(Scary story requested by grandchild)

It was a very steamy day, but no clouds in the sky. The four children all played in the Morris front yard. They paid very little attention to the environment. They were too busy playing ball and the two little girls took great delight in teasing the two little boys. Usually it is the other way around. Mrs. Morris called out to the children to come in for lunch. She had a big plate of peanut butter and honey sandwiches. Sally was the oldest girl and Kerry was the youngest, but nevertheless they set the table and prepared to serve the boys and Mrs. Morris. The boys were William and Sam who lived next door. Their parents had gone to Cincinnati to take care of their parents. They had been sick for some time and since the boys were in school they could not go with them. They were not happy about missing a trip to see their Grandparents, but still they had to make do. The children were chatting and laughing together over mundane topics. It was then that Mrs. Morris cautioned them to be still. It was at that time they heard a loud noise like a train. Without even being told the girls took the boys down in the fruit cellar. This was to protect them in the event they had a huge storm. Not too many people had the luxury of a fruit cellar. Large hurricanes and tornados were familiar to Florida and caused so much damage. Just the year before they had caused millions of dollars worth. The younger boys began to shudder with fear and cried softly to themselves. Mrs. Morris came in the storm cellar with the children and tried to comfort their fears. The wind howled and even the cellar seemed to shake (but that was due to very active imaginations.) Sally took the littlest boy and began to hum a familiar tune. Soon the children were all singing the lyrics and the sound was truly great. The sound died down and they decided to venture outside. Sally looked around and let out a loud sigh. It wasn't long before they all realized that the roof was gone. Rainwater poured in thru the holes in the ceiling and it became apparent they could not stay there any longer. How could they leave and where would they go?? Mr. Morris was not home from work and they had to let him know the situation. They had a cell phone and hoped he was in a place where he could take a call. Of course they said a prayer for his safety. For some reason they could not get through (perhaps the cell tower was down). Mrs. Morris decided that the best thing would be to go to the shelter. It had been the plan, that if for some reason they got separated they would go to the nearest shelter. Mrs. Morris grabbed some clothes for the children and off they went. Suddenly they became aware of a Specter following them and this began to frighten them. It was no one that they could see clearly or knew but certainly there was a shadowy figure walking beside them. Mrs. Morris pretended not to see it but she knew very well who and what it was. It was Death. For all around, the storm had raised havoc there were dead animals dogs, cats, birds, even snakes lying all about. The Specter was first walking beside one child and then the other. Waiting for them to weaken and fall. It seemed that Sally, because she was in tune with the situation, realized what the feature was. She reached around her neck and pulled off the cross she always wore. Held it up and shouted "Be gone you Devil Death-My Lord is protecting us. Be Gone"------- Mrs. Morris then stood by her daughter with the Rosary beads in her hand and together they repeated what Sally had said. As quickly has he came, the Specter disappeared. For he knew that when it came to the Lord, he could not win and after all these children were souls of the Almighty. The sky cleared, the sun shone and to everyone's delight. Mr. Morris came running to meet them, for he had been waiting at the shelter. Everything was okay because they all had each other. Moral to this story is: When faced with and encounter with Satan, call upon Jesus to protect you. And if you carry a cross, beads, the bible or any other symbol of our Lord, You will be safe. Always remember to pray either to yourself or out loud. It all counts....

© Carol G Oliver

PS we don't have storm cellars in Florida

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Music: Soul Echoes
© 2001 Bruce DeBoer
Used with permission

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