Random quote: Anybody can be somebody because God didn't take time to make a nobody - my mother
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 852
  
Location: Inside the Writer's Digest office | The government has issued a warning that a particular (and common) household item is having an unusual side effect on children. Worse yet, you own this item. You rush home to check on your kids. When you get there, you're shocked to find that your kids have ... . Write this scene.
Please limit your response to 500 words or fewer. | |
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Member
Posts: 29
Location: Erie county PA | I watched the evening news as normal while I ran the checkout counter of the small store I worked at. I was not paying much attention except the same package of tuna I was checking out was on the big TV screen at the front of the store.
The report stated that the manufacture of the tuna had recalled one batch of the tuna with a manufacture code of FL154-HGR834. "The batch was made from fish stolen from a research facility where the fish were infused with genetic material from other animals." It then told us unusual side effects were noted on mainly children eating this fish.
Great that was our favorite brand I just took a full case of it home yesterday, I checked the package I was scanning, it was the right code. I told the boss, my dad about the report and tossed the package on his desk. "I have to get home, I have a whole case there. Mikey is sure to be eating supper now I hope he has not got into it. He is playing games on the computer and blocking the phone line again."
I ran to the car and was home in minutes. The kitchen was littered with chewed up packets of tuna the kitchen smelled like a fish cannery. "Mikey get that dam dog under control he has gotten in the cupboards again." I checked the numbers while waiting for him to get into the kitchen. It was the recalled code.
Rufus our Husky must have chewed up all these packets there were hundreds of them. Our summers worth of quick sandwich fixins. Mikey came in holding Rufus's collar. He was kind of bent over. I screamed my head off when Mikey turned to face me, he had a dog face. He had fur on his face matching Rufus along with sharp teeth. His muzzle and the rest of his body was distorted, halfway between human face and a dog. He burped a great tuna breath burp. He stood up on his new modified hind legs and walked awkwardly over to me. "Mom, rhat is rong?"
"You...you...dog...face...change." It was too much the floor jumped up and got me. I didn't remember anything after that until I woke smelling dog. I blinked seeing Rufus and near Rufus Mikey over me licking me awake. I panicked, what now, what did the two of them get into to smell so strong like dog. It smelled like a kennel in the kitchen. I got up to call the ambulance and passed out again when my half paw would not grab the phone right.
I woke hungry, O so hungry. Mikey had his head stuck in Rufus's food bag munching away. I took it from him. "Don't eat that stuff. That is for dogs."
He pointed at his new face, "Mom, rut hoo you shink I am now, you hoo." He handed me a hand full, "Ash you shay hefore, shy it you rike it."
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New User
Posts: 1
| After seeing the report that children were having a serious side affect to Kruchy peanut butter I realized I had packed each one of my three kids a peanut butter and jelly sandwich that day. While I raced home I tried to think back to what the report said.
"Children who are reported to have eaten Krunchy peanut butter are having serious abdominal troubles. Starting with a small ache the children eventually succumb to a fetal position they are unable to escape. Currently 500 children in the Detros County have been reported ill.”
My youngest daughter, Lucy, had complained of a stomachache last night. I was sleeping so I thought she was just trying to get out of school again. I told her it was nothing and to go back to sleep. If something serious had happened I would be the worst mother in all of history.
When I pulled into my garage I noticed Tim, my husband, was not at home. He is a musician and works nights while I worked in my corporate office on Main Street during the day. We trade the kids in the afternoon. Rushing into the house I prayed and prayed there was a message left to tell me where they were. Nothing was wrong I tried to assure myself. My mother instincts told me otherwise. My prayers answered, there was a note posted to the fridge. "Went to St. Mary's hospital. Lucy complaining of stomach cramps.
I jumped back into my car, turning off the radio. I didn't want to hear the reports. I was nervous enough as it was. When I finally found my husband and two kids I panicked. "Where’s Lucy?" I sobbed. "She going to be alright" my husband assured me. When the doctor came thirty long minutes later he told us Lucy was suffering from the same illness that the radio was talking about. "Why aren't my other kids sick then" I demanded. The doctor explained that at 13 and 15 years old the other two were too old to be afflicted by this sickness.
Lucy remained in the hospital while I stayed with her at night and my husband during the day. The two other children were deemed old enough to stay alone with the crisis at hand. I constantly checked the TV and radio for news of a cure or an answer, anything. I was desperate. My child, my poor sick Lucy could barely talk. I would have gladly taken her place than to see her pale clammy body covered in hospital blankets.
After a week in the hospital a doctor found the answer. There was a compound in the peanut butter and young children did not have the enzyme to digest it. He produced a shot, with tons of help from government money. When Lucy received the shot she slowly started feeling better. We are now at home watching her like a hawk. I will never take my children for granted again.
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Veteran
Posts: 115
| A Lesson in Procrastination
My kids are like most – the listen, they don’t – they claim they deny…the list goes on.
I told Thomas we should get rid of the stuff we really don’t need – our house is cluttered enough.
I’ll never forget what he said.
“Nooooo – Come on – don’t you think you’re over reacting?”
“Absolutely not!”- I said. “Particularly those things – they’re all over the place and the kids don’t take care of them! - they’re useless!”
Thomas suggested we sleep on it.
“I don’t need to sleep on it Thomas, I already know!”
He looked at me with a hansom eye and a sighing smile.
“Fine, we’ll sleep on it – but for now let’s lock’em in the garage – there’s plenty of space – I doubt the kids will miss them anyway.”
Thom wasn’t biting but he let me do it.
The next day I was at lunch with some of my girlfriends. And of course Thomas hadn’t decided “yet”.
