In the Dark of Light
By: Kim Russell
It was a windy Autumn evening and the leaves in the neighborhood were blowing miniature circles all about. Allen, was a quiet child kept solely by the company of his constant companion Duke, a medium sized black Labrador, given to him by his estranged father on one of his few and far between visits.
Allen lived on Hidden Forest Dr. with his mother and Duke. Due to his shyness he hadn’t made any friends since their move to Shadowsdale over a year ago. Every evening Allen and Duke would walk the quiet neighborhood looking around at the large, historic homes with their many different shapes, sizes and shadows. The lighting was often poor due to the many trees that outlined the streets and the great distances between some of the homes. One home in particular had always stood out to Allen. It was one of the largest and oldest homes on Hidden Forest Drive. It appeared separate from the others, not only in distance, but in personality. This house had a gate that had a large old pad lock securing the rusty chain wrapped around iron fence that had been weathered by many changes of season.
This house was grand in its day, but over the years it had suffered some abuse, due to lack of maintenance. It was still a beautiful house that appeared ghostly. It had been empty for some time but could be transformed to its old appearance with some tender loving care. Allen always stopped and stared for a while at the huge double wooden entry doors on the front of the house. As the wind picked up and seemed to let out a low howl, Allen realized darkness was setting in. He’d never seen a light anywhere in the house before, but now in the basement window along the south side of the house, Allen saw a light. Although it was getting late, and Duke had walked on ahead, Allen stood motionlessly and gazed at the light which had caught his eye. Allen wondered who could possibly be in this home and why? Everyone knew this house had been empty for many years, although owned by a wealthy family who had left town many years ago. A mysterious illness had set in on their son, killing him at the tender age of nine. No one had seen any of the family members after this. The townspeople have passed on to their children ghastly stories of what they think may have happened to the family. However, no one really knew the truth.
Rain began to fall from the sky, frightening Allen. The cool drops of water had brought him out of his thoughts and back to reality. Allen turned and called out to Duke. When he glanced once more toward the lighted window he saw nothing but darkness surrounding the old house. Allen heard Duke let out a yelp. He ran towards the sound putting the thought of the house light in the back of his mind. Allen located duke up ahead who was only indicating that it is time to go in. This brought the thoughts of his mother cooking dinner.
As Allen and Duke entered the house with the usual slam of the screen door, he smelled the aroma of the roast wafting from the kitchen. He took in the smell and carried it with him on his way to the lavatory to wash for dinner. "Mom, we’re back and hungry! Right Duke?" yelled Allen.
During dinner his mother asked Allen about his day at school and if he had made any friends. Allen decided to shift the conversation. Instead, he tells his mother of the strange glow of light he saw at the old abandoned house earlier that evening. "Mom, guess what? You know that old empty house that sits back and always looks really spooky?"
"Yes, what about it? , said his mother casually.
"Well, I’ve been walking Duke that way in the evenings and I happened to see a light on at the house tonight!" exclaimed Allen.
"Are you sure honey? That house has been abandoned for years. I don’t think anyone would be interested in going anywhere near that house."
Allen tried unconvincingly to sway his mom into opening her mind to the possibility that maybe there was someone rummaging about through the old house, or even to the fact that there was a light. His mother simply dismissed it, cleared the table and told Allen to head for the bath. The boy was beginning to smell a bit too much like Duke for her.
Later, while lying in bed, the old house crept its way into Allen’s mind once again. He couldn’t wait to walk Duke the next day and take another gander at the house to see if there really was a light. He laughed a little out loud because although he knew what he’d saw with his own eyes, his mother’s words had stirred a little doubt in him, but only for a brief moment. Allen was now more determined than ever to get to the bottom of the mysterious light he’d saw at the window.
* * *
As Allen dreamed that night, he found himself drifting within the confines of the gated old house searching for Duke. The house was washed in a drab cover of darkness and fog. The only light was that of the fall moon, which seemed to hover directly over the historic outline of the old house. "Duke," he whispered as the howl of the wind carried the sound just past his lips. Allen felt a fearful anxiety swell into his body as his heart began to pound. He was motionless and couldn’t seem to make it toward the old house, which Duke had so willing ran toward with total abandon. Allen so wanted to see Duke dart from around the old house, but he was nowhere in sight, nor did he answer as Allen yelled once again, Duke.
Allen knew something was wrong, the wind had picked up and the trees began to shake violently. He heard sounds murmuring from what seemed to be the old house’s wooden frame against the wind, but no, it was more like a moan, or maybe a voice of some kind. Total fear shot though Allen as he broke his motionless state and began to run toward the front gate. As Allen ran, he heard a slam and his heart pained from the pounding it was taking against his chest. Out of breath and too crippled with fear to unleash the scream, he realized that he had reached the gate and stopped. However, the pounding of footsteps did not. There was someone or something else running with him. Judging by the sound, Allen knew that whatever it was, was not far behind. Allen grabbed the bars and jerked desperately in his efforts to escape only to find the rusty lock and chain would imprison his attempt to flee. An agonizing shriek shattered the wind as Allen continued to shake the bars in a failed attempt to freedom, the shriek had come from within him.
