Little Darlings (A Friday the 13th Story #2) Read online

  Mollie stepped back. “Please come in. I'm Mollie, and this is Caroline and Beth. Have a seat. Would you guys like something to drink?”

  “Nothing to drink, thanks. We won't stay long. We just wanted to meet you.” They went in and settled on the sofa. “How long are you guys here for?”

  “Just a couple of days,” Mollie said. “We had a ride up here, but she’ll be here to pick us up on Saturday. How about you? Did you get dropped off? How long are you staying?”

  “We drove ourselves,” Wesley said. “We have a 4Runner, and we’re familiar with this area. We’re not sure how long we’ll be here. Probably until we see the Black-Eyed Kids.”

  Caroline scoffed. “What? You mean you actually believe that nonsense? And if you do, you actually want to see them?”

  Simone nodded. “Yes. We have a paranormal podcast. Maybe you’ve heard of it, The Macabre and Unexplained? We’re investigating the legend of the Black-Eyed Kids. We’ve been here a few days, but nothing so far. Of course, with tomorrow being Friday the 13th, it will most likely happen then.”

  Well, that explained the scarf. Mollie rolled her eyes. “Uhm, good luck with that. But won’t you be afraid they’ll…I don’t know…kill you if you do encounter them?”

  “No,” Simone said. “Unlike the people murdered last October, we won’t be foolish enough to let them in.”

  Chapter 3

  Mollie saw the Freemans to the door, then she, Caroline, and Beth settled in to watch a movie. They had let Caroline pick, which was a huge mistake. There was nothing wise about being with friends in an isolated, creepy area and watching a movie about a group of friends who visit a remote woodland cabin and end up unleashing an ancient evil.

  Thirty minutes into the movie, Mollie hid her head under the throw, peeking out once in a while and regretting it each time.

  She was partly terrified and partly relieved when the front doorbell rang.

  “Who’s that? Do you think it’s our neighbors again?” Beth’s eyes were wide. It appeared Caroline was the only one not peeing herself in fear.

  “I don’t know. I’ll go check.” Mollie bravely tossed off the throw and went to the door, checking through the ring doorbell.

  For a moment, she thought she imagined things, which wouldn’t be beyond the realm of possibility after the stories about the creepy kids and the terrifying horror movie. But she blinked and squinted her eyes, and they were still there. Four children, two boys and two girls, wearing clothing that looked like it came from the set of Little House on the Prairie, stood on the porch. Mollie jumped back, her heart trying to pound out of her chest.

  “Yes?” she called through the door. “Can we help you?”

  From behind her, Caroline said, “Who is it?”

  “You’ll have to come look to believe it.”

  Caroline joined her and looked outside. “What the fuck?”

  “I bet they’re Simone and Wesley’s kids. They set up that whole, ‘we’re here to research the Black-Eyed Kids thing’ just to mess with us. I wonder if they even have a paranormal podcast.”

  The kids knocked on the door. “Hey, lady. Won’t you please let us in?” This came from the oldest girl, who looked to be around twelve. The other girl was about eight, one of the boys probably ten, and the other five. Simone and Wesley didn’t seem like the type of people to have four children—though Mollie wasn’t sure why she got that impression—but there was no other explanation. The Freemans were the only people around. The kids had to belong to them.

  “I’m sorry,” Mollie called through the door. “It’s pretty late. You need to go back to your parents. And tell them we don’t think this is funny.”

  “But we can’t find our parents…please let us in. We just want to play.”

  Mollie looked back out the doorbell. The oldest boy held up a ratty canvas ball with strings hanging off it that looked like someone rolled through a sewer. “Yeah, we wanna play ball. Won’t you please let us in?” He lifted his head, and, when Mollie saw his eyes, she screamed and stumbled back.

  “What?” Caroline said. “What happened?”

