Monster

I’m a monster.

I’m an evil being.

A spawn of hell.

My fangs drip with blood.

My claws are stained a rust color, flesh still clinging to them.

Bullets protrude from my neck in a shiny collar.

My eyes glow a dull crimson.

And I wear nothing but black.

I watch mortals run across this Earth from the shadows.

I grin and laugh when they see me.

And scream.

Protecting themselves.

Turning away from me.

The children though.

The children stare in wonder.

They look up at me, bright eyed.

So happy.

Because monsters like me are real.

We are really real.

The children…

The children can fear me.

Not their abusive parents.

Or strangers on the street.

Nothing is going to snatch them up on the streets.

No one is going to kill them in their sleep.

No one is going to scream and swing fists.

Or chase them out of the house at midnight.

No.

The children look up at me and smile.

They give me a wink.

And I wink back.

They know with me there to scare them.

With me there for them to fear.

Nothing else can get them.  

Because I’ll scare the bad people away.

I’ll show off my bloody fangs.

And sharpen my rusty, skin covered claws.

And shine up my bullet necklace.

And protect the children.

They will still live in fear.

Of course.

But with me…

It will never feel too real.

And the children laugh and scream in delight as their parents run away.

But I give them a stern look.

And they nod.

They run away with their parents, twisting their faces into fear.

Holding back laughter.

No one besides me.

Will ever scare them again.