Emerging Courageous Online Magazine - Stories
Attack of the Night Monster by Ellie
Braun-Haley
The dark scares me. I don't know why but I think it's because I have a good
imagination. Walking alone on a country road in the dark really scares me. I
mean we have coyotes out our way, some moose, deer, porcupines, and other
critters. Some I would just as soon not bump into on a moonless night.
On this one particular evening when there was still light left in the sky I
headed out across the distance between house and barn to retrieve something from
the barn. I paused to admire the breathtaking beauty of the landscape as the
pinks and purples, grays and blues of a sunset lit up the western sky.
I must have lost track of time, (getting sidetracked is one of my pastimes)
because when I stepped outside it was black. I waited a moment for my eyes to
adjust to the change but I soon realized there was no moon and we had no yard
light for this end of our property. Whoa, this was going to be a hair raising
run for safety!
I stumbled along on the uneven ground, trying to hurry yet unable to really go
as fast as my fears indicated! I was still orienting myself and mentally
recalling where the obstacles were. There were no night sounds. It was weird,
black and scary. All I could think of was, "oh please, just let me get back
to the safety of the house."
It all happened so fast and I didn't hear a thing. Something touched my hand. It
was wet, like a drooling slimy monster! I reacted by jerking away and
jumping higher than the clothesline (well almost) while an involuntary piercing
scream escaped me. I ran faster toward the house knowing I was being pursued by
monsters or at least one of those man eating coyotes.
As I neared the house I saw a figure running away to the north of me, his
silhouette framed in the light cast by the neighbors yard lights. It was the
neighbor's dog, the friendliest dog to ever set foot on this earth. He was
always trying to nuzzle my hand and I knew immediately the wet drool I had felt
had been his nose.
That night he was likely the most frightened dog in the neighborhood!
Ellie Braun-Haley 2001 [email protected]
Ellie writes stories for a number of publications. She is also the author of
four books.
Ellie lives in ALBERTA, CANADA
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