The Keepers

He wakes to clicking and finds three enormous insect-like creatures standing over his bed. They scatter when he screams, and come back, and keep him alive.

Faint Sounds

He woke to the sound of clicking.

It was faint at first, almost delicate—the dry tapping of fingernails against glass. Still half asleep, he assumed rain had begun to strike the bedroom window.

Then the clicking came from beside his bed.

His eyes opened.

Three enormous creatures stood over him.

Their bodies resembled insects, but no insect should have been that large. Their narrow limbs bent at sharp angles, and pale moonlight glistened across shells as dark as burned wood. Thin feelers moved above their heads, testing the air. Their mouths twitched constantly, producing the chittering sound that had dragged him from sleep.

📖 Start reading The Keepers free

Quick answers about The Keepers

What is The Keepers about?

He wakes to clicking and finds three enormous insect-like creatures standing over his bed. They scatter when he screams, and come back, and keep him alive.

Is The Keepers free to read?

Yes. Every story on RapidTale is free to read in the browser, with no sign-up and nothing to install.

How long does it take to read?

This story runs 1 chapter — most readers finish in one sitting, and you can stop and return to any chapter using the contents list.

Who wrote it?

Nimra Khan — original fiction published on RapidTale.