The Monsters

 Rain fell softly outside,so I knew that tomorrow would be muddy.I tapped my pencil on the side of my desk.I was supposed to be writing an essay about the history of France,but all that came to my mind was...well,nothing.

I live in America,why is France important to me?Ugh,I despised homework.

Shoving my homework aside,I hear mom open the door.Probably going to check on our horses.Yes,horses.

I know the saying - horses are a rich man's game.But I wouldn't call us rich.My mom owns a riding program to help kids learn more about equine.

Mom is probably the coolest person in the history of forever.Maria Elezibeth Aster has worked hard for five years to buy our first horse,and since then the riding program funds itself.On the weekends,she works a part time job at the library.And she is a volunteer at the high school.

Anyway,that was when I heard the thumping.I stood uneasily and peered out the window.Footsteps.Too loud to be human,too many to be our horses,Sky and Dawn.

Running down the stairs,I threw open the door and ran out into the rain in my pajamas.I could hear Mom groan.She was yelling at something.

“Get away from her!"I screamed at the creatures.I heard a snarl.

Mom protested,“Astrid,get back!"

“No!"

I wasn't leaving her.I grabbed the nearest thing to me - a metal garden shovel - and raised it like a hammer.The creatures scattered.

A bone-chilling howl made my skin crawl.

As soon as I was sure the monsters - whatever they were - were gone,I knelt beside Mom.Blood covered the neckline of her shirt,and she had huge cuts on her arms.

“I'll be right back with the first aid kit,"I said quickly,panic creeping into my tone.“Can you stand?"

She groaned again.

Her breathing was getting shaky.I swallowed hard.“Please,Mom,don't...please..."

I swallowed hard again.The first thing I should have done was call my dad,but I didn't.

Instead,I yelled into the Night,at the top of my lungs.

“WHATEVER YOU ARE,YOU'LL BE SORRY YOU HURT MY MOTHER!"

As my words faded away,my strength failed,and I broke into tears and didn't stop till I knew it was hopeless.

She wasn't coming back.

