Scratches and Bruises in the Night

by Misty Serra
(Florence, Arizona)

It was later in October 2001, and I was around 11 years old. We had just moved to a new state and a new house, and I wasn't very happy. I remember seeing a large figure dart into the room that was supposed to be mine. I freaked out, screaming there was somebody in my room. My father (naturally) grabbed his pistol and crept inside. Nothing for a minute, and then he came out, shaking his head. He told me there was nobody in there, and the window was still locked. I sighed and went in, dragging my mattress in behind me, and I saw it leaning out of my closet.

I told myself it was my imagination, walked over and pretended it wasn't there, and closed the door on its figure. I slept on the floor that night, and when I woke up, I had scratches all over my body, and bruises on my hips, chest, and neck. To this day, I will still wake up with scratches and bruises, but never as bad as that.