Girl thought she had found a lizard in the woods - When the vet sees it, he says to her "Step back!"
Do you remember playing in the woods as a child? Running through the green, sunlit trees, birds and small animals fluttering around you. The warm summer air had a certain smell that you will never forget.
Even the creepy things. Dani knew there were moments that scared her, but she was determined to face them. She remembered the stories she sometimes heard, and although they gave her goosebumps, she was curious about what was really behind these tales.
June
June was always a difficult time for Danielle O’Leary.
School was supposed to end on June 7, but that meant for all the restless kids at Windsor Elementary, the week leading up to it dragged on as slowly as possible. The hands of the analog clock moved so slowly it seemed as if they were going backwards. Each minute felt like an eternity, and the anticipation for summer steadily grew.
June, finally
Finally, June 7 arrived.
On this morning, Danielle and her friends came to school with empty backpacks, ready to hear all the lectures about good behavior during the summer and promptly forget them. The air outside was fresh and warm, and nine-year-old Danielle had a plan for the rest of her day that had nothing to do with math, reading, or social studies.
Lunchtime
It was lunchtime, just a few minutes before the school year officially ended, when Danielle's teacher said, "See you next year. You can leave a bit early today. Have a great summer, everyone!"
For Dani, the day couldn't have gone any better. The sun was shining, the birds were chirping, and everything felt so perfect as if nothing could go wrong. She felt free and carefree, ready to embrace the summer with all its adventures.
Stay where I can see you
Actually, Dani and Sheila weren't supposed to go into the woods alone. They could stay near the edge of the forest before the green trees, the dark forest, and the moss-covered ground moved out of sight.
Just that day, on June 7, a new step in their exploration of nature would take place. Dani and her friends had been planning for days to explore a new area they had never seen before.
The Plan
The girls' plan was hatched during lunch and recess at Windsor. Swinging on the swings day after day, Dani and Sheila had devised the perfect plan to kick off the end of the school year.
They had to take their bikes to make sure they weren't away for too long. The bikes were their ticket to adventures and freedom, and the girls looked forward to riding through the green countryside.
Sheila's Mom
Fortunately, Sheila's mom watched E.R. every day at 1 p.m. for two, sometimes three hours. She didn’t work, and Sheila would sometimes joke that soap operas were her job.
As long as the girls hurried, they could explore Hollow Hill and find out what was special about that place. They had heard from other kids that there was something unique there, and now they wanted to find out for themselves.
Mike
"We can take our bikes pretty far, I think," Sheila said. "Mike said it's a direct way back. He might be there, just so you know."
Mike had always been a daredevil, and he and his friends did things that Dani's mom would have locked them up for life for. But Dani was determined to prove that she could be as brave as Mike.
Usually
Usually, Dani wouldn't want to go to Hollow Hill. She wasn't really one for breaking rules (at least not serious ones), and she was always a little intimidated by the woods behind Sheila's house.
Too quiet. Dani noticed that the sounds of nature around her had diminished. She listened and wondered if that was a sign that they were approaching Hollow Hill.
Daring
But what was a girl to do? Mike had challenged her and Sheila, saying they were too scared to make it all the way to Hollow Hill, which he described as "a strange hill that appears out of nowhere, like a giant butt."
"I bet he hasn't even been there," Dani said to Sheila a few days ago. But from Sheila's expression, she could see that her friend couldn't resist the challenge.
D-Day
June 7th was Sheila and Dani's D-Day.
An opportunity to prove Mike wrong. To show that girls can be brave and strong and make it to the hill. When they arrived there, the girls would pretend that Hollow Hill was no big deal. They would pretend that Mike was a coward for making a big deal out of it. What a fool.
Windsor, Maine
The rest of Windsor, Maine passed by them on the ride back to Sheila's house.
Finally, they were back at the house. Sheila's mother went in to make lunch (PB&J, chips, and an apple) while the girls dashed into Sheila's bedroom.