Janine sat across from me, “I know I know I went through the same thing with Mark – I told him the kids have enough crap.”
Lori chimed in, “Me too - besides – did you read that article? – in the Sunday paper? – it was crazy!”
“I did,” I said. “I mentioned it to Thom but he’s just not a quick whip.”
Men! - We all busted up laughing.
I was sitting back at my desk when my secretary, Allan, came in.
“Sharon you better listen to this.” He walked over to the mahogany console I had in my office and turned on the radio.
And then I heard it! The blood rushed out of my body. I could barely breathe!
“Turn it up Allan!”
He did.
“Jesus Christ! - Call my husband - tell him what’s happened - tell him I’m on my way home right now!”
Allan was already dialing Thom.
I grabbed my purse and took off. I was 5 minutes away. I could make it!
I turned on the radio listening for more – some guy from the government was laying out an action plan – God! What was happening!?!
I was furious! We should have got rid of those things when I said to damn it and NOW LOOK! MY CHILDREN!
I pulled up to our house and jumped out of the car.
I ran up to the door. It was already open.
“Brian! Joseph!”- I yelled as loud as possible.
I headed to the door in the kitchen which opened to the garage.
As I approached I could see something had torn it right off its hinges!
My heart was racing. POUNDING!
I grabbed a knife out of a drawer.
I was terrified.
I could hear something. Voices?
My hands were shaking so hard I thought they were going to just snap off.
I slowly walked into the garage.
I SCREAMED! I couldn’t stop! I was too late!
There were my boys! My heart and soul!
With all four TV’s - plugged into a power strip!
Watching.
Wyatt.
Edited by Wyatt.C.Hilby 2008-05-10 8:37 PM
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Member
Posts: 11
| Was it worth it?
The news scared me to death! Children were showing adverse behavorial effects to a brand name cereal! A cereal that I had just stocked up on! A cereal my two kids had eaten for breakfast this morning!
I grabbed the phone and called home! No answer! Leaving work was not a good thing to do but, my babies were in trouble! I had to go and I did! Let the boss fire me! Who cares! I hate working saturdays anyway.
Why I did not get a ticket driving sixty in a forty mile an hour zone was unusual to say the least. Hopefully all those cops were checking on their kids too. I screeched into the drive, tripped and skinned both knees when leaping from the car and managed to gain the front door. It was locked!
Impossible. My husband was home and babysitting today. Had he taken the kids to the hospital already?
Grab the phone ! Push speed dial. Breathe! Do not hyperventilate, there is no time! There is also no answer on his cell. It just rings and rings!
Hospital. He has to be there! No cells are allowed to be on in the hospital. Oh my God! My babies. My precious babies have been harmed by this terrible cereal. It's all my fault! they wanted chocko bits and I insisted they have HEALTHY cereal. I am a terrible mother!
"Good morning, Medical South Emergency"
" Where are my kids! Are they okay? Let me talk to my husband" .
" Ma'am I really need for you to calm down."
The person who answered the phone obviously did not have children. What did she mean calm down? I am calm. I am in control. I just want some information!
" Ma'am, please stop screaming. Just take a breath and give me the names of the children you are looking for."
" Freddie and Jason Burke!" I yelled in frustration. " I want to talk to someone who can tell me how they are!"
" I am sorry but we do not have any children, or adults ,by that name here. Perhaps I should send an ambulance there ma'am?"
" I do not need an ambulance I need my children!"
" But......"
I slammed down the phone in frustration.
Now what! Call the police. No, get in the car and go search? No, wait here for some word? Not bloody likely!My babies might be undergoing some transformation this instant! their little personalities could be warped forever. Their little minds destroyed! All because I refused to buy my precious darlings the cereal they asked for. Bad mommy. Bad, bad, bad!
What was that? They are home! "
Boys you are okay! Mommy was so worried! Frank where have you been? How dare you take the boys out without letting me know! Have you lost your idiot mind? Why are you all staring at me? What has happened to my babies? I am so sorry boys. I promise ,from now on we will buy Chocko Bits all the time. Mommy will never , ever, make you eat that icky healthy Twigs and Stems brand again."
" Mother." My ten year old said calmly. "What seems to be wrong with you today? You seem very distraught. We have just been for a nice visit to the museum. Father was very kind and took us there."
" My goodness it was such an interesting experience," eight year old Jason ,chimed in.
I staggered back to the nearest chair an sat down before my knees completely gave way. Who were these kids and what had happened to my boys? My two battling, stone deaf most of the time, bad grade making, taunt the neighbors cat, children? I looked at my husband. He was smiling.
"Frank? Museum? What?" Full sentences seemed to be out of my reach at this point.
" Yes dear ,the boys and I enjoyed a quiet afternoon at the museum and then we stopped by the grocery to stock up on their favorite cereal, Twigs and Stems.
Edited by bellestory 2008-05-07 8:51 AM
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Member
Posts: 11
| was taking some time out for myself that Saturday; I was giving myself a little shopping spree- alone. I hired a sitter to deal with my unruly kids, then off I went, intent on enjoying the quiet, even if it was just for one afternoon.
As I entered the Superstore, I was handed a flyer. I nearly tossed it- until I read the bold words across the top- "Warning: Fruitade Recall". I bought that juice on a regular basis.
More curious than alamed, I decided to read further. Only then did I become alarmed.
"Fruitade 100% Juice brand juices are being recalled for the experimental toxins used in the growing of the fruit used in this product. A large amount of this toxin might have been introduced in the juicing process, and could cause adverse psychological effects in children. Please send unused portions of this product for a full refund to..."
I never finished the flyer. I ran to the car, fearing the worst. Gunning the engine, I tore through the streets, slamming on the brakes when I got into the driveway. Jumping from the car to the house, I threw open the front door, expecting complete chaos.
