When the Lights Go Out

The darkness enveloped the world like a black cape. No one would have guessed that the absence of stars in the sky would make it entirely impossible to see at night. Even flashlights didn't work. It was as if the blackness swallowed all light.

Caroline had never been so afraid. The minute she stepped outside her home, her heart stopped beating. It was just for an instant, but it was enough to explain the lump in her throat.

What was going on? Where had the stars gone? The questions flowed freely in her brain, but Caroline had no answers.

She rushed back into her home and turned on the television; flipping channels until she found the news. As if to mock her, a commercial began running with a stupid jingle. How could people think about buying shampoo at a moment like this? She hit the screen of her set in frustration and then began flipping channels again until she found more news.

"It's important not to panic," the woman on the screen said. "Scientists are working diligently to solve this conundrum and to get information back to us. Just remember that you are not alone in your fear. Reports from all over the world confirm that the stars no longer shine anywhere."

Caroline almost laughed out loud. It was obvious the female newscaster was scared out of her wits and yet there she sat trying to convince others to remain calm.

"Local police are asking for your cooperation. Stay inside your homes until we have some answers or until daybreak. A curfew is in effect. Anyone caught on the streets will be ticketed or arrested. Looters will be shot on sight although every attempt will be made to wing and not kill them. There are no exceptions to the curfew except for medical, police and fire personnel or personal emergencies. If you have one an emergency, contact 911 and arrange for an ambulance. Do not venture out on your own. It's too dangerous!"

Caroline had the sudden urge to check on her children. Bobby, age five, was snoring lightly with his Buzz Light-Year doll cuddled under one arm. Cynthia, 6 months, had kicked off her covers for the third time since Caroline put her to bed. Her mother carefully replaced the blanket and lovingly swept one curl out of daughter's eyes.

Returning to the TV, Caroline noted that another individual had replaced the woman onscreen. He was standing at a platform at some kind of news conference. She turned up the volume to see what he had to say.

"So far science has not been able to come up with a theory that explains the lack of stars. It's as if a black veil has dropped between them and the Earth. There is no indication that planets inside our solar system are missing. That is the eeriest thing. It is more like they have just been turned off."

"But what would cause that?" Someone shouted the question that sounded more like a plea than a query.

"We just don't know. Nor do we know if the effect is permanent or temporary. We hope when daylight arrives, we'll be able to come up with more answers for you.

Caroline lay down on the couch and pulled a throw over her body. She listened for a few more minutes before exhaustion took over and she fell asleep.

"Mommy, mommy," a little voice filtered through Caroline's foggy brain and tiny fingers shook her awake. "Mommy, there's no light in the sky."

"I know baby, but it will be daylight soon. Now go back to bed."

"I can't, Mommy. I'll be late for kindergarten," the dark-haired boy insisted.

"Honey, it's still dark outside. You're up too early," his mother replied.

"No I'm not, Mommy, My alarm went off. It's morning."

Shivers ran down Caroline's spine as she gazed into the darkness outside her living room window. It couldn't be morning. There was no change in the blackness from the night before.

Jumping up, Caroline ran into the kitchen to look at the clock. It said 8:15 a.m.

"See, I told you, Mommy. Somebody stole the sun." With that Bobby began sobbing uncontrollably.

"It's all right baby. I'm sure the sun will come up eventually. It must be a mistake." Yet inside her own body Caroline trembled. "Whatever was happening before had suddenly gotten a whole lot more serious."

Flipping the television back on, she was greeted with a blank screen. Moving through the channels she found every station was blank.

Moving to the radio in her bedroom, she tried to dial up a local station. However, all that she heard was static.

Running to the front door, she threw it open for a look outside. She couldn't see a thing although she could hear cries and screams from her surrounding neighbors.

"The end is coming," yelled one voice. "We're all doomed," came yet another. Afraid the predictions would scare her son, Caroline closed the door quickly.

"Mommy, are we going to die?" It was a logical question out of the mouth of a babe. The problem was Caroline didn't have an answer.

"Of course not, darling," she cooed as she wrapped her son in her arms. However, she realized that she could be lying.

What do you say, you, Cynthia and I all jump into mommy's big bed. If it's going to stay dark, we might as well sleep in.

Caroline felt foolish suggesting such a thing but she didn't know what else to do. "I'll tell you a story."

Bobby nodded and padded down the hallway with his mother to his baby sister's room. The nightlight offered plenty of light to the pair as they moved toward the crib.

The little boy noticed it first because he was small enough to see through the crib bars. He let out a blood-curdling scream that stopped his mother in her tracks.

"Bobby, what's wrong?" Caroline knelt to her son's level so she could look deep into his brown eyes.

The child didn't respond. He just kept crying. However, he did point toward the baby's crib.

Caroline turned to follow his eyes and she quickly noted what had caused his panic. The baby was no longer there.

Flipping on the overhead light, Caroline examined the room closely. Cynthia clearly hadn't got out of the bed on her own. Running to the window, she noted that it was locked tight and the alarm was still in place.

Running into each room and checking other windows and doors, she found the same thing.

Searching her mind she tried to remember if the front door had been locked when she opened it just moments before. But she already knew the answer. It had been because the alarm beeped for her to push in the code when she opened it.

Sitting on the floor, Caroline began sobbing. The tears shook her body until she couldn't cry anymore. Then it occurred to her, she was scaring her son.

"Bobby, come to Mommy," she shouted; wondering where the tot was hiding himself. Then another thought crossed her mind and she jumped up from the floor and began screaming her son's name.

"Bobby, Bobby where are you, baby? Come to Mommy, son. Come to Mommy please. I'm not mad at you baby. Please come here."

Retracing her steps she ended back in Cynthia's room. What she saw there was more than she could bear. On the floor next to the crib lay her son's Buzz Light-Year. He went no where without it. It had become a bone of contention between her and his kindergarten teacher. She had threatened to throw him out of her class because of his affinity for it.

Cuddling the doll, Caroline felt her mind snap. It was the last thought she'd ever have.

"Millions of people disappeared during the mysterious blackout that occurred over the weekend," a newscaster's voice echoed in the empty home. "No one knows how or why just like they cannot explain what caused the blackout to begin with it. It ended as quickly as it began. One minute the lights were off. The next they were back on. The difference was that the darkness took lives along with it. The entire world is in mourning."