AN: Warning/ This does contain things that may be disturbing to readers with arachnophobia or claustrophobia.
Blurry shapes and bright lights were all Egon could see as the boogieman dragged him into the depths of the closet. The boy continued to scream out even though it was pointless. After a minute of being carried through what he thought was some kind of portal, Egon could feel the monster come to a stop. He heard an evil and raspy laugh as he felt himself being lifted by a cold pair of hands; sharp claw like nails digging into the sleeves of his pyjamas and almost into his skin. Egon could not see clearly, but the horrible and sick grin of the Boogieman was all too easy for him to see.
"Now I have you." The boogieman spoke in a raspy and demonic voice. "Did you think hiding in another house was going to stop me from finding you?"
Egon could only hyperventilate as the monster spoke to him in a grim yet playful tone. The Boogieman just gave the boy a toothy grin full of sharp teeth.
"I can smell your fear. You were never safe from me." He taunted.
Egon just responded by struggling; kicking and squirming like a cornered animal.
"Let me go! Let me Go!" He screamed and pleaded, only to be ignored.
As if he was not disturbed enough, Egon could feel the creature sniffing him and smelling him like a demented animal; wishing for it to stop. The Boogieman man just made a pleased sound as he stopped and grinned again.
"Your fear... It smells so Delectable." The creature spoke with pleasure in his voice. "I haven't had fear like this in sixty years! I'm going to enjoy getting it out of you, and I'm going to savour every bit."
Egon stared in terror as the Boogieman just laughed; giving him that horrible cold feeling in his stomach again. In a swift motion, the boogieman grabbed Egons collar and carried him somewhere else. All Egon could make out was a dim room with an uneven colour scheme on its walls. Egon struggled as the boogieman grabbed a chain and tied it around his wrist.
"I'm just going to leave you here for a bit." The large headed monster spoke with an eerie grin as he backed away. "Then we're going to have some fun."
Egon just turned pale as the creature let out another cackle as he left Egon alone and chained to the wall of the room. Egon shouted and tried to run to the door. But he was quickly reminded of his bondage when he slipped on the cold hard floor. Egon tried to pull on the chain but it was no use. The boy just began to hyperventilate as he felt his heart pounding out of confusion and fear.
"This can't be happening. This can't be happening!" He repeated as he curled up and sat against the wall. "This has to be a dream!"
Egon buried his face in his hands and slowly began sob and cry. Everything was happening too fast and it was all too much for his mind to comprehend.
"It's More like a nightmare then a dream."
Egon froze when he heard a voice. But it was not the horrid voice of the Boogieman. It was an almost comforting voice that sounded like a woman with a light English accent.
"W-who's there?" Egon stuttered out of fear of the unknown voice.
Egon got no reply.
Meow
All he heard was the familiar sound of a cat. Egon looked up from his curled up position; seeing a blurry dark grey shape. Egon stared for a second before realising that it was a cat sitting in front of him. The boy flinched as it came up to him and put something in front of him. Egon hesitantly reached for the object; gasping when he felt what it was. A pair of glasses.
Egon quickly put them on; bringing back his vision as he blinked and looked at the sickening and uncoordinated colours of the room. But when he looked down in front of him, he blinked out of confusion when he saw the cat staring back at him. Egon made a slightly fearful noise before he spoke.
"You're not some monster in disguise are you?" He asked; already feeling stupid for talking to a cat. "Or maybe you're just a figment of my mind that just appeared because of all the stress I'm feeling right now."
The cat just scratched its ear.
"No."
Egon went wide eyed when he heard the calming voice again. Coming from the cat. The cat just looked at Egon with its green eyes staring back.
"I'm not any of those things. I'm me." The cat continued as it sat down.
Egon tried to think of something to say. But he had trouble getting the words out.
"H-how are you talking?" He asked with a dumbfounded stutter. "Cats can't talk."
"I just can." The cat spoke rather bluntly. "I would like to talk in front of Daniel; but he's too much of a chatterbox."
