The Moon and a Merry-Go-Round

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A merry-go-round, that’s what it was.  He focused on the merry-go-round and then realized he was on fair grounds. They hadn’t been used in a long time, the field overgrown, the rides a mossy mess. He remembered a story in which the merry-go-round saved the protagonists but he didn’t think this one would save him from whatever was chasing him.


He wasn’t sure how he got turned around, he’d hiked those trails for years. But here he was unsure of his position, injured where the beast – bear, wolf, who knows – scratched him. Luckily, it was on his arm so he could still run.


From what he could see and feel, there were four deep gashes. He only caught glimpses of the wound when the moon shone through the canopy. Now that he was in the open field he could see the mess of blood and torn meat that used to be his left forearm. He wrapped his shirt around the arm again, although it was soaked with blood, and scanned the area for a hiding place.


It looked like the merry-go-round itself was the best hiding place. Through the rows of horses he made his way to the center. There it was. It must have been used for the merry-go-round. It looked like a crow bar but also like an allen wrench. Long and pointy with a handle. 


He climbed on top of the merry-go-round. He heard it. It came closer. He saw the beast – wolf, man, who knows. He waited until the beast was under him and jumped. He landed on the beast and at that moment the moon shone brightly, the planets aligned, the universe responded. The metal spike found its mark. He held firm for a moment until he was sure the beast was finished. 


He rolled off the beast and laid on his back and looked at the stars. The field, the stars, the town that he knew was just at the edge of the field came together and he knew where he was. He howled, dragged himself to a stand and walked slowly toward the lights of the town.

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