Monster Girlfriend (preview)

You stop when you see a massive construction hanging from a tree. It is made from bones and sticks, shaped like some nightmare dreamcatcher. You take a step back, staring at it in fear and awe. You hear breathing near you. You feel it against the back of your neck. Every hair stands on end and you turn slightly, seeing a near skeletal face beside you.

“Don’t,” it whispers. Its voice is faint and soft. 

You look forward again.

“Stand still,” it murmurs to you. That’s when your hear the shiver and hiss of a rattlesnake.

“Is it near me?” You whimper.

It shushes you, placing a long, gangly finger to your lips. “Stand still,” it repeats. “Close your eyes.”

You do as told. You close your eyes and feel something brush past you. The rattle of the snake gets louder and you hear a rush of movement. You hear a snap and crackle, then the sounds of wet munching and gulping.

“Can I open my eyes now?” Your voice cracks.

A hand it placed over your eyes. “I would rather not,” it says. “I don’t want you afraid of me.”

“Why would I be afraid?” Your voice trembles.

The creature is silent for a moment. “You’re so pretty,” it finally whimpers. 

Your heart starts to hammer. “No...really,” you gasp.

“I saw you in the woods that day,” it murmurs. “So soft, so pretty. Your friends were laughing at something and I noticed it made you sad.”

Your friends had said something about you being the only girl who didn’t need to squat in the woods to pee. That was true but it made you feel uncomfortable. 

“That’s why I tried to scare them,” it giggles.

You gasp. “The carcass?” 

“Mhm,” the murmur. “I didn’t expect you to leave so suddenly.”

“They got scared,” you reply. “Realizing what it was now, it’s a little funny,” you chuckle. You touch the hand over your eyes and the creature whimpers. Their hand feels strange. It feels tight and sinewy, like dozens of slick strings pulled together.  

You pet down their arm and it is long and thing. You touch their chest, feel sharp bone and a hollow, concave opening. You touch their neck and their face. You feel bone and a touch of skin. Their face is narrow and long, sharp in some places.

Their hand falls from your eyes and you slowly open them.