I had three very surprised people looking at me as if I was a few cards short of a deck.
My hair looked as if I had been in a wind tunnel as I stood in the doorway, huffing like a racehorse who just finished first place. I looked at my kids, then the sitter before composing myself. Everything seemed okay. Until I noticed the room.
The room was completely clean.
My children were definitely affected by the juice- 'Adverse Psychological Effects', indeed! Everything shone,down to the doorknobs and picture frames. I was in awe.
"Is this your doing?" I asked the befuddled babysitter, who looked at me like I was a lunatic. She smiled weakly. "Um... No, Ma'am. They decided to do that on their own. They cleaned their bedrooms too."
I laughed at her audacity. "They NEVER clean their rooms. They never do ANY chores." Then I went to see if she was just trying to placate me. She wasn't.
Their rooms were sparkling; the beds were made, the toys were where they should be, and even the crooked pictures now hung straight. I walked into the living room, dumbfounded. The kids didn't make a peep the entire time I was there. They just sat with the sitter, playing cards quietly. I couldn't help but gawk at them.
The sitter took confidence in my silence. "They've been little angels the entire time you were out Ma'am- no fighting or anything. Not like you said on the phone when you hired me." Then, "Are you staying, Ma'am?"
I met her grin with one of my own. "No... I'll be back in a few hours. Okay?" I left the house and made a beeline for the bulk food store and bought all the Fruitade juice they had!
(If anyone would kindly comment on what you thought of my post (good or bad), please feel free to email me at: sillypoetry@aol.com. Thank you!) | |
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New User
Posts: 1
| It was a typical day at work with my mind drifting to the many errands waiting for me at home. Yet I knew that when I got home later, my thoughts would be focused on the work I had left undone at the office. Such is the hectic, endless whirlwind that engulfs my life as a wife and mother of two teens.
And then I get an email from a co-worker telling me that there’s a dangerous product in my cupboard that is being recalled immediately. Seems it causes children to lose all of their hair and their teeth. Yikes! At home are two vain teenage girls, both of them pretty princesses overly proud of their long, luxurious hair. God only knows how miserable life at home would become if these darling daughters lost their hair, not to mention their teeth. In addition, their dad would find it unbearable after having spent a small fortune on braces for them. I had to get home and safeguard my family!
I rush home from work determined to rid my house of the window cleaning product before one of the girls accidentally picks up the bottle. Certainly they would never touch it on purpose, but they might unwittingly brush against it while dropping something in the garbage pail!
As I rush through the front door, I can hear the girls chattering in the bathroom. No doubt they’re busy doing each other’s hair or make-up, I think to myself as I rush to the kitchen to retrieve the offending product.
I’m shocked to find out it’s not there! I frantically search every corner of the cabinet, but it is nowhere to be found. At the point of hysteria, I rush down the hall to the girl’s bathroom, and find the eldest holding the bottle in her hand and spraying the mirror. The youngest has her head in the toilet bowl, making cleaning motions. Apparently they hadn’t heard me come in.
“Ohmygawd! What are you doing?” I scream when I see them. Startled, the oldest drops the window cleaner bottle into the sink and the youngest almost falls into the toilet as she hurries to stand up.
“Mom, this was supposed to be a surprise!” they chorus at the same time. “Mother’s Day is day after tomorrow, and we wanted to clean the house and surprise you.”
I scoop both of them in my arms and hug them, thanking them as I realize this will probably be the last time they ever surprise me by cleaning the house. Finding out the window cleaner is toxic will no doubt cause them to have a lifetime phobia against cleaning. We can only hope that the girls won't loose hair or teeth from their exposure to the cleaner.
Oh well, I shrug wearily, maybe teenage princesses shouldn’t be required to clean. After all, that’s why they have a mom. And this mother's day will be special if only because they tried to surprise me.
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New User
Posts: 4
Location: midwest USA | As I rush home, my mind is desparately trying to recall the last few weeks. Have I noticed any of the symptoms noted in the government study? Christy went rollerskating last week but I couldn't remember if she'd fallen or not. Did she have any new bruises? I wracked my brain trying to summon her image from her bath last night. Why couldn't I remember?! I ran the stop light at Mulberry and Main and I tried to remember the last time Joey fell off his skateboard. I just couldn't remember!
Finally in my garage, I notice that Grace's bike isn't on the front lawn. It's in the garage. Didn't she ride it to school today?
Calm down, I tell myself. You're getting all flustered. Get yourself together and think straight. I take a deep breath and slowly open the door to our house.
Two of my kids were sitting at the kitchen table, dutifully finishing their homework.
"Hi, kids," I say, trying to be casual. "What's new?"
Joey and Grace both look up, angelic and smiling.
"Nothing much, mom."
Joey just shrugs.
"So, where's your sister?" I ask.
"In her room. She's been there awhile."
I surreptitiously look at the arms of my kids. No bruises, welts, scars. Nothing. Maybe the government study is right on track after all.
Down the hall, I can hear Christy humming to herself. At four years old, it was not uncommon for me to find her humming or talking to herself. She has a whole neighborhood of imaginary friends and she's always chatting with one or more of her characters. I peeked in her door and my heart nearly stopped. I braced myself in the doorway. It couldn't be true! Even little Christy was affected! Her room was spotless. No dolls on the floor. No clothes kicked under the bed. No toys underfoot. She was sitting on the floor, coloring in her coloring book. Spongebob never looked so good. Not only had she chosen color-appropriate hues, she had stayed inside the lines. I groaned aloud and picked up my baby. In a panic, I inspected her arms and legs and belly. Nothing.
