The small girl slid the door open. She didn’t want to open it. Tears of fear ran down her cheeks. A small foot took a step forward, onto the cold planks of the terrace. All colour was long gone from her.

Mommy will save me, she thought. Mommy will save me, mommy will save me.

A new step. Mommy had saved her yesterday. Mommy had come and closed the door. Carried her back to bed. She wanted mommy.

A new step. The full moon was sending it’s malevolent light down on the small backyard garden.

A new step. She had come to the three stone steps leading down to the grass.

A new step. She placed her foot at the chill stone of the first step. Her nightdress fluttered in a light summer breeze.

A new step. The second step. A cloud blew across the moon, wrapping her in grasping darkness.

A new step. The last stone step. She wanted to cry out, to call for mommy. But she knew, that if she did, mommy would die.

She stepped onto the grass, still wet from earlier rain.

A new step. She did not know why, but if mommy came now, outside, mommy would die.

A new step. The tears started dripping down on her nightdress, creating small spots on the thin, white fabric.

A new step. Not a single sound could be heard. No rustling of leaves in the wind, no nocturnal bird. All was quiet. Something had scared away sound.

A new step. The breeze picked up again, playing with her blonde hair.

A new step. To her right was a cluster of toys, abandoned at days end.

A new step. In front of her was the dark hedge, bordering the small garden.

A new step. Her legs started to stiffen, her walk becoming awkward. The brain did not want to go on. The legs kept walking.

A new step. Something rustled the hedge.

A new step. One of her eyes rolled into the skull, only white now showing. Sweat poured from every pore of her body.

A new step. She started whimpering. The tears came faster, running in rivers down her face.

A new step. A pair of bloodshot, golden eyes were staring unnoticed out of the hedge.

A new step. The eye slowly came back down, as she swayed. All blood had escaped her face.

A new step. A faint outline could be seen in the hedge, suggesting something feral. Something deadly.

A new step. Moonlight was reflected in a set of white teeth, turning them into silver. A bloodshot glare was visible, filled whit hate and self-loathing.

The final step. The small girl stood in front of the towering hedge, shivering despite the heath, her dress stained by tears. A black shape leapt from the darkness, sinking sharp fangs into her thigh. The small shape collapsed as the darker shadow ran.

The small body lay in front of the hedge. Her limbs were spread out. She looked like a human star. Golden hair lay like a halo around her ashen face. The dress had fallen to the ground, revealing the shape of the small body.

A small, red rose had appeared on her right thigh.