It Waits
by Nomar Knight
Something lurks in the shadows while you sleep. Sometimes you feel its presence but do your best to ignore it. Then there are times when despair gets the best of you as you lie in bed, paralyzed with fear. You can almost see its red eyes beaming through the darkness, waiting, breathing, salivating in anticipation when it reveals itself. Without realizing, you allow your imagination to run wild. A silhouette forms right before your wide eyes. A faint illumination glimmers off what can only be described as sharp talons. Reason tries to force its way back in by producing an obvious question. Where is the light coming from? Then as if in quick reply to your thoughts, a car outside continues its journey, casting away a brief flash, leaving you once again at the mercy of the shadow.
You rest a full minute before another thought comes to mind, you must turn on the light. Somewhere in the darkest recesses of your soul lies the knowledge of the existence of evil in its purest form. Still unable to move, you whimper softly wondering not if, but when will the shadow attack.
A thump rattles your insides as you pray for silence. The betrayal of your pounding heart masks otherworldly noises. If only you could move again. Another louder thump adds to the agony created by a merciless tormentor. You find yourself believing in God. Then, as if the message comes from an entity outside yourself, the word--demon-- pops into your mind. Suddenly, your eyes follow a scraping noise below for you realize there’s something under your bed.
At last, your lips unseal and you scream; only nothing comes out. You wonder if this is what death is like. Just when you’ve lost all hope, you feel the blanket slipping off your legs. Your lips begin to form a smile, convinced you're moving again until you understand the blanket was pulled off you. Again you call to God, this time calling on his guardian angels for protection. All thoughts of time standing still increase your heartbeat until a coat of perspiration covers your body. A liquid runs out of your eyes into your ears. Tears? There’s no time for tears. Your vision clouds and your lips tremble as you feel something pressing down on the mattress next to you on the bed. You strain to listen to the beast breathing but instead, a rushing stream of internal blood wreaks havoc with your senses. A low murmur escapes your lips. “Stop.” Your fingers begin to spasm, making you wonder if the evil entity is losing its grip on you. Then when you recall having installed the lighting system to respond to voice commands, your confidence returns.
But as you start forming the words needed to shine light on your predicament, you pause; a morbid realization reiterating the horror that waits. You inhale gobs of cold air in attempt to work up the courage to face the demon, when all of a sudden, a chilling breath strikes against the side of your face.
“H, Help me!” Your words stutter against the frosty night, yet in spite of your pleas, an icy breeze brushes against your cheek as a white mist coils by your nose.
“Lights on!” At last your command brings forth instant illumination. Your muscles loosen and you manage to sit up, afraid to look beside you.
When you finally turn your eyes on the very spot where trepidation ruled, you sigh with relief, for your nemesis is no longer present.
You start to rise, wondering what just happened. Was it a dream? Was it temporary paralysis? As you slide your cold feet into a pair of slippers, two grimy, green talons hook your ankles, pulling you under the bed. Your right cheekbone bounces off the hardwood floor. You scream as you realize your worst nightmare has come true. Your body shivers with your vain attempts at kicking evil in its face. Using your sheer will to survive, your eyes connect with the monster. Oh those dark crimson eyes. Your muffled cries fade as you become aware that your world is slowly merging with a darker, bloodier realm.
-701 words
© Copyright Nomar Knight 2015. All rights reserved.
Republished. A Knight Chills Flash Fiction Presentation.
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