Egon blinked as he heard that name. Daniel... Danny. Egon leaned forward a bit before nervously asking a question.
"Are... Are you Danny's cat?" He asked hesitantly. "Kitty?"
The cat just stretched and yawned before answering.
"I wish he would have thought of a better name to call me by." She spoke in a rather critical tone. "But yes. I am that same Kitty."
Egon was not sure if he should have been relieved or confused. He had some rather odd questions; anything to distract him from his stress.
"How did you get here?" He questioned.
"I followed you." Kitty simply began to explain. "I don't know if you've realised it; but I've been protecting you for the past couple of nights. Unfortunately, you moved places and closed your window. So, tough luck I suppose."
Egon knew what she was talking about. He remembered how she always seemed to be there when the boogieman came out of his closet and how she seemed to scare him off.
"The Boogieman hates cats?" Egon asked out of nowhere.
Kitty seemed to let out a light and brief laugh at the boy's question.
"I like to think of it as a game of sorts. He tries to keep me out of his little world. But he can't. I come and go as I please." The grey cat explained before giving Egon a serious look. "But we should move on to more serious matters. I'm going to help get out of here."
Egon just looked at the talking cat with a stare of sadness before he looked at the chain on his wrist.
"I can't." He said simply as he felt his eyes watering up again. "I've tried pulling as hard as I can, but it won't come off."
Kitty slowly shook her head as she came closer to the boy.
"There's something you need to understand. If you want to escape this place, you have to let go of fear." She explained.
Egon just gave her a look of confusion mixed in with his sadness before she continued.
"The Boogieman feeds on fear. It's the source of all his power; including the chain that binds you now." She continued to explain. "So here's what you must do. Close your eye. Take a deep breath and clear your thoughts."
Egon was not sure if she was telling the truth or if what she was telling him to do would even work. But as far as he knew, he had no other option besides waiting for the boogieman to come back and he did not want to be here when he did. Egon closed his eyes and sat up straight. He took a deep breath with an equally deep exhale; clearing out his mind of all thoughts until he heard only white noise. After ten seconds of this...
Egon heard the sound of light metal dropping to the hard floor. And he felt fresh air on his wrist. The boy opened his eyes and looked down in shock to see the chain just lying there with his wrist free. He stared as he felt his wrist for any scarring or possible bruising from the chain; not believing what he was seeing.
"How d-did you do this?" Egon questioned out of amazed shock.
"I didn't do anything. I just told you what you needed to do." Kitty simply answered back as walked towards the open door.
Egon watched as the cat made her way to door; beginning to question his sanity. Kitty quickly turned around and faced Egon.
"Well, are you coming or do you want to stay in this horrid place?" She asked rather sarcastically.
Egon quickly got up and went after her. As the two of them walked through the door, Egon was greeted by what he thought was an abstract painting. Only instead of a painting, it was a real place. The hallway was twisted into a long spiral of doors and at the end of it, he could see staircases that went all directions. The whole thing just made him confused and disoriented. Kitty just looked at him as she went forward.
"Come on then; that big headed child snatcher will be back any minute." She warned; making Egon follow her.
As Egon followed the talking feline, he started thinking of some things that made him nervous.
"What do we do if the Boogieman finds out I'm gone?" He asked of the worst case scenario.
"Well hopefully, he'll get my scent instead of yours and come after me. If that happens, I'll tell you to go hide and wait until I come find you. Then we'll get you out of here." Kitty explained.
Egon thought he understood. But he still had questions.
"I read some things about the Boogieman from a book I bought. But I don't understand." He said before asking another question. "What does he want with me? Why doesn't he just scare me in my room instead of bringing me here?"
Kitty let out a brief sigh as she hesitated to answer; moving forward as she did so.
"You know how he feeds on the fears of children; correct?"
Egon nodded in understanding.
"Most of the time, he preys on children who have simple fears like the dark or what's under their bed... or spiders."