  “L-look at their eyes…”

  Caroline peeked out the peephole and gasped. “What the eff…”

  Beth came over and looked out the side window. “Aw, look at the little darlings. Open the door and let those poor children in.”

  “No way in hell,” Mollie snapped. “Did you see their eyes? Completely black, even the sclera.” She shook her head. How could this be?

  “Must be some kind of black contacts,” Caroline said. “The little brats are going all out to fuck with us.” She banged her fist on the door. “Go away, you little turds.”

  “We're not bad kids. We just wanna play. Please let us in. We like to play.”

  Mollie knew these were just children pulling a prank, but it was almost midnight, and—on the off chance they really were homicidal demons—she was playing it safe. “We’re going to bed. Go home, now. And don’t bother us again.”

  Beth shouldered Mollie out of the way and took hold of the doorknob. “We will let them in. It’s late and it’s cold. How can you be so cruel?”

  Caroline grabbed Beth’s arm and pulled her away from the door. “Beth…I swear, if you open that door, I’m going to kick your ass so hard your momma will feel it.”

  Chapter 4

  After coffee the next morning—and a sleepless night of making sure Beth didn’t open the door to those kids—Mollie and Caroline headed out to pay a visit to the neighbors. They waited until Beth was in the shower. She would not want them telling these people to keep their kids away. But Mollie wanted nothing to do with the creepy little bastards.

  The Freemans’ cabin sat about twenty feet away. Mollie hunkered down in her coat, and she and Caroline trudged across the snow-covered ground. Mollie rang the doorbell, and in seconds, Simone opened it. “Good morning! Come on in. Want some coffee?”

  Mollie shook her head. “No, thanks. This isn’t a social call. I don’t know if you were behind it, or if it was just your kids. But they were out late last night and came to our cabin trying to screw with us. They banged on the door and begged us to let them in.”

  Simone frowned. “Kids? We don’t have any children.”

  Mollie harumphed. “Riiiggghhhht. I don’t know if this is some kind of publicity thing for your podcast or if you’re just assholes who like to jack with people, but we know they’re your kids. No one else is around. Where else would they have come from?”

  Simone bit her lip. “What did they look like?”

  When Caroline described their clothing and their eyes, Simone’s face paled. “Oh my God. It was them. The Black-Eyed Kids.”

  “Come on.” Mollie crossed her arms and shivered. “That’s insane. Maybe you won’t mind if we take a look around your cabin, you know, just to be sure you’re telling the truth.”

  Simone stepped back and gestured for them to enter. “Be my guests.”

  Mollie and Caroline stepped inside. The cabin was almost a replica of theirs. Wesley came into the living room, wearing a Denver Broncos jersey and a Colorado Rockies ballcap. “What’s going on, hon?”

  Before Simone could reply, Caroline said, “We’re here to see your kids.”

  Wesley frowned. “Our kids? We don’t have any kids.”

  “Ah…well, just to be sure, we’re going to take a look around.”

  He turned a puzzled gaze to his wife, and Simone explained what had happened.

  “No shit?” His voice was filled with awe. “That was definitely the Black-Eyed Kids.”

  Mollie shook her head. She and Caroline searched the cabin, looking in each bedroom. Normally, she would never do something so rude and intrusive, but these people were getting on her last nerve with their lies and bullshit.

  No sign of children in the entire place. Not one item of clothing, toys, or anything that remotely indicated children had been there. Chills trickled down Mollie’s spine. What the actual hell was goi
ng on?

  Mollie and Caroline apologized to the Freemans, who asked them to please let them know if they received any more visits from the Black-Eyed Kids, and remember not to let them in under any circumstances.

  Outside, Mollie stopped in the yard and turned back to look at the cabin.

  “So,” Caroline said. “What do you think?”

  Mollie sighed. “I think our neighbors are bat shit crazy. But I don’t think the children belong to them.”

  “Then where do you think those kids came from?”

  Mollie looked around the snow-covered area. Not another dwelling in sight. She shook her head and shivered. “I have no fucking idea.”

