What's in the Closet?

 

Lights went off with the flick of a switch. 

“Dad, you gotta check!” A voice begged.

Mr. Peterson spent 20 minutes getting his son ready for bed, toys were put away, teeth were brushed, and he was finally ready to leave before his son asked that question. Turning around, he plastered on a smile, tired himself, “You’re right, I almost forgot.”  He made way over to his son’s bed. He dropped on all fours lifting the sheets. He could feel his son’s eyes on him, peering over the side of the bed. “Nothing under here.” Standing up, he moved over to the window and put his hand behind the curtain. “Any ghosts or ghouls here?” His hands came back perfectly intact as he showed his son. “Alright, No monsters, good night, buddy boy,” Mr. Peterson bent over to kiss his son on the forehead. 

 “Dad, you forgot to check the closet.”

 A chill ran over Mr. Peterson’s neck. He turned his head towards the bifold doors of his son’s closet. A small gap was open, peering out into the room. Mr. Peterson cleared his throat. He shot up and closed the door with a slam. Next, he dragged over his son’s toy chest to block it. “There, all safe now.” He gave a light laugh to pass it off as a joke. The moment he closed his son’s door for the night Mr. Peterson was breathing heavily. His body staggered down the hall as he placed a hand on the wall to guide him. 

Why tonight of all nights? Nothing happened that was out of the ordinary from his son’s bedtime routine. Regardless, a memory, long forgotten, forced its way into Mr. Peterson’s head. It all had to do with the closet. How had he never noticed it was the same type as back then?

Opening the door to his bedroom, Mr. Peterson spotted his partner sleeping peacefully on their side of the bed. He closed the door quietly, before sliding under the covers. Only when his body was fully enveloped in warmth, did he notice the sliding closet door was open. Fear gripped Mr. Peterson. A nostalgic primal fear of a time long ago before Mr. Peterson was the 38-year-old man he was now. Before his fears became tangled with the real world and disconnected from the esoteric. The man couldn't breathe. He couldn’t speak. For he stared into the closet and knew exactly what was staring back. 

—

 Kohen Peterson was excited for the night, joy barely contained by his seat belt, as he rocked back and forth. It was Lachlan’s birthday weekend, and he was having a sleepover. With a holiday on Monday, that meant three nights and four days of nonstop fun. His mom pulled up to the Matthews household. A stone suburban dream with a maintained lawn and generous space between the neighboring houses. Kohen stepped out taking a breath; he had always been more a city kid at heart. Something about the awkward spaces between dwellings was off-putting to him. Not quite the emptiness of that farm he visited back in elementary school, but more of a “neighbor, don’t concern me with your problem.”

 The boy jumped when his mom honked the car. 

 “Kohen, I’ve been calling your name?” She leaned forward, trying to find whatever she believed her son to be staring at.

  “Sorry mom.” Kohen leaned in and gave his mom a kiss on the cheek, before grabbing his bookbag stuffed with clothes, and sleeping bag. 

 “Don’t forget your dad’s picking you up–

“In four days At 1, Got it mom.” Kohen knocked on his own head. He turned as he heard Matthews' front door opening. Several seconds, that existed uniquely to Kohen’s mind, passed as he looked into the dark entrance of the house, contrasted by the sunny day. If not for the warmth on his skin Kohen would only have felt his clamming skin and the black void. Thankfully, Lachlan stepped out onto his front steps, flanked by Rio and Zahid. Relief washed over Kohen.

“You’re so late!” Zahid shouted. “Does meeting at 2pm mean nothing to you?”

 “Gonna have to make you run laps for that.” Rio added.

 “Guys, be nice,” Lachlan rolled his eyes. 

 Kohen heard his mom pull off, as he walked up the pathway, mimicking their voices back with a dumb smile. When he got to the steps, they all disappeared inside. Kohen took one last glance at the beautiful outdoors before joining his friends and closing the door.

 Lachlan’s parents were around but already had plans to go to a hotel for a few nights to spend time together. They didn’t want to hover around their son and his friends. Kohen couldn’t imagine his parents being that carefree ever. The Matthews promised to stop by during the following days, but they were gone for the night by 8. The boys broke out the ice cream, every stash of potato chips, candy, and soda, hoarding it into the living room. It was only night one, but it had to start off with a bang regardless. They pulled up Alien the horror movie. The common ritual of who’d be the first to chicken out. Usually, Kohen as wasn't the biggest horror fan; they had watched The Exorcist last time at Zahid’s house and that terrified him. Lachlan and Kohen took the couch while Rio and Zahid lay on the floor.

Each one dressed for the night according to their own style. Kohen wore a flannel pajama set, while Lachlan opted for a tank top and shorts. Rio had on a short white T-shirt and long pajama bottoms, while Zahid had opted to go shirtless with plaid fleece pajama pants. 

The house went quiet as nothing, but the sounds of munching filtered through the space. Every light had been turned off to help immerse them even more in the atmosphere. Kohen curled up in the throw blanket that had been placed on the couch. The perfect disguise to hide how much he was shaking. Space, an endless void, and the crew of people trapped among a ship. 45 minutes in he told his friend he had to go to the bathroom. The perfect spot as Sigourney Weaver was to question the science officer. Unfortunately, Kohen had gotten so engrossed, terrified as he was, he hadn’t noticed Zahid had just left a minute ago. Rio mentioned it so Kohen wouldn't awkwardly be knocking.

“There’s the bathroom upstairs,” Lachlan added, not taking his eyes off the conversation on the screen. Kohen nodded and was happy to slip away, trudging up the stairs of the dark house, the flicker of the TV screen’s light on the wall. The TV volume got further as he got on the 2nd floor landing, spotting the bathroom and walking past Lachlan’s closed door. Kohen needed to use the rest room, but really, he wanted to collect himself for whatever happened next.

