Page 71 - Fallen Thoughts

I can see more of what’s behind it. The figure behind the light reminds me of an

old child’s movie, though this is much more real, and insanely more nightmare

invoking. A pair of eyes, too large and glassy to be human, gaze back at me. The

irises are radioactive green but hold too much knowledge to be animal. Smaller

lights frame its eyes and I can vaguely see its form. The thing stoops over me,

maybe eight feet in height with patches of rough, dark scales along its frame. Its

teeth are jagged and sticking out of its bloody mouth. The stench of fish is

overwhelming.

I’d always laughed at pictures of Angler fish in school, but seeing it crossed

with a human, standing in front of me… there is absolutely nothing comedic about

it.

My breathing stops and Scruffy growls at the- whatever that thing is.

“What’s wrong, dear girl?” Its voice itches in my mind, I wince at the

unnatural sound, and I wonder if it’s actually speaking out loud, or just in my head,

“Don’t be sad, let me help you.”

My heart is in my throat, my arms and legs are lead.

I need to run, I’ll die if I stay here. Its grotesque hand reaches out for me, but

I can’t move away.

The cry stuck in my throat suddenly escapes as my shadow dog launches

himself at the monster. I turn and run with the sound of its own scream echoing

through the park. Its scream is loud enough to cause people to turn lights on in the

houses neighboring the park.

Scruffy can only do so much to hold off- whatever it is.
As I run, I look over my shoulder, never slowing down, to watch as Scruffy

is thrown across the park and the monster roars.