That Night

• Bestin Jayees, Grade 7
• Short Story
• 2016

I opened my eyes. Glancing around, I could clearly understand, life was not pleasant, all I saw was a gloomy property. In all quarters, nothing but withered trees, every little detail was like a horror film. My clothes, pieces of wool put together by a few strands of string. If you were there, you’ll think that I was hunted down by a pack of wolves. Covering my face were ten scars, one that ran from my forehead to the bottom of my right cheek. I wanted to get out, wait, I needed to get out!!

There in between the two oak trees was a small light, it seemed far away, but I had no choice. It was my only hope - I needed to follow it like a compass. I went further than expected, but nothing had changed, just new trees which were half out of life. Luckily my hope still held on, the light started becoming bigger as I was closer; things started to take shape and it turns out that the little flicker in the air was coming from an abandoned house. Well, that's what I thought.

I enter hoping that no bear was at home, even though I didn’t expect much I have to say. The interior design was horrid, nothing more than junkyard appliances, normally a room has four walls, well this hideous place only had three. The fourth was only a bunch of plastic bags tied together by rope. Talk about recycling. The light turned out to come from a small fire in the fireplace. Since there was no other way, I had made myself at home.

Suddenly I pick up voices, echoing in the woods, I turn back as I see a black shadow approaching me. Fear entered into my soul, and I started running. Out the back door and into the woods, wishing that this unknown creature was not on my trial. I looked behind me. Trust my good luck, it was right in pursuit. As my feet rushed through the spooky woodland, everything was against me - the wind, the branches, even the leaves. My legs started to ache, thorns were everywhere, from my knee cap straight to my ankle without missing a spot. Even at my top acceleration, the creature was right on track copying every single move. I wanted to give up but this was a fight for my life and I wanted to be proud. I look ahead but nothing was pleasing, lying in front of me was about a five-metre jump, my gut instinct told me to stop but it was too late.

I had made it, but my leg crushed against the rock and I landed straight on the hard surface. I tried to get up, but pain was my enemy. I watched with a heavy heart the mystical creature heading closer to me. I screamed but when I opened my eyes it was a completely different environment, I was in my bedroom. It was only a dream.