short horror stories

Clap Once For Yes

A family was camping and left their tent to go on a day hike. They were a few hours from their campsite when a storm suddenly blew up. They became disoriented in the wind and driving rain.

They tried to trace their steps back to the campsite but became lost in the unfamiliar backcountry. Being experienced hikers, they knew once they were lost it was best to stay in one place than wander in the woods, so they prepared to settle down and wait for rescue.

Darkness fell, and the family built a fire to keep warm. As they snuggled up against each other and started to drift off to sleep, they heard a noise coming from the trees.

"Who's there?" one of the parents called, but there was no answer.

Then they heard the sound again. But once more, when they called out, there was no answer.

"Perhaps it's someone who can't speak," suggested the daughter. So her mom called out, "Is there anyone there? Clap once for yes and twice for no."

There was one clap.

"You were right," the parents said to their daughter. "There is someone out there."

"Are you here to rescue us?" shouted the mom.

Clap clap.

"Are you lost like us?"

Clap clap.

"Do you live out here in the woods?"

Clap clap.

"Let me try," said the son. "Are you a boy?"

Clap clap.

"Are you a girl?"

Clap clap.

They all looked at each other, puzzled.

Thinking he was being funny, the son asked: "Are you human?"

Clap clap.