He stepped out of the bathroom, tossing a paper towel in the waste bin by the entrance. There was a crack to Lachlan’s door, peering straight inside to the room. Normally, Kohen wouldn’t have thought much of it, but he distinctly remembered the door closed tight.  A shadow moved across the opening. Walking up to it Kohen took a peek inside wondering if by some chance Lachlan had come up to his room for some reason. Putting his hand on the doorknob and throwing it open, Kohen went inside. No one was there, all their sleeping bags were laid across Lachlan’s bedroom as before, overnight bags and shoes all in place. He would have sworn he saw something moving around, but to be fair he hadn’t even heard anything. Lachlan or any of the other boys would have certainly made noise walking, wouldn’t they?

As Kohen stood there he noticed how ‘still’ the room felt. Standing at the doorway, the bedroom felt more like a set than a lived-in space. A trick of the night, it had to be. Foreign curiosity tugged at Kohen, to step in further and examine, quiet his worries. And he would have too, had it not been for the sudden shuffling he heard from the closet, dispelling the quiet. It couldn't have been louder than rodents scurrying about, but it was enough. Kohen’s eyes flew over, and a coldness enveloped him. Though he could not see anything through the bifold slotted doors, he felt—He knew something else was in the room staring at him. 

Slamming the door shut he booked it downstairs, calling for his friends. “Someone’s in the house!” He made it into the living room spotting his friend having dropped their bowls of food in fear. They all went upstairs together with Lachlan with a bat in hand at the front, Kohnen directly beside him and Zahid and Rio further back, mobile and landline prepared to dial 911. The chance it was possibly rodents was the only reason Lachlan didn’t want to dial the police straight away. Slowly turning the knob, the door creaked open as Lachlan stepped in. He flicked on the lights, moving over to the closet. Pulling open the doors he raised his bat to… nothing. Lachan stepped in the closet moving stuff around, completely empty.

"Doesn't look like anything, or anybody was in here.” Lachlan slid his clothes back.

“Wow, you really pranked us.” Rio laughed, patting Kohen on the back.

“I wasn’t joking!” Kohen slapped his hand off.  “Something was in here, looking at me.”

“Look if you want to be a pussy about the movie…” Rio's voice bit back, agitated.

“How about, we check the rest of the house just to be sure!” Zahid immediately intercepted the discussion, turning to Lachlan for support. Lachlan’s eyes were going between Kohen’s and Rio’s faces, gauging Kohen’s sincerity to Rio’s disbelief. 

Shrugging his shoulders, Lachlan said. “Why not, better safe than sorry.”

Zahid breathed a sigh of relief at the support and grabbed at Kohen’s hand pulling him away. “We’ll check the guest room.”

“We’ve got my parent’s bedroom.” Lachlan nodded to Rio to follow him. Both duos went opposite ways down the hall.

The guest room wasn’t really a guest room. There was a bed on a frame and that was about it.  No sheets, not even tubs for storage space. It was clear that Matthews had no near future plans for this space. Kohen realized he finally understood why: no one in their right mind would come out to the suburbs.  Zahid closed the door and gave a big sigh.

“I have to ask, and this isn’t me picking on you.  Do you really think something's in the house or did the movie freak you out that much?

Kohen scoffed, “Geezus, Zahid I may have been a bit scared, but I’m not a baby. Also, I wouldn’t lie about something like this.” 

Zahid held his hands up, no anger in his voice. “Hey, it wasn't a judgment. I was just trying to say if you got scared and it colored your interpretation of events that happens all the time.” He walked over opening the empty closet, “But if you say you’re being truthful I believe you.

“Really? Just like that.”

“Yes really, why is that so hard to believe?” Zahid closed the closet.

“I think Rio is sure I’m full of shit.”

Waving his hand dismissively, Zahid said “That’s because a prank is exactly what he’d do. I’m sure Lachlan’s giving him an earful right now.” He gave the vacant room a once over, for good measure, "Nothing here.” 

The boys met back up outside Lachlan’s room. Nothing of note. No one else was in the house. Rio shrugged his shoulders “See, I told you!” He brushed past them to walk back into Lachlan's room followed by Zahid. Lachlan gave Kohen a sympathetic smile before going in himself. Kohen was embarrassed but something still gnawed at him; his own fear begging him not to step in the room. However, the unspoken peer pressure of his friends waiting for him on the other side, their eyes glancing over at him, caused him to step back in and shut the door.

Sleep came quickly for the boys once the lights were off. It had been a warm night, so the boys forewent climbing in their sleeping bags and chose to sleep on them.  Lachlan was in his bed, while the others took to the floor. Zahid slept at the side of Lachlan's bed, and Rio had dropped his sleeping bag at the foot of the bed. Meanwhile Kohen had taken a weird middle space between the two, so they could all keep talking. He was looking for any excuse to not sleep, but even his eyes dozed off.

Kohen’s eyes snapped open, when he heard a rustling sound as it broke through the pattern of Rio’s loud snoring. The moonlight coming in from the window didn't do much to illuminate the room. The noise softened as Kohen’s eyes began to adjust. His head was close to Rio’s as he looked past his friend, noting the sound came from under Lachlan’s bed. Kohen rubbed his eyes slowly, staring at what appeared to be a shadow cast on Rio’s leg, right above his ankle. Yawning, Kohen began to go back to sleep, before he heard the dragging. This time he only creaked his eyes open not wanting to disturb his sleep any further. Kohen’s breath stopped in his throat.

There was no shadow cast on Rio's leg. There was, however, a very real darkness gripping Rio’s leg and pulling him under Lachlan’s bed.

“Rio?” Kohen whispered lightly. The dragging stopped but the grasp remained.

“Rio?!!” Kohen stressed in a hushed tone.

“Huh?” Rio woke up mid-snore, but before he could respond, one powerful yank on his leg pulled him under the bed. His brown body and beautiful dark curls vanished. A wet dark slurp, and low rumble that shook the room where all he heard in response. Kohen was wide awake now, he shook Zahid, calling his friend’s name. Zahid kept on sleeping. Kohen jumped on the bed, avoiding walking towards the gap. He bounced on Lachlan, shaking his friend and the bed. Kohen even attempted to pinch and lightly slap Lachlan, but nothing worked. Running out of the room, Kohen headed for the bathroom. A splash of water had to work, right? Before he stepped into the bathroom, he paused. Creaking further down the hall caught his attention: the guest room. It was the only option for where the noise could be emanating. Taking a few steps back, walking out the doorframe, Kohen stared into the emptiness of the hallway. 

