Boding Evil

by Linda L Barton

  “Hey, save some for the rest of us,” Lori chided.

  Jeff handed Lori the bowl then grabbed the gravy boat and then covered his mashed potatoes. He then held out the gravy boat for Lori with a broad smile on his face.

  Not wanting to laugh, Lori took the offered container and covered her own mound of mashed potatoes. “Thank you.”

  Gene and Velma sat and watched this little banter between their children, and could not help but smile. They both had to admit that it was nice to have an enjoyable family meal after the events of the past few months.

  Once everyone had eaten their fill, Velma walked over to the sink and started the dishwater, while Lori began to remove the dirty dishes from the table.

  “It looks like I get some of that good chicken for lunch tomorrow,” Gene quipped when he stood and rubbed his over-stuffed stomach.

  “I’m surprised with the way Jeff was going after it,” Velma winked at Jeff.

  “Hey, I need my strength. I am a growing boy, after all.” Jeff reached for his glass of milk and took the last rich and creamy swallow then held it up for Lori to take.

  Not pleased with the way he treated her like a servant, Lori took the offered glass and then smacked Jeff on the back of the head.

  “Hey, did you see that, Mom?” Jeff reached back and rubbed the back of his head.

  “Lori, quit hitting your brother,” Velma scolded Lori, who now glared at Jeff.

  “Yeah,” Jeff gleamed with delight in spite of the expression on his sister’s face.

  “Fine, but watch your back, little brother,” Lori held his gaze, daring him to say another word.

  “Okay, you two, knock it off. Come on, son; let’s go see what’s on the television.” Gene knew that neither of them was actually angry, but he was aware that if this little banter continued it could very well change.

  ***

  With the dishes washed and put away, everyone settled down for a relaxing evening. After some discussion, they decided to watch one of the weekly variety shows.

  Velma sat in her chair next to Gene, working on a blanket she had started crocheting when they still lived in California. She had always enjoyed working on something while watching television, so finding this in one of the unpacked boxes left over from the move was a treat.

  The show was entertaining with the skits and singing, but Velma seemed to find herself unable to concentrate on it or her crocheting.

  “Are you alright?” Gene leaned toward her, trying to get her attention.

  “Huh? Ah…yeah, I’m fine. I guess I’m just tired,” Velma smiled, trying to put him at ease.

  “Why don’t we go on to bed? I’m tired too,” Gene reached over and grasped her hand, only to have her pull away. “What’s wrong with you?”

  “Nothing,” Velma snapped. “I’m just tired. I think I’ll go on to bed. Why don’t you stay out here and watch the rest of the show? I know it’s your favorite.”

  Before Gene could respond, Velma had put the blanket aside, and stood. “Goodnight, children. Don’t stay up too late.”

  Confused and dumbfounded by her reaction, Gene watched Velma leave the room. Not wanting to upset her anymore, he decided to do as asked.

  ***

  Down through the ages stories were told of the power the Witching Hour. It was told that during this time the forces of the unseen realm were to have their most power…

  ***

  A dark foreboding force surrounded Gene, crushing him as though he were a bug under a boot. He did not know what it was, but he knew it was something that he had never experienced before. Gene struggled to see through the darkness, but no matter how hard he tried, it seemed to only consume him more. Gene knew he had to escape. His family’s safety depended on it…their very lives depended on it.

  Suddenly, he noticed a small speck of light off in the distance. Forcing himself to move forward, Gene slowly made his way toward the light. With each pain filled step, the light seemed to grow brighter. After what seemed like an eternity, Gene found himself standing in a dimly lit room and standing in the far corner was a sink with a mirror hanging above it. Gene could not explain it, but he had the inexorable need to go look in the mirror.

  With each step, Gene felt his heart quicken. He could not explain it, but he knew what awaited him in the mirror would change everything.

  With the final steps complete, Gene braced himself before gazing into the mirror. He slowly lifted his face to meet what awaited him, but what he saw caused his knees to buckle.

