|
Beetles (version II) By Geoffrey C. Porter Becky woke to a strange clicking sound and looked around in the moonlight. Big, black, dome-shaped beetles easily an inch across with red stripes down their backs crept up her blanket. She could see claw-like mandibles on the beetles clicking open, and closed. She screamed in the kind of terror that only an eleven-year old girl could. Kicking like mad she sent the bugs flying to all the four corners of the room. I woke to the sound of high pitched screams in the dead of night. I elbowed my husband and hopped out of bed. I ran straight for my daughter's room and the screams reached a high pitch as I approached. My heart raced as I prayed for Becky. I burst into her room and saw her thrashing on her bed--screeching. I didn't see any threat or danger. I shouted, "What is it?" Becky stopped screaming. She blinked her eyes a few times and looked around. She said, "Bugs Mommy. Big black beetles crawling on my blanket." "Honey, we don't have bugs in this house." "There were bugs on my bed." "You just had a nightmare. Come and sleep with me and Daddy." "It wasn't a nightmare. I'm too old to sleep with you guys." I thought to myself, six months ago she would have slept with us. I said, "OK. Have it your way dear. Go to sleep." "Goodnight Mommy." I kissed Becky on the forehead and tucked the covers in around her to put her to bed. I stepped quietly out of the room and said, "I'll leave your door open Becky, for the light." "Thanks Mom." I met my husband, Henry, in the hallway. He wore his faded blue jeans and had his pistol tucked in the front of his pants. He asked quietly, "Bugs again?" "Yes. Twice in two weeks now. I'm starting to get a little worried." "I used to have nightmares when I was her age." "We all did, Henry. Waking up screaming is just too much." "I'll call an exterminator tomorrow." "She says they're beetles as big as a quarter with red stripes down their backs. I don't think we get anything like that in this state. I've never seen anything like it. She's got a Doctor's appointment next week. I'll ask Dr. Brown about it." Henry grabbed me and pulled me in close. Whispering he asked, "How about some nookie?" "It's late and I have to be up in a few hours--I have that stupid breakfast meeting in the morning." "OK. Have it your way." On that note he winked at me and let me go. I didn't really fall back asleep. I couldn't imagine what might be wrong with Becky, but my instincts told me it was something serious. The next day the exterminator declared the house fit of bugs, but he put down a strong poison anyhow. I knew we didn't have bugs. The next week at Dr. Brown's office Becky's physical went smoothly. When I asked about the nightmares Dr. Brown gave me a weak smile, and replied, "Nightmares are common, happens to all of us." "She wakes up screaming, and it's the same thing every time: bugs, beetles in fact." "Hmmm. Ask my receptionist to refer to you Dr. Zelrig. He's a psychiatrist in the new institute on route 25. You know the new medical building out there?" "Yes, I'm familiar. Thank you." I went to the receptionist and she arranged an appointment with Dr. Zelrig for the next day. I didn't like the idea of Becky seeing a shrink, but something had to be done. When Becky come down the stairs the next morning I handed her a bagel and a bottle of orange juice for breakfast telling her she could eat in the car. She just shrugged and took the food. With a shiver and a whimper she said, "I just went to the doctor yesterday. Why do I have to go again today?" "This is a different kind of doctor, honey." "I don't want to. They're going to stab me again." "I don't know. It's for your own good, tough up." Becky clammed up at that point and we made our way to the car. I had the DVD player already in the car and Becky's favorite DVD, Shrek 2. The trip to Route 25 was a leisurely drive through suburbs and country roads. After Becky finished with her bagel and orange juice I told her about the DVD player and she barely nodded. I