Monsters

The monsters surround me as I lay in bed at night. They're in my closet, under my bed, on the shelves, and behind the furniture. Some slither under the covers. I feel their fur or antennae brush my skin.
They're not there when the sun rises, but I know they're lurking in the shadows. Throughout my day, I sense the invisible monsters, poised to attack. Their claws, razor sharp teeth and poisonous stingers aimed at me. So close, they nearly pierce my skin. I feel their hot breath on my neck, almost burning my skin. Their foul stench is unbearable.
I do my best to ignore them and remain pleasant to my roommates, kind to my co-workers and diligent at my job. While I'm trying to please everybody, the monsters groan, growl and hiss in my ears. Can others see my neck hair standing on edge?
Occasionally the monsters fall back, become less intense. My relief is short-lived because I still glance their figures in my peripheral vision. And they always close in when I'm alone at night.
I'll never escape them. It takes all my strength to keep them at bay.
One day, I won't be able to hold them off any longer. The monsters will swarm in and attack. They'll bite, claw, sting and rip me to the shreds. They'll have their way with me until there's nothing left.
And then they'll come for you.

Author Reading

About the Author

Thomas J. Misuraca studied Writing, Publishing and Literature at Emerson College in Boston before moving to Los Angeles. Over 110 of his short stories and two novels have been published. This year, his work has appeared in Grim & Gilded and Red Ogre Review. Last year, his story, Giving Up The Ghosts, was published in Constellations Journal and was nominated for a Pushcart Prize.

Tom is also a multi-award winning playwright with over 150 short plays and 12 full-lengths produced globally (two others audibly). His musical, Geeks!, was produced Off-Broadway in May 2019.

Find his short story collection, If You Read This, You Will Die, on Amazon.