Movie Night

Booker and Elizabeth were huddled together in the living room. The two of them watched the screen intently as the light from the television playing off their faces. Tense music was emanating from the speakers, putting Elizabeth on edge.

Suddenly a bloodcurdling scream rang out. Reflexively Elizabeth shielded her eyes as a monstrous figure stepped into view. The voice continued to scream as the figure lifted a massive cleaver over his head, but was silenced by a single heavy chopping motion. The camera changed angles and from off-screen rolled a particularly fake-looking head covered in blood.

Booker craned his neck towards Elizabeth. "Not much use having this on if you aren't going to watch it." He remarked with a hint of a grin.

"I am watching it." Elizabeth said, parting her fingers to peek at the screen with her right eye. "Besides." She remarked with a flushed face as two of the young teenagers began to undress each other. "it's what people do."

Elizabeth had insisted that the two of them watch a Halloween movie marathon. She had told Booker that watching horror movies this time of year was a cultural touchstone, something normal people did. So of course she wanted to do it herself.

Always dutiful in her research she had picked out what she felt were three iconic films of the genre. The movie playing presently was about a maniac in a mask who ran around killing teenagers for some perceived wrongdoing. Typical horror fare, if Elizabeth's research was to be believed.

"Maybe." Booker replied between handfuls of popcorn. "But if you don't like it you don't like it."

"I do like it." Elizabeth insisted. "It's scary, but fun." Silencing booker with a finger to her lips she added. "We're going to miss the movie."

With the movie drawing to a close Elizabeth lets out a yawn. Despite her best efforts to stay awake it was obvious to the both of them that Elizabeth wasn't going to make it through another movie.

Gently extricating himself from Elizabeth's arms Booker stood up and walked over to the TV. Credits were rolling across the screen and the iconic theme of the movie played over them one final time. As he reached out to stop the movie a thump could be heard. Something heavy had hit the roof of the house.

"Booker, what is that?" Elizabeth asked, suddenly reinvigorated.

"Probably just the wind." Booker remarked, ejecting the movie. "Knocked down a lose branch or-" Another thump interrupted his thought. This time Booker raised an eyebrow and shifted his gaze towards the ceiling.

"There it is again." Elizabeth said with a tone of urgency. "Booker, that sounded like it was coming from the bedroom."

"Elizabeth, you're letting your imagination get the best of you." He assured her. Despite his best attempts his voice betrayed a hint of insincerity. If she noticed his change in mood, she said nothing.

"Please." Elizabeth pleaded. "We need to do something."


Booker visibly tensed as he ascended the staircase. His eyes darted to each shadow in search of...what, exactly? What did he expect to find?

Peering down the hall Booker saw one of the upstairs doors was slightly ajar. Had that door been open? Booker gently turned the handle and listened as the door creaked open. It was silent, if there was anything in the room it hadn't been disturbed by the sound of their entrance.

Elizabeth, clinging to Booker's side, peered past him and into the bedroom. "Do you see anything?"

Booker probed the wall with his hand and flicked on the light. "Nothing."

With a sigh of relief Elizabeth pressed herself against Booker's shoulder. "Maybe you were right. It was probably just the wind knocking down some branches."

"So what now?"

Taking Booker by the hand Elizabeth guided him into the bedroom. "Let's just go to bed, I-" Elizabeth was suddenly struck silent by a flash of movement by the window.

"What? What was it?" Booker demanded, turning the petrified Elizabeth by the shoulders to face him.

"I saw it! Booker, grab your flashlight. We have to check outside."


The light from Booker's flashlight cut through the darkness as he trudged through the back yard with Elizabeth in tow. The two of them were utterly silent save for the sounds of their bare feet on the grass. Their demeanors were grim. There was something out there in the dark, that much they were both sure of.

Elizabeth started as the light swept over some her gardening supplies and cast a strange shadow against the tool shed. Her fear was getting the best of her.

Without warning the two of them heard the sounds of movement coming from Elizabeth's rose bushes. Looking back towards Elizabeth Booker pressed a finger to his lips and dimmed the flashlight. The two moved stealthily, maneuvering themselves closer to the bushes. More movement could be heard, and Elizabeth almost cried out when she thought she saw two glowing eyes.

Her suspicions were confirmed when in a flash Booker flipped on the flashlight again. There was a small, hunched thing with black fur and amber eyes. The light illuminated a writhing mass of fur that lay at it's feet. Taken by surprise Booker nearly dropped the light, while Elizabeth could only exclaim one word:

"Kittens!"