sighed. Maybe I'd take her to look for a new DVD today or a trip to the bookstore. The medical building loomed like a shiny ice shard in the sun. I found a parking spot near the main entrance. We went inside and checked in with the receptionist. She directed us to a row of big fluffy chairs and Becky and I sat down to wait. I was a bit lost in thought when I noticed an odd looking fellow sit next to Becky and look over at her. The man had badly trimmed hair and clothes that looked like they'd seen the crumbs and juices from a dozen meals. Without even a hello the man said, "You got bugs?" I shrieked, "No!" Becky turned from me to him, and said, "Yes." The fellow's eyes darted about as if on a will of their own, "It's a curse you see. Somebody in your family did something wrong." I did my best motherly growl, "Leave my daughter alone." "Only one way to get rid of the curse: you got get it removed by a witch doctor. My friend Isabel can cure what ails ya, 1313 Vine St., right at the intersection of Vine and Willow." This time I snarled, "We are not going to see a witch doctor that lives in that neighborhood!" "She'll get rid of the bugs." "Mom!" "Leave my daughter alone or I'll report you to security!" The odd man nodded, and walked away. I sighed. Then Becky sighed. Great, I thought, now my daughter is going to think she's cursed. They called Becky's name, and I walked with her up to the counter. Dr. Zelrig greeted us, "Hello ladies. I'll need to talk with Rebecca. You'll have to wait in the reception area, Mrs. Mitchell. We'll be done in about a half-hour." "OK." After forty-five minutes I saw the good doctor and Becky approaching. I walked up to them. Dr. Zelrig said, "Becky, you can wait in one of those orange chairs by the television." "OK, Frank." Dr. Zelrig smiled as my girl walked off. I asked, "So, what's the verdict doctor?" "She's fine." "What do you mean she's fine, she's woken up two nights screaming about beetles in our house." "Have you called an exterminator?" "Yes! We don't have bugs!" "Well, she seems fine to me. There are options of course." I asked, "Such as?" "Well, we have a sleep program here at the institute. The next juvenile session isn't until June though. She would have to live here at the facility for four weeks. Also, there's a neurologist here in the building. The neurologist will likely recommend an MRI." "June? Neurologist?" "I'm sorry Mrs. Mitchell, but she's not sick enough to warrant putting her in the hospital. We can try and further diagnose her, but at eleven she's really too young to be showing signs of schizophrenia or dementia. And she's not showing signs; visual hallucinations are rare for schizophrenics and it would start with auditory hallucinations, paranoia and delusions." I shivered at the thought of all that. I asked, "What can we do?" "Make an appointment with our neurologist and schedule an MRI. It's a painless procedure." We went to the receptionist and scheduled more appointments. The MRI they scheduled right away while it would be two weeks before Becky could get in to see the Neurologist. The next night at dinner Becky went on and on about her imaginary friend Jessica seeing one of the bugs. That they almost caught it. I just smiled and nodded. Jessica always seemed to have a knack for siding with Becky. That night I woke to shrill screaming. I nudged Henry, and said, "Your turn." He moaned, "Fine, you lock & load, it might be a prowler." I pulled a lock box out from under the bed and turned the wheels to double-o seven. The box clicked open and I withdrew the loaded .38 special. The first three bullets were rubber to serve as warning shots. The last three bullets were the real deal. I set the weapon on the dresser and donned my robe. I heard Becky quiet down, and I breathed a sigh of relief. Henry had a strict policy even though we lived in a very nice neighborhood that if one person had to go check on a noise the other would be ready for the worst. It was a simple rule I could live with to make him happy. Up until the last