Beloved

It Could've Been Worse

I sat on the couch until the sun came up. I put the gun away and walked back to the kitchen to make breakfast. I made some buttered toast and eggs with some coffee. I ate at the dining table before heading into the bathroom. I brushed my teeth and showered before stepping out and wrapping a towel around my waist. I put my used clothes in the washing machine and started it before heading back to my room to find some briefs to wear. I slid them on and put the towel in the washing machine before sitting at the table and checking my schedule for the day. My Chem class didn't start till twelve and marine biology at four.

So, I had ample time to do nothing. I sat there for a while before deciding on watching a movie. I don't really watch movies so I just scrolled through Netflix before clicking on the thing that sounded the most appealing at the moment. I clicked the movie "Hush" and settled into the couch. I watched half of the movie before my friend Talyn called. "Hey, what's up Talyn." I said and she squealed.

"If it isn't my favorite science major. What's the move for today, I have a free day until marine biology." Talyn said and I sighed. "I don't know, wanna watch movies until class later? Also, I have something creepy to tell you." I said, remembering last night and Talyn hummed. "Sure, I'll be there in two minutes, I'm coming down the street!" Talyn laughed. I laughed with her and we said bye to each other before I stood to go to the door. She honked three times and I chuckled to myself before swinging the door open. She was already running up to the door when I looked out and I had to hurry and dodge her jump attack. She fell to the floor with a loud crash and groaned.

"Ugh, did you have to let me fall like that? And why don't I smell any popcorn?!" I closed the door and she noticed that I was in my briefs. "That bad huh? Welp, its a good thing that Talyn is here to help! Sit down dear and get comfortable. I'll pop the corn!" Talyn got up and lead me to the sofa. She sat me down before heading into the kitchen. I saw her open the cabinets and grab the microwaveable popcorn before placing them individually into the microwave. After she dumped all three packs into a big bowl, she picked it up and carried it to the fridge. She raided my refrigerator for sodas and picked up some cookies from the table. She set the drinks down on coasters and sat the cookies between us. She held the bowl and I restarted the movie.

"Well, go on." She said as she stared intently at the screen as the killer read Maddie's words on the door. "What boyfriend?" Talyn mumbled and I started my story. "So last night, I got off work but decided to take the alleyway to shorten my walk. But, when I stepped far enough into it, I saw a man being eaten by an animal with glowing red eyes. I moved to reach for my phone and it disappeared. I pressed down on the man's wound with my T-shirt until the police came and then they took me in for questioning." Talyn screamed as Maddie was shot in the leg with an arrow. "I'm listening, go on. That animal seems crazy though, are you sure you weren't hallucinating?" She asked as we both dug into the bucket of popcorn.

"Of course I'm sure, I wasn't high, I wasn't drunk, and I wasn't that tired so... Anyway, this one asshole cop kept accusing me of trying to kill the man but his partner let me go after a couple hours. So, I walked here from the station and showered. Stuff was clattering around out here-" I was interrupted by Talyn screaming as the killer stomped Maddie's hand over and over again until he heard many bones snap. "That evil bastard! Alright, go on." Talyn said after she calmed down and I continued.

"Like I said, stuff was falling all over the house so I just turned over in my bed and ignored it until I saw a glowing light in my window. Normally, the neighbors do have their car alarm primed but this light was red and as I looked closer, the shape of the animal's eyes from earlier that night became very visible. I screamed and rolled over to get my handgun but it was gone when I looked back up. Next came loud beating on my door and that idiot Adam came storming in in his boxers with a baseball bat!"

"Best part." I said as we entered the part where Maddie started to fight back and Talyn hummed in agreement. "No Adam didn't come in here naked with a bat!" Talyn said as she laughed. "I know right! But anyway, I sent him away and sat awake on this couch all night. I think that animal might be stalking me... What if- what if it tries to eat me like it did that man?!" I  questioned, scared out of my mind and Talyn hugged me. "Don't worry, your house is like a fortress and if it does manage to get in here, I'm sure you'll kill it right where it stands military man." Talyn mocked and I smiled. "Actually, my father was in the navy, not the military. And yea, you're right! I'll be fine!" I said with my confidence back and Talyn stuffed cookies into her mouth. "Hottie at eight o'clock." She said and the door bell rang. "Adam?" I asked and she nodded. I sighed and stood to open the door. "Hey Adam." I said when I opened the door and he smiled. He had on clothes this time and held a bouquet of flowers.

"For uh, barging into your house all rowdy last night. Could I come in, I wanna talk to you." He asked and I looked to Talyn. She nodded and I looked back to Adam to see him looking at me from head to toe.

"Sure, you can come in but I'm not putting on any clothes."