The door to the guest room was closed. Certainly not how it was left. Kohen found himself walking towards it, his curiosity nothing but a string being tugged by an unforeseen hand. The blood in Kohen’s ears grew louder as his heart rate picked up. The creaking had deformed into what could only be described as fingernails scratching on a wooden floor. Kohen rested his hand on the knob. A cold chill traveled down his spine, but he opened the door anyway. Whatever was beckoning him wouldn't let him walk away.

Once inside, Kohen found himself in a furnished and lived-in room. Pictures of Lachlan’s family on the wall, an open closet full of clothes, men’s shoes lined against the wall, and finally a lamp and night desk at the side of a large bed. On the center of that bed, face scrunched, eyes closed, was Rio. Kohen ran, hopping onto the bed, ignoring its sudden existence to wake Rio. The bed was so wide Kohen had no choice but to crawl on it, unable to get to Rio with a simple reach. Kohen’s knees sank in the mattress as he crawled on the bed; there was an impossibly soft and cloud-like quality beckoning Kohen to rest his eyes, but he resisted.

“Rio, wake up we gotta go!” Kohen shook him, but it was no use. His friend was in the same deep sleep as the others; however, Rio was sweating up a storm. The boy’s face was straining as he mumbled unintelligible words. Rio’s hands suddenly gripped the sheets, holding tightly.

His legs started to grow longer, stretching towards the end of the bed. Kohen heard the cracking bones and shifting sinew right below the skin’s surface; made his stomach turn. Rio’s face got less tense as his eyebrows relaxed and his mouth unfurled. He looked at peace, but Kohen could see Rio’s legs were still growing. It was as if Rio had released a pressure building up inside him. Next, Kohen noticed Rio’s torso was growing as well, pushing his head up into the pillows resting at the headframe. Rio’s mid-section began to reveal abs rising to the surface the more he stretched in both directions. 

Kohen managed to climb off the bed, voice no longer working, frozen in his throat by fear. Rio’s mumbles turned into moans, his body monopolizing more of the bed as the seconds passed. The door slammed behind Kohen, as Rio’s body rose into the air. Immediately Kohen was pulling at the door trying to escape, but the knob refused to turn. Spinning around, back pressed to the door, Kohen was forced to have a front row seat. Rio’s moans grew louder in tandem with his body. The boy wasn't just growing taller he was getting larger. Kohen noticed it first with Rio’s limbs, his friend gaining muscle in his arms and legs. Rio’s body was mimicking those of athletes at school with muscles forged through years of training. 

The clothes on Rio’s body were now several sizes too small, but it was the only defense in keeping his body constricted. Kohen only realized this as he began to hear the tears in the material. Rio’s chest was the first sight of flesh freed as pecs pushed out and with mass. His arms tore through the clothing’s shoulder stitching as their new forms became clear. The pants popped at once, as his lower half was freed. Wind with no source began to circle around the room, picking up dust, papers, then various other trinkets that hadn’t been in the room before. Kohen’s body was being tugged on as the air spiraled with Rio’s body at the epicenter. Dark coarse hair crept over Rio’s body, as a stubble grew on his face. Each strand curled across his body as more joined in unison over his steadily darkening skin. The golden brown gained a rich earthy tint from days spent under the blaze of the sun. Slight crow’s feet etched into the corner of his eyes as his face lost softness in favor of a solid rigidity. In seconds, Rio had developed a full beard with an adjoining moustache. Then coming to a grinding and abrupt halt, the wind stopped as Rio slammed onto the bed.

Kohen’s heartbeat so loudly in his ears, the eerie silence of the room after such a scene meant nothing to him. He walked across the floor, as it creaked under his weight, moving towards Rio’s form. He had to see it up close. He just had to. Laying on the bed was a person who resembled a well-kept cave man rather than Rio. There was so much hair everywhere, barely an inch of skin showing. The sounds of Kohen’s heartbeat faded, now relaxing, as the man’s deep snores gained strength. Taking his right index finger Kohen pressed it hard into Rio’s face. His touch was met with real solid warm flesh as his finger sunk deeper. Kohen snapped his hand back as if he’d been burned. No tricks or hallucinations. Rio had just turned into a massive guy while asleep.  

Another person’s breathing joined the sleeping giants, except the new sounds were lighter, airy a bit more on par with Rio’s voice. Kohen’s body shook with fear, realizing immediately that the sounds were coming from above him. He lifted his head to the ceiling, blood running cold to find the dwarven creature scuttering above. It stopped in the center of the ceiling, turning its head 180 degrees to face him. Huge round eyes with irises black as night, staring back at Kohen, and vocal cords mimicking Rio’s prior snores. The creatures tilted its head, a wicked glee on the lips. 

Kohen fell back on the floor, eyes slamming shut from the impact.

“AHHHHH!” Kohen immediately sat up, before noticing Zahid and Lachlan jumping up from their sleeping positions. He was back in Lachlan’s room, and the morning sunlight had found its way in, coating everything in a warm glow. 

“What, What?!” Lachlan was at the ready, throwing off his covers and looking around.

  Zahid, not seeing anything, took a breath, then rubbed his face, “I think the movie got to him last night.”

Kohen shook his head, “No, last night there was this monster, and it grabbed one of us and I tried to wake you two but couldn’t.”

“Wait a minute,” Lachlan held up a hand, now sitting on the edge of the bed. “There’ only the three of us here, who did it grab?”

“Obviously…” Kohen went to answer but found the words did not come. Pausing, Kohen looked at the floor, expecting there to be another sleeping bag that would jog his memory, but there was nothing there. He searched his brain looking for a memory that slipped every time he grasped it. “I... I don’t know.” He admitted. 

“Shoot!” A voice rang out from downstairs as pans spilling echoed up the stairs.

