The Greenhill Blackout

Mattie and Damon Dean entered the kitchen as their mother greeted them. They noticed the giddy smile on her face and knew something was up.

"Morning, kids! I have something new to tell you." The children sat down as their mother brought them bacon and eggs with orange juice.

While she was cleaning the pans, Mrs. Dean told Mattie and Damon that they had a new neighbor who was a retired librarian with a collection of numerous books. This news pleased them, so the kids picked up the pace on breakfast, and bid farewell their mom.

***
Another normal day went on in the humble, idealistic middle-class neighborhood of Greenhill. The sight of kids riding bikes and people picking up the paper on their doorstep was all familiar to Mattie and Damon.

Their new neighbor was Mrs. Claire McNish, a newcomer who just moved in from the big city after retiring as a librarian. She already spoke with the Deans and couldn't wait to see their kids. 

The elderly lady brought the children to her home library. It was a fairly large space with large shelves safeguarding hundreds of books, ranging from adult novels to textbooks and children’s books. Claire let the kids browse the children’s section and left to get refreshments.

Mattie and Damon looked at the books, ranging from fantasy, mystery, science fiction to horror and realistic fiction. Being a librarian had its perks.

Mrs. McNish returned with apple juice and scones and placed them on a worktable. Claire walked to the shelf and picked up a small novella. “This is my absolute favorite children’s book. It’s called Monsters in Your Closet. It’s a horror story about our worst fears manifested as monsters and appears to scare you from your closet in total darkness.”

The novella piqued Mattie’s and Damon’s attention and sat down while McNish began reading the book.

The book told two different stories about kids having a worst fear of spiders and shadows respectively. Each narrative takes place in a child’s bedroom at night where they conquer their fears during one night before sunrise, or else they’ll die from psychological fright. One kid had horrible arachnophobia; and outside the closet came a big spider monster attacking the child. The second half was a girl with a fear of shadows, and the only way to kill the shadow creature was to keep her flashlight on at all times. The challenging part was that she had to search her house for batteries.

After hearing the books made the kids jumpy and disturbed. They certainly never heard a story this dark. Nevertheless, they took the book with them.

Mattie and Damon woke up that Monday morning and prepared for school. The kids entered the classroom and showed the book to their teacher. They requested that she read the book to everyone in class for Story-Time since everyone complained of listening to the same books repetitively.

And that decision became regrettable. The kids were scared shit out of their minds while listening. Mattie and Damon realized that the book’s dark atmosphere was NOT kid-friendly after hearing it a second time. Ms. Martin ended the storytelling abruptly due to her students’ pleas to stop in hopes of not being fired….

But the damage was already done. Most, if not all, of the kids went home rather disturbed. They couldn't get over the “what if” thought of their own fears manifesting in the dark. Mattie was afraid of witches, thanks to watching a scary film. After viewing it and going to bed, the movie was not done with its job--a horrid dream with the witches being super-powered, shriveled hags hunting her with daggers, wanting blood. Mattie was smart to avoid anything that had to do with Hansel and Gretel. Damon was mortally scared of many things, particularly spiders and creatures like ogres or trolls. He recalled reading The Three Billy Goats Gruff one time, and couldn't get passed the thought of a ugly troll eating animals--or humans.

Soon the thought of creatures passed in a few days. Until one night.

The evening started out normal like any other night; the residences were winding down for the night until a huge power outage occurred.

Mattie was doing her homework in her room when it happened.

She stopped instantly in what she was doing. All she saw was a pitched black room. The girl felt scared now. “Mom? Dad? Damon? Where are you? The lights went out!” Mattie stumbled to her window, and was shocked to find every single house in Greenhill out of power. 

Mattie gripped the windowsill tightly, breathing heavily and her body shaking in sheer panic. Beads of sweat began running down her face. The girl stepped back and ran to her desk for a flashlight.

Suddenly a huge patting sound banged on a door. Mattie turned white as a ghost. She didn't dare turn to look for the source of the sound because she knew what was coming. The book came rushing back.

And just when things couldn't get any worst, a cackling, scratchy voice called out, “Mattie…. Mattie! Let me out!”

The banging on the door became louder and harder as seconds ticked. Mattie gripped he flashlight. Oh how she wanted to run so badly, but her feet was glued to the floor.

The door finally broke off as someone burst out. The creature turned out to be a shriveled, tattered woman with dead grayish-green skin in a old brown frock. Her black hair was stringy and oily; her face repulsive with red eyes, warts, and sharp teeth. She outstretched her arms, wanting Mattie’s blood. Now that made Mattie run.

Mattie dashed out of her room, and the witch ran after her. The little girl raced down the stairs, calling for her brother’s name.

Finally, an answer came. “Mattie!”

Mattie heard the call from the kitchen. “Damon! I’m coming for you!” The girl turned on the flashlight. 

Mattie entered the kitchen all battered with broken dishes and things. Damon and her parents was being confronted by a huge burly creature, defending themselves with kitchen knives. Mattie shined light on the figure. The creature was a cross between a ogre and spider. And it was horrifying at first sight. The spider ogre had 4 long limbs sprouting out of his back, and was in peak condition of a tall human man with perfect muscularity. His face obscured by long dark hair with 6 blood-red, piercing eyes, and he was wearing a black toga.

The ogre screamed in anger at Mattie, baring his teeth. Thinking quickly, Mattie saw an opening to the door between the monster and her family. The spider monster trudged over to the girl, legs ready for stabbing. With seconds remaining, Mattie sprinted towards the monster. The creature growled and ran as well. With great agility, Mattie slid between the monster’s legs before the his spidery limbs could  impale her.

Mrs. and Mr. Dean grabbed their daughter and son and fled the house while the witch and spider-ogre followed them.

And the family was horror-struck when they stepped outside. Screams, weeping and roars were heard from all around, and a deep unnatural mist began to impair the already dark view. The sky was empty of any stars, and the moon was also gone. As the monsters came closer, the family ran into the mist to lose their pursuers.

Greenhill was in a chaotic melting pot of fear and panic, and the monsters lingering in the neighborhood was the icing on the cake.

The Dean family witnessed their neighbors running or being assaulted from various types of monsters, creatures, and God knows what. Some people were already injured, bleeding and withering in the street pavement, crying in pain. Monsters and beasts were chasing prey with clubs or knives. Children were screaming and crying while parents tried so desperately to protect them from the unusual creatures.

Mr. and Mrs. Dean didn't understand for the life of them on what was happening; this was a horror movie gone wrong. But the siblings completely understood. Everyone in Greenhill had their worst fears come to life--and they were all going to die before sunrise

If there was a Hell, this was a Hell.