Scary Things

Braving what you fear.

SCARY THINGS

 

                                  By Susanna Mitchell

 

The tall weeds wave gently in the breeze.  They appear so innocent, their rustling about in the wind.  But I know better.  There are things in there. Things that shouldn't be, scary things.  As I watch them swaying back and forth, they are almost hypnotic, whispering for me to come closer and closer.  Yeah right, like I'm that stupid.   Shuddering in revulsion, I turn and continue on my way home. 

 

To break up the monotony, I decided to pick up my pace a little.  At this rate, I'll be home sooner and able to eat.  Yummy, I hope it is something good.  Mom always gives me delicious food.  Yep, I can't wait.  Food, food, food chants in my brain on every step.  My stomach is answering me with growls.  I think it's agreeing with me.  FOOD!  

 

Skipping along, happy in my thoughts of the scrumptious meal I will be devouring, I almost miss seeing the gang waiting ahead.   Those worthless trouble makers.  I quickly dart behind a nearby bush and peek out.  Good, they didn't see me.  

 

Crap, crap, crap!!  Now what?  Should I stay hidden here and wait for them to leave or go back the way I came?  If I go back, that will mean... The weeds.  The only other way home is through those tall, whispering weeds.  Stay, go, stay, go, stay, go...  What am I going to do? 

 

I wait, watching them.  Every time someone exits the old General Store, they pester them. This one boy was brave enough to stick out his tongue before racing off. I know this is not a good thing for me to wish for, but I am getting tired.  I hoped they would chase after him. 

 

Bad, Skyla.  That is not very nice of me, I know.   Well, they didn't go in hot pursuit, so all is well, for him.  But not for me...

 

Will those dunderheads ever leave?  Apparently, not.  They are now settling in to play a card game on the sidewalk.  My stomach growls in answer.  I know, I know.  I look behind me and then in front.  If I wait for them to vacate the area, I'll still be here at midnight. I want to go home.

 

 I have no other choice, I'll have to brave the Weeds, whether I want to or not. Gathering my courage, I carefully go from bush to bush until I am out of their line of sight, around the bend.  I walk on the side of the road at a slower pace because I am in no great hurry to reach that hideous place.  But unfortunately, the things you want to take longer, usually come quicker. 

 

I look over across the Weeds.  I know they are waiting for me in there, somewhere.  I wish I had stayed in the yard like my mom told me to.  But I got bored and wanted to explore...

 

Inhaling deeply to steady my nerves, I almost choke on the fumes suffocating me.  Yuk!!     What a powerful stench.  Trying to ignore my sick stomach, I leap over the ditch and stand at the edge of the Weed field. Maybe if I run I'll get through them quicker? 

 

These weeds are taller than me so my sight is limited.  What else can go wrong?   Throwing my shoulders back, I push through the long blades blocking my path and begin to run. 

 

This is easier than I thought.  Running this is easier▬  "Ahhh!!"  get off me spider.  Get off, get off, get off. I see the creepy long legs scamper off and I rub the sticky webbing off me face.  Calm down.  Ok, ok.  Everything is Okay.

Taking a deep breath I start running again.

 

The weeds seem to be getting thicker, more dense.  I can feel them grabbing at me, trying to hold me back.  My beautiful long hair is getting all snarled up. Mom is not going to be happy.  She spent hours brushing it.  Oh No, I just lost my pretty little hair bow back there.  Mom is going to be so upset.

 

OUCH!!  A thorn patch?  I think I just lost a chunk of my glorious hair.  Ouch, my foot.  Limping and whimpering, I push on...

 

If I don't get home soon, Mom is going to send out a search party.  Poor Mom, I know she is probably worried.  Why did I leave the yard?  I wouldn't be in this mess if I had just stayed put.

 

I begin to push through a thick patch of weeds and I am half-way through them when I notice what they are... Hitchhikers?   I look down at myself.  NOOOO!!   I AM COVERED IN HITCHHIKERS!!     Crying, I just want to go home. 

 

I am so upset I am no long paying attention to my surroundings.  Big mistake.  A rustle to my left draws my attention and all I see is a butt and tail before I am being doused in revolting perfume. 

 

Gagging and crying, I stumble out of the weeds and into our backyard.  I suddenly hear my name.

 

"SKYLA.  WHERE ARE YOU?" 

 

MOM!!   Crying, I race to her and she quickly picks me up but holds me out and away from her.

 

"Skyla, your home.  Where have you been?  I told you to stay in the yard like a good girl."   I can see she is crying. 

 

"Look at you.  You're a mess.  What is that horrid stench?  My poor baby."  

 

"Dana, it looks like you have your hands full, so I will be leaving," said the laughing neighbor.   "Poor little Skyla.  She doesn't look much like a Yorkie at the moment."

 

 

Author's Note

This is a short story I just wrote. I know I probably have grammar mistakes, something I am working on. You could say this is my rough draft.

Reviews

[Jacob Clifford]

I must say: the form of narration was absolutely original. At least from anything I've ever seen. It was first person present tense - nothing abnormal there. But the structure of was intriguingly fresh. It was very much what was going on inside the character's head. Not just with relaying a story, but with the working of thoughts.

This is a very interesting little read. It has a lot of room for improvement; not in that it's bad, but in that it has so much room to expand on what you already have. To further express ideas and elaborate on events. I know you said it's your rough draft. This is a good foundation to work with. I hope you keep working on it. See ya around!

[Susanna]

Thanks, Clifford. This is the first story I have written in years. I began in a third person past tense, but Skyla was unhappy about that and took control. I will continue to expand it and work on grammar. The bane of my life.

[Susanna]

Thanks, Samuel. Opps, I know better about that too. Thanks for that catch.

[Samuel Dickens]

Ha ha, this is terrific! Quite entertaining, and I didn't expect the surprise at the end. Well-written, with great humor. One little error here.. "Skyla, your home..." Should be "you're".