Egon shivered at the mention of spiders. But he continued to listen as Kitty continued.
"But Every so often, he finds a child with more... Complicated fears. Like failure, losing loved ones, even fearing death itself in some cases. I have a feeling the Boogieman might have thought of WWI and two as an all you can eat buffet."
Egon stopped as Kitty said that last one. Kitty also stopped and looked as Egon stared at her with wide eyes.
"H-he's going to e-eat me?" He questioned with a quiver in his voice.
Kitty just looked at Egons skinny frame before answering.
"Well he wouldn't get much out of you if he could." The cat spoke with a mild insult. "And yes and no. The Boogieman doesn't eat his victims physically. He-"
Kitty stopped in mid sentence as her Beastly eyes went wide. Egon blinked in confusion as she twitched a bit.
"What's wrong?" He asked; thinking something was not right with her.
Kitty let out a low growl as her right ear twitched back and forth.
"We need to run."
Egon gasped and looked back as he heard a deafening roar in the distance; knowing he heard that sound a couple of nights ago.
"Run! Now!" Kitty shouted out as she began to away from the sound.
Egon quickly followed suit and ran after her; hearing the ghastly voice of the Boogieman from afar.
"WHERE ARE YOU, CHILD!? I WILL FIND YOU!"
Hearing that only made Egon run faster. But a realisation hit him like a ton of bricks. Where was the way out? He saw a large number of doors as he and Kitty ran; wondering if they could hide in one of them.
"Can't we hide in one of these rooms!?" He questioned as he ran; using up a large amount of steam.
"These aren't real doors! They're portals to children's rooms! That's how he gets into their closets!" Kitty explained as she sprinted on all fours.
The pair kept running; hearing the Boogieman coming with every howl he made. Until Kitty noticed something.
"Egon! Follow me!" She instructed as she turned a corner.
Egon quickly followed her until they reached an actual open door; similar to the room the boogieman left Egon in, only darker and dirtier. Kitty entered the room with Egon following closer.
"Close the door, but left it open slightly." She instructed.
Egon was not sure why she was ordering him to do this, but he had no other options. Egon gently closed the door a little bit; leaving a slight gap open. He quickly got behind it as he looked down at the cat.
"What do we do?" He asked in slight panic.
Kitty stood up as high as she could on her front legs before speaking quietly.
"Egon. Listen to me very carefully." She began to explain. "Any second now, the Boogieman will be right outside this door and he's going to smell your fear. I need you to remain calm because I'm going to distract him and lead him away from here. When I've distracted him and out ran him, I'll come back for you and then I'm taking back to the closet he took you from. When I come back, I'll meow three times as a signal. Do you understand?"
Egon gave the cat a stare that screamed how this was a lot to take in. But he nodded; understanding what she was trying to do for him.
"Good. Now go hide in the corner behind me. I hear him coming." Kitty warned as she pointed to a corner behind her.
Egon quickly ran and sat in the corner; pulling his knees to his chest and covering his mouth to avoid any noise. But his heart beat drummed in his ear as he heard heavy breathing and footsteps coming towards the door. Kitty just got into position while Egon held his breath; afraid the monster would hear him with those giant ears of his.
"...Wwwwhhhere aaaarree yoooouuuuu?..."
Egon could hear that nightmare inducing voice right outside. His heart skipped a beat as long fingers with sharp nails appeared on the edge of the door. Egon watched with wide yes as the door slowly began to open; his short life about to flash before his eyes.
But the cat had other plans.
"REOOWWW!"
Kitty put her plan into action and raced out the gap in the door; making a shocked sound come out of the Boogieman as she shrieked at him.
"YOU AGAIN!?"
Egon could hear the boogieman shout with anger and annoyance. The boy heard the sound of a struggle briefly; but it disappeared into the distance. Egon just took a sigh of relief and laid his back against the wall; alone and waiting for Kitty to come back as he caught his breath.
