Fablehaven by Brandon Mull - Chapter 10 - Midsummer Eve

Summary

「真夏の夜の夢」の第10章では、ミッドサマーイブの夜に、主人公たちは祖父の元で怪奇な出来事を経験します。家の周りには、200個以上のジャック・オ・ランタンが飾られ、小さな妖精たちが守りの役目を果たしています。しかし、夜が深むにつれて、恐怖と騒動が訪れます。窓を開けてしまうことで、悪魔や怪物が家に侵入。主人公たちは、祖父からの厳格な命令に従いながら、恐怖に耐える試練を乗り越え、夜を明かすことを目指します。

Takeaways

• 👴 この物語は、おじいさんが主人公たちに家を守るための準備をさせている夏の前夜に舞台を設定しています。
• 🔥 おじいさんは、暖炉の火を煽りながら、夏の前夜の準備を進めています。
• ☕ デールは、砂糖を3匙加えるコーヒーを注ぎます。
• 🎃 レナは、200個以上のかぼちゃ灯籠を用意し、30人の妖精が家に来る予定でしたが、実際には数が少なくなっています。
• 🌟 家の入り口にはかぼちゃ灯籠で埋め尽くされ、屋根には8個、窓には4個ずつ配置されています。
• 🧙‍♂️ おじいさんは、子供たちが屋根裏の寝室にいて魔法が働くと説明しています。
• 🛌 夜の騒動が始まる前に、おじいさんは子供たちに寝室に退くよう促します。
• 🌙 夜が深まるにつれて、家の周囲に奇妙な生き物が現れ始め、子供たちは恐怖を感じます。
• 👶 セスが窓を開けて外の赤ちゃんを見てしまい、悪魔が家に入ってきます。
• 🐔 セスは、魔法の塩を投げて悪魔を撃退し、鶏のゴールドロックスを助けます。
• 🌅 夜が明け、子供たちは家を探索し、家族が無事であることを確認する必要があります。

