Attack of the Night Monster
The dark scares me. I don't know why but I think it's because I have a good imagination. Walking alone on a country road in the dark really scares me. I mean we have coyotes out our way, some moose, deer, porcupines, and other critters. Some I would just as soon not bump into on a moonless night.
On this one particular evening when there was still light left in the sky I headed out across the distance between house and barn to retrieve something from the barn. I paused to admire the breathtaking beauty of the landscape as the pinks and purples, grays and blues of a sunset lit up the western sky.
I must have lost track of time, (getting sidetracked is one of my pastimes) because when I stepped back outside it was black. I waited a moment for my eyes to adjust to the change but I soon realized there was no moon and we had no yard light for this end of our property. Whoa, this was going to be a hair-raising run for safety!
I stumbled along on the uneven ground, trying to hurry yet unable to really go as fast as my fears indicated! I was still orienting myself and mentally recalling where the obstacles were. There were no night sounds. It was weird, black and scary. All I could think of was, "oh please, just let me get back to the safety of the house."
It all happened so fast and I didn't hear a thing. Something touched my hand. It was wet, like a drooling slimy monster! My heart pumped three gallons of adrenalin and I jerked my hand away while simultaneously jumping higher than the clothesline (well almost). I could hear a piercing scream. It took me seconds to register the sound came from me! I ran faster toward the house knowing monsters, or at least one of those man-eating coyotes was pursuing me. I listen to those critters and their spine-chilling mournful sounds most nights. Now I was certain one had ventured into the yard and was sizing me up as a walking sandwich.. I was going so fast I figure I left my own shivers in the dust.
As I neared the house I saw a figure running away to the north of me, his silhouette framed in the light cast by the neighbors yard lights. It was Otis, the neighbor's dog, the friendliest dog to ever set foot on this earth. He was always trying to nuzzle my hand and I knew immediately the wet drool I had felt had been his nose.
I guess I was the monster in the night to poor Otis.
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