Premise:
An ancient forest stands on the outskirts of a small town, its trees unnaturally tall and dense. Local legend warns that anyone who enters after dark is never seen again. Despite generations of warnings, the forest’s pull grows stronger each year.
Core Challenge:
When a group of skeptical teenagers decide to test the legend, they find themselves trapped in a nightmarish realm where the trees seem alive and hungry. As the sun sets, they must find a way out or face the forest’s ravenous appetite.
Key Elements:
- Strange markings carved into the oldest trees
- Whispers that seem to come from the forest itself
- A map of the forest that changes every time it’s unfolded
Twist:
The forest doesn’t just consume those who enter after dark.
Writing Style Tip:
Focus on building a suffocating atmosphere of dread. Use rich, sensory descriptions to make the forest feel like a living, breathing entity closing in on the characters.
Optional Variations:
- Set the story in a future where the forest has expanded, swallowing entire cities
- Explore the perspective of someone who willingly enters the forest, seeking its power