"Shhhhh"
But a quiet shush made the boy jump and stand up. Egon could not see too well in the darkness. But he knew someone or something was there.
"W-who's there?" He questioned with a stutter; hoping he did not get a reply.
Nothing happened for a view seconds until...
"Be quiet."
"Be still."
"The sack man may be listening."
Egon heard voices coming from another corner in the room. But they did not sound evil or threatening. They sounded like scared children.
"You mean the Boogieman?" He responded to what the voices said.
Even when Egons eyes adjusted to the darkness he still had trouble seeing what was in the room. But a faint glow appeared out of the corner in the form of a sheet covering something. Egon slowly approached to see whatever was under the sheet was shivering. With slow caution, he gently pulled the sheet off and quietly gasped at what was underneath.
Three children were curled up and holding on to each other. But they did not look like regular children. They were pale white all over, faintly see through and glowing. Like...
Like ghosts
It was not just their pale complections that made them look like that. They looked at him briefly and showed their faces. They had sad expressions on with a disturbing lack of eyes; replaced with black holes in the sockets and their skin almost looked aged and mummified. One of them was a little girl in a nightdress and pigtails in her hair while the other two were slightly older identical boys in old looking clothes that matched with wild untidy hair. Egon blinked as they looked up at him with scared whimpers.
"Who are you?" The boy questioned quietly.
One of the boys began to float as he stood up; a confused and saddened look on his face as he felt his mummified face.
"Don't remember our names." His voice spoke with a quiet echo in his saddened tone. "But I remember my mama and papa."
The other two ghosts floated in front of Egon; all sharing the same expression of fear and sadness. Egon had a feeling that he knew who put them were. But he had to be sure.
"Why are you here?" He questioned in a shaker voice.
"The boogieman." The three ghost children answered in unison before talking individually.
"He came into our rooms through the closet and terrified us." The twin ghosts spoke in unison. "He fed off of our terror and fear, but he wanted more of it."
Egon watched as the little ghost girl slowly approached him with her arms out.
"So he came out one night and dragged us into his world." She spoke in a light polish accent as she continued to approach. "Where he kept us there, and fed on our fear until there was nothing left."
Egon gasped as the ghost girl went through him; making his entire body freeze and shiver in temperature for five whole seconds. He could feel the cold lingering as he rubbed his arms. He turned to see the ghost girl putting her hands on her face like she was crying.
"I never saw my brother again. He was very sick when the boogieman took me away." She remembered her last moments vaguely. "I don't know if he's okay."
Egon watched as the twin ghosts comforted the little crying ghost girl.
"He took us because we feared greater things then the dark." One twin clarified.
"He's going to do the same to you." The other twin added.
Egon just went pale at the thought of being turned into a sad ghost with nowhere to go. He meant no offence to the three in front of him; but he could not stand for it. He shook his head in resistance.
"...No." Egon muttered before repeating himself. "No. No, no. NO!"
The ghost children flinched as Egon let out a shout. They stared as he continued.
"He can't keep me here! Not if he wants to win my life!" Egon spoke in retaliation before calming himself. "I only have one chance. I can't waste it."
The ghost children gave each other uncertain looks before looking back at Egon.
"Perhaps if you can escape..." the little ghost struggled to speak her mind. "...If you do escape, could you find our souls?"
Egon gave the three ghosts looks of concern as he loosened up.
"Your souls?"
"Yes. The boogieman took them after he finished with us and he hid them." One twin explained as he felt his left eye socket.
"Find our souls, sir; and then we'll be free." The other twin finished his brothers words.
Egon blinked as he looked down at the floor. His mind started racing as he tried to think. Real ghosts were in front of him and they were asking him to help them. But he kept thinking that if he stayed here any longer, he would meet the same fate as them. Egon looked up as his mouth struggled to form words.
"...I-"
But the ghosts gasped and turned as they heard something coming towards the room. In a flash, they disappeared into the dense air; leaving Egon alone. Egon swallowed a mouthful of nervous spit as he thought of what it was.
