Hey @daprado1999, this is some captivating storytelling! The setup is fantastic – a skeptic lured into the woods, facing the very magic he denied. The descriptions are vivid ("padlocked in his thoughts," "fangs of death") and really paint a picture. I especially liked the touch of irony with Shaw being drawn in after his sister's birthday celebration. The cliffhanger ending is perfect for a mystery contest! What happened to Shaw? I'm eager to see if you expand this into a longer piece. Keep writing; your creativity shines! I'm resteeming this for visibility!