5 My own battle

It sounded almost the same as the monster from my favorite animated movie - the evil monster. It also threatened the villagers by warning them that it would return. However, I also had a feeling that it was not the real monster but a mimic. Despite all the confusing thoughts, I felt petrified as I struggled to regain my motion in the middle of the day. I couldn't even open my eyes. I was dwelling with pain and terror when I eventually dozed off due to drowsiness.

"Meredith! Are you alright honey?" Grandpa inquired as I opened my eyes.

I was feeling dizzy and disoriented. I could barely sit up from my bed. I realized that I slept till sundown as I saw the nightlight on.

"Meredith, what happened honey? We almost called 911." My father seemed tense.

"I- don-t kn-ow." I stammered.

"You slept for too long. Should we call a doctor, Aunt Marlene?" Jasmin asked.

"This is probably nothing. She took a long nap maybe because she didn't get enough sleep the past few nights." Tom tried to reason out.

"Maybe, but I'm really worried." My mother responded distraughtly.

I sat up on my bed wearily leaning onto Jasmin. All I could think about was the monster and I also realized that my family wasn't strong enough to defeat the monster. I knew that it would come back to haunt me. I decided to fight my own battle like a warrior unaware of who I was really up against. I was so silly to believe that I could be a hero just like the super warrior in my favorite movie. I didn't have the faintest idea that my innocence would become my weakness.

"Did you see the nightmare again? You seem worried" My father inquired.

"No! I'm just sleepy." I lied.

"Let's eat something before you go back to sleep. Mommy will stay with you tonight." My mother insisted.

"No mommy! I'm a big girl. I can sleep alone." I replied.

"Let someone be with you. I can stay too. Jimmy will also be there for you." My father tried to persuade me.

"I'm fine daddy. I'm a warrior." I remarked.

"Indeed, you are!" Timothy and Jimmy uttered simultaneously.

I feared for my family's safety. I didn't want anyone to get hurt trying to save me. Therefore, I wanted to chase off the monster by myself. My mind was solely focused on the battle with the monster. I under the delusion that I would defeat the monster and win my own battle. However, I also felt terrified and distressed as time passed. I kept on staring at the huge brown clock hanged on the wall.

"Hey. I just got called in for the camp." Tom yelled excitedly.

"Camp?" Grandpa sighed.

Tom began to explain how hard he was trying to get a pass for the acting camp. He also informed us that he would have to leave at the crack of dawn.

"When will you be back?" Jimmy asked.

"Well, it's just a one-day camp," Tom answered.

I was quiet and into myself as the others kept on jabbering at the dinner table. I had an undefeatable plan to get the monster away from my life. Little did I know that the monster was under the guise of a loved one. I sipped the glass of orange juice as I was going over the plan in my mind.

"Princess! You are awfully quiet." My grandpa said fretfully.

I responded to him with a vague smile as I was desperately waiting to put my plan into action. I was impatient to free myself from the evil monster - to get away from the constant fear and pain. My eyes were musing on the clock.

"Meredith let's go to sleep." My mother interrupted my reverie.

I glowered at my mother for the interruption and began to walk towards the staircase. My parents followed me. I put on my pajamas and my mother assisted me in reciting the prayer. My father sat beside me until I closed my eyes. However, I was wide awake waiting for my parents to leave.

As soon as I heard the door slam softly, I got up from my bed. My eyes roamed the room in search of my blue wand. Suddenly my eyes leaned on my toy box which was kept beside the nightstand. I rummaged through the toy box to find my wand. I got hold of it in no time and kept I it on my bed beside my bolster. I weaved a sigh of relief as I accomplished the first plan. My heart kept pounding at a quick space. As per my second plan I opened my wardrobe and took all my clothes. I also moved the vanity stool and climbed on it. I grabbed all my jammies from the top shelf. Soon I started to feel dizzy but I managed to carry my clothes to the door. I left the pile of clothes next to the door. My childish mind truly believed that the monster was trying to steal my clothes and it would take all my clothes and leave without harming me. I was sweating profusely and began to feel extreme dizziness. I dragged myself to bed and held onto my magic wand. I fell asleep instantaneously.

I was awoken to a loud thud as if someone had tripped over and fallen down. I wanted to scream but I couldn't. There was pin-drop silence for a few seconds and shortly slow footsteps grew closer to me.

"I'm back!" The monster whispered.

My blood ran cold as I trembled with fear. I could feel that I was holding onto my wand. However, I was unable to lift it as I was motionless again. Soon I felt him all over me. I also felt that the monster was hurt as it was having a hard time adjusting itself on my bed, unlike the previous nights. I felt my pants pulled off me and I had to suffer extreme pain all over again. However, it got off me sooner.

"I will be back!" The monster whispered as it wiped off my thighs.

Goosebumps prickled across my arms and neck. I realized that I was too weak to fight off the monster. My magic wand was of no use. I could feel my tears rolling down my cheeks as I was crying in pain. All my plans went into the drain. I also wondered why I was attacked after I offered all my clothes to the monster. Suddenly, I heard my wardrobe open and I realized that someone was still inside my room. Soon I drifted off while shivering in fear.

"Hey, Meredith! Good morning." I heard my mother.

I slowly opened my eyes. The pain and fear of the night, flashed through my mind as tears raced down my cheeks.

"What happened, dear?" My mother queried.

"My cl…othes.. mon…ster" I stammered, gasping out in between uncontrollable tears.

I pointed at the door to show the pile of clothes I left it for the monster but was dumbfounded to see that it had vanished. I rushed towards my wardrobe and I could scarcely believe my eyes when all my clothes were back on the shelves.

Despite of being in extreme shock and terror, I didn't want to continue my explanation further. I realized that no one would believe me. I walked towards the bathroom in tears and turned the doorknob before my mother could enter.

"Meredith! Open the door, honey." My mother called out.

I cried profusely as all the pain and fear of the nights invaded my mind. My mother kept on knocking on the door continuously. I opened the door as I realized that she was worried about me. I peeked through the door and witnessed Timothy and Jimmy sitting on my bed. They looked tensed and worried too.

"Did you see the nightmare again?" Jimmy inquired.

I stared at my mother and nodded because I knew that they wouldn't believe me. She took me into her arms and advised me to minimize my screen time. Jimmy and Timothy kept on babbling about how cartoons and movies affect our minds. They reasoned out my fear by trying to convince me that animated movies might be the reasons for the constant nightmares.

My mother requested them to go for breakfast. Soon, Timothy left the room engrossed in his phone. Jimmy stood up and walked to the door with a limp.

"What happened to you?" My mother questioned Jimmy.

I stared at Jimmy's leg in shock.