“Are we there yet?” 371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp2rLWKkWIt
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Gretchen McFarlane groaned behind me.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzuCcoeYzdt
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“I dunno”, I answered.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlzfqPyGKcx
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“Are we there yet?371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5nz19cw1bK
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“I dunno”.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡupI2KS9RRN
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“Are we there yet?”371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNVRKFaq34D
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“Oh my gosh, will you please stop?!” I snapped. My hands were gripping each other so hard they hurt. “371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRnKHdrTfeN
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We’d been walking for hours through the thick woods outside our sleepy town of Tolpeak, New Hampshire. Or so it seemed at least. The branches twisted overhead, blocking out the sun. And every rustle of leaves made my stomach clench.The trees were getting stranger, taller, darker… almost like they were leaning toward us. Our teacher. Miss Ferguson. said that this would be a quick journey. Ha! What a dumb joke!371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPkzgKFU4no
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By the way, My name is Betty Jeffres371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmlhCzSSJjk
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“Keep moving, everyone,” she called over her shoulder. “We don’t want to fall behind.”
Her voice sounded calm, but there was something tight about it. Something that made my stomach twist.
“Uh… how much farther?” Gretchen whined.
“Not long now,” Miss Ferguson said. glancing at the path ahead. “Just a little farther, and then… you’ll see.”
Her smile didn’t reach her eyes.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqWEEQpU7cn
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“Ugh, I dunno what’s worse!” Gretchen whined. “Chafed feet or camping in a forest that popped straight out of a b-horror movie! I'm pretty sure this place is haunted by at least five thousand werewolves!"371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCxFv1Rkdpn
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I rolled my eyes. Gretchen always acted so childish! If there was a contest for acting like a baby, Gretchen would win. Hands down.
We followed the narrow path deeper into the woods. But something felt…wrong.
“Wait,” I said, pausing. “This doesn’t look familiar.”
Gretchen squinted at the trees. “Uh… yeah. Didn’t we just pass that huge twisted oak?”
Miss Ferguson frowned, glancing back. “Keep moving. We’re on the right path.”
I frowned. But the trail behind us seemed… gone. The path had vanished, swallowed up by the dark undergrowth.
“Miss Ferguson…” I said, my voice trembling, “I think we’re lost.”
She didn’t answer. Her tight smile faltered. And for the first time, she looked… worried.
“Listen up everyone! I’m sorry to say this…but I think we’re lost”, Fergun said. Her voice was heavy with sadness.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7fUQAz03Bp
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“You’ve gotta be kiddin’ me!” I said. Facepalming myself.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ74S65GfSBZ
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Gretchen began to wail like a banshee. Big surprise. Gretchen is the biggest crybaby in the land.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUEaZisZqiF
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“WE’RE GONNA DIE! WE’RE GONNA DIE!! I DON’T WANT TO DIE, I’M TOO YOUNG AND TOO BEAUTIFUL TO DIE!!!” Gretchen yelled. Tears running down her cheeks like a wild river.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuTbw785lgq
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“Shut up Gretchen! I shouted. Covering my ears. “This isn’t helping!”371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLLSflOEVcU
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“WE’RE GONNA DIE! WE’RE GONNA DIE!!!” Gretchen continued her super annoying wailing.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLwgYA2OzvF
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“SHUT UP!!!” I yelled. “YOU MAKE MY EARS BLEED!!!”371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG5xpaR9Cmg
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By now, everyone had started panicking.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJF7kbiBA3B
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“Calm down, calm down everyone!” Miss Ferguson shouted. “I’ll handle this, I’ll check the GPS on my cell phone!”371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnwElOIKM9I
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She fumbled in her bag. Her hands trembled. She picked up her mobile. She discovered that it was dead. As dead as a cellphone can be.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8u155ZpzAq
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“Now it can’t get any wor…!” I said. I was cut off by a huge rain cloud looming above us.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5w6VqWnYds
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“Never mind, it CAN get any worse than this!”371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy0vmONvQep
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“WE’RE GONNA DIE! WE’RE GONNA DIE!!!” Gretchen screamed.
Lightning forked across the sky. Thunder cracked so loud my teeth rattled.
“Everyone! Under the trees!” Miss Ferguson barked. But her voice was swallowed by the howling wind.
The rain came down in sheets. Soaking us in seconds. The dirt path beneath our feet turned to mud. My sneakers squelched with every step.
Then!371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL8dbb19xTU
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out of nowhere!371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9LyYG7atKH
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The trees parted.
A bridge.
A long, ancient-looking stone bridge stretched out ahead of us, disappearing into a curtain of mist. The stone was slick with moss and carved with strange symbols that glowed faintly in the storm’s light.
Miss Ferguson froze. “This… this wasn’t here before,” she whispered.
