The Bedroom Monster
5th February, Story #36/366
Night comes. I try to sleep. But I'm scared. I know it's in the room with me. I can hear it. Moving. Making noises. To frighten me.
Folding warmth around myself like a shield, I try to stay very quiet, so it won't know I'm here. But after a while I have to move. Or I get a tickle in my throat. Then... silence. Stillness. It knows!
I wait for it come out, for the shine of its eyes to stick through me. I bite my teeth together to stop them chattering.
My guts turn to ice, and I nearly make a mess of myself I'm so frightened.
I stare into the gloom, because shutting my eyes isn't safe. But that means I see shapes. Things that might hurt me. Or take me away. It's just my imagination. Right?
I wish I could turn the light on. But I can't reach the switch.
It moves again! It's coming this time, I just know it!
My hearts, already beating hard and fast, go even faster. I can't stop a whimper.
I've given myself away for sure, it starts howling with rage. The bed creaks over my head, bare legs dangle. I shrink back, sure its going to kick me.
But no, its feet hit the floor and it runs, jabbering, to fetch others.
I knew it! The one it brings to kill me is larger and scarier. It presses the light switch and the rest of the room is flooded with light. That's what I wanted, right?
Sure, I can see those shapes clearly now. They're not creatures here to hurt me. But I need the darkness now, because the bigger monster is striding towards me, and reaching to pull back the bedcovers that curtain my den. I shrink back further into the hated shadows, pulling them round me like a blanket, because I need to hide!
I scrunch my eyes shut so they won't see them and I hope I've done enough to go undetected...
It raises its voice in that weird language,
"See? There's nothing there."
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Word count (excluding note): 366
Submitted on 5th February at 6:44AM
*Quick Author's Note*
Thank you for reading! Please leave a comment so I can reciprocate. Your thoughtful engagement is appreciated. If you enjoyed this, the best compliment you can give is to share it, or read another.
The story behind the story: I'm writing a story every day this year. This one makes a 36 day streak. You can find all of them in my Index post. It's also pinned to the top of my profile.
If you're joining me on this "story every day" madne adventure, please leave a link to yours in the comments. Whether you're on a creative bent, like me, and writing mostly microfiction/stories, or whether you have your own, self-imposed criteria, I'd love to see what you come up with for today. I'll try to come back and edit this to link to your piece at the bottom.
If you'd like to buy the cow, (or get more free milk on Kindle Unlimited):
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Comments (15)
Awww, poor little monster! He's so scared! So glad he managed to hide himself so well!
We all know that when you cover yourself with a blanket you are safe… right?
Whoo L.C. This story is great! Poor kid lmao
This is fab! Having babysat my nephews I can agree that kids are definitely more terrifying than monsters under the bed!
Oh wow that was awesome! I wasn’t expecting that. All the while I was thinking it was a child scared of a monster but then I thought it would be something else… not realizing it would be the monster under the bed… scared of humans! That was excellent such a unique twist and POV.
That was an awesome twist!!!
Such a fun reveal with just a plural! Masterfully written L.C.
This is a very clever twist! The monster under the bed goes to Mum because its afraid of the human in the bed. You captured the fear generated in the dark, especially for a child, very well. Excellent story. I have read enough of your stories to expect a very different ending. You caught me completely by surprise. I loved it!
Oh that was clever!! I love this kind of twist, where we’re the scary ones! This had such a wonderful sense of panic and tension to it LC! Loved the way you crafted the fear and dread :)
You’re a real wonderful storyteller, you really know how to build up the tension and panic !!
haha. You are a master at building suspense, Ms! This was a great little tale!
Scared monster. "There's nothing there". Scariest thing of all. Poor old monster.
Cute
Oh, I'm loving this concept so much.
What every child knows the truth actually is (except for the monster being scared--if they knew that they'd all become best friends). Love it. Simply love it, L.C.