Darkness Page #2

Where's my drawing pad?

I left it here last night.

- These are kind of wierd drawings.

- They're not wierd.

They're just drawings.

Yeah, but you keep on doing

the same thing.

They're not the same.

They're different.

They look the same to me.

That's because they're all children.

But they're different children.

Paul.

What's this?

Did you hurt yourself?

I don't know.

Has mom seen it?

Yeah. She says I probably did it

in my sleep.

When it was dark.

I'm going.

If you go outside,

don't go near the road. Okay?

Okay.

What are you doing here?

I need to use up the last few frames

on this roll and you will be my model.

I like you as a photographer, but I

think I like you better as a painter.

Oh, Dad, this is Carlos.

- Hi.

- Hi. Nice to meet you.

Do you know anything

about electricity?

No.

Come on.

It doesn't look like mold,

it's more like... rust.

I don't understand.

They painted the whole house

before we moved in.

Trust me, baby,

this is going to look great.

It better.

And I'm gonna go get

some paint thinner, just in case.

If you want,

phone the electric company.

The hell with that, there's

something here that doesn't work.

We've been here for three weeks now,

and every day the lights go out.

They flicker, like the voltage dropped.

Do you understand?

Look, if I were you,

I'd talk to the neighbors.

If it's a supply thing,

they'll have noticed something too.

What neighbors?

We don't have neighbors.

This is a f***ing nightmare.

Calm down, okay?

I've done all I can.

In other words, f*** you, right?

In my own house. And to my face.

F*** you!

Well, you're not getting

a penny from me. Not a goddamn penny.

The insurance company will pay me

either way. Tell it to them.

Not now.

What's wrong?

I'm staying.

I can't leave now.

I'm not going to ask you why.

That's probably a good idea.

What are you doing up?

It's late.

I was waiting up for you.

I'm bushed.

I hope you painted

that room.

I need to talk to you.

Tomorrow. I'm wrecked.

You can't imagine

how busy it's been today.

Why can't wejust talk?

Theres something I need to tell you.

You say not to worry,

but Dad is a bundle of nerves.

You should have seen the way he blew

up at the electrician this morning.

Oh, he's just...

- And like, Paul's not well. I mean...

- Paul's okay.

Look at the drawings.

I mean, does this look like the kind

of thing normal kids do? I mean...

He's a kid. You should have seen

the ones you used to make. Come on.

Don't touch it!

Sorry.

These old things

can be pretty delicate.

What's that?

A room. Hidden behind the wall.

How did you know it was there?

Paul told me.

Hey, check it out.

What about hanging it here?

F***!

It works.

That's the beauty

of old things,

no electricity required.

I'll stop it.

No.

And you, little psychic, how did

you know that room was there?

What are you talking about?

- Dad said you told him it was there.

- I didn't say anything. That's a lie.

You want to be a martyr,

fine.

If you keep this up,

I don't know what we'll do.

What's going on?

Nothing. Your brother's gone and

bruised himself again. That's all.

Clumsy.

Who did this to you?

Oh, Reggie. Don't start.

Please, don't get paranoid.

Don't get paranoid?

This has happened twice.

Are you trying to tell me

there's nothing going on?

That's not what I'm saying. All

I'm saying is these things happen.

He's got to be more careful,

that's all.

Mom, why do you refuse to see what

is staring you clearly in the face?

This is not normal.

We'll talk to your grandpa. Maybe

he can talk to Paul. I don't know.

What more

do you want me to do?

I need to get the rust off the floor.

Where did you guys put the matt knife?

I was opening boxes yesterday.

It's gotta be in there somewhere.

I don't understand you.

- Honestly, I don't.

- What's going on here?

Everything's fine. Great.

Couldn't be better,

right, mom?

Fantastic. Maybe you ought

to unpack something.

What's up?

You said you weren't going

to ask me why.

What?

Why I'm staying.

And?

I wanted you to ask me.

My dad's kind of sick.

He has this disease.

It's called

"Haughtington's Syndrome".

Just before Paul

was born it got really bad.

He was having attacks.

But you can't imagine

what it must be like

to be afraid of your own father.

But...

he's okay now.

The treatment took.

He's been fine for years

until now.

Until now?

He's not doing so good.

And there's definitely

something wrong with Paul.

He's woken up

with bruises twice now.

Hold on.

- You don't think?

- I don't think anything.

He's acting weird

and he barely speaks.

Sometimes I think it's that house.

You know, this thing is much

more complicated than it looks.

Where's Paul?

Grandfather came to talk to him.

They're upstairs.

- I'm a mother. Mothers worry.

- Don't worry.

Regina...

I was beginning to think

I wouldn't get to see you.

Hi, grampa.

- You're going to catch a cold.

- Dry off, hon.

Try and get him to stay

for dinner.

Thanks again.

How are you?

I'm good. And Paul?

He's fine.

I'm sure this is no big deal.

The change of houses,

habits, environment.

But he's never been afraid

of the dark before.

I don't think that Paul's fear

of darkness is your biggest concern.

Why would he hurt hinself?

He'sjust trying to call attention.

But Dad's been strange too.

He's worse.

He's aggressive

- Like he used to be.

- That's nonsense, Regina.

I know what you all went through.

And I know it wasn't easy.

But your father

is under control now.

You need to stop worrying.

Nothing is going to happen.

- All right, dear?

- Thanks, granpa.

And now, I'm off.

He says

we shouldn't worry.

Kids do strange things sometimes.

We have to find a place

to hang that picture.

I don't know...

Mark, please.

We're talking

about our children.

They're going through a rough time.

Reggie...

she's at a difficult age.

Maybe we're not being understanding

enough with her.

And what about me?

Who's being understanding with me?

- What are you talking about?

- Come on, please.

You don't think

I hear the little secret conversations

that go on behind my back?

You're losing it.

Right. Exactly. That's exactly

the attitude I'm talking about.

Thank you.

I know where they get it from now.

Mark, please, calm down.

Did you take your medication?

Mark!

Mark?

Mark!

Regina!

Mom?

Reggie, quickly!

Come over here.

I'm feeling kinda woozy.

Slow breaths, okay?

Hold it.

I have to get the alcohol.

Not now!

Mom!

Mom!

Mom!

Where's the fuse box?

In the laundry room.

Reggie!

Paul?

Paul, what's the matter?

Let me in.

They won't let me.

- There's someone here.

- Paul, let me in.

I can't.

- Paul!

- Dad!

Shut up!

You're scaring him!

I said, stop it! Dad!

Open this door right now!

Mom!

- Stop it!

- Shut up!

Let me go!

Stop!

Paul, honey, come here.

It's okay.

It's okay.

It's okay.

I don't know.

I got scared.

We couldn't open the door.

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