Mr. Death

From Torg Adventure

Mr. Death is out to get me. So, I'm hiding in a pile of rocks. I'm good at hiding. I once hide in the cupboard under my bed until Mommy called the police. So I just crawled between the rocks to the bottom of the pile.

I don't know when I got to the woods. Last thing I remember is a loud truck horn and Mommy's screams and a loud crash. Then I woke up here in the woods. First the bunnies came out and asked me to play with them while I got better. I asked them why I needed to get better. I feel fine now. They said I was hurt real bad and that they'd play with me until I could go back.

. . .

I practice being very quiet. I like to sneak up on Mom and scare her. She used to let me win, but now she really screams.

. . .

I could hear his monsters snuffling about, so I just kept small. I waited until I didn't hear anyone for a long time. As I crawled out, I looked back at the rock pile. I must have been really small to hide in there.

. . .

"You're young, you have everything ahead of you. I've lived well, and you are my greatest joy. I love you."

"I love you, too, Mommy."

"Daddy loves you. Daddy needs you, especially without me there. Help Daddy. Tell him I love him. Now, go! Run for the tunnel!"

Mommy turned to the approaching figure, dark and cloaked. "See you later, Alligator!"

My eyes were clouded with tears. I turned to the bright circle hanging behind me. I could hear Daddy singing through the tunnel of light. "After awhile, Crocodile!" I shouted over my shoulder as I jumped for the circle.

"You're going to have to go through me first, Mr. Death!" Mommy said, just before I vanished down the tunnel.

I followed the silver string down the tube, but my dad's voice pulled me even faster. I heard what he was singing now.

"If that diamond ring is brass, Papa's gonna buy you a looking glass."

I opened my eyes. The strange room had green walls, what wasn't covered with blinking lights or TVs. The windows were dark. Daddy didn't notice I was back. He kept singing what he sang to me every night he put me to bed.

"... you'll still be the sweetest baby in town." He kissed my forehead, still blind to my open eyes. "I love you, Jenny."

"I love you, too, Daddy."

"Jenny! You woke up!" His arms crushed me to his chest. I hugged him back.

"Of course, I am, Daddy! I came back to you. Mommy said you need me.

Tears welled up in his eyes. "Honey, I'm very sorry, but ..."

"I know, Daddy. Mommy's not coming back. She had to stop Mr. Death from getting me before I could jump down the tunnel."

"Mr. Death?"

"Yes, he wanted to take me to see Grandma and Grandpa, but Mommy said you needed me more than they did. She said she loves you, and 'See ya later, Alligator.'"

"I miss her so much!" We both just cried and cried until we were all cried out.