Creak
The sharp creak from behind swiftly drew his attention. Turning around in response to the creak, he's cast into shock on sighting a possessed, glaring at him with an intensity that seemed to pierce his very soul.
He had less than a moment to react. Before he knew it, with a single stiff swing of its hand, the possessed had hurled him into the air. Mr. Lawler crashed into a tree, shattering his ribs on impact. Lifelessly, he fell to the ground, and with a faint groan, his life slipped away.
***
Meanwhile, time passed in the Lawler residence. The preparatory dishes and decorations were all set and done. The finely furnished living room was exquisitely adorned with eye-catching multi-colored Christmas lights that cast a disco-like glow throughout the room.
The dining table, situated next to the kitchen, was laden with platters of various Christmas delicacies, including Eddy and Maggie's favorite dish—lasagna with a bowl of sauce-dipped meatballs.
The children sat watching cartoons on TV, oblivious to the world around them. The dishes were served, and all the other preparations were complete.
Everything was ready for a joyous evening—everything but one crucial element: Mr. Lawler. It was a few minutes past eight p.m., yet he had not returned from work. Although Eddy and Maggie were completely absorbed by the captivating TV show, Mrs. Lawler faced the mounting suspense of her husband's late return.
It was Christmas Eve, so work at the ward should not have even been an option. However, in the demanding medical work Mr. Lawler had chosen as his 9-to-5, it was quite common for urgent situations to arise. His lateness, on the other hand, was unprecedented. She had tried calling his cellphone but was sent straight to voicemail.
Even on days when he came home late, he had never failed to notify her, ensuring that any potential worry or controversy was averted. She could feel it in her bones—something was wrong. She wasn't sure what it was, but her gut feeling had never lied to her before, and it wasn't about to start now.
While the kids watched their cartoons with cheerful smiles, Mrs. Lawler remained by the window, glancing between her children and the front yard, anxiously awaiting her husband's return.
Minutes turned into hours, and still, there was no sign of him. However, there was something—a fleeting glimpse of a figure moving sluggishly among the snow-covered shrubs at the front door.
It was terrifying to think that someone might be crawling around their front yard, especially with the man of the house away.
"Perhaps it's a robber." she thought as she turned her gaze to her children. Thank God they were still distracted. The last thing she needed was for them to be spooked and consequently force her to spend the rest of the night trying to comfort them.
But what exactly was she to do? Her husband was away, and the next male was only fourteen. If their family was in danger, the only person capable of defending them was her.
Maybe she was just seeing things. Perhaps there really wasn't anything out there, and her mind was just playing tricks on her. She hoped. However, when she returned her gaze outside, there it was again—a human-like figure, this time clearer and closer.
The crescent moon shone brightly, casting an ethereal glow on the snow-covered landscape.
Yet, the distance between the edge of the woodland and the Lawler residence was too great for Mrs. Lawler to get a clear look at the
figure that had emerged from the shadows.
Seeing an average-sized man who had spent the past few moments crawling along the forest shrubs now standing in front of her home could only spell hostility. Her heart raced as she hurriedly made her way to the closet. She threw open the door and grabbed the shotgun that lay against the side, her fingers trembling with urgency.
She rushed downstairs, loading the shotgun with a series of loud clicks that immediately drew the children's attention.
"Mummy?" Maggie's voice quivered with confusion and fear as she stared at her mother, who had suddenly transformed into a figure of
fierce determination.
"Eddy, take your sister up to your room, lock the door, and don't come outside no matter what you hear," Mrs. Lawler commanded, her voice firm despite the panic rising inside her.
Her words plunged Eddy and Maggie into a state of bewilderment. They had never seen their mother so agitated, especially not on Christmas Eve.
"What's going on, Mum?" Eddy asked, his face etched with worry.
"Just do as I said. Now!"
Without wasting another second, they turned off the television and bolted upstairs. Mrs. Lawler waited until she heard the loud click of the door lock, then exhaled a shaky breath and tried to steady her racing heart.
There was no other way. If she didn't act, no one else would, and her priority was to keep her children safe. Even if her trembling fingers and shaky legs couldn't defend herself, she would do everything in her power to protect her family.
Mustered courage propelled her forward. She opened the door and stepped onto the front porch, her shotgun raised and ready. But the
man who had been standing in the yard moments ago was gone. There was no one in sight.
She was certain she had seen someone. Panic clawed at her insides as she scanned the surroundings, her eyes darting from shadow to shadow.
Then, a movement behind her caught her attention. She whirled around, shotgun ready, and found herself face-to-face with a possessed figure, its eyes glowing with malevolent intent.
With a guttural growl, the creature lunged at her, knocking her to the ground. Mrs. Lawler fought back with all her strength, using the shotgun to keep the creature's gnashing teeth at bay. It clawed at her, leaving deep scratches on her arms and body, but she refused to let go.
Summoning a surge of adrenaline, she shoved the creature off and scrambled to her feet. The
possessed wasted no time; it leapt at her again, but this time she was ready.
Bang!
The shotgun's roar echoed through the empty forest as the blast hit the creature mid-air, sending it crashing to the ground. Panting heavily, Mrs. Lawler approached the fallen
creature, her heart pounding.
Despite the gaping wound in its abdomen, the creature was still alive, its eyes filled with undying rage.
Without hesitation, she aimed the barrel at its head and pulled the trigger.
Bang!
The creature's head exploded in a gruesome burst, but as the last shot rang out, the air filled with a chilling silence. Then she heard it-the
sound of multiple growls and monstrous screeches emanating from the forest.
Her breath caught in her throat as one by one, more possessed figures emerged from the darkness, an army of them advancing towards her.
Gasp
Fear tightened its grip on her, but she stood her ground, shotgun in hand, ready to protect her family no matter the cost.