Trash Night

This night always carries a sense of foreboding for me. I can feel my anxiety growing as the hours pass. I go about my day cleaning, cooking, and taking care of the children. Soon though, the hour is upon me and I can put if off no longer. I put on my coat and shoes and peek into the children’s rooms before heading out the door.

The night is chilly and the wind biting. I shiver as it whips my hair around my head. I pull my coat more tightly around my shoulders.

Soon, that familiar feeling surrounds me. The night is lit up by a luminous albeit ominous moon. The crackle of the dead leaves clinging to the almost bare trees is unnerving to say the least. I rush across the backyard trash bags in hand, as we have produced quite a few bags this week. I see that I’m going to have to make more than one trip.

“It’ll be okay” I say to myself. I look towards the tree line, I know I’m being silly, but I swear I’m being watched. As I said before, the moon is big and full illuminating the expanse I need to cross before making it to my destination: the dumpster. The tree line is also pretty well lit, but the part that bothers me is the black spaces between the numerous trees. There amid the inky blackness is where I imagine it lurks hiding and watching, just waiting for the moment to run out and tear me to shreds.

Finally making it to the dumpster I nervously glance towards the the trees, getting ready to race back to the house to grab the remaining bags. My walk quickly turns into a run. The sense of eyes upon me is getting stronger. I make it to the porch and grab the bags, relieved this will be the last trip.

I keep thinking about what would happen to the children if I was to be taken. Would they be safe inside the house until they were found? “But that’s just silly” I tell myself. I try to calm down and focus on making this as fast as possible. I make it there and deposit the bags with no problem. Starting to feel better, I started walking calmly towards the house. I had almost forgotten about the dark forest until it hit me, that horrible oppressing feeling. The feeling of something watching you, stalking you, with hungry hateful eyes.

I broke into a run my heart hammering, the sound of my blood rushing through my ears. Almost home, I turned and looked towards the trees. It was then that I saw it. The creature of my nightmares, my silent stalker. It stood on its hind legs, every bit of eight feet tall. Even though it was completely covered in hair, I could clearly see its massive muscles. It’s face canine yet oddly human.

I screamed and ran like never before. It’s a good thing that I was close to home. I flung the door open literally jumping into the house, slamming the door and locking it. I ran to the window fully expecting to see that monster running my way. Oddly enough, it was in the same place it was before. It’s eyes locked on mine. The beast let out a bloodcurdling howl and ran back into the woods. I stood there staring in disbelief. Had I really seen what I thought I had? No way, things like that are just silly folk tales. But I couldn’t deny what I’d seen, nor the enormous footprints outside of my house the next day. So far we have been safe inside our home, but I know it’s patiently watching and waiting until........next trash night.