Mom tells me that the monster under my bed doesnāt exist. I tell her that while sheās checking for it, it slinks into the closet. She checks the closet, but itās back under the bed; itās rather quick and clever. When I was younger mom and dad let me sleep in their bed, but now they say Iām too old and I need to learn to be brave. I tell them that I climbed to the tallest tree on the playground for a dare; I am brave. Mom clicks off the lights and closes the door. Itās just me and the monster now.
Most nights start the same: fell quiet. Sheās waiting for me to let my guard down, but I know better. I tuck my the blanket beneath my feet and roll into a burrito. Sheās not allowed to breach the blanket forcefield so my only weakness is the hiding hole around my mouth to breath through.
The quiet is tainted by an unholy scratching sound from beneath the bed; sheās taunting me. She wants me to jump up and turn the lights on. I know better, but itās tempting. If I could reach the light first she becomes trapped in the shadows and Iām safe until sunrise. Itās risky, so I hold my ground. The closet door creaks, only so slightly that I could have been a draft.
Sleeping is an option, but itās risky. If I toss and turn I risk diminishing the forcefield and then Iād be an easy target. Thatās how I first met the monster; my feet were all but covered and I awoke to her nibbling on my toes. I quick pulled them under the covers before she she knew Iād awoken. That was her first and last taste, and ever since sheās got a craving. I wonder if she ever visits my parents rooms or if they have their own monster to deal with. Probably not, or else I bet they would both be in my room fighting over the easy target.
In my thoughts Iām on the playground and all the kids are cheering for me. Iāve climbed down from the tree and my crush Katie kisses me on the cheek. That last part didnāt really happen, but it helps to think about happy things. They distract growling at the foot of my bed.
When Iāve exhausted my bank of happy thoughts the monster fills the space. I can feel her looming over me; breathing - staring. I wonder if she has finally discovered a way to break the barrier, but I call her bluff and wait it out. She slinks back into the closet to regroup. Itās quiet again. I feign going for the light and the closet door flings open; it was a trap. She wily but I am not the fool. I snuggle back into my burrito with a chuckle. Iāve won the battle, but morning is hours away. The quiet returns.
I feel myself nodding off but there isnāt much to be done to stay awake; I canāt exactly get up and do jumping jacks. I use my fingers to pry my eyelids open but even this is hardly successful. Itās time to weigh the risks of sleeping versus racing for the light. Iāve theorized that the monster reads my thoughts, though I have no proof for this yet. If Iām right, then going for the lights is impossible. Sheād be ready for me. Even if Iām wrong itās unlikely Iād beat her there. Sleeping then is safest, so I curl my knees into my chest and wrap my burrito as tightly as I might.
Suddenly a new noise breaks the silence. Itās coming from outside near the window. A new monster searching for a home, perhaps? I freeze. I hear the window rattle a bit before slowly sliding up. The floor sets off a creaky alarm, and then another. A tall dark figure blocks the starlight pouring through the window. Thereās an uneasy rustling from under the bed. This could be my chance while the two monsters size each other up. Once more I imagine myself atop the tallest tree and from the memory channel courage. A wicked growl freezes the room and melts that courage down into fear. The newcomer takes a daring step forward, and another. A hard bump from under the bed shakes the lead from my legs and I feel myself going for the lights. An unholy scream fills the air and for a moment Iām afraid itās coming from me. Itās isnāt. Light fills the room and I drop to my knees in tears. Iām safe. I turn to see nothing but a bloody pair of boots near an open window. Itās quiet.
izzy806
origamiaround
blakekathryn
kaledo-art
stormborns
tangentwithtanner
kianamaiart