Lost to the Darkness

There was only one rule: don't open the door. In case we forgot, it was secured shut with a rusty old padlock with no key. But, we never considered opening it, not after seeing the terror in Grandpa's eyes when he told us not to. We knew there was evil enclosed in that cellar.

None of us were anywhere near the padlocked door when it happened. We were all on the other side of the room when the quiet evening was shattered by the metallic clunk of the padlock hitting the wooden floor. In unison, we turned with wide eyed horror at the eerie creaking squeal of unoiled hinges as the forbidden door opened itself.

Scrambling as fast as we could to the furthest corner, we watched as darkness oozed out of the yawning maw like thick tar swallowing all the light and hope that remained in the room. There was no way out. Instinctively I grabbed Jakey's hand knowing he's always been there to protect me. Then I wrapped my other arm around little Jenny, pulling her close to keep her safe, as the darkness engulfed us all.

I felt Jakey's hand whither to bone and crumble to dust. In a panic, I tried to pull Jenny closer but she collapsed and slipped through my fingertips like grains of sand.

A heartrending shriek leapt from my soul and pierced through the suffocating darkness chasing it back into the cellar and slamming the door shut behind. When the light returned I found myself alone, sobbing in a pile of ash. I will never understand why the darkness took my cousins and not me.

I just pray that door never opens again.