Eerie, Indiana fanfiction: Exterior, Garden, Night

[froodle]

The rain fell, not hard but steadily. The neat privet hedges that divided each identical patch of lawn from its neighbour were a sodden green-black wall that whispered with the gentle susurration of droplets falling among the leaves. In the warm yellow beam of the lighted streetlamps, the air was alive with diamond-bright streaks of refracted illumination, and the night echoed with the ping and tinkle of water bouncing off the protective metal hoods over the glowing sodium bulbs.

Marshall finished spreading the tarpaulin canopy above the little tent and paused to squeeze the moisture out of his sodden fringe. His parents stood watching him from the back door, a pair of black silhouettes against the bright square of light coming from inside the house. His mother carried a pair of tightly rolled sleeping bags under one arm and a gently steaming thermos in her other hand.

“Sweetheart, are you sure about this?” she asked. “That weird bowtie guy at the store said the rain would only get worse during the night, and he's never wrong.”

Marshall gave a questioning glance towards the darkened interior of the tent. Simon’s face was a pale oval, featureless in the gloom, but the vigorous headshake he gave in response cut through the murk loud and clear.

“I’m sure, Mom,” said Marshall, squelching back across the boggy lawn to retrieve a pair of canvas bags bulging with sandwiches, snacks, and a theodolite with a specially adapted spirit level designed to detect and pinpoint spectral activity.

Marilyn stared out at the wet garden, her eyebrows knit together. Edgar put a comforting arm across her shoulder and pressed her to him.

“We’ll leave the back door unlocked,” he said. “If you change your mind, there’ll be dry towels on the kitchen table and soup in the fridge.”

“It’ll be fine, guys,” Mars assured him, tilting his head to let Marilyn kiss him on the cheek. “It’s only the back yard.”

“Okay,” said his mother, her tone doubtful. “If you’re sure...”

“I’m sure,” Marshall assured her again, taking the bed rolls and the thermos. “We’ll see you in the morning.”

His parents watched him duck under the taut tarpaulin roof, push aside the loosely-flapping mosquito netting lining the doorway, and zip the entrance up behind him. A moment later there was the click of an electric torch and the tent was lit from the inside, the shape of the two boys inside casting dark shadows against the orange backdrop like a jackolantern burning through a Halloween night.

“Sorry about that,” said Marshall, rolling out the sleeping bags in a quick practiced movement. “Sometimes it’s like Mom and Dad can’t stop themselves from making a fuss.”

Simon made a non-committal noise, suddenly very interested in laying out their night vision binoculars at exactly the right angle, and Marshall flushed quick and hot with embarrassment.

“Anyway,” he said, trying to change the subject. “Let’s see what Mom gave us to keep us alive during the long night.” He pulled out a small tin box decorated in a swirl of rainbow colours, pried the lid off, and recoiled.

“Aren’t those the cookies Miss Eerie handed out at her coronation last week?” said Simon, examining the small triangular biscuits that glittered with pearlised sugar crystals and evil intent alike.

“What are the odds that eating these will bind us to serve in her court for all eternity?” said Marshall, pressing the lid firmly back into place. “I’m leaving these for Bigfoot.”

He unzipped the door of the tent and hurled the brightly painted box out into the wet dark garden. A hollow metallic clang told him he’d hit the trash cans huddled curbside and he gave Simon a quick thumbs up. Simon grinned back, a greaseproof-paper package sitting half unwrapped in his lap .

“What about cheese sandwiches?” he said. “Pretty sure they’re only the normal Eerie Dairy level of cursed.”

“Perfect,” said Marshall, holding out his hands for one.





Trusted Associates, Inc.

