The creature.

Word count 3146
A/n DEAD DOVE INSIDE DO NOT EAT. I mean it when I say this is disturbing. Do not continue to read if these at all scare or disturb you.

Blood, gore, death, suicide, graphic depictions, disturbing endings, and monsters

This was a project to create a horror story for my IB HL Y2 class. (I won first place for this which is the only reason I'm sharing it) this short story is VERY DISTURBING. This was written to be disturbing and to be disgusting. You have been warned.

I OWN THIS.
THIS WORK BELONGS TO ME KEIRA JORGENSEN AND IT IN NO WAY WILL EVER BE ALLOWED TO BE COPIED.
Thank you.

Ruby knew better than to play in the forest after dark, her mother reminding her of the monsters that lurked past sundown. But twelve year old Ruby wanted to be a monster hunter just like Juliet Huntress, the great huntress she'd seen on tv. Putting on her winter coat and scarf, Ruby snuck out of the house, holding her brother's baseball bat he had gotten for Christmas days prior.
The house was silent, everyone but Ruby were asleep, unaware of what the young girl was up to. The door squeaked quietly as she turned the knob peeking her head out the front door as the cold air came through the crack, biting at her face as she shivered. Small steps in the snow let out small crunches, the bat in her hands held tightly. Pulling her scarf over her mouth she began to venture into the woods, the critters of the forest deeply asleep as the snow fell from the dark sky.
Ruby's footprints in the snow that once were fresh began to be covered by the incoming snow. Holding her arms close to her body for warmth as she debated turning back, her mothers warm embrace filling her mind. Having been walking for half an hour the young girl's legs began to grow tired and sore. The heavy snow on her boots weighed her down with every step, the scarf around her neck was pulled tight to her face trying to keep out the cold air. A crow cawed in front of her, spooking the young girl. It stood in the snow, watching her. Its eyes seemed to follow her as she tried to walk around it. "H...hi?" she asked with her soft pitched voice. The crow cawed in response but made no movements, only watching her. Walking past, Ruby tried to ignore the crow. It cawed one last time. As she turned to look at it a scream ripped from her throat as she saw the bird turn its head 180 degrees to stare at her. Ruby's breath quickened as she turned and began running, Crying as she slammed into the trunk of an old tree she stumbled as she continued to run. Running in a state of panic had been a bad idea for Ruby, the forest and woods that she had grown up in for 12 years began to meld together in the dark, Unable to find her way spinning in circles as the darkness that surrounded her. She wanted to go home, she wanted her mom, she wanted her bed and she had no clue where she was. The baseball bat still tightly in her hands acted as her teddy bear, she knew where it was. Sat comfortably on her bed in the warmth as she held the cold metal bat in her cold hands. The coldness of the outside creeping into her winter coat and thick woolen gloves. "Worst blizzard" she recalled her mothers gentle voice. The two of them just the day before had been sitting in front of the window. A snow storm, the worst Washington State had seen in decades.
She felt her body begin to slow down as time began to meld together, the only thoughts through her own mind were fear and worry. Unsure of where she was and unsure of what time it'd be. The moon glowed down on her as she felt its cold gaze. She recalled her mothers smile as she held her at night, the song she'd hum everytime she had a nightmare. The cold gaze of the moon always felt warm during those moments. But in this moment that warmth was nowhere to be seen. The only feeling she could feel was the immense coldness, her body shaking and beginning to betray her as she felt as if she was going to fall asleep standing. As she began to fall to her knees she saw the glow of a lantern, the glow looked so warm. So inviting, she tried to move, she tried to get up. Her body didn't listen.
"My child" A woman's voice spoke from the glow, it was soft, delicate. But it sounded old, a wise voice knowing everything. Ruby was sure that by the sounds of things this woman knew her own fate. From the glow the woman was clear, her pale white skin glowing as her eyes looked down upon Ruby. Her dress was white with puffy fur sleeves that only covered her shoulders, the long dress reminded Ruby of snow. Her hair did as well, it was long and fluffy the curls within tightly wound upon each other as they too glowed white. Her eyes were a deep red color as she observed the small girl. "Come my child" The woman spoke softly to the small child. "It isn't safe". The icy hand that wrapped around Ruby did nothing to the small girl, the cold setting in, Closing her eyes as she felt the woman lift her and begin trying to pull her into the cave up ahead.
Awakening from the darkness that was sleep, Ruby shot up, her baseball bat sat next to the cot neatly. She stared at the Snow woman who was stirring a soup. "You may stay until you feel better. But I must warn you, when you leave, head home immediately. Do not continue to roam." Ruby went to speak but began coughing. "Do not try to protest if that is what you wish." The snow woman turned to Ruby. "My name is Elise Clement. But you can call me Mrs. Clement." Ruby nodded as she watched Mrs. Clement pour her a small bowl of soup. "Eat it all." Mrs. Clement said as she handed the bowl to Ruby. The cave was simple, the fire in the middle creating a soft glow across the rocky walls. The small kitchen is set up in the corner. Ruby went to speak but it seemed Mrs. Clement knew this as well. "I do not live here, I am merely seeking shelter from the elements." Ruby nodded. "Wha-" Before Ruby could ask Mrs. Clement spoke once more. "There are creatures within this forest I will not speak of to a little girl. Now eat your soup and I'll escort you out. I will only walk you a quarter of the way and that is all."