  “Oh, my God,” the words escaped his lips. Gene knew he was staring into the mirror, but what looked back at him was unthinkable.

  The dim light of the room cast an eerie shadow on the face glaring back at him from the mirror. Dried and rotting flesh clung to the skull with deep, empty eye sockets that seemed to glow a fiery, crimson red from somewhere deep inside the pits of Hell.

  Who is that? The words formed in Gene’s mind, causing him to tremble with fear.

  Gene tried to look away from the disturbing image in the mirror, but an unseen force held him in place. A cold, unnerving sensation now came over him, and with the passage of each moment, Gene was convinced that he would be lost forever.

  All will die, a dark, sinister voice chuckled from the far recesses of Gene’s mind.

  “No, this is only a nightmare. None of this is true,” Gene fought to awaken from this horrific dream in which he found himself trapped.

  You will die like the others. Your blood and that of your children will spill tonight. Now several voices had joined in, creating a demonic choir, torturing Gene’s soul.

  “NO…NO…” Gene cried out, not wanting to hear any more.

  Suddenly, when Gene was on the verge of insanity, he found himself standing in the basement of their house with the stench of death filling his nostrils. Blinking his eyes several times to clear his vision, he noticed two small forms propped up against the shelves along the back wall.

  “What is that?” Stepping forward, he gasped. “NO, this isn’t real!”

  The ghastly sight of two small children covered in blood with ghastly cuts their necks caused Gene to drop to his knees. Tears stung his eyes, while bile churned in his stomach.

  He reached out a quivering hand, “Who are you and who did this to you?”

  Nothing could have prepared Gene for what happened next.

  “The bad people made Mommy do it,” the little girl with the matted blonde curls, crusted with blood said in a melancholy tone.

  Gene felt a keen sense of doom wrap around him. “What bad people? I don’t understand.”

  The little girl stared at Gene through eyes as dark as night. “They live in the bad place. They made Mommy do a bad thing. Mommy said that she didn’t want to, but she had to do it. She cried and begged, but the bad people told her that she had to kill us.”

  Without warning, Gene now found himself back in front of the mirror. “Wait…”

  Gene hung his head, trying to understand what he had just seen. He knew this must all be a nightmare, but why would he dream something so dreadful?

  “Gene…” a voice whispered from off in the distance.

  Gene lifted his face and was shocked to see the ghostly image of a man with a battered and bloodied face looking back at him through the mirror.

  “Who are you?”

  “You need to take your family and go before it’s too late,” the man said with urgency in his voice.

  “I don’t understand. Was that your children in the basement?”

  With a look of despair, the man spoke again, “You must leave this house. They are already speaking to your wife. Please get your family away from here and never come back. Get out now before you all die!”

  ***

  Sweating profusely, Gene bolted upright in his chair. He quickly glanced around the living room and found he was alone.

  “Damn, that was one hell of a dream,” he mumbled under
his breath.

  Glancing at his wristwatch, he realized it was 3 o’clock. It surprised Gene that he had slept so long and that the kids did not wake him up when they went to bed.

  Pushing the memory of the nightmare aside, Gene turned off the television and went up to bed. He had to admit that he was glad he did not have to get up in a couple of hours for work.

  ***

  The smell of coffee and frying bacon pulled Gene out of a deep sleep. He was glad to not have had any more of those horrible nightmares.

  Sitting on the edge of the bed, he heard Velma call out from the kitchen. “Get out of bed sleepyheads, breakfast is on the table.”

  Yawning and stretching, Gene stood and then walked to the bathroom to wash up before heading to the kitchen. While cupping his hands under the running water, the image of the nightmare the night before replayed in his mind.

  “Damn, I don’t understand where that came from,” he mumbled before splashing the cool water on his face. Gene’s mind spun with thoughts of death and danger, this causing him to wonder if something horrible was about to happen. He thought back to all the times his grandmother had told him how our dreams are often warnings and should always be heeded.

  “Grandma, what should I do?”

