The following works of fiction were written by patrons of all ages using the writing prompt above.
Enjoy!
By: Matilda Jackson-Roll, Age 7
It wedged itself into the corner of the basement, its dark lifeless eyes pinned on its pursuer. Fluffy the cat watched with calm disinterest. The fuzzy tortie had seen it before. Many times, in fact
The thing moved around the house, crawling the walls and sneaking glances at Fluffy’s sleeping owners Sometimes it knocked things off the shelves, which Fluffy was then blamed for Soundlessly, it crept over the ceiling and towards the stairs as the wailing of the new baby in the upper level of Fluffy’s home pitched higher Fluffy followed, a warning growl rumbling from her chest.
Gracefully, Fluffy padded up the wooden stairs and into the dining room, where the thing nestled itself under the table where the two humans ate their breakfast. It reached out its too long fingers and brushed the woman’s leg.
Kendra yelped and moved her chair out, instantly rubbing where the thing had made contact. She pulled her pant leg up and upon inspection sighed angrily.
“What the heck happened?” Mason asked, his mouth full of half chewed bagel.
“Felt like something was crawling on me.” Kendra said, continuing to rub the spot. “We should have the pest control spray again. I feel like that cat of yours brought in fleas again. Stupid cat..”
“She doesn’t have any fleas!” Mason said as Fluffy leaned into his outstretched hand.
Another short bleating from their child interrupted whatever Kendra was to say next.
“Should we go up and help? Maybe your mother needs a break ” Kendra turned toward the stairs.
“She’s fine, honey She’s here to give us a break It’s the colic is all ”
The creature was on the move again, and so Fluffy hardly had any time to enjoy the delectable scratch that Mason had just begun on her ear. She trotted off after the creature as another cry captivated its interest, the creature moving even faster now Fluffy moved past the warm sunlight window she loved so much, and up the soft carpeted stairs that were so wonderful to lay upon, and then past the bathroom with the drippy place she liked to get her drinks.
The baby’s room smelled strange. Fluffy did not like it, not because the odor was in any way offensive, but because it was so foreign, so new Fluffy didn’t like new She liked things that stayed the same They were safest
The thing climbed down the wall and scurried to the foot of the baby’s crib. It sat, it’s mouth agape. Long needley teeth peeked out from its larger lower jaw. Big black eyes shimmered in the low light.
In the corner in the rocking chair sat the old woman, her soft voice mewling Sometimes that mewling put the baby to sleep For once she didn’t yell at Fluffy’s presence in this forbidden room. Instead the old woman sat rocking, her eyes fluttering as though sleep was nearly seconds away and the noises continued to trail out of her lips weakly.
The baby wiggled and squirmed beneath its blanket. Humans had no idea how to take care of their young. It perplexed Fluffy how such a species continued. Though she was grateful they somehow did, they did have wonderful treats and their pats and scratches were acceptable.
The creature climbed up the side of the crib, hissing at Fluffy as she closed in. It dropped beside the baby, and Fluffy moved to follow, but the old woman stood up, her body cracking with the sudden movement. She snatched Fluffy up and tossed her none to gently back into the hallway
“Stay out of the crib, you mean thing,” the old woman said.
Fluffy glanced around the woman and watched as the creature positioned itself above the baby. Fluffy yowled in alarm, but as the clawed hand came back up, only a blanket and a tiny foot accompanied it The creature pulled the knitted blanket free, and only then did Fluffy understand that the infant’s toe had been entangled in the strange holey blanket. The baby’s crying stopped, and the creature retreated, back up the wall and into the corner.
Fluffy’s tail twitched as she sat in the hallway, the two locked in the same staring contest that had begun years ago.
The old lady moved back to her chair and then followed Fluffy’s gaze. She squinted.
“What in the world is it that you are always watching?”
She tisked “Creepy little beast ”
