The Edge of the Meadow

Chapter 6- Outside

The shaking of my hands increased during those dark, long hours. We had brought books to pass the time, knowing full well we were going to sleep with a freaking werewolf prowling the streets, but we were too scared to turn on the lights. Instead, we let the darkness surround us like a blanket, not an unknown threat but a protecting friend. Will did not shake as I did. Instead, he stood still, hoping his stillness would make the monster overlook him. 

The moonlight was our only source of light. It seeped through the bottom crack, entrancing me with its silver light. I had nothing else to do, so I just stared at it and thought who would be taken tonight. Hopefully, not us. I felt guilty at the thought. I was hoping we wouldn't be targeted, but that meant someone else would lose their life. As my thoughts dragged on, I felt my mind go blank. I had much to think about, but instead, I retreated into myself. By staring, I vanished, leaving only my body behind. 

The silence enveloped us in its calming nothingness. Like the darkness, I welcomed it happily. It sat there, undisturbed as the hours stretched into forever. I had switched off the radio for fear of being herd, and I was glad. I could hear Will's terrified breathing ease, finally turning into the rhythmic sound of sleep. Snapping out of my state, the first feeling I felt was jealousy. He had somehow escaped this horrifying reality and left me here, alone. How could he sleep so peacefully, when all I could think about was what I would scream about if I slept? 

A few hours later, I heard it. A rumbling noise, muffled by the wall. I watched as the moonlight, which had been slowly sinking as the moon set, disappeared completely, being blocked by something outside. My muscles tensed and I heard my breath begin to hasten. I heard the rattling of a door. I gasped as the rattling erupted into a thunk. The feverish thumping woke Will, and I clamped a sweaty hand over his mouth. He grasped my palm like a lifeline, going completely still once more. 

The thumping stilled. I managed to pull away from Will for a second. Suddenly, I heard another sound. A ripping noise. Then a thump, different from the other ones. The thump of thing against glass. A few seconds later, another thump, and a small shlink that made me go still. The glass. My heart began beating loudly, and I nearly missed the shattering of glass. I barely registered it over my frantic thoughts, finally knowing what it was when shards of it slid under the door. I moved my had away, then became paralyzed to the point I forgot the gasoline. The musk of it around the house should be enough, but my mind screamed at me to move, to get it, to pour it, and my body did nothing. I was like a deer caught in the headlights, knowing I should move but doing nothing for hopes the danger would pass.

I felt the thump of something heavy landing on the glass. All of a sudden, the whole world seemed to focus on the sound of the predator outside. I somehow didn't hear the glass breaking, but I heard the click of the monster's paws as it ransacked the house. I heard the faint sound of sniffing. It was looking for us. It let out a growl, like a person poking a trash can to scare the roaches out. I suddenly became aware of my super loud breath and tried quieting it as much as possible. 

The monster's shadow stood right outside our door. The faint outlines of it could be seen, sliding under the door like a demon. It was a weird animal, sharp ears and tufts of hair sticking out. I moved my hand instinctively, the small movement causing my nail to scratch the tile. I froze at the sound, but the monster had somehow not heard it. It let out a frustrated growl.  I didn't hear the wolf's graceful leap out of the window, I just noticed the sudden absence of terror. My posture still stood rigid as my body searched for a threat, a threat that was probably still outside. When I finally accepted it was gone, I did not dare sigh with relief. 

At this very moment, someone could be being eaten. I knew our survival had just caused someone's deaths. The horrible thought plagued me throughout the rest of the silent night. I watched the shadows that danced in front of me, the demons unfazing me after what I had just been through. I tracked the moon's progress as it descended. Eventually, it disappeared completely, only to be replaced with a soft orange glow soon after.

I watched the room become illuminated with it, driving away the demons and illuminating Will's peaceful face. His eyes were closed. He had somehow slept through the rest of the night. As the sunlight became brighter and brighter, I plied the door open. Carefully, as if the monster was still there, I creaked the door open and crawled under the wood. I sat on the other side, watching the sun rise in shock.

Somehow, we had survived the night.