Little Darlings
Author: Alicia Dean
Date: 2022-05-13 04:00:00+00:00
Description: A Friday the 13th Short 13 authors ~ 13 suspenseful stories. Murder and mayhem on Friday the 13th... Mollie Burrows and her friends, Caroline and Beth, rent a cabin in Colorado for a therapeutic getaway. Beth is despondent after a recent miscarriage and Mollie hopes the trip will alleviate Beth’s depression. The owner of the general store in town warns them about the Black-Eyed Kids —supernatural entities who pose as children and terrorize anyone who allows them into their homes—but Mollie scoffs at the ridiculous notion. Not long after they get settled, four children knock on their door—and t

Excerpt:

The knocking came again, more insistent. Mollie tossed off the covers and sat up on the side of the bed, then grabbed the mace she always kept on the nightstand. She stood, but her legs shook so badly that she had to sit back down.

“Get it together, Mollie. You’re being ridiculous.”

Taking a deep, fortifying breath, she stood again, this time remaining on her feet. Unsteadily, she crossed the room and gripped the curtain in her hand, tugging it back just enough to peer around it. Involuntarily, she yelped. The same four children stood on the other side of the glass. Rain poured down on them, but they seemed oblivious to the fact they were getting soaked.

The tallest girl swiveled her head toward Mollie, black eyes gleaming beneath the patio light. Mollie’s heart leapt into her throat, and she let the curtain fall back.

“Hey, miss. Please let us in. We’re cold and wet. Won’t you please let us in?”

Mollie pressed her back against the wall, willing her heart to stop racing. What was the deal with these kids? What were they doing all alone at night, and why did they creep her out so badly?

Little Darlings

by

Alicia Dean

A Friday the 13th Story

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales, is entirely coincidental.

Little Darlings

COPYRIGHT © 2022 by Alicia Dean

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission of the author. Contact information: Alicia@AliciaDean.com

Published in the United States of America

Publication Year: 2022

Dedication

To my awesome, supportive fellow authors, especially the other writers in the Friday the 13th Series.

What a big bunch of beautiful people you are.

I’m blessed and grateful to be one of you.

About the Friday the 13th Stories:

13 different authors each wrote a stand-alone, suspenseful short story in the series, to be released on Friday, May 13, 2022. Find the other stories here:

Friday the 13th Series Page on Amazon

We hope you enjoy them all and that they bring a chill to your spine. We would love to hear from you. You can find us here: Friday the 13th Facebook Page

Get your Fright on…

Sincerely,

Friday the 13th Authors

About Little Darlings:

Mollie Burrows and her friends, Caroline and Beth, rent a cabin in Colorado for a therapeutic getaway. Beth is despondent after a recent miscarriage, and Mollie hopes the trip will alleviate Beth’s depression. The owner of the general store in town warns them about the Black-Eyed Kids—supernatural entities who pose as children and terrorize anyone who allows them into their homes—but Mollie scoffs at the ridiculous notion.

Not long after they get settled, four children knock on their door—and their eyes are as black as a starless night. Beth is drawn to them and is ready to offer them shelter, but Mollie and Caroline are freaked out and refuse.

When Mollie discovers the bodies of obviously murdered victims, she realizes the store owner was telling the truth. As the evil children begin their homicidal rampage, their determination to gain entry into the cabin becomes terrifying. Help won’t arrive until the following morning and a long, torturous night looms ahead. Can Mollie and Caroline prevent Beth from opening the door to the Little Darlings? If not, they could all end up dead.

*** Check out these other stories in the original A Friday the 13th Story Series that are FREE from May 11 through May 15, 2022…

Blood and Breakfast by Alicia Dean
https://www.amazon.com/Blood-Breakfast-Friday-13th-Story-ebook/dp/B08NF5GH9C/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3DSSI5Y35JCAE&keywords=blood+and+breakfast+alicia+dean&qid=1652019804&sprefix=blood+and+breakfast+alicia+dean%2Caps%2C87&sr=8-1

Fatal Legacy by Krysta Scott: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08NCD8XS7?ref_=dbs_m_mng_rwt_calw_tkin_0&storeType=ebooks&qid=1649521133&sr=1-4

In the Still of the Night by Callie Hutton: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08MBHP93R?ref_=dbs_m_mng_rwt_calw_tkin_1&storeType=ebooks&qid=1649521133&sr=1-4

Retribution by DJ FitSimons:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08MCJJ97S?ref_=dbs_m_mng_rwt_calw_tkin_4&storeType=ebooks&qid=1649521133&sr=1-4

Shattered Reflections by Tamrie Foxtail:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08M946Z7Z?ref_=dbs_m_mng_rwt_calw_tkin_5&storeType=ebooks&qid=1649521133&sr=1-4

Scorned by Anna Kittrell:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08M3VQS8C?ref_=dbs_m_mng_rwt_calw_tkin_7&storeType=ebooks&qid=1649521133&sr=1-4

Glimpse, The Dinner Guest by Stephen B. King:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08LCHP6G1?ref_=dbs_m_mng_rwt_calw_tkin_9&storeType=ebooks&qid=1649521133&sr=1-4

Contents

Dedication

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Other stories in the Friday the 13th series:

Other Titles by Alicia Dean:

About the Author

Chapter 1

Mollie Burrows gripped the steering wheel, focusing intently on the winding highway leading in to Mountain Ridge, Colorado. She couldn’t help imagining the rental car careening off the steep drop and plunging hundreds of feet, bursting into a ball of flames, she and her friends, Caroline and Beth, screaming in agony as their flesh burned…

“Oh my God!” Beth shrieked from the back seat.

Mollie yelped and jerked the wheel, the nose of the car dipping perilously close to the edge before she could return it to the road. “What the hell, Beth?” she snapped. “What happened? You scared the shit out of me.”

“I’m sorry, but did you see those little darlings?”

Mollie exchanged a brief glance with Caroline, who sat in the passenger seat, digging her fingernails into the armrest, her face pale.

“What little darlings?” Mollie kept her voice level.

“They were on the side of the road. Adorable little angels with the most beautiful dark eyes.”

The highway was bordered on one side by a cliff face and on the other by a steep drop off with barely a hint of a shoulder. There were definitely no children hanging out by the highway. But Beth had been through a lot lately. The miscarriage she’d suffered had devastated her. Her husband had been less than sympathetic, telling her to get over it, that it wasn’t even a baby yet. Beth was fragile, and they were handling her delicately. The three women had been friends since grade school and were as close as sisters. Mollie was torn between giving in to Beth’s delusions to keep from upsetting her and snapping her back to reality. She let out a long sigh and forced cheerfulness into her voice. “I didn’t see them. Wish I had. Did you see them, Caroline?” She’d decided on the former. There would be time for reality later.

“Uh…yeah. Yes, I did. They were adorable.”

Mollie glanced in the rearview mirror. Beth’s face was aglow, her eyes holding a hint of insanity. Her expression was that of someone under the grip of a cult. Mollie feared she was on the verge of a psychotic breakdown. Hopefully, this getaway would help, although it wasn’t starting out that promising.

The GPS instructed her to take the next exit. She did and found the general store where they were supposed to meet their ride who would take them up the mountain and to the cabin they’d rented. The way was tricky and treacherous, and people were advised not to try it on their own. Their guide, Carmen, had a vehicle equipped for the mountains and knew the area well.

A large wooden sign hung along the top of the building with the name ‘Grab and Go.’ Mollie stopped the SUV in a parking spot, and the three of them climbed out. Mollie stretched, glad to be out of the car after the six-hour drive from Nebraska.

