“Monster Under the Bed”

Author’s Note: This is a Take Ten to Write story and has not been proofread for errors. If I feel inspired or if there’s interest in the story, I’ll post a revised, edited, and extended version at a later date. Happy reading!

Prompt: Sweet.

“Mama, I’m scared.”

Hattie looked down to see her daughter tugging at the hem of her dress.

“What’s the matter, my stardust?” Hattie asked, crouching down to scoop her daughter up into her arms.

“There’s a monster under my bed,” Bel replied, eyes wide. Clutching her mother’s shirt, she added in a whisper, “Is he going to eat me, Mama?”

Hattie chuckled. “Of course not. Now, the monsters in Quadrant 392-D might eat you, but here at home, the monsters are friendly.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes, stardust, I’m positive.”

“Promise?”

“I promise.”

Bel still didn’t seem convinced. “Mama, can you come check under my bed? Just in case a scary monster from Quadrant 392-D escaped into our Quadrant?”

“Of course,” Hattie said, hoisting her daughter up on her hip before walking to her bedroom.

She set Bel down in the doorway. “Now, you wait here while I go check.”

“Okay.”

Hattie walked to her daughter’s bed, drawing out her flashlight as she went. Kneeling down beside the bed, she turned on the flashlight.

Two bright green eyes stared back at her. In one swift movement, Hattie’s arm flashed out, the knife in her hand hitting its mark between the two green eyes. In a second fluid motion, she grabbed the monster and shoved it into her pocket before finishing her sweep beneath the bed.

“See? No monster in sight,” Hattie said, smiling at Bel. “Now, come to bed. It’s late.”

“Okay,” Bel said, shuffling across the floor to her bed.

Hattie tucked her daughter in tight and gave her a kiss on the forehead. “Sweet dreams, my stardust,” she whispered.

“Good night, Mama,” Bel breathed.

Hattie smiled before retreating from her daughter’s room to dispose of the Quadrant 392-D escapee.

Final Comments: I really enjoyed writing this one!

Overall Rating: 😄