Everything we need
Dani flopped onto Sheila's bed with Justin Bieber sheets as her BFF started talking.
"He thinks we won't make it, but he's wrong. I've got everything we need." Sheila gestured to a brown messenger bag, a Christmas present. It was stuffed with snacks and water.
Feminism or whatever it's called
"And we're not sharing any of it with them," Dani added. She was impressed by her friend's planning. It gave her more confidence as if the way to Hollow Hill was no big deal. It was so close to Sheila's house; it was time for them to venture out there.
"Girls, lunch!" Sheila's mother called. The girls raced down the stairs, had lunch, and then it was time.
Are you ready?
Once Dani and Sheila heard the creaking and groaning of the armchair in the living room, they waited until the E.R. theme music played. Once that tinny sound filled the air, the girls were out in a flash.
"Are you ready?" Sheila asked Dani, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
Helmets on
Nervously, Dani nodded. She put on Maggie's helmet, which was a little too big, while Sheila put on hers.
They started biking in the woods, letting their bikes do the heavy lifting, carrying them over the roots and rocks that spread across the otherwise flat forest floor.
How long?
How long was half a mile?
They followed a map they had found at the library (or so they said, but probably Maggie helped). They hadn't taken many turns so far, so Dani wasn't worried about getting lost. All they had to do was go east, and they would be out of the woods.
Rockier
Eventually, the terrain became a bit rockier. Dani and Sheila stopped, and Dani said, "Can I see the map?"
"Let's leave the bikes and walk from here," Sheila suggested. With one last look at their bikes, the girls ventured deeper into the woods.
Was it just them?
On foot was, of course, slower than biking. The girls had to carefully maneuver around the rocks to reach their destination. They passed a huge oak tree, which seemed almost out of place, and Sheila looked at her now crumpled map and nodded.
Was it just her imagination, or was the forest getting even darker?
Darker
When they first entered the woods, the forest was a light green, full of dappled sunlight and bright moss. Now it was much darker, and the sun seemed muted, as if it had to fight tooth and nail to provide light.
Dani watched Sheila's red head in front of her as they ran, praying they would soon reach Hollow Hill.
Are we almost there?
"Are we almost there?" Dani asked, her voice trembling with fear. They were already half a mile deep into the woods. How much time was left? If Sheila's mother caught them, Dani would be devastated, and the girls might not be able to play together for at least a week.
Just as Dani was about to give up and suggest turning back, they found it. They had finally reached Hollow Hill, and the sight was different from anything they had expected. She felt a sense of relief mixed with excitement and curiosity about what mysteries this area held for them.
A Strange Sight
Hollow Hill was a peculiar sight.
The ground surrounding Hollow Hill was bare, noted Dani, devoid of all the leaves, moss, roots, and stones that covered the forest floor behind. It was as if nature had decided to avoid this place, giving Dani an eerie feeling.
It Looks Weird
Hollow Hill looked somehow wrong.
"That looks weird," she said to Sheila, but her friend didn't seem to share her sense of wrongness. Sheila gazed at the hill with a look of fascination, while Dani wondered what was amiss.
I'll Climb It
Looking at Hollow Hill, Sheila declared, "I'm going to climb up there."
Howls and shouts filled the air, and then something grabbed her from behind. Dani flinched, ready to scream for help, only to realize what was happening.
Get It Off Me!
Dani screamed, shut her eyes, and flailed around, crying, "Get it off! Get it off!" In her mind, it was a creature, not a person, as if a monster guarded Hollow Hill.
Instead of fear, laughter surrounded her, led by Mike and his silly buddies. He had grabbed Dani from behind, sneaking up like the frog he was.
Outrage
"Mike, you jerk," scolded Sheila, then she called him a name that would have gotten Dani's mouth washed out with soap by her mother.
"You guys were so loud," chuckled Mike, "We heard you from a mile away; we had, like, half an hour to hide." His blond hair was sweaty, his blue eyes gleaming.
