Some Kind of Monster

BUMP

I heard the lock on the front door turn. I looked at the clock beside my bed. 2:47.

SLAM

The front door slammed shut. I heard feet shuffle. The faucet turned on. The monster was thirsty. I heard nothing for a time, then, I heard the glass break against the wall.

I pulled my sheet over my head. Maybe if I pretended to be asleep, she would leave me alone.

More shuffling feet. The hall light clicked on. I could see silhouettes blocking the light at the base of my door.

_Don't come in, don't come in, please don't come in_ I thought.

My doorknob slowly turned. The door creaked open. Light streamed in my room. A thin, gaunt figure with a beak of a nose, razor-sharp teeth, and claw-like hands that could mangle and strip the flesh from your bones.

My mother walked in.

I could see the needle holes in her arms, smell the whiskey on her breath. I kept still. She walked over and poked me, yelling something incoherent. She gave up after a minute and left. I sighed in relief. She didn't hit me this time.