Whatever this thing is, it certainly isn’t human. I thought to myself while frantically dialing the police. My fingers are shaking, struggling to press the small buttons on my cell phone’s smooth screen.

After what seemed like an eternity, it rang. My heart dropped.

Static. Just static.

It’s footsteps drawing closer. One by one. Step by step. Slowing but surely making its way to my little spot under the desk. It can smell me, hear me, taste me.

It’s at the stairs. Long yet sturdy limbs drag behind its mutated body. But its head. Dear lord I don’t even want to look. It’s bugged eyes bulge out of its deranged cranium. It’s maw is the size of a human arm. Almost like a crocodile besides the lack of teeth on its gums. The crack of bones and the mush of flesh follow its every move almost as a warning.

I should have never opened that closet. Hope said she couldn’t sleep, that there was a scary monster behind that flower-covered door. I should have taken her to my room, I should have never opened that door, I should have never stood there while that beast swallowed my only family whole. I should have done something.

Instead I ran, like the coward I am. I ran and now I have no chance of making it out of here.

I look at the shiny silver watch on my wrist. 4am. Would it go away after the sun rises? How can I rely on that to be true? Would I even be able to make it that long? Well there was only one way to find out.

I jumped from the bottom of the desk, bolting to the kitchen to find any sort of weapon that could hurt the creature. A cleaver, perfect. I can’t charge at that thing, no, I would die instantly. No I need a pl-

Tears ran down my face as I realized what was behind me.

It’s breath on the back on my neck, it’s jaws already slowly closed in around my head.

Don’t move I told myself, although knowing my fate was already sealed.

Don’t blink

Don’t breathe

Suddenly, the chill down my spine vanished. The shortness of my breath was gone. I felt… happy. I survived.

But wasn’t it just 4am? Was I standing there for 2 hours? No, that can’t be right. I look at my watch, 4:17 am. Did the thing run away? Why wasn’t it here anymore?

The toothless jaws clamped around my skull.

It gave me a false sense of hope, made me think I had a chance of living just for amusement.

As the slobber of euphoria cloaked my brain, I came to terms with my fate.

If there is a next life, whatever it may bring. I will know..

Never open the closet.