Rocky and Athena

(A short horror story)

It has been two years since that fateful day. A time Kaitlyn would like to forget but will always remember. It was the week before Halloween and they were into their second lockdown since the pandemic began. No pumpkins, ghosts, or witches decorated the front yards. No trick-or-treaters would knock on doors. No Halloween.

   The neighborhood was quiet that Friday morning. No cars coming or going. No people out and about. Kaitlyn sipped her coffee and stared out the kitchen window. With a sigh, she placed her cup on the sink and as she turned to walk away, movement down the street caught her eye. She watched as Rocky and Athena walked down their driveway and head towards their neighbor’s house. Kaitlyn had met Athena a few weeks back and found her to be a sweetheart. Kaitlyn wondered if Rocky was the same way. They seemed to be opposites. Athena was tall, thin, and graceful with a friendly smile. Whereas Rocky was shorter, stocky, and muscular. Kaitlyn got the impression that he was arrogant and standoffish. However, together they were a beautiful couple.

   The couple emerged from one backyard only to walk down the driveway to the next house. Curious as to what they were up to, Kaitlyn kept her vigil of watching them. As they went house to house, Kaitlyn lost sight of Athena. However, when Rocky ventured towards the cross street, Kaitlyn knew she would have to do something. She sat her cup on the sink and walked out the front door.

***

   Kaitlyn’s legs were shaky as she walked on the opposite side of the street across from Rocky’s house. As she got closer she saw that Rocky was back in his front yard. Kaitlyn took a deep breath and in a soft voice, she said, “Hi fella,” and without warning Rocky charged towards her. Kaitlyn put up her left arm as he pounced and she went down with a thud. She could feel his hot breath and the fuzz on his muzzle as his mouth closed around her forearm just above her wrist. His teeth sinking in. Kaitlyn screamed out, “Help! Cory! Help!” Rocky let go and bit into her upper arm. Kaitlyn heard someone yelling,

   “Hey!”

   Rocky let go of her arm and went back to his yard. Kaitlyn looked in the direction of her own house and saw her son, Bubba, running towards her. “Slow down,” she called out.

   “What?” he asked.

   Kaitlyn was afraid Rocky would take Bubba as a threat and charge him. She put her hand up, “Stop running.” Her legs wobbled as she stood up and her hand shook as she grabbed the handle of the recycle bin that she had fallen next to.

   Bubba stopped beside her, “Are you okay? What were you doing?”

   “I was just going to let Cory know his dogs were out.” Kaitlyn told him as she pulled the recycle bin along using it as shield between Rocky and them.

   “You were lucky that I heard you walk out the door. I thought maybe Denis had fallen again and you were going to help him.”

***

   Getting back to their house, Kaitlyn headed straight for the bathroom. Her hands shook as she pulled off her shirt. She didn’t want to see but knew she had to find out how bad her upper arm was. She cringed looking at the torn skin, but at least it wasn’t bleeding too much. She poured peroxide on it before applying bandages. She put on a clean shirt and headed for the couch. Her heart still pounding, sweat formed on her brow, and upper lip. Her stomach did flip-flops as she ran for the bathroom again.

Her stomach empty, Kaitlyn rinsed her mouth out and used a cool cloth to wipe her face. She ran the brush through her hair and grabbed her keys. It was just another day and Bubba had to be at work.

The End   

Most of the names have been changed to protect the innocent, even mine. And if you haven’t guessed by now, I’m Kaitlyn. This happened two years ago today, October 24, 2020. I wish I could tell you that I learned something from this, like mind my own business or not my problem but… I was battered and bruised, sore and swollen with a few extra holes that I never expected, but at least now I can cross, “Get attacked by a pit bull” off my bucket list. ( You can look but no it’s really not on my bucket list. )

That’s Rocky outside the fence. My dogs in the yard and my neighbor , Denis’s skinny legs in the background.

My forearm

The back of my thigh from when I hit the ground

My upper arm

That’s it for now,

Hugs till next time.

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