Horror duets (1)

                                                    Bok Bok!!
                   By Markus Porkwing and folklore of the mind .                                                               
                       @MarkusPorkwing.      @Mindfolklore

Friday evening, I got the bus out to my parents place which was a large house in a small coastal village,  a fishing village to be exact. My duties were to watch over the place as they spent the weekend away while also looking after my dads chickens and hens who he cared for abnormally. He’s retired so I guess this gave him something to do with his free time. I didn’t mind as it also gave me something to do for the next two nights I have to spend here.  It wasn’t like there was much else going on,  the village was very desolate especially at night when it was almost eerie like.  The sound of the waves crashing against the rocks provided some sort of sound,  the rest was provided by your own thoughts. Although I say this,  I liked the break from the city as I strolled up the long driveway,  keys in hand.

Before I entered the house, I turned around. I had arrived just before dark, just like I wanted and the sun was beginning to set. They had a gorgeous view. It didn’t disappoint as the sun was setting into the ocean. Casting a reddish glow upon the sky and land. Beautiful. I stood there a minute or two absorbing the grandeur of it all. I don’t get sunsets like this in the city.  The house, I believe was built in the late 1880’s or so, I think that’s what my dad had said once before. Very rustic, very old and sometimes very creepy. I didn’t grow up here, it was more of a place my parents had moved to when he retired from his job in the Silcon Valley. I set the keys down, dropped my bags to the floor and stretched out the stiffness from the ride. I walked right up to the living room window, which had a great view of the village down below. I could see some of the lights glowing. Some headlights and brake lights moving about. I could even see the lights of fishing boats and buoys. This is going to be a nice, relaxing weekend.

I walked towards to fridge and made myself a quick sandwich. I had hoped that there was going to be some beer inside but unfortunately I had to settle for a coke, my parents were always the “No beer until you are of age” type even though me and the guys had often snuck into bars and got beer from stores. Darkness had completely taken over at this point and my inability to sit and watch television was gnawing at me, it’s like there’s a constant irritation somewhere inside me anytime that I have to sit for a while and do these same thing. So, I went out back. I went out to the small barn which was more like a shed if I’m honest. Out there I could hear them, the noise coming from them was so constant.  That clucking and just general annoying and disgusting bird noise that didn’t stop, how does he love these so much , I just don’t get it!!!  Intrusive thoughts started to take over .

I don’t understand how being here only a few hours could possibly be getting to me. I actually forgot how much I hated the sound of those cackling chickens. Through the dark I couldn’t see the chickens yet. The lights from the house behind me cast my shadow before me and it led the way towards the shed. Eventually as I drew closer, I could see some movement among the small coop on the side of the shed and hear that clucking and gawking noises they make. I was about ten feet away when the chickens stopped making noise suddenly, this made me stop and listen. No sound. Stupid chickens, creeping me out. I approached the coop and kneeled. I peered into the darkness and I could see a hen. Yes, clearly a hen, I could see its beady little eyes looking at me. As my eyes adjusted to the darkness, I could see more of them, all staring at me. Same little creepy eyes locked onto me.

I froze for a few seconds and my mind started racing.  I ran inside , up the stairs to my backpack. I frantically searched through it but they weren’t there,  this made my paranoia and anxieties even worse,  I knew the dangers of forgetting my medication.  Down at the kitchen I splashed water on my face repeatedly but every time I closed my eyes all I could see was those hens looking at me,  getting closer and closer,  bigger and bigger with each blink. I was slowly losing myself and what’s worse is that I knew it was happening and there wasn’t anything I could do about it.  My parents didn’t know about this problem I had and I wanted to keep it this way.  Why couldn’t I of just packed my meds,  it’s normally the first thing I put into the bag. It all started to take over,  the urges were getting stronger and stronger until I finally gave in.  I walked across to the cutlery drawer,  took out the sharpest knife I could find and started to pace slowly towards the shed. It was like I had no control.

