Barb v the Monster

Barbara’s palms began to burn. The bottoms of her feet lit up, and suddenly, every inch of her was on fire. She twisted and turned, restless. Blistering rays seemed to emanate out of her, piercing through the shadows of night. She awoke drenched, sweat clinging to her like a second layer of skin. She prayed for reprieve from this biological curse and ripped the sheet off, and sprawled out on the bed.

Her eyes fluttered shut and she inhaled deeply when she heard a sharp screech. There was nothing in her room, but—there! She heard it again! She was more alert now, sitting up in bed. The sound had come from her window. There were no trees, not even a bush, that could be scraping at the glass. But still she heard it. That groaning scratch.

Her heart trembled. She looked at her window and saw it. Long claws at her windowpane. She rushed over and slammed a hand against the glass. Then she saw the culprit outside her house. An animal. Maybe a coyote.

“Hey!” she shouted, her voice bouncing off the sheet of glass. “Get out of here! Shoo!” The creature growled, and it turned, showing its face.

A grizzly, wild wolf stared up at her, its snarl sending Barbara an intense threat. She gasped. Its eyes glowed vibrant green, almost neon. It looked angry, rabid, a beast hellbent on revenge. It leapt, and its serrated claws tore at the windowpane. Barbara screamed and jumped back. She questioned if she should call the cops. Maybe animal control. But after one final, guttural bark, the creature backed away. It walked off, disappearing into the night.

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Barbara awoke in a gasp. Her heart was beating fast, and she instantly reached for her chest, cold fingers on bare skin. Bare? She bent her chin to her chest, then stretched out her arms. She was completely naked. She twisted her head around and saw her pajamas on the ground but had no recollection of how they got there. The hot flashes, she figured. It must’ve happened in her sleep.

Read Barbara Vs the Monster here.