Tired Eyes

Chapter 2: Gaiste the Leprechaun

I ground below me flew right past as I gave chase to the small creature. The grass shuffled quickly in front of me, staying close to the house's brick wall. It sharply turned the corner, as did I, almost losing it from sight. It zoomed across the yard in the blink of an eye without a moment's hesitation. I didn't blink, not even for a second. I knew that if I took my eyes off it for even a moment, it would be gone before my eyes could open. If I looked away, I was certain it would disappear into the dense fog.

I swung around another corner into my front yard. The creature moved in a lightning fast streak heading straight for a crack in the side of the house. I grunted under my breath and picked up the pace. "Grkh! I'm not letting you get away!" When it reached the crack, it struggled to fit itself in. Even as it was stuck, all I could see was a blur of green and black. This is my chance! I thought. As it wriggled and squirmed, I dove forward with my hand outstretched for the green blur. It was so close I could almost feel it. The moment before I hit the ground, it had already shoved itself into the opening.

Crap! not good, I said to myself. That thing could be anywhere in my house now. If I don't hurry, it could end up hurting Yess again. I scrambled to my feet and ran as fast as I could to the front door. Without even thinking, I twisted the knob and swung the door open into the darkness of the house, causing the structure to shake with a loud slam throughout. If mom wasn't up before, she is now.

My eyes darted around the living room. I inched forward, carefully watching where I stepped. I made sure to keep my feet away from the bottoms of the couches, tables, and anything else it could sneak up on me from. I worked quietly and quickly at the same time, not letting a single sound or movement go unnoticed.

A faint tapping could be heard from the bathroom. I knew I had to be cautious, but still, time was short. I mentally prepared myself and sped into the bathroom... the place where that thing lie in wait.

I pushed the door open and it swung slowly into the small room. I took my first step in and was immediately met with a rush of anxiety. I don't know why, but in that instant, all the confidence and rage I had built up instantly vanished. I wondered what was happening, until I glanced to my left and realized with disappointment what the problem was. Urgh! Not now! That thing just had to go into the room with the mirror, didn't it?

I looked into the mirror with frustration. I shot a glare at my reflection as if to tell it, 'I have no time for you'. I looked on the tiles of the floor, carefully investigating each one. I didn't see any scratches or marks out of the ordinary. My attention was drawn to the small window at the far wall, where I wassure the noise was coming from. Slowly, I walked toward it. I saw a small shadow behind the blinds that rattled every second. I grabbed a cloth from the towel rack above the toilet and held it with both hands, ready to catch whatever was behind those shutters.

The blinds still shook as the creature's movements began to pick up speed. It's trying to escape from under the window... but I won't let it! I reached for the string to pull up the blinds and gave it a firm tug. They shot upwards in an instant and in that same instant, my body moved on its own. My arms shot out and put the cloth over the blur of green and orange that awaited behind. I picked it up from the windowsill and wrapped it in the cloth. It struggled and kicked, trying to break free, but it was no use. I had him.

I brought it over to the sink and turned the water on. I grabbed handfuls of water with my free hand and splashed it on the ceramic surface, making it wet and slick. After shutting off the faucet, I unwrapped the cloth and dropped its contents into the sink... the small creature, the last thing I would ever expect to see dropped right out in front of me. "You've gotta be kidding me..." I muttered.