We Never Left

by L.M. Kaplin

Three lifelong friends. One familiar forest.
What begins as a reunion around the campfire turns into a maze of distorted memories, whispered voices, and something creeping just beyond every shadow.
Not all reunions end in smiles.

A Campfire Tale by LM Kaplin

Genres: Horror

32 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 4, 2025

Reviews

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun, short, creepy read Heather, Rhonda, and Linda. Three friends from Girl Scouts are going on a reunion camping trip that might just be their last

[Catriona Mowat · Rating 4 out of 5]

When three friends go camping out-of-season, they have no worries at all. Alone in the forest on a girls weekend, they soon find themselves telling a campfire horror story.
But when reality and fiction blur, and voices whisper from all around, these friends find their weekend completely changed. And they might never find their way back.

This is a short story that has a lot of potential to be greater. The twists in this story threw me, and really had me wanting more: very well executed. I would have loved to have seen more about the legend in the story, that really had me hooked. But as a 30 page story, this really is worth checking out: one of the stronger camp stories I have read in recent years. And I loved the characters, especially as their name sakes are incredible people! They had a good amount of depth to them despite the story not being long, which is not an easy task.
A really eerie atmosphere follows the story through on a rollercoaster ride of tension, and I loved every moment of it.

[Angel Medina · Rating 5 out of 5]

For a short story, this was a very creepy one. As someone who travels to the rainforest where I am when I can, this is a story I can attest to. I really don't want to spoil it as it's a quick half-hour read. However, LM Kaplin will take you on quite the crazy journey.

As the blurb says, Not all reunions end in smiles. And boy this one is a dark ride and becomes darker once you find out what's really hiding in the shadows of this familiar forest.

If you're looking for something fast, this is one you need to read!

[Jessica (Read book. Repeat) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fantastic, atmospheric, fever dream of a short read. I feel like just enough was given about the characters to make me care about them, which left the ending having me feeling a bit heart wrenched, which is fantastic for such a short page count! Fungal horror, fever dream, forest horror, camping horror. All of the things I love. I do feel that the story was the perfect length but would love for Kaplin to revisit this world and forest for a novel/novella length piece!

[Joseph Barber · Rating 5 out of 5]

what!

Ok, I have been looking for short stories, to hit my 2025 reading challenge. And I am so glad I ran across this one.

This is a camp fire story, literally.

Three women go camping at a camp site that is closed for the season. What happens next will shock you.

Well written and not what I was expecting. This is a short story gem. I think the only short story that has recieved 5 stars from me. For a campfire story this is an original.

[Monica · Rating 4 out of 5]

delightfully creepy

While there is a lot packed into this short story, I feel like it is one that could have been expanded further. I wanted more! It is a good read as is though. Delightfully creepy description of events leading to a satisfying conclusion.

[Angel Sánchez · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE REAL REVIEW
We Never Left: A Campfire Tale – Standalone Short Story
By: L.M. Kaplin
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Length: 32 pages
Content Warnings: Mild horror imagery, implied danger

Wait—what? This was my first read by L.M. Kaplin, and even though it's short, We Never Left absolutely delivers. A perfect little story for when you're in the mood for just a touch of fear, fog, and well-crafted tension.
It may be a short story, but it grabs you like a full-length book. Kaplin’s style is phenomenal—transporting you right into the woods alongside these women, making you feel their fear and rising desperation. In just a few pages, he builds atmosphere, escalation, and closure. It’s a complete experience.
This story officially put Kaplin on my radar—I'll definitely be reading more from him soon.

🎯 Recommended for:
• Fans of well-written campfire horror
• Readers who enjoy atmospheric, creeping dread
• Those looking for a quick, satisfying story
• Horror lovers who want short but impactful reads

🚫 Not for:
• Readers needing deep lore or complex backstory
• Those expecting gore or splatter
• Anyone looking for comedy or a light tone

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
✅ REAL – This one hit exactly the way it should. I felt it. It earned its stars.

[Megan Wintrip · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow this was great, it may be short but it packed a hell of a punch. Three women decide to have their yearly camping trip early this year, they left their husbands and kids at home to spend time together for a weekend. But the forest in the park isn't as it seems and the women have a fight on their hands. I loved this it was very creepy and I thought I had the plot made out but I wasn't expecting the twist! Amazing!

[Kristi Guthrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review Time !! it’s a quick and easy yet CREEPY read) 😳😳

Creeped me out not knowing what was going on but what a TRIP! Keeps your adrenaline going and pulse Racing!

Girls camping in the woods as was their tradition and this keeps you on EDGE of your SEAT! No Spoilers BUT Hold on tight so you don’t lose your mind!

[Kari Bowman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fast-paced quick read

This was a good, quick, and creepy read. If you are looking for a good, fast-paced short story that will keep you on edge right up to the end, look no further!

[Jamie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Three friends head into the woods for a girl’s weekend camping trip and find themselves in over their heads. A classic set-up with simple prose that keeps the story moving quickly. We Never Left is a solid campfire story that sticks the landing and left me pleasantly surprised.

[Nicole Milazzo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heather, Linda, and Rhonda head into the woods for a camping trip during off-season, and things take a dark turn. I won't give it away, but let’s just say the twists were twisting! This one's a quick, creepy, and suspenseful read that's perfect for a spooky camping trip.

[Jennybrown · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this short story about 3 women who stumble onto something unexpected while camping at Ft. Harrison Park in Indianapolis. I couldn’t predict where it was going  which I loved. I actually read this in the car as we were driving by Ft. Harrison Park, which was fun.

[A.M. Symes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great one-night read. Especially if you can read it in front of a campfire, or curled up under a blanket on a cold night. The suspense and tension were perfect for a quick horror read, and the ending was unexpected!

[Rhonda Bobbitt · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very creepy campfire story. Although I may never walk alone in the woods again. I loved the plot of this story so haunting.

[Dale Robertson · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 to 4. Super short but well written and posed the question, "What is going on here?" When the answer is revealed it is certainly different, but no less horrifying than your usual horror trope.

[Melissa Coffman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderfully creepy campfire story.

[Amanda Elizabeth Myers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short and creepy

[Indieterror13 · Rating 5 out of 5]

LM Kaplin put out this little chapbook at a recent event. I quite enjoy a creepy story in the woods. Very atmospheric.
And of course I'm the responsible one...

[Lauren Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this one!!!! Quick little one setting read about a group of friends posting the woods and things go awry!! New take on a trope I love!

[Stephanie Rumbarger · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wild, trippy short story. I loved this one!

[Taylor Dawicke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super creepy short story! Wondered where it was going the whole time and didn’t see that ending coming.

[Aura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not bad, not bad. I liked the ending.

[Kayla Wiklanski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Don't camp out of season

Engrossing quick read that makes you second guess camping. Especially when warned of what may lurk in the forest waiting.

[Jenny Coyne · Rating 3 out of 5]

rounding up from 2.5 stars

I found this short horror story to be terribly confusing until the last pages summed it all up.

[Stacy Rowe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Why I don't camp.

This is what happens when you get favors. There is a reason the park was not open yet. This was a fun short story.

[J.M. Horn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Old friends and a familiar camping tradition.

Kaplin cranked up the creepiness with this solid short story.

The story was engrossing and was kept on the edge until the final page.