The door gave off a warning ding as they entered. “Howdy.” The man behind the counter was short and weathered looking, with wisps of gray hair on his head and jaw. He wore a red flannel shirt and overalls.

“Hello,” Mollie said. “I’m Mollie Burrows. These are my friends, Caroline Baker and Beth Underwood. We’re here to meet Carmen. She’s taking us up to our rental cabin.”

A dark expression crossed his face, and he shook his head. “She tole me ‘bout that. I wouldn’t advise you goin’ up there.”

Mollie frowned. “Why not?”

“There’s evil up there. This time of year, the Black-Eyed Kids come out.”

Caroline spoke from behind her. “Black-Eyed kids?”

He nodded. “Evil things, they are.” He pointed to a newspaper article taped to the wall next to the register. Mollie walked closer and peered at it. The headline read: “Black-Eyed Kids Murder Tourists.” The article claimed that, last year, on September 13th, a couple and their teen son were found murdered in the cabin they’d rented. No suspects were found, and the writer of the article claimed the Black-Eyed Kids had committed the crime.

“They’re spawns of Satan. They come out ever so often, ‘specially on Friday the 13th, Halloween, winter solstice, and so forth. If you let ‘em in, they’ll unleash their evil. Not many have encountered them and lived to tell of it.”

Mollie rolled her eyes at Caroline, who grinned. “Thanks for the warning, but we’ll take our chances. I think we can handle a couple of unruly children.”

The man’s mouth tightened, and he harumphed. “You cross paths with these kids, you’ll be prayin’ for just unruly.”

Chapter 2

Carmen—a blonde, stout woman in her twenties—handled the vehicle with ease as she drove them over the snow-covered roads.

Mollie’s teeth rattled as the Subaru Outback jostled her like she was a bobblehead doll that had pissed someone off. She raised her voice to be heard over the snow pelting the windows and the bump of the tires on the rough terrain. “So, the man at the general store said we shouldn’t go up to the cabin.” She grinned. “Said we might be murdered by some kind of children with dark eyes.”

She expected Carmen to laugh and confess the man was crazy. Instead, she shrugged. “You mean the Black-Eyed Kids. I don’t know that I one hundred percent believe they exist, but I also can’t say for sure it’s all bullshit.”

Mollie snorted. “What do you mean? You actually think demonic children are running around killing people?” She remembered what Beth had said about the ‘little darlings’ on the side of the road, and she shivered. But no, it was just a coincidence. Or maybe Beth had heard something about the urban legend before they came here. There was no way she saw kids on the side of the road. Or that they were the supposed Black-Eyed Kids.

“Who knows. I’ve heard stories since I moved here just over a year ago. And last Halloween, some folks were staying at a cabin up in the mountains—though not the ones you’re staying at—and they were brutally murdered.”

Mollie shivered. “By children?” Her voice was scoffing, but a trickle of unease crawled over her flesh.

“They don’t know. Never caught the killer…or killers. There have been other similar incidents over the years. People have told of these kids who show up at their door and beg to be let in. They didn’t. And nothing horrible happened. A part of me thinks it’s just people getting caught up in the legend and making up their own stories for attention. But another part of me.... well, let’s just say, you’ll never find my ass staying in one of those cabins, especially during Friday the 13th or Halloween. Or any other holiday with evil connotations when they supposedly make an appearance.”

“Awesome,” Caroline said sarcastically. “Tomorrow’s Friday the 13th.”

Mollie grimaced. “Yeah…awesome.”

“Please don’t,” Beth’s strangled voice came from the back seat.

Mollie looked back to see tears streaming down Beth’s face. “Don’t what?”

“Don’t say such horrible things about precious children. They are angelic gifts from God, and they are not evil.” Her voice rose with every word. She slapped her hands over her ears and shook her head vigorously. “Just stop it stop it stop it stop it stop it—”

“Okay, okay,” Caroline put a hand out. “We’ll stop. It’s okay. Calm down. It’s fine.’

Finally, Beth settled down. But Mollie couldn’t relax. Beth had always been fragile, but since the miscarriage, she’d seemed to be on the precipice of a total mental collapse. Mollie and Caroline thought getting her away for a few days would help. Now Mollie was wondering if they’d made a mistake. Before she could ponder further, they were slowing, then pulling into the drive of the cabin.

The place was bigger than Mollie expected, a one-story sprawling log-sided cabin. Carmen helped them unload their luggage, and Mollie thanked her. “You said there’s no way you’d stay in one of these cabins this time of year, yet you’re giving us a ride here. Doesn’t that worry you?”

Carmen shook her head. “According to legend—and various retelling of encounters—the Black-Eyed Kids only come out at night. And, by the way, if you do encounter them, legend has it the only way to get rid of them is to burn them.” She shrugged. “But I’m not sure how much good that does, since the legend claims they also can come back.” She grinned as she backed off the porch. “So, yeah. Good luck with that. See you in a couple of days. Remember, you won’t have any cell reception, but there’s a landline. If you need anything before I come on Saturday, just give me a shout. You’ve got my number.”

Mollie nodded. She was tempted to follow Carmen and hop back in the Subaru and drive far away from this place. But since she was a rational person, she didn’t.

The inside of the home was gorgeous. A roomy living room held an overstuffed dove gray sofa, loveseat, and recliner. Large bay windows overlooked the spacious front yard. The curtains were drawn, and the snowfall was beautiful.

“Hey,” Caroline said. “We haven’t had a slumber party in ages. This will be just like when we were kids.”

“Except,” Mollie said, “if either of you stick my hand in a glass of water and make me pee my pants, I’ll kick your asses.”

Beth laughed, and Mollie sighed in relief. She hadn’t seen Beth laugh in weeks.

“That’s what you get for falling asleep first,” Caroline shot back.

They let Beth pick first, and she chose the largest one, which sat at the end of the hallway. All the bedrooms were lovely, but Beth definitely hit the mother lode. Hers had a fireplace at one end, a large window overlooking the mountains, and a huge king-sized bed that still left plenty of floor space. A large, free-standing oval mirror that looked like an antique sat in the corner of the room.

Mollie collected antiques and knew it was worth a fortune. Why people kept such expensive items in a rental, she’d never know.

After they all unpacked, Beth lay down to rest, and Mollie and Caroline put away the groceries they’d brought. The kitchen, while large, had very little cabinet space. “That’s weird,” Caroline said. “You’d think a house like this would have tons of cabinets. Where do they expect us to put our shit?”

Mollie shrugged. “No kidding. Having so little storage room would drive me nuts.”

“Wait…this must be a pantry.” Caroline stood in front of a door on the far side of the kitchen. She turned the knob and stepped in. Mollie heard a crashing sound, then Caroline screamed.

Heart hammering, Mollie raced across the room to check on her friend. “What happened?” She peered into the darkness behind the open door. Beyond the opening was pitch blackness.

Caroline clung to the doorknob. “Help me. Grab my hand.”

Mollie gripped her hand and tugged. Caroline stumbled through the doorway and into Mollie’s arms. Mollie hugged Caroline’s trembling body. “What the hell happened?”

Caroline stepped back and ran a shaky hand over her hair. “That’s not a fucking pantry. It’s a basement. I almost fell to my death.”

Frowning, Mollie slipped her cell out of her pocket and turned on the flashlight, shining it into the space. Caroline was right. It was the basement with a steep set of stairs. She shut off the light and shook her head. “They should warn guests about that. Maybe have a sign. Or just keep the damn thing locked. Why would guests need to access a basement?”

“I don’t know. But we need to tell Beth. And we all need to stay the fuck away from that death trap.”

Mollie nodded. “I’ll go see if Beth’s awake. I’ll let her know about the basement and see if she’s ready for dinner. You want to get the salad started?”