Q & A

第10章の舞台はどのような状況で始まりますか？

第10章は真夏の夜、暖炉で火をつけているところから始まります。火がついた丸太が割れ、中から赤熱した灰が現れます。

デールがコーヒーを飲む際に加えたものは何ですか？

デールはコーヒーに砂糖を3さじ加えました。

レナが窓から見たものは何ですか？

レナは窓から、太陽が地平線に達するのを見て、それを知らせました。

グランパ・ソレンソンが子供たちに寝室に戻るように言った理由は何ですか？

グランパ・ソレンソンは、子供たちが寝室にいることで、屋根裏部屋の魔法のバリアが機能し続けるからだと説明しました。大人がいるとそのバリアは効果を失います。

子供たちが寝室で安全でいるために、グランパが設置したものは何ですか？

グランパは特別な塩の円を床に描き、それが追加の保護を提供することを説明しました。

グランパが子供たちに耳栓を渡した理由は何ですか？

耳栓は外の騒音を和らげて、子供たちが眠れるようにするためです。

夜が進むにつれて、外からどのような音が聞こえてきましたか？

風のうなり声や獣のような叫び声、鼓動のようなリズムとチャンティング（歌い声）が夜を通して聞こえてきました。

グランパが特に心配していたことは何ですか？

グランパは、真夏の夜が非常に混乱する可能性があり、特にフェアリーの少ない参加が示すように、過去に例のないほどの騒動になるのではないかと心配していました。

夜が進むにつれて、部屋の中でどのような怪物が現れましたか？

マルーンのゴブリン、翼のあるセンチピード、そして他の不気味な生き物が現れ、部屋の中を暴れ回りました。

セスが窓を開けてしまった結果、何が起こりましたか？

窓を開けると、赤ん坊がゴブリンに変身し、さらに狼たちとその他の怪物が部屋に侵入してきました。

グランパの最終指示に従って、子供たちはどのように対処しましたか？

子供たちはベッドに留まり、魔法の塩の円が彼らを守ることを信じて耐えました。そして、夜明けまでじっとしていました。

Outlines

00:00

🌌 神秘の一夜の始まり

物語の第10章では、ミッドサマーイブの夜が描かれている。Grandpaは火を弄り、家の入り口には200個以上のかぼちゃ灯籠が飾られ、30人の妖精が集結している。しかし、予想していた数より少なく、Grandpaはこの夜が危険であると感じる。子どもたちは屋根裏の部屋に避難するように指示され、特殊な塩の輪と耳栓で守られる。Grandpaは彼らに勇敢で責任を持って行動するよう頼む。

05:02

😨 不安と恐怖の夜

屋根裏の部屋で、KendraとSethは耳栓をはめて外の騒音を遮るが、夜の怪しさに耐えられない。彼らは窓から外を覗きたい衝動に駆られ、幽霊のような鳴き声や風の呻き声、以及其他の恐怖の音に耳を傾けることになる。Sethは勇気を出して窓から覗きたいが、Kendraは危険に怯える。

10:02

👶 罠と錯乱

突然、屋根に立っている赤ちゃんが現れ、Sethは窓を開けて外の赤ちゃんを助けようとする。しかし、その赤ちゃんは悪魔の姿に変わり、それに続いて他の怪物も室内に侵入する。Kendraはすぐに窓を閉め、塩の輪が怪物を阻む。怪物たちが室内を荒らし、騒動がエスカレートする。

15:02

🔥 恐怖の戦い

怪物たちが室内に押し入る。Sethは塩を使って怪物を撃退し、Kendraは助けを求める声に戸惑う。Daleが銃声で怪物を撃ち、逃げるように促す。KendraとSethは床に飛び込むが、怪物たちは追いかける。夜が続く中、彼らは恐怖と不安に襲われ続ける。

20:03

🌅 夜明けの希望

夜が明け、恐怖の一夜が終わる。KendraとSethは、窓から外を確認し、安全であることを確認する。彼らは自分たちの行動がGrandpaやDale、Lenaに何をもたらしたかを恐れるが、Sethは自分自身を責めないようKendraに励まされる。二人は互いに支え合い、状況を確認する準備をする。

Keywords

💡妖精

妖精とは、伝説や神話に登場する魔法のような存在のことで、この物語では家を守る役割を果たしています。妖精が報道に現れず、主人公たちが直面する危険が増す要因の一つとして機能しています。例えば、「not quite 30 fairies had reported for Duty」という文脈で妖精の数が予想よりも少なく、不穏な空気を作り出します。

💡魔法の保護

魔法の保護とは、物語の中で家を守るための魔法的な力のことを指します。この力は家に安全をもたらす一方、主人公たちが直面する試練と結びつきます。例えば、「the spells that make the attic impenetrable」というフレーズは、屋根裏部屋が魔法で守られていることを示しており、その保護が子供たちによって維持される必要がある点に注目します。

💡試練

試練とは、物語の主人公たちが経験しなければならない困難や危険な状況を指します。この物語では、試練を乗り越えることによって、彼らの勇気や責任感が試されます。例えば、「look at tonight as a test」という文脈で、その夜の出来事が彼らに対する試練として位置づけられています。

💡恐怖

恐怖とは、物語のキャラクターが経験する恐れや不安の感情を指します。この物語では、恐怖がキャラクターの行動や判断に影響を与える重要な要素です。例えば、「Kendra said don't go」という文脈では、ケンドラの恐怖心が彼女の行動に表れています。

💡罠

罠とは、物語の中で悪意ある存在が主人公たちを翻弄するために設けたわなわらな装置や計画を指します。この物語では、罠が主人公たちの判断力を試し、危険を招きます。例えば、「the baby dove into the room transforming grotesquely」という場面では、泣いている赤ちゃんが罠として使われ、主人公たちを騙しています。

