On The Dark Side

This is the only part

The wheels squeak under my seat as my bike bumps along to the end of Sandman Drive.

I gaze back at my godfather's house only a few yards away

then up at the corner street lamp,

my last light source for the next thirty seconds.

The old shudder runs down my spine, my heart begins to pound

As I push down on the pedal with my foot.

I turn my bike, seeing only the dark desolate street

there are no homes, only the cold concrete walls of others' backyards.

In my mind, I see a tall lanky creature

resembling a man, yet without a face

appearing from thin air to abduct me

and take me to the "Upside-Down".

I grip the handle bars tighter

hopeful that the extra weight will deter the beast,

recalling that Will had left his own bicycle behind.

The terrible shiver returns as the demogorgon nears-

No, it's not real, the demogorgon is a typo and nothing more.

Even if it were real, it's drawn to blood

I'm not bleeding.

But neither was Will.

I can't help but wonder

why do I torture myself with these creatures?

Why can't I picture my nephews running around with balloons

Or something adorable...

Still I can see it,

it's long claws like bowie knives,

the finger tentacles that slowly open to reveal it's gaping maw

wanting to swallow me whole.

It is only when I turn the corner,

it's only when I see the light of the next post,

the monster vanishes

and I emit a sigh of relief.