Laughing in the Woods

A few friends and I took an annual camping trip to reconnect. We chose an isolated clearing in the woods, far from any established campsite, and set up a large tent. After dinner and a few drinks, we put out the fire and prepared to sleep.

As the last light disappeared, I heard a faint cackle. I assumed one of my friends was laughing, but when I shone a flashlight at them, one of them was pale and asked whether we had heard it. Another friend said the laugh had not come from inside the tent. We became quiet and went inside, keeping an axe nearby because it was the only protection we had.

The clearing was remote, our car was a long walk away, and there was barely any phone signal. We knew that if someone dangerous was nearby, help would not arrive quickly.

I eventually dozed off. I do not know how long I slept before the laughter woke me again. It sounded menacing and close. I stayed still and reached toward the axe beneath my pillow. Then I saw what looked like a finger pressed against the tent wall, slowly circling the fabric. Someone was outside, walking around the tent and laughing.

When the person reached the entrance, the movement stopped. After a few seconds, the tent was shaken violently and a voice screamed, “Boogady, boogady.” One of my friends cried out, and the person outside laughed again before walking away.

We stayed awake for the rest of the night, afraid to move in case the person was still nearby. At first light we packed everything and hurried back to the car. We never learned who had been outside. It could have been a dangerous stranger, someone under the influence, or a person playing a cruel prank, but we no longer camp in unmarked remote clearings. We use established campsites where other people are nearby.