Creature
Creative Writing Prompt: Write a fantasy story that is at least 3/4 of a page long, introduces at least two characters, sets a scene, creates a mood, and introduces a conflict. It's unfinished, obviously.
Creature
“You know, Bigfoot’s rumored to live around these parts,” Ally said with an impish grin.
Cain laughed. “The only thing living around here is rednecks and swamp gas,” he replied with a roll of his eyes. He had been prepared for the onslaught of teasing the move would bring. His father was a colonel in the army and his family had to move often. They had moved to Oregon just a few weeks ago. Ally was his next-door neighbor.
“I wouldn’t be so sure,” Ally lowered her voice to a whisper, “you never know what you may run into in them woods.”
Cain knew she was joking, but her words made him uneasy. “I’m sure I’ll be fine,” he said, but his heart lacked the confidence his words offered.
That night the heat was stifling. The full moon shone brightly through Cain’s window and he squirmed in the itchy new sheets. In the dark discomfort of night he couldn’t help but think back to what Ally had said. Could there be something in the woods? Cain had heard about Bigfoot. He had seen a haunting documentary that was full of half-glimpses of a hairy creature. He remembered how strongly that video had piqued his curiosity, how his heart trembled with fear and excitement. He remembered too, that Ally was right. Bigfoot was rumored to live here. Somehow he had just forgotten. Hot and restless, he slipped out of bed.
Outside the sky was clear and Cain took a moment to admire the stars. It had rained yesterday and his boots sank a little with each step. He moved carefully, pulling away branches that blocked his path and ignoring the sharp prickers that snatched at his clothes. Cain wandered deep into the woods, far enough away that he could no longer see the outline of his house or hear the occasional car passing by. At last Cain came to a stop at the base of an old oak tree. He sat at its roots and waited.
After a time, he began to feel foolish. What had he expected anyway? Did he really think that a large hairy creature was just going to show up and strike up a conversation? Even if Bigfoot did exist, he obviously wasn’t going to show his face tonight.
Cain started home filled with a mixture of embarrassment and disappointment. He found his way back to the house with ease, despite the long trek. He had always been a child well aware of his location. Once home he crawled back into his bed, ignoring the dirt that fell from his clothes and the discomfort of frustrated hopes. That night he dreamed of monsters in the woods and Ally’s playful laugh.
Cain didn’t find Bigfoot that night, but three months later, Bigfoot found him.