💡勇敢さ

勇敢さとは、物語のキャラクターが困難や恐ろしい状況に直面しても勇気を持ち続ける品質を指します。この物語では、勇敢さが彼らが試練に立ち向かう力となります。例えば、「I believe you will」というセスからの言葉は、彼らが勇敢であると信じていることを示しています。

💡責任

責任とは、物語のキャラクターが持つ義務感や、行った行為に対しての責任を負うことを指します。この物語では、責任は彼らが守るべきものと、その守り方を判断する鍵です。例えば、「you kids have impressed me so far you're bright adventurous and courageous」というフレーズでは、彼らの責任感が称賛されています。

💡守護

守護とは、物語の中でキャラクターが他人や場所を保護することを指します。この物語では、守護は家や家族、そして互いに守り合う愛情を象徴します。例えば、「the attic bedroom is the safest place in the house」という文脈では、屋根裏部屋が安全な避難所として守護されていることを示しています。

💡悪

悪とは、物語の中で主人公たちに対立する勢力やキャラクターを指します。悪は物語の緊張感や衝突を引き起こす要因です。例えば、「a maroon Goblin」という表現は、赤茶色のゴブリンが悪のキャラクターとして登場していることを示しています。

💡黎明

黎明とは、夜から昼へと移行する時間帯を指し、この物語では恐怖から解放される象徴的な瞬間を表します。物語の終盤で、「the sun is officially up」という文脈では、主人公たちが長い夜を乗り越え、安全を回復したことを示しています。

Highlights

Grandpa Sorenson prepares for Midsummer Eve by stoking the fire and discussing the importance of the enchanted preserve.

Lena predicts the sun will set, signaling the start of the enchanted night.

Dale has carved over 200 jack-o-lanterns for the event, despite a lower turnout of fairies than expected.

Grandpa expresses concern about the low number of fairies and the potential danger of the night.

The children are instructed to retreat to their attic bedroom for safety.

Special protective measures are in place, including salt circles and fairy lanterns.

Grandpa Sorenson reveals the children's potential future role as heirs to the enchanted preserve.

Seth and Kendra are warned not to leave their beds, no matter what they hear during the night.

The night brings eerie sounds and supernatural occurrences, testing the children's resolve.

Seth's curiosity leads him to momentarily break the rules by looking out the window.

A deceptive appearance of a baby lures Seth to open the window, allowing monsters to enter.

The protective salt circle around the bed saves Seth and Kendra from the monsters.

Dale arrives to defend the children with a shotgun, but the monsters escape.

The night's chaos includes various monsters and illusions attempting to deceive the children.

The children endure a long night of supernatural terror, waiting for dawn.

At dawn, the supernatural noises cease, and the children cautiously consider checking the aftermath.

Seth and Kendra grapple with guilt and fear over the potential consequences of their actions.