It was cool outside but I was sweating. I can’t believe I forgot my meds, I stopped walking. What am I doing? I turned towards the house. I was about to go back, thinking this was all a mistake... paranoia from missing my meds I kept telling myself . Then I heard the hens cackling and bok boking. Bok bok in my head. BOK BOK IN MY HEAD! Make it stop. I turned around and with a deep breath of rage I moved in on the chickens. They were mocking me. BOK BOKING! BOK BOK BOK BOK! GET out of my head! I was at the door of the coop. Little beady eyes stared up at me, all the while all I could hear was BOK BOK BOK. PLEASE GOD MAKE THEM STOP!

The next thing I remember was the line of cars showing up at my door and me looking down at my bloody hands surrounded by many carcasses. It was like the sirens and lights snapped me out of wherever I was. I don’t remember killing them,  I don’t remember throwing their dead bodies on the road,  I don’t remember screaming continuously,  I don’t remember any of it. Doctor , do you believe me?  I can’t leave this place,  ever!!  I don’t want to go,  I know they are waiting for me.  Please!!! 

The door opened and closed , I sat relieved that my doctor bought that story again.  I knew what I was doing,  I hated those fucking chickens and hens and everything else out in that stupid narrow-minded village.  The only other thing I hate more was that the police arrived before I could get to my neighbours.

The Dark Side of Christmas - The Grither

When people think of the North Pole what are some of the things that come to mind?  Well for most it's gotta be where Santa lives,  where his reindeer's reside and where his elves work all year round. It's just an all-round happy place for that special time of year. Covered in snow and with it being the northernmost point of the earth, there is a certain mystique about the place.

This mystique for the most part is of positive curiosity,  everyone wants to see where Santa supposedly comes from,  but there is also a dark and dangerous side here that lies within the caves of the region.  A subject of folklore to most, The Grither is often talked about by families around a fire.

This was the case one Christmas Eve. Excited kids asked their father to tell them a story,  a scary story,that they are now old enough to hear one.  Their father after his patience was tested finally gave in to their demands and sat the two kids in from of the fire while he sat on the couch ready to start story time.

He started " There is a creature who lies within the caves of the North Pole called The Grither. No one ever knows what it looks like because everyone that had seen it had been eating by it.  Hands were as big as basketballs supposedly and the smell of rotten flesh from it's body you could smell a mile away. The monster is as big as your imagination allows and it is the most terrifying thing to roam around this time of year"

One of the kids whined "I think I have heard enough dad,  maybe I am not old enough for this yet" the other kid looked at his brother before asking his father to continue.  "Oh he has to continue now,  you have said his name" shouted in the kids Mother from the room outside. The story continued after their father reassured them " Don't worry my sons it's just a story"

"He is said to come for those that mention it's name and don't finish the story. When he comes for you all you will see is a....... " , one of the kids abruptly stopped him " Please Dad I don't wanna know what happens,  maybe next year when I'm older and braver ", his father agreed to call a halt to the story and told his boys to get ready for bed.

As the parents were bringing the boys upstairs the front door blew open,  a blizzard of snow took over the boys vision and when it passed they couldn't believe what they had seen.  A large figure covered in blood stood at the front door.  There was that horrible wet smell reeking from the heavy breathing intruder.  The boys quickly ran upstairs and hide under their bed, loud thuds soon followed. 

They huddled together while shaking with fear. The bedroom door opened slowly and inside it came, step by step searching and sniffing around the room. A strange noise came from it's mouth before it called out each of the boys names. The older boy opened its eyes and peeped out from under the bed waiting to see some terrifying creature, but what he saw was a pair of human legs and a white pair of trainers.

"Don't worry boys it's just me messing around, I got the costume from the store, come out from under the bed" playfully and humorously said the father, much to the boys relief. They joked and laughed about it until it really was time for bed and their mother came up and tucked them both in.

Sometime during the night, when all were fast asleep, the front door opened once more. Dirty prints were left on the steps of the stairs and the banister was covered in green goo. The boys woke suddenly to a large shadow standing over them both. "Dad stop we know it's you" said one of them while giggling along with it.

The bathroom lights went on and this time to the boys utter terror, in shouted their father "Boys, who are you talking to?"