Bedtime



‘And that dear children, was the end of the hobgoblin. He was vanquished forevermore by the brave knight. Now remember always little ones, act as the knight did and show no fear in your moment of terror, and you too will always have a happy ending.’

A tremendous silence followed as all the little faces huddled closer still, the memory of the hobgoblin fresh in their tainted minds. She smiles at them gracefully and dismisses them. ‘Go children. It’s far past bedtime. God knows what nurse will say if she finds out.’

The children (the older ones braving the shadows first) march out in single-file toward their rooms, their candles waving in the air, causing a riot of shadows to dance along the hallway. Silence and darkness issue forth as the last footfall dies away...Yet there is a distinct hollow tapping coming from the deserted hallway below...Perhaps - it sounds like someone is trying the door-handle? Could it be?

A sudden chilling flash of terror at the thought (the image of the hobgoblin’s hawked nose - carrying a carcass in his hands). Could she hear it? Maybe it was her imagination. It was a dark and stormy night after all. Perhaps the sounds were coming from elsewhere.

The tapping continued steadily...


She would have to investigate. Down the dark hallway, past the silent murals on the wall - the cheerful faces grinning down at her seemed crazed; jeering her on with mad delight. Around the banister and down the spiral staircase and across the cold hard marble leading to the heavyset oak door. The knocking recedes and dies off as she approaches.

‘Is anyone there?’

Lightning followed by a tremendous roll of thunder. Maybe she missed a reply?

‘I said, is anyone there? Do you need help?’

The door handle in the flash of lightning. Someone; some thing on the other side is trying the handle once more. Why won’t they answer?

‘Please. Tell me your name. What do you want?’

‘Horace. I’m expected.’

A sigh of relief. She unlocks the door in an almost eager rush and throws it wide open.

‘Do come in sir. I’m so sorry. I’m new here you see; started work just yesterday. The head nurse, she told me you tend to have strange hours, and in this storm I hardly expected...What do you want exactly? I wasn’t told specifically. Is there anything I can do to help?’

He is short and looks rather dimwitted. A toad with charcoal eyes and lopsided lips. He stares at her mutely and they share a moment of silence in the darkness...

‘You’re a little young to be working here methinks...Almost took you for one of them...’

His voice is harsh and excessively aggressive; the creeping feeling of something being amiss rises in her again. He continues...

‘Fair enough, fair enough...Fetch me two of the little ones and one of the larger ones. They’re to be relocated...a newer institution.’

‘Well, surely I can’t just choose them? What about the Head Nurse? Don’t you have any papers? Documents? Which children are to be displaced? Why would they need to be moved?’

He stares at her grumpily, his vacant eyes staring deep into hers...

‘I just follow orders. Two little ones and one older one. Now hurry up, fetch them. No need to pack their things or dress them up. It’s only a short distance to where they’re going and they’ll be taken care of.’

She is shocked. The thought of letting even one of the children, her children be taken to an unknown destination in the care of this man was beyond her. She musters up all her determination and squares her jaw in defense...

‘I’m sorry. Without permission from the Head Nurse, I can’t let you have the children. You’ll have to speak to her yourself. Tomorrow.’

‘I need the children today.’

‘You can’t have them.’

He advances with his arm raised as if to strike her yet something in her expression makes him stop. He leers at her in the darkness.

‘Have it your way then. Perhaps it’s for the best. You’ll be fired in an instant; in an instant...'

Hesitation; that’s all he needed.

'Well hurry along then. Go get the children, choose whichever ones you like.'

Climbing the stairs in twos, rushing to the children’s rooms; ignoring the empty faces in the bright paintings watching her silently.

‘Sara, Anita, come with me please. Keep your voices low dears, its time for you to go. Angie, you come with me too dearest.’

There is fear in their sleepy eyes as they cross the darkened hallway, their white robes reflecting the lightning’s dance...

‘This nice man is here to take you to a new and much nicer place. You’ll have a terrific time there, I promise.’

Anita’s beseeching eyes catch her guardian’s.

‘I want to stay here. Please can we stay here miss? Till tomorrow at least...I’m afraid.’

A momentary glance over at the silent figure brooding in the darkness. His impatience is intimidating - his eyes glare back.