The boys turned to each other. Someone was in the house. Lachlan grabbed his bat and the three huddled up, with Lachlan leading the way. They snuck down the steps, treading lightly. When they got to the ground floor they moved as a unit closer to the kitchen. Shuffling metal clanked against each other while the fresh smell of eggs floated through their noses. Not only was someone in Matthews' house, but they were also cooking food!

“Yah!!” Lachlan yelled, jumping into the kitchen, raising his bat with his friends right behind him, screaming. Sitting on a stool, leaned back onto the island, tablet in hand, was a man sipping coffee as he watched the boys, nonplused. The guy looked to be in his late 30s, shirtless, with his massive hairy pecs sitting out, wearing nothing but blue basketball shorts. 

“Was wondering when you boys were going to get up?” The man cheered his drink to them.

“Uncle Rio,” Lachlan exhaled, lowering the bat. “You scared us.”

“Scared you?” The man raised his eyebrows, “I hardly think breakfast is that scary,” He turned to the food set behind him. “I didn’t plan to bother you guys since I’m in the guest room but thought: no boys could turn down free food.” He smiled, presenting the food he had laid out before them on the counter. 

“Thanks!”  Lachlan said, bounding over, fixing a plate as Zahid and Kohen stared. Kohen had never heard of Lachlan having Uncle Rio. The stranger didn’t even look remotely related to Lachlan in the slightest.

Zahid's lips were frozen on a thought, but before he uttered a word his mouth zipped shut. Then he blinked at the newly-appeared-uncle and said, “Oh Lachlan’s Uncle Rio, of course!”  Bopping his own head with a light tap, Zahid then walked and joined Lachlan. Kohen stared befuddled watching his friends sit down to eat and laugh, as the guy smirked. He was clearly proud of how much Kohen’s friends were enjoying the food. Kohen was not convinced, but when the man’s warm brown eyes landed on Kohen questioningly, he felt compelled to join his friends eating. 

Lachlan’s Uncle Rio was a fun, sociable guy. The breakfast was nice and Uncle Rio provided a levity to the guys’ dynamic, sliding in as if he had always been a part of their group. An ease that came over Kohen, and yet a persistent unsettling sensation would not leave. Something was off, but Kohen could not place what, and his friends didn't seem to care. 

“Now, I know I got on your guy’s nerves last night, but I promise. I’m gonna stick to my guest room so you three can continue with your guys' night.” He laughed.

“Sounds good to me!”  Lachlan said.

“Thank you, Mr. Hernandez.” Zahid added, pulling the man’s last name from god knows where.

Kohen had no idea what the hell they were talking about, or why his friends were so appreciative. He tried to think back to last night. Mental static clouded his brain in a haze. He couldn't recall, but in the same vein, his recollection wouldn’t produce the memory Mr. Hernandez tried to invoke. Kohen noted, his friends were on the same wavelength with the man. Mr. Hernandez started telling stories and experiences that involved the trio, as if he had met them prior to that day, and Lachlan and Zahid nodded their heads along. Kohen watched, dumb founded as the man spun tall tales of old adventures, inserting himself into Matthew's lives and by proxy Lachlan and all of theirs. Lachlan and Zahid ate it, even shooting back other things that happen in these imaginary stories. The annoying buzz of static played in Kohen’s brain as the stories carried on. His mind was rejecting the fiction. 

Uncle Rio decided to sit out and read in the backyard leaving the boys alone. When the coast was clear, Kohen slammed his hands on the table leaning on it. “Guys, we do not know who that man is.”

“Very funny Kohen, you should leave the pranks to Rio,” Zahid said lazily picking at some eggs. Then he looked up, “I mean Mr. Hernandez!” He stopped for a moment. “Don’t know why I said…” his words tried off.

“Who?”  Lachlan asked, “You mean my Uncle. He’s funny. I don’t know about pranks.”

It didn't matter if the damage was done. A notable glitch occurred in Kohen's head as he processed the words. The haze guarding, or rather blocking, Kohen’s memory cleared up in some sections. There was a face, no… two. One was erased but made Kohen feel happy. The other one was clear in his mind but struck fear right into his heart. The memories he regained were more like snippets of a sequence. He remembered a faceless friend and the monster that took him away. His friend flying in the air, the guest room spinning, the creature looking back at him. 

Kohen grabbed at his head, rubbing the back as he stared down at the table. It was a nightmare; it had to be. They didn’t have a fourth friend. The fact he couldn’t recall a face meant it had to be a dream. Plain and simple. Lachlan and Zahid certainly didn’t seem to give it much thought so Kohen wouldn’t either.

The rest of the day, Uncle Rio’ loomed in the back like a shadow, Kohen did his best to ignore him, but it was hard not to catch such a huge guy shifting in their peripheral vision, stomping down halls, lumbering down the stairs. Mr. Hernandez tried to make himself small but ultimately could not. Then night was upon them and suddenly what Kohen had convinced himself was a nightmare became more tangible in the dark. Tougher to be brave without the sun’s light to illuminate the dark and mysteries. Rain began to pour as a thunderstorm rolled in.

Mr. Hernandez had confined himself to his room, while the boys threw on another movie. This time a real soft pitch for Kohen, Spirited Away. Not a horror but there were moments, Kohen got disturbed anyway. Like the spirit devouring people in the bath house. The mere idea felt a little too real. He took a break in the kitchen. Running to the sink, he hovered over it, as his mind flashed to the faceless boy disappearing under Lachlan’s bed. Zahid came in behind him, putting a hand on his back rubbing.

“Thought you might be doing this.” Zahid said sympathetically. “I’ll go tell Lachlan so he can get you something to keep your food down.” Rain droplets pattered against the window.

“I’m fine.” Kohen defended, trying to whisper. The last thing he wanted to do was ruin their good time. “He’s having fun, we're all having fun.”

“Come on now, Lachlan’s not the type to have fun if his friends aren’t. We can put something else on it’s no big deal.” Zahid shared.

“No, I like the movie, honestly, it’s great…I just got squicked out for a moment. Be ready to go in a few seconds.

