10/13/2026
🎃🌲 THE LANTERN IN THE HOLLOW 🌲🎃
Every town has that one place locals warn you to stay away from after dark.
Around here, it's the hollow down an old dirt road where, every Halloween, a lantern appears deep in the woods. Nobody knows who carries it. Nobody knows why it's there.
But someone always goes looking.
This year, Living My Life spots the lantern glowing between the trees and convinces Farm With Ben to come along. 🕯️
They follow the light down an old deer trail until they reach a clearing. The lantern sits on a tree stump, flickering gently, even though there's not a breath of wind.
Beside the stump is a set of muddy footprints leading farther into the woods.
Naturally, Jennie Wicker decides to follow them. 👣
That's when Katrina's Cottage steps out from behind an ancient oak tree.
They smile like they've been expecting the group all night.
"I wouldn't go any farther," they whisper. "It's almost time."
Before anyone can ask what that means, the lantern goes out.
Every phone dies. The moon disappears behind the clouds. And from somewhere in the darkness, someone calls Wayside Homestead Upstate by name.
The voice sounds exactly like someone they love.
"Come here," it whispers. "I need your help."
And, of course, Dorinda René Phillips takes a step toward the voice.
Then another.
Until Amanda Dreaming of a Homestead grabs their arm and screams, "THAT IS NOT WHO YOU THINK IT IS!"
Something moves behind the trees. Something tall enough to reach the lowest branches.
Everyone runs.
Everyone except Cheryl Ann Mattson, who suddenly realizes nobody can remember which direction they came from. 💀
They stumble through the woods until, at last, they see a familiar glow between the trees.
The lantern.
It's sitting on the stump exactly where they left it, burning brightly again.
And standing beside it is The Aussie Backyard Chicken Mumma .
The only problem?
They were supposed to have made it home hours ago.
The lantern flickers once.
Twice.
Then a voice from inside the glass whispers:
"Who's next?"
🎃 YOUR TURN! Fill in the blanks by tagging your followers, then copy the story and cast your own Halloween nightmare!