‘There there dears. Don’t worry. I’ll make sure you’re safe and kept well there. I’ll come and see you myself soon! Don’t worry little one, I promise everything’s going to be fine.’

The others are satisfied and their bleak faces light up in the surrounding darkness. He advances for them as they exchange hugs and good-byes...

‘Goodnight.’

They march out into the wailing wind - the storm has moved off into the distance now. The silhouettes wave to her once more before disappearing into the waiting van...

‘Goodnight. Goodbye. Goodbye...’

Trying to sleep is hard. Uneasiness in the air. Unsaid thoughts hang steadily in the air as the hours drift by. She is upset and disturbed, but why? Something was very wrong with that meeting. She would talk to the head nurse tomorrow. That man - he wasn’t right. Nothing made sense. Why? Why...

Sleep overcoming while nightmares continue.


Talk, Talk, Talk...



‘You don’t understand do you. Get my drift, and I’ll say this only once more. Mr. Horace is hired by the administrators themselves to take care of these poor children while they are transferred to the new institution. His visits are infrequent so just bear with the man, else your time here will be extremely short indeed. The last one...’

The head nurse leans over the desk, her ample bosom heaving with the movement.

‘The last one. Yes she left really fast. Disappeared in a matter of one week. Wouldn’t want that happening to you now would we? Have a cigarette.’


Lighting a cigarette now. Relieving the nervous tension in that room. Sweet, sweet tobacco rushing down her throat.

‘Well. I understand. It was just so unusual - the lateness of the hour; his shabby clothes; he dint even have a list of children’s names, you know that? He asked me to pick them for him...’

She leans forward once more and emits a soft whisper, her fingers slowly raking the dark mahogany desk...

‘Well. I suggest the next time he asks you to do something, you do it. We don’t need you to be leaving us so soon do we? Think of the poor dears. They’re dying. They need you to give them some measure of comfort in these last few months. Take care of the children and leave other matters be; there’s a good girl...’

End of the interview and still that sensation of unease lurks in the corner of her mind. Exiting the office and climbing the stairs once more. The children must be waiting for her to eat lunch with them. The head nurse was right though. She was here to help the children through this final ordeal. They were all dying of various terminal illnesses and their families had abandoned them to this terrible end; cold and alone in an institution for the dying. She had to be strong for them...

She had to be strong and ignore the nagging sensation of fear lurking at the back of her mind...


(If shot on film, nurse enters kitchen and sits down to a full table and slowly children start disappearing from the shot till final shot of just the little ones left)





A MONTH PASSES...



The afternoon sun filters in from the slit-like windows lining the length of the kitchen. The children are gathered around her once more; lunch is being devoured with vigor. An unusual silence hangs over the children today. Kate and Timmy were taken yesterday; the last of the elder children. She had chosen to send off more and more of the elder ones first, feeling they would be able to cope better with a transfer. Secretly she knew she let the elder ones go because she loved the little ones best. It might have been a mistake on her part; the rowdiness of the elder children was sorely missed as the silence mounted in the kitchen. Outside, a raven called...

‘Yes Isabella?’

The timid eight-year-old lowers her raised arm and brushes the merest wisp of a dark ringlet out of her eyes before speaking softly.

‘We’re all alone now aren’t we? Mommy doesn’t care. Daddy never even noticed - and now they’ve built a new place and taken away most of us.’

The other children nod in agreement, their faces full of desperate appeals for understanding - something only an adult can give them - something she must give them. The darkness gathers outside as the sun sets...

‘Well. My loves, my dearest ones, come closer to me and I’ll try and explain things for you.’

They pick up their chairs with careful reverence, making sure they make no noise as they slowly advance and sit in a semi-circle around her. All eyes focus with earnest upon their hope...

‘Children, I don’t want you to be frightened, but I must tell you the truth now. I...I’m afraid I may have done a terrible thing in letting your friends leave you. It’s not right and I know you feel it too. My poor little ones, I’ll do all I can to rectify the situation right away! Don’t you worry now, I’ll...I’ll figure something out.’

The uncertainty rings a bell and their faces are filled with anxiety once again. Isabella raises her hand once more...

‘We want to know, please, who’ll be going next?’

Time to make a decision...