Sweating
Dani was sweating too. It was unusually hot at Hollow Hill, hotter than on the entire way there. Maybe it was due to the clearing, but Dani couldn't be sure.
Wrongness? Or was it just her, Danielle Michaela O’Leary?
An Hour Ago
Stop being a baby, Dani told herself. So she looked straight at Mike and said, "Screw you."
"We've been here for a long time," said the tall, thin one, "Long before you arrived."
Nobody Cares
"Nobody cares," Sheila said.
But as they climbed higher, it felt like a weight was pressing down on them. Dani found it hard to breathe. Nevertheless, she struggled on, reaching the top.
The Sun
She looked into the bright sun and felt miles away from Windsor, Maine.
Mike looked slightly impressed, as if he hadn't expected them to make it to the top.
Water Balloons
Before Dani could tell him to try climbing up like she did, something wet and hard hit the back of her head. Mike looked over her shoulder, his face full of malice. Dani whirled around.
"They planned this!" Sheila exclaimed, "We can't get wet, or my mother will ask questions. Guys, stop!"
The Tree
Naturally, the three boys started angrily throwing water balloons at them, revealing the true reason they had been waiting in the forest. I hate boys, thought Dani. Sheila was right. If they returned soaked, they'd be caught.
Dani stopped twenty meters before Hollow Hill. She had spotted a gnarled, old tree that looked like it came straight out of the movie "Sleepy Hollow" she watched with her parents.
Looking for Dani
The tree, like the one from Sleepy Hollow, had a huge hole.
So she went in.
Hide and Seek
The cave in the tree was spacious and dark, smelling faintly of old wood. Fortunately, it seemed pretty clean. It was so quiet, and Dani could only hear her own breathing. She felt quite cramped inside. She was sure the boys wouldn't fit in the tree, neither would Sheila, who was one of the tallest girls in her class.
After a minute of hiding, she saw it.
Come out, come out
"Come out, come out, wherever you are!" said Mike's friend, the short, stout one who had started the whole water balloon battle.
On her hand was a small, black, scaly lizard. It had a thick, broad back and a long, whip-like tail. When it looked up at her, its eyes were dark and glassy.
The Lizard
Its head was chunky, almost like a kind of baby dinosaur. Dani was pretty sure it was a lizard, if not some kind of amphibian creature. After the initial shock of it crawling on her, she breathed a sigh of relief.
Dani was scared of spiders, and a huge spider crawling on her arm would have been a whole different story, as her father would have said. This lizard was no big deal. It was actually quite cute.
Lizard Friend
What really struck Dani about her lizard friend (they were friends now, right? Dani hoped so, otherwise she'd have to explain to her parents why she came home wet and with a huge bite), were its eyes.
It emitted a soft squeak and cuddled up to her arm.
Come out, come out
"Come out, come out, wherever you are!" said Mike's friend, the short, stout one who had started the whole water balloon battle.
On her hand was a small, black, scaly lizard. It had a thick, broad back and a long, whip-like tail. When it looked up at her, its eyes were dark and glassy.
The Lizard
Its head was chunky, almost like a kind of baby dinosaur. Dani was pretty sure it was a lizard, if not some kind of amphibian creature. After the initial shock of it crawling on her, she breathed a sigh of relief.
Dani was scared of spiders, and a huge spider crawling on her arm would have been a whole different story, as her father would have said. This lizard was no big deal. It was actually quite cute.
Lizard Friend
What really struck Dani about her lizard friend (they were friends now, right? Dani hoped so, otherwise she'd have to explain to her parents why she came home wet and with a huge bite), were its eyes.
It emitted a soft squeak and cuddled up to her arm.
Sold
Well, that convinced Dani.
That was a nice lizard friend, although Dani knew she probably couldn't keep it. She vaguely wondered where its mother was. She prayed there wasn't a gigantic lizard lurking underneath her, ready to bite her to defend her baby.
Seriously?
