THEM

They knew the light kept THEM away. They did not know what THEY were, only what THEY did.

Homes ransacked, belongings destroyed, and people disappearing, never to be seen again. THEY had never been seen, only heard, and mostly that was the screams of those that they dragged away.

They knew they were safe during the day, but as the darkness that was night drew in, lights had to be turned on and fires lit to keep THEM away. This was not something they were able to fight because they did not know what THEY were. All they could do was keep the lights and fires lit and hope to keep THEM at bay.

They didn't know what THEY were, but they knew where THEY had come from. The government had been conducting experiments to create super-strong, fearless soldiers so they would have an army to attack neighbouring countries and take control of their resources.

The experiment went wrong, and the creatures THEY started to go on the rampage, destroying anything that got in THEIR path. There was no reason for THEM, just to destroy anything. Part of the failure was that THEY avoided light for some reason, and this gave humanity a little hope.

The rumours were that THEY would die out, but now one knew whether they were killing the ones that disappeared, or infecting them. If the latter, there would be no end to this horror. The government and anyone with the means had fled the country, and they that were left spent their lives trying to avoid THEM.

They were on edge because they knew that THEY were coming, because it was getting dark. Then the power cut and all the lights went out, including all the street lights.

PANIC

PANIC

The fire was still burning. Candles and paraffin lamps were found, and soon the house was lit, keeping them safe from THEM.

They heard THEM coming, things were being smashed, breaking glass was heard, but THEY kept THEIR distance from the house, the candles, lamps, and fire kept them safe, for now.

From the sounds, the house was surrounded. They had thought of running when the power went down, but where would they run to? When they were out in the dark, they would become prey for THEM.

As the candles burned, they hoped that either the power would be restored, or their lights would last until the sun rose and drove THEM back to wherever their lairs were.

There were howls and screams outside; they did not know whether it was THEM or their victims.

When you are frightened, time slows to a virtual halt, but the candles and lamps seemed to burn even more quickly. They kept the fire going, and there was enough wood and coal to keep it burning through the night, but if THEY came into the house, no one knew what would happen, but they were sure it would be bad.

Then a brick came through the window, THEY were upping THEIR attack but were nowhere to be seen, THEY were still afraid of the light.

The wind that blew in was cold, but they could see in the distance the first rays of the new rising sun. The brick had been a sign of THEIR annoyance that THEIR prey had kept in the light and safe from THEIR murderous hands.

The night was over, but they had to find somewhere that gave them more protection from the monsters that were THEM.

Would the power be restored? They did not know. Though they were safe during daylight, another night was on its way.