By Ed Kratz
Nine-year-old Timmy knew all about monsters. Werewolves turned into wolves when the moon was full, so he watched the sky when the moon was round and bright.
Vampires feared the cross and hated garlic. So Timmy wore his cross and carried garlic except when his mom caught him and made him get rid of it. And how she laughed when he protested!
But he didn’t know monsters could be like his dad’s friend Bill, just a smiling guy in a T-shirt and shorts, so Timmy jumped in when Bill showed up and offered him a ride home from school that day.
Oh, Ed, what you can do with 101 words! I wanted to grab Timmy before he jumped in the car. Still do!
Well-written is an understatement!
Thanks for your kind comments.
Hello Ed,
Excellent! And the fission of horror I felt at the ending of this flash called to mind Timmy’s
probable reaction.
Thanks for your comment. I appreciate it.
Wow. What power in so few words. Great title too!
Thank you.
That one really packs a punch. Well done.
Thanks.
Wow. I love that the writer knows what Timmy, sadly, doesn’t.
That ending is jarring, amazing how you can turn this completely on its head. Nice work!!
Good point. I appreciate your comment.
Wow, Ed. Excellent build up to the revel of the innocuous Dad’s-friend-monster. Great job.
Powerful well written story.
Wow! That ending made me shiver. Skillful writing.
Wow. This is excellent! What an ending with a Mike Tyson gut punch! Very well done
Such a heartbreaking ending, Ed. Makes you wish you were there for Timmy and took him home safely to his mother….
OOph! Powerful!
Wow. Horror really is the everyday. Great story.
Geez, Ed, this is a really good one. I didn’t see that ending coming, and it’s left its mark.
Good stuff!!