One Wild Ride

• Adam Kinnear, Grade 7, Windy Ridge School
• Short Story
• 2001

Finalist in the '2001/2002 Schools Short Story Competition - Magic and Mystery Theme' competition

It was a cold, dark, humid night. I was on my four wheeler, going through the swamp and the mosquitoes were taking large chunks out of my face and arms. Suddenly, I saw a giant black creature run in between two trees. It was as fast as a racehorse. Throwing caution to the wind I followed it to its hut.
The hut was huge. It had a smell like rotten eggs or rotting flesh. Inside there were about thirty monsters. I had never heard their language before and could not understand any of it. One monster looked like the chief as he had a big branch painted bright red. I felt like going in to try and communicate with them.
All of a sudden my feet are moving and I find myself making my way down to them. The branches from the trees are scraping my face and body but I can’t seem to stop myself. My heart is telling me not to go, but my head is making me move closer to them. I get down to where they are standing and suddenly felt a jolt like a bee sting. I had been shot. I felt myself slipping away, away, away.
When I finally woke up, all I could see where the ugly monster heads looking at me, and prodding me with their paws.
“Ahhhh,” I screamed.
At my shout, they jumped back in surprise. I stood up and looked around. I seemed to be in one of their huts. I tried to find where the door was and tried to make a run for it. About five feet from the door, I was suddenly jerked back. I realized I was tied to a huge cast iron block. Again, I looked around, this time to see where my four wheeler was. Looking through a crack in the wall, I saw it sitting by itself. I decided just to be quiet and wait until they left.
Leaving me alone at last, I had time to think about escaping. Out of the corner of my eye I saw an axe lying in the corner of the hut. I managed to get it and started to chisel away at the chain. After an hour or so the chain broke and I made a run for it. I got outside and started up my four wheeler.
After the engine fired u, I went as fast as I could. I could hear something behind me but was not brave enough to look back. I kept going as fast as I could. Thankfully, my house cam into view and I stopped the four wheeler. I ran inside, locked the door, and sat down. Jerking suddenly, I awoke, and realized that it was all a scary dream. I had no mosquito bites or branch scrapes on my body, and I was safe and sound in my own bed.