“Uh…” I swallowed hard. “Where does it go?”
No one answered. Even Gretchen stopped her annoying crying.
That’s when we heard it! Low, guttural growls from beneath the bridge!371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqRlMejK5D3
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Then I saw them! Ogres. TWO ugly ogres!
Their skin was the color of swamp muck, glistening in the rain. Each one had arms as thick as tree trunks and teeth like broken gravestones. Their yellow eyes glowed in the dark, staring right at us.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRSsxZ5rt5H
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Gretchen whimpered. Her knees wobbled like jelly. Her face turned chalk white. I swear she almost fainted.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBse9znKqsg
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My knees wobbled too.
One of the ogres scratched his belly and grinned. The other licked his cracked lips.
“Well, well, well” the first ogre rumbled, his voice growling like thunder. “Look what’s wandered into our woods.”
“Children,” the second one hissed. “Soft, tasty children.”371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx9PhMsXz82
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“Who should we eat first?” the first ogre hissed.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXND0Z99uZA
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“Let’s start with the fat one over there!”, the other ogre said and pointed at me.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1nEbGeHiui
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“Who you callin’ fat?!” I shouted angrily. “I’m not fat, I’m just big-boned!”371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbY6ePVaAfw
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“Nice Eric Cartman impression!" Fenella Ziegler laughed. “You sounded just like him!”371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0bHA6BMraT
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Miss Ferguson approached the ogre. She looked very brave. More brave than she usually looked.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkkTz9pRQmj
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“Keep your filthy hands away from the kids! I won’t let you hurt them!”, she roared.
The ogres laughed. A booming, stomach-churning laugh that shook the bridge.
Then, faster than I thought possible, one of them scooped her up like a rag doll.
“NO!” we screamed.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG9phQZOSQp
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“WHAT ARE YOU DOING?! PUT ME DOWN, PUT ME DOWN AT ONCE!!!” Miss Ferguson shouted.
She wriggled and kicked, but it was useless. The ogre opened his massive jaws. His shark-like teeth glistened.
And just like that. Miss Ferguson was gone.
Chomp! Chomp! Crunch! Crunch!
The ogre belched. Loudly.
“Needs salt,” he muttered.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhEQeat6ZLD
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The ogre wiped his mouth with the back of his slimy hand.
“Delicious,” he growled. “But not enough.”
His glowing yellow eyes slid over the rest of us.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2SI7Czuuht
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“Now, how about the rest of you?”, he said. bearing his terrifying teeth.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk7oTDpTzIN
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Gretchen began crying again. Big surprise I know.
“Don’t eat me! PLEASE don’t eat me!” Gretchen wailed.
The second ogre grinned, showing rows of jagged teeth. “Oh, we’ll eat you. All of you. Unless…”
“Unless you answer our riddles” the first one finished. He leaned closer, his hot, rancid breath washing over me. “Three riddles. Each of you. Answer them all, and you may cross our bridge.”
“And if we don’t?” Riley whispered.
The ogre’s grin widened. He tapped his teeth with one claw.
“Then you’ll end up just like your teacher.”371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcV3N8lcMvr
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Fenella loved riddles. All her life revolved around them. Guess who stepped up to the ogres first? I think you already know the answer. If you don’t… Well, you’re dumber than you look!371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZN4y6dmCuy
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“Lemme go first! There’s no riddle in the world that I dunno the answer to!”, Fenella shouted371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu4WvyXuxxo
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The ogres smiled. Bearing their shark-teeth again.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpm9qHiLlf0
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“As you wish, how many particles does pi have?” the ogre said.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhusSm00p8f
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Fenella froze. Her mouth opened. Closed. Opened again.
“I… I… uh… Five hundred?" she stammered.
The ogre snorted. “Wrong answer.”
Before anyone could react, the other ogre scooped her up. She screamed, but it was cut short as she disappeared into the ogre’s gaping maw.
“Fenella!” we all yelled.
The ogres laughed. “Next?” one hissed.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvdQ3PGqiut
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Gretchen approached the ogre. Her face was still chalk white. Her legs still wobbling like jelly.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtbknEPi5c0
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“Soooo, the brunette with the pink bow wants to have a go?” The ogre sneered. “Very well, how many particles does pi have?”371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6JN7yuN3SX
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Gretchen gulped. Fear shook her from head to toe. And then… Well, urine ran down her legs. Literally. I wrinkled my nose.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdE5PmLCmw1
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“T…T….T…T…Ten?” she stammered. A puddle of pee had formed underneath her shoes. “Please….Pleas…please…Please, don’t hurt me!!!” she sobbed.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGH8VQfUwZG
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The ogres grinned.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMXD96gkkM5
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“Sorry little girl, we don’t care about your childish feelings, now you’re nothing but our dinner!”, the ogre boomed. He scooped her up. 371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ00wDrlp2Xd
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“PLEASE, DON’T EAT ME!!!” Gretchen wailed. 371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBCgURE4omZ
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Gretchen flailed and kicked, but the ogre’s massive hands were too strong.
