Chapter 2: Monsters Under The Bed

“Mom, can I go to the park tomorrow? Pleeeese?” Emily asked, sticking out her lower lip gazing up at her mom. “Only if your brothers go with you,” Ava replied looking at her sons now. “Fine.” Elliot agreed before turning to his father. “Dad, do you think aliens are real like in that movie Aliens against the world?” Austen laughed. “Maybe, the universe is a big place, but I don’t think you have anything to worry about. Why do you ask?” Elliot pointed to his older sister sitting next to him. “Lily said aliens are going to take over the world someday.” Lily about choked on her food. “Lily,” Austen said firmly “Why would you tell your brother such a wild story?” “They wouldn’t stop bugging me when I was on the phone with Madeline. I just wanted them to leave me alone.” Lily replied eyeing her brothers angerly. The table fell silent as they all sat and ate their food. As soon as Lily finished she gave her brother an I’ll kill you look and Elliot immediately stuck his tongue out at her. Ava noticed the interactions between her kids and with a heavy sigh said “I think it’s time that you kids got ready for bed. Make sure to scrape your plate and put it in the sink.” Ava reminded the children. Emily raced out of her chair yelling behind her “I bet you I can clean my plate faster than you Ellas!”. Ellas about tripped trying to get out of his chair before saying “No fair! You had a head start.” Lily slumped out of her chair and cleaned her dish before giving her brother one last nasty glance and stomping up the stairs. Austen chuckled and looked across the table at his wife and smiled. “I love those kids.” Ava smiled back and replied, “That’s because they all act like you.”

“You know it’s funny that Elliot brought up aliens. When at work the other day writing an article for the paper a doctor came in claiming he had done an ultrasound on a man who was pregnant. He says the only way this could’ve happened was by aliens.” Ava laughed hearing how insane the man sounded. “Wait… someone said a man is pregnant with a baby?” Austen repeated. “Yes. He said it was twins and he’s sure it’s aliens. What’s even more insane is that he said this so called man lives in our town. He said he couldn’t give out personal information, but he thought we should all be warned.” “Seriously the man sounds mad. Aliens… let’s hope Lily doesn’t hear this and try to scare her younger brothers.” Austen giggled. 

Ava kissed her husband on the cheek. “I love you,” she whispered in Austen’s ear. Suddenly they heard Ellas scream “Dad there’s a monster under my bed!” Austen sighed and Ava shrugged “Go see what’s going on.” “It’s those darn aliens,” Austen giggled as he turned and made his way up the stairs to their sons’ room.

“What’s going on kiddo?” “I saw something under my bed. A monster!” Ellas explained. “You know there are no such things as monsters,” Austen explained as he peeked under the bed. “See no monsters,” Austen said but as he looked at his son he could see that Ellas still looked upset. “You know Ellas, I do have some special Monster be gone spray.” “Really? I thought you said there are no such things?” Ellas replied his eyes lighting up. “Sometimes adults can’t see the monsters but they know that kids can,” Austen pointed out. Austen went to the bathroom across the hall and found the old water bottle he had made when Lily was little. It even still said Monster be gone on it. He filled it up and added a little green dye to it. He sprayed under the bed and tucked Ellas back in. “Good night, sleep tight,” He whispered before turning out the light. He then heard voices coming from the girls’ room.

“And then she opened her closet… and inside there was bloody Mary!” Emily shrieked at her sister’s scary story. “Shhh! You’re going to get me in trouble.” “I can’t help it. Your story scared me.” There was a soft tap on the door and then their dad walked in. “What’s going on in here?” Austen asked. Both girls stared at him with wide eyes and looked at one another. “Nothing daddy,” Emily said sweetly.

“I heard you scream from the hallway, Emily. Are you telling scary stories again Lily?” “Emily wanted…” Austen interrupted “I told you to stop scaring. Ellas already thinks monsters live under his bed, and Elliot thinks Aliens are about to invade. What story did you tell sister this time?” Lily was going to respond but a bright light out her window in the distance caught her eye. “Dad, did you see that?” Lily pointed out the window. Austen rubbed his temples. “Lily, please don;t change the subject. It’s late and you shouldn’t be telling scary stories.” “But dad,.. there was something…” Austen cut her off. “Enough, It’s time for bed!”

“Daddy, I asked for the story. I like scary stuff.” Austen bent down and kissed his youngest daughter on the cheek and then pinched it. “I just don’t think you’re ready yet. For all the scary stuff.” “Dad, you know you’re silly right?” Emily giggled. Austen nodded, “I know.” “Come on let me tuck you in. It’s getting late.”

As Austen tucked his daughters in he noticed something out of the corner of his eye. He turned towards the window and saw a blinding light not far from their house, and as soon as he saw it it was gone. Austen rubbed his eyes. I must be exhausted he thought I’m starting to see things.