The Missing Six

A short story by Steven Insco

On a dark Friday evening, the only light visible was the full moon in the sky, and a small backyard area faintly illuminated by a smoldering bonfire. A group of 6 friends sat around the fire, celebrating Halloween and making s'mores. John Fisher was one of the friends in attendance. He was laughing with all of his friends, and overall was really enjoying himself. Everything was going according to plan. The night was fun, and fueled by Halloween

excitement. That was until John looked into the fire and noticed a slight green hue in the middle of the flames. It was odd looking, indescribable in a way. So much so that he was drawn to it. It

put him into some kind of trance, and those around him looked at him oddly as he stood and began walking towards the flame.

He then began to reach his hand out, but as he slowly moved his hand toward the strange green hue, he felt the grip of the strongest possible capacity grab him by the wrist. He began to

struggle, and everyone around the fire watched in horror. A green transparent arm had reached out of the fire, and it now had John in its grasp. It knocked him off his feet, and he was pulled straight into the fire pit. He was engulfed in a horribly large green flame, so large that it had now begun to put the others gathered around the fire into a trance as well. Everyone was horrified at what they had just witnessed, but they involuntarily started moving towards the fire too, and one by one hopped straight into the green colored flames.

By now every single person had been engulfed by this unknown entity, and suddenly the fire abruptly stopped and disappeared, taking all of its victims with it. There was never an explanation as to what happened, and those who searched for these missing people had no idea what had taken place. How could they? It was something out of the worst possible nightmare.

The horror continued to ensue 5 years later, however. People had moved into the home in which the tragedy took place in the backyard, where the empty firepit still remained. One night,

the family that had newly moved into the property decided to have a relaxing evening and have a bonfire after dinner. They had the fire going, and were all enjoying themselves. The moon was full, just as it had been on the night of the tragedy that took place here, now simply dubbed “The Missing Six,” as no one could explain what happened that night. This new family was enjoying the fire, when all of a sudden the youngest son, age 10, moved in close to the fire to roast a marshmallow. It was then that he made direct eye contact with a face unfamiliar to him, but

familiar to so many others.

It was the face of John Fisher, but now it was green, transparent, and horribly disfigured. John's head had emerged from the flames, and it was indistinguishable where the fire ended and

his face began. He simply stared at the 10 year old boy, and a green transparent arm emerged...