Jessica was walking through the dark, lonesome woods; she was lost. She wandered away from the camp to go exploring. As she walked on the twisting, dirt path the moon’s luminous light led her way. She saw a glow in front of her, deep in the woods. It was off the path she was walking. She could not decide to stay with the path or go off on her own in search of the mysterious spark.

     Jessica finally chose her desired course; she walked into the thick trees. As she came closer, she saw the glow was a campfire. New hope filled her soul; she was not lost anymore. Jessica moved closer, pausing to glance around. To catch a glimpse of someone, no one was around. Her heart sank; she was still lost.

     She decided to sit down and rest next to the fire. At first, the sound was faint, barely heard. Jessica thought she imagined it. The tree has moved; someone or something was out there. Jessica was scared, so scared she could not move. The noise grew louder. It was moving in on her. Closer, closer, closer and closer it came; soon whatever it was, would be in the open area by the fire, and by Jessica.

     The frightened girl stared in silence as it emerged from the trees. Her face showed pure terror. One large scaly hand reached out to her. Jessica’s scream grew silent.

     He turned toward the fire, his large frame formed an eerie shadow from the fire; he put his fingers towards his mouth and tasted the blood that still clung to his long nails. He smacked his lips, savoring the blood sliding down his throat. He slowly crept away from the clearing, back into the shadows and silently began to wait.

     The quiet, peaceful night continued. The stars brilliance shining down from the black dome called the sky. The moon continued to shine down on the silent woods, surrounding the glow from a lonely fire.