Terror Stalks the Stables

This short story was originally written by Christie for a school project. It was re-worked for the blog. Enjoy.

It was a dark and stormy night. As wind howled down at the Sea to Sky stables, there was a quiet and eerie feeling in the air. Natalie was just finishing up her daily routine when she was startled by an unsettling noise.

Turning around quickly, her eyes opened wide with fear. There in the distance, surrounded by darkness, two green eyes staring straight at her. Stepping back she stumbled. Landing on her backside she tried to retreat from the on coming danger. The muddy ground slipping under her as she pushed with her feet.

A growling grew closer and closer. The mud becoming slippery and slippery.

Not wanting to turn away from the danger, Natalie reached behind her, feeling for something to grab a hold of. Fumbling, her hand moved frantically across the ground. Finding nothing Natalie broke her stare and looked away from the direction of the noise.

There not two feet away was the handle of a fallen pitch fork. Spinning her body she scampered as best as she could in the mud. With every step she took she could feel the ground shaking from the heavy thump of the menace behind her. Faster and faster her feet kicked out. Louder and louder the thumping became.

With her fingers outstretched and grasping the pitch fork handle, Natalie gained her footing and spun to face the darkness. Armed with the four deadly spiked tongs, she gazed back at the darkness with a strength she knew she had inside her.

The horses in her stables could be heard above the howling wind. With their whinny and hoof stomping, they tried to warn Natalie of the danger that was closing in. A foul odor filled the air. Then Natalie saw a large black shadow out of the corner of her eye. Spinning quickly she lunged the pitch fork in it’s direction. Striking nothing she held her ground. A deep heavy breathing slowly circled her. Keeping the pitch fork will in front of her, Natalie’s knuckles turned white from her tightened grip.

Then it happened.

Through the darkness a thunderous beast broke into the light. Natalie stabbed forward with the pitch fork. The beast screamed out in rage. It’s heavy paws thumping the ground around it. Natalie looked at the tips of the pitch fork. A red crimson liquid dripped from the tips. She had made contact. Only now the beast was more upset. It’s breath hung in the air like dead meat, rotting and fowl.

Natalie was able to get to her feet quickly enough. Both of them circled each other in the glow of the overhead light. Beads of sweat had formed on Natalie’s forehead, while the beast left droplets of blood.

Then the beast raised it’s immense body, towering over Natalie. With a yelping cry it swooped down it’s large paw. Barely missing Natalie as she ducked, the paw smashed the door knocking a kerosene lantern into the stable. With a crash the lantern exploded into flame and timbers from the stable lit up like dry kindling.

Backing up against the stable wall Natalie felt herself trapped. The fire flickering in the stable, bouncing off the saddles that rest on the railing. Feeling the increasing heat on the wall Natalie had to make her way to the main water valve to put out the fire. She feared not for her life but of her horses who were trapped in the stables.

Trying as she could, slowly she inched herself along the wall. Only five feet away from the door and she had to stop. The beast blocked the way. Growling ferociously it studied her every movement. It’s green eyes piecing her soul.

From within the stables Natalie could hear the horses getting frantic from the fire. Banging and kicking the walls as the flames made their way towards the trapped animals. The dry hay igniting quickly, producing flame and smoke.

In the split second that it took for Natalie to glance at the stable doorway, the beast raised it’s paw again and struck the pitch fork out of Natalie’s hands. Defenseless and trapped Natalie could only brace herself against the wall. The beast slowly made it’s way closer and closer to Natalie. Warm saliva dripping out of it’s mouth, drooling at the expectation of fresh warm flesh.

Raising up over Natalie, the best prepared for it’s final strike. Claws extended, teeth bared, in a deafening roar it stood menacing.

Fearing the worst, Natalie slid down the wall, curling up, hoping for a miracle. Tears forming in her eyes, she was beyond being scared. She only felt a sadness in knowing her horses might parish in the flames. Vowing not to go down crying, Natalie defiantly rose to face the challenge head-on. With her shoulders square and arms at her side she stared into the beasts shallow enraged eyes.

“Do your best”, Natalie screamed. “I’m not afraid!”

Then with a mighty roar the beast lunged at Natalie with it’s claw swooping down.

“CUT !! PRINT THAT ONE!”
The director yelled out through the megaphone.

Slowly the raging flames sputtered and went out, helped along the way by the various men with fire extinguishers. The mechanical horses stop their stomping and stood silent. Natalie was quickly surrounded by various people, hair, make-up and wardrobe. Each one attending to one aspect or another of Natalie’s appearance. From within the giant beast’s belly a zipper unzipped and a small man crawled out.

“Okay everyone”, called out the Assistant Director. “That’s a wrap for today. See you all tomorrow.”

Just another day in the world of movie magic.