8/6/2019 Lesser Souls

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I was bleeding.

That was my only mistake.

Despite the hunk of flesh that was missing from my shoulder and despite the

rattling gasping from the creature that was scurrying after me on all fours, the only regret

I could fathom was that I left a trail behind me in pools of red.

Perhaps Ishould

have felt like an idiot for not giving that creeper what hedwanted in hopes of sparing my own life, but the heart that was surely and still beating

steadfast in my chest could not. Instead, I carried its objective with me and doubled the

pace of my sprint until I could hear my sneakers pounding the cement flooring of the

basement. Feet away rested the stairwell, at the mouth of which was a dozen places to

hide in the rest of the house; sanctuary.

With a leap, I scarcely avoided an extended and mangled hand as it snatched for

my ankle. The bound had bought me a moment by leaving me on the third step at the

bottom of the basement stairs. I hesitated for less than a second before I was racing up the

steps, two-at-a-time.

Tears were streaking my face, a quiet sob escaping my throat as I neared my goal;

desperate to survive if only for a few more secondsBreaking through the open archway at the top of the stairs, I wasted no time in

turning and slamming the basement door shut. Just as I fastened the lock with clumsy

fingers, the creeper made contact with the heavy wood and slammed against it. An

unholy screech of outrage was muffled by the door, and I screamed despite myself.

Snatching my mouth, I covered it with my hand. The taste of tears and drying blood

lingered against my palm, and I turned from the basement as I tried to block out the

sound of the beast scratching at the door, desperate to make claim on its target.

Already attacked, I knew well enough not to test its strength. Even with the taste

of food on its tongue, even in the face of all the horror itd caused, it was still hungry.

Quickly, I bolted for the master bedroom on the second floor. Slipping into the

room, I quietly shut the door behind me and tip-toed to the closet.

Surely, the basement door would not hold forever, and hiding while I had the

chance would bide me a few minutes of spare time.

I stepped into the deepest part of the closet and shut the door behind me. Nestling

into the corner, I trembled as I uncovered the object of the creepers desire.

Unzipping my jacket, I lifted the crying toddlers head from my breasts and

examined his scratches. His blonde hair was matted with dust, and tears streaked his dirty

face. He whimpered and snatched at my neck, hugging me and seeking refuge in my arms.

Below us, I listened as the wood of the basement door split open.