For years I’ve thought about a short story I read some time between 1997 and 2007. I’d estimate 2000 – 2006. I imagine it was in Harpers, Atlantic, or New Yorker. I’ve never been able to find it.
In the story there are two girls. I think English, maybe Canadian. They are in the woods and they see some horrible creature. I think a worm, a giant worm.
Then it’s 60 years later and the narrator sees the girl, now all grown up, at a sight-seeing visit.
The atmosphere really affected me. I was reminded of Alice Munro and then I suppose later of “My Brilliant Friend” by Ferrante.
I can’t find it because googling ‘worm’ or ‘monster’ or ‘two girls’ gives too many silly hits.
Any sleuths out there?
Could it be “The Thing in the Forest” by A.S. Byatt? (It’s in The Little Black Book of Stories.)