"What's wrong, Mommy?"
My mind was reeling with this new information. The energy-efficient lightbulbs we'd installed just a few weeks ago were making my kids helpful, coordinated and polite!
...We've got to get more of those bulbs.
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Member
Posts: 10
| “Hey lady, you didn’t pay for that newspaper.” I looked at the red-faced, harried clerk like he was insane. I threw the newspaper back onto the counter. It landed on the floor and I left it. I had to get home as fast as possible—impossible of course when you work in New York City. Giving up on a taxi, I ran down the stairs to the subway. All the passengers looked frightened. Everyone was talking about it. It was an ordinary household product. How was it possible for it to have such an unbelievable side effect? There were two important details for me to focus on: 1) It did not happen to everyone, and 2) They had only been in the house one day. My daughter Rachel and her brother Matt were eight and ten years old, respectively. I knew my husband would never make it home before me. Naturally I had left my cell phone on the kitchen table this morning, so I could not even get an update. Well, I’m sure their school would have phoned me by now. Getting through to them was impossible.
I stumbled off the train, snagging my heel in a grate and nearly fell flat on my face. I could see the crowd outside the school from a block away. Everyone was yelling and gesturing at the same time. The stream of students began to exit the school. Frantically, I stood on one foot and then the other. Oh, I see them. Here they come. They seem to be fine. But when I reached my kids, there were multiple Rachel’s and Matt’s coming out the doors in pairs. No, it couldn’t be. Waving the rogue juice boxes in the air, Rachel and Matt laughed and pointed to all their clones falling in line behind them.
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New User
Posts: 2
| The evening before Emiline’s birthday, I entered Toys ‘R Us without the vaguest idea of what I was going to buy. Her wish list was enormous. It felt like she wanted every item in every aisle I went down. Of course I wanted to get her something special, something she really wanted, but what? I decided to look at the copy of the weeks specials that were posted on the bulletin board at the front of the school for inspiration. What I found instead sent me rushing from the store, into my car and racing home.
Pinned to the board next to the sale circular were the product recalls. Sunshine Cindy bubble bath was being recalled. That was Emiline and Cady’s favorite bubble bath. It was the only thing that would get my girls into the bathtub. The liquid smelled like cherries and created mounds and mounds of cotton candy like bubbles, deliciously pink tinged bubbles. Apparently, Sunshine Cindy was having a peculiar affect on some children. I had to get home and get rid of it before Jeff put the girls in for their bath.
Sadly, I was too late. I opened the door to find Jeff on the phone with poison control. He frantically tried to tell the operator all that the girls had eaten that day. I flew past him to the living room where my children were crying loudly. I know I should not have laughed. I tried not to laugh; it just made the girls cry even harder.
My little angels were blue. Bright blue. From head to toe. I gave the girls a hug and told them not to worry, it would be all right. I ran into the kitchen and got Jeff’s attention. He stared at me with a frustrated glare at my stifled giggles. I motioned for him to give me the phone. I told the operator that it was okay; the girls had used the recalled bubble bath and were suffering from its temporary side effect. She informed me that we were not her first case and ended our call.
I sat Jeff down and explained the government’s recall warning. Apparently, the Sunshine Cindy’s bubble bath contained a botanical fragrance that when mixed with the red dye #98 caused the blue staining the girls were experiencing. The color was only supposed to last a day or two. There was only one thing left to do….
Take pictures.
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Veteran
Posts: 109
Location: Kenwood | It was good to finally go home after a long day in town. While leaving the last stop, an article on the front page of a Newspaper in a news stand caught my attention that was entitled, "Who Would Have Known?" In a picture, three small children were grouped together, sitting in a doctor's office. All of them had stark white hair. And not just the hair on their heads, but also their eyebrows, eyelashes, even a white glow on their arms gave these children a ghost-like aura.
Distracted by what I saw, I began reading. According to the article, several cases were reported of children using a new shampoo designed for adults. It not only cleaned the children's hair, but also stripped the color of their hair as well. And if they were in a bath, well then, it did a complete job all over. The article continued to explain that this was strangely happening only to children. Some speculations were made, and although no apparent harm to the children was caused, still a warning not to use this product was strongly urged. At the end of the article, the name of the shampoo was given, and a refund promised. "I have that same shampoo at home", I thought as I drove away.
When I arrived home, there were our two children, with the water colors and brushes, painting each other using a rainbow of colors. When they noticed me standing there watching them they said, "We lost our color! Don't worry, we're fixing it." As I removed the suspect bottle of shampoo, I couldn't help but smile.
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Veteran
Posts: 109
Location: Kenwood | It was good to finally go home after a long day in town. While leaving the last stop, an article on the front page of a Newspaper in a news stand caught my attention that was entitled, "Who Would Have Known?" In a picture, three small children were grouped together, sitting in a doctor's office. All of them had stark white hair. And not just the hair on their heads, but also their eyebrows, eyelashes, even a white glow on their arms gave these children a ghost-like aura.
Distracted by what I saw, I began reading. According to the article, several cases were reported of children using a new shampoo designed for adults. It not only cleaned the children's hair, but also stripped the color of their hair as well. And if they were in a bath, well then, it did a complete job all over. The article continued to explain that this was strangely happening only to children. Some speculations were made, and although no apparent harm to the children was caused, still a warning not to use this product was strongly urged. At the end of the article, the name of the shampoo was given, and a refund promised. "I have that same shampoo at home", I thought as I drove away.
When I arrived home, there were our two children, with the water colors and brushes, painting each other using a rainbow of colors. When they noticed me standing there watching them they said, "We lost our color! Don't worry, we're fixing it." As I removed the suspect bottle of shampoo, I couldn't help but smile.