Transcripts

chapter 10. Midsummer Eve

Grandpa prodded the logs in the

fireplace with a poker a shower of

Sparks swirled up the chimney as one log

split open revealing an interior of

glowing Embers Dale poured himself a

compass steaming coffee adding three

spoonfuls of sugar Lena peered out the

window Through The Brines

the sun will reach the Horizon in

moments she announced Kendra sat beside

Seth on the sofa watching Grandpa stoke

the fire the preparations were all in

place the entrances of a house were

crowded with jack-o-lanterns Lena had

been right Dale had carved more than 200

of them not quite 30 fairies had

reported for Duty many fewer than

grandpa had expected even given the

recently strained relations

eight of the fairy lanterns were placed

on the roof outside the attic four at

each window glow sticks illuminated most

of the pumpkins two in each Grandpa

Sorenson apparently ordered them in bulk

will it start right when the Sun goes

down Seth asked

things won't get really going until the

Twilight Fades grandpa said sitting the

poker beside the other fire irons but

the hour has come for you children to

retire to your room

I want to stay up with you Seth said

attic bedroom is the safest place in the

house grandpa said why don't we all stay

in the Attic Kendra asked Grandpa shook

his head the spells that make the attic

impenetrable function only if it is

occupied by children without children or

with adults in the room the barriers

become ineffectual

isn't the whole house supposed to be

safe Kendra asked

I believe so but on an enchanted

preserve nothing is ever certain I am

concerned by the scant number of fairies

who reported this afternoon

I worry this could be a particularly

uproarious mid-summer Eve perhaps the

worst since I've lived here the long

mournful Hal underscored his statement

the disturbing call was answered by a

stronger howl closer than ended in a

cackle chills tingled behind Kendra's

shoulders

the sun is gone Lena reported from the

window she squinted then put a hand to

her mouth closing the slat she stepped

away from the blinds they're already

entering the yard

Kendra leaned forward Lena really looked

upset she had paled visibly her dark

eyes were unsettled Grandpa scowled real

trouble she nodded Grandpa clapped his

hands together up to the attic the

tension in the room prevented Kendra

from uttering any protest apparently

Seth sensed the same urgency Grandpa

Sorensen followed them up the stairs

down the hall and up into their bedroom

get under your covers grandpa said

what's around the bed Seth asked

examining the floor

Circles of special salt grandpa said and

Extra Protection

Kendra stepped carefully over the salt

pulled back the covers and climbed into

bed the sheets felt cool Grandpa handed

her a pair of small spongy cylinders

earplugs he said passing a pair to Seth

as well I suggest you wear them they

should help mute the tumult so you can

sleep

just cram them in her ears Seth said

lying one suspiciously that's the idea

grandpa said an eruption of high-pitched

laughter blared up from the yard Kendra

and Seth exchanged a concerned glance

Grandpa took a seat at the edge of

Kendra's bed

I need you kids to be brave and

responsible for me tonight he said they

nodded silently you should know he went

on I didn't let you come here merely as

a favor to your parents your grandmother

and I are getting on in years the day

will come when somebody else will need

to care for this preserve we need to

find heirs Dale is a good man but he has

no interest in running things here you

kids have impressed me so far you're

bright adventurous and courageous

there are some unpleasant aspects to

living here Festival nights are a good

example perhaps you wonder why we don't

just all spend the night in a hotel if

we did we would return to find the house

in Ruins our presence is essential to

the magic that protects these walls if

you're ever going to be involved with

the work on this preserve you will need

to learn to cope with certain unpleasant

realities

look at tonight as a test if the chaotic

glamor outside is too much for you then

you do not belong here there is no shame

in this people who belong here are rare

we'll be fine Seth said

I believe you will listen carefully to

my final instructions once I leave the

room no matter what you hear no matter

what happens do not leave your beds we

will not come to check on you until

morning you may think you hear me or

Dale or Lena asking to come in be

forewarned it will not be us

this room is invulnerable unless you

open a window or the door remain in your

beds and that will not happen with the

fairy lanterns at your window odds are