  Chapter 5

  Beth was waiting when they got back to the cabin. “Where did you guys go?” She narrowed her eyes at them.

  “Just…for a walk,” Mollie said. “Checking out the area.”

  “You’re lying. You told our neighbors to keep their kids away, didn't you?” She crossed her arms and gazed at them with a challenging glint in her eyes.

  “We did. Those kids are little brats, and they were trying to mess with us.” Mollie exchanged a look with Caroline. “But…it appears the kids don’t belong to them.”

  Beth’s eyes widened. “What do you mean?”

  “The Freemans don’t have children. We both thought they were lying, but when we searched their place—”

  “You searched their place?” Beth interrupted. “That’s rude.”

  Caroline shrugged. “We wanted to prove they were bullshitting us. But there wasn’t a sign of any kids whatsoever.”

  “Then who do they belong to?” Her eyes lit up. “Maybe they don't have parents. Maybe they’re orphans who need us to take them in.”

  Caroline heaved out a long sigh. “That’s ridiculous. Orphans don’t roam around like stray dogs. They must belong to someone nearby. Maybe the owners of the cabins. Their house is on the property somewhere.”

  Mollie frowned. “But we didn't see another cabin or anything on the way up or when we were outside. Did the owners say where they live?”

  “No. I rented it through the app. They gave their names but not their location.”

  Beth said, “I think we should go find them. They're probably hungry and scared. We need to let them in.”

  Mollie shuddered. The murder victims from last fall probably thought the same thing, and look what happened to them…

  She shook her head. Was she really starting to buy into this? It was insane. But what other explanation could there be? “I don't know where the kids are, where they come from, or where their parents are. But I do know one thing. Tonight I’m picking the damn movie.”

  Chapter 6

  Mollie made chicken alfredo and garlic bread for dinner. Then, they settled in to watch movies—My Best Friend’s Wedding and Made of Honor. Mollie tried to relax, but she was tense, expecting the strange children to come knocking on the door at any moment. But they didn’t. With relief, Mollie said goodnight to her friends and went to bed, expecting to sleep well and drift off into a blissful romantic comedy dream world, especially since a light rain was falling and there was nothing better to fall asleep to.

  Mollie was just dozing off when the rain began to fall harder tap tap tap tap tap tap…

  Wait. She blinked open her eyes. That didn't sound like rain. She sat up, gripping the covers in her fingers, her pulse racing. Was that someone knocking on the front door? The tapping came again, but it wasn't coming from the front door. She glanced around and realized it was coming from the patio door in her bedroom. The drapes were closed, but she was sure someone was out there. She swallowed the dryness in her throat, fear keeping her immobilized. The door was locked, but the glass was not that hard to penetrate.

  The knocking came again, more insistent. Mollie tossed off the covers and sat up on the side of the bed, then grabbed the mace she always kept on the nightstand. She stood, but her legs shook so badly that she had to sit back down.

  Get it together, Mollie. You’re being ridiculous.

  Taking a deep, fortifying breath, she stood again, this time remaining on her feet. Unsteadily, she crossed the room and gripped the curtain in her hand, tugging it back just enough to peer around it. Involuntarily, she yelped. The same four children stood on the other side of the glass. Rain poured down on them, but they seemed oblivious to the fact they were getting soaked.

  The tallest girl swiveled her head toward Mollie, black eyes gleaming beneath the patio light. Mollie’s heart leapt into her throat, and she let the curtain fall back.

  “Hey, miss. Please let us in. We’re cold and wet. Won’t you please let us in?”

  Mollie pressed her back against the wall, willing her heart to stop racing. What was the deal with these kids? What were they doing all alone at night, and why did they creep her out so badly?

  “Come on, miss. We can’t hurt you. We’re just little kids. We just want to play.” That sounded like a boy, though his voice was high. He probably hadn’t yet reached puberty.