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New User
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Location: SC | ...constructed a large obelisk out of marshmallows. I wondered where they had gotten so many. The object was sitting on top of the dining room table and almost reached the ceiling. Hovering above was a halo of compact fluorescent light bulbs.
The candle was also hovering above the obelisk, smack in the center of the halo. It was lit and fumes were rising from the flame. My wife, Darla, had mentioned she had bought it at Grab-Mart last week. Now I remember. She also had bought a case of marshmallows to see if she could make one thousand crispy rice treats.
The swinging door from the kitchen slowly opened and out walked my daughter, Katy. She wore a shoulder harness connected to an ironing board. Darla was sitting on top of the board in the lotus position. Shouldering the other end was Jason, my son. Darla was wearing Jason’s football helmet and sat silently with her eyes glazed over. Katy and Jason were chanting “Marshmallow.” The three of them were oblivious to my presence.
I tried desperately to recall what the radio announcer had said that others had done to counteract the effects of the candle. It had something to do with Pam® and Spam® but I couldn’t remember. I went to the kitchen and turned on the television to the twenty-four hour news channel.
“Repeat. If you have any “Out-of-This-World” Scented Candles at home, destroy them at once. Thousands of viewers have sent camera phone photos of people under its control. These people have constructed large obelisks out of marshmallows, jelly beans, French fries, or a combination of these materials. One viewer, Stanley Johnson, of King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, has reportedly solved the mystery of how to stop this madness and is currently on the line. Stanley?”
“Thanks. First, take some Spam®. I tried potted meat but it didn’t work. Mix it in a red, plastic bowl with any kind of Pam®, with olive oil or any other additive, as long it is not generic. Mix them well and then take a jar of Smucker’s® strawberry jam. Not jelly now. You must follow this to a tee. Mix in the whole jar; you cannot add too much.”
I began to look for these ingredients in the cupboards.
“After you have it well mixed, take a spoon and fling some of it directly at the candle. Immediately the trance will be broken. But don’t take too long. The scent will get to you, too.”
I found the ingredients and mixed them according to Stanley’s instructions. I began to feel woozy and crave marshmallows but I was determined not to fall under the candle’s power. I hurried into the living room with the bowl and spoon. My family was standing in front of the obelisk with their arms raised. I aimed a spoonful at the candle and let it fly. The mixture hit the candle and doused its flame. Immediately, Darla and the kids turned towards me and….
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Member
Posts: 11
Location: Beaumont, Texas 77705 | THE UNUSUAL SIDE EFFECT
I was out shopping today and was startled by the news report I heard on my car radio. The announcer said, “The government has issued out a warning on G. E. Light bulbs, it has been reported that whether they are on or off, they are emitting micro waves that affect the brain, and it only seems to affect children“.
I was petrified, I began driving like a mad woman. The thought of something terrible happening to my babies was just more than I could bear.
I tried calling home on my cell phone and no one answered. The phone just continued to ring and ring. I became more fearful nearly having a wreck, I couldn’t seem to concentrate, all I could think of was my children and trying to get to them as quick as possible.
It was 4:00 p.m. and they were all home from school by now, why didn’t they answer the phone? Then I thought, maybe they can’t. Finally I pulled up into the drive way, no sign of the children. I left all my shopping items into the car in haste to run to the door to check on the kids.
I was a bundle of nerves, the door was locked and I didn’t have my keys in my hand so I had to run back to the car to get them. When I opened the front door, all was quiet, not a child in site. I went into the kitchen and it was spotless.
I made my way upstairs; looking into the first bedroom, my daughter was doing her homework and her room was clean. She wasn’t even on the phone, and when she asked me If I needed her to do anything, I nearly fainted.
I walked on to the boys room, they weren’t yelling or fighting, not at all like them selves, they were actually enjoying each other’s company. And besides all this, their room was immaculate.
I could hardly breath, what has come over my children, they never acted this way before, it’s got to be the UNSUAL SIDE EFFECT OF THE LIGHT BULBS.
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Member
Posts: 5
| "Unusable side effects... seen only in children... psychotic behavior ... authorities are stunned."
I sipped my beer.
"CleanUp Disinfectant and Cleaner seems to be the cause."
The anchor explained the situation. Everyone in the bar sat transfixed at the televisions above the bar. The playoffs had been interrupted for this important notice.
"Children have turned violent; rabid, attacking anyone that comes near." The anchorman explained.
I slapped a twenty on the bar then ran toward my car. I shouldn't be driving I know, but Lisa was out with her friends, and we hired a babysitter to watch the kids so I could watch the playoffs at MacDoggles, my favorite bar.
"Damn." I said aloud as I sped toward home. I shouldn't be driving. I should've remained home but our marriage was strained, I needed to get out.
Now, I just wanted to see my kids again. To make sure all was okay.
I sped down the road. Something, someone, shot across and I hit the brakes. I didn't have time to stop and I struck it.
I stopped the car. Looking behind I saw a lifeless lump in the road. It looked like a dead dog but then it stirred, then it rose.
It was a child. A young boy. Bloodied. He walked toward me with an innocent glare in his eyes, as if questioning what happened.
Then, his eyes turned sharp. He darted toward me screaming "brains!".
I ran back to my car, closing the door just in time as he slammed against it.
The young boy now looked more like a rabid wolf as he clawed at my window, bloody teeth exposed, as he screamed "brains.. I need brains"
I started my car, the old Saturn stalled and I feared I'd be stuck as the young boy pounded on my window.
Then, the engine turned over, I accelerated and my car shot off.
In the rear view mirror I saw the boy, he couldn't have been over ten, jumping in the air in frustration.