  Replacing the towel to the towel rod, Gene inhaled deeply and walked to the kitchen, hoping this feeling stirring up inside of him would fade away.

  “Good morning, Dad,” Jeff pulled out his chair then sat in his place.

  Gene met Jeff’s gaze, grunted, “morning,” then took his place at the table.

  “Here’s a cup of coffee. You look like you can use one,” Velma teased when she sat a cup of steaming coffee on the table in front of Gene.

  Not responding, Gene picked up the cup and took a sip.

  “What’s wrong, Dad; you look horrible,” Lori commented, not understanding this reaction from her father. Normally, he was the bright and cheerful one on weekend mornings.

  Setting the cup back on the table, Gene exhaled and shook his head, “I’m sorry; I didn’t sleep too well last night. I’m okay.”

  “Well, I hope you get to feeling better. The cow busted through her gate last night and I don’t want to fix it alone,” Jeff grinned while reaching for a piece of bacon off the plate Velma had just set on the table.

  “Leave that bacon alone. Why can’t you wait until I at least get in my chair,” Velma scolded.

  “Is the cow alright?” Gene said, ignoring Velma’s protest.

  “Yeah, but something must have spooked her last night. She didn’t even seem interested in her feed this morning.” Jeff shoved the bacon in his mouth, enjoying the delicious flavor.

  “Huh, that is strange. We’ll go check her after breakfast and fix that gate.” Reaching for the bowl of scrambled eggs, Gene wondered what else was going to happen.

  “I’ve been busy this morning,” Velma announced. I was down in the basement going through some of our unpacked boxes, and I found the strangest thing. I have no idea how it got there, but look at this.”

  She held up a black and white photo with a well-dressed man, a beautiful dark-haired woman, and two small children. “If I didn’t know any better I’d swear that was me in this picture.”

  Gene felt his body grow rigid as he stared at the photo. He blinked several times, but the image never changed. It was them. No matter how hard he tried to deny it, there were the children from his nightmare and the man with the dire warning.

  “Where did you find that?” the words caught in his throat.

  Velma tipped her head to the side, not understanding this strange response. “I told you. I found it in the basement this morning.”

  Not wanting to frighten her, Gene forced a smile before speaking, “Sweetheart, have you been feeling strange lately? Have you felt as though you aren’t alone while we’re all gone?”

  He knew this question sounded foolish, but he had no choice.

  Velma leaned back in her seat, unsure of how to answer. After a few tense moments, she nodded her head, letting him know she had.

  Gene’s heart nearly stopped beating in his chest. “Okay, did you ever feel the desire to hurt the kids and me?”

  Velma held Gene’s gaze, not saying a word.

  Jeff and Lori shared a collective gasp, wondering where this conversation was headed.

  Gene swallowed, hoping to control the emotions building up inside of him. “I know who they are. I know who the family is in that picture and what happened to them.”

  Gene glanced around the table at the faces of his beloved family. He was aware that what he was about to say would sound crazy. However, he also knew if he ignored the warning, they would all die a gruesome death.

  Taking a deep breath, Gene then exhaled slowly before speaking, “That is the family that lived here before us. I had a dream, and in the dream, I was shown what happened to the family.”

  Velma was about to speak, but Gene held up his hand to silence her. “There is something evil in this house. I think we’ve all known something wasn’t right from the beginning, but we didn’t want to admit it. I don’t want to walk away from everything we’ve worked so hard for, but I believe if we don’t get out of here soon, something bad is going to happen.”

  Jeff and Lori shared confused glances. They had never known their father to act so irrationally, but they both knew that something really had him upset.

  “What are you saying? You want us to walk away from our home?” Velma could not believe what she was hearing. When they had first arrived on that day several months ago, Velma had hated the idea of making the run-down place a home. However, after weeks of cleaning and repairs, she had come to love their new house. She was about to protest when Gene interrupted.