few weeks we'd never had to employ it. I met Henry in the hallway. I asked, "Bugs?" "Yes, some of them even had wings this time. She said Jessica saw one." "Jessica is imaginary, dear." "I've met Jessica. Twice in fact. Remember I took her home that one evening." "You came home late that night stinking of bourbon and gin. I've never seen Jessica once and according to Becky she's been in our house a hundred times." "Still, I think we need to bring in another exterminator." I nodded, "Waste of time, the girl is cursed." "Cursed?" "Some crazy guy at the institute somehow knew we had a bug problem and claimed Rebecca was cursed. It was very odd." "Crazy guy?" "Some guy, I don't know who it was. He just started talking to us." "Did he say how to get rid of the curse?" "He told me to go see a witch doctor." Henry snickered. "Yeah..." "Well, if it's all in her head--it might help." "I was thinking the same thing. Doesn't seem to be a downside, but it's down at Vine and Willow." Henry's face froze in a grimace. "Are you going to take the tank with you?" "I wish we had one--mother's little helper will have to do." "I should go with you." "I'll be OK." "Load all hollow points." "I will dear." I didn't sleep well that night. At breakfast I told Becky that we'd go see Isabel. She spewed forth, "Thank God." "Young lady!" Becky sighed, "I'm sorry." I went and got ready for our trip into that side of town. I loaded the magnum hollow points in the pistol. Then I loaded a speed-loader full of the bullets. I put both in my purse and hollered for Becky. I took the highway for as long as I could. Then it was onto narrow old streets lined with clunker cars, and boarded up houses. Some of the streets were still brick from the turn of the century. Finally I pulled up to 1313 Vine and slid my car into a space right in front of the house. I stepped out of the car and moved my hand into my purse so I had a good grip on my pistol. I could feel the sweat condensing on my forehead and in my armpits. Relax, I said to myself, this will all be over shortly. We walked up to the house onto the porch and knocked on the door. I heard somebody shout, "Come in!" I hesitated and then tried the knob with my left hand. It slipped open before I could touch it. Becky bounded inside and out of sheer terror I followed. Becky took a seat in a big chair in a dark living room. I heard a voice shout, "Have a seat, I'll be right there." An older woman stepped into the room and sat across from Becky. She wore an old white dress and some kind of animal skull across her neck. It looked like a chicken's head. She had beads in her hair and wore tattered soft leather shoes. The woman's voice had a raspy quality to it as if she had smoked a lifetime worth of cigarettes, "You have the curse on ya. I can see it from here." I thought to myself, this is a scam and my daughter Becky is in on it--she has to be. I asked, "How can an eleven year old girl get cursed? What can we do?" The old woman nodded, "Usually it's something the father did that brings the curse on the daughter. I can get rid of it, but I have to burn up one of my nicer crystals. I need five hundred dollars to replace it." Something Henry did, I thought to myself. Then I thought, five hundred dollars. Scam. I looked at the woman and then at Becky. She looked so pitifully hopeful, almost in tears. Still, I only brought one hundred dollars, I didn't bring my checkbook, and I won't pay. So I stood up and said, "I don't even believe in curses. I won't pay that much. I brought a hundred dollars with me, take it or leave it." The old hag laughed, "This isn't a garage sale, Evelyn." "How did you know my name?" The woman shook her head, "I do get paid as a psychic." "This is a scam. Good day, madam." "You'll believe, oh, you'll believe." I grabbed Becky's wrist and pulled her towards the door. She screeched, "But Mommy, the curse." "There is no curse. It's all make-believe, dear. Isabel is obviously friends with that crazy person we met at the institute and he overheard me