As I sped down the road it looked like a dark and twisted Halloween. Children ran around, chasing adults into the street, surrounding them.
I pulled into my wooded subdivision and was relieved to see it was quite. I parked in the driveway and ran to my house.
Inside, Nancy, our babysitter lay prone.
Britney and Lindsey, our two daughters, age eight and ten, sat chewing on her head. There was a gaping whole and it was empty where her brains once were.
"Britney, Lindsey!" I exclaimed.
"Daddy." Britney said. "We missed you."
"Daddy." Lindsey said. "We are hungry."
I shook as they approached me.
"CleanUp Cleaner and Disinfectant will clean up your life!"
I remembered the jingle from the television ad.
"Cleanup Cleaner and Disinfectant will clean your home and good!"
They were singing the old jingle as they walked toward me.
Edited by jmh2008 2008-05-09 11:14 PM
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The recall had been in effect for days now but I didn’t care. At first I didn’t believe it but when I arrived at the school that day I knew my eyes were not lying. Some might call me a terrible mother for what I am doing. They may even say I should have my children taken away and that I am not fit. That’s fine with me. I believe what I am doing is for the best. For many years my two children have struggled with school and have suffered great humiliation and there has been nothing I could do about it, nothing until now.
I remember the day of the recall and I cherish it as one of the greatest days in my life. I arrived at the school, after a great panic when I heard that a new type of vitamin, one that I had only just purchased on the weekend, had an ingredient in it that was believed to be causing children to feel drowsy and reducing their ability to concentrate and focus and with continued use, might even be fatal. The teachers said it was like everyone had taken a stupid pill before coming to school and that they had to send so many children home that the schools were practically empty. There were only a few kids able to attend. Those who had not ingested the vitamin pills and, and well, my children. For some reason the ingredient that was impairing the brain functions of all these children, somehow had the reverse effect on my children. They became sharp and clear and for the first time in their lives, felt whole. They had completed work that only days ago, they could not do. The teacher said there would be no need for me to take my children home as they had obviously not been in contact with the vitamin pills. She told me that my kids were fine and in fact seemed to be doing rather well.
Excited with this change in my children, I have continued to give the vitamins to them, in spite of any risk. They are happy and proud and filled with excitement. I have never seen them so full with life, so I did something I have never done before. I knew that I would not be able to purchase the vitamins and it was apparent that I would need to stalk up on what ever I could get my hands on. I was aware that the local pharmacy was collecting the recalled vitamins and without a thought about the consequences of getting caught, I disguised myself as a health official and told them I had come to pick up the returned items. I was surprised at how easy it was. People were more trusting than what you see on the evening news. I collected one hundred bottles of the vitamins. I know that I will run out one day, but until then, I will bask in the successes of my children, a pleasure I have not known. I will be able to feel like all the other parents and for short time we will all blend in and this will be nice and I will have some peace.
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| As soon as I arrived home from work the babysitter dashed passed me out the front door. Was something wrong? Not unless it would be that my twin boys Bobby and Billy were playing quietly in their room, instead of running wildly through the house.
I started dinner but was diverted by a story on the news. I stared at the TV screen. There in all their dark, mysterious colors, slashes of red and frightening faces was a set of gruesome action figures, called the “Frightful Four.” Dracula, Frankenstein’s monster, the Zombie and the Wolfman. I hated these “horror dolls”and had forbidden my twins to play with them. The announcer was explaining that some defect had been discovered in the toys and they were taking them off the market. They didn’t say what the defect was, but if anyone had one of these dolls in their house they were to call this hotline immediately. I breathed a sigh of relief. At least these things weren’t in our house.
The phone rang. Dolores didn’t sound her usual loud, aggressive self. My mother in law and I treated each other like boxers in a ring. A jab here, a jab there. She overrode my authority all the time. Taking the boys places I didn’t want them to go, feeding them foods I didn’t want them to eat, always buying them things I had said no to. Right now, she was sounding very contrite. “Susan,” she said hesitantly, “I was watching the news and saw the dolls that were being recalled” “Forget it, Dolores,” I said. “You know how I feel about those creepy toys. I’ve never bought them for the for the boys, even though they begged me.
“Susan,” she stammered, “I bought one of the toys for them and now they say they are dangerous. I’m so sorry.”
“What’s wrong with them. Did you find that out at least? Are the parts loose?” I was furious.
“I don’t know. I tried phoning the hot line but I couldn’t get through.” Dolores sounded scared now.
I went to the boy’s room and confronted them. “Where is that doll grandma gave you?” Bobby handed me the Zombie. It felt cold and slimy in my hand. I threw it in the trash in the garage.”
That night something woke me. I went to check on the kids. There was a red glow around their heads. I turned on the overhead light. As I turned it on I saw the boys quickly close their eyes.
I’m just freaked out because it has been such a bizarre day, I thought, as I went into the bathroom to get a grip on myself. I splashed my face with cold water then looked in the mirror. My eyes were glowing like red coals in my face. I ran to the boy’s room. They were sitting up in bed their eyes also glowing red, as were the Zombie’s, as it sat up between them.
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| All I could do was laugh. The pharmacy was full of anxious parents, the police had been called in twice, and one lady over by the magazines hadn’t stopped crying since she came in over an hour ago.
“Are they kidding? Slightly unusual! ” Bob exclaimed. He sounded as flabbergasted as I felt. All I could do was shake my head and laugh. Bob and I had been friends for hours now, ever since the only pharmacy in town had opened precisely at 6:01am on a beautiful Sunday morning. We no longer needed words to communicate our feelings.
