"Dave," she called out.

"Yes, ma'am," the little boy replied.

"Are you set?" she asked.

"Yes, ma'am! 100%," he replied happily, earning him a cute rub on the head.

   Counting all the kids, she wrote down their names as they boarded the school bus for a tour of a forest named "When Night Comes."

A few hours later, the bus arrived at the destination, and the children couldn't help but exclaim in awe at the beauty before them.

As they got down from the bus, they giggled happily, their excitement palpable as the teacher guided them into the mysterious but mesmerizing forest.

Despite its unsettling name, "When Night Comes" was renowned for its enchanting beauty. The forest was a stunning place, ideal for exploration. It boasted a variety of beautiful plants and breathtaking sights, with a waterfall that was simply marvelous. Many schools and families, along with young children, had visited this enchanting forest for tours and excursions. However, there was one rule.

"Don't go past the pink tree, as you might encounter danger, and leave before 7 p.m."

People didn't really take this warning seriously, knowing that no one had ever stayed in the forest until 7:00 p.m., and the fabled "pink tree" had never been seen. Visitors to the forest simply came to have fun and made sure to leave well before dusk.

As the teachers led the children further into the forest, they pointed out various plants, trees, and other natural wonders along the way. The children's eyes widened with curiosity and excitement as they absorbed the beauty around them.

Arriving at the waterfall, everyone, including the teachers, couldn't help but stand in awe. A majestic cascade of crystalline water fell gracefully from towering cliffs, glistening in the sunlight as it wove through the lush, emerald-hued landscape. The sheer force and rhythmic symphony of the falling water created an enchanting spectacle, captivating all who beheld its natural beauty.

The children played gleefully in the water at the base of the waterfall, their laughter echoing through the forest. The teachers chatted and enjoyed the scene, momentarily forgetting their worries.

In their distraction, none of them noticed one of the students quietly wandering deeper into the forest.

The young boy was about to drop his pink backpack when something mesmerizing caught his eye.

The Pink Tree.

He saw a pink tree glittering from afar, its vibrant hue and shimmering leaves irresistibly luring him in. Neither the teachers nor the other students noticed as he quietly wandered off, mesmerized by the sight.

The teachers had made a critical mistake—they hadn't warned the children about the Pink Tree.

Intrigued, the boy walked further into the forest, eager to see the tree up close. His heart raced with excitement, for pink was his favorite color, and the tree sparked an immense joy within him.

He walked and walked, but the closer he seemed to get, the farther away the tree appeared. It was as if the tree was playing a game, retreating just beyond his reach. Undeterred, he kept moving, determined to touch the enchanting tree.

Finally, exhausted and frustrated, he decided to give up and return to his classmates. But as he turned around, he found himself in an unknown, dark, and eerie part of the forest. The shadows loomed large, and the once-familiar sounds of nature were replaced by an unsettling silence.

"Hello," whispered the forest, its voice echoing in the darkness, sending a chill down the boy's spine.

   He was shaken by what he saw. Everything around him had turned dark, and the only source of light was the glowing pink tree in the distance. An eerie darkness swallowed the pathway behind him.

How could this be? Just moments ago, he had been marveling at a beautiful tree. What had happened? He was utterly confused.

His mother's words echoed in his mind: "Not all that glitters is gold."

The truth of that statement was painfully clear now.

Fear washed over him like a hurricane as he stared at the horrifying transformation before him. The once-sparkling pink tree was now dark and twisted, its vibrant leaves falling away to reveal a gnarled, sinister form. It was as if the tree had been wearing a mask, and its true, terrifying nature was now exposed.

Panicking, he tried to run, but it was in vain. The darkness seemed to close in around him, trapping him in its suffocating grip. The enchanting forest had turned into a nightmare, and he was at its mercy.

   Four pairs of red eyes suddenly appeared in the darkness, staring at him like they had finally found their long-lost prey.

He heard thick growls from the shadows ahead. The sound was so eerie and guttural that his bones shook. He knew this might be the end, but he couldn't give in to fear as the creatures came into view.

Grotesque creatures emerged from the shadows, their contorted limbs moving with an unsettling, disjointed rhythm. Their pallid, mottled skin clung tightly to skeletal frames, accentuating the eerie glow of their malevolent, pupilless eyes. Jagged fangs protruded from twisted maws, and an obnoxious odor hung in the air. They slinked silently, sending shivers down the spine of anyone unlucky enough to witness their presence. And he happened to be that unlucky one. These creatures had lurked here for thousands of years, devouring any unfortunate being who unknowingly ventured into their lair.

Backing away slowly, he turned and started running with all his might. Even though it felt futile, he ran, desperately hoping there might be an escape route.

The sudden change of events left him speechless. He didn't know what to do, but his brain screamed one command: Run!

   The creatures pursued him lazily, knowing he had nowhere to go. They wanted to toy with their prey, to see how long this little potato could run. They smiled to themselves, knowing that with one leap, they could end his escape.

The boy ran with all his strength, refusing to give up. He didn't want to die; he prayed fervently to God, begging for help. The faces of the creepy creatures haunted his mind, their grotesque features making his stomach churn. He didn't want to die. Not today. Not like this.

He prayed and prayed, thinking of his mother. She had promised him ice cream. Would he really miss it because he got himself eaten by these beasts?

He could hear their creepy laughter from behind, sending chills down his spine. He had never seen anything like them before and had no idea what they were. It was a miracle he was still conscious, driven by sheer terror and desperation.

As he ran, the poor little boy stumbled on a pebble and fell hard to the ground.