As the firelight danced on Sam's face, he started the first story. His voice wavered slightly, but his excitement was palpable. The story was about an old haunted mansion, filled with vengeful spirits.

Liam, always the skeptic, rolled his eyes but listened intently. He was always one to challenge the validity of such tales, but tonight he seemed more indulgent.

Next was Ella. Her story was about a phantom that lurked in the woods, preying on unsuspecting campers. As she spoke, the wind seemed to grow colder, and the shadows deeper.

Sophie, always the brave one, laughed off Ella's story. She was always the first to break the tension, her laughter a beacon in the growing darkness.

Ben, the oldest and the leader of the group, began his tale. His story was about a cursed treasure hidden deep in the woods, protected by a terrifying beast.

The children all listened with wide eyes, the fire's warmth doing little to ward off the chill of the stories. As the tales grew scarier, the woods seemed to close in on them.

Suddenly, a strange noise echoed through the woods. The children froze, their eyes darting around the darkness. Sam's voice trembled as he asked, 'Was that part of the story, Ben?'

Ben shook his head, his eyes wide with genuine fear. 'No, it wasn't,' he admitted. The children huddled closer together, the fire now a mere ember, their hearts pounding in their chests.

The noise grew louder, sounding like a growl. Then, a shadow appeared at the edge of the firelight. The children held their breaths, their fear now a tangible presence.

Suddenly, the shadow moved into the light. It was a stray dog, its tail wagging as it approached the fire. The children breathed a sigh of relief, their fear replaced with laughter.

They spent the rest of the night playing with the dog, their scary stories forgotten. The woods no longer seemed so menacing, and the fire burned brighter.

As dawn broke, the children returned home, their night of spooky stories turning into a tale of unexpected friendship. They would always remember this night, not for the fear, but for the joy they found in the darkness.