Lucy

     I should sleep. I know I should sleep but I can’t help it. Today’s my 12th birthday. I was also thirsty but I can’t get a drink. It’s 11:55 and the rule is that I can’t go out of the room from 12:00-1:00. It’s 10 minutes till then. You can be in then out in 3. That got me out of bed into the hallway. I freeze. My brother Michael was sitting on the couch eyes straight forward. Why is he allowed to be out and I’m not.

“Michael why are you out here?” I ask.

“I can say the same.” he grumbles. “You’re not allowed out.”

“But that's not fair!” I whine. “You're only a year older than me and I am thirsty.”

“Go to bed.”

“No not until I get a glass of water.” Suddenly, the clock on the mantle chimes 12 times. I look at it. It was 12:00. When I look back, Michael had disappeared. In his place was a wolf looking thing about the same height as him. It had three inch claws, really sharp teeth and covered in dark brown hair. It looks really hungry. “Michael” I ask. He turns towards me and charges. I close my eyes and wait for death to come. Instead I hear a bang. I open my eyes and see a thick circle of ice had formed around me! He claws at it, bites it, trying to get at me. Finally, he stops and stares. I thought he gave up so I released the circle. That was a mistake. He runs really fast toward me. I try to make the ice again but before I can he swipes at my face. I throw my arms up just in time. Instead I get a long cut on my arm, near the shoulder. Finally I make the barrier again. I just close my eyes and wait for this to be over. The clock strikes 1. I must have fallen asleep because I was startled awake by Michael yelling “MOM!”