Storytime Sunday VIII

    The closer we get to Christmas, the busier life becomes. Yesterday (Saturday) I attended my partner's company hosted Christmas party. I was a little nervous since we didn't attend last year's party. I had been terribly sick and it just wasn't possible. So this year was our first time. I never expected anything like that. It was phenomenal! They really did their best to make sure their employees knew they were appreciated. A great venue and what was even more shocking were the presentations. The hosts were truly inventive and humourous. While handing out door prizes they decided to gather people on stage for a "contest". They all had to dance Gangnam Style to the music. It was hilarious! I never expected such a young and fresh approach from a 25 year old company. The door prizes themselves were expensive and generous. I was quite surprised. Not to mention the mouth watering food they provided but there's one detail that's more important than all the others. The true mark of an excellent company, an open bar. That''s right, free drinks. We really did have a great time.

    Now for the more important update, Storytime Sunday. The more I write, the more I realize I don't have a plan for ending it. So it could go on for a very long time. Even if this particular storyline finishes, I will always have ideas for more.

    This time I will include the most immediate segment of the previous post as a reminder of where we left off. If you're looking for a full update, you can read Part VII. If you're adventurous and courageous of heart then I suggest we continue. . .

    The whole house shudders violently. The girls grab onto each other and look around. Clarissa whispers, "I'm scared". Arianna feels her heart wrench and palpitate nervously. Then they both hear it, a low growling sound. Then something far worse, a scratching sound. Like claws tearing apart the door. Ricky screams, frightened. He grabs onto Arianna desperately, giving up his search. Arianna falls to the floor, resuming his search. "Where is it?" she whispers to herself. Clarissa falls to the floor instantly, scanning the floor with her.

    The scratching gets louder, more violent. Like the door is splintering, about to come apart. The whole house shudders again and the girls crawl around, searching with renewed horror.

    Arianna's eyes shoot to the door, a horrible sinking feeling taking hold. They weren't going to get out alive. She jumps to her feet and runs to the door, desperate to keep the creature away. Clarissa doesn't lift her eyes for a second.

    With her heart beating in her ear Arianna carefully peeks through the tiny window next to the door.

    She freezes.

    An indescribable horror. A beast unlike any other. Unnatural.

    Arianna falls back from the window, horror stricken. Frozen in place, unable to move, unable to breathe. Everything seems to fade into darkness.

    Then she sees Ricky. His little face contorted in confusion and fright. The sight of him made her eyes well up with tears. She couldn't let this happen. With a renewed sense of spirit and strength, Arianna ran to the closest piece of furniture. She grabbed it and pushed it towards the door, blocking it. For a brief moment she stood in triumph. The house shook violently as the beast charged at the door angrily, knocking her attempt at safety out of the way. The door cracked. Arianna's eyes widened, coming vis-à-vis with futility.

    She fell back to her siblings, rushing to Ricky's side and holding him closely. Clarissa still didn't lift her eyes. She scrutinized every inch of floor, searching carefully. She would find it, she was determined.

    There.

    Her hand snapped it up in a heartbeat and she held it tightly before screaming, "I found it!". Arianna turned to her, astonished and beaming with pride.

    The door snapped in a horrible cracking, back breaking sound. They all turned. Eyes like mercury, shining cruelly. Long, sharp fur in points. A long, grotesque snout with horrible jagged teeth. Ricky clenched his eyes tight, horrified. Arianna held him closely as she reached for Clarissa desperately. The creature knocked it's head around, making the hole wider while snapping it's jaws. It hissed and rumbled. They could feel it's hot, rancid breath around them. Arianna grabbed Clarissa and brought her close. Clarissa studied the sphere with both hands, feeling it all over.

    The whole house creaked and moaned loudly as if about to collapse. The three children held each other, clinging for dear life. The unearthly creature charged, entering the little house and splintering the frame. All six claws moving rapidly as the gruesome talons clicked and split the floor.

    The children screamed, crying for mercy.

    The rumbling stopped. The shaking ceased. Sound disappeared. Arianna and Clarissa opened their eyes. The creature was gone. The door remained. The piece of furniture Arianna moved was returned. Everything was normal. It was quiet.

    Clarissa pulled away from her siblings, standing somewhat confidently. She held the little object in one hand. Did she do it? Did she save them?

    Arianna squeezed Ricky and whispered softly, "Ricky" she said. "Ricky you can open your eyes," she cooed, much like a mother. Ricky shook his head, still scared. He had never seen anything like that before. He didn't want to again. Clarissa looked down at her little brother, smiling cheerfully, "Come on Ricky, open your eyes".

    Slowly, cautiously, he opened his eyes. He looked around, expecting the creature to leap out at him. Then he slowly started to realize it was safe. Everything was normal again. Ricky smiled brightly and pretended to wipe his brow, "Whew! Close one!"

    The girls laughed easily. That was so like Ricky. He could shirk negativity so easily. Arianna smiled warmly and helped Ricky stand up. He beamed at her and chuckled softly, "Close one, huh Aree-anna?" he spoke sweetly, innocently. Arianna nodded, "Yeah it was, Ricky but we're all okay". Ricky turned to Clarissa and repeated himself, "Close one, huh Ca-rissa?" he gave a crooked smile. Clarissa laughed and hugged him tightly.

    The three children stood together, grateful for their lives. They all survived something bizarre and unknown. It strengthened their bonds, renewing their love for one another.

    Just then they heard a knock at the little, remade door. They all turned, their hearts fluttering briefly. Who could that be? Where were they now?

    Clarissa eagerly strode to the door and swung it open carelessly. There stood their mother. Her smile was warm and comforting. Her very aura was nurturing. She was bent over awkwardly, trying to see inside the little house. "Where have you been?" she asked, a twinkle in her eye.

    They stared back at her, unsure how to answer. She always seemed to know everything. Did she know where they went? Ricky jumped forward and walked outside the house, into his mother's loving embrace. She held him tightly, lifting him. "Oomph! You're heavy!" she exclaimed. Ricky began chattering on, trying to explain everything that happened. Their mother nodded, attentive and eager to hear more. In Ricky's sweet ramblings, it sounded like they played an innocent game.

    Clarissa and Arianna glanced at each other, telepathically communicating. They gave each other knowing smiles before leaving the house to join their mother and Ricky. It was their secret adventure.

(On to Part IX. . .)