Apodidraskinda

A Close call

Willow bolted past me as I quickly followed after, I was confused as to what was happening. Was there a bear? Did her mom follow after us? I looked back to see a creature. It looked sort of like a really large boney... dog? Maybe a disfigured human? Whatever it was it was swiftly weaving through trees after us. "What the hell..."

We ran, ran long after our legs grew sore. We heard the footsteps tailing us come to a halt way long ago, but to be safe we ran until we saw the edge of the forest. Willow collapsed onto her knees as soon as we passed the final tree. "What-gasp-was-gasp-that...?" She asked in-between breaths. I didn't respond, it was a miracle we made it out before whatever mis-shaped monstrosity that was had gotten us. "Let's go, we don't want it to find us again, " I told her. We walked back to willow's house, which was relatively close.

"Oh, hey honey! Where were you two?" Willow's mom asked as I entered the kitchen, Willow locking the door after us. 

"We were walking around the neighborhood." I say as I look back at Willow, her eyes thanking me. 

"Oh alright, I'm not quite done with dinner yet so you two go to Willow's room and I'll call you down." We climbed the stairs, sliding across the newly laminated tiles in our socks. What was that thing? Why was it chasing us?  Willow closed the door behind me. Her lips were pursed; Willow was clearly shook on the inside. I made my way onto her bean bag chair as she sat on the one parallel to me. The silent tension was unbearable. 

"What was that- thing?" She asked me. I tried to respond but the words didn't flow out as usual.

 "I... don't- really..." Willow looked me dead in the eyes, a sense of fear engulfed us, though her facial expressions remained blank. "We can't avoid talking about this. I'm not sure what that was but it sure as hell is fixed on us now, if not already." A second wave of fear drove over me, my jaw was shaking intensely now. "What do you mean by that?" I said, trying to regain my confidence. 

"I'm saying that it was likely targeting us, we hadn't gone deep into the forest, so it must've been stalking us before hand from afar. There's also the fact we just escaped it; our survival must already be a threat to its safety." She said with confidence. She's right, but what can we do about it? We can't just avoid going out for the rest of our lives, can we?   "Dinner's ready! Come down when you're hungry!" Her mom shouted, her voice breaking the silent tension. 

We went downstairs, as we met the final few steps I almost slipped, Willow laughed. When we made it to the kitchen were met to a table of baked chicken, gravy, and rice. It was delicious. We finished relatively quickly so Willow and I made our way back up the stairs, I made sure to grab the railing this time. Willow seemed to have calmed. I can't help but wonder, why? "Can I stay over?" I asked shakily. 

"Yeah sure! Just be sure to tell your mom." Willow said as she grabbed me a spare blanket from the closet. I whipped out my phone and started to text my mom. 

You: Hi mom

Mom: Hey honey! where are you?

Mom: Dinners ready, be home in 10 minutes if possible.

You: Oh sorry, I was planning on staying at Willow's house, is that alright?

Mom: Oh sure, no problem! Love you honey! Stay safe! 

You: Love you too! 

We settle in Willows room, she tosses me a pillow and I set it onto the carpet. I spread my blanket and turn off the lamp which was illuminating the room. I caught a glimpse of what appeared to be a really big but skinny dog? Or maybe a really boney drunk person pretending to be a dog. Whatever it was really doesn't matter. We had an exhausting day so I lay in my blanket, trying to fall asleep. Soon enough I hear the heavy beaths of Willow, though I haven't let out a single yawn.