"Meow"
Egon blinked as he heard the sound of a cat; sighing as it repeated two more times. Egon quietly approached the door and opened it slightly to see Kitty sitting licking her paws and grooming her ears.
"Sorry if I took too long. But I managed to lose him for a bit." She explained as she stood up and turned around. "Lets go."
Egon followed the talking feline as she lead him through the outlandish demission; feeling like he was in a Salvador Dali art piece or a Picasso painting. He was not really interested in the arts. But he knew of the works because of his school and art teacher. Egon looked down at Kitty as she continued to walk; mentally preparing what he was going to say next.
"I need to tell you something." He started as he fiddled with his sleeve.
"Well say it quickly. When we get back to the human world, I won't be able to talk to you again." She advised and waited for Egon to speak.
Egon took a breath before he spoke.
"A group of dead children appeared in front of me. They were the Boogieman's last few victims and they... they want me to free them."
Kitty just slowly came to a stop and looked up at the boy with a concerned look in her eyes.
"Did you say dead children?" She asked.
Egon blinked at the sudden question.
"Yes." He answered in hesitation.
Kitty gasped before she continued to ask questions.
"Please tell me! Was one of a little-"
"I KNOW YOU'RE HERE!"
Egon flinched as he heard the horrific voice of the Boogieman coming their way while Kitty growled in anger.
"FOLLOW ME!" She said as she ran forword.
Egon quickly ran after her; managing to keep up with the feline as she spotted something ahead of them.
"We're almost there! Keep going!" She encouraged the boy.
Egon took heavy breaths as he ran. But a smile of hope appeared on his face as he spotted an open door with a familiar tunnel inside. The pair ran faster as they reached the entrance and into the long tunnel.
"Yes! So close!" Egon thought as he reached towards salvation.
But his hopes dashed as he felt something cold wrap around his ankle; his smile of hope turning into shock and fear as he fell to the floor with a shriek. Kitty quickly stopped and turned; her eyes widening when she saw what made Egon fall and scream.
Egon struggled and screamed to get free as the Boogieman dragged him on the floor with a sinister laugh. Kitty growled before charging back through the tunnel at full speed.
"LET HIM GO, YOU BEAST!" She shouted as she bared her claws.
The boogieman looked at her with a grimace accompanied by a deep snarl.
"Ugly pest!" The large heard creature insulted the feline before raising his hand and slapping her. Egon watched in horror as Kitty hit the wall of the tunnel; not even flinching as she hit the floor with a thump.
"NO!" Egon tried to reach for the unconscious cat.
But the Boogieman just kept a grip on him as he continued to laugh. Egon struggled as the creature turned him around and pinned him to the floor like a wounded animal. Egon felt his insides turning cold as the Boogieman stared down at him with those monstrous yellow and red eyes; using one hand to hold him down.
"You shouldn't have tried to run, child." The Boogieman said as he put one hand under his coat.
Egon stared with wide eyes as the monsters' sickening grin grew wider; showing the gums of his sharp and yellow teeth.
"I suppose I'll just have to keep you from moving at all." He mused as he took his hand out from his coat.
Egon looked with wide eyes as the boogieman had some white string-like material in his hand; making an uncomfortable sound as the creature put some of it on Egons arms and across his chest. Egon tried to pull and push it off, but it was sticky and stiff. But an unsettling realisation kicked in and his eyes went wide with terror as he recognised the substance. Spiders webbing.
Egon tried to get up and run, but the boogieman kept him pinned down as he made more of the wedding; wrapping it around Egon as he struggled.
"SOMEONE HELP! PLEASE HELP-"
Egon could no longer shout for help as the boogieman put some webbing across his mouth; making him silent except for a few muffled screams. The boogieman could only sadistically laugh and chuckle as he picked up the boy from the floor; continuing to wrap him in the wedding until he was covered from top to bottom. Egon could no longer move or see because of the webbing; panicking as he struggled to breath. The boogieman picked up the web sack with his victim inside as he laughed in triumph and held it up to see.
