The Monster in the Closet

by Brian Eirik Coe

"Daddy?"

Sam looked up from his book at the sound of the tiny voice. "What's wrong, sweetie?"

The little girl twisted nervously in the hallway, the small teddy bear crushed against her chest. "I'm scared."

Sam set the book down and leaned forward on the sofa. "Come here." He said gently. As soon as she was close enough, he hugged her tightly. "What made you scared?"

She looked at him with moist eyes. "There's a monster in my room."

With a slight sigh, he hugged her a little tighter. She'd been seeing monsters ever since her mother died the year before. "Do you want me to chase them away for you?"

She nodded silently.

He kissed her on the forehead and picked her up. "Let's go." He carried her up the stairs and into her bedroom. Depositing her on her frilly pink bed, he tucked her in tightly. "Now where is the monster?"

"Under the bed." She whispered in the terrified whisper of a four year old.

Crouching down, he peered under the bed. There were a few stray toys and crumpled socks, but no monster. "He's not here, sweetie." He said gently.

"Maybe he's in the closet." She whispered again.

Sam stroked his daughters forehead a couple times and walked over to the closet. Throwing it open, he found nothing but hanging clothes and toys. "Hey monster's!" he said dramatically. "Go away and don't come back, or you'll have to answer to me!" He shut the door soundly.

He went back to his daughter and kissed her again. "Better, sweetie?"

She nodded strongly and smiled. "Thank you, daddy."

"Okay, now go to sleep." He said, leaving the room.

He closed the door to her room and walked down the stairs. As he got to the living room, he found himself looking at the most disgusting creature than the imagination could possibly conjure up. Green, slimy skin that was mottled with deep black and purple welts was the most pleasant feature. Fangs dripping a foul, yellowish goop decorated the mouth. The beast made the hypothetical 800 pound gorilla look like a wimp. It leaned against the fireplace, breathing in and out, it's nostrils flaring at Sam.

Sam sighed and plunked down on the sofa. "Hi Murray. Rough night?"

The beast spread his hands wide. "Sure." He said in a voice that matched his body. "You're not letting me work. What am I going to tell the big boss?"

"Tell him that if he wants me to come back after my sabbatical, then he'll leave Jamie alone." He picked up his book. "And careful, you're dripping slime on the carpet."

Murray looked at the drops of yellows slime on the oatmeal colored rug with embarrassment. "Sorry. That's why I don't have a carpet back home." He turned his attention back to Sam. "All little kids need a monster in their rooms. You know that, Sam. You've been that monster."

Sam jumped up and poked a finger in the monsters chest. "I'm also that little girls father right now, and my first duty is to protect her." Murray started to cringe from the smaller form. "If I find out that you are back in her closet again, I'll personally rip your arms off and feed them to you." A small trail of steam started to drift from Sam's nostril.

Murray backed up. "Sam..." he said in quiet terror.

Sam felt his face distort as it started to return to it's original, vaguely dragon-like form. "You know that I'll do it, too." He said dangerously.

Murray cringed in fear. "Okay, okay! I'll go! I'll go!" and he was gone.

Sam took a few deep breaths and willed his human form back completely. He looked at he T-shirt in annoyance realized that he'd ruined it. With a final shake of the head, he dropped himself on the sofa again and picked up the book. He knew that he could expect a visit from the big boss in the next couple days, but that didn't concern him in the least.

Sam had built up leeway with the boss over the centuries, and he could cash that in now. He was always the best monster, and the boss knew it. He ready and willing to instill fear in anyone, anytime.

Anyone, that is, except one little girl.

The Monster in the Closet copyright 1998 by Brian Eirik Coe.