Comments welcome at femecrivain at netdot dot com - or
either via the handy form on my website:
/~Souvie

Please, no reposting without asking me first. It's "I
write, you read" not "I give, you take."

Inspired by Alexis Siefert's story of the same name. You
can find it at: 
</~Alexis_S/HIA_monsters.htm>
- - - - - 

"Monsters" 
copyright June 2002 
by Souvie

(A "flash" story in 129 words.)


"Mommy!"

Soft light from the hall, warm soothing words, gentle,
comforting arms. "It's okay, mommy's here now. Bad dream?"

In between sobs, "Monsters. In the closet."

"Shhhhhh, it's okay. There's no monsters in the closet,
remember? We checked."

Thin cotton nightgown soaking up the tears. Tiny hiccups
punctuating the sobs. "Could you check again?"

The closet door is opened, the light switched on - clothes,
toys, shoes. No monsters. 

"There, see? No monsters in the closet."

The room is dark again save for the dim light from the hall. 

"But it was so real."

Comforting arms again, holding and rocking. "I know, sweetie, I
know. Mommy's here. You're safe."

She lifted a hand to lightly touch her swollen and puffy cheek,
the split lip. Not all monsters hid in closets.

THE END