Flash Fiction: You Should Be Reading

Exist

   The movie ends, swashbuckling princes and fantasy adventures seared into your brain. Your slow walk in the dim lit parking lot to your car echoes in the empty lot. Something crosses the corner of your eye but when you look, nothing is there. Too many movies and crazy imagination perhaps. Yet, you lock all the car doors when you get in. Paranoia has begun to sink in.
   Despite the paranoia, you drive calmly within the law. You thought you saw something in the side mirror, but see nothing when you glance again. Fear creeps in like the fog on an empty field bringing the unknown. At last you are home. The locking of the car and running into the safety of your home couldn't come any faster.
   Finally, you can relax. Brush your teeth, comb your hair, get ready for bed like you always do. The warmth of the covers and sheets welcome you like an old friend. You close your eyes in the darkness to sleep, to dream of your prince charming again, but something slithers across your bedroom floor.
   Your eyes open, wide awake now. You slowly cover your feet with your blanket like you did as a child. Movement to your left then your right. The heavy breathing is under you, under your bed now. The hands, claws, creeping up on each side towards you. Nowhere to run. Nowhere to hide.
   You squeeze your eyes shut as death seems inevitable. You wish for your prince charming to save you. But just remember. Prince charming exists in fairy tales not in the real world. Nightmares exist here and so do you.