Short Stories

Chapter 1 The Strange Night

I was traveling down a very dark and lonely country road and was tired from driving all day. Sleep was an absolute must. The danger of my driving any longer would surely bring death without mercy. I needed to find a place to rest to stay alive. Then, from out of nowhere, I saw a house on the side of the road. After stopping the car, I got out and walked up to the front door. The time was about midnight, and a light shone through the window, so I knocked on the door. Not knowing who would come to the door or if anyone would even bother to talk to me, I could only hope that sleep was in my near future. With heavy eyes, I waited impatiently. Finally, the door opened.

A man with a long red beard, wearing blue jeans held up with suspenders, answered the door. I could see on one side of the wall a gun case full of six or seven shotguns. In another part of the room were two German shepherds sleeping next to a blue recliner. In a rugged dry voice, he said, “Who are you, and what do you want?” I tried to hide my anxiety. I was beginning to have second thoughts about this; Why didn’t I stay and sleep in my car on the roadside? “My name is Kyle Denny,” I managed to say. “I have been driving all day, and I need a place to sleep. Would you happen to have a room I could rent for the night? There are no motels for miles. The only thing I can offer you is a room in the barn behind the house. Fine, I will take it. The bearded man led me to the barn.

The room was a bit dusty with a small cot and not much light, but it seemed to say to me, “Come in and sleep.” “This room will be just fine,” I said.

“Sleep well, and by the way, my name is Chad Quest. Before leaving, I must warn you, not to open that door over there, it must remain closed!” He said goodnight and headed back to his house.

At last, sleep was about to become one with my mind, body, and soul. I would soon be in the outer limit, the dreaming state of peace and rest.

Nothing could stop me now. As I was drifting off, I could hear a peculiar sound that kept repeating over and over, like a voice trying to say something. Maybe I was dreaming, or just overly tired. However it continued, and was coming from behind the door, the one Chad had told me not to open. Maybe I was dreaming, or just overly tired. However it continued, and was coming from behind the door, the one Chad had told me not to open. What was that sound? What could it be? It was getting louder and louder. Over and over, it rang in my ears. It sounded like an animal crying in pain. I had to find out. What was that sound? What could it be? It was getting louder and louder. Over and over, it rang in my ears. It sounded like an animal crying in pain. I had to find out.

So, I got up, turned on the light, and went to open the door. Just as I was about to turn the doorknob, I heard a knock from outside the barn. It was Chad. “I came to see if you needed anything,” he said. Then he saw my hand on the doorknob and shouted, “Stop, do not open that door!” “I-I heard something in there, something crying like a hurt animal. I just wanted to see what it was and if I could do something,” I replied. “Very well,” said the man, “I will show you what it is.” He opened the door and turned on the light. What I saw startled me and filled me with fear.

“What is it?” I gasped. Chad assured me that everything would be fine as long as I didn’t touch it. “Just leave it alone and go back to bed,” he commanded.

I lay back down but was not sure I would be able to sleep now. I kept thinking about what was in that room. Would it get me? Could it kill me? Then the crying sounds started again. The lights were off in Chad’s house, so I knew he had gone to bed. The sounds continued and drew me to the forbidden door. It sounded pitiful I had to try and help him.

I opened the door, turned on the light, and there it was looking straight at me, a 12-foot gorilla in a cage.

He put his hand through the bars as if to say, please, touch me, and he a sad look in his eyes. Was he lonely or sick? I wondered. I reminded myself of Chad’s orders.

“Do not touch it!” he had said. I had to try to comfort him so he would quiet down and I could get some sleep. I reached out my hand and touched his. He then let out a long growling sound and began to bend and break the bars of the cage. I did not think he would do this.

I turned out the lights and shut the door, hoping to keep him in the room. However, I did not want to wait around to see if he would stay. I dashed out the door and ran as fast as possible, hoping to hide in the nearby cornfield.

He was following me, and I could hear his growls growing louder and louder. It was too dark to see, but I knew he was gaining on me. Suddenly I tripped and fell. When I picked myself up, I could see in the moonlight the massive creature hovering over me. Was this the end? Would he kill me? I sat down with my head between my hands, hoping he would spare me. I could feel his breath. Suddenly he touched me and said, “YOU’RE IT!” and ran back towards the barn. All he wanted to do was play tag with me. What a night!