Five minutes later, the water balloon confrontation ended with a "Seriously?"
Dani immediately jumped out of the tree, heart pounding, and ran back. She left her lizard friend behind—or so she thought. Standing next to the hill was Maggie, looking annoyed. She had brought her friend Tommy along.
Oh, I Don't Know
"If you throw that water balloon at me, you little sh..., Tommy here will put you in a trash can," Maggie threatened Mike. Tommy nodded, visibly amused. Unsure of what to do, Mike held the balloon limply in his left hand.
"Be realistic," said Maggie, "I noticed the missing bikes and recalled the thing with the map. I had a feeling you two had some dumb idea. I figured out what you were up to in, like, twenty seconds."
We're Going Home
"You shouldn't be out here," said Maggie, "And if Mom finds out I gave you a map and let Dani use my bike, she's really going to ruin my summer. So come on. We're going home." Maggie's expression revealed her concern for her younger sister and her friend, but also her fear of the consequences if her mother found out about their little adventure.
The group made their way back, with Tommy carrying both bikes to the house. The mood was subdued, yet at the same time, Dani felt grateful for Tommy's help. The journey back seemed shorter, maybe because they now had support, or maybe because the adventure was over.
Coup
After a few minutes of older-sister lectures, Maggie stopped scolding and told the girls that she and Tommy had come back to prepare for Tommy's high school graduation night. Maggie probably noticed the missing bikes and snacks and came back concerned, fearing she wouldn't be able to attend the event due to the missing gear.
It was a coup, at least in the girls' eyes, even though Sheila's older sister had to save them. They had proven their bravery, and that was worth it, even if they needed help in the end. In their hearts, they were the heroines of the day.
Forgotten
The girls played in Sheila's room, gossiped about the boys, painted each other's nails until Dani's mother came to pick them up. It was a typical girls' afternoon, filled with gossip, laughter, and the joy of being together.
Until late at night, when her mother sent her upstairs to take a bath. Dani felt tired and exhausted from the day's events, but also a bit proud of what she and Sheila had accomplished.
Found
In the bathroom, Dani rediscovered her lizard friend from Hollow Hill. She quickly hid it as she heard footsteps in the hallway, hoping no one would discover the little secret.
For a brief, terrifying moment, she thought it wouldn't move. But then she realized it was asleep. When she nudged it, it woke up, looking at her cheerfully, as if wondering where it would sleep that night. It seemed as surprised as she was by its new surroundings.
Child Logic
"You shouldn't be here," Dani whispered urgently and softly to it, "I'm not allowed to bring animals into the house. My dad probably won't mind so much, but my mom will freak out." She looked around anxiously to see if anyone would notice the unexpected encounter.
But childish logic saw a friend in him, one who wanted to hang out with her. What was the harm in letting him stay overnight for just one night? She couldn't just turn her back on him.
Godzilla
"I'll call you Godzilla," Dani said. She chuckled at her idea. The old movie seemed pretty silly, but the new version had her covering her eyes in fear. This lizard resembled more the speed of the old film.
And from that point on, the two were inseparable. Dani quickly found out that she and Godzilla had a special bond, one that went far beyond the typical relationship between a child and a pet.
Not Your Ordinary Lizard
Danis father was a veterinarian, so she knew she had to find a proper home for Godzilla. Lizards required all sorts of equipment, but Godzilla was not your ordinary lizard. That became clear when Dani tried to put him in her old hamster cage, and he just climbed right out.
He also ate what she ate—he didn't want the insects Dani tried to catch for him. He seemed to prefer her human food, and Dani was impressed by his adaptability.
Human
As for the peeing and such, Godzilla took care of that in the sink and scurried from Dani's bedroom to the adjacent bathroom whenever he needed to. Dani flushed his traces down the drain. He was a very human-like, neat reptile. Dani knew the situation was really, really strange, but she was too excited to be alarmed. It was like something out of the fictions she borrowed from the library, and now it was happening to her.
