The clue is that Nathan has written something, and he is always convincing. As that great philosopher B.B.King said, Fool me once, shame on me, fool me twice, shame on you. I've met his sort before! LOL.
Nicely done, Nathan. The alien abduction angle came in so gradually it was fun to read, the tension builds and builds. Excellent tale, best check for smudges on the windows, now!
Assuming you're not engaging in fiction, I wonder if the fear of darkness is quite deep-seated in us. As far as I know, all children are frightened of the dark, but we rationalise it away as adults. I know that when I go away for a week on my own in the countryside, in a strange place (I always go self-catering) and pitch black (countryside) I have been known to leave a landing light on, just in case...! Also, Asimov wrote a short story called Nightfall in which a planet experiences absolute darkness at night only once every 2,049 years, because it has six suns so for most of the time the inhabitants have no conception of darkness or night. When it does occur, there is full-blown panic everywhere.
We are not alone. I have had a similar experience in my childhood. I’m 65 now and still recall my absolute terror at having to go to bed and turn the lights out. To this day, I am affected by those experiences way back then.
I was struck by how utterly alone this little boy was. Children get scared. They need to know they are safe. His family was absent. To me, that is the most frightening part of this story.
Eeep! Very good—I don't usually go in for scary stuff, this was ensnaring. The tempo you've hit (especially in those bits where you bounce between very short and almost run-on sentences) made it impossible to stop reading (even when I wanted to... I am a wuss)!
You took me right back to one particular night when I was a child, spent in terror after hearing this odd, uneven series of sharp cracks outside my bedroom door. Of course, it's absolutely the case that my dad had just put together a late-night fire... but I've never managed to shake the suspicion that some kind of extra-crunchy, murderous creature was stalking about.
I love how poignantly you play with fears and phobias of children which can be irrational but oh so real. (Raise your hand if you've been there. I have!) This story is so spine-chilling in a gradually tense manner, which I so love. For someone who is afraid of horror, you sure are a horror writer too! I fancy that you're experimenting. PS: I had a strange dream where I was trying to leave a comment to a post of yours but AI was changing all my words making my comment make zero sense lol.
This is brilliant Nathan. And I am entirely uncertain if this is fact or another bit of your stunning fiction. And it doesn’t matter because blinded inside this story, I saw and heard every thrash of your heart, each chalkboard screech up the window. In other words I fell hard into this story and I don’t want it to end! You’ve done it again.
Really enjoyed this Nathan. You perfectly captured the isolation of the setting and the description of the darkness in the bedroom being interrupted by the scratching and lights was genuinely terrifying!
I agree with Ben W. the swan dive into first person narrative is delightful. Ooh, Ooh! (I’m waving my hand in universal kid language of I know the answer) a Red eyed tree frog 🐸, ability to grip windows in a single bound with suction cup toes, three of them. Ok, if that’s not it, I have a short story that might offer some insight. When I was about 12 years old, my parents were out for a long evening, leaving my two older sisters in charge of the home front, in other words, me. I took one of my Dad’s leather work gloves , smudged some dirt on the finger pads , placed it on the end of a yardstick and climbed out on to a low pitch roof putting me in close proximity to my sister’s bedroom window. It was late and I was presumably in bed. I pressed the glove to her window, tapping lightly leaving my well planned finger prints , until I heard a scream. The horror was not so much her reaction, but my ability to fly back into the window, race to my bedroom door and fling myself into bed. But knowing you, this is fiction and there was most definitely something scary outside the window. I was and still am a scaredy cat, all my monsters live under my bed. You are the Walt Disney of creepiness .
What an intriguing story and magnificent piece, Nathan! Whether real or imagined, it strikes all the right chords. And that closing line, "And though I bear no physical scars I can offer up as formal proof that these events truly transpired, the scar I bear is within my mind—the memories that I have relayed here upon the page." perfectly captures the magical blend of dream, memory, and reality. Outstanding work. I’d love to read a sequel if there’s one in the works!
Is this a true story or the beginning of another of your serials? Be honest!
Hehe. It's not the start of a serial, no. It's standalone. 😊
But it's fiction, right? I never know with you, usually you put a note at the end to ease our minds. This is killing me 😬!
Where would be the fun in me saying either way? ;)
My man.
😂
my thoughts exactly, Claudia. You cannot trust Nathan
Right? We must keep our eyes open and look for clues 🧐
The clue is that Nathan has written something, and he is always convincing. As that great philosopher B.B.King said, Fool me once, shame on me, fool me twice, shame on you. I've met his sort before! LOL.
Teeheehee.
🤣
He's younger than 41 years. 😁
I'll gladly take that, but alas I am actually 41!
Nooooo! And I knew you'd say that, but I rolled the dice anyway.
The Australian sunshine has kept you young. 😁
Hehehe. Thanks. I'm sure it's helped. 😉
Nicely done, Nathan. The alien abduction angle came in so gradually it was fun to read, the tension builds and builds. Excellent tale, best check for smudges on the windows, now!
Thank you, my friend. If only I'd actually been able to get it posted on the 31st...
Ah, but t’is the season! 🎃
Assuming you're not engaging in fiction, I wonder if the fear of darkness is quite deep-seated in us. As far as I know, all children are frightened of the dark, but we rationalise it away as adults. I know that when I go away for a week on my own in the countryside, in a strange place (I always go self-catering) and pitch black (countryside) I have been known to leave a landing light on, just in case...! Also, Asimov wrote a short story called Nightfall in which a planet experiences absolute darkness at night only once every 2,049 years, because it has six suns so for most of the time the inhabitants have no conception of darkness or night. When it does occur, there is full-blown panic everywhere.
Yes, I definitely think it’s something innate. It’s hardwired within us.