tell my name to the receptionist. Let's go." She started crying. God, it was like she was three years old again. So, I did what I did back then: I just reached down, picked her up and threw her over my shoulder like a bag of potatoes. She cried all the way to the car. I set her down in front of the door and triggered the remote unlock. I looked her in the eye and ordered, "Get in the car, little missy." She audibly sighed and opened the car door. As she climbed inside I remembered exactly where we were and took a look around. The coast was clear so I climbed in the car and sped away for home. I explained how things went with Isabel. His response, "She tried to blame it on me?" "Yeah." "I didn't do anything..." "I know Henry, I know." Three nights passed uneventfully when I woke to a strange clicking sound. In the light of the moon I could see Becky standing in our doorway. She made the clicking sound as if communicating in an insect form. She seemed to be in a trance, staring forward. As I listened and watched her I noticed she had a butcher's knife in her hand. I shrieked, "Becky!" She dropped the knife and started to cry. I jumped out of bed and scooped her up in my arms, "It's all right, honey. It's all right." Henry said, "What's going on?" Becky said, "The bugs Mommy. They were talking to me. They wanted me to kill. I didn't want to Mommy, but there were hundreds of them." "I'll call Dr. Zelrig in the morning, dear. You're going to be OK." She started whimpering and I lifted her up to carry her to bed. I eased her into her bed and knelt down on the floor to be level with her. Something went "squish" as I knelt down. Confused, I asked, "Honey, what's on your floor?" "I killed a few of them..." I flipped the light on. Black carapaces and body sections mixed with insect guts and limbs seemed in almost endless supply in piles and clumps on the floor next to Becky's bed. I shuddered. Then I screamed, "Henry!" This is a revision of my first attempt at horror. |
| Previous Story Beetles (version I) My First Horror Piece | Next Story Codename: Borg My first Secret Agent Story |
| Favorites | |
| Codename: Borg My first Secret Agent Story For a Lizard Humor Pizza in the Park Great Romantic Humor | Ultraviolent Rodentia Humor Vanguard Fantasy Adventure Werewolf's Tail Fun tale of High School Romance |
I reserve the right to delete hateful or negative feedback. Other Readers Feedback: dniuxinjrnh Oct 18th, 2009 IYSkhQ <a href="http://crhhtguvmqyl.com/">crhhtguvmqyl</a>, [url=http://xvqyynehdtda.com/]xvqyynehdtda[/url], [link=http://ohexvkigjjry.com/]ohexvkigjjry[/link], http://rsfxpqbnobzc.com/ ngiyzur Nov 23rd, 2009 DMxW5n <a href="http://hqhwgggzeary.com/">hqhwgggzeary</a>, [url=http://asievdmmkilh.com/]asievdmmkilh[/url], [link=http://hallrgkcmqih.com/]hallrgkcmqih[/link], http://nplteyacuasc.com/ ejyrhuutscb Dec 16th, 2009 Vo9AQB <a href="http://xzmaadviobsf.com/">xzmaadviobsf</a>, [url=http://crmeqlygpfya.com/]crmeqlygpfya[/url], [link=http://mkhloiptyvww.com/]mkhloiptyvww[/link], http://leimxtwfhbli.com/ xetrlfdlz Mar 6th, 2010 vcQkRb <a href="http://sqdlxlsmnskv.com/">sqdlxlsmnskv</a>, [url=http://tkrbnladbfty.com/]tkrbnladbfty[/url], [link=http://fhfajfnfrnzy.com/]fhfajfnfrnzy[/link], http://dzksmdfgxcgm.com/ wovfwofjdo Mar 8th, 2010 Ja74ln <a href="http://rwlkcsvyowxq.com/">rwlkcsvyowxq</a>, [url=http://lzqgasuqqygm.com/]lzqgasuqqygm[/url], [link=http://svwkyalfwobd.com/]svwkyalfwobd[/link], http://vhyuxnmqwwzm.com/ promotion codes cheaper than dirt Mar 14th, 2010 comment6, http://axure.com/cs/members/ampland.aspx ampland main, 1183, http://axure.com/cs/members/xtube.aspx xtube videos, >:O, http://axure.com/cs/members/kindgirls.aspx kindgirls videos, >:[, http://axure.com/cs/members/tnaflix.aspx ivana fukalot free movies at tnaflix, 3097, hot brunette babe in foursome Mar 14th, 2010 comment1, http://axure.com/cs/members/freeones.aspx raven riley freeones, 477, http://axure.com/cs/members/kindgirls.aspx kindgirl erotic, 8DDD, http://axure.com/cs/members/imagefap.aspx