The Bates Family

I remember it like it was yesterday, that night. It seemed to drag on forever. Hi, my name Kyle, Kyle Bates and I'm here to tell you about the day that changed my life forever, when I was just a 12 years old.

It was a nice, cool autumns evening, it was close to winter and all the leaves had fallen off the trees, so I was out playing, crunching around in the leaves. When I was young I was rather short and a little on the bigger side so I was bullied a lot of my school days and thus, had no friends. While I was playing around in my front yard , a girl who I have never seen before skipped happily over to me. "Hello, my name is Bethany, but you can me Beth, what's your name?" she asked with a strange, wide smile that made me very uncomfortable. "My name is Kyle Gram", I replied, trying to hide my unease. "It's nice to meet you Kyle, I just moved in down the street and was out trying to make new friends", she happily said, the smile never fading from her face, "I was hoping we could be friends, Kyle". Not really knowing what to say, I replied "Sure, I can be your friend". "Fantastic, I'm so glad to here. Oh my, I must be going, It's almost time for my dinner, feel free to come over any time new found friend. I'm at 155, just down the street," she said while skipping away back the way she came, the smile never fading. "Gee, what is with that smile", I thought to myself. Before I could think about it to much, my Mom called me in for dinner. While at the dinner table I asked my parents, "Do you know anything about a new family that just moved here, just down the street at 155?". "I do", replied my Mom, "The Bates family just moved in there a couple days ago, they have a lovely daughter named Bethany". "Oh I have met Bethany" I said, again trying to hide my unease. "What's the matter son?" asked my Dad, "Never really talked to girls before, eh? Well just don't worry about it to much, I'm a natural, Just ask your Mother". "Oh Dad, you know it's not like that" I replied, laughing it off. Later that night, while in my room, I heard something banging on my window. At first I thought it was just a branch, but the noise never stopped. So I got up, and to my surprise, Beth was down there, still smiling that unnerving smile. "Hey, hey Kyle, come down here I want to show you something". Knowing I could get into some serious trouble, I politely declined. "Oh come on Kyle, don't be a chicken, It's really cool". Not thinking straight anymore I said "Fine, but I'm only staying out for a few minutes". So, I opened my window the rest of the way, removed the screen, and climbed out, and down into some bushes. "What is so important that it can't until tomorrow Beth?" I asked, trying to sound annoyed. "Quick, follow me Kyle", she replied and she took off running. So, naturally I followed her. "Hey, slow down", I managed to say while breathing heavily. But then she just disappeared. "Hello?", "Beth are you there?". All of a sudden she tapped me on the shoulder, before I could turn around, something really hard hit my head and I was on the ground, the only thing I saw was black. I don't know how long I was out for, but while fading in and out of consciousness I saw bags, candles and upon regaining consciousness I saw my Mom and Dad hanging on some hooks. At that time I didn't know what was happening. I tried to get up, but my legs and arms were tied. I called out to my Mom and Dad, but got no response. I hoped they were still alive, but had a feeling they were dead. I don't know how long I was stuck there, but eventually Beth came in with her parents, at least I think it was her parents, they were wearing cloaks. I tried to call out to them but no words could escape my mouth, then, they removed their hoods and starting chanting in a strange language that I could not understand. While chanting they slowly lifted my mother and then my father off the hooks and onto the floor. They were alive! But I got my hopes up too soon. Upon being laid on the floor, Beth's Mom pulled out a strange dagger and without thinking twice, took it and slid across my Dads throat. "Hey, he's awake", proclaimed Beth when she noticed I was no longer knocked out. "Bring him here", said her father, in a low and evil sounding voice. When I was brought out into the light, I could see I was in a basement, with barley any light. I was then untied and brought to my feet. Beth's Mom held my arm and looked into my eyes and said "Do it and you will be set free my child. Do it and you will join us". I had no idea what she was talking about, until she handed me the knife. I knew what she wanted me to do. Before me lay my father, dead, and beside him my Mom weeping and begging me not to do it. All of a sudden, a silence filled the room, a numbing feeling came over me, and I slowly walked over to my Mom. I still remember here staring at me and crying as I slid the knife into her throat and dragged it across her neck. As she fell to the floor, gushing blood, I could feel a smile creep upon my face. Not a normal smile, no, this was a big, wide smile. The kind that makes other people uncomfortable. I was one of them now. I was no longer Kyle Gram, I was Kyle Bates.

Hi, my name is Kyle, Kyle Bates, I'm now 18 years and that's the story about how I changed my life forever. Who's life are we going to change next?