“If you say so,” Zahid shrugged. “But I’m still telling him to bring you medicine.” He began to walk away, but then the door to the basement flew open. Thunder roared at the exact moment the open door collided with the wall, causing the impact to go by unheard but the other people in the house. Zahid cautiously stepped towards the dark doorway looking down. He stared for a good 15 seconds. With nothing to show for it, he turned to say, “There must be a draft down there.” Hands materialized from the pitch black and yanked Zahid back. Unmistakable sounds of swallowing played before a monstrous belch was released.  

Kohen screamed. He screamed so loudly, Lachlan and Mr. Hernandez didn’t have a choice but to come running. Lachlan tried to see where his friend was pointing, but Kohen wouldn't let him. Not until his uncle came did Kohen release his friend. Walking over to the gapped wooden steps, Mr. Hernandez flicked the light on. At the bottom, on the floor, lay Zahid, passed out.

“Did he fall and hit his head?” Mr. Hernandez asked, rushing down the steps. He carefully kneeled beside him, shaking the boy awake. Zahid woke up groggily, looking around at Mr. Hernandez above and his friends at the top of the stairs.

“Kohen and I thought we heard something, and I stupidly tripped on the steps.” Zahid said standing up with Mr. Hernandez's help 

“No, we didn't hear ‘something’, the door opened, you got grabbed and…and…” Kohen was thinking how to describe those ghastly hands he saw that without a doubt belonged to the creature from last night and how it easily snatched up Zahid. However, none of the people around him seemed interested in what he had to say, way more focused on Zahid’s status. 

Mr. Hernandez gave Zahid an ice pack to hold on the back of his head just in case there was any swelling. After a while everything looked good and everyone returned to their prior places, Mr. Hernandez upstairs, door closed, the boys back to watching the movie on the floor and couch. The minutes ticked by the movie ended, they selected something else, Into the Woods. A musical about fairytales, something that Lachlan and Zahid were sure there was no chance Kohen could be afraid of. Kohen was on edge, eyes darting around, waiting for the creature to pop out so he could point it out to his friends. They’d just think he was crazy if he didn’t show them. The thing had to be there, lying in the dark. Kohen's eyes got heavier as the movie started. Already well into the night, Kohen couldn’t even make it past Little Red Riding Hood’s story and was a goner.

“Huh?” Kohen woke up, thinking he heard something, but was only met with the rain falling outside. None of the trio had made it back up to Lachlan’s room. Kohen was on the floor, leaning back on the couch a few feet apart from Zahid doing the same thing, while Lachlan had fallen asleep stretched out on the couch. The blank TV screen light was the only thing, keeping the living room visible. Mind still waking, Kohen was about to turn the TV off when he heard it again. This time enough to decipher it.

A wet squelch sound paired with what sounded like rubber stretching.

The source sounded like it was emanating from close to Kohen, but that had to be impossible. Nothing was around him except Lachlan and Zahid. Kohen’s chest started pounding harder when his eyes landed on Zahid. There was a large hand stretching out from his abdomen, under the skin. It didn’t remain long as it was soon replaced by a foot, then another foot. Limbs alternating, seeking a way out. Kohen shook both his friends, before remembering his unsuccessful attempts last night. 

Surprisingly though, Zahid opened his eyes tonight, just in time to see a hand pushing out his mid-section. It was Zahid’s time to scream, as the limbs disappeared, replaced by a face pressing from under his skin. Zahid tried to back up, but with nowhere to go ended up crawling on the couch on top of Lachlan. Lachlan, however, did not awaken despite the commotion. The face disappeared as Zahid’s stomach went back to normal.

“What the fuck was that!” Zahid yelled, eyes still on himself.

Kohen did his best to explain the creature he saw and how it had done something last night that he couldn’t quite recall. Zahid had no choice but to believe him. They tried to wake Lachlan and Zahid wasn’t messing around. After a few gentle attempts, he gave hard slaps, stronger shoves while limbs continued to attempt to break out of him. He went to raise his right hand for another slap, and a hand in his chest crawled up his body, fingers moving across the skin as it did, until it got to his shoulder. The hand then pushed into Zahid’s arm, as a muscular arm followed it, forcing its way down and making Zahid’s arm stretch out. Zahid’s arm dropped limply at his side.

Zahid lifted it, holding it out with his other arm. Two similar brown arms but one now longer, empowered. Moving all of his fingers Zahid shared, “My arm feels kind of numb.”  He continued to manipulate the distorted limb. Then with no hesitation the left hand under his skin slotted itself into Zahid's left arm. Another pulse of flesh, as fingers surged into Zahid’s own expanding his entire palms. Now he had a matching pair.

Something clicked into Kohen’s mind. The word ‘slotted’ was correct. The limbs weren’t trying to force their way out; they were attempting to fit themselves into Zahid’s body and contour it to their shape.

Lachlan continued to give no response, even with a cold-water splash from Kohen.

“We’ve got to get his uncle.” Zahid raced for the stairs, with Kohen behind him. As they made their way up though, Zahid fell over as a foot pushed through his left leg and stretched past the hem of his pajama bottoms.  He tried to crawl up the stairs, but then his right foot did the same even faster than his hands. After it was done Zahid stood up, 5 inches taller, pajama bottoms ending at his shins. He hunched over resting, his hands on his knees. His ass stuck out now, like a bubble, pulling the now ill-fitting material taut. As for the rest, his legs weren’t giving any space either. His thighs had swollen, and his calves had gained firmness as well. 

Kohen watched all this from behind, noticing Zahid’s back expanding as his friend caught his breath. Moving in front of Zahid on the stairs and standing above him. Zahid’s front had transformed into a chest with pecs and abs. Far more developed than anything he’d had before. A creaking sense of Deja vu tapped at Kohen’s head. 

“Did that hurt?” Kohen asked.

“Honestly…” Zahid paused, “No. It felt great actually. Like finally being able to stretch after a long car ride.” He looked down at himself. “But the sensation of having a person under my skin was strange.” Zahid pressed his hands into his torso, searching around. “Might be over with now.”
Kohen didn’t comment on how strange it was to see Zahid’s face on a bigger body. It'd be a comical mismatch, if it wasn’t so terrifying. The two walked the rest of the way up the stairs while Zahid held on to the banister.

