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ATTACK OF THE NIGHT MONSTER
by Ellie Braun-Haley
The dark scares me. I don't know why but I think it's
because I have a good imagination. Walking alone on a
country road in the dark really scares me. I mean we
have coyotes out our way, some moose, deer,
porcupines, and other critters. Some I would just as
soon not bump into on a moonless night.
On this one particular evening when there was still
light left in the sky I headed out across the distance
between house and barn to retrieve something from the
barn. I paused to admire the breathtaking beauty of
the landscape as the pinks and purples, grays and
blues of a sunset lit up the western sky.
I must have lost track of time, (getting sidetracked
is one of my pastimes) because when I stepped outside
it was black. I waited a moment for my eyes to adjust
to the change but I soon realized there was no moon
and we had no yard light for this end of our property.
Whoa, this was going to be a hair raising run for
safety!
I stumbled along on the uneven ground, trying to hurry
yet unable to really go as fast as my fears indicated!
I was still orienting myself and mentally recalling
where the obstacles were. There were no night sounds.
It was weird, black and scary. All I could think of
was, "oh please, just let me get back to the safety of
the house."
It all happened so fast and I didn't hear a thing.
Something touched my hand. It was wet, like a drooling
slimy monster! I reacted by jerking away and jumping
higher than the clothesline (well almost) while an
involuntary piercing scream escaped me. I ran faster
toward the house knowing I was being pursued by
monsters or at least one of those man eating coyotes.
As I neared the house I saw a figure running away to
the north of me, his silhouette framed in the light
cast by the neighbor??™s yard lights. It was the
neighbor's dog, the friendliest dog to ever set foot
on this earth. He was always trying to nuzzle my hand
and I knew immediately the wet drool I had felt had
been his nose.
That night he was likely the most frightened dog in
the neighborhood!
(c) ELLIE Braun-Haley 2001
shaley@telusplanet.net
Ellie writes stories for a number of publications. She
is also the author of four books.
Ellie Braun-Haley shaley@telusplanet.net
R.R.# 1, BOWDEN , ALBERTA, CANADA T0M 0K0 |