Dani could have sworn she heard him laugh once or twice at "Spongebob." It was as if he had his own sense of humor, which only amazed her more.
A Friend, Not a Pet
Everything was great for a month, and Dani thought she was handling it well. She offered Godzilla outdoor excursions that he enjoyed, although he never tried to run away. She took care of him like a pet, but he was actually her friend.
Dani deliberately tiptoed on the narrow line to keep Godzilla's secret. She had to be careful not to attract attention and that meant sometimes holding back and not drawing too much focus on herself.
And Then...
And then...
After playing at Sheila's (she hadn’t told her friend about Godzilla, just in case; Sheila could be a bit of a chatterbox), Dani returned to her room. There lay Godzilla, now a full four feet long, on her bed. Dani's heart sank, and she recoiled until she looked into 'Zilly's gaze. He was still him, but he had grown overnight.
What's Wrong?
"What's wrong?" whispered Dani, "What happened? A month has passed. Yesterday, you were still as big as my hand."
Godzilla looked back at her, now more living up to his name than ever before, with an apologetic look.
Listen
Despite everything, Dani tried to keep Godzilla a secret. She and 'Zilly got along for a few days before Dani explained the reality to him.
"Listen," said Dani, "I have to tell my dad." Godzilla looked at her with a concerned gaze.
Need Help
"No, no," said Dani, "He's a vet. He's really nice. He never punishes me or gets angry. My mother is the stricter one. If I tell him, he will try to help."
She went downstairs where her father was sitting on the couch and asked him for a talk.
Help from Dad
"What's wrong, sweetheart?" asked Dani's father, setting aside his newspaper.
She led him upstairs to her room, a feeling of nervousness in her stomach.
Introduction
The introduction didn't go well, and her father immediately said, "Step back! What is that thing?"
Godzilla tried to form a smile with his reptilian features, possibly to calm Dani's father down. Tears streamed down her face as Dani told her father the whole story, starting with their trip to Hollow Hill.
Dad
Dani watched her father's expression closely, praying he wouldn't brush her off as many adults do to silly, hysterical kids. She eventually told the truth, hoping he would understand. She had always seen her father as her buddy.
He would help her and Godzilla. She knew it.
He's Friendly
He listened to her entire story, never taking his eyes off Godzilla. As she neared the end of her tale, he stepped forward, reached out a hand, and patted Godzilla on the forehead, causing 'Zilly to happily close his eyes. Dani's father's expression was shocked.
"He's not a lizard. At least not one I've ever seen before."
Take a Look
"I'll have a look at him," said Dani's father, "Come on." Godzilla jumped off the bed. He had seen the house (when Dani's parents had briefly run to the store), but not as closely as now. Dani's father led him to the living room.
"And he seems like he's going to get even bigger."
The Examination
Godzilla followed Dani's father. He behaved particularly polite and friendly, without any mischief. He seemed to want Dani's father to like him, and Dani could see her father's demeanor slowly softening, although he still seemed shocked.
"I tried catching him insects, but he didn't want to eat them," Dani said somewhat defensively.
Can I Keep Him?
Finally, the question had to be asked.
"Well...I say yes, but your mother has to agree too," he said hesitantly. "You'll need to take care of him and use some of your allowance to look after him. And he'll need a proper cage to live in."
Mom
Dani was sure her father would say yes. She knew he had a soft spot for animals and would understand how important Godzilla had become to her. Her father had always been someone who stood up for the weak, and Dani trusted him more than anyone else.
Amazed by her own luck, Dani went to bed happily that evening. Godzilla slept on the couch in a bed her mother had prepared for him. Dani felt a deep sense of contentment as she watched Godzilla curl up in the cozy bed and fall asleep.
No More Secrets
Although Dani loved Godzilla, it was a relief not to have to keep him a secret anymore. He had grown from tiny to huge and needed a place to live. Fortunately, her father had a soft spot for strays and wild animals, and the shed in the backyard became a temporary home for these outsiders, equipped with heating/AC, water, and blankets.