****

A few hours later, just after dinner, the doorbell rang. Mollie lifted her brows. “Who could that be?”

Caroline smirked. “I don’t know…maybe the Black-Eyed Kids?”

“Ha, funny. I’ll go see.” Mollie checked the ring doorbell. A man and woman stood on the porch. The woman gave a friendly smile and waved.

Mollie opened the door. “Can we help you?”

The woman was auburn-haired and had a natural prettiness that didn’t require makeup. Around her neck, she wore a bright green scarf patterned with miniature skulls. Weird. The man was dark complected, broad and muscular but had a paunch, like a former football player who hadn’t stayed in shape. “Hi!” the woman said brightly. “I’m Simone Freeman, and this is my husband, Wesley. We’re staying in the cabin next door and thought we'd come over and introduce ourselves.”

Mollie stepped back. “Please come in. I'm Mollie, and this is Caroline and Beth. Have a seat. Would you guys like something to drink?”

“Nothing to drink, thanks. We won't stay long. We just wanted to meet you.” They went in and settled on the sofa. “How long are you guys here for?”

“Just a couple of days,” Mollie said. “We had a ride up here, but she’ll be here to pick us up on Saturday. How about you? Did you get dropped off? How long are you staying?”

“We drove ourselves,” Wesley said. “We have a 4Runner, and we’re familiar with this area. We’re not sure how long we’ll be here. Probably until we see the Black-Eyed Kids.”

Caroline scoffed. “What? You mean you actually believe that nonsense? And if you do, you actually want to see them?”

Simone nodded. “Yes. We have a paranormal podcast. Maybe you’ve heard of it, The Macabre and Unexplained? We’re investigating the legend of the Black-Eyed Kids. We’ve been here a few days, but nothing so far. Of course, with tomorrow being Friday the 13th, it will most likely happen then.”

Well, that explained the scarf. Mollie rolled her eyes. “Uhm, good luck with that. But won’t you be afraid they’ll…I don’t know…kill you if you do encounter them?”

“No,” Simone said. “Unlike the people murdered last October, we won’t be foolish enough to let them in.”

Chapter 3

Mollie saw the Freemans to the door, then she, Caroline, and Beth settled in to watch a movie. They had let Caroline pick, which was a huge mistake. There was nothing wise about being with friends in an isolated, creepy area and watching a movie about a group of friends who visit a remote woodland cabin and end up unleashing an ancient evil.

Thirty minutes into the movie, Mollie hid her head under the throw, peeking out once in a while and regretting it each time.

She was partly terrified and partly relieved when the front doorbell rang.

“Who’s that? Do you think it’s our neighbors again?” Beth’s eyes were wide. It appeared Caroline was the only one not peeing herself in fear.

“I don’t know. I’ll go check.” Mollie bravely tossed off the throw and went to the door, checking through the ring doorbell.

For a moment, she thought she imagined things, which wouldn’t be beyond the realm of possibility after the stories about the creepy kids and the terrifying horror movie. But she blinked and squinted her eyes, and they were still there. Four children, two boys and two girls, wearing clothing that looked like it came from the set of Little House on the Prairie, stood on the porch. Mollie jumped back, her heart trying to pound out of her chest.

“Yes?” she called through the door. “Can we help you?”

From behind her, Caroline said, “Who is it?”

“You’ll have to come look to believe it.”

Caroline joined her and looked outside. “What the fuck?”

“I bet they’re Simone and Wesley’s kids. They set up that whole, ‘we’re here to research the Black-Eyed Kids thing’ just to mess with us. I wonder if they even have a paranormal podcast.”

The kids knocked on the door. “Hey, lady. Won’t you please let us in?” This came from the oldest girl, who looked to be around twelve. The other girl was about eight, one of the boys probably ten, and the other five. Simone and Wesley didn’t seem like the type of people to have four children—though Mollie wasn’t sure why she got that impression—but there was no other explanation. The Freemans were the only people around. The kids had to belong to them.

“I’m sorry,” Mollie called through the door. “It’s pretty late. You need to go back to your parents. And tell them we don’t think this is funny.”

“But we can’t find our parents…please let us in. We just want to play.”

Mollie looked back out the doorbell. The oldest boy held up a ratty canvas ball with strings hanging off it that looked like someone rolled through a sewer. “Yeah, we wanna play ball. Won’t you please let us in?” He lifted his head, and, when Mollie saw his eyes, she screamed and stumbled back.

“What?” Caroline said. “What happened?”

“L-look at their eyes…”

Caroline peeked out the peephole and gasped. “What the eff…”

Beth came over and looked out the side window. “Aw, look at the little darlings. Open the door and let those poor children in.”

“No way in hell,” Mollie snapped. “Did you see their eyes? Completely black, even the sclera.” She shook her head. How could this be?

“Must be some kind of black contacts,” Caroline said. “The little brats are going all out to fuck with us.” She banged her fist on the door. “Go away, you little turds.”

“We're not bad kids. We just wanna play. Please let us in. We like to play.”

Mollie knew these were just children pulling a prank, but it was almost midnight, and—on the off chance they really were homicidal demons—she was playing it safe. “We’re going to bed. Go home, now. And don’t bother us again.”

Beth shouldered Mollie out of the way and took hold of the doorknob. “We will let them in. It’s late and it’s cold. How can you be so cruel?”

Caroline grabbed Beth’s arm and pulled her away from the door. “Beth…I swear, if you open that door, I’m going to kick your ass so hard your momma will feel it.”

Chapter 4

After coffee the next morning—and a sleepless night of making sure Beth didn’t open the door to those kids—Mollie and Caroline headed out to pay a visit to the neighbors. They waited until Beth was in the shower. She would not want them telling these people to keep their kids away. But Mollie wanted nothing to do with the creepy little bastards.

The Freemans’ cabin sat about twenty feet away. Mollie hunkered down in her coat, and she and Caroline trudged across the snow-covered ground. Mollie rang the doorbell, and in seconds, Simone opened it. “Good morning! Come on in. Want some coffee?”

Mollie shook her head. “No, thanks. This isn’t a social call. I don’t know if you were behind it, or if it was just your kids. But they were out late last night and came to our cabin trying to screw with us. They banged on the door and begged us to let them in.”

Simone frowned. “Kids? We don’t have any children.”

Mollie harumphed. “Riiiggghhhht. I don’t know if this is some kind of publicity thing for your podcast or if you’re just assholes who like to jack with people, but we know they’re your kids. No one else is around. Where else would they have come from?”

Simone bit her lip. “What did they look like?”

When Caroline described their clothing and their eyes, Simone’s face paled. “Oh my God. It was them. The Black-Eyed Kids.”

“Come on.” Mollie crossed her arms and shivered. “That’s insane. Maybe you won’t mind if we take a look around your cabin, you know, just to be sure you’re telling the truth.”

Simone stepped back and gestured for them to enter. “Be my guests.”

Mollie and Caroline stepped inside. The cabin was almost a replica of theirs. Wesley came into the living room, wearing a Denver Broncos jersey and a Colorado Rockies ballcap. “What’s going on, hon?”

Before Simone could reply, Caroline said, “We’re here to see your kids.”

Wesley frowned. “Our kids? We don’t have any kids.”

“Ah…well, just to be sure, we’re going to take a look around.”

He turned a puzzled gaze to his wife, and Simone explained what had happened.

“No shit?” His voice was filled with awe. “That was definitely the Black-Eyed Kids.”

Mollie shook her head. She and Caroline searched the cabin, looking in each bedroom. Normally, she would never do something so rude and intrusive, but these people were getting on her last nerve with their lies and bullshit.