that nothing will come near this part of

the house

try to ignore the tunnel of the night

and we'll share a special breakfast in

the morning any questions

I'm scared Kendra said don't go

you'll be safer without me we'll be

keeping a watch downstairs all night

everything will be fine just go to sleep

that's okay Grandpa Seth said I'll keep

an eye on her

keeping the other on yourself grandpa

said sternly you mind me tonight this is

no game

I will outside the wind began to whistle

through the trees the day had been calm

but now a groaning gust shook the house

overhead the shingles rattled in the

Timber's Creek

Grandpa crossed the door strange winds

are blowing I better get downstairs

good night sleep tight I'll greet you at

sunrise

he closed the door the wind subsided

Goldilocks clucked Softly

you've got to be kidding Kendra said I

know Seth said I'm practically wetting

the bed

I don't think I'll sleep all night

I know I won't

we better try said Kendra

okay

Kendra inserted the earplugs closing her

eyes she curled up and snuggled under

her covers all she had to do was fall

asleep and she could escape the

frightening sounds of the night she

forced herself to relax letting her body

go limp and tried to clear her mind it

was hard not to fantasize about

inheriting the estate no way would they

give it to Seth he would blow the whole

place up in five minutes what would it

be like to know all the mystery secrets

of Fablehaven it might be scary if she

were alone she would have to share the

secret with her parents so they could

live with her

after a couple of minutes she rolled

over to face the other direction she

always had a tough time falling asleep

when she was too deliberate about it she

tried to think of nothing tried to focus

on calm regular breathing Seth was

saying something but the earplugs

muffled she pulled them out what I said

the suspense is killing me are you

actually using the earplugs

of course you're not I don't want to

miss anything are you crazy I'm not

tired at all he said are you

not much

dare me to look out the window don't be

stupid it's barely Sunset what better

time to look how about never you're

bigger chicken than Goldilocks you've

got less brains than Hugo

the wind rose again steadily gaining

Force warbling moans echoed on the

breeze groaning in different pitches

forming Eerie discordant harmonies a

long bird-like scream overpowered the

ghostly chorus of moans starting at one

side of the house passing overhead and

finally fading in the distance a bell

began to toll Seth no longer looked

quite so brave maybe we should try to

get some sleep he said putting in the

earplugs Kendra did likewise The Sounds

were muffled but continued the haunted

wind lamenting the house shuddering and

increasing assortment of shrieks Screams

howls and wild bursts of givering

laughter the pillow grew warm so Kendra

flipped it over to the cold side

the only light in the room had been

filtered in through the curtains as

Twilight dimmed the room darkened Kendra

pressed her hands over her ears trying

to augment the dampening power of the

earplugs she told herself The Sounds

were just a storm

a deep throbbing beat joined the

cacophony keeping a steady Rhythm as the

pulsing percussion increased in volume

and Tempo it was accompanied by chanting

in a wailing language Kendra resisted

otherworldly images of vicious demons on

the hunt

A Pair of Hands closed around her throat

she jumped and flailed smacking Seth

across the cheek with the back of her

hand

jeez Seth complained stumbling away you

asked for it what's the matter with you

you should have seen your face he

laughed recovering from the slap get

back in bed

he sat on the side of her bed you should

take out earplugs the noise isn't so bad

after a while it reminds you that CD dad

plays on Halloween

she removed them except it's shaking the

house and it isn't make believe

do you want to look out the window no

stop talking about it

Seth leaned over and turned on the

NightLight a glowing statuette of Snoopy

I don't see the big deal I mean there

are all sorts of cool things out there

right now what's wrong with this taking

a little peek grandpa said not to get

out of your bed Grandpa lets people look

when they get older Seth said Dale told

me so it can't be that dangerous grandpa

just thinks I'm an idiot yeah and he's

right think about it you wouldn't want

to run across a tiger out in the

wilderness you'd be scared to death but

at a zoo who cares they can't get you

this room is safe peeking out of the

window will be like looking at a zoo

full of monsters

more like looking out of a shark cage a

sudden staccato flurry of pounding shook

the roof as if a team of horses were