  Maybe she should call the police. The parents needed to be reported for not keeping a closer eye on their kids. But for now…should she let them in?

  On the one hand, she couldn’t stand the thought of leaving children outside alone in the dark, but on the other hand… she was quite frankly terrified. Something was not quite right. And she couldn’t dismiss the stories about the Black-Eyed Kids. Most rumors were based on some kind of fact, so there might have been some truth to the legend…

  But then…if there really was a killer on the loose, how would she feel if she found out these kids had been murdered?

  She blew out a long breath and shoved the drapes back. She reached for the latch to unlock the patio door but stopped. Her gaze fell on the object the smallest boy held in his hand. A large rock. He hefted it, his black eyes staring through the glass at her. “We wanna play rock with you. Just let us in so we can playyyyy…” The last word was drawn out, ending on a keening wail.

  Mollie yelped and stumbled back. No fucking way. Something was off with those kids. What did he intend to do with that rock? Her entire body shuddered like she was in the grip of a seizure. She could feel the danger emanating from them. Definitely something wrong with those little fiends. She’d be damned if she—or her friends—would let those kids in. But couldn’t they just smash the window with that rock and come in anyway?

  Actually…no. From what she’d learned, as crazy as it sounded, they had to be invited in. Just like vampires.

  Ha. She shook her head. Right, vampires and demonic murdering children. Sure, that was all possible.

  But no matter how implausible it sounded. No matter that a part of her worried they were just normal kids—albeit a bit creepy—and she could be dooming them to certain death, she could not, would not let them in. No fucking way.

  The tapping continued. That was it. She was calling the police.

  She hurried into the living room and grabbed up the receiver. She was punching in digits when it occurred to her…there was no dial tone. Dammit. Had the storm knocked out the phone lines? She fumbled in her purse for her cell, just in case they miraculously did get reception, But there were no bars. Shit.

  She’d just have to try again tomorrow. For tonight, she needed to get some sleep. But not in her bedroom. Instead, she lay on the sofa. She was still staring at the ceiling when the morning sun made its way through the windows.

  Chapter 7

  Friday the Thirteenth

  When Caroline and Beth awoke and joined Mollie at the table, coffees in hand, Mollie explained what had happened the night before.

  “Oh my God,” Caroline said. “You should have called the police.”

  “I tried, but the phone wasn't working.”

  Beth jumped to her feet. “The police? No, instead, you should have let those poor babies inside. What's wrong with you?”

  Mollie grimaced. “There was something off about them. Something frightening. They are not normal.”
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  Beth shook her head. Tears streamed down her face. “Oh, because children are a little odd, you think they should be left out on their own to brave the elements? Maybe to die? Is that what you wanted to happen to them? Did you want them to die like my baby died?” Her voice got louder with each word.

  Mollie stood and put out a placating hand. “No, sweetheart. I don't want them to die, and you know I didn't want your baby to die either. I'm very, very sorry. I love children, but I'm telling you that these kids are not right.”

  Beth slapped her hand down on the table. “No, you're not right, and you're not my friend.” She jumped to her feet and stalked down the hall to her room, slamming the door with a resounding thud.

  Mollie followed her and knocked on her door. “Beth? I’m coming in.”

  “Go away,” came the muffled reply.

  Mollie twisted the knob and stepped inside. Beth sat on the edge of the bed, holding a pillow to her chest, rocking back and forth like she held a baby.

  Mollie’s heart went out to her. She was already fragile, and this thing with the children was not helping her mental state at all. Mollie went over to her nightstand and picked up her bottle of Loxapine. “Beth, have you been taking your medication?”

  “Ha, you mean so I’ll stay zoned out and you two can control me? Talk about me behind my back and plot against me?”

  Mollie sat next to her and put a hand on her forearm. “You know we wouldn’t do that. We love you. There's no way we would plot against you. We just want you to get better. So, please, take your meds.” Mollie held out the prescription bottle.