The embers danced their way up toward the overhanging canopy. It looked kaleidoscopic from any distance. Unfortunately, not a single one of the campers noticed the beautiful sight. They had been properly ensorcelled by Pops, who had just stood up, throwing his hands around in a showy, emphatic motion.

“It was, and I mean this with no fooling, no crazy talk, no… no BS, this frickin’ tall.” He raised his arms up. Pop continued…

The beast threw its log-like arms up skyward, held them there in that monstrous pose until young Pop took off running-

“That isn’t scary even if you aren’t making it up.” Little Scud sneered from the stump he has perched on.

The spell broken, a few of the boys began to chuckle. Pops frowned.

“Well, lookit the brave boy. Got a story for us then?”

Put on the spot, Scud hesitated. After a moment, he cleared his throat to begin…

It had happened at a camp just like the one they were at now but so much longer ago that details had been lost. A troop of scouts on survival training has bunkered down for the night when their fire just suddenly went out. No explanation, just total darkness. It had—

“Ahhh!!” Scud interrupted himself to scream when the giant, hairy hand grabbed his shoulder. The rest followed into an eruption. That was, except Pops who was laughing through it. The other Scout leader, the one with the bear costume, was late. But at least he made it.