Campilations ●Short Horror Stories

The Cotton Tree

Have you ever heard the legend of the cotton tree? If not, then clearly you're missing out. Legend has it that going to chop a cotton tree without bringing it an offering can awaken the spirits....

Chelsea laughed. "You actually think that's real, Bryan?"

"That's just a stupid story our parents made up for us to not destroy trees." She said through laughter. On the other hand, I was not taking any chances. Especially since right across from us was a field of cotton. "Look, I'll prove to you that it's all made up." Chelsea spoke again. "Let's meet back here tomorrow night."

We all agreed, said our goodbyes and went home. Thinking about what can possibly occur tomorrow night sent chills down my body. It's pretty obvious Bryan is going to end up chickening out, since he's more afraid than I am and leaving Chelsea to go alone doesn't sound like a good idea. No matter how afraid I am, Chelsea is my best friend, and I must go with her.

The next day, I woke up and did some research. There weren't many articles about the silk cotton tree, so maybe Chelsea was right after all. A wave of relief washed over me. But the sudden relief turned into fear instantly when nighttime came. I kissed my mom, told her I was going over to Chelsea's, and made my way to the area we were last night. Chelsea was standing there with excitement in her eyes and obviously with the axe in her hand.

"Please tell me you aren't actually going to do it." I said, hoping she wouldn't hear the fear in my voice. "Of course I am, I'm going to prove it's just a stupid myth and you're going to record me." As I stared at her in disbelief. "Comeon!" She yelled as she entered the field. Walking behind her slowly, I began recording. As we walked further into the field, the moonlight cast a dim light. It was rather quiet for a cotton field, but then again, it is a cotton field and not actually a forest. We stopped in front of a big tree as she lifted the axe and began swinging it at the tree. She swung and swung until what felt like hours, then she finally gave up and sat under it. "I told you." She chuckled. I waited to see what would happen, but maybe she was right, since nothing happened. I sat next to her and before both of us knew it, we were both sound asleep.

A sudden wind and the sounds of a female screaming woke me up as I frantically began to look for Chelsea, who was nowhere besides me. I took out my phone and looked at the time. It was now two thirty and the field was black. Maybe Chelsea had left, I thought as I started making my way back to where we came from. Then I heard her voice. She was calling me, but it sounded distant, like we were further into the field. Maybe she got lost, or she was playing a prank on me. Chelsea?!Is that you!?" I yelled, but I got no response. I contemplated whether to follow the voice or not, but ended up going anyways. Cautiously following her calls, I strolled deeper into the field. The wind blew roughly, causing me to feel uneasy. Walking deeper, I stopped as Bryan's words hit me harder than the wind. The moment I stopped, I heard Chelsea call my name again, but it sounded further, which didn't make sense. How did she know I stopped if she was far from me? Turning on my flashlight, I scanned my surroundings. What I saw next would have terrified any child my age or any human. Chelsea was beneath a tree with an axe in her head. Her body was covered in blood, and there wasn't much left of her body. Her arms and legs were both removed, and her eyes were nowhere to be found.I froze in horror as I stared at my dead best friend. My name was called again, and this time it sounded closer; if Chelsea hadn't been calling me all along, what was it?I didn't wait to see as I turned around and quickly ran back the way I came, trying not to fall as I sprint my way back to the first cotton tree, which I finally made after what felt like hours of running.I was so happy to see the scarred tree that I finally stopped to catch my breath, but who would've known that was the last thing I would've seen as my whole world began to darken?

The next morning there was an announcement on the news, 'Two bodies of what looked like teenage girls were found beheaded beneath a cotton tree.'