‘Well. This is what we’ll do...gather around closer dears, even the walls have ears sometimes...’




Several days later...



Silence...and then from deep within her dream, she hears the familiar knocking on the door.

Hurry! Hurry!

It has to happen today!

She jumps out of bed and rushes down dark, narrow passages; the knocking growing louder and louder with each hurried step. The children...

'Isabella, quick! Come with me. Anne you too! Victor, you remember don’t you dearest? I'm not here. I'm seriously ill and you children are all alone for tonight. Please Victor, do your best dearest, and don’t be afraid...'

Changing now. A hood over the top completes the disguise. The children all eye her anxiously.

'What if something should go wrong? What if...What if he knows you're pretending to be one of us?'

Isabella’s mouth trembles as she whispers; the whites of her eyes reflecting in the scattered moonlight as they scramble downstairs...

'Darling, hush! I'll handle that if it happens. Now hush, we're here.'

The empty hallway stretches out in front - her hood limits her vision to the cold white marble floor. The door handle squeaks as Victor opens the door...

'She’s not here'

Shuffling; the toad is inside. He’s nearby, staring at the children - staring at her; gauging the situation.

'Where would she happen to be then little boy?'

He is advancing; striding into the hall! Victor...

'She’s not here. She’s very ill - very, very ill. She was rushed off after dinner. She’s so ill sir; they left us all alone. The head nurse, she said a substitute would be coming but no one came. We're all alone sir - here they are; she told us you were coming, so here they are.'

The charcoal eyes are burning into the hood, examining the children offered to him...

Grunting, followed by silence. Could it be? Does he know? Does he suspect?

'We're ready to go sir'

Isabella darling, speaks up in a terrified high-pitch. The toad's presence moves towards the door once more. He passes by, his shoulder brushing against hers. Calm the beating heart...

'Fine. Suits me just fine. Alright you three, follow me - into the van.'





As the journey nears its end




The silence at the back of the van is claustrophobic in proportion. The four white faces stare at each other in silence as they head out over bumpy side roads towards an unknown destination. Three stray dogs smelling their fear pad alongside the van as silent companions...

‘Open the gates!’

Clanking chains and the sound of rusty bolts being drawn back – they enter an empty courtyard. The van stops in front of the main building that rises before them like a giant slice of obsidian. What’s that smell?

‘Alright you...lets move. Out!’

The toad is silhouetted in the dark beckoning towards the open door, his eyes glistening with a strange lust...

‘Come children. Stay close to me...’

A hurried whisper in the dark as they exit the van; the children cling to her in fear as they enter the silent building.

‘Where are the lights?’

A club smashes into her neck and she loses consciousness. The children!


Waking up


Clouded vision clearing up. Objects swim into focus in the gathering darkness – slowly, a scene unfolds in flickering candlelight...

She is tied to a chair, her mouth! It’s gagged. The children? Where are they? Who are these shadows approaching the middle of this dark cavern?

The Toad approaches leading the guests, his body bowed over in reverence...

‘Your Excellencies, today we have for you here a truly, truly unique flavor. Whilst presenting you our regular spectacle of events, we have for your viewing pleasure, a new theme! Voyeurism, at its best as you are all gazed upon by one of the children herself!’

His short speech is greeted by a smattering of applause as the audience gathers in a small circle around the chair. They fling off their dark robes and stand in a silent naked circle, waiting for the next move. The Toad approaches...

He has Isabelle naked and unconscious under his arms. Her tiny female form is flung to the ground and carefully spread-eagled. The toad injects her in the arm with a ready syringe. There is silence as all stare down at the glistening white body reflecting the candlelight...

She gasps and opens her eyes! The audience retreats towards the shadows and then approaches slowly, incredulously; consumed with desire to see it through...

Isabella is weak and barely able to move; the drugs coursing through her veins leave her with fairly little impression of her role in this affair. Isabella! There is nothing she can do to change anything...

One of the men approaches the Toad and a whispered conversation ends on a positive note. Money exchanges hands and the two approach the silent, listless child. The audience presses in closer for a better look.

‘A rare treat; your Excellencies are in luck, for tonight we have a very special show lined up indeed!’

The toad cups Isabella’s face in his hands and gazes deep into her vacant eyes. They glimmer with the slightest recognition; the slightest notion of fear. The naked stranger goes down on her body and holds it firmly.