Halloween by froodle, in which Mars and Simon celebrate a Von Orloff-free All Hallows Eve

Surprise by froodle, in which Mars tries to make sure Simon's birthday goes a little better this year

The Glade by froodle, in which Simon and Mars visit a place that only exists on February 29th

Egg Hunt by froodle, in which Simon and Mars partake of some traditional Easter activities

Boardwalk by froodle, in which Simon and Mars are swayed by radio advertising

Lady in Red by froodle, in which Simon experiments on the old-fashioned radio in the Secret Spot, and horror ensues

Waiting In by froodle, in which there is an ice-storm and a handyman does not arrive

Seafoam by froodle, in which Simon and Marshall go to the seaside

A Night at the Circus by froodle, in which a carnivale comes to town, and Marshall and Simon do not enjoy themselves

Taking a Break by froodle, in which Simon and Marshall enjoy some much-needed R&R

Model Railway by froodle, in which a new business prepares to open in Eerie

Shoreline by froodle, in which Simon and Marshall investigate strange happenings on the shores of Lake Eerie

Parade by froodle, in which Mars takes issue with the Eerie Beekeepers Association's choice of mascot

Homestead by froodle, in which Marshall finally gets something useful out of shop class

Hound by froodle, in which Simon makes a friend

Errands by froodle, in which Simon has a to-do list

Slyboots by froodle, in which a certain corporal of the infernal regions comes to Eerie. Crossover with Johannes Cabal the Necromancer.

Waterlogged by froodle, in which Eerie experiences heavy rainfall

Festival by froodle, in which Eerie's local businesses celebrate the summer

Strawberry by froodle, in which there is unauthorised hubbub in Eerie

Wildlife by froodle, in which Simon and Marshall go to the beach

Facilities by froodle, in which the Eerie Bus Station and Supper Club has a problem with the men's toilet

Anticipation by froodle, in which Simon and Harley look forward to the Equinox

Castle by froodle, in which there is unexpected architecture in Eerie

Visitor in which Marshall's grandma comes to stay

Euclid by froodle, in which Marshall and Simon investigate strange events at the Eerie Cemetery

The Hut by froodle, in which Simon takes on the forces of Eerie solo





Teller Family History

First Date by froodle, in which a young Edgar Teller shows off one of his earlier inventions

Popcorn by froodle. Friday night is always movie night in the Teller household.

The Teller Home for Displaced Youth by froodle, in which Edgar harbours some doubts about his new home town

Lawn by froodle, in which Marilyn Teller contemplaces some yardwork

Tornado Day, Revisited by froodle, in which Syndi learns exactly what it means to be Miss Tornado Day

Wildlife by froodle, in which Simon and Marshall go to the beach

Culinary Delights by froodle, in which Syndi's terrible cooking may or may not have been an accident

Camping by froodle, in which Syndi cannot sleep

Artist in the Family by froodle, in which an immortal creature takes a liking to Syndi

Without Due Care and Attention by froodle, in which Syndi finally becomes mobile

Waiting In by froodle, in which there is an ice-storm and a handyman does not arrive

Brunch by froodle, in which Marilyn does not appreciate Edgar's help in the kitchen

Handmade by froodle, in which the Tellers receive a Christmas package from Marilyn's mother

Poor Life Choices by froodle, in which Syndi loves her brother anyway

Lillian by froodle, in which Marilyn's mother has concerns

Visitor by froodle, in which Marshall's grandma comes to stay

Nap by froodle, in which Marshall has a quiet moment in the Secret Spot

Fresh Sheets by froodle

Tradition by froodle, in which Dash and Marshall decorate a Christmas tree

Hometown by froodle, in which Mars and Syndi visit New Jersey

Comments

[deifire]

Awesome! There's something I love about Marshall's parents being all worried, but also being the ones to put the boys in mortal peril with cookies. (Is Bigfoot as smart about them, or is he now bound to serve Miss Eerie for all eternity?)

And I'm totally wondering about the normal Eerie Dairy level of cursed...

[froodle]

They understand about colds,not about transdimensional beauty queens who can suck your soul out through your eyes.

[evilinsanemonkey]

acceptable level of cursed: Eerie Dairy

love this.

[froodle]

It's the Eerie equivalent of the "six insect legs in a chocolate bar" thing. You just adjust to a certain level of course in your diet.