No sign of children in the entire place. Not one item of clothing, toys, or anything that remotely indicated children had been there. Chills trickled down Mollie’s spine. What the actual hell was going on?

Mollie and Caroline apologized to the Freemans, who asked them to please let them know if they received any more visits from the Black-Eyed Kids, and remember not to let them in under any circumstances.

Outside, Mollie stopped in the yard and turned back to look at the cabin.

“So,” Caroline said. “What do you think?”

Mollie sighed. “I think our neighbors are bat shit crazy. But I don’t think the children belong to them.”

“Then where do you think those kids came from?”

Mollie looked around the snow-covered area. Not another dwelling in sight. She shook her head and shivered. “I have no fucking idea.”

Chapter 5

Beth was waiting when they got back to the cabin. “Where did you guys go?” She narrowed her eyes at them.

“Just…for a walk,” Mollie said. “Checking out the area.”

“You’re lying. You told our neighbors to keep their kids away, didn't you?” She crossed her arms and gazed at them with a challenging glint in her eyes.

“We did. Those kids are little brats, and they were trying to mess with us.” Mollie exchanged a look with Caroline. “But…it appears the kids don’t belong to them.”

Beth’s eyes widened. “What do you mean?”

“The Freemans don’t have children. We both thought they were lying, but when we searched their place—”

“You searched their place?” Beth interrupted. “That’s rude.”

Caroline shrugged. “We wanted to prove they were bullshitting us. But there wasn’t a sign of any kids whatsoever.”

“Then who do they belong to?” Her eyes lit up. “Maybe they don't have parents. Maybe they’re orphans who need us to take them in.”

Caroline heaved out a long sigh. “That’s ridiculous. Orphans don’t roam around like stray dogs. They must belong to someone nearby. Maybe the owners of the cabins. Their house is on the property somewhere.”

Mollie frowned. “But we didn't see another cabin or anything on the way up or when we were outside. Did the owners say where they live?”

“No. I rented it through the app. They gave their names but not their location.”

Beth said, “I think we should go find them. They're probably hungry and scared. We need to let them in.”

Mollie shuddered. The murder victims from last fall probably thought the same thing, and look what happened to them…

She shook her head. Was she really starting to buy into this? It was insane. But what other explanation could there be? “I don't know where the kids are, where they come from, or where their parents are. But I do know one thing. Tonight I’m picking the damn movie.”

Chapter 6

Mollie made chicken alfredo and garlic bread for dinner. Then, they settled in to watch movies—My Best Friend’s Wedding and Made of Honor. Mollie tried to relax, but she was tense, expecting the strange children to come knocking on the door at any moment. But they didn’t. With relief, Mollie said goodnight to her friends and went to bed, expecting to sleep well and drift off into a blissful romantic comedy dream world, especially since a light rain was falling and there was nothing better to fall asleep to.

Mollie was just dozing off when the rain began to fall harder tap tap tap tap tap tap…

Wait. She blinked open her eyes. That didn't sound like rain. She sat up, gripping the covers in her fingers, her pulse racing. Was that someone knocking on the front door? The tapping came again, but it wasn't coming from the front door. She glanced around and realized it was coming from the patio door in her bedroom. The drapes were closed, but she was sure someone was out there. She swallowed the dryness in her throat, fear keeping her immobilized. The door was locked, but the glass was not that hard to penetrate.

The knocking came again, more insistent. Mollie tossed off the covers and sat up on the side of the bed, then grabbed the mace she always kept on the nightstand. She stood, but her legs shook so badly that she had to sit back down.

Get it together, Mollie. You’re being ridiculous.

Taking a deep, fortifying breath, she stood again, this time remaining on her feet. Unsteadily, she crossed the room and gripped the curtain in her hand, tugging it back just enough to peer around it. Involuntarily, she yelped. The same four children stood on the other side of the glass. Rain poured down on them, but they seemed oblivious to the fact they were getting soaked.

The tallest girl swiveled her head toward Mollie, black eyes gleaming beneath the patio light. Mollie’s heart leapt into her throat, and she let the curtain fall back.

“Hey, miss. Please let us in. We’re cold and wet. Won’t you please let us in?”

Mollie pressed her back against the wall, willing her heart to stop racing. What was the deal with these kids? What were they doing all alone at night, and why did they creep her out so badly?

“Come on, miss. We can’t hurt you. We’re just little kids. We just want to play.” That sounded like a boy, though his voice was high. He probably hadn’t yet reached puberty.

Maybe she should call the police. The parents needed to be reported for not keeping a closer eye on their kids. But for now…should she let them in?

On the one hand, she couldn’t stand the thought of leaving children outside alone in the dark, but on the other hand… she was quite frankly terrified. Something was not quite right. And she couldn’t dismiss the stories about the Black-Eyed Kids. Most rumors were based on some kind of fact, so there might have been some truth to the legend…

But then…if there really was a killer on the loose, how would she feel if she found out these kids had been murdered?

She blew out a long breath and shoved the drapes back. She reached for the latch to unlock the patio door but stopped. Her gaze fell on the object the smallest boy held in his hand. A large rock. He hefted it, his black eyes staring through the glass at her. “We wanna play rock with you. Just let us in so we can playyyyy…” The last word was drawn out, ending on a keening wail.

Mollie yelped and stumbled back. No fucking way. Something was off with those kids. What did he intend to do with that rock? Her entire body shuddered like she was in the grip of a seizure. She could feel the danger emanating from them. Definitely something wrong with those little fiends. She’d be damned if she—or her friends—would let those kids in. But couldn’t they just smash the window with that rock and come in anyway?

Actually…no. From what she’d learned, as crazy as it sounded, they had to be invited in. Just like vampires.

Ha. She shook her head. Right, vampires and demonic murdering children. Sure, that was all possible.

But no matter how implausible it sounded. No matter that a part of her worried they were just normal kids—albeit a bit creepy—and she could be dooming them to certain death, she could not, would not let them in. No fucking way.

The tapping continued. That was it. She was calling the police.

She hurried into the living room and grabbed up the receiver. She was punching in digits when it occurred to her…there was no dial tone. Dammit. Had the storm knocked out the phone lines? She fumbled in her purse for her cell, just in case they miraculously did get reception, But there were no bars. Shit.

She’d just have to try again tomorrow. For tonight, she needed to get some sleep. But not in her bedroom. Instead, she lay on the sofa. She was still staring at the ceiling when the morning sun made its way through the windows.

Chapter 7

Friday the Thirteenth

When Caroline and Beth awoke and joined Mollie at the table, coffees in hand, Mollie explained what had happened the night before.

“Oh my God,” Caroline said. “You should have called the police.”

“I tried, but the phone wasn't working.”

Beth jumped to her feet. “The police? No, instead, you should have let those poor babies inside. What's wrong with you?”

Mollie grimaced. “There was something off about them. Something frightening. They are not normal.”

Beth shook her head. Tears streamed down her face. “Oh, because children are a little odd, you think they should be left out on their own to brave the elements? Maybe to die? Is that what you wanted to happen to them? Did you want them to die like my baby died?” Her voice got louder with each word.

Mollie stood and put out a placating hand. “No, sweetheart. I don't want them to die, and you know I didn't want your baby to die either. I'm very, very sorry. I love children, but I'm telling you that these kids are not right.”

Beth slapped her hand down on the table. “No, you're not right, and you're not my friend.” She jumped to her feet and stalked down the hall to her room, slamming the door with a resounding thud.

Mollie followed her and knocked on her door. “Beth? I’m coming in.”

“Go away,” came the muffled reply.

