The Monster In My House

• Noah Van Dugteren, Grade 5
• Short Story
• 2022

THE MONSTER IN MY HOUSE

I was breathing hard. Running for my life. Behind me, it growled. A horrifying, bone shuddering, growl. As it clawed at me, I looked for an escape route. I stumbled into the garden. It was not a pretty sight. Scattered across the whole expanse of the yard were, BONES. Parched, old, crumbling, chewed, half-buried, bones. “My bedroom!” I thought. “If I could get from the garden and to my bedroom, I would be safe.” I started running for the front door. I was just about there, when a sudden jerk tripped me over! I looked down. I had tripped over my shoelaces! I scrambled to my hands and knees and looked behind me. Though I was only a few seconds, it had gained on me greatly. I started to scramble for the handle. I rocketed into the house and slammed the door. I sighed in relief, “SAFE.”. My relief didn’t last for long though. I knew that there would be more peril to come. I started walking to my room. I opened my door, and sighed again, but this time not in relief. Suddenly, I had an idea. “Maybe if I scare it enough, maybe, just maybe, I could get to my sister’s room and deploy a defense plan with her help,” I thought. I armored myself with nerf guns, pillows, and an old stick. Finally, I was ready. I slammed open my door and charged out of my room. Almost instantly, it was upon me. As I ran, it bumped into me, tripping me up. It launched itself onto me… AND STARTED LICKING MY FACE!! “Violet! Get off me!” I laughed. “You little monster!” Violet barked, rolling over onto her back. “Oh! You want a tummy-rub, do you?!” I laughed as I stroked her soft fur.