Galloping across the shingles Seth

flinched raising his arms protectively

Kendra heard the creek and rattle of

wagon wheels

don't you want to see what that was Seth

asks are you trying to tell me that

didn't scare you

I expect to be scared that's the whole

point

if you don't get back in Bend Kendra

said I'm telling grandpa in the morning

don't you want to see who's playing the

drums Seth I'm not kidding you probably

wouldn't even be able to see anything we

have a telescope

something outside roared a thunderous

Bellow of beastial ferocity it was

enough to silence the conversation the

night continued to rage the roar came

again if anything with greater intensity

momentarily drowning out all the other

commotion Kendra and Seth eyed one

another

bet it's a dragon he said breathlessly

running over to the window

Seth no Seth pulled aside the curtain

the four jack-o-lanterns showed a mellow

illumination across the portion of the

roof directly beyond the window

for a moment Seth thought he saw

something swirling in the Darkness at

the edge of the light a whirling mass of

silky black fabric then he saw only

blackness

no stars he reported Seth get away from

there Kendra had her sheets pulled up to

her eyes he squinted through the window

a moment longer too dark I can't see

anything a glimmering fairy floated up

from one of the jack-o-lanterns peering

at Seth through the slightly warped

window pane hey a fairy came out the

tiny fairy waved an arm and was joined

by three others one made a face at Seth

and then all four streaked away Into the

Night

now he could see nothing

Seth closed the curtain and backed away

from the window

you had your luck Kendra said are you

satisfied

the fairies and the jack-o-lanterns flew

away he said

nice work they probably saw who they

were guarding

actually I think you're right one way to

face at me

get back in bed Kendra ordered the

drumming ceased along with the chanting

the ghostly wind grew quiet the houses

and scream and laughter diminished in

volume and frequency something powdered

across the roof then

silence

something's wrong Seth whispered they

probably saw you get back in bed I have

a flashlight in my emergency kit he went

to the nightstand by his bed and

withdrew a small flashlight from the

cereal box

Kendra kicked off her sheets and Lund it

Seth tackling him onto his bed she

wretched the flashlight from his grip

and pushed off of him to regain her feet

he charged her twisting she used his

momentum to shove him onto her bed quit

it Seth or I'll go get Grandpa right now

I'm not the one starting a fight his

expression was a portrait of wounded

resentment she hated when he tried to

act like the victim after initiating

trouble neither am I first you hit me

then you jump on me you stopped breaking

the rules or I'm going straight

downstairs

you're worse than the witch Grandpa

should build you a shack get in your bed

give me my light I bought it with my own

money they were interrupted by the sound

of a baby crying there was nothing

desperate about it just the bawling of

an upset infant the crying seemed to

emanate from outside the darkened window

a little baby Seth cried no it's some

trick

Mama the baby wind

sounds pretty real Seth said let me take

a look it's gonna be a skeleton or

something

Seth grabbed a flashlight from Kendra

she neither gave it to him nor prevented

him from taking it he jogged over to the

window holding the front of the

flashlight against the window pane he

kept his hand around it to minimize

reflection and he switched it on oh my

gosh he said it really is a baby

anything else

just a crying baby the crying stopped

now he's looking at me

Kendra could no longer resist she went

and stood behind Seth there on the roof

just beyond the window a tear streak

toddler who looked barely old enough to

stand the baby wore cloth diapers and

nothing else he had wispy blonde curls

and a little round tummy with an Audi

belly button eyes brimming with tears

the child held out its pudgy arms

towards the window

it has to be a trick Kendra said an

illusion

spotlighted by the flashlight the

toddler took a step towards the window

and fell to all fours he pouted on the

verge of crying again standing up the

baby tried another wobbly step

Goosebumps stood on his chest and arms

he looks real said zeph what if he's

real

why would a baby be on the roof

the baby told to the window pressing a

chubby Palm against the glass something

glinted in the light behind him Seth

shifted the bema to a pair of green-eyed

wolves approaching stealthily from the

edge of the roof the animals paused as

the light fell on them both looked mangy

and lean one of the Wolves beared sharp

