LIGHT UP THE NIGHT
Living in a one stoplight town was a change for all of them, but now they all loved it. There were so many good things. The community. The fresh air. The space. The quiet. The lack of light at night. Back in the city, the buildings would illuminate the night. But, Pineville was just the opposite. In fact, Pineville nights were so dark that Star made the whole family carry flashlights on their keychains or when it came to her youngest, a special light to wear around his neck. Little Wayne played with his light now as he sat in mommy’s lap. He clicked it on and off in a nervous attempt to distract himself.
Star could see the barricades ahead. She watched as her neighbors streamed out of their cars and walked towards them. “We have to get out,” Shane said.
“Are you sure?” she asked.
“There’s no other way. We’re blocked in. There’s no moving in either direction.”
“Where’s everyone going?” Tarin asked. Tarin was her oldest and most likely weighing the situation just as she was.
“The field. I think they’re all going to the field,” Shane answered.
“Why there?” Tarin asked.
“I’m not sure.”
“Are we going to play baseball, Mommy?” asked her youngest.
“Not today, sweetheart. We’re just going to meet our friends on the field.”
Star and her family jumped out of the car walking briskly towards the barricades. Shane saw his buddy, Mike, jogging up ahead.
“Mike! Where are you going?”
“Head for the field. I’m gonna get the lights.”
Mike managed Tarin and Wayne’s league, baseball teams. The field was his second home. Shane relaxed knowing Mike was going to take charge. He was a good guy, Mike.
The rumbling started about a block behind them. It was the first time anyone had heard anything like it. First, the ground shook. Then it started to crack and crumble. “Mommy!” little Wayne yelled. Star clutched him tighter and the four started to run.
Everyone poured onto the field from all sides. The rumbling was creating cracks in the the earth. As the townsfolk inched towards each other, the earth started to come up through those cracks and the asphalt gave way like dust off a beach towel. Then the pops and explosions began. Roads and earth ripping wide open. The underground thrust above ground with shocking violence.
Mike reached the light box behind the manager’s office with his own ravine rumbling right behind him. The noise grew louder. He grabbed the keys out of his pocket. His hand shook as he tried to locate the light box key. Finally, he had it in hand. Then the explosions started. Mike threw open the light box. His hand was on the switch as the deafening sound broke the earth wide open. A creature with a crocodile head, mammoth jaw, bulging eyes, short arms and a dog’s muscular hind legs burst out of the ground and landed within inches of him. Mike looked back as the jaw hinged opened and moved forward with breathtaking speed. The gaping void of the animal’s throat would be the last thing he’d see as he pulled the switch, lighting up the baseball field like daylight.
Star and Shane had pushed their family to the center of the crowd. They cowered in a huddle as an army of creatures exploded out of the ground like geysers and ran towards them like wolves. Star, Shane, Tarin and Wayne held each other knowing death was coming.
And then the lights came on. The once powerful creatures retreated like scurrying rats. They went back into their holes. The earth followed like water down a drain. Then the silence. It rang out like a church bell. Star held her family close, as the entire town exhaled.
the real stuff
Happy New Year, everyone. Since it’s the time for goals, I’ve decided on one simple goal this year — BECOME A BETTER WRITER. That’s it. Full stop. Simple. If you think you know someone who might enjoy reading fun, short stories, feel free to share this newsletter with them or sign them up. Here’s to a happy and healthy New Year for you and yours. Here’s to getting everything you want and then some. XO