The Caterpillarian

Chapter 14

Could I really escape? Could we escape?

But then what? Surely, The Caterpillarian would pursue us?

Really? It would reveal itself to the world? I imagined me and my friends running up the street, The Caterpillarian slithering after us, my street's residents poking their heads out of the windows to see what was going on. I imagined us on the news, Jasper saying something dumb as he was interviewed.

I snapped myself out of my stupid thoughts. I had to try to escape. Of course, I would return to my friends after, but I had to see if it was possible first.

Moving as quickly as I could, I ran towards the gate. I grabbed hold of it, imagining an invisible force keeping it from opening.

But that wasn't the case. The gate creaked and I stepped out into my front garden. I was stunned. I honestly thought I wouldn't be able to go any further. But that's what I tried to do, moving further and further up the garden until I was at the front gate. It opened and I stepped out into the street. I was free. Free to go wherever I wanted. Somewhere where The Caterpillarian wasn't. For a split second, I contemplated it.

But no. I wouldn't leave my friends. And I couldn't let The Caterpillarian get away with its crimes. It had to pay for them.

Perhaps I could go for help? But would anyone believe me? They would if I brought them to the house and showed them the monster in its glory. But would The Caterpillarian stick around for that? It would probably vanish into thin air, making me look like a prankster making the whole thing up. It was pointless. It was up to me and my friends.

And that was that. Despite freedom beckoning me, I turned back. I stared at my house where many horrors waited inside. Anxiety hit my chest but I started towards the front door.

But then something caught my ear. Something beautiful. Something soothing. Something nostalgic.

It was that music. The piano. Was it coming from my bedroom? I glanced up at the open window.

No. It was coming from the side of the house from where I had just come from.

A few steps later and I was standing in my back garden again. I looked at the shed. It was coming from there. Had it been playing this whole time and I hadn't noticed? The moth was still playing? Why? Wasn't this it? If we won, it was all over, right?

Wait. Does this count as another task?

The thought hadn't even occurred to me. Could we go into the shed and be safe, like in previous tasks? I had to find out.

I dashed as fast as I could over to the shed, not wanting to leave my friends alone much longer. I opened the door, breathing heavily. The moth was at the piano and he looked at me.

"Have you come to rest?" He asked.

"This is a task?" I asked.

"Of course it is. Complete it and you win."

Something on the floor caught my eye. It was a moth with something scribbled on the back of its wings, just like from the other tasks. I read it.

Set The Great Caterpillarian free, so he can become like you—a beautiful butterfly. Lure him into the garden of dreams and all will be free.

Lure him into the garden of dreams? This garden? Where else? What would that do? If this was the task, then so be it. I had to tell my friends.

I dropped the moth, shut the shed door and darted up the garden, skidding to a stop in the kitchen.

The Caterpillarian was leering over a terrified-looking Jasper. He was cowering in the corner, the creature's saliva dripping from its fangs onto him. Alison was at the other side of the kitchen, struggling back to her feet. It seemed I had arrived just in time.