Mollie twisted the knob and stepped inside. Beth sat on the edge of the bed, holding a pillow to her chest, rocking back and forth like she held a baby.

Mollie’s heart went out to her. She was already fragile, and this thing with the children was not helping her mental state at all. Mollie went over to her nightstand and picked up her bottle of Loxapine. “Beth, have you been taking your medication?”

“Ha, you mean so I’ll stay zoned out and you two can control me? Talk about me behind my back and plot against me?”

Mollie sat next to her and put a hand on her forearm. “You know we wouldn’t do that. We love you. There's no way we would plot against you. We just want you to get better. So, please, take your meds.” Mollie held out the prescription bottle.

Beth slapped it out of her hand, jumped to her feet, then stalked to the window.

Mollie followed and rested a hand on her back. “Come on. Let's take a walk. We'll both feel better, and we can certainly use the exercise as much as we've been eating since we got here.” She gently took the pillow from Beth’s arms and laid it on the bed, then held her hand and led her out.

Caroline stood when they entered the kitchen. “Is everything okay?”

“Yeah, it’s fine,” Mollie said. “We’re going for a walk. Want to come?”

“Sure.” Caroline shot a look at Beth. “A walk sounds great.”

The three of them walked outside. The air was cool but not as cold as it had been, and the snow and rain had stopped. Beth’s spirits seemed to improve. The fresh air would do her a world of good. But Mollie had to figure out a way to get her to take her meds, even if she had to stick them in her food. She didn’t want to resort to trickery—Beth had enough trust issues—but the longer Beth went without them, the more unhinged she would become.

They walked all around the property, and, as they did, Mollie searched for another cabin…and for the kids. But they didn’t see anything that would explain what was going on. Where could the kids have come from?

Mollie didn’t know…and still didn’t believe in the Black-Eyed Kids theory, but she knew one thing for damn sure. Come nightfall, she was keeping her ass inside.

When they got back to the cabin, they tried the phone lines again. Still not working.

“Maybe we should ask Simone and Wesley if we can use their phone,” Caroline suggested.

“Yeah, maybe so. I guess we can wait for now. The kids haven’t been around today. Maybe they’re back home with their parents, and everything is fine.” She almost convinced herself that was true, but a part of her had morbidly expected to come across their dead bodies on their walk.

That night after dinner, they were deciding which movies to watch when the doorbell rang.

“Geez, again?” Caroline snapped. “Some solitude we’re getting out here.”

Reluctantly, Mollie stood and went to the door. She checked the peephole and groaned when she saw the four kids standing on the porch.

“Please, won’t you let us in?” They all spoke in unison, lifting their heads to stare upward with their soulless black eyes.

But this time, there was something different about them…what was that around the eldest girl’s neck? And on the younger boy’s head? And what was on their clothing…

When she realized what she was seeing, she stumbled away from the door, a blood-chilling scream rising from her throat.

Chapter 8

Caroline rushed over. “What is it? What’s wrong?”

Mollie pointed a trembling finger at the door. “It’s those...the kids...the black-eyed kids...they—they...” She shuddered and wrapped her arms tightly around her body. “One of the girls is wearing that scarf—the one Simone was wearing. The boy is wearing Wesley’s hat. And their clothes...all of them...are drenched in blood.”

Caroline gasped, and her hand flew to her mouth. “Are you sure?”

Mollie nodded. “Yes, I’m—” The knocking started again, and she jumped, her gaze flying to the door. “What are we going to do?”

Beth rose from the couch and joined them. “You don’t really think those angels murdered someone?” She rolled her eyes. “And you think I’m crazy.” She shook her head and went to the door. “We need to let them—”

Mollie lunged forward and grabbed Beth’s shoulders, tugging her back. “Do not open that door!”

Beth struggled. “Let me go. Those children won’t hurt us. They probably need our help.”

The banging grew louder. “Please let us in. We want to play with you. We have our own toys. Let us innnnnn.”

Mollie turned Beth around to face her and shook her, hard. “They do not need our help. They want to kill us. Do you hear me? Fucking kill us. You are not going to let them in.”

Beth pulled away. “Liar! You’re a liar, and you hate children.” Her scream rose, and she became more hysterical by the second. “I’ll never forgive you if anything happens to those kids!”

“Take her to her room. Please,” Mollie said to Caroline. She figured that was the best option. Beth was furious with Mollie right now and wouldn’t go willingly with her. “I’ll try the phone again.”

“Okay, sweetie.” Caroline spoke gently as she took Beth’s arm. “Let’s go to your room and get some rest.”

Just as suddenly as she had her outburst, Beth had gone quiet, and she let Caroline lead her down the hall. The kids were still pounding on the door and begging to come in. Mollie put her hands over her ears and closed her eyes tightly. Panic seized her chest, and she panted out short, quick breaths. “Make it stop, make it stop, make it stop…” She stopped, forcing herself to calm down before she hyperventilated. But it wasn’t easy. Her mind was exploding with fear and desperation. What would they do? How would they survive? What were those things outside their door? Her entire body trembled, and tears coursed down her cheeks. They were all going to die, just like Simone and Wesley...

Stop it! She had to get her shit together, or they would die. She would not give in to hysteria. She had to act.

Mollie tried the phone again. Dead. But what about the Freemans’ phone? Was it working? She needed to check on them. They could be injured and not dead. And, if their phone was working, she could call 911. And call Carmen to pick them up sooner instead of waiting until tomorrow. But if she went outside… She shuddered at the thought of encountering those vicious little creatures.

Then she had a thought…the back door. They were in the front. She could use the back and quickly and quietly sneak over to the Freemans’. The plan sounded fine. But actually executing it had her heart pounding in terror. But did she have a choice?

She grabbed her jacket and pulled it on, then hurried to the kitchen and the knife block. She took out the biggest knife and held it tightly in her grip. On legs that shook, she headed to the back door. Before she could talk herself out of it, she slid open the patio door and stepped outside. The night was quiet—quiet as death. Moonlight glinted through the tops of the trees. The inky sky was so black…it reminded her of those evil eyes. She swallowed hard, put her hood over her head, and started walking, keeping as close to the house as possible, not wanting to feel exposed.

As she walked, she kept her ears peeled for sounds of the demons approaching. There was no sign of them as she reached the cabin. She tried the back door, but someone had locked it. She would have to go to the front…and be exposed. Her heart dropped into her stomach.

The cabins were far enough apart that the demons shouldn’t see her…but what if they did? Could she take that chance? She made her way around to the front of the house when she spotted the phone line against the side of the cabin. Someone had cut it. Most likely, that’s what had happened to theirs. Despair weighed her down. Now, there was no way to call for help. They were completely and totally on their own. But she could still check on the Freemans. She was here. She had to go inside. And maybe they had a gun. Carmen had said the only way to destroy them was by fire. But a gun would surely slow them down. Inching her way to the front, she tried the knob. She sighed when it turned under her hand, but dread filtered through her relief. What would she find when she went inside?

She took a deep breath, opened the door, and clamped a hand over her mouth to keep from releasing a scream that would bring the kids running.

Simone lay on the sofa and Wesley on the floor next to her. A hammer was embedded in each of their heads, eyes staring lifelessly. Blood was everywhere. Everywhere…

With a cry, she raced to the back door and fumbled it open. She took a deep breath of the cool air, hoping it would help calm her. Keep her from vomiting. Or passing out.

Why would the Freemans have let them in? They knew better. Maybe they’d decided it was worth it for their podcast. Maybe they hadn’t really believed the horrific truth. Mollie hadn’t either. But now she damned sure did.