A knife! The toad has pulled a knife out of his pocket. The audience is beside itself in silent tension as their sweaty bodies cling to their neighbor’s. A few of the men begin to fondle their growing erections...

With a single, swift movement, the Toad punctures one of Isabella’s baby-blue eyes. She screams despite the drugs and her body convulses; held down by the weight of the naked man on top of her. The audience moans noticeably - some of the women go down on all fours to gaze at her from closer; like animals.

Isabella’s screams die quickly in the surrounding darkness. Her body shivers now, as if from some unseen presence. Her other eye stares out in desperation; looking for hope. She sees her protector tied to a chair and their eyes meet. They are both helpless. Her body stops protesting.

The toad backs away, fading into the darkness. The naked man stands and gazes down at Isabella’s soft flesh – at her eye-socket now filled with blood. He approaches her, straddling her body so his genitals rest on her mouth. The audience is writhing with sexual frenzy as members begin to climax. The musky scent of cum permeates...

He stares down into her eye and she looks into his. She pleads as he lusts for her pleas; his penis stirs and grows erect. The overwhelming need for insertion stirs. He shifts into a comfortable squatting position, aims carefully and at the right moment in mid-plea, rams his penis deep into Isabella’s empty eye-socket.

She gasps, her mouth widening in a silent scream. Her eye reflects the horror; the disbelief as he thrusts again, penetrating deeper, his blood-engorged penis dripping red. The audience screams in throes of ecstasy.

Isabella’s eye finds her protector one last time before focusing on her aggressor. His eyes are closed, his lips parted ever-so-slightly in an expression of pure orgasmic lust. He continues to fuck the socket; penetrating the brain repeatedly and turning it to mush with a steady rhythm which continues, long after her body quits breathing; long after her eye stops seeing. The audience is calmer now; Climax has been achieved. They relax and wait for the show to go on. The toad reappears from the darkness...

‘Your Excellencies well done! What a performance! What an effort on the part of all! We are so proud to be hosting such a willing audience! And now for your viewing pleasure, a taste of something quite new! Bring in the bed!’

Three miserable ghostly creatures faintly resembling dwarves drag away the bloody corpse and bring back a bed out of the darkness...

‘Bring her over here.’

The chair is lifted and she is brought in front of the Toad. He tears her clothes with aggressive abandon, groping her soft flesh with glee. He whispers...

‘Not such a good idea was it missy? Not such a good idea at all. Well, no matter – they’ll pay handsomely for you.’

Her eyes widen in fear; pupils dilating. The Toad grins and faces his grotesque audience...

‘As for our feature attraction, our voyeur whom I’m sure you’ll find much delightful! Ladies especially, this one is for you!’

Stabbing – drugs pumping through veins, running through the heart, running through the brain, slowing down sensation. A lurch. Ropes binding limbs down; the domed ceiling comes into view – spread-eagled on the bed. A voice is speaking as someone toys with her flesh...

‘Come closer your Excellencies, come closer! Feast upon this spectacle!’

Fear, and then pain, as a blade slides into her hips – into her thighs – under her ribs – across her nipples. The audience moans and lunges forward in unison. Shadows cloud her vision as men masturbate over her while women suck blood from the wounds on her body. The outpouring of sweat, blood and cum disguise the tears which slide out of the now-vacant eyes. Death is a slow process as her blood is drained repeatedly, every sacred drop being licked and teased out of her bleeding orifices; even off the cold, hard floor. Soon though, vision blurs and the horror subsides. Faces fade away and darkness consumes all...






The End


‘Will she ever come back?’

A sigh – the same question is always on their lips...

‘I don’t know little ones. Don’t let it trouble you so.’

‘What happened to Isabella? And the others? They said they would come back...’

Lips are trembling – the fear on their faces is apparent. She turns to face them huddled in a dark corner of their nursery room...

‘There’s nothing to fear children. Nurse has gone on leave and I’m here to take her place. Don’t fret so, I promise to do all she did and more – now please, will you all come out of the corner?’

A single voice whispers in the darkness,

‘Nurse...are we going to die?’

She shudders at the thought – the question was unexpected though understandable; this was a hospice after all...