At Mr. At Hernandez's door, they heard his loud snores from the other side. Zahid pounded on it with his new fists but still they couldn't rouse him from slumber. While both were attempting, standing side by side, Kohen heard Zahid say, “Oh god.” His taller friend backed up away from the door, staring at his stomach. The face under his skin had returned and was moving up.

“No, No!” Zahid shouted, trying to push the face down with his hands, but steadily it climbed past his abs, pecs, and up his throat, until it was at the base of his head and forced itself in. A ‘Crack’ and a ‘Pop’ sounded like Zahid’s head shape changed, bigger, but also slimmer, less fat on the edges. His features rippled like waves as the face moving under it dominated overriding Zahid’s. The Indian male's jawline was now freshly defined and sharp. The black locks on his hair grew out, slightly longer, combed, more luxurious, curly. Dark scruff formed on the lower part of his face. Zahid stumbled back but caught himself right away.

  “Zahid, you, okay?” Kohen asked. Unsure what he’d do if the answer was ‘no’.

  “Yeah... I am,” Zahid nodded as his fingers touched his head. “But now it’s like my mind feels numb…different.” As his hands moved along his head his thumb caught his scruff. “What the?”  His hands slammed on his face feeling the new shape and features, he bolted to the bathroom. Leaving the door open, he flicked on the lights as Kohen peered inside. Zahid grabbed tufts of his hair, pulling it up and dropping it. “Where did this come from?”

“I told you it’s that… thing.” Kohen stated, waving his hand.

“I look like a hot older version of me… I feel like a hot version of me.” Zahid twisted his hips, staring at his ass in the mirror. In the bathroom light, Kohen could now see a very prominent bulge in the front. He flexed his arms, eyes roaming over the hills of his biceps. “Do you remember me spending all those days in the gym? Working out to get hotter and compete with other guys.”

It took Kohen a moment to realize Zahid was addressing him and shook his head, no’.

Zahid smirked, "Strangely enough I do. Memories are popping into my head. Of things I’ve never done.” Turning his attention back to Kohen, he said, “but I’m not delusional, this is messed up.” At that point a new face pressed out from his abs as both guys screamed jumping back. New limbs followed, seeking to align once again with the same spots in Zahid’s body. “Oh, fuck this!” Zahid ran back out, straight to Mr. Hernandez's door, and tried to slam into it. His shoulders collided with the wood and despite the show of force it didn’t budge an inch. 

“Alright, we’re just going to leave. They can find us in the morning.” Zahid said, grabbing Kohen's hand and heading for the front door. As they went downstairs, Kohen couldn't see it but heard Zahid’s suppressed moans and whimpers. By the time they were at the bottom, Zahid was taller than he’d been at the top of the steps and his bottoms tore off, leaving him in skin-tight checkered boxers.

Zahid went to open the door, and it didn't budge. He put two arms into it, pulling with all his might. Kohen watched as hands crawled along Zahid’s sides, until it got to his shoulders and in unison pushed. They moved along his delts, then triceps, as if aiding him and increasing his strength as his body soaked in the new power. His lats and trapezius muscles flared, as a new torso birthed inside his chest and expanded its way out, sculpting its shape into Zahid’s body. 

Kohen thought he might puke watching the bones and organs get waded through like water as another person stepped into Zahid’s body again. 

Zahid removed his hands from the doorknob. “Okay so we’re trapped.” As he stepped away from the door, Kohen got a good look at him. Zahid’s body now had proper bulk, he was more than in shape. A true thickness had settled in, as his pecs held heavier, his abs sporting a new row. The boxers he was wearing had bunched up around his waist, unable to contain all of him. His cock was practically hanging out one of the leg holes. He hovered his hands over his abs as another head came into view, mouth moaning unintelligible sounds. Zahid sprinted towards a window but couldn’t make it as the head travelled up the same path as the first. When the wandering head collided with Zahid’s internally, there was less of an encounter as it perfectly slid in. Eyes squeezed shut, The curls on Zahid’s head grew out further, transitioning into wavy locks flowing behind his ears. The scruff on his face didn’t grow out, but it came in stronger. All the while Zahid’s face was stretching, his jaw getting squarer, face boxier: the perfect visage for an older male.

Then it was over and Zahid was left a panting, moaning mess. Kohen was at his side. Only them two in the dark of night. Painstakingly clear how alone they were. 

“My body feels even more numb than before,” Zahid said, raising his hands to rub his temples. “And in my head, it’s like someone else’s thoughts are going off. About my kids…and the mortgage. I can barely hear my own thoughts.” Zahid stated, staggering forward. “My hands and feet don’t even feel like mine anymore.”  The enlarged soles slammed onto the floor, making the room shake louder than the thunder outside. “It’s like I’m trying to move someone else’s body.” 

No time to recuperate, another head pushed out of Zahid’s core. This time mammoth hands joined in, grasping out of Zahid’s interior. The hands sunk back, fading under the brown skin, hidden beneath the abs. Legs tried to kick out his obliques but to no avail as Zahid forced them back, hunching himself. Unfortunately, Kohen watched as the head traveled up Zahid’s spine, a shark fin breaking water. At the base of his neck, the head rocked past his shoulders, and Zahid collapsed as his actual head was invaded again. He tumbled to the floor, as Kohen ran by his side. The rainfall continued. 

 

Zahid’s hair gained multiple gray strands as his scruff added gray patches. Wrinkles formed on his forehead from years gone by. 

Kohen knelt beside Zahid, unable to do anything. Scuffling came from the distance and Kohen sensed he was being watched. He could feel the troll's presence lingering over him, daring him to look at it. But Kohen was way more concerned about his friend than his own fear; he couldn’t divert his attention. Thankfully, Zahid’s eyes opened and Kohen’s heart eased. 

“Hello there, young man” Zahid said, sitting up, with Kohen's help. “I was lost, wading in the dark for hours. Nice to finally see where we are?” He looked around.