She had to get to Caroline and Beth and had to keep them safe. It wouldn’t be easy. Whatever these children were, they’d brought down a man the size of a linebacker. She and her friends would be no match for them.

Chapter 9

Mollie rushed outside, taking deep breaths of the cold mountain air. Her gaze landed on the Freemans’ Toyota 4Runner.

Hope bloomed in her chest, then quickly dissipated. Shit. She needed the keys.

She didn’t want to go back into that house… but she had no choice. Grimacing, she swallowed the nausea clogging her throat, wishing she could swallow her fear just as easily. Bracing herself, she went back into the house. The keys…where would they be…

Her wish that she’d find them laying out in the open was quickly dashed. Not on the bar, not on the key hook by the door, where any rational person should put them, not on any of the tables. Ugh.

Many men kept keys in their pockets. She forced her feet to move toward the bodies. The smell of blood and body fluids permeated the air. She clenched her lips together and tried not to breathe in. Squatting, before she could lose her nerve, she plunged her fingers into Wesley’s right front pocket. Her fingers slipped in the not quite dried blood. She shuddered. No keys. Bile rose in her chest, but she ignored it and checked the left pocket. Almost crying in relief, she pinched the key fob between her fingers and pulled it out. Thank God.

Now she just had to get back to the house, get past those monsters, grab her friends, and get the fuck out. She didn't care how treacherous the drive was. Nothing was as treacherous as facing those devilish little bastards.

****

Mollie made it back to the house and let herself in through the back door. She stood and listened for a moment. All was silent.

She hurried across the living room and pressed her ear to the front door. No sounds from the kids. She didn't know if that was good or bad. Had they left? Or were they regrouping and planning a way to gain access? Whatever was going on, she and her friends were not safe. She had to get them and get the hell away from this godforsaken place.

She moved away from the door but froze when the knocking came again.

“It's cold out here. Won't you please let us in? We just want to play. Please let us in.”

“You evil little bastards,” she shouted through the door. “Go away. I’ll never let you in.”

A childish giggle erupted, making the hairs on her arms stand up. “You won’t let us in, but someone else will….we just want to play…”

A cold sweat broke out over Mollie’s skin, and fear inched its way through her heart. What did they mean? Was Beth going to let them in? But Caroline was watching her…

Mollie gripped the knife tightly in her hand and slunk down the hallway. Her panting breaths were loud in the eerie silence…and it was much too silent. Had something happened to Beth and Caroline? Fear galvanized her, and she picked up her pace and stopped in front of Beth’s closed door. Clenching her jaw, she grasped the knob and turned. The door swung inward.

Caroline whirled to face her, a baseball bat held in front of her. “Thank God it’s you.” Her grip relaxed, and she let the bat fall to her side. “They’re at the window, trying to get in. Beth wants to let them in. She’s fucking nuts.”

“But they were just at the front door…” But, of course, there were four of them. Some had probably come around to the window. They knew Beth was the weak link.

A tapping sound came from the direction of the window. Then a keening wail. “Plllleeeasssseee…let us in. We’re scared. It’s dark out here. We just want to plllaaayyy…”

Mollie shuddered and glanced to where Beth sat on the bed, arms crossed, face set in a mutinous expression. “They are children. They can’t hurt us. You two are heartless.”

“Children?” Mollie’s voice screeched. “I just found the Freemans. They were dead…slaughtered. You think those are normal children?”

Beth pushed to her feet. “Those little darlings did not do that. There’s a killer on the loose, and the little angels are in danger. I’m letting them in.”

Mollie stalked over and grabbed Beth’s shoulders. “Don't you get it, damn you? What is wrong with you? They are not little darlings. They're homicidal monsters, and they're going to fucking kill us. What do you not get about that?” Beth jerked away from her and burst into tears. Mollie almost felt bad, but not quite. Their lives were on the line. Beth’s feelings were secondary. “I have the Freeman’s car keys. We need to get the hell out of here. Come on.”

She and Caroline half pulled, half dragged Beth down the hallway. Mollie steered them to the back and along the same route she took to the Freemans’. Since Beth’s room was at the other end of the cabin, and the kids were hopefully still at her window, they would have a chance to make it without being seen.

Getting to the actual vehicle would be the tough part. They’d be exposed…in view of the front of their cabin, although it was some distance away. Mollie whispered to Caroline and Beth, “Okay, now. Let’s make a run for it.” They sprinted to the car, Caroline dragging Beth along. Mollie pressed the button on the key fob and the horn beeped, sounding like a sonic boom in the stillness of the quiet night. Mollie's heart stuttered. Did the kids hear that? She hoped like hell they hadn’t.

She jumped into the driver’s seat while Caroline and Beth climbed in the back. Mollie pushed the start button, but before getting the car in gear, she heard slapping sounds on the glass. She and Caroline cried out. The Black-Eyed Kids stood at the windows, slapping the glass and rattling the doors. “Let us in, let us in, let us in.” The chilling chorus shrieked through the night. Mollie slammed the car in reverse and floored the gas, not caring if she ran over every one of the mother fuckers. But the car only went a few feet and then stopped.

She jerked her gaze to the rearview mirror. The oldest boy stood behind the car, his lips pulled back in a maniacal snarl. In his hand, he held an ax.

Chapter 10

The boy brought the axe down and shattered the back windshield. The three women screamed. Caroline called from the back seat, “What are we going to do? We’re surrounded. The little fuckers probably slashed the tires.”

Mollie closed her eyes and tried to regulate her breathing. Think, think, think…

The back door opened, and Mollie’s gaze shot to Beth, who was climbing out of the car. “Come, little darlings,” she called. “We won’t hurt you.”

“Beth!” Caroline screamed. Caroline jumped from the back, and Mollie scrambled out of the front. The kids were converging on Beth. She smiled, seemingly unaware of the danger she was in. Caroline marched toward them, swinging the bat. Mollie held the knife out and moved forward. She never dreamed she could stab a child, but she would do exactly that. These creatures were not normal children. And they were going to kill her and her friends if she didn’t act.

Before she or Caroline could use their weapons, the kids scattered, whimpering and crying, “You’re mean. We’re just little kids. Please don’t hurt us.”

Beth sobbed and headed for the children, but Caroline grabbed her, and she and Mollie dragged her back to the cabin. Inside, they locked all the doors.

“Take her back to the room and keep an eye on her,” Mollie instructed. “I’ll gather more weapons. It’s a long time until morning.”

Beth had calmed down. Her expression was blank, as if she were in a catatonic state. She allowed Caroline to lead her to the bedroom without resistance.

Mollie searched the cabin, grabbing another large kitchen knife, a hammer, and a screwdriver. These would have to do. She wouldn’t arm Beth. As crazy as she was acting, she might use the weapons on Mollie and Caroline.

She was rummaging through the cabinets in the utility room when she heard a sound like shattering glass. Her heart leapt to her throat. Had the kids burst through the patio door? She was pretty sure they couldn’t come in without being invited, although she had no idea why. A thumping sound came from the end of the hallway—Beth’s room.

Mollie shoved the hammer and screwdriver into her back pockets, then, holding a knife in each hand, she rushed toward the bedroom. Childish laughter echoed. This time, it sounded like it came from inside the house. Her heart seized in her chest, and she couldn’t breathe. When she reached the door, she heard Caroline cry out, “Oh my God, Beth. What did you do?” For a moment, Mollie considered turning and fleeing. But there was no way that she could leave her friends.

She twisted the knob, pushed the door open, and halted in shocked terror. All four children were in the room. The youngest girl twisted toward the door and smiled at Mollie. In her hand, she held an axe almost as big as she was. “Wanna play axe?” She advanced toward Mollie. “Thank you for letting us in. Now we can play.”

