Monster

A low growl came from the hallway, causing Sarah and her mother to momentarily freeze and stare at each other.

“He’s in the house!” her mother whispered. “Run and hide, Sarah. I’ll stall him as long as I can. Run, Sarah! Don’t let the monster catch you!”

Sarah nodded and jumped up from where she’d been sitting. The growl was louder, closer. Her mind racing as to where she should hide, Sarah darted across the floor and began climbing the stairs, just as fast as her chubby five-year-old legs could go. She started for her room but thought better of it and went to her parents’ room.

There was a moment’s hesitation as she tried to decide where to go. Under the bed? No, that’s the first place the monster would probably look. She could hear the monster coming up the stairs, growling.

Sarah made herself as small as possible in the farthest corner of her parents' closet, behind her mother’s long dresses. She clamped her hands over her mouth and listened to the monster lumbering about, searching for her.

“Where is she?” he growled. “Where could she be?  She wasn’t downstairs, and she isn’t in her room. Could she be…under the bed? Grrr, no, not there.”

She heard the monster pull the closet door open. Heard the hangers rattle as he searched through the clothes.

“Where is she? Where is that tasty morsel?” he said as he looked about the space, coming dangerously close.

Sarah pressed herself tighter against the wall as his groping hands came closer and closer.

“Dinner!” Her Mother’s muffled voice drifted up the stairs, just as large hands reached in grabbing her, making the little girl shriek as she was pulled forward and lifted from the floor.

“You hear that, Jellybean? Mom says dinner’s ready. Tickle monster is going to have to get you later.”

“Okay, Daddy. But you won’t catch me.” Sarah laughed as her father carried her down the stairs.

Judy Snyder