Snowy Nightmares

Elora was shuffling through the thick blanket of snow that had covered the country streets, on her way home from school. Snowflakes were drifting in the air from the severe blizzard that had ended just minutes ago. As she neared her home, the smell of double chocolate-chip cookies wafted out of the open window of the kitchen. Elora had just reached the welcome mat and was just wiping her feet, when the thunder rumbled and snowflakes again began falling thick and fast from the miserable grey sky. More rushed than she had planned, Elora wrenched open the heavy front-door and stepped into the warmth of her house. She flung her damp bag onto the kitchen bench and quickly dipped her hand into the packet of the Nestlé mixed choc-chips and pulled out a handful. Stuffing them into her mouth, Elora unzipped her bag and grabbed her homework. She threw it onto the bench and pulled herself onto a stool, just as her mother, Nina, walked in. “Ah, Lora, you’re home. I didn’t want you stuck out there.” Nina jerked her head towards the window. Elora smiled weakly and took her pen out of her pencil case, stomach rumbling. Nina winked and opened the oven door, taking out two trays of soft, double chocolate-chip cookies. “Someone was hungry!” she said after she had placed the trays onto the bench and Elora had begun gobbling up ravenously. “Yehwaz!” said Elora thickly. Her mother lowered her head and gave Elora a playfully stern look. Elora blushed and gulped down the mouthful of cookie. “Sorry, mum. You’re right! I was starving – the canteen had to close before lunch ‘cause of the blizzard. I only had that mango for lunch.”
“Did you remember to get your phone from the office?”
Elora had just been given a mobile phone from her parents and had treated it like a precious diamond – she wouldn’t want to lose it because she wouldn’t get another one til Christmas. Elora nodded, stuffed another cookie into her mouth and then attempted to stifle a yawn. “Bedtime.” Nina said. Elora shook her head stubbornly. Nina lowered her head again. Elora gulped down her cookie and opened her mouth to argue but Nina pointed to the door and glanced at Elora with a don’t argue look on her face. Defeated, Elora closed her homework book and pencil case and traipsed into her bedroom. She pulled on her pyjamas and sunk into her soft bed. Elora switched of the bed-lamp, lay down on her feathery pillow and was fast asleep in seconds.

Elora woke in a cold sweat. Thunder was still rumbling and the glistening white snow was still falling visibly out of the dark sky. At first, she thought it was just the thunder that had woken her up, but just then, Elora heard a rattling from the window. A dark shape was silhouetted against the blanket of snow on the country streets. Elora gasped, flung her blankets off her and ran out into the hallway, into her mum’s bedroom. Elora tried to shake her mum awake, but Nina was sleeping like a log. Breath ragged with fear, Elora tiptoed back into her bedroom and switched on the light. The silhouette had disappeared, but the window was open and a searing, icy breeze was blowing through it. Frightened tears filled Elora’s eyes. Snowy footsteps had been made along the floorboards of her bedroom and they were leading out the door. Elora thrust on her dressing gown and shoved her feet into her slippers. She crept out the doorway, following the footsteps that were now leading into the kitchen. The footsteps ended at the closed kitchen door. Evil-sounding breathing was coming from the kitchen where the smell of cookies was still wafting around. Elora slowly pushed open the door. Elora froze. The door had made a terrible creak that had made the creature in the kitchen freeze too, alert. It turned around to face the petrified girl in the doorway. As it turned, Elora recognized the face that she had seen so many times in the fantasy books she loved so much. The Abominable Snowman. It advanced towards her, giant feet dragging on the ground. Elora was too scared to run, or do anything at all, even scream for help. The Snowman came so close Elora could smell its putrid breath and see the cookie crumbs clinging to its snowy face. Its hand reached out to pick her up by the scruff of the neck, its mouth opened, and then all was black.

Elora woke with a start. She had had a terrible dream. Cautiously, she glanced at the window that was thankfully closed. No giant footsteps led out the door, no silhouette was shadowed against the snow and no menacing thunder rumbled. In fact, everything was quiet and calm. The blizzard had ceased and the sun was rising. Birds twittered cheerfully as they rebuilt the nests that had been destroyed in the storm. Leaves rustled as foxes crept around, looking for a stray chick to have for his breakfast. Tractors rumbled in the distance as the farmers started up the machines for an early-morning plough. All was peaceful. Contented and calmed again, Elora glanced at the clock. It flashed the time 5:40 at her. Elora snorted, it was so early! She lay back down and once again settled into her bed.

When she woke up again, the scent of bacon and eggs was now wafting into her room. She put on her slippers and went into the kitchen where a plate of delicious bacon and eggs was laid on the table. “How’d you sleep?” Nina asked.
“Terrible. I had the worst nightmare. I got eaten by The Abominable Snowman.” Elora replied earnestly. “It was eating double choc-chip cookies!”
Nina grinned. “No more chocolate before bed for you, missy!” she said. Elora pouted. “Not falling for that. Finish off now, we don’t want you having any nightmares! Go get ready for netball.” Elora grinned happily.