The oldest boy brandished a wicked-looking scythe as he stalked toward Beth.

Caroline was in one corner, swinging the bat at two of the kids as they lunged at her. “Beth shoved me aside and opened the window.” Her words panted out of her. “She invited them in before I could stop her.”

Mollie slid her glance to Beth. Tears coursed down her cheeks. “Please be good, little darlings. I love you. Please be good children.”

The oldest boy threw back his head, and a banshee-like scream erupted from him. “We’re goooooodddd,” he wailed. “We just want to pllllaaayyyy…” He leapt forward and dove the scythe into Beth’s face.

Chapter 11

Mollie screamed. “Beth! Oh my God.” Her friend dropped to the ground, the blade embedded in her forehead.

“Beth!” Caroline cried out. “Oh no, no, no fuck, fuck, fuck…”

The boy swung his head around, black eyes rimmed in red, gleaming as if lit from within by hell’s fire. “Now it’s time to play with you…”

Mollie swallowed, the sound clicking in her dry throat. “Hey, kids.” She forced as much calm into her voice as she could. Inside, she was screaming in shocked disbelief. Beth was dead. There was no doubt. She didn’t have time for grief right now. She and Caroline had to survive. “Tha—that looks like fun. Yes. We can play some games.”

Caroline sobbed hysterically, swinging the bat, keeping the children at bay. “You demented mother fuckers. You killed her. Oh my God, Beth is dead.”

Her cries pierced Mollie’s eardrum. She wanted to scream at her to shut up, shut up, shut up. But she had to get the situation under control.

The youngest girl moved forward and stopped in front of Mollie. She grinned, baring crooked, blackened teeth, and cocked her head. “So, now do you want to play with us? We’ll have so much fun.”

Mollie forced a smile and nodded. “Yes, we will have fun. But instead of playing axe, how about if we play…” Her mind raced, frantically searching for something…some kind of plan. There had to be some way… “I have an idea! How about if we play basement?”

The girl frowned. “Basement? How do you play that?”

The other kids lumbered toward Mollie, abandoning their attempts to get at Caroline. “We want to play basement too.”

“Okay. Let’s play. Come on, I’ll show you.”

Caroline whispered, “Mollie, what are you doing?”

The younger boy whipped his head toward Caroline. “It’s none of your beeswax.” His voice was a guttural roar, like a demon from hell lived inside him. “Leave us alone.” He pounced on Caroline’s back and wrapped his arms around her neck. She stumbled back and they fell into the antique mirror, shards of glass raining down on them. Caroline dropped the bat and took hold of his arms, trying to loosen his grip, but he clung to her like a feral monkey.

Mollie raced across the room and plunged a knife into the kid’s neck. He squealed and arched his back, releasing his hold.

Caroline dropped to the floor, a hand held over her cheek. Blood leaked from between her fingers. “The fucker bit me.”

The boy came to his feet, his enraged gaze swinging from Mollie to Caroline. “Be nice…it’s okay.” Mollie stuttered out. “Everything’s okay. We’re going to play.” She motioned to the older girl. “Get your brothers and sister. Let’s go play.” She looked at Caroline, who sat on the floor sobbing. “Come on, Caroline.” Mollie made her voice sharp, trying to penetrate Caroline’s hysteria.” You can play too.” Mollie gestured for the kids to follow her, leading them down the kitchen hallway. Caroline followed behind, her face creased in pain-filled confusion.

Mollie’s anxiety shot up with each step she took. This was it. Her only plan. If this didn’t work, she and Caroline were dead. Just like Beth…

A cry worked its way up her chest, but she didn’t let it out. The key was to remain calm…keep the kids calm…until she could annihilate them.

Before reaching the basement door, she stopped at a kitchen drawer to gather what she needed. She’d seen the items when she rummaged around and found the hammer and screwdriver. She didn’t realize it then, but they would be much more effective weapons than the tools she’d found. Once she’d secured them, she turned to the kids, hoping the smile on her face looked sincere. “Okay, here we go.” Her voice shook, but she continued. “Here's how you play basement. All of you back up to the other side. Stand right there in front of the sink.” The children did as she instructed. “That’s it, keep going.”

When they reached the sink, they stopped.

“Caroline,” Mollie said, not taking her gaze off the kids. “You come over here with me.”

Caroline moved to stand beside her, still holding her hand over her injured face. Mollie grabbed a dishtowel from the countertop and handed it to her. “Here, put this on your cheek.”

Mollie turned to the kids. “Okay, is everyone ready?” They nodded. “Okay. Now, all at the same time, each have you run as fast as you can through this door, and I'll follow you, and we'll play basement.”

“Yes!” The kids squealed. Their demented faces were twisted with excitement. The smallest boy clapped his hands and giggled. “Basement, basement, basement…”

Mollie shouted, “Ready, get set… go!”

The kids took off at a sprint toward the basement door. On the heels of one another, they each shot through the opening. Crashing, tumbling sounds, and peals of laughing screams bounded off the walls. Mollie squirted the lighter fluid into the opening, grabbed a couple of match sticks from the box and swiped them on the striking surface. “Burn, you evil mother fuckers, burn.”

She tossed the flaming sticks into the basement. “Let’s go!” She grabbed Caroline, and they raced from the house, a whoosh of flames sounding behind them. They stumbled out into the night air, falling into the soft grass. They clung to one another and watched as the blaze climbed higher and higher.

Chapter 12

Mollie wasn’t sure how long she and Caroline sat there, clinging to one another in the freezing night air, tainted with ash and the smell of smoke.

“Do you think they’re dead?” Caroline finally spoke.

Mollie nodded. “Definitely.” Carmen had said the fire would destroy them. But they’d also read that their souls could be reborn, and they could come back. Mollie didn’t think it judicious to remind Caroline of that fact.

“What are we going to do?” Caroline asked. “Carmen isn’t coming until the morning.”

Mollie shrugged. “We'll have to stay in Simone and Wesley’s cabin.”

“Aren't their bodies in there?

At Mollie’s nod, Caroline vehemently shook her head. “I cannot stay in there with their dead bodies. No way, no way, no way.” Her voice rose hysterically.

Mollie took her into her arms, patting her back and speaking soothingly, “It’s okay. We’ll be okay. We’ll figure something out.”

They were alive. For now, that was all that mattered. But Beth wasn’t. The realization washed over Mollie, and tears coursed down her cheeks. Their friend was dead. Murdered right before their eyes.

“Wait, what’s that?” Caroline looked around.

Terror thumped through Mollie's chest. “What? What is it? Are they back?”

“No, listen.”

Mollie did. When she recognized the sound, relief flooded her body. Sirens. Someone must have seen the fire and called it in. Thank God. Help was arriving.

Chapter 13

One Week Later

“I don’t know if I can do this,” Mollie choked back tears as she stood on Beth’s mother’s porch. Being at the service was one thing—there were tons of people there. But at Beth’s house, with her family, where Mollie had spent so many of her formative years, she was brought into the bosom and treated like one of their own. How could she face all of them knowing she’d been culpable in Beth’s death?

“We have to.” Caroline squared her shoulders. “We owe it to Sharon.”

Mollie nodded. Yes, they did owe it to her. She’d lost her only child in a horrific way. Beth was partially to blame, but she was not in her right mind. Mollie and Caroline should have done a better job of protecting her. The police had at first suspected them, but after an investigation, they were cleared. To Beth’s parents, their ‘cover’ story was that she was murdered by home invaders who had not been apprehended. Explaining that marauding demonic children slaughtered her would have been too difficult.

