Bestiary February Short Story

The Tale of a Not-So-Good-Ghost Story

I smile as I shuffle through the colorful sand, trying to avoid the shards of shell scattered through it. A small pack of Domidy, blue tidal creatures scuttle past me. The sand is orange and red today, which is in stark contrast to the moon glowing down on the sea. A soft breeze blows and I shiver just slightly.

I look up and see families around the beach each with campfires lit some with cats by the fire purring contentedly, others with their dogs digging in the sand. I see some of my friends showing off their “tamed” wild animals.

“Hey, get up here.” I hear a voice shouts, “Stop being a weird.”

I smile and wave to my friend. He gives a groan and runs over to join me in the orange sand.

“Why are you here by yourself? You should be with me and my Florakan. You can even hold him. He’s gentle, I promise.” I laugh, but shake my head, “Thanks, but I’d rather not. Besides it’s nice out here.”

He shrugs, “Could be better, but come on. Just join us for a ghost story.”

“Who’s telling it?”

“Jeremiah.”

I snort, “Well, that won’t be much of a ghost story.”

“I know, that’s why you should join me.” He grabs my hand and pulls me up to the campsite. My neighbors greet me, and hand me some food. I accept it, and sit down by the large bonfire at the center of camp.

“So, I hear Jeremiah will be telling us a ghost story.” I say, sitting down next to my friend.

“And what’s wrong with that?” He asks, “I am a great story teller.”

“Sure,” my friend says, “But you can’t tell ghost stories to save your life.”

“Fine, be that way.” Jeremiah rolls his eyes, “Now, be quiet as I tell you the Tale of the Shrieking Methisda.”

My friend gives a small snort. I elbow him to be quiet.

“It was a dark and silent night, when a shriek pierced the air. A creature was on the loose. It stalked from the shadows. It hunted from the darkness. It preyed from the gloom. It was a vicious beast with dark blue stripes down its back with night-black eyes and white glistening fangs. When its first victim screamed, the town shuddered.

“Everyone knew that scream. It was a horrible, desperate primal cry that only happens when faced with death. The Methisda was on the loose. The mythical beast had broken out of its forest cage and was tearing the little town of Donningham to shreds.

“However, one brave little girl wasn’t afraid of this monstrous beast. One long moon ago, the child was gifted a horn of valor. Legend had it that horn could tame even the most dangerous of beasts. So one clouded night, the child sneaked out of the house to find the beast.

“The girl’s village was already destroyed. It was as if something had burrowed under the houses, causing them to collapse. The streets were filled with bugs and parasites chewing away at the stinking bodies. The child wandered through the streets searching for the beast. Her hands shook as she held tightly to her horn.

“The little one’s footsteps echoed through the silent roads, as she looked for the predator. She came to the center of the town, but still saw no sign of the beast. When a howl ripped through the night, causing the child to jump and drop the horn. The child reached to pick it up, only to stop when a sound of flapping wings reached her ears.

“‘Who’s there?” She asked, gripping the horn tighter than ever.

“‘My dear child, what are you doing out so late at night?”’ A voice asked. It was soft and gentle and trustworthy.

“‘I’m not supposed to talk to strangers.”’ The child answered.

The voice gave a soft laugh, “‘What makes you think I'm a stranger? I'm not I promise.’”

“‘Are you sure?’”

“‘Yes, fairly certain.’” He gave a small laugh

“‘Well, I’m looking for an animal.’”

“‘Oh, what kind?’”

“‘I don’t know. I just know it’s n-noc-noc-turn-’”

“‘Nocturnal?’”

“‘Yeah, that means it comes out at night.’”

The voice laughed again, “‘That’s right. But why are you out looking for it?’”

“‘I can stop it.’”

A cold wind swept through the silent town. The voice stepped closer, and knelt down in front of the little child, “‘What makes you say that?’"

The child held up the horn, “‘It’s mine.’”

“‘It’s very beautiful.’” The voice said, “‘Where did you get it?’”

“‘Someone gave it to me. They said it would make me brave, and make anything that could hurt me go away.’”

“‘Oh, who gave it to you?’”

The child shook her head, “‘I don’t know. My parents said it was a’ angel. A special angel. A Messenger.’”

The voice gave a quiet laugh, just as a sharp wind blew through the center of town. A moon beam peeked through the clouds and landed on the voice.

The child’s eyes winded as she stumbled back.