* * *
Allen awoke to Duke barking and standing over him. His bed was wet from sweat and his heart was pounding a mile a minute. Allen’s mother appeared and then he knew he had crossed the terrorizing line. He’d just experienced the line between nightmares and reality. While still a bit dazed and tensed, Allen’s mother comforted him and said, "Honey, relax. It’s only a dream."
That morning Allen awoke to what seemed to be a whispering sound to his ear. Allen was glad it was light and time to get up. He looked around his room only to find he was there alone. "Duke," Allen called out. When there was no sign of his pet, Allen got out of bed and started through the house. In the kitchen on the table was a note from his mother, it read: Took Duke out for a walk. Cereals for breakfast. Be back soon. Love Mom.
As Allen poured the milk, he remembered the dream he had last night, the footsteps, the mysterious light. The whispering that seemed to have wakened him, My name is Herb, and my brother needs your help. It had come to Allen that very moment as pieces of a dream that came together sometime afterward. Was it a dream? Allen thought as he began looking about the room. Who is Herb? he almost said aloud.
Allen decided to get dressed and go to the library to see what he could dig up. He left his mother a note and off he went. Allen knew this would be a job searching out information about the inhabitants of the old house, so he wrote down the address as he passed it and a feeling came over him of utter sadness almost as if he were being summoned to the house. Allen snapped out of it and ran to the library knowing in his mind that he had to find out who Herb was and if indeed he could help his brother. But what connection did all of this have with his dream and the old house at 666 Old Forest Drive?
After several hours of looking through old microfilmed newspapers finally Allen had found a clue. The headline read: Wealthy family’s 9 year old son dies mysteriously. The article was small and Allen could have easily missed it. As he read further he now knew exactly who Herb was. Herbert Reeves III, a 9 year old local boy from a wealthy family dies suddenly from a mysterious disease. The father Herbert Jr. III, heir to Cobalt Steele tremendously saddened, wife hospitalized and stricken with grief. The body was found in a basement play room at 666 Hidden Forest Dr. by the mother. Allen wondered why the article had made no mention of the brother. Was there a brother, if so, where was he and how could I possibly help him? wondered Allen. It was late and Allen had begun to get hungry. He decided to close up shop with the information he had.
Allen arrived home and was greeted at the door by Duke's barking and a wagging tail. His mother said, "Hello honey. How was your trip to the library?" Allen began to tell her everything, until he thought first and decided against it. He thought it would be best to keep his discovery to himself, even after she asked about his dream. Allen simply said he could not recall exactly what had scared him so much and he was glad to wake up and see her there. She kissed his forehead and suggested the two of them go out to dinner and even let him pick the place.
Dinner was at the local pizza shop, Antonio’s Pizzeria. Allen and his mother said hello to the owner and took a table near by the counter. Allen overheard Antonio having a conversation with another man about some property in the area. The man was a realtor and had been hired to fix up a house to be placed on the market. Allen heard the man say the old Reeves place at 666 Hidden Forest Drive. Allen's pizza got caught in his throat and he began to cough and choke. His mother passed his soda and asked if he was okay. Allen swallowed and shook his head as he drank the soda. Allen tuned his ears back to the two men and heard the tail end of the conversation, some yard hands were going to start working the next morning and that the rusty locks had to be cut from the iron fence so they cold get started. Allen's mind was going a mile a minute, this would be his chance to have a look around. He told his mother he was stuffed and wanted to get back to walk Duke.
On the way home they passed the old house and Allen swore he saw the light again but dared not make any mention of it. Allen's heart had started to beat with anticipation, he could not wait for the car to pull into the house.
Upon arrival Duke was beaming with his usual greeting. Allen immediately leashed him up and told his mom they were off. He decided to grab a flashlight out of the kitchen drawer. "What’s the flashlight for?" asked his mother.
"I lost my library card earlier and thought I would backtrack." Pleased with his quick response he and Duke off.
As Allen approached the house, darkness had set in and he was glad he’d thought to bring some light. He flashed the light along the gate's opening and just as the realtor at Antonio’s had said the gate was open, he was free to go inside. Fear began to creep inside Allen, he would not let it get the better of him. He could still hear the desperation in the whispering voice that said, My brother needs your help. Allen looked around to make sure he and Duke were not seen as they slipped through the gate. The gate was heavy and made a terribly loud noise as it opened and closed. The house sat slightly apart from the neighboring homes and no would hear the noisy gate. Allen and Duke began making their way around the south side of the house. Allen could hear his heart beating and he looked at Duke. The dog seemed to know something was not right about this strange place his master had let him to. Duke did not bark aloud, he just came closer to Allen as if he were being protective of him. Allen turned on the flashlight once he and Duke were away from the street where it could possibly be detected. The areas around the house were overgrown and Allen had to push his way through. Duke began to sniff frantically and started to wander off.
Allen was focused on the window where he was certain the light was illuminating earlier when he and his mother had passed by. Allen's fear grew as he looked into the window by placing the flashlight to the glass. He saw dusty old bikes and other miscellaneous playthings.
