I turned the TV off with a click as I rose from the couch, I was exhausted. I switched the lights in the lounge room off, filing the room with utter darkness. I locked the front door, turning the handle to double check that I was secure and safe. The only light coming from my phone screen as I read the bright, white numbers that read: three AM. I tucked my phone into my jean pocket and started to make my way up the stairs when I heard a light rapping at my door. I stopped, foot mid air, ready to climb the next step. Did I imagine that? Who would be knocking at my door at this time? I dropped my foot as I continued up the stairs but this time I know I wasn't imaging things. Someone was knocking at my door. My mind started to run wild with panic. Thoughts of a man wielding a long kitchen knife, or someone dressed as a clown with a sinister grin plastered across their face. I slowly descended down the stairs and approached the door cautiously. "Who is it?" I asked, my voice dripping with anxiety.
Nothing. No response, no more knocking. I let out a breath I didn't realise I was holding. Maybe it truly was all in my head? My thoughts seemed silly now as I turned to make my way up the stairs a second time. But then I heard it. A small childs voice right outside my door say, "Please let us in." Us? There was more than one? The thought of children being alone, outside at this time of night filled me with dread. I had to help them. I walked back and unlocked my door, hands shaking. As the door swung open my breath caught in my throat. There before me stood two children, no older than seven or eight. It was a boy and a girl. They both wore all black. Their knee high black socks paired with their shiny, leather, black shoes with a strap. She wore a black dress that buttoned up and appeared to be made of velvet, the way it gleamed against the moonlight. The boy however, wore black shorts and a matching black shirt with a tiny, silk, white tie. They looked like they were going to a funeral. Both of them had shiny, jet black hair, the girls tied back into a tight, low ponytail whilst the boys was slicked back. Their porcelain skin contrasted against their black attire.
Neither of them looked up at me when I opened the door, their heads remained lowered staring at their shoes.
"Where are your parents? Are you okay?" I asked and bent down on one knee to reach their level. They both remained silent until the little girl looked up at me and I gasped. Her eyes were black, no iris, no pupil, just pure black. I thought maybe it was just the from the night, the shadows in the dark playing tricks on me.
"Please let us in." She said as her empty eyes seemed to look straight into my soul, seeing every mistake, every sin I'd ever made. I cleared my throat and nodded and they both walked past me. The little boy brushed against my side as he walked in and it sent the coldest shiver down my spine. It reminded me of what death would feel like, cold and numb. I stood up and locked the door behind me. Both children stood at the end of the staircase, the boys head remained lowered whilst the little girl stared only at me.
"Where are your parents?" I asked again. The small girl cocked her head to the side making her eyes gleam with an unnatural shine against the moonlight that shone through my windows.
"Daddy will be here soon." She said with a smile so wide it reached her ears.
My stomach dropped as I realised there was something terribly wrong with these children. And I had invited them into my home.