teeth foaming from its mouth the other

was missing an eye they're using him as

bait except yelled the baby looked back

at the Wolves then turned back towards

Seth and Kendra bawling with renewed

Vigor fresh tears streaming tiny hands

slapping on the window panes the Wolves

charged the toddler wailed in her cage

Goldilocks clucked wildly Seth threw

open the window no Kendra shouted

although she reflexively wanted to do

the same thing

instant the window opened the wind

gushed into the room as if the air

itself had been waiting to pounce the

baby dove into the room transforming

grotesquely as it landed on the floor in

a Deft somersault the child was replaced

by a lyric Goblin with yellow slits For

Eyes a puckered nose and a face like a

dried cantaloupe bald and scabbers on

top the head was fringed by long

web-like hair the sinuous arms were

gangly the hands long and leathery

tipped with hooked claws ribs

collarbones and pelvis jutted hideously

spidery networks of veins bulged against

the maroon flesh with Supernatural Haste

The Wolves also sailed through the

window before Seth could move to close

it Kendra shoved past Seth and jerked

the window shut in time to impede the

entrance of a coldly beautiful woman

swathed in writhing black garments the

apparition's dark hair undulated like a

vapor in the breeze her palette face was

slightly translucent gazing into those

empty searing eyes froze Kendra where

she stood babbling Whispers filled her

mind her mouth fell dry she could not

swallow

Seth yanked the current shut and tugged

Kendra Towards the bed whatever trance

had momentarily gorgonized her dissolved

disoriented she ran alongside Seth to

the bed sensing something in Pursuit

when they leaped under the mattress a

brilliant light flared behind them

accompanied by a crisp stutter like

firecrackers

Kendra Twisted to get a look the maroon

Goblin stood near the bed cuddling its

bony shoulder the scowling creature

stood about as tall as Dale hesitantly

it reached a Nami hand towards her and

another bright flash sent it staggering

away

the circle of salt At first she had not

grasped why Seth was dragging her to the

bed at least one of them was thinking

glancing down Kendra saw the two-inch

Dune assault surrounding the dip bed

indeed marked the lion the goblin could

not cross

a 12-foot centipede with three sets of

wings and three pairs of Talon feet

corkscrewed around the room in a complex

aerial display a British monster with a

pronounced underbite and plates down its

spine hurled a wardrobe across the room

the Wolves had shed their disguises as

well the maroon Goblin cavorted around

the room in a feral tantrum tearing down

bookshelves upsetting toy chests and

snapping the horn off the rocking horse

it picked up Goldilocks cage and flung

it against the wall the Slender bars

crumpled and the door sprang open the

terrified chicken took ungainly to

flight in a flurry of golden feathers

Goldilocks was coming towards the bed

the winged centipede struck the

flustered hen that missed the maroon

demon made an acrobatic leap and caught

the chicken in both legs Goldilocks

clucked and squirmed in Mortal Panic

Seth jumped off the bed crouching he

scooped up two handfuls from the circle

assault and charged the wiry goblin now

holding the chicken in one hand the

sneering Goblin rushed to meet him an

instant before the outstretched hand of

the demon reached him Seth flung a

handful of salt releasing Goldilocks the

demon reeled back scorched by a blinding

Blaze the chicken made straight for the

bed and Seth tossed his other handful of

salt and a wide Arc to cover their

Retreat scalding the flying centipede in

the process

the bulky creature with the underbite

tried to beat Seth to the bed arriving

too late and receiving a violent shock

as it collided with the invisible salt

barrier back on the bed Seth Kwang de

Goldilocks arms quivering convulsively

the maroon demon growled his face and

chest were charred from the salt

tendrils of smoke curled up from the

Burns turning the demon pulled a book

from the shelf and tore it in half

the door flew open and Dale leveled a

shotgun at the monsters with the

underbite you could stay put no matter

what he called all three monsters

converged on the doorway Dale retreated

down the stairs gun silent the winged

centipede spiraled out the door above

the other scrambling creatures they

heard a shotgun blast from down the hall

shut the door and stay put Dale hollered

Kendra ran and slammed the door then

sprinted back to her bed Seth held

Goldilocks as tears streaming down his

cheeks I didn't mean for this to happen

he whimpered it'll be okay

from downstairs came repeated gunshots

growls Roars shrieks glass shattering

