Short Stories Volume 2

The Monster and His Little Girl

What makes a monster? Is it their claws? Their sharp teeth? That wouldn't make sense. I mean, dogs and have sharp teeth. Little kittens have claws. So what about the rest of the animal kingdom, the wild ones? Sure they are indeed wild animals but that doesn't make it a monster.

Is it when they're evil? But then what is the definition of evil? Is it biblical, social standards or personal ones? When do the lines get blurred and when are they clear?

Ok so if something that wasn't an animal but had large claws longer than a kitchen knife, teeth that would a great white to shame, stood over nine feet tall, had red and black eyes, dark purple hair that was nearly black... Well would you call it a monster? Or the one who controls it?

This is the story of little Sandra. She was only six when the so called monster showed up. No, she wasn't orphaned and no mom and dad didn't not love her or abuse her. She and her parents were quite happy together in their little family. She wasn't bullied either.

It isn't known for sure how the beast came to her or why it obeyed like she was its master. All she knows is what she said was that one night she was having a really bad nightmare and hugging her teddy bear really really tight that the small stuffed head almost popped. However in her dream, she saw teddy put on armor and starting fighting her nightmare until finally it was gone and she fell asleep.

When she woke up, it wasn't teddy that she was holding but a large hand. Jumping up and pulling her covers she saw the rest of the hand. He was huge. Her father had heard her tiny scream and came into her room asking her if she was ok. She tried to tell him what she was staring at but she then realized that her dad couldn't see the creature. He told her it was just a nightmare and she needed to get ready for breakfast and school.

She didn't take her eyes off it as she slid off her bed and walked backwards to her bathroom so that she could brush her teeth. As she was doing so, both of them kept looking at each other not breaking any eye contact save for the times that she would look over at the rest of him.

He only moved to get on the bed, trying to fit himself to the spot that she always put teddy in when she would leave her room. He even held the blanket up. Offering it to her so she could tuck him in. Just like she always does. It made her smile a bit.

After rinsing her mouth for the final time and putting her toothbrush back, she slowly makes her way to her bed. Only instead of tucking him in she asks him three little questions.

Number one, "You're teddy aren't you?"

He nodded.

Number two, "Am I the only one who can see you?"

Another nod.

Number three, "Do you want to come to school with me?"

When he gave the final nod it was history in the making. No one in the world had ever smiled the way that little Sandra did at that moment. As she got ready she would show teddy her outfit choices. Making sure her shoes matched her dragons shirt and tutu. The thing she always struggled with was finding the right colored leggings to go with it all.

When she was ready she kissed her parents goodbye and walked to the end of the street where she waited for the school bus to pick her up. At first she thought teddy would crush the roof when he climbs on top but there was no creaking or dent.

Standing in front of the school, she look up at his teeth and down at his claws. "Come one teddy, there are some kids and teachers I want you to meet!"