“The FDA and CDC,” the radio announcer continued “say they are working closely together to make sure the drug Fyotbol is readily available, but they stress that only time will cause the anomalies to diminish. Once again, owners of any type of digital television set are warned not to turn on them on, as the effects of a crossed signal with a defense satellite may have a slightly unusual affect on some children. ”
“Now they tell us,” I tried to joke, but my humor fell flat. Anomalies. My boys were at home with eyebrow hair down to their ankles. Bob’s kid couldn’t stop singing the theme song from All in the Family at the top of his lungs. The crying lady by the magazines had a daughter who…I shuddered. Nobody in the pharmacy blamed her for crying, that was for sure.
“The Department of Defense has assured the public that safety measures are now in place and this will never happen again. On a side note, the score is now 14-13 in the fourth quarter of Super Bowl XLIII.”
“I knew I shouldn’t have gotten rid of my rabbit ears,” Bob muttered. I just nodded my head and passed him a stick of beef jerky. Bob understood. I missed my good old analog TV set more than ever.
My cell phone jingled the theme song from Friends, my wife’s ring tone, and a bearded man over by the toilet paper glared at me. I could only imagine why that tune didn’t amuse him. “Hey honey. How are the boys?”
“Jack’s finally stopped, but I’m still cutting Nicky’s when it gets to his chin. I wonder if a wig shop could use all this. Any luck with the medicine yet?”
“No, I’m still sitting here.”
“Well, they are saying the effects will wear off after a couple of days, but…”
“No, you were right. We shouldn’t take any chances. I’ll just keep waiting.”
“I love you,” my wife tentatively said.
I could just picture her scrunching up her face as she said that, and I sighed. “I love you too. And I’m sorry about yesterday. I shouldn’t have asked if it could wait until Monday. I’ll be home soon, I hope.”
As I hung up, Bob handed me a bag of chips from the shelf behind us. We no longer needed words.
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New User
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| The government has issued a warning that a particular (and common) household item is having an unusual side effect on children. Worse yet, you own this item. You rush home to check on your kids. When you get there, you're shocked to find that your kids... have knocked all the plants off the shelves.
“But... But... why?” You mutter, gazing over the dirt and destruction. Your two twin sons are looking at you, wide grins on their faces.
“For feeding us nothing but vegetables for the past for years. We hate being vegetarian. We want burgers.”
“To show our contempt we’ve destroyed all the plants. We will gladly accept any punishment you may have to give us. But we will not eat vegetarian from now on.”
“You will do as I say!”
What followed was the classic battle-of-wills which take place through the course of the teenage years. By-and-by the twins grew up.
Some time when they were at college, on a peaceful afternoon. The twins called; they both had cancer.
“Yeah, we both have cancer, apparently we...”
But you’ve stopped listening: you know why. It’s because of the common house-hold item which you had bought because it was cheap but had known all along it was probably bad, not unlike bleach.
In any case, now your children are dieing not because they didn’t eat their veggies (a private victory you had secretly wanted to have over all the other neighborhood children), but because you were more concerned with plant-life than what actually was probably a good decision.
You run outside, fall onto your knees and yell to the heavens, “WHY?!?!?!?!?!!!”
You wait a few moments, but there is no answer. “Huh” you say, then standing back up and wiping the dirt of your knees you go back inside.
The phone has not been hung up, but is dangling by the cord, still oscillating. You pick it up, and listen. The twins are talking about some video game.
“Hello?” you say.
“Oh hey, welcome back. We figured you had to run to the bathroom or something.”
“Oh no. I was crying out to the heavens, in vain apparently.”
“Why?”
“Because you both got cancer from those vile chemicals I used. I’m sorry... I’m so sorry...” you begin to sob, loudly, into the phone. (Perhaps if vanity will not be served through the heavens, a more down-to-earth approach is needed).
“What?”
“What?” they say. “It’s not from the chemicals. It’s because of the sun.”
“Yeah, apparently we have some stupid kind of skin cancer. Lot’s of people get it apparently. We’re not going to die. Geez, didn’t you hear anything we had to say. We were telling you that—”
But you’ve stopped listening, and run out to the lawn again, “WHY?!??!!” maybe this time it’ll work you think, since the first time you did it for no real reason. Yes, it’s just got to this time... | |
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Location: @NoddlaNocdar | Before leaving work I call home as a courtesy, but nobody needs me to stop for anything. So it’ll be a straight shot home. Late Friday commute out of Boston and everybody wants to go to the Cape. Normally, I can get to Plymouth in about forty-five. Today Route three is a parking lot. I have the radio on and get news on the closing bell, why the price of oil is so high, why the prices of homes are going down, something about roadside bombs in Fallujah, new outsourcing ideas for India, the influx of illegal aliens, the Democratic duel between the Muslim and the witch, more headaches over the Big Dig, a double homicide in Dorchester over a large order of fries, something about a sighting of Whitey Bulger in France, and on and on ad nauseum. And then there’s the consumer advocate spot. Today she is telling me about the very product we had just gotten on sale. In fact my wife has spent the better part of the day trying to figure out the easy and portable inflatable pool our children are so proud of. And here I am stuck in traffic, and unable to warn my family that the blue color of the pool will leach out into the water. Suddenly, it becomes important that I travel at an average speed much higher than the five miles per hour I’m averaging now. The three car lengths of space between the car ahead of me and the car ahead of him need to be closed up so no one cuts in and slows me down further. I call the driver ahead of me names and utter profanities to the world at large because with the windows up I can. And finally the off-ramp comes into view and I decide to put my directional on and take my chances in the breakdown lane for the last five hundred yards. Someone toots their horn in a fit of jealousy and another noses out in an attempt to block my passage, and the phrase that pays is all-wheel-drive. Once off the highway I can mark time and soon I’m in the neighborhood and there’s Mr. Delbarkian motioning me to slow down and (small miracle) I don’t flip him off. As I pull into the driveway I can see the pool’s been set up just beyond the asphalt and I realize that expediency is no longer important. I kill the engine, shocked that my children have all turned as blue as Smurfs. Then I notice that one of the Smurfs is my wife and she has a devilish grin on her face as I step from the car. She says, “I just got off the phone with my cousin Billy, who’s a lawyer. He says, ‘ka-ching’.” And I understand that for the first time getting blue lips in the swimming pool could be a good thing, so I join them. | |
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| “After the break we will have Thomas Alkalide, from the Food and Drug Administration, to discuss why the FDA is beginning to crack down on a brand of sugar you may have in your home right now. And it’s not because of the fattening quality of it neither.”
