A Beast in the Night
By: Brice Hartwich
A single beam of light insinuated itself into the pitch-black room, cutting through the darkness like a blade. Joey began to cry, and Mallory quickly threw her hand over his mouth. Joey tried to fight back but to no avail. Mallory quickly scurried over to the corner and hunkered down, never taking her eyes off the door.
The beast lumbered in, growling and slobbering all over the floor. The mud caked in its fur glistened off the light coming from the door. The beast stood up on its hind legs and sniffed the air, baring its massive fangs, and snarled. It barked, trying to scare its prey, and continued to the opposite side of the room where the children were.
Joey began to whimper as Mallory shushed him. She watched as the beast stared out the window, and used this as her chance for escape. Still holding her grip on Joey's mouth, both of them moved towards the door, very carefully, and trying to be as silent as possible. The beast continued to look out the window, and Mallory reached the door. Walking out the doorway, she locked the door from the inside, and slowly shut the door.
Mallory let out a sigh of relief and took her hand off of Joey's mouth. Joey was wide-eyed, staring at the wall.
"Come on, Joey. Get up, we have to go now," Mallory whispered harshly. Joey nodded his head and followed Mallory down the hallway when the beast began to bark again. Mallory turned around and saw the door rumbling, knowing that the beast was about to break through any second.
"Joey go now! Get to the car in the garage! The red one!" Joey understood immediately and ran down the stairs, crying, but heeding his sister's wish.
The beast ripped the door off its frame and made direct eye contact with Mallory, and howled. Mallory screamed back, and stood her ground, watching the door to her left. The beast charged, and Mallory dove into the room, sending the monster crashing into their parent's bedroom. At that moment, Mallory bolted down the stairs and into the garage.
Joey was already sitting in the car, nervously staring out the window, and lit up as soon as he saw Mallory throw open the door. Mallory ran around to the driver's side, key in hand, and started up the car. Breaking through the garage door, she peeled out of her driveway and onto the road. She began to laugh as she sped down the street. She looked over to Joey, who was still staring out the window. She rubbed his hair and continued driving into the night, not knowing where to go.
