Valentine Squeals
The
party rocked on. Red, pink, and white ribbons, and hearts hung from the ceiling
of this elementary classroom in the small rural town. Children passed
valentines and ate cupcakes with thick pink frosting and sprinkles. Kids
laughed and teased. Music played lightly from a boom box. Teachers and parents indulged
the giddiness on this fourteenth day of February.
The
morning started off clear with few clouds, but that changed into a dark
drizzling afternoon.
The
clown was late. He should have arrived fifteen minutes ago to do magic.
Mrs.
Fields said to one of the aids, “We better come up with something to occupy the
kids.”
Miss
Clark said, “I brought a few games. I’ll set them up in three areas.”
“Great.
I’ll divide the children.”
The
teacher gave the instructions to the students. Kids wiggled through the room,
planning on joining the pre-determined groups.
Rodger,
a nine-year-old, pointed at the window and erupted, “Aaaahhhh! A monster!”
Dead
silence.
Children
and adults gaped at the window. Nothing.
Mrs.
Fields rushed to him and put her hands on his shoulders. “Rodger, what did you
see?”
He
wailed, “A frightful green face with yellow eyes. And shshharp teeth! I swear I
saw it!”
“That
must be the special visitor we’re expecting. He probably peeked into the room.
I’ll check what’s holding him up.”
Mrs.
Fields left, closing the door behind her.
Thunder
crashed!
The
lights went out.
Lightning
streaked the sky and Susie screamed, “There he is!”
Jenny
said, “I want my mommy!”
Kids
broke out of their groups. Some crawled under desks. Others crowded behind the
adults. Tears streamed down chocolate and pink icing-laced faces.
The
handle on a toy Jack-in-the-Box turned a quarter turn and popped its lid. A
clown screeched, “Hahahaha!”
Everyone
startled into silence.
The
door creaked slowly open.
A
shadow sliced across the threshold.
A
grey-green nearly human form filled the doorway. Light glowed behind.
Screams.
Chaos.
Students
and adults ran to the far wall.
The
creature entered. A low growl curdled the air around the beast.
Children
hid their eyes and cried. A parent untangled herself from small arms. “Stop! Go
Away! Leave us alone!”
Shrill
laughter was the reply.
A
doll in the corner stood up. “Mama!”
The
teddy bear answered, “Mama can’t help you now!”
The
stuffed monkey that had hung on the coat hook spring up on the teacher’s desk.
“Eeek Eeek!”
All
the toys came alive and turned toward the people crowding the wall.
The
creature slugged forward. The deafening wails of children grew intense with
each step of the monster. Yellow eyes pierced the darkening room.
Lightning
flashed.
Thunder
crashed.
The
creature reached a dripping seaweed-covered arm to grab small Rachel.
“Blake!
Time for dinner!”
Blake
jerked. “Oh, Man! Sorry, Josh. Mom means business this time. Pause the game.”
Josh
said, “Just when it was getting intense. Best game ever!”
Party favors are lovely and designs are unique too. Got to know about comfortable atmosphere at home studios NYC hired for parties and get together. Planning a sober baby shower treat for my sister with all her friends and our cousins of course. Pink and blue self décor will be done. Searching for frolic ideas to surprise her.
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