Then…Snap!
She disappeared into his gaping mouth. A muffled scream, a thud, and then… silence.
The ogre smacked his lips together.
“Delicious!” he declared, licking the corners of his mouth.
The second ogre chuckled. “Needs more salt next time.”
A puddle of Gretchen’s fear (and something else) shimmered on the wet stones beneath us.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEdFzG0negb
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One by one. The ogres feasted on my classmates. I heard ‘em scream. I heard ‘em cry. I heard ‘em pleading for their lives. I saw ‘em gettin’ shredded to bits. 371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8kxZJCTJoS
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It was horrifying.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPan6ov8VSh
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It was terrible.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2mKHzpz8K2
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Absolutely terrible.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHT1qdFjuWE
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Then it was my turn. Life sucks sometimes. I know.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaINVQ22IJ2
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“Now…It’s YOUR turn fatso!” one of the ogres boomed and pointed at me.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfBFL9DASOx
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“The name’s Tracy Brown!” I snapped. “Call me fat ONE MORE TIME and I’ll go medieval on your butts!”371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqMuxwVr6js
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“Answer this: How many particles does pi have?” The first ogre boomed.
My brain did a weird little flip. Pi? Particles? Why would a number have particles? I swallowed. My heart hammered so loud I could hear it in my teeth.
“Infinite,” I said. My voice sounded small. “Pi’s decimal goes on forever. It doesn’t stop.”371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ww7dj0G2c
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The ogres huddled together, whispering in low, guttural voices. They tapped their teeth. They poked each other in the ribs. Finally, one of them shrugged.
“Huh. Fine,” he grunted. “One down. Two to go.”
The second ogre frowned. “Next riddle,” he said. “371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ktDYX9WJ8
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My mind raced. A towel. A towel, a towel, a towel, say it, Tracy, just say it.
“Towel,” I blurted. “A towel.”
The ogres’ yellow eyes narrowed. Then, oddly, the second ogre clapped both massive hands together. “Okay,” he said. “You’re smart.”371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdwppkjKHQO
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“Yeeees!” I yelled happily.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJOJaBbzSbf
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“Final riddle, Challenge us to do something impossible, something we can't do!"371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4VmED4lhDc
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I smirked. I knew just what to do. My smirk grew bigger. Then I farted. 371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbgXHvRxjwy
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Prrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrfffffffffffffft!!!371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnjRTo9LOjh
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“Alright, I challenge you to catch my fart and paint it green!”371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnUv1BAxYoO
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The ogres blinked. Then roared with confusion and outrage. “Impossible!” one bellowed.
“Exactly!” I shouted. “You can’t do it. I WIN!!!”371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUTPLqNk6ce
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The ogre sighed in disappointment.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6rtq2Ls2GU
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“You’re allowed to pass. We won’t eat you” The ogres muttered.
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I strutted across the bridge, laughing and waving at the ogres. “So long, suckers!” I shouted.
But then… the stones beneath my feet shivered.
I froze. The carvings glowed brighter, pulsating like tiny, angry eyes. The bridge groaned, a low, grinding, bone-chilling sound.
“What the…?!” I whispered.
The arches above twisted slowly, like fingers reaching for me. The bridge itself was alive. It shuddered, and the mist swirled around me, thick and suffocating.
I tried to run, but the stones shifted under my feet, forming ridges and valleys that slowed me down. The bridge was indeed alive!
A deep, rumbling voice seemed to come from everywhere and nowhere at once.
“Who dares cross me… and MOCK the ogres?”
I gulped. My victory, my fart, my clever riddles, they all felt meaningless now.
Somehow… somehow I had to make it to the other side.
I ran. I jumped. I scrambled, praying that this ancient, living bridge would let me survive…371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡne6MBLZdaj
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But it didn’t.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7vGdZPTPWW
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And now…I’m no longer alive. Just a ghost, forever wandering the bridge, waiting for the next unlucky kids to cross.
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Afterword:
Answer… Or Be Eaten! was inspired by the spine-tingling worlds of R. L. Stine's Goosebumps-books and Betsy Haynes’ Bone Chillers-series. From the eerie forests of Tolpeak, New Hampshire, to the terrifyingly alive bridge and its monstrous guardians, this story blends suspense, dark humor, and a touch of the impossible, just like the tales that made us stay up late reading under the covers.
May this short story remind you that even when you think you’ve outsmarted the monsters… the real horror might be waiting in the shadows, or under your very feet371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNAvU82jhlh
and then Add to home screen.