Cryptids: And How to Survive Them

Cthulhu Waits Dreaming

I held her hand as we lept out of the window. She had snuck in, just like last night, and now I was walking her home. As much as I disliked walking her home deep into the night, I knew it was necessary. If it was what I had to do in order to make her acquaintance, then I was fortunate. I had been in and out of relationships before, and I always cherished the honeymoon phase. This one was no different. Angie and I had been going out for a few weeks now. Neither of us really cared about anything beyond fooling around. Neither of us had even thought past each night as it sped by. Such was the enjoyment of our fast paced romance. My feet crunched against the wood chips as I landed, causing myself to cringe in the process. Angie teasingly put her finger up to her lips and began to tiptoe down the driveway. With a brief snicker, I brought a smile to my face and began to follow after her.

"I'm getting sick of this weather." Angie groaned. I nodded my head in agreement. Brief stints of rain had polluted day after day for what seemed like months. It wasn't enough rain to cause a flood, it was barely enough to wet the roads. However, it was enough to fill the air with a brutal thickness. Thick layers of sweat would take form on the flesh of every student and worker on their way from work. Hair would stick to skin, the stench of teenagers became more prevalent and makeup would melt upon the faces of those who dared to put effort into their appearance. Angie was a member of the latter. "I mean, we get all of the worst parts of rain, and none of the best."

"Best parts?"

"Seriously?" She shook her head, causing her blond hair to stick to her forehead. "Have you ever looked out of a window and enjoyed the tranquil pitter-patter of the rain?"

"Well, I... " I honestly hadn't. But based on her previous reaction, I gauged that it wouldn't be the best idea to go against it. "I guess I have."

"That's just one example."

"Yeah. The air is too thick. It just makes everyday feel ominous." I said, echoing my current feelings around the thick spring night.

"Ominous. Speaking of that, haven't you heard about those school bathroom deaths?"

"The ones on the news?"

"Yeah. The death total just reached 115. They all occurred without rhyme or reason."

"It's hard to think there isn't a worldwide conspiracy." I said with a nervous laugh.

"Really?" Angie failed to stifle a laugh. "The new world order begins with the murder of over one hundred random schoolchildren in bathrooms." She deepened her voice, mocking the idea.

"Well, it's hard to explain something as widespread as this. I'm just giving my two cents."

"Your two cents are about as worthless as literal two cents." I rolled my eyes.

"You don't need to be such a bitch." I barked. She went silent, and began to trail further behind me.

We reached the Almond Creek bridge. This road separated our neighborhoods. Dark wood lined the sides of the bridge. Underneath, was a lightly rushing current. It was a scenic spot. Perfect for watching the sunset with your significant other. Even now, in the deepest part of the night, the streetlights created a romantic mood. One ripe with privacy and intimacy. I turned around, and offered my hand to her. She furrowed her brow and put her forearms on the wood, looking out over the creek, not that either of us could see anything. I dropped my arm. I was too quick to forget my previous comment. I sighed and walked to her side.

"I'm sorry." No response. "I'm tired and I shouldn't have said that."

"Well," She sighed. "I guess I understand. I mean I was being rude." She began to fiddle with her fingers underneath the street light. "Thank you for apologizing." She gave me a peck on the cheek. I wrapped my arm around her.

"I've really enjoyed our time together." A streak of red made its way underneath my eyes.

"Me too." She snuggled up closer to me. The bitter air was deftly flicked away by her head, and I could gaze out to the creek. A piece of wood became caught among some rocks. The sound was miserable, and disturbingly loud. It sounded like the grind of bone against concrete. I clenched my teeth together, desperate for the wood to free itself. It did, and became stuck again. It was louder this time, annoying me further. It freed itself for a second time, then disappeared under the bridge. It got caught, then freed itself again, faster this time. Then again, then again, then again.

Then again, then again, then again, then again, then again, then again, then again, then again, then again, then again. It became louder each time, and I realized that the sound wasn't coming from the creek. Then again, and my heart began to pound. I didn't dare look to my right. My first thought was that it could be a mountain lion or bobcat that were prevalent in these parts. I tried to stay still, as did Angie. I removed my arm from her shoulders and began to back away slowly. Angie was frozen, but her head turned to the right. She was braver than I was, who couldn't bear to even look at the creature. How unlucky she was, to flaunt her bravery in this moment. Then again, for the last time. Blood splattered on the concrete. I heard a meaty splash against the pavement, then again, just a moment later. I couldn't scream, I was too shocked to scream. I slowly backed up, and I caught a glimpse of her bottom half, separated from the rest of her, being slowly nudged into the streetlight. The movement of her corpse stopped, and I saw two human hands, one holding a scythe break into the light. I didn't stop to acknowledge my curiosity's hunger. I crawled upon the railing and jumped. I hung in the air. My senses were overwhelmed. I could feel the bitter air, now revitalized. I could hear the clatter of bone and flesh on concrete. I could smell the blood and the corpse, as if it had already been rotting in the sun for weeks. I could see nothing. I had forgotten where I was, I could've been hanging in the air for years when I crashed into the cold stream. Every inch of my body might've had a bruise on it. I tried to stand up, but my right ankle flailed around. I yelped in pain and crawled to a dry part under the bridge. The sound still haunted me from above. Then, I could hear sound amplified, to make sure that I would never forget it. Then again. Then again. Then again.