Dani hoped her parents wouldn't mind. She knew it was unusual to have such a creature in the house, but she felt so connected to him that she could hardly imagine a life without him.
A Secret
Although Godzilla had his shed, which he seemed to like, he often preferred to go back into the house and garage to seek companionship. Dani noticed how he had grown accustomed to the family’s proximity and found it heartwarming that he didn't always want to be alone.
On a late summer evening after the July 4th fireworks, the O'Leary family had visitors. It was an unusual night, one where the air still carried the scent of fireworks and a slight excitement lingered in the atmosphere.
Knocking
Knocking. Knocking. Knocking.
It was two in the morning. Dani sat up groggily. Godzilla, who was now four and a half feet long, was curled up on a blanket on the floor (she had sneaked him in, afraid the fireworks might scare him). The knocking was loud and persistent... and coming from the window outside Dani's bedroom.
Anxiously
Dani sat up startled.
"Darn," whispered Dani. She wouldn't usually use curse words, but the situation warranted it. She followed Godzilla, not wanting him to be alone in the dark.
Darker Than Usual
Outside was darker than usual.
She saw Godzilla in the backyard, his dark form a shadow among shadows. With him was a man, short, slim, and wearing glasses.
Roland Redding
The summer air in Maine was sweet and warm, and Dani took a deep breath to calm herself. She could smell the freshly cut grass and the distant sounds of crickets, which helped alleviate her fear a bit.
"Well, hello, young lady," said the man, "My name is Roland Redding. Who do we have here?"
Go Away
Dani knew she shouldn't reveal her name to strangers and said, "I'm not telling you. This is private property. You need to leave." She conjured the same voice she once heard from her mother when teenagers had trespassed into their backyard on last year's July 4th.
"Now calm down," said Roland, "I'm just a traveler who came to Windsor to see your pet here."
Undeterred
Undeterred, Roland continued, "You see, I don't know if you're aware, but your pet actually belongs to me."
Upon Roland's claim, Godzilla growled, a sound Dani had never heard from him. She shuddered. This growling was what cavepeople must have heard millions of years ago as they fled through the forest from a predator.
White Teeth
"He seems not to like you," said Dani, "And he's mine."
His eyes were like two black holes in the light. He looked terrifying. When he showed his white teeth, Dani felt like she couldn't breathe.
Hissing
In that moment, Dani knew Godzilla wasn't a lizard. She didn't know what he was. But he was terrifying and dreadful, like something coming from the forest to live by its own terms. She was scared of him. Would she ever be able to overcome this fear?
Roland took a step back. His face revealed a hint of fear.
As You Wish
"Do as you wish," he said softly, "Live with these people. When I come back, it will be with the others of us, and we'll see what you'll say then."
"Go away!" she told the man, "Right now!" Godzilla let out another hiss, so foul and piercing that Dani almost passed out.
Gone
As strange as he had appeared, Roland Redding was gone again.
She began to forget Roland. She didn't know what she was doing outside, but she was very, very tired.
July
The next morning broke bright. July 5th – summer vacation was almost a month over. Dani sat up and looked at Godzilla, curled up on her spare pink blanket. They would probably play together today, and she wondered if her mother would make them pancakes. Although they knew they couldn't keep Godzilla a secret forever, it didn't bother her at that moment.
Her father had a plan to refer to 'Zilly as a rescued Asian water monitor, claiming his office had saved him from exotic animal trafficking.
The man would come back
The man would come back
He loved the O'Leary family, especially Dani. But he knew what the man wanted, what he was planning.
The only thing that mattered"
If he came back with the others, the ones who lived in the water, Godzilla would be ready. He had millions of years behind him, compared to Roland's (that's what he called himself now?) thousands. He should have never gotten involved with that shady charlatan.
Finally, he was with his family, and it was a beautiful summer day.
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