My short stories

Story 13

Darkness. 

It had engulfed the whole world. It was so dark, that it seemed to make my chest ache, as if the darkness was thick and pushing down on me. It was hard to sit up, let alone stand. But after much determination I stood. Then I heard foot steps behind me. Terrified, I whip around. My eyes only took in darkness. Now behind me there's a pitter-patter much like animals nails on hard wood. I turn and step back in a swift movement. Once again, there is no seen signs of life. But there is something. There was a light. Small, microscopic light but light none the less. I wanted to walk to it... I wanted to feel its warmth. I took a step forward. A slimy snake-like thing slid over my foot. I held back a scream by bitting my tongue. I took another step, past the snake-like thing. I kept walking with my sore weak legs. The light was slowly growing, hinting I was getting closer. Now a tentacle grabbed my right arm. This time I couldn't hold back my scream. I pried it off, almost feeling the suction cup marks I now had on my arm. I quickened my pace to the light. From here I could tell it was a fire, not just light but fire. I was so overwhelmed with joy the growling of a lion almost didn't register. I looked around, still in my tracks not daring a movement. Once I convinced myself it was clear I started walking again. I had gotten three steps when I felt a spider dance across my foot. I yank up my leg in a late response to the unwanted contact. I shivered, despite the fire being closer. It seemed the closer I got to the flame the colder it got. At this point I didn't care; the fire lit up the surrounding area, and I hated the darkness. 

I lifted my foot for the next step but a small rodent jumped onto it. I didn't try to hold back this scream. I kicked my foot and the rodent went flying. I held my foot in my hand, my cold feet were freezing just as my hands were. I returned my foot to the ground and quicken my pace almost to a jog. 

I got to the light. 

Once I stepped where the light shined I instantly felt the warmth. A small gust of wind blew my hair back caressingly. Here it was warm and inviting not cold and isolating. I sighed in pure happiness and joy. 

It was a small candle, resting on a pole that was only tall enough to reach my middle. But the thin candle reached slightly higher. I put my hands up, rubbing them together near to flame. 

There were terrible noises from behind me. All types of noises someone might hear at the zoo. All noises of animals. Over my shoulder reached an arm, of similar characteristics of my own, and with their first finger and thumb they pinched the fire. Darkness engulfed me once again. Every ounce of happiness was replaced with a pound of sadness. I fell to my knees, now to cold and weak to stand. The darkness pushed down on my chest so forcefully I lied on my side.

The thing had spoke, their voice angry and demanding, "Lights out."