Monster in the Basement
"Good going Danny, just loose it why don't you." I berate myself.
Beads of sweat rolled down my face as I slowly opened up the basement door. The sound of the doors protesting echoed throughout the empty, two-story house as it opened a fraction.
My wild black hair fell into my face as the fear that I'm all too familiar with gripped my already racing heart.
Recent events that had lead me to this moment surface and my guilt increases ten-fold.
"Don't lose it Danny, it's a family heirloom." Sam, the girl of my dreams had warned me.
It was just meant to be a simple borrow, use, return. Mum needed the ring for a black tie event, so I asked my unconventional friend if it could be borrowed for a day.
She will be here any second to get it back, but I don't have it!
My skinny frame shivered at the thought of confronting the purple loving female. I'm not sure which one is worse, getting hit by Sam's steal-toes combat boots, or facing it.
Sighing, my sweaty hands slowly push open the blue painted door that I have come to fear.
The creaking continues until finally the door hits the wall of the stairwell.
"Dad really needs to oil this thing," I note, trying to relax the cyclone growing inside of me.
My eyes catch a glimpse of something shiny and I look down towards the bottom of the dim lighted steps.
"There you are." I exclaim, joy temporarily flooding my system and blocking out the fear.
Creeping down the basement steps I can't help but smile, "Almost there Danny, just don't look up. Don't. Look. Up."
As I come within arms distance of the golden ring, I can't help but look up.
There on the wall, is the reason why I had this suffocating fear. A monster three meters high stood there, silently waiting for me to come within reach of its millions of small, razor sharps tentacles. Its fat, chubby arms were out stretched and ready to deliver the fatal blow.
And this was just its huge, monstrous shadow! I don't even want to know what the creature's grotesque form truly looks like.
The fear that had been pushed away was now back in full force. The sound of my heart was the only thing that I could hear, thudding loudly within my chest. I was frozen in place, unable to move or run away. Like a deer caught in the headlights, all I could do was stare at the monsters intimidating shadow, waiting for the inevitable.
Suddenly a loud, hollow sound cut through my thoughts like a hot knife with butter.
"Danny, it's me, Sam. I'm here for the ring." The angelic voice of Sam Mason stated through the front door.
That's when it hit me. This ring is precious to Sam; I can't leave it just because I'm scared. No! This is for Sam!
Steeling my resolve I push through the fear and reach the bottom of the steps, the ever-present shadow looming over my tiny self. As my heart beats a thousand miles a minute, I reached down and grab the smooth, golden ring.
"Danny come on, open up!" The irritated voice of Sam calls out.
Bolting up the stairs and out the basement, I head towards Sam.
"Yeah, Sam, I got your ring. No need to break down the door." I pant out as I open the door.
Dropping the ring into Sam's waiting hands; I can't help but smile at my victory. I beat the monster in the basement.