"My best work yet." He boasted vainly.
"YOU LEAVE THAT KID ALONE YOU BULLY!"
The smile on the Boogiemans' face turned into a look of confusion when he heard a new voice coming from behind the wrapped up child. He lowered his work down only to see something coming towards him; until he was met with vicious barking.
The boogieman let out a grunt as a large dog jumped on him and knocked him down; making him drop Egon on the floor. The noise made Kitty slowly awake from her unconsciousness. The cat blinked as she saw the dog attacking the creature; her vision clearing and her eyes widening when she recognised the canine.
"Buster?" She questioned; wondering how he got here.
"Help Egon! Here's in that sticky thing!" Buster called out as he continued to fight the Boogieman.
Kitty looked and gasped when she saw the webbing cocoon. She quickly rush over; bringing out her claws and digging into the webbing. The rip she made gave Egon a way to breath as he gasped for air. Kitty continued to claw into the webbing until Egon could rip some of it off himself and climb out. The boy hyperventilated as he struggled for air; feeling like his lungs were going to shrivel from the lack of oxygen. He looked down as Kitty directed him to the door.
"Now is your chance! Go!" She ordered.
Egon was about to run for it when he heard the distressed yelp of a dog. He watched as Buster flew over his head into the bedroom; thankfully landing on the bed. But that horrible cold feeling shank in again as he heard heavy and raspy breathing coming from the Boogieman.
"No you don't!" The creature threatened as he leapt forward.
With a snarl, Kitty launched herself at the Boogieman; clawing his face as she landed on him and making him shout in pain. Egon took the chance and ran to the safe haven of the bedroom. But he could not close the door. He had to wait for Kitty.
He did not have to wait long. The Boogieman managed to pull the cat off and threw her through the doorway; landing on the bed like Buster did. With a nightmare inducing shriek, the Boogieman charged towards the door with his eyes on Egon. Egon quickly reacted by slamming the door shut; leaning on it and using his weight to it keep it closed. But the boogieman slammed so hard into the door that it opened very slightly; turning into a reverse tug of war. Egon pushed as hard as his young and weak muscles would allow. But the Boogieman was close to overpowering him much to his horror.
"STAY AWAY FROM ME! GO AWAY!" He shouted out; tears of fear and frustration forming as he struggled to push.
But suddenly, the monster on the other side of the door was not pushing back as hard. Egon looked down to see Buster pushing against it; trying help keep the Boogieman out. Kitty quickly joined in and pushed with all her body weight and strength despite her pain. The boogieman let out an angered growl when he realised he was losing the fight.
"I'll get you soon, Egon! I'm counting on it!" He spoke with pure malice in his voice.
With one final push, Egon had one thing to say.
"GET OUT!" He screamed so hard his throat began to ache.
Egon and the two animals finally pushed the door closed; closing the way to the Boogiemans' world and sealing him up for the time being. When he felt nothing on the other side, Egon took a step back; shaking as he looked at the closet with shocked eyes. Kitty looked up at him until her ears perked up.
"Egon?"
Egon was still frozen when he heard the sound of Mrs Polanski sweet and gentle voice coming his way. Kitty took the opportunity to dash under the bed and hide; fearing how the old couple would react if they saw a strange cat in their house. Egon slowly dropped to his knees as Mr Polanski opened the door; showing himself in his night clothes and slippers. Mrs Polanski was beside him; looking at the boy in concern over his blank yet shocked expression.
"Egon, what's wrong? We heard you screaming and shouting." Mr Polanski asked in a worried and concerned tone of voice.
Egon opened and closed his mouth as he tried to speak. But the more he tried, his eyes began to water and his legs were shaking. All he could do was grab onto Buster; bursting into tears as he cried out in horror of what he just went through and continuing even as Mr and Polanski comforted and reassured him.
