Free The Eye of Madness by John D; Mimms Page A

momma!” he pleaded, burying his head in her chest.
    â€œI’m not leaving you baby,” she said, stroking his dark locks. She kissed him on top of the head and whispered. “We are both going to leave, sweetheart.”
    Reluctantly, he released his grip and slid to the floor, curling into the fetal position. Another scream stabbed the air, making them both flinch. Rebekah knew they must act fast. It was still late morning, but the afternoon sun would cast long shadows through their small apartment. If they didn’t hurry, they would be trapped.
    She looked at the closet. The door had not opened any wider, yet the darkness seemed to radiate an unnatural excitement. It was like throwing breadcrumbs into a pond of hungry fish. It watched her, it anticipated, it longed for her to come inside. However, Rebekah had no intention of being fish food today. She strode to the bathroom, where she had left on both the overhead and vanity light.
    She fumbled with the large mirror frame for a few moments. Once she pulled it free of the wall, she turned to leave the bathroom. As she cleared the bathroom door, something happened that scared her to the very core of her being. The power went out. Her back had not cleared the door frame yet when the bathroom was plunged into darkness. For an instant, she got a sample of what the darkness held. Every square inch of her body felt as if it were violated by a wickedness transcending anything she knew. In an instant, she experienced an eternity of hopelessness and hate. If she had lingered a second longer in the bathroom, she would be as dead as their landlord. Maybe not a dive from the window, but perhaps a broken mirror and a glass shard to the neck or wrists. Her heart throbbed in her ears. She leaned against the door, panting and clutching her chest. She opened her eyes and shrieked when she saw movement in the mirror as it reflected the bathroom door.
    The darkness swirled. The insane chorus intensified and changed cadence, almost as if it summoned her. Rebekah pulled herself together and positioned the mirror on the wall opposite the closet. She turned it at different angles until a blinding bright beam of sunlight reflected on the closet door. The darkness disappeared from the crack and the hissing quickened as if agitated. Satisfied the mirror would stay in place; she cautiously approached the closet and flung open the door. The inside of the closet was cast into full relief. The darkness disappeared with an unsettling noise like ripping sackcloth.
    Inside were their coats, shoes, and a few assorted boxes. At first, she did not see it. Then she glanced to a side shelf. There sat a box marked ‘candles’ and on the shelf above were the menorahs. Taking great care, she reached in and grabbed the items that would potentially save their lives. “How fitting they were Hebrew religious items,” Rebekah thought. She said a silent prayer as she placed the menorah and candles in the middle of the living room. Malakhi watched her with round eyes. She managed a smile and beckoned him to join her.
    â€œDid you find grandpa?” he asked.
    â€œNo, baby,” she said, and then pointed to the items on the floor. “But I found something that will help us leave here and search for him.”
    A small trace of hope started to spread across his face. “Did you get matches?” he asked after checking the items.
    Rebekah’s stomach lurched.
    â€œDid they have matches?” … “Were they out?” … “Had she picked more up on her last trip to the market?”
    â€œNo,” she said and began to search the room.
    â€œIt’s okay, Momma. I know where they are!” he said springing to his feet. He was about to run and retrieve them when he stopped in his tracks. The darkness swirled in the bathroom at the prospect of another victim. He stared with horror as the malevolent chorus urged him to enter.
    â€œDon’t look at