imagefap latvian, =-]]], http://axure.com/cs/members/yuvutu.aspx sites like yuvutu, :)), black porntube Mar 14th, 2010 comment6, http://axure.com/cs/members/freeones.aspx freeones com, 8-OOO, http://axure.com/cs/members/tube+8.aspx 8 tube, wyvph, http://axure.com/cs/members/red+tube.aspx red tube home, ctnek, http://axure.com/cs/members/yuvutu.aspx yuvutu videos, 406, kristen archives father inlaw Mar 14th, 2010 comment1, http://axure.com/cs/members/you+porn.aspx you tube classic porn, :[[[, http://axure.com/cs/members/porntube.aspx old porntube, 8PP, http://axure.com/cs/members/yuvutu.aspx yuvutu adult videos, vuqjg, http://axure.com/cs/members/youjizz.aspx youjizz, :]]], tnaflix tagomatic Mar 14th, 2010 comment6, http://axure.com/cs/members/boysfood.aspx boysfood, =OO, http://axure.com/cs/members/askjolene.aspx masterbating stories on askjolene, :-P, http://axure.com/cs/members/voyeurweb.aspx the free voyeurweb private shots, =-P, http://axure.com/cs/members/yuvutu.aspx yuvutu videos, vugazp, you love gay porn Mar 14th, 2010 comment1, http://axure.com/cs/members/tiava.aspx tiava com, 709, http://axure.com/cs/members/keez+movies.aspx real hooker videos on keezmovies, 7705, http://axure.com/cs/members/voyeurweb.aspx savannah voyeurweb, 61508, http://axure.com/cs/members/xvideos.aspx similar to xvideos, xffx, watchersweb voyeur Mar 14th, 2010 comment4, http://axure.com/cs/members/keezmovies.aspx keezmovies category ebony, aln, http://axure.com/cs/members/lubetube.aspx lubetube gay, :-), http://axure.com/cs/members/porntube.aspx mobile porntube, :P, http://axure.com/cs/members/voyeurweb.aspx polaroid voyeurweb, yilxb, ampland warning page Mar 15th, 2010 comment4, http://axure.com/cs/members/xhamster.aspx xhamster free, =-OO, http://axure.com/cs/members/boysfood.aspx boysfood porn videos, myerv, http://axure.com/cs/members/tube8.aspx amateur creampies tube8, 4133, http://axure.com/cs/members/porntube.aspx porntube horny moms, tqjc, watchersweb sample Mar 15th, 2010 comment2, http://axure.com/cs/members/pornotube.aspx xtube pornotube, :-DDD, http://axure.com/cs/members/spankwire.aspx spankwire xxx porntube, 8-[[, http://axure.com/cs/members/porntube.aspx gay porntube, 296637, http://axure.com/cs/members/kristen+archives.aspx kristen archives a first of firsts by kelly, 8DD, you porn gay Mar 15th, 2010 comment2, http://axure.com/cs/members/tiava.aspx free adult tgp tiava, qiv, http://axure.com/cs/members/xvideos.aspx websites like xvideos, zvcrq, http://axure.com/cs/members/eskimotube.aspx eskimotube pornstars squirting, 0049, http://axure.com/cs/members/youjizz.aspx youjizz tube, 548735, gmefmyirzil Mar 24th, 2010 HR30BR <a href="http://modrykbmpexu.com/">modrykbmpexu</a>, [url=http://luyclpnviyjp.com/]luyclpnviyjp[/url], [link=http://hyhhmjtbaacr.com/]hyhhmjtbaacr[/link], http://wrfayuojpchv.com/ aojvv Mar 24th, 2010 Damn! http://www.oppikoppi.co.za/members/prison-rape-porn.aspx lesbian jail rape relrel http://www.oppikoppi.co.za/members/hot-rape-videos.aspx rape tube zientas http://www.oppikoppi.co.za/members/japanese-rape-porn-free.aspx pictures of richmond rape assault svensin dqzdq Mar 24th, 2010 I like this site! http://www.oppikoppi.co.za/members/hot-rape-stories.aspx asian torture rape andoscar http://www.oppikoppi.co.za/members/free-rape-adult-movies.aspx real tentacle rape svensin http://www.oppikoppi.co.za/members/free-xxx-rape-videos.aspx asian gang rape videos klauss ljlus Mar 24th, 2010 Save your time, please http://www.oppikoppi.co.za/members/fat-ass-rape.aspx raw rape pics renew http://www.oppikoppi.co.za/members/forced-rape-tube.aspx anal butt rape tropia http://www.oppikoppi.co.za/members/brutal-lesbian-rape.aspx drunken lesbian rape sex photos shenaita kpkaw Mar 24th, 2010 I like this site! http://www.oppikoppi.co.za/members/date-rape-pics.aspx gang rape the blonde pweth http://www.oppikoppi.co.za/members/black-rape-stories.aspx fantasy underage fuck rape stories rnie http://www.oppikoppi.co.za/members/best-rape-movies.aspx asian rape sex movies mccullum |