That sounds like an excellent story. I’ve never been huge on Asimov, but I’d like to read that one.
I'm not keen on asimov either, but he came up with interesting ideas. I meant to include a link to Nightfall: https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://sites.uni.edu/morgans/astro/course/nightfall.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwiow9XZo8GJAxXeSvEDHYzxK1oQ2LwJegQIPRAB&usg=AOvVaw1UNjSsleMmTUk2t_VxXQpx
Much appreciated.
We are not alone. I have had a similar experience in my childhood. I’m 65 now and still recall my absolute terror at having to go to bed and turn the lights out. To this day, I am affected by those experiences way back then.
Thank you for your writings.
Thanks for reading and sharing your experience, Allison!
I was struck by how utterly alone this little boy was. Children get scared. They need to know they are safe. His family was absent. To me, that is the most frightening part of this story.
Yes, I agree Sharron. Thanks for reading!
Eeep! Very good—I don't usually go in for scary stuff, this was ensnaring. The tempo you've hit (especially in those bits where you bounce between very short and almost run-on sentences) made it impossible to stop reading (even when I wanted to... I am a wuss)!
You took me right back to one particular night when I was a child, spent in terror after hearing this odd, uneven series of sharp cracks outside my bedroom door. Of course, it's absolutely the case that my dad had just put together a late-night fire... but I've never managed to shake the suspicion that some kind of extra-crunchy, murderous creature was stalking about.
Quite understandable!!
But was your dad making a fire right outside your bedroom door? I hope there was a fireplace there. Or perhaps the fire was outside? ;)
Thanks for reading! Glad you were ensnared.
Beautiful prose! I love that I’m not sure where it’s going, Nathan. It’s something caught in the middle of a haunting dream itself. 👏🏽
Thanks so much, Kate. 😊
I love how poignantly you play with fears and phobias of children which can be irrational but oh so real. (Raise your hand if you've been there. I have!) This story is so spine-chilling in a gradually tense manner, which I so love. For someone who is afraid of horror, you sure are a horror writer too! I fancy that you're experimenting. PS: I had a strange dream where I was trying to leave a comment to a post of yours but AI was changing all my words making my comment make zero sense lol.
Hehe, thanks Nadia. Thankfully that dream wasn't true—your comment makes perfect sense!
I tried! 🤭
This is brilliant Nathan. And I am entirely uncertain if this is fact or another bit of your stunning fiction. And it doesn’t matter because blinded inside this story, I saw and heard every thrash of your heart, each chalkboard screech up the window. In other words I fell hard into this story and I don’t want it to end! You’ve done it again.
Your words are a balm to my soul. Thanks, Kimberly.
My intention was for that ambiguity/uncertainty to sit there and remain so, so I'm glad you're OK with that. ;)
This was brilliantly told. I agree with Claudia that you slip into first person narrative so naturally it’s hard to believe you’re writing fiction.
Thanks, Ben! Glad you enjoyed.
I’d say that counts as a success. ;)
Really enjoyed this Nathan. You perfectly captured the isolation of the setting and the description of the darkness in the bedroom being interrupted by the scratching and lights was genuinely terrifying!
Great stuff 👍🏼
Yay, thanks Dan! Mission accomplished. ;)
Well, are the eyes blue or red?? The colour changed midway through so now I'm wondering... is there another layer? More than one?
Love it though. Life doesn't explain everything to us, stories don't have to either.
Thanks, Vanessa! Ahh, that's me not being very clear there. The eyes were red. The blue is/was something in the distance.
Oh no! Could we make it the lights of the alien spaceship, for consistency... (kidding)
The blue was meant to be the alien ship in the distance, yeah. 😆
Totally engrossing! There is more to this world than we will ever understand.
Thank you, Beth. Indeed there is.
There is also more to Nathan's imagination than we will ever understand! 🤣
I’ll take that as a compliment, thanks Terry. :D
Glad you took it in the spirit in which it was intended, Nathan. 😂
I agree with Ben W. the swan dive into first person narrative is delightful. Ooh, Ooh! (I’m waving my hand in universal kid language of I know the answer) a Red eyed tree frog 🐸, ability to grip windows in a single bound with suction cup toes, three of them. Ok, if that’s not it, I have a short story that might offer some insight. When I was about 12 years old, my parents were out for a long evening, leaving my two older sisters in charge of the home front, in other words, me. I took one of my Dad’s leather work gloves , smudged some dirt on the finger pads , placed it on the end of a yardstick and climbed out on to a low pitch roof putting me in close proximity to my sister’s bedroom window. It was late and I was presumably in bed. I pressed the glove to her window, tapping lightly leaving my well planned finger prints , until I heard a scream. The horror was not so much her reaction, but my ability to fly back into the window, race to my bedroom door and fling myself into bed. But knowing you, this is fiction and there was most definitely something scary outside the window. I was and still am a scaredy cat, all my monsters live under my bed. You are the Walt Disney of creepiness .
I *love* this story, Lor!! Thanks so much for sharing this, it really made me smile. You little trickster, you.
Creepy. Here I am, walking a treadmill, dripping sweat, with goosebumps on my skin for 4 minutes straight!
Hehehe. Thanks Brian!
What an intriguing story and magnificent piece, Nathan! Whether real or imagined, it strikes all the right chords. And that closing line, "And though I bear no physical scars I can offer up as formal proof that these events truly transpired, the scar I bear is within my mind—the memories that I have relayed here upon the page." perfectly captures the magical blend of dream, memory, and reality. Outstanding work. I’d love to read a sequel if there’s one in the works!
Thanks, Silvio! I was happy to leave the ambiguity hanging as to the truth of the matter. ;)