wood splintering outside the cacophonous

Uproar resumed louder than ever Pagan

drums ethereal choirs tribal chanting

wailing Lamentations guttural snarls a

natural howls and piercing screams

United in Relentless disharmony Kendra

Seth and Goldilocks sat on the bed

awaiting Dawn Kendra had to constantly

fight images of the woman with swirling

black garments she could not get the

Apparition out of her mind when she had

looked into those soulless eyes even

though the lady was outside Kendra had

felt certain there would be no Escape

late in the night the fearer finally

began to relent replaced by more

unnerving sounds babies began to cry be

on the window again calling for Mama

when that failed to elicit a response

the voices of young children pleaded for

help Kendra please hurry they're coming

Seth Seth open up help us Seth don't

leave us out here

after the cries went ignored for a while

snarls and screams would simulate the

demise of the young supplicants

then a new batch of solicitors began

baking for admittance perhaps the most

disconcerting was when Grandpa was

inviting them down to breakfast we made

it kids the sun is rising come on Linda

cooked hotcakes

how do we know your grandpa Kendra said

more than a little suspicious because I

love you hurry the food's getting cold

I don't think the Sun is up yet Seth

replied it's just a little cloudy this

morning go away Kendra said just let me

in I want to kiss you good morning our

grandpa never kisses us you sicko Seth

yelled get out of our house

the exchange was followed by vicious

banging on the door for a solid five

minutes the hinges shook but the door

held the night wore on Kendra leading

against the headboard as Seth dozed at

her side despite the noise her eyelids

began to feel heavy suddenly she jerked

awake gray light was seeping through the

curtains Goldilocks wandered the floor

pecking at kernels from her spilled

bucket of feed

when the curtains were masking

unmistakable sunlight Kendra nudged

death he looked around blinking then

crept to the window and peeked out

the sun is officially upped he announced

we made it

I'm scared to go downstairs whispered

Kendra Everybody's Fine Seth said

nonchalantly then why have they come to

get us

Seth had no response Kendra had gone

easy on him during the night the

consequences for opening the window were

brutal enough without placing blame and

starting arguments and Seth had really

acted remorseful but now he is reverting

to his idiot self Kendra glared at him

you realize you might have killed them

all his face fell and he turned away

shoulders shaking with sobs he buried

his face in his hands they're probably

fine he squeaked Dale had a gun and

everything

they know how to handle themselves

Kendra felt bad seeing that Seth was

clearly worried too

she went to him and tried to give him a

hug he shoved her away leave me alone

Seth whatever happened isn't your fault

of course it's my fault his nose was

getting congested I mean they tricked us

I sort of wanted to open up the window

too when I saw those wolves charging you

know in case it wasn't fake I knew it

might be a trick he sobbed but that baby

looks so real

I thought they might have kidnapped him

to use him as bait I thought I could

save him

you were trying to do the right thing

she attempted to hug him once more but

he pushed her away again don't he

snapped I didn't mean to blame you said

Kendra you were acting like you didn't

even care

of course I care you don't think I'm

terrified to go down and find out what I

did

you didn't do it they tricked you I

would have opened the window if you

hadn't

if I would have stayed in bed none of it

would have happened Seth lamented maybe

they're fine right and they let a

monster come into the house and up to

her door pretending to be Grandpa maybe

they had to hide down in the basement or

someplace Seth was no longer crying he

picked up a doll and used her dress to

ripe his nose I hope so

just in case something bad did happen

you can't blame yourself all you did was

open a window if those monsters did

something bad it's their fault

partly Grandpa and Lena and Dale all

know that living here is risky I'm sure

they're fine but if they aren't you

mustn't blame yourself

whatever I'm serious

I like it better when you're funny you

know what I like Kendra said what when

you save Goldilocks he laughed snorting

a little through his stuffy nostrils did

you see how bad that salt burned that

guy he retrieved the doll and wiped his

nose again on the dress

it was really Brave I'm just glad it

worked

it was quick thinking Seth glanced to

the door and then back at Kendra we

should probably go check out the damage

if you say so