Dusk had settled over the neighborhood, giving it a quiet stillness, fitting with the somber occasion. They rang the bell, and shortly the door was opened by someone Mollie didn’t recognize. When they stepped inside the house, memories assailed Mollie. Spending the night here, giggling until all hours of the night until Sharon and Dennis finally and firmly made them shush and go to sleep. Then waking up to a breakfast of cheesy eggs and pancakes. Those were simpler times…happier times. Now all Sharon and Dennis had left were the memories…and photos…of their daughter.

Mollie remembered half a dozen photos of Beth at various ages had adorned their walls. Now, there were at least two dozen, interspersed with lit candles, adorning every surface in the living room, from the end tables to the mantel to the piano. The images of Beth brought a lump to Mollie’s throat. She was going to miss her friend terribly. She still couldn’t fathom that she was actually gone…and in such a horrific way.

“Mollie, Caroline, hello. So glad you could come.”

Mollie turned to find Sharon approaching them. Her face was devoid of makeup. Her blonde hair was shot through with twice as much gray as she’d had just a month ago. Grief really did age a person.

Sharon enveloped Mollie into an embrace and, for a moment, Mollie took comfort in the soft, motherly hug. But guilt reared its head, and she disentangled herself. She didn’t deserve a hug from the woman who’d lost her child under Mollie’s watch.

After Sharon and Caroline hugged, Sharon took each girl by the hand and pulled them through the living room. As they went, Mollie nodded and spoke briefly to various members of Beth’s family and to their friends. Some wore grief-stricken expressions. Others chatted and laughed as if they were at a party instead of gathering to mourn a loved one.

Sharon led them into the kitchen, where Dennis was leaning against the countertop, staring off into space, his expression stricken, his kind face seeming to have aged five years since Mollie last saw him no more than a few weeks earlier.

“Dennis, look who’s here.”

Dennis lifted his gaze and managed a small smile. “Hi, girls. Glad you could come.” Mollie and Caroline hugged him, then stepped back.

“Help yourselves to the food, girls. Lordy, we’ll never eat all of this. I can’t believe all the food people brought. Isn’t it just so thoughtful?” Sharon’s words were chipper, but her blue eyes held a sheen of tears.

“What happened?” Dennis’s gruff voice cut over his wife’s babble. “What happened up there in the mountains? How did my baby girl die?”

Mollie thought she detected a hint of accusation in his tone. She couldn’t blame him. If he only knew the true story…

Mollie and Caroline exchanged looks. “She…we—I mean, Caroline and I—were asleep in our rooms. We were woken by loud banging and the sound of breaking glass. I was confused at first—I thought it was just part of a dream. But as I lay there, I heard more noises. I was scared to get out of bed, but I knew I had to check it out.” Mollie paused and swallowed past the dryness in her throat as she recited the rehearsed story. “I left my room, and Caroline was in the hallway. We followed the sounds to Beth’s room. When we went inside, we found her lying on the floor. The window was open. We checked on Beth, but it didn’t look good.” A sob—a genuine one—tore from Mollie’s chest. “We called 911. But it was too late. Beth was…gone.”

Caroline nodded. “Yes. That’s what happened. Apparently, some kind of home invasion. Maybe an attempted robbery. Then, we smelled smoke and realized, they’d set the cabin on fire. We barely made it out before the entire place was engulfed. The police Maybe a robbery, but we scared them off. They set the cabin on fire, probably to get rid of evidence. The police are still looking for the guy…guys…or whoever.”

Dennis narrowed his eyes and looked from Mollie to Caroline. Did he doubt their story? Mollie’s heart beat loudly in her chest, thumping in her ears. She braced herself for the follow-up questions…the accusations.

The ringing doorbell echoed into the kitchen, and Sharon’s face brightened. “I’ll see who that is.” She fled, and Mollie wished she could escape with her.

“They just took off, huh? You two girls just scared them off?” Dennis crossed his arms and waited.

Mollie licked her lips, searching her brain for a response.

From the living room came Sharon’s loud squeal. “Oh, my, what little darlings.” Mollie’s blood ran cold, and she shot her gaze to Caroline. She was about to run into the living room to stop it, but before she could move, she heard Sharon say, “Why, yes, of course, you can come in.”

I hope you enjoyed this mini horror story…if you did, or even if you didn’t ��, please consider leaving a review.

Other stories in the Friday the 13th series:

How to Trap a Soul by Tamrie Foxtail https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09VDZBNJX

Deadly Illusions by Anna Kittrell https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09VCPKBFV

Skadegamutc: Monster in the Mirror by Diane L. Kowalyshyn  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09V5RD8VJ

The Hotel California by Callie Hutton https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09VDT5DX6/

A Gentleman from the Darkness by Mark Edward Jones https://www.amazon.com/Gentleman-Darkness-Friday-Short-Story-ebook/dp/B09VRPM86V/

Last Train Out by DJ FitzSimons https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B09VF1Y3TS/

13 Sessions by Christopher Farris https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09V8CQC75/

The End of the Road Hotel by Peggie McKenzie https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09V5P58BJ

Witch Ever Way You Go by Robert Herold https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09V714SSF

The Last Wife by Krysta Scott https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09WL13NXG/

Thirteen Past Midnight by Stephen B. King https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09WRTW466

The New Guy by Dex Rivers https://www.amazon.com/New-Guy-Dex-Rivers-ebook/dp/B09X3F19LV/

Other Titles by Alicia Dean:

Horror:

The New Guy: A Friday the 13th Story (w/a Dex Rivers)

You’re Invited

Blood and Breakfast: A Friday the 13th Story

Suspense:

Without Mercy

Thicker than Water

Death Offerings (Monroe Donovan Book 2)

Death Notice (Monroe Donovan Book 1)

The Twelfth Day

A Knight Before Christmas

Tears of the Wounded

Poetic Injustice

Truly Madly

Nothing to Fear

Paranormal:

Soul Seducer

Heart of the Witch

Caster’s Unfriendly Ghost

Dying to Love You

Liberty Empowered (Isle of Fangs Book 3)

Liberty Divided (Isle of Fangs Book 2)

Liberty Awakened (Isle of Fangs Book 1)

Cupid’s Beau

Gothic Mystery Romance:

Once Upon a Gothic

Vintage:

Ruined/Precarious – Martini Club 4

End of Lonely Street

Non-Fiction:

Two-Minute Writing Tips

Find the Magic – How to Plot a Story in 10 Easy Steps

Sets:

Love Breaks – A Collection of Romance Stories

Killer Love – Boxed Set of Four Suspense Titles

Love Dangerously – 5 Short Stories - Print Only

About the Author

Alicia Dean began writing stories as a child. At age 10, she wrote her first ever romance (featuring a hero who looked just like Elvis Presley, and who shared the name of Elvis’ character in the movie, Tickle Me), and she still has the tattered, pencil-written copy. Alicia is from Moore, Oklahoma and now lives in Edmond. She has three grown children and a huge network of supportive friends and family. She writes mostly contemporary suspense and paranormal, but has also written in other genres, including a few vintage historicals.

Other than reading and writing, her passions are Elvis Presley (she almost always works in a mention of him into her stories) and watching (and rewatching) her favorite television shows like Ozark, Dexter, Justified, Breaking Bad, Sons of Anarchy, and Vampire Diaries. Some of her favorite authors are Michael Connelly, Dennis Lehane, Stephen King, Lee Child, Lisa Gardner, Ridley Pearson, Joseph Finder, and Jonathan Kellerman…to name a few.

Email: Alicia@AliciaDean.com

Website: http://aliciadean.com/

Blog: http://aliciadean.com/alicias-blog/

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Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/468339.Alicia_Dean