Monster Hunter

I hear the floor creak as I roll over on my mattress. The sun hitting my eyes is my alarm clock. I don’t exactly know what for though, but the birds chirping is always nice.

Creeaakk…

This creak is different. Someone is here. Lifting the pillow, I grab my shiny blue pocket knife. Slowly, I crawl along the rotting wood floor, placing my hands and feet carefully around the chalk X’s so I can silently make my way to an old cabinet that blocks me from the view of the doorway.

Grhuaa…Haa…Khh..

Focusing on its groans and footsteps, I’m able to determine where it is. Growing closer, it is already upstairs. I wait, listening to it investigate the rooms. It’s annoying how loud this one is. I can hear bangs and some glass shatter. I don’t want it to destroy my things, but patience is key right now. The banging quiets down, and I can hear it leaving the room next to mine. I peek around the side of the dresser, tightly gripping the knife. In the doorway, I examine a large, slimey, purple and green glob. Its eyes look like something grabbed the bottom eyelid and pulled with extreme force. Honestly, it’s really gross. I stay still and hold my breath as it makes its way into the room. I watch from my half-assed hiding space as it slowly drags along the floor towards my mattress.

I charge forward, launching myself with a small jump after every step. I ignore the marks on the floor, and my loud footsteps are enough of a warning. Before it can even turn around, I plunge my knife deep into its back. Its loud shrieks are annoying and infuriating. I take my knife out and stab again. Then again. Then again. Until it stops moving. My breathing is heavy, but I am satisfied with my win.

“Great…now I have to clean up,” I say, looking around at my blood-covered floor and splattered walls.

But before that, I have to get rid of the monster's body. There’s been times where they have gotten back up. I drag the monster's body, surprised once again at how light it is given it is almost two times my height of 4’11. The blood drags across the forever dirty floors and down the semi-broken stairs. The fireplace is always the most ideal method, even though it’s a lengthy process with how much I have to adjust the body throughout the day and night. But ridding the world of monsters…I’ll gladly do anything to achieve that.

“That should do it…” I say, dipping my mop into the now bright red water.

Looking out the window, it already seems like half the day has passed. I look down at the sidewalk through the trees hiding this collapsing home. My heart drops as I see a shadow weave through the trees to the sidewalk. I watch it as it crosses the street, swiftly kicks the lock of a door to a house, and sneaks inside. I need to do something, I want to do something, but I can’t bring myself to lower my hand hovering over my knife. So, I turn away and block out reality.

I walk down the stairs that get louder by the day and use the fire poker to adjust the body. The scent is always strange. It’s gross and makes me feel sick, but in a way, it calms me. I carefully prop it up, making sure it can burn for at least an hour without interference. My growling stomach makes it clear that I need to go out for a while. So, my routine of getting ready starts. Other than my white dress with a yellow rose at the center and dark blue leggings, I don’t have any other clothes, so getting dressed isn’t a big deal. All I really have to do is brush my hair, use my red clips to get it out of my eyes and get my knife. Along with that, I bring a plastic bag to carry my things. I open the door slowly, peeking out to make sure no one can see me. Then I look to the house across from me. Part of me wants to avoid going outside at all today. Part of me wants to hide under my covers. Part of me just wants to run and never look back. Hide from what? Look back at what? I don’t remember. I don’t want to remember. So I close my eyes and just go. Down the sidewalk, passing trees and houses. Across the street, walking behind two girls, around my age, skipping school. School…I wonder what it’s like at this age. But it seems like it’s dangerous, since these masked and cloaked figures are always watching the kids. I’ve been able to take out a few of them, but more always pop up around the school. I don’t know why the kids aren’t scared of them. Maybe they’re under some sort of spell.

Coincidentally, a masked figure steps out of the ally in front of me and reaches for one of the girls. Before it can grab her, I lunge forward at the masked monster. Catching it off guard, I hurl myself into it and we both fall to the ground with a thud against the concrete. I know the girls are now looking at me, but I can’t pay attention to them. Any hesitation or distraction and it might overpower me. So, I quickly plunge my knife into its head. The quick screech it lets out is ear-piercing. The screams of the girls get mixed into it, creating a harmony of horror.

“It’s alright now, the monster is dead. It won’t hurt you.” I say calmly to them, standing back up with blood dripping from my hands.

