The Stone

The creature's face was vile. Its skin pinched and twisted. At first glance the small boy gasped. The creature stretched its gaping mouth into a deep black hole from which came a long guttural moan. It swung its head from side to side and then it stopped suddenly to focus its black goggly eyes upon him. Its breath now came in short fitful rasps as it inched its way across the floor toward him. It stopped in a puddle of moonlight that fell through the window. Blood seeped from its nose and the boy could now see the injuries. He lifted his hand toward it, still afraid it might do him harm. The creature tilted its head toward him. It was then he saw the single tear that trickled down its face. It lifted its arm and opened its hand. The boy looked down and saw the missing stone in its fleshy palm.