The Crocodile under my Bed (393 hits)
Category: NoneRating: 1.75 on 8 reviews (Rate this item) (V)
Submitted by Lucylou (View user info) at 2005-07-01 00:58:58 EDT
I awoke with a start. I wasn't sure at first what had woken me, but then I felt it: the uncomfortable sensation of a full bladder. I lay for a moment, pondering. It was my birthday tomorrow, and I would be five years old, and ready to start school. I gazed around my bedroom, decorated by my parents in varying shades of apricot. I cuddled closer to my Teddy bear, already battered and faded from nearly five years of constant affection, and enjoyed the warmth of my bed.
But the uncomfortable feeling wouldn't go away. I knew I would have to do something about it. But, just as I sat up in my bed, I heard it. The low rumbling and shuffling under my bed. The Crocodile was back.
He wasn't always there, the Crocodile. But when he was, he always kept me awake with his snortling and snapping, the throaty growls as he considered his potential next meal - me. My parents didn't believe he was there, because he was a cunning snapper, and would disappear when I called them into my room and beseeched them to look. He only came out late at night, and usually when I had some cause to leave my bed. Like now.
Knowing the Croc would try to take a bite out of my ankles as soon as I let my feet touch the carpet, I formulated a plan. I stood on my bed. I looked towards the door, directly ahead of me, and took a deep breath. Running the length of my bed, I took a flying leap off the end, towards the open door. Narrowly missing hitting my head on the doorframe, I landed just out of reach of the snapping jaws. The Crocodile growled softly, but he wasn't too put out. He knew I would be back.
The relief was incredible, and I took my time, knowing what awaited me when I returned to my room. I examined my door. I looked at it from a number of different angles. Finally, I again ran straight for the door. I heaved my tiny body through the air, and landed - SMACK - back on the bed, taking care to tuck my legs away quickly when I landed, away from reaching teeth.
And I was safe for another night. I heard the throaty rasp of a crocodile thwarted. I pulled Teddy towards me, and snuggled back under the covers. I needed a good night's sleep for the morning, when I would do battle with the Tiger in my wardrobe.
User Reviews
Submitted by LadyPlural (user info) at 2005-07-01 14:01:42 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
See, there's a shark living in my toilet, so I have trouble with nights like that.
Submitted by Deidra (user info) at 2005-07-01 11:34:38 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by Fabit (user info) at 2005-07-01 07:12:05 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
This is full of all kinds of aceness. Good work lucylou!
El Fabit O
Submitted by missflibble (user info) at 2005-07-01 07:09:49 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
NO IDEA WHY I LIKE THIS.
Submitted by Pr0j3ct (user info) at 2005-07-01 01:35:31 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
I liked this alot. Not sure why though...
Submitted by forensicgirl3 (user info) at 2005-07-01 01:14:14 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
I was convinced that headhunters were under my bed but could only chop off my head if they grabbed me by my feet.
I never got into bed normally until................well, hopefully any day now!
Submitted by Chroniclysm (user info) at 2005-07-01 01:11:40 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
You mentioned this as one of the memories in your first post.
Nice follow-up.
Submitted by oofapal (user info) at 2005-07-01 01:01:48 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Uhhhhh...thanks....uh.....