Horror Films and Nightmares

Note: The boys are about 6-7 years old here

They weren't supposed to be watching this movie. Mama and daddy had both told them so, but of course, that didn't stop TJ and Douglas.

Their parents were at some political event and the twins had been left with their grandmother for the night. The woman had long since gone to bed and TJ and Douglas had snuck downstairs to watch a scary movie on TV. They had found one film called The Shining playing on one of the channels and both boys were now seriously regretting putting it on.

They sat huddled together, each with their hands over their eyes as they tried not to watch what was playing on the screen.

"Turn it off Dougie!" TJ hissed desperately, "Please Dougie! Turn it off!"

Douglas grabbed the remote and flicked the television off. The boys were immediately surrounded by darkness and TJ whimpered, grabbing his brother's hand.

"Come on," Douglas said and the two boys scrambled off the couch and ran upstairs as fast as they could. They ran into the room and leapt into bed, both of their hearts beating wildly.

"Dougie?" TJ whispered.

"What?' Douglas whispered back.

"Can we leave the light on?"

Douglas didn't answer, but reached over and turned on the lamp. TJ smiled at his brother appreciatively as they both lied down.

"Night Dougie."

"Night TJ."

They laid there in silence, neither boy drifting off to sleep. Eventually, Douglas slipped out of his bed and padded quickly across the room. He climbed into his brother's bed and the two boys huddled close together. But no matter how hard they tried, neither could get to sleep.

The next night, TJ and Douglas were in their room. Their parents had put them to bed hours ago, but the boys had only just fallen asleep. They weren't asleep long though when both boys woke up screaming.

The door burst open and Elaine and Bud burst through the door. They looked around, expecting to see an intruder of some sort, but there was no one. Elaine hurried over to the bed where she scooped Douglas up and then sat with him on TJ's bed, holding both her sons close.

"What is all this noise for?" Bud asked.

"He was coming to get us!" Douglas exclaimed tearfully.

"Who was?" Elaine asked.

"The man with the axe!" TJ cried, "He was breaking down the door!"

Bud looked over the perfectly intact door and then back at his wife, quirking an eyebrow. Elaine thought for a moment before realization dawned on her face.

"Did you two watch a movie you weren't supposed to while you were at nana's?" she asked and the boys looked down guilty, tears still streaming down their cheeks

"Boys, this is exactly why we don't want you watching those kinds of movies," Elaine said, "Now, what was it?"

"The Shining," Douglas told her, "We didn't know what it was when we turned it on!"

Elaine sighed and rolled her eyes as her husband smirked at her.

"We're sorry mama," TJ said quietly and she looked down at him. "Can we stay with you and daddy tonight? Please?"

She looked between her two boys with their bottom lips trembling and their eyes wide and wet. She looked up Bud who sighed heavily.

"Alright," he said, "C'mere." He held his arms out and TJ scrambled over to him. Bud lifted his son into his arms while Elaine carried Douglas and they brought the two boys back to their room to hopefully get some sleep that night.

I saw The Shining for the first time was I was about six or seven (not by choice) and it has scared me ever since. I literally cannot watch that movie and even if I see a reference to it I have a hard time sleeping so I have no idea why I decided to include it in this.

So, at the expense of my sleep, I hope you liked this! Thanks so much for reading and let me know what you think!

Prompts are always welcome!