  “I know, I hate the idea of leaving, but I’ve made up my mind. Let’s finish breakfast then I want you and Lori to start packing. I’ll get a hold of CJ and see if he still needs a milk cow. Maybe he’ll even be interested in the chickens.” Gene scooped up a mouthful of eggs, hoping he was making the right decision.

  Velma stared at Gene wanting to protest, but decided against it. She knew there was no changing his mind once he had made a decision. “Okay, but where will we go?”

  Gene set his fork on the table and looked across the table. “Don’t worry about it. As soon as we can get packed we’re leaving. I don’t want to stay here any longer than necessary.”

  “Dad, this doesn’t make any sense. What about school? I’ve just started making friends, and now you want to move again,” Lori crossed her arms across her chest.

  Gene never said a word, he merely glared at Lori daring her to say another word.

  Realizing there was no use in complaining any further, Lori stood and took her dirty plate to the sink.

  Jeff had sat and watched quietly, not wanting to add to the already strained mood. He could see his father was upset, but moving again was not something he was ready to do. Jeff finished the last bite of his toast then stood and carried his plate to the sink.

  “Dad,” Jeff glanced at his father, hoping he would not upset him.

  Gene looked over at Jeff, “Yes.”

  Jeff swallowed before speaking, “I can fix the gate. I know you have other things to do.”

  Gene held his son’s gaze, and for a brief moment, he thought maybe he was over-reacting. “Thank you, but I’ll be out there in a few minutes. Why don’t you get the hammer and a few nails out of the shed?”

  Jeff glanced over at his mother then back to his dad. “Okay, I’ll get everything ready.” Without saying another word, Jeff turned and walked out of the back door.

  Gene stood then looked back at Velma. “I need you to get busy packing. I want to be out of here by tomorrow.”

  Still shocked by his decision, Velma began to protest, but then thought better of it. “Okay, at least I still have several of the boxes from the last move in the basement.”

  “Good; I want you
to pack the essential items first.” Gene did not understand why, but he felt that was important.

  Unsure of why he wanted her to do that, Velma merely nodded her understanding.

  Once Gene had stepped outside, Lori turned to her mother, “Mom, do you believe what Dad said about his dream?”

  Velma held up the picture and found herself lost in the faces staring back at her. Could it be true? Is there some sort of evil living in this house?

  “Mom, Mom,” Lori placed her hand on Velma’s shoulder, bringing her out of her trance.

  “Ah…I’m sorry, what did you say?” Velma set the picture back down on the table and pushed it away from her.

  “I said, what should we pack first?” Lori knew the idea of moving had upset her mother, but there seemed to be more going on. There was something strange about how she had been acting lately.

  “Pack anything you absolutely need and don’t want to leave behind.”

  This statement caught Lori by surprise. “What do you mean? Aren’t we taking everything with us?”

  Velma wanted to say yes, but something deep inside of her was saying otherwise. “I just want to make sure we get things packed as quickly as possible. You heard your Father. He said he wanted to leave as soon as possible. So, let’s get these dishes cleaned so we can get busy packing.”

  ***

  Gene stepped out on the back porch and felt the cool, autumn breeze against his face. Looking out over the farm he had come to love, caused him to second guess his decision.

  “Maybe I’m just over-reacting. Hell, so do I actually believe in evil forces causing people to murder their loved ones?” Shaking off the idea, Gene headed toward the barn.

  “I got the hammer and nails,” Jeff said as he walked up to Gene.

  “Okay, let’s go see what that crazy cow tore up.” When Gene opened the barn door, nothing could have prepared him for what they saw.

  The image was something out of a twisted horror movie. There were mangled bodies of chickens scattered across the floor with blood and entrails transforming the brown dirt into a deep, vibrant red.

  “What the HELL…” the words escaped Gene’s lips.

  Jeff gasped and stepped back, not wanting to see anymore. “Dad, I don’t understand. I was just out here before breakfast. I fed the chickens in their pen. How did they get in here?”

  Gene was at a loss for words. He then examined the inside of the barn for any signs of potential danger. “I don’t know, but I don’t like this. This isn’t right.”