Ruby nodded as she watched the woman before returning to her own soup. Mrs. Clement walked slowly to the cave entrance observing. The warm bowl of soup felt nice in Ruby's stomach, making the small girl give a smile and set the bowl down. "Get dressed, we need to leave now." Mrs. Clement spoke with mild urgency scanning the horizon as if she had seen something. "Plans have changed. I will take you as far as I can" Mrs. Clement said after Ruby was all buttoned up. "When I no longer can go with you, you will have to run."
Ruby gave a quick nod as she felt the woman's hand on hers, the grip was tight and harsh. Ruby winced at the feeling but Mrs. Clement never loosened her grasp. The walk was barely a walk, it was more a sprint. Ruby could feel the nervousness of Mrs. Clement as they sprinted through the forest, the thick snow beneath their feet crunching.
They had been running through the forest for half an hour when Ruby had felt the hand let go of hers. She began to turn before she heard Mrs. Clement's voice. "Run my child. Don't turn back!" Ruby's eyes teared as the icy air hit them. The once quiet forest felt and sounded so awake and loud. Whispers piercing through her ears unsure of what is happening. The caw of a crow above her as it felt as if it was chasing her. Her breathing quickened as she felt her small body picking up speed. Laughter came from behind her as she felt an unknown presence.
Running through the forest she could feel the thousands of eyes on her, fear trickled down her neck as she shook. Her breathing was quick and rapid. The pounding of her feet against the floor ricochet through her body, her heart thumping wildly in her ears. Her breathing short gasps as she stumbles, tripping on a tree branch. The cry of a crow and the laughter louder she cried as she tumbled down a short cliff. Screaming out as she felt her shoulder pop out. The excruciating pain felt as she heard the chorus of laughter above her. Stumbling to her feet she took off running once more not having enough time to grab her bat, the adrenaline filling her as she held her shoulder as she ran. Her pain is the last of her concerns. The thick forest surrounding her tried to trick and disorient. Trying to make her stray, trying to make her stumble. She continued straight, the laughter behind her getting louder as her feet hit the floor harder. The icy air biting at her face and eating at her lungs. Ahead of her a small light comes far behind a tree, chasing it she sprints faster wanting to find shelter, wanting to find that peace. The blood coating her body, the cuts and scrapes she endured. Getting closer she saw it, a small cabin. The fire going in the fireplace, she could see the fresh snow in front not yet shoveled. Running faster as the eyes grew more and more, watching more and laughing "Help!" She screamed as she reached the door slamming her whole body as she struggled to get it open. "Crap-" she whispered as the beings grew in closer and closer. The tall black silhouette reached forward as it began crawling on the floor. Her breathing quickened as she continued to struggle with the door. The repeated thump coming from her whole body shoving into the door. "Please! Help!" She begged whoever may have been inside the creature reaching forward slowly, Ruby's breath caught in her throat as she took a leap of faith and jumped off the porch. Her feet aching, she continued to run screaming as she grew closer to the town. "Help!" she screamed out as she ran past homes, the fire burning bright. She banged on every door she stumbled upon, the dark creature picking up speed. The crow followed with its deafening caw. Finally as her fist hit a door it opened darting in she slammed the door behind her, crying as she could hear the laughter behind it. The creature scratched like a cat. Standing Ruby felt weak, trying to regain her strength as she removed her scarf. She wasn't home yet, she was still in the outskirts of the town but was getting closer. She didn't recognize this home though, the portraits of the family had been smashed and left on the floor. Broken glass laid upon the floor, crunching under her feet as she took uneasy steps. The couch had been flipped and the cushions were slashed, Ruby shuddered nervously as she took uneasy steps through the cabin. The fear through her, unsure of what may come. Why had the door even been unlocked? Ruby caught a glimpse of the kitchen clock "3:30 am". It had been midnight when Ruby had snuck out of her home, she wondered if her family had noticed yet. A crash came from the upstairs that caught her attention and away from her thoughts.