One of the three girls give me a nod looking like she's on the brink of bursting into tears. Before I can ask if they are okay, they are already sprinting down the street.

I look down at the monster and examine its cloak. Like usual, there’s nothing hidden within it other than a strange abyss. Taking off the mask doesn’t reveal anything, either. But somehow, there's still blood. I always find that interesting. Maybe I should start doing more research on their bodies instead of just immediately burning them. For now, I’ll just leave the corpse. The cloaked masks never get back up.

The sun is near setting as I walk back home with my bag filled with apples and bread. I was able to get a bag of baby carrots too. Looking into the bag, I feel satisfied with my busy day. The only annoyance was having to go back to my house to clean up and change. Passing by the spot where I killed the cloaked mask, I make my way through multiple policemen and yellow tape. Obviously, the corpse of a monster makes a ruckus, I’m just glad I don’t have to clean it. I make my way closer and closer to my house, but a click interrupts my plans for the night.

Ksssshhhhhhhhh

Radio static…

I freeze. A sickening memory takes me back. I know this static. I know what's behind me. I can’t look. I need to run. I drop my bag, and my feet move before I can even think. But despite how fast I go, the radio static is getting closer and closer.

Kssssshhhh

Run.

Kssssshhhhhh

Run!

Ksssshhhh

RUN!

Blind by fear, I open the heavy door to a warehouse I’ve somehow ended up at. I have no idea how far my legs have taken me. I don’t know if I’m still being followed. I just have to barricade myself. I slam the door, but not fast enough. The arm of a shadow gets crushed in between the door. I want to cry at the sight of it. I want to scream. Scream to who? There’s no one to scream to. Where even am I? Why did I run to a place like this? I just trapped myself! How stupid am I?!

The radio static pierces the air, echoing through the empty room. I hold the door shut, trying to think of what to do. But I’m not strong enough. It pushes the door open and sends me crashing into the concrete floor. I yell, feeling my elbow getting scraped as I skid just an inch across the floor. I quickly look up, seeing a familiar shadow standing above me, holding a gun.

Kkkssssshhhhh

I close my eyes, tears falling like rain…

Investigating that radio static during that night. Was it a good idea? Would it have changed anything if curiosity didn’t win? It doesn’t matter. It doesn’t change the fact that it was above them, slamming its hand down, again and again, painting the walls with a color that I am too used to. Bits of a broken machine scattered across the dark carpet. Was it stained? Or was it dark due to the night? I couldn’t tell. All I knew was that it was looking right at me.

Just as it is now.

But the sound of sirens and cars coming to a stop gave me hope. I’m saved, and this monster won’t get away this time.

“Both of you! Get down! Drop your weapons!”

I ignored the policeman’s demands as he came closer and closer to the monster. Approaching like he is is dangerous. The monster will definitely go for him!

“No! Stay back!” I scream. I grab my knife, and I lunge forward to take down the monster while it is distracted.

BANG

Huh?

What was that? Why does my stomach hurt? Why am I frozen in place? I have to move. The monster could get away..! But…things are getting dizzy. It stings now. My legs feel weak. Did the monster get me? What hurt me? The images behind the monster. The police. Why are they changing? Why are the people turning into shadows? Why are the humans turning into monsters? Is this a trick? A disguise? The ground feels cold. When did I fall? The pain is bad. It scares me. Everything is scaring me. I’m so confused. I’m so scared. This shadow took away my family, I can’t let it take me. I can’t.

“How’s the girl?” A doctor said, holding a clipboard prepared to take notes.

“She’s awake, but she’s frantic. Keeps repeating something about having to stop a shadow monster.” A nurse with brown hair tied up in a bun said. Her expression was filled with concern for the girl as she kept her eyes to the ground.

“Don’t pay much mind to it. That child is insane. When police investigated the house witnesses claimed to see her stay in, they found remains in the fireplace.”

“She was burning bodies?”

“Appears so. We’re going to have her mentally examined, though I think it’s already obvious that she has some screws loose.”

“Don’t talk like that. She’s just a child.”

“Her being a child doesn’t change the fact that she’s a serial killer.”

Author's Note: I haven't had the time to write due to school, but this prompt reminded me of a story I wrote back in high school. It isn't as good as my current writing, so I would really appreciate feedback and criticism!