“Zahid, it’s me Kohen.” Kohen touched his friend's arm. 

“Kohen…,” Zahid spoke with a raspy bass voice into the ether, pondering. “Ah yes, Lachlan, my next-door neighbor’s friend, correct?”

“Next door, what? You don’t live— I’m your friend too!” Kohen stated.

Zahid's eyes tensed, trying to recall what Kohen was saying. His face frowned as his earnest attempt yielded nothing. He closed his eyes, holding the bridge of his nose. “Must have had too much to drink last night.” he looked down at himself. “Holy Toledo, I'm only in my skivvies!” He jumped up, his mood chipper than before. “You don’t think Lachlan’s parents will mind if I borrow some clothes, do you?”

  “I–

 Before Kohen could answer, Zahid slapped him on the back, “Thanks champ.” The man stood, walked up the stairs of the house unbothered, and striding confidently. Kohen understood immediately, this was not Zahid, at least not his Zahid, not fully. There was too much of a vacancy in his eyes and callousness the man had when regarding Kohen. However, for a confused man he found Lachlan’s parent’s room without even questioning it. 

He began pulling out clothes from the closet, standing in front of the full-body-length mirror, testing out shirts. He threw pants onto the Matthews Marital bed. Kohen wandered into the room after him. The new Zahid smiled seeing him enter and invited him to sit on the bed and watch.

“What do you think?” Should I go in a dress shirt, or polo, which one say…me?”  He switched out a white dress shirt for a pink polo shirt standing in the mirror. He put the dress shirt on and modeled it for himself. “No, this isn’t quite right. Too small.” Kohen tilted his head; the shirt seemed about the correct size for the man. Zahid laughed, catching Kohen’s face. “I’m not talking about the clothes, I mean me. I’m pretty sure I should be bigger?” 

Hands pressed up from his pecs, stretching them out and turning them into meat deposits, as they refused to go back down, even as the hands drifted. “Just got to situate myself.” Zahid was staring in the mirror, but his voice was drifting. Feet clawed through his thighs, popped past his knees, and slammed into their proper place. Both feet. now size 14 clompers, unable to move around subtly. His glutes, maximizing, tore through his boxers. One minute his ass was covered, the next, pieces were on the floor. Every inch of his body was now racked with power, from bulky to beefy.  The dress shirt didn’t even close over his body anymore. He was a tank, muscle tits, better stuffed than pillows and an ass curved like two basketballs. Then there was his cock hanging like a kielbasa beneath the hem of his shirt, flanked by orange sized testicles.

Something moved in the closet as Kohen's eyes looked over drawn by motion. The troll had materialized from the darkness and was there watching him. There was something about the blankness in its eyes that sent Kohen bolting out the door even with Zahid there. When Kohen crossed the threshold the hallway outside disappeared, pulling further away into space as he fell down.

“Ow!” Kohen landed on his ass, as he woke up, pushed out of Lachlan’s bed. Lachlan slept peacefully as Kohen grumbled standing up. He looked around the room, only his sleeping bag there, abandoned on the floor last night so he could annoy Lachlan. That seemed off. His eyes fuzzed over and a scene glitch occurred in his mind. Kohen saw Lachlan’s room, but with two extra sleeping bags. Then it flicked back to just his. Odd, but then again probably just a weird morning as Kohen didn’t remember him and Lachlan coming up the stairs last night. 

Mouth feeling dry, Kohen headed downstairs to get some water. He yawned, stretching his arms into the air as he walked down the steps. Turning into the living room, he spotted a goliath on the couch, sleeping soundly. The man’s arms hung off the sides as his socked feet went past the arm rest. The sleeping giant wore an unbuttoned dress shirt, his bare chest showing, Pecs raising and lowering with every breath. His pants were unfastened as his briefs bulged in the center. He looked like he stumbled in from a ruined bachelor party.

A name popped into Kohen's head: Zahid. With that the young man shrugged and moved to the kitchen, wanting to hiss at the sun like a vampire. He had no idea who the man was but the name in his head made him not think twice. Pouring water from the pitcher into his cup. Kohen tried to remember when Lachlan and he transitioned upstairs. Mr. Hernandez strolled in grabbing an apple, dressed in running gear.

“Getting an early start to the morning. Love to see it!” The man pointed out.

Kohen didn’t have the heart to admit his voice was just kind of hoarse, “Yep.” he said flatly. But before the guy could take off, he asked. “Uh hey, Mr. Hernandez, who's the guy in the living room?”

“Who, Mr. Mishra? He’s the next-door neighbor, probably locked himself out of his house again. His wife’s away with the kids visiting family. My brother gave him a key to use whenever that happens." 

 The name struck a bell in Kohen's mind, but he couldn’t place it. “Is his first name Zahid?”

  “Uh yeah it is, how’d you know?” Mr. Hernandez questioned.

When Mr. Hernandez confirmed the answer, a memory flickered in Kohen’s head, another faceless friend, being attacked by the monster. Something that could not have possibly happened as Lachlan and he were a duo, always had been, “Just a guess.” he stated. Mr. Hernandez left out as Kohen looked over the sleeping man. Walking back upstairs, Kohen let that info shift to the back of his mind.

Stepping into Lachlan’s room and seeing his friend get up, Kohen said, “There’s a cross fit model asleep on your couch.” He leaned back onto the door frame.

“Mr. Mishra, probably,” Lachlan yawned, unimpressed. “My dad and him go way back.”

 Kohen took a swig of water, studying the room. “Does anything feel off to you?” He couldn’t shake the spaciousness and vacancy.

“Only the fact that you fell asleep first at my sleepover. What kind of guest are you?” Lachlan chuckled. Before Kohen could smother him with a pillow, a shout came from down the stairs.

“Hey Lachlan, I’m up! Gonna go change and probably cut your grass, later. Tell your dad I said thanks.” A deep voice carried itself to the young men’s ears.

