Short Stories

The Basement Monster

BOOM. They gasped as it appeared before them - it was a creature with long horns sticking out of it's head. At first they only saw two, but as the creature moved into the dim light more horn came into view. They weren't only on the head, but on the entire body. Some areas of the skin were discolored, shades of blue, purple, and yellow scattered the skin. The face of the creature looked almost human, but something about it just wasn't quite right. The eyes were a bright vibrant purple. 

The group of children screamed. Mason had tried to warn the others about the dangers of the middle school basement, but none of them listened to him. They never did. They'd gone simply to investigate the noise coming from the basement. Mason was sure that this creature was the source. Lily, another child from the group, ran, hurrying up the stairs. Many of the other children followed, but Mason couldn't move. He was froze in place with fear and a weird feeling of awe. It was unlike anything he'd seen before. It was...beautiful in a way he couldn't explain. The creature stared right back, seeming to be frozen as well.

Finally the room became quiet. All the children had left, abandoning their friend. The creature looked around, seeming to check it's surroundings before glancing back at Mason.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to frighten you and the other little ones. I just wanted to find a way out of here. Could you possibly help me?"

Mason's eyes widened in shock as he stared up at the tall creature. It's voice was so soft and barely exceeded the volume of a whisper. They both stared at each other for a moment before the creature spoke again. 

"Can you hear me? Are you alright?" The creature asked worriedly in that soft voice. There was just something so sweet about it. It reminded him of being welcomed home by his parents after school. He swallowed before opening his mouth, finally moving to speak.

"Uh..yes. I can hear you. I um...I can show you to the stairs," he offered meekly. He glanced at the stairs before looking back at the creature. He wasn't sure if that would be enough for the creature. He was sure the thing's life would be spent in this basement for life with no visitors if someone saw it roaming the middle school hallways. 

"I know of the stairs. I need help getting out of the building. I want to be free to see the sun, to breathe the air, and to touch the sky. Can you help me, please?" The creature asked. It moved, crouching down to be at the same level as the small child. Mason couldn't help, but notice how sad the creature looked. It looked at him hopefully, but the twinkle of hope wasn't very bright. 

"Yes, I can help you," Mason replied, "I will go up the stairs and look around. Once I'm sure no one is there I'll wave you up." The creature nodded in response. 

Mason walked over to the stairs and began to walk up the many, many stairs. He peeked his head out of the doorway once he reached the top, looking left and right. The hall was completely empty. He looked back at the creature before waving it up. It walked up the stairs, causing them to shiver and groan. He grabbed the creature's wrist, or what seemed to be a wrist anyways, and pulled it down the hallway. 

They took many turns on their way out, checking the corner each time before going around it. After some time the door was finally in view. Mason checked the area before approaching the door with the creature trailing behind him. He looked out the window. The coast seemed to be clear. He opened the door and pulled it outside. He started to run toward the forest near by. It was the best place to hide such a large, strange looking being. 

Once he was sure they were safe he stopped running. 

"This forest travels around the entire town. I've heard it spreads out for miles and covers half the country. I'm not sure how much space that is exactly, but it seems like enough for you to um..what was it you said?"

"To see the sun, to breathe the air, and to touch the sky," it replied before Mason nodded.

"Exactly. People don't come in here very often. They just think this place is creepy and too dense to explore or exist in, so no one should bother you here. Except maybe some of my classmates. They like to mess around in the woods, but if they see you it'll be fine. No one will believe a bunch of children when they say there's a scary creature in the woods," Mason explained. 

"Thank you. The view here truly is lovely," the creature murmured softly. It pat Mason on the head gently before smiling at him. They smiled at each other for a moment before the creature turned away, walking into the dense forest. 

Mason stood there and watched until he couldn't see it anymore.