[How do ya'll like the new cover? I have plenty more that I made for when I wanna switch out. Also, I know it's weird. I really like creepy and weird things, I'm known for that sometimes. Lol.]

[And, I'm trying out a new style with the chapter names, if you haven't noticed. I quite like it, to be honest. Enjoy. :)]

| chapter-four |

\ don't be afraid of the dark /

March 2, 2018

2:55 A.M.

The edge of Los Angeles, California

Margo tightened her grip on the thick campfire stick, as she continued through the darkness of the parking structure. She didn't know which was more horrifying; the sloppy gurgling moans in the distance, or the fact that she is traveling through this place blindly.

She brought her arm out as though she were looking for a pair of eyes to place back into her head. Margo almost felt she had lost her eyeballs without knowing it, not noticing the pain of that thought whatsoever. God, it was so dark... She hummed to herself.

Eventually her eyes did adjust to the dark, but it wasn't enough to help her out in the slightest. She needed light to see exactly where she was going, and a faded image what seemed like figures wasn't going to cut it.

Margo could make out some little movement a few feet in front of her, but she had not a clue of what it was. And it was at this moment when she wished to be a cat, or even a dog. Any animal that had night-vision would help, really. But, sadly, that would never happen.

And without knowing it, Margo had walked straight into a busted car. And from the small impact she tumbled to the cement with a thud, and a small grunt. Holding her body in pain. As it was one of those moments where it didn't look like it hurt, but in reality, it absolutely did. She would pay for that later on.

Something screeched in the dark, their footsteps scrabbly turning toward the sound she had made.

An alien like screech? Margo was very confused. There was no-way that was a Zombie, she's never heard one that sounded anything like that...

Margo had to think fast, and luckily she was always a quick-thinker. Everyone always wanted her to be their partner in science clubs and group projects, back in school. She was the one with the ideas, even if they were random at times, they worked either way.

The footsteps scattered faster as the creature made its way toward the sound that she made. Margo quickly rolled underneath the car, hiding herself in plain-sight. She stopped herself from rolling once she was right in the middle, now hidden underneath that busted car. And she watched as the dark figure of whatever that creature was, scattered to where she had been laying beforehand.

Margo was horrified at the sight of it. Though she could hardly see it in the dark, she could slightly make out what it looked like, just by the faint figure. Again, night-vision would really come in handy right now...

It was definitely a zombie... but it was not a normal one, that's for sure... it was different...

All of its bones were shattered, and sharp ridged points protruded from its shoulders, knees, and ribs. Its hair greasy and stringy. It screeched, and it mumbled out almost as if it was trying to speak. Moaning, snorting, spit drooling. It even began to blabber a high-pitched wale, and then huffed out a dark chuckled sob. That was the only way Margo could explain the disfigured zombie like creature. And to her, it was the most terrifying thing she has seen, yet.

The creature was some sort of, freakshow. And Margo felt very unsettled, not wanting to be there anymore...

What it did next, would cause Margo to forever have that image burned into her brain...

The freakshow of a creature bent toward the ground, backwards. Like some contortionist, an extremely flexible one. And it placed its hands on the ground, bent its arms and legs in a way, no human should ever bend. It bended in a way, that would break the bones of all four limbs, shatter them, even. It just wasn't natural, or even possible.

It was almost spider like, but not in the way that would be normal. It crab-walked like it was fully natural. Margo gagged, the image of it being the most gruesome thing yet. She held her mouth to keep herself from making any sort of noise, as she shook her head, not believing that this creature exists. She only wished she was dreaming.

The sad truth was, she wasn't dreaming.

The creature's body twisted and twisted, as the bones cracked and cracked with every twist. As it scattered itself around the car she hid under, it was circling the car. Almost as though it expected her to be underneath.

But, how did it know? Or did it know? That is the question. Was it a trick? Or was it a ritual of sorts? That was another good question.

The creature's upside down head turned a full three-sixty, as though it was an owl, when it was not. And Margo could hear the bones of its neck crinkle inside of the rotting skin, in which caused her to gag even more.

Margo had a bit of a weak stomach. But that was something she would have to deal with.

And now... Margo didn't even think her campfire stick would kill this creature... Definitely not.

Margo looked around underneath the car, for anything of use to help as a weapon. Only to get her hands on, what seemed to be a used lighter. She never smoked in her life, she doesn't quite remember that far into her younger-years. But she's pretty sure she hasn't smoked before. She thinks, at least.

And soon enough, Margo notices that the creature left. She crawled out from underneath the car, and carefully stood to her feet. Making sure to be as quiet as possible.

She really didn't want to use any light source, but she had not a clue of where she was, she was stumped. So, therefore, she was willing to risk this one second, just to see exactly where she was.

Margo attempted to flick on the dim fire from the lighter, only for it to not work the first few times. It was old.

The moment the lighter brought out a small fire, Margo was in total shock of what was right in front of her...

The creature was right in her face, inches away. Taller than her, by four-feet. Its back toward her, but it was half-way bent down, just like a contortionist. Head upside-down, completely. Staring at her, with wide, blood-shot eyes.

The freakshow of a creature held a permanent grin. A grin that ran all the way up to its temple, the most horrifying grin Margo has ever seen in her life. Drool oozed from its toothy grin, all down its face. As it inhaled sharply, as though it were suffering in its own misery. Letting out a low groaning moan, ending in a sharp uncomfortable snort.

But then Margo noticed... it wasn't attacking?

She took a good look at its eyes. And just by the way its eyes were milky and foggy. The freakshow of a creature was completely blind, and could not see Margo or anything what-so-ever.

So, it wasn't that the creature was friendly. In fact, it was the complete opposite of friendly. It was the fact that, it could not see a thing. It was blind. Margo got very lucky...

The creature scattered forward, brokenly and awkward. Margo carefully got out of its way, without touching it. She held her breath, as she remained as calm as she possibly could.

Margo carefully walked backwards, going back to where she came from. Going back to Bridger, ever so slowly. Baby steps.

Her back knocked against the busted car she was hidden under moments earlier, and the sound of her body thudding against it caused her to cringe.

"Oh shi-" Margo breathed out roughly.

Instantly, the creature turned back around. And let out an ear-curdling screech. Foamy drool oozing from its jaws.

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Here's chapter-four! :)

What was your favorite part of this chapter?

Also, I've SEEN this creature in my nightmares, a lot of times. So, I decided to bring it to life, in this story. Because I think its perfect for this story-line. Enjoy the creature that haunts my dreams almost every other night. ;)

Sorry if its sorta short, its more of a filler, to keep the story going and introducing new things.

Xoxo <3