The six youths strolled aimlessly along the country road. It was way past midnight and they were on their way home. The group had just emerged from a party and all of them were high on ganja and or cocaine. They had been partying hard so time was never a factor for them.

It was a full moon night. The main road leading into their community of Rivertown was lit up like a white ribbon running through the thick woods on either side. Night creatures were busy. Owls hunted mice gliding on silent wings, the only indication of their presence was the regular ‘too-weet-too-woo.’ Bats flashed overhead feasting on the mosquitoes and bugs. The rustling bushes conjured up images of snakes chasing frogs for dinner.
In this orchestra of nature ambled the motley crew. Expletives were a vital part of their vocabulary and with the influence of drugs these expressions took on new meaning. They passed a joint of marijuana from one to the other laughing and cussing their way home.
“Dis @..#..$..&..*.. place really boring. Fus chance I get I heading fo de city.”
“Yu mudda does dig lash in yu when yu stay out late. How you going city?”
“Mind yo own *..&..$..#..@..? Business.!”
The moon slipped behind a cloud and the road was suddenly cloaked in darkness. They strolled on engrossed in animated conversation. The moon burst from its hiding place and beamed down on the lads. The swift return of light brought other things along with it. Immediately in front of them stood the tallest figure they had ever stumbled upon.
“Wo is dat?”
“Me ent know boy.”
“It look like some kinda statue.”
“In de middle of de road?”
“It in been hey before.”
They looked at each other their drugged minds trying to engage their intoxicated wits.
“Boy dat look like spirit to me!”
“True. Mus be Masakura Man.”
“No way! Masakura does live in de interior.”
“Den it gat fo be Moon Gazer!”
“Right! An is full moon, dat mean it really grow big tonight.”
“Wa we gon do?”
“Jus pass we way quick before it see we.”
“How?”
This question stopped them in their tracks. How could they all pass safely? Each youth racked their brain for a workable solution.
“Got it!”
This excited shout came from Troy who was high and hyped.
“What’s the plan Troy?”
“Easy. Two of us will hold onto the left foot. Two others will hold onto the right foot. The last two will slip through.”
“Perfect plan!”
The verdict was unanimous and they thumped Troy on the back in approval. They formed a brief huddle working out the details of who goes where. They then moved forward as one body cautiously closing in on the creature. The mammoth figure was intent on staring at the moon. And who could blame it. The magnificent celestial body spread its hypnotic light everywhere compelling all to gaze upon it in awe.
SCURRY!
SNATCH!
The first two held the left foot.
ZIP!
GRAB!
The second pair seized the right foot.
SPRINT!
DASH!
The last two were through safely. It was only then that they realised the extent of their problem and the stupidity of their Perfect Plan. They would have to improvise in order to survive. The four hapless adventurers knew that once they let go of the feet they would be done for.
“Let’s whack him hard in the scrotum! When he falls we run like the cheetah.” This was Tony again.
“How we reaching till up there??”
That ended the second perfect plan. As if he had heard their plotting, the giant took off at full throttle. He was moving at blinding speed with the four clinging precariously to his gigantic legs. The two who had escaped were waiting some distance ahead. They too were busy concocting a plan of rescue.
“Let’s climb dat tree. Wen it pass we gon jump out an kick it in the nuts. He falls, we all escape.”
The two climbed up the tree and waited to pounce on their prey. They did not have to wait too long.
BRAM! CRASH! SMASH! BANG!
The creature was now hurling directly towards them. They could see the four unfortunate nincompoops holding on for dear life. The two got ready to attempt their daring rescue. When the creature reached their vantage point they both realised that they still could not reach their goal. This caused them to hesitate. The moving terror did not.
SNATCH! THE TWO ON THE LEFT LEG WERE TAKEN.
GRAB! THE TWO ON THE RIGHT LEG WERE SWOOPED UP.
PLUCK!
THE TWO IN THE TREE PLUS THE TREE WERE UPROOTED.
The creature did not even miss a beat. In the blink of an eye it had disappeared from view and with it the rowdy gang. After that incident, the creature haunted that particular stretch of road every moonlight night. Guess it had six perfect reasons for returning to those grounds.

(By Neil Primus)