“Sure, no problem!” Lachlan yelled back. Kohen made a face as Lachlan explained, “He does favors for my parents when he stays over,” He sighed, “even though he doesn't have too.” They heard the front door closed. Kohen took the opportunity to run up on Lachlan and beat him with a pillow.

Two hours later, Lachlan and Kohen were playing Super Mario Bros. Mr. Mishra passed by the window pushing his lawnmower. Kohen died as Luigi for the umpteenth time because he kept taking looks at Mr. Mishra, and not because the man’s shirt was hanging out the back of his shorts, rather a nagging thought. He had no idea why Lachlan had never mentioned this man who was oh, so close to Lachlan’s dad. Surely, even one mention in the years they’d known each other, Mr. Mishra would have come up. But Lachlan was assured he had mentioned him, but Kohen must not have listened. Kohen earnestly tried to think back on those conversations, and when he did.

Static.

Taking glimpses at the man prompted more static in Kohen’s brain, but there were also quick images, like visions attempting to claw themselves to the surface. He couldn’t shake the feeling that if he just stared longer, it’d all clear up, but it never did. Lachlan pulled him back in with a teasing insult and the game was back on. The two didn't need a lot of conversation to enjoy each other’s company; They were best friends. But today Kohen sensed dead air and wondered if Lachlan did too. Hard to pin down but with their jabs, they’d pause as if expecting another’s voice to cut in between them. The day passed by normally, or what should have been normal. Kohen spent it feeling off and by the time night was arriving, got more worried about the monster he dreamed about two nights in a row.

When night came, the last night, Kohen and Lachlan were up late, not gaming, or on their phones, but just talking to each other. Lachlan was the first to pass out. A win for Kohen, while he closed his eyes, ready to lord it over Lachlan in the morning. Lachlan’s closet door slid open. Kohen ignored it even as feet moved through the room. When it stopped, Kohen opened his eyes. Standing at the foot of Lachlan’s bed was the troll. The black mist of its beard spilled onto the floor, coating it all in an inky haze. The creature’s head tilted as it pondered Lachlan. Kohen watched as if the mist disappeared from the floor, and Lachlan's bed creaked as if something moved on top of it.

Kohen squeezed his eyes shut. This was all some terrible nightmare, a bad side effect of the movie he had been watching. He heard what sounded like the creature gulping and choking, until something crashed on the bed. 

“You awake?” Lachlan's voice asked and Kohen froze. He dared not answer that question, remaining perfectly in his state. With no answer, that seemed to settle things. There was no movement off the bed.  Kohen lay there wide-awake, letting minutes and even hours pass, until he heard Lachlan’s breathing. 

Making no sounds, Kohen sat up. The blood drained from his face. Laying in Lachlan’s bed was the troll monster, black mist around it. Its stomach was huge and undulating, sticking out the air and if that wasn't bad enough, transparent. Tucked away inside Kohen could see Lachlan curled up in the fetal position except he was far larger than he should have been. Kohen had no idea how long he stood there for, but every damn minute, Lachlan’s body grew. It wasn't until Lachlan’s body caused an audible tear in his pajamas that Kohen was stunned into action. The scene was really happening. His mind flashed back to his previous ‘nightmares’ and if this was real those were too. Kohen tried to steel his nerves He couldn’t remember why the creature had done those things but understood the fact he wasn’t being played with.  A movie here, a movie there.

“And this is supposed to be Little Red Riding Hood?” Kohen went searching through Lachlan drawers, until he found what he needed. Slowly he approached the creature, prepping himself. “Hope you know how this tale ends.” He plunged scissors into the creature’s stomach and pulled determined to save his friend. The troll’s eyes shot open as it unleashed an insane scream. The stomach went opaque, Lachlan’s form gradually deflated and nothing, but black mist spilled out the un bleeding wound. Kohen, terrified, dropped the scissors, and ran for the stairs.  Upon hitting the first step the stairs went flat as Kohen fell forward. At the bottom, mouth wide open was the creature waiting. Kohen plunged right into the darkness.

Kohen’s joints popped and bones morphed, pulling more mass into his muscle as they grew. His entire body weight got heavier, as the void sucked away a vital part of him. The further he fell, the tighter the pieces of his clothing got. His arms and legs reconstituted for a much powerful body, older male. A masculinity not his own was taking root inside Kohen and barreling out. Face bubbling, Kohen’s features boiled away into a handsome presentation. He flared his nostrils as his nose was forced into a new shape and his eyebrow began to resemble heavy caterpillars. Chest spilling out of his top of his pajamas, Kohen tried to stuff his pecs back in, but a majority of the buttons had been flung into nothingness. Not to mention his own hands were now too large and clumsy to successfully button what was left. A hard thump, from within and Kohen had another few inches on him, body huskier. “No, No” he said before his hands shot to his mouth as a low gravelly voice filled the space. By now his pajamas were filled with holes that had only gotten wider, displaying more skin underneath. The clothing damage only subsided when there was nothing left to recover. The tattered remains fluttered off into the wind, as Kohen’s nude form plummeted.  

 —

Mr. Peterson fell off the stepstool and out of his closet. “Oof!” he rubbed his ass standing back up.  He forgot what he had been doing there.

“Honey, you okay?” His partner called.

“It’s fine, babe. I think I saw a weird shadow and got spooked.” He stood back up, rechecking the closet.

His husband, Lachlan Matthews, poked his head inside. His flannel shirt was open with his pecs and chest hair spilling out, sleeves rolled up to his elbows. His jeans were cuffed at the bottom and flanked by hiking boots. He was an outdoorsy kind of guy, much more favorable to the complexity of climbing mountains opposed to carrying a cardboard box in both his hands, “Well the movers aren’t going to wait forever.”

 “I know, I know.” Kohen shared, “But just look.” He flicked the lights off, standing in their nearly empty unlit walk-in closet. “See anything?”

“Should I?”  Lachlan asked.

Kohen mulled it over. A prick of fear teased at his mind, “You know, what nah.” He grabbed the box from the top of the closet. Following behind his husband, he took one last look, just a closet. Nothing more. Thankfully their new place’s closet was going to be much simpler. He hoped his son would like it.