Something in the woods

Two little boys explore the woods while their parents unpack at their holiday cabin

“Frankie, where are you?” Wil called for the third time, this time much louder and with an annoyance mixed with real concern. He promised his parents he’d watch his little brother while they explored the wooded trail by the cabin. The light mist had turned to a heavy fog and he felt the eerie weight of it close in around him. 

“Fra-ankie,” Wil called again, the shrill sound of his brother's name stretching out with his increasing strides. When he came upon a small clearing along the path, he stopped, spinning in full, wide circles and calling out to Frankie. His heart pounded a noisy rhythm against the inside of his chest. The tears came.

Frankie was nowhere to be seen.

121 Words