Courage

Sick of running

I ball my shaking hands into fists and spin to face the monster

The ripping and roaring it’s been doing behind me is terrifying but not as scary as the thought of running forever

And when I turn and stare the monster in the eye it stares back at me knowingly with it’s horrible red gaze

But I don’t waver

I raise my fists and scream

“KILL ME if you’re going to! I won’t run anymore!”

And in that moment all of the monster’s sharp teeth begin to tumble from its mouth one by one

And the horrifying roar turns into feeble whimpers

And I realize the monster is wearing a collar

And the beast becomes hairless as it shrinks and shrinks

And the collar is connected to a leash

And the leash is being held so firmly

...By my Father