PUMPKINSEED (Cabo 12/2018)

Our Hero Encounters the Monster for the First Time

A cable lasso rests around my neck. I remain motionless. I am taunted towards action but I know all action will result in death.

My feet are still but my mind is racing. I have five thoughts at the same time.
1. I should have watched the monster movie this guy's in. I do not know what I am up against.
2. Where are Willie and Daniel?
3. What is that high whistle sound?
4. This is no Silly String! This lasso is pure steel cable.
5. I will survive. I always do.

I swing my arms wide hoping to connect. The lasso tugs and tightens twice just to show me who is in charge. I feel like I am fighting the Golden Gate Bridge. Though the room is lit, the lasso directs my gaze away from The Monster.

I am closer to death than ever but I feel a natural calm. Five thoughts pour forth.
1. Maybe I can reason with this Monster.
2. Willie and Daniel probably tried to fight. I have to find a new course.
3. What is that high whistle sound?
4. This is no average rope! This lasso is pure steel cable.
5. I will survive. I always do.

The lasso directs me to look at some scrawl on a yellow legal pad. It says, "Leave or Die! Which is it??" I study the scrawl as if it is literature with some hidden meaning. Five . . .
1. The Monster doesn't want to kill me.
2. Willie and Daniel  would not leave. I can't either.
3. What is that high whistle sound?
4. This is no average steel cable? Titanium?
5. I will survive. I always do.

I keep my eyes on the paper. The high whistling sound gives two shrills and goes silent. I do not react to the shrills. Slowly, the Monster bends over. The Monster must be eight or nine feet tall. The Monster has what should be its chest over my head and its head facing me upside down. I make out what I believe to be eyes. The Monster studies me. Its head turns a half tilt like a perplexed dog.  I make out what I believe to be the mouth. The high whistle sound returns more determined to communicate. I act as if I am reading the scrawl again. The Monster bounces my face off the legal pad, directs two demanding shrills at me, and stares into my face. I am dazed. My thoughts are now a trickle. F . . .
1. The Monster can kill . . .
2. Willie and Daniel  are dead. Heroes .  . .
3. I know what that high . . .
4. No average Ti . . .
5. I . . . I . . .

The Monster brings its truly chiseled face closer. I have nothing. I use the only weapon available. I spit my PUMPKINSEED and hit The Monster right between what I think are the eyes, no easy target. The high whistle drops to an exasperated low exhale.  I see The Monster slowly shake its head as if to say Wrong Answer.  My wrists are bound behind me back.  The lasso gets much tighter.  I struggle.  I try to fall to one side.  There is a slight give, a chance.  I shift my weight to the other side.  The Monster is ready for me.  Anaconda.  Slowly I gasp.  I will not give in.  There must be a way.  No struggle to free; just struggle for air.  Fight proud; die proud.  No defeat.  Air.  Gasp.  Black.