The stairs creaked and groaned beneath her feet as she walked slowly upstairs. The smell was awful, the smell metallic, it reminded Ruby of the bucket of pennies her mom had. Reaching the top of the stairs the hallway was dark, a dim light coming from the crack in a door. The smell got stronger as she walked closer, the floor wet and viscous beneath her feet. Her fingertips gently pushed the door open as she felt her breath hitch into her throat. A second later she let out a blood curdling scream. In front of her was a scene that made her grow nauseous. The first thing to catch her eyes was the man, a chair fallen on the floor as the man hung from the ceiling. His face pale and eyes rolled back, his mouth open and his head was limp. His body was in a black suit, covered in blood as lay beneath him was the remains of a woman. Her mouth sliced open into a face of horror, her eyes gouged out as her chest had been cut and spread open. Within her stomach an unborn fetus. Covered in the amniotic fluid and blood. Its neck has been sliced open. Next to the naked woman on the bed were two children. A girl and a boy, the boy was naked as his body had been chopped apart with what appeared to be an axe. His face was smashed in and the only thing that remained was his bottom row of teeth as his jaw was no longer connected. The girl was in better condition. Her legs also chopped off but her face was cut up and stitched into a smile, her eyes stitched open as she obviously bled out. Most likely being the last to die as she had tears running down her face and was propped up to watch whatever happened to the woman. Ruby gagged as the smell hit her even stronger, the floor soaked in blood as she realized it was all over her feet and legs. Turning Ruby escaped crying out as she ran down the stairs and stumbled slightly ripping the back door open she ran out into the cold, feeling the urge to throw up as she fought it. Pushing it down she continued to run. Tears ran down her face as she heard the caw of a crow above her.
She never slowed down even when she heard the creature laughing behind her. She continued to run as fast as she could, her breathing rapid and uneasy as she could see the moon glowing above her. The smell of metallic never left her nose as she ran closer to her town, the snow beneath her turned red from the blood.
As she grew closer to the town the homes began to look wrong, they were old and decrepit. No longer pristine and clean as they had been hours prior. The shingles of the roof were missing or falling on many of the homes, windows smashed in and doors cracked in half. Ruby shook her head, she didn't need to worry about this now. Her lungs ached from the cold and her legs were sore from running. But she needed to get home. She didn't care about the lecture she'd most likely receive, she didn't care about her mother screaming her head off at her. All she cared about was her mothers warm embrace and her mothers voice.
Finally the backyard of her home came into view, the lights remained off and it looked in perfect shape. No vines growing from the roof or sides of the house, no broken windows, no blood, no dead bodies, no broken shingles, and no broken door. Opening the back gate she heard the creature stop in its tracks, the crow stood on her window staring at her. The creature stared at her, it didn't speak or make any motions of movement. She had her hand on the fence gate as she closed it behind her, small shuffled steps came from her feet as she walked toward the door. Never taking her eyes off of the tall dark creature, its sharp teeth and glowing eyes intimidating her. The crow cawed a warning, yelling. As if telling the girl to run. But she didn't. Opening the door softly, the door hinges creaking, she slipped inside. Closing the door behind her, rushing to the window to peek on the creature but it was gone. The crow flew down to the fence where she had been standing, it cawed one last time before it took off.
The home was quiet. The floorboards being the only thing to creak as Ruby took small steps into the dark home. Tears brimming her eyes as all she wanted was her mom. Walking up the stairs she took off her shoes, then her pants that were covered in blood, her coat, her gloves, everything. Only in her shirt and underwear she walked to her mothers room crying. Her body bruised and bloody, as she opened the door to the dark room she could see her mother laying alone in the bed, the covers pulled up to her head.
"Mommy!" Ruby cried out as she jumped into the bed grabbing at her mother as she sobbed, her mother made no movements. Ruby held her close, her mother was cold... why was she cold? Looking up at her mothers face she screamed. Her mothers eyes had been gouged out, her bottom jaw completely ripped off. As Ruby kicked away her mothers corpse she watched as her head fell off and down the side of the bed. "What-" Ruby asked no one, tears dripping from her face as she pulled the covers and saw her mother nude as her body was clawed up and torn apart. Screaming she scrambled out of the bed and to her brother. "Alex!" She cried as she tried to shake the boy, "Alex mom is dead!" The boy too didn't move. Facing the wall and away from Ruby, she turned him to face her but let out another scream. His face was completely ripped off. Blood soaked his sheets as all of his organs were visibly ripped apart. "What is happening?!" She screamed as she turned towards the doorway. There stood the creature. On all fours as it crawled towards her "who are you?!" She screamed at it. "What do you want?! Why have you done this!?" Fear no longer was in her as all she could feel was sorrow and anger.
The creature never spoke. As it grew closer to her it began to stand on two legs, shrinking down to the height of an average man. Its face shifted and changed. Its bones sounded as if they were cracking. Ruby gasped as she saw the figure standing before her, a knife within its hands.
"Dad... why?" She cried as he leapt for her. Screaming as he drove the knife into her neck first. Removing her ability to make sounds as she silently gurgled her own blood. The metallic taste was sickening but she could do nothing as she was stabbed repeatedly, her stomach sliced as her organs began to fall out. The agony she felt began to vanish, the world growing dim as all sound turned to ringing. Falling into darkness Ruby laid in a pool of her own blood.