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The 'Man in the Woods' Game

To win the game, you must survive the ritual.

By Melody HumbyPublished 5 years ago 3 min read
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Nobody knows for sure what happened to the "Man in the Woods." Some say he was murdered and he stalks the forest looking for bodies to steal, others say he hunts people just to turn them into monsters like him. Those who have seen him say he is a tall man in tattered clothes with long, sharp teeth and eyes so black you’d swear he could steal your soul with one piercing look. Others, who were not so lucky, were never seen or heard from again.

Before I start, I should tell you that this game is dangerous and in no way do I recommend playing. It’s not for the faint of heart, and your life depends on whether or not you follow the rules. To win the game you must survive the ritual.

You have been warned.

Rules

For this ritual to work, only three people are able to participate.

Those who do choose to participate must be committed. Any attempts to leave or stop the ritual may end in death.

Requirements

To summon the Man in the Woods you need to set up your tent in a campground or park, but you must also be surrounded by trees on at least three sides.

You can’t bring any cellphones; only a single analog wristwatch with a wooden face.

Your campfire must be lit using only matches; any other form of ignition, such as gasoline or any type of paper, will not work.

The Summoning

At 11 o'clock PM, begin lighting the campfire. Use as many pieces of wood as you need. It should be burning steadily by at least 11:23 PM, and then at exactly 11:59 PM, each person needs to face the trees and repeat these words five times: "Where is the Man in the Woods?"

If the summoning has failed, you will hear nothing.

If the summoning has worked, you will hear branches breaking and leaves crunching in the distance. This means the Man in the Woods is on his way.

After the Ritual

Sit around the fire and then after ten minutes a woman will approach your campsite. She will ask you if you have seen her child because he ran off when she wasn’t looking. Do NOT engage her in any way. This is a trick by the Man in the Woods; he wants you to leave your campsite and enter the woods where he is waiting. Say nothing to the woman and try not to make eye contact. She will stare at you quietly and then leave within five minutes.

Wait until your campfire burns to cinders and then listen. You will hear footsteps, and then the Man in the Woods will be standing in clear view between the trees. Look at him only ONCE. If his face is expressionless, the ritual has gone right. If the man is smiling, go inside your tent immediately and do not come out until 5:30 AM.

If you look at the man more than once he will begin walking towards you. Do NOT run. Even if you are fast, the Man in the Woods is always faster. Instead, go inside your tent and do NOT come out until 6 o'clock AM. Make sure the zipper on your tent is completely closed, or else the man will still be able to get inside.

To lure you out, the man may sometimes pretend to be the missing child. He will ask if you have seen his mother, but do NOT answer. It is NOT a child.

If you are successful, you will wake up in the morning and a cross will be drawn in the dirt in front of your tent. Congratulations, you’ve won.

Good luck.

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About the Creator

Melody Humby

Author of 'I Live Under Your Bed' and 'Don't Go Home', both available on Amazon.

Putting the hot in psychotic since '92. Enjoys horror movies and long walks on a short pier.

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