When it's dark out

I always think of our home, with a basement which opens lower to a lower patch of land, when ‘House on Haunted Hill’ shows on Netflix. It’s like we’re made for a spooky story but never get one.

I stared at my TV screen, trying to figure out what to watch. I hate when that happens, I want to watch something so bad but I have no idea what to watch. It gets me annoyed, put Friends back on Netflix.

I can hear my sister, Rebekah, crashing around in the kitchen, trying to make herself something for dinner even though she doesn’t know how to cook.

“Stop making so much noise in the kitchen. Make yourself some toast instead. It’s probably the only thing you can make,” I called out to her.

“Even then, I’d probably burn those too” she responded laughing.

I scoffed, turning off the TV. I got up from my bed and walked out into the kitchen, “Here, let me make you something. What do you want.”

“I thought girls were supposed to be the only ones who knew how to cook.”

“What are you saying, because I’m a guy that I shouldn’t know how to cook?”

She shoved me slightly, “I’m just saying, you should teach me to cook, you know mom wouldn’t do that.”

I looked at her, amused. I did find it a little odd that after all those times that mom cooked for us, she didn’t learn a thing. She even had that chef look in a way with her dark, brown hair was in a bun while her close-set almond eyes matched exactly like mine. Even the way her freckles on her cheeks were in place where mine was, no wonder why people know we’re twins.

I crossed my arms, “Fine, but I will only teach you once so you better not space out or anything.”

She nodded, “Deal.”

I curled my upper lip, “What do you want for dinner?”

She twirled around, “I want something new. Something like Mac n Cheese.”

I furrowed my brow, “That’s new to you? That’s like something that can be eaten almost every day.”

She smiled, “I know, but it’s something we haven’t had in a while since mom—” she paused.

I rubbed her shoulder, “I know sis, but let’s not think about that right now okay? Here, I’ll make mom’s famous Mac n Cheese. Let me show you how.”

She did a half-smile and nodded.

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We sat at the table with the macaroni in front of us. I felt like a child again, back when my mom would call us when dinner was ready. Rebekah and I would always race over to the dinner table. Now look at us, twentyone-year-olds, reminiscing about our mom even though it’s been three years. Sometimes it can be a little lonely when you live in the same old house with your sister.

“Okay, so I think I remember how you made it.”

“You think?” I asked.

She shrugged and half smiled, “Guess we will see when I try and make this in the future.”

“Yeah okay, let’s do that while watching you burn the house down,” I told her sarcastically.

She laughed, “Okay, let’s see how good you did in making mom’s Mac n Cheese.”

I nodded, looking down at my bowl of cheese covered shell noodles and small pieces of meat. Mom always loved her meats.

I grabbed my spoon and scooped up a bite. I raised my spoon at my sister and we both took a bite at the same time.

We chewed our food slowly, wanting to savor every moment. It tasted just like how she made it.

Just then, both of our phones rung an emergency alarm. Our screens turned on as an old man spoke…

“Attention people in the state of Montana, city of Helena. I would like to warn you that there is a very dangerous man under the name of Matt Halancey who is turning off lights one block at a time. There has been a report of up to seven murders for every block. Please lock all doors, windows, and anything that this man can enter through. Be cautious, it is very dark outside right now and it appears that he is wearing a black hoodie so it may be hard to see. Just keep your eyes out, we still don’t know how he is turning off all lights of an entire block but we need you to just remain in your homes. If your lights are still on your block, you are safe. Those who have lost a loved one, I’m sorry for your loss.”

Just as the man had disappeared from our screens, there was a knock on our door.

I looked at Rebekah quickly as she responded wide-eyed. We both looked out the window next to us, our street lights were still on. I gave her a confused face, she still was wide-eyed. I got up slowly, the front door was just next to our kitchen, so we are on the opposite side. I entered my kitchen, motioning my sister to stay where she was. There was another louder knock on our door, I quickly grabbed a knife off my counter and made my way towards the door.

I took a deep breath as I looked through the peephole.

“Oh my gosh,” I said, opening the door. It was my best friend, Frankie.

“Finally, did you guys hear the news?”

“Yeah I did,” I responded, letting him in the house, “So it wasn’t very smart banging on our door like that. I could’ve stabbed you.”

“Oh I didn’t think of that,” he said, hugging my sister, “But the street lights are on so you’re fine. Besides, most of the lights are going off like 10 miles away. By the way, go check out what’s going on at the end of your street, there’s like a giant sale going over there. They’ve got a bunch of animals by that little park you guys have. It could be your chance to go and get yourself a cat.”

Rebekah looked at me, you can tell she was fighting back a smile. She’s been wanting one for the longest time.

“Should we?”

She nodded her head furiously, “Yes! Please go and get one!”

I curled my upper lip, “Alright fine.”

“Yes!” she said, jumping up and hugging me.

“I’ll take care of her while you’re gone. It’s like a 2 min walk over there so make it quick. I’m tryna play some Call of Duty.”

I rolled my eyes, letting go of Rebekah, “I’ll be back. I’m going through the basement so don’t lock it on me.”

They both nodded as I turned around and made my way towards the basement. It’s creepy down there and there are a lot of old pots and pans, but that’s where the back door is. It practically takes you right where the mini-park is, you just have to walk a little bit so it’s going to save me time.

I opened the door to the basement, the door creaked as I opened it. I made sure I turned on the light before walking down the stairs so that way I don’t fall. Our basement wasn’t so big, mainly because there was a lot of stuff down here too so it makes it seem even smaller than it actually is. I look to my right as I get to the bottom of the stairs and see the door I was looking for. I had to turn on my flashlight on my phone so I can see it better, it’s a good thing I did because if I didn’t, I would’ve ran right into a pile of pots and pans. That would’ve made a very loud noise.

I made my way out as I closed the door behind me. There were a lot of rabbits around here so as soon as I stepped out, I heard a rustle in the bushes to my right.

Right away I could see the sale with all kinds of pets ahead of me in the grass. Is it okay to be selling pets like this? I started walking towards the area where a man stood, handing a lady a turtle she had just bought and waved goodbye, smiling. I took one step on the grass where so many options of pets were. There were fishes, kittens, puppies, turtles, even some bunnies. Why this late at night? Sure, it was only like 7 at night but still. He should go home, especially with what just happened with the news.

Just as I thought that, the lights went out. I looked to my right, eyes wide, my entire street was out. I felt the blood drain from my face as I quickly turned around and ran back towards home. I thought Frankie said it was like 10 miles back?

I made it to my house, running back through the basement door. Did I leave the back door open? Maybe Frankie made sure it was unlocked and forgot to close it.

I ran through the basement, closing the door behind me this time and ran up the stairs. Good thing I didn’t run into the pile of dishes.

I opened the door to find my home pitch black. I quickly turned on my phone flashlight, “Rebekah? Frankie?” I called out.

“Mike?” I heard my sister call.

“Yeah, I’m heading towards the kitchen.”

I met her in the kitchen as she flashed her phone light at me, “Thank goodness you came right away, I already made sure everything was locked.”

“Already? Where’s Frankie?”

Just then I heard a disturbing laugh behind me. I felt myself scream as my sister did the same.

The voice turned into laughter as another flashlight was shown, “You guys are a bunch of girls. You probably thought I was that scary dude. I checked everything else so it is all closed.”

I tried to get my heart to calm down, “Okay so it was you that left the basement door open then?”

“Me? No, I haven’t been down there.”

“Were you down there Rebekah?” I asked, shining the light towards her.

“No that wasn’t me. Did you forget to close it?”

“I specifically remember closing it though.”

Just then, there was a loud crash of pots and pans coming from the basement.