The playroom, Allen thought. This is where Herbert’s mother had found his dead body. A chill swept over Allen, it was then that he realized Duke was not anywhere in sight. The wind began to blow slightly and leaves began to stir about. Allen began to feel a sudden sadness, like he had felt before and the wind picked up with a soft howl.
The back yard Allen, whispered a voice. The voice was Herbert reaching out to him. Don’t be afraid. There it was again. Allen was still kneeling at the window when suddenly the light began to flicker in the window. Allen saw a shadow moving and pointing toward the back of the house. Suddenly Allen was at his feet and shaking with fear as light in the other windows leading to the back of the house began to flicker, as if leading Allen to the back. Suddenly Allen's fear disappeared and the feeling of sadness overcame him. He leaned against the house. He was disoriented and in his mind he could see a baby in the darkness. He heard cries being carried over the wind and his feet began carrying him to the rear of the house where Duke had disappeared. Allen began searching through the night, he heard something but he was not afraid, only a tremendous sadness and the crying in the wind intensified.
What was the noise? Where was it coming from? Just then a shadow moved through Allen's body toward a scratching and digging noise. Allen moved the light and there in the darkness was Duke digging frantically, not even acknowledging Allen or the light. He dug as if in a trance of some kind. Allen called out to Duke as he shook now with fear once again. Duke slowly raised his head in Allen's direction and to his horror a skull of a small child fell from Dukes mouth. Duke had dug up a shallow grave. The shadow appeared and the feeling of sadness hit Allen with a force that nearly knocked him to the ground; somehow Allen knew this was Herbert’s brother. Suddenly the flashlight went dead and Allen could see the shadow had taken on a bright glow and began to transform into a small boy about the age of nine. The boy had a somber look on his face and pointed at the remains of the small child. Then as quickly as he appeared, he as gone and Allen was in total darkness, the wind had stopped and the lights in the windows had disappeared and to Allen's dismay the flashlight would not come back on. Allen knew Herbert had used the power from the light to get the help his brother needed, and now it was up to him to finish the job. Allen and Duke ran from the scene as fast as they could, through the gate and all the way home. Allen burst through the door and his mother could see the fear etched on her sons face.
"Mom, Mom the old house, the Reeves house, where I saw the light! There’s a baby boy buried in the backyard and Duke dug him up! Mom we have to call the police."
Allen's mother could not believe her ears. "Calm down Allen. What were you doing at that house and what is this about a baby?"
Allen sat down and began to tell his mother everything. After he was finished his mother reached for the phone and called for the police to come out to the house. The voice on the other end asked her what was her complaint, she responded, "My son has found what could be the remains of a human child."
Allen was relieved that his mother had believed him.
Lt. Gay and Detective Johnson arrived in record breaking time. Allen rehashed his story to the two officers. They looked at each other and stepped into the next room. Allen could hear their muffled voices say, "It’s a bit far fetched. Lets check it out the kid really believes to have seen all this." The police came back into the living room. Lt. Gay approached Allen's mom and lowered his voice asking, "Ma'am, does your son have a history of any mental illness or hallucinations?"
"Of coarse not!" responded Allen's mother.
"Can we have the boy take us to where he and the dog found the bones?"
"Yes, but I’m coming with you all," his mother responded. Everyone got into the unmarked police vehicle and no one said a word. Everybody in town knew where the Reeves' place was. Allen lead the way, but he couldn’t help feeling a little tense inside. When they approached the house, Allen lead them around back and to the shallow grave site. When the two officers flashed the lights over the bones they looked at each other and agreed Allen was right. The bones were indeed the remains of a small child. Detective Johnson pulled his radio loose and called the station for the routine crews to come out. Within minutes, technicians, the coroner and half a dozen other law enforcers had swamped the area that was now a crime scene.
As the weeks passed, the paper and the local news channels carried the story. A full investigation uncovered that the bones dated back to the Reeves inhabiting the house and to everyone’s astonishment, the newborn infant boy was born to Mrs. Reeves. The investigation was thorough and Mr. Reeves, it appears, was at one time in dire financial straits. Cobalt Steele had fallen on hard times and to supplement the income. Herbert was poisoned and a large insurance policy was cashed. Mrs. Reeves' full confession also revealed the infant was strangled at the hands of Mr. Reeves while she looked on, tired from child birth and traumatized. Mrs. Reeves had secretly carried the child, afraid Herbert Sr. would have forced her to get rid of it due to the stress of financial burden the child would create. She had also feared the worst, that child never would have stood a chance and once the child was born it would suffer the same murderous fate Herbert Jr. had. The saint of a man who had once donated money to finish a wing in the hospital was painted a monster on the stands by his own wife. Mrs. Reeves' fear of what her husband was capable of and the havoc that such a scandal would wreak on their societal standing had kept her silenced all these years. The Reeves were bought to justice for their crimes and the bones of the infant were properly laid to rest. Herbert and the baby could both rest in peace now.
With this mystery solved, Allen became somewhat of a small town celebrity. His picture was in the paper and all over the news. He was making new friends hand over fist and eventually the incident was behind the town. Allen was even playing soccer on the school team. Duke is still Allen's favorite companion and goes along with Allen and his new friends everywhere.
The End