“‘It’s all right, child. I won’t hurt you.’” The voice leaned down to calm the girl.

The girl stepped back, as she stared at the Messenger. A tall being with pale skin and large black wings.

“‘What—you’re—’” The child stuttered and started shivering in front of the creature.

“‘It’s all right, dear child. I won’t hurt you. I promise. After all, I am the one who gave you the horn.’”

“The child froze and stared up at the being. Her hands shook just as much before, but she gripped her horn even tighter. This thing. It was going to take her horn away! She needed that horn. It would get rid of the animal. She couldn’t do it without her horn.

“The angel stood up and reached towards her, but the girl ran. She couldn’t let go of her horn. She had to find that creature.

“But instead it found her. It leaped out of the shadows and roared. The girl shrieked and ran away from the beast straight towards the angel, clutching her horn.

The angel gently took her by the hand and pulled her behind him, “‘My dear child, there is no need to be afraid.’”

“The child looked down at her horn and up at the angel, who stared at the beast. The beat snarled at him. Its white fangs dripping with saliva, and its black eyes mirroring death. The angel stared at the beast, its wings spread out, and a hand stretched out, as if warning it not to come any closer. The child touched the Messenger’s hand and handed him her horn.

“The angel smiled at her, “‘Thank you, child. Now run.’” He whispered to her, before running towards the beast. The little girl, stared as the beast leapt at the angel. She screamed as the beast roared and swiped at the angel. She covered her eyes and crouched into a ball.

“She didn’t know how long she crouched there, shaking and trembling. Asking silently for any help. She closed her eyes tightly as she waited for the roaring and shouting and the shrieking to be over.

“After what felt like eternity, a gentle hand touched her shoulder. The Messenger looked down at her, “‘Are you all right, child?’”

“The little girl jumped and smiled, “‘You’re okay!’” She said, giving the angel a hug.

“‘Yes, I am.’” The angle said, “‘But I couldn’t have done it without your horn. Thank you letting me have it.’”

The child nodded, still sad she had to let it go, but it was for the village and it was to an angel.

“‘Why do you look so sad, my dear? Here’s your horn. I wasn’t going to take it away from you.’” The Messenger gave her a smile, and pulled out the horn. It seemed to glow in the dark town, giving a feeling of joy and peace.

“‘Thank you.’” The little child said, gingerly taking the horn and gripping it tightly.

“‘Of course, my child.’” The angel smiled and stood up, “‘I’m sorry, I have to go. But I’ll see you again.’”

"'But what if you don't?'"

"'You and I have something special. A bond and nothing can break it.'"

“‘Really?'"

The angel nodded and smiled at her.

Promise?’” The little girl asked.

“‘Promise.’”

“‘Pinky promise?’”

“‘Pinky promise.’” The angel said, before a cloud covered the moon.

“The child called out, but no one answered. When the cloud cover was gone, no one was there. The little child was alone in the large empty town.”

My neighbors and I don’t say anything for the longest time.

“Dude, what the heck happened to the little girl?” My friend beside me shouts. I jump up startled.

“Oh, I thought since it was a ghost story, I’d leave the ending ambiguous.” Jeremiah says.

My friend gives him a look.

“Or I could not.” Jeremiah shrugs and continues the story, “The child, suddenly felt scared, but she gripped her horn, and started to look for her home. She jumped when she heard a loud shout. Another monster, she thought. But then she recognized the voice.

“It was her mom. She followed the voice shouting. “‘Mom! Mom! I’m here.’”

“‘Oh, honey.’” Her mom said, picking her up, and squeezing her, “‘Please, don’t you ever run off again, okay? You scared us so much.’”

“She nodded, “‘I’m sorry, Mama.’”

Her dad came up and gave her a kiss, “‘I thought, we told you to stay inside.’”

“‘Sorry,’” she said, “‘but I wasn’t scared. There was an angel.’”

“‘An angel?’” Her dad said

“The little girl nodded, “‘And he protected me. He saved me from a huge beast.’”

Her mom’s eyes widened, “‘Oh.’”

Her dad shook his head and laughed, “‘My darling little daughter, you were so brave tonight. I'm proud of you.’”

“‘But please don’t ever go out alone at night by yourself ever again, okay?’” Her mom said.

“The child nodded, “‘Promise.’” and gave her mom another hug.”

Prompt words are in bold.

I will be counting any variations in the prompt words, such as plural, adjective, adverb etc.