“Kids, stop eating.” I called out.
I had just sat them down at the kitchen table for a bowl of oatmeal and a heaping spoonful of, you guessed it, sugar. There wasn’t any response from them, but I figured they had listened; after all Corn Flakes weren’t one of their favorite cereals.
“Kids,” I called out again, this time muting the TV to hear for them. “Kids I know you hear me!”
I turned up the TV again and walked to the kitchen. When I poked my head in, it was enough to send shivers down my spine. My oldest was lying on the floor, foaming out of the mouth, in convulsions. My youngest was laying face down in his bowl, shaking a little himself. I stood in the door way, hand over my mouth, unable to move. Never before in my life have I wanted to have a second me so bad, that way I could have tended to them both at once.
“What do you mean the sugar is causing mutations?” I heard the news anchor ask that guy from the FDA.
“It sounds like something from a science fiction story, but reports have some turning into werewolf type creatures, while others become something like a zombie.”
“It sounds almost like a joke.”
“Believe me, it’s not.” Mr. Alkalide said. “If you have the Sweeter than Real brand of artificial sugar, throw it out now. If you have already eaten some, I would suggest that you call 911 immediately; if your loved ones have already eaten some, I suggest that you get safely away from them and then call 911.”
That’s all it took. I turned away and ran to the front door. I swung it open and screamed when I saw my husband on the porch gnawing on the mail man. I slammed the door in tears.
“Moooooom,” a croaky voice said from behind me.
I turned around and saw my oldest standing behind me, still foaming like he had rabies. My knees started to buckle and I had to grab a hold of the door knob to keep myself from falling down.
“Baby,” was all I was able to muster out.
He charged at me, gnashing his teeth. I stepped out of the way and watched him run into the door. A split second later his brother came rushing out of the kitchen, and like his brother, came after me. Again, I stepped past him and ran for the stairs. About half way up I heard the door break and when I turned around to see what happened, I twisted my ankle and fell down the stairs.
I hit the landing with a thud and nearly lost consciousness. Which wasn’t that bad, because it helped offset the fact that my sons and husband were hovering over me preparing to eat me alive.
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Location: Raxicoricofallapatorious | This is a great topic. I actually used it for school, though I twisted it a bit. I'll make my story better and post it here! Sarah Jane  | |
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And so it begins. And like a disease it spreads. It’s terrifying, it’s aggravating, and it’s deadly-
Dude, chill. It’s just beef.
It’s always beef.
I vowed never to have the kids eat beef again after this, but for all I know, it’s already too late. It’s the newest on a list of dangerous food; intoxicated with one or another chemical... this was because they were cloning beef. Do you not know the government’s cloning beef to make it more available? No? Well, you know now.
The hospital doors burst open and I find my daughter, Annemarie- she’s only seven- already comatose. The chemical shuts down all brain functions. In an hour she could be dead. I didn’t make it early enough to even talk to her…
This wasn’t my fault. My husband aggravates me. He sees no need for healthy foods, only McDonald’s fast food and the occasional KFC. He’s an idiot. We’re divorced, but the kids stay with him on the weekends. Look where that got us.
Her brother, Sean, is ten and also lapsing into a coma. My husband is nearby. His face is pale. He says nothing.
I say nothing as to how infuriated I am at him, how terrified I am at the fate of my children. There is a silent noise before a beeping sound comes from Annemarie’s monitor. Doctors scramble to her bedside. Suddenly the beeping subsides.
I think you know what has happened…
It’s only a matter of time before its Sean’s turn.
I turn away. This can’t have happened to me…
Ah, but it has. It’s happened to already dozens of families. This chemical has no cure.
But I’ll say now, that this wasn’t my fault.
Not that it matters anyway.
Another beeping sound filled the room.
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| Oh no...it can't be...I've got to get home to check the kids!! Frantically I raced out of the store not noticing that I still clung to the newspaper that warned of this God awful and life changing event. As I drove from the supermarket back to my home, everything was a blur all I could do was pray that my children weren't affected by what I'd read that morning. Apparently for the past year, the government had been adding proteins to the nation's milk supply in an effort to boost the health of its citizens. The paper stated that scientists began toying with the DNA of the proteins and created a super protein. The super protein strengthened bones and teeth as it was supposed to but over time it began to morph and cause a very disturbing side effect. I cried after reading how disfiguring this side effect was. My heart was racing trying to get home before the kids, I had just bought a new gallon of milk the evening before and I knew that they always went straight to the kitchen to drink a glass of milk after school. Finally I screeched into my driveway, every move I made was driven by the terrifying thoughts of what may have happened. I put my key into the lock and stopped for a second, I didn’t want to scare the kids, after a few deep calming breaths I braced myself. I walked into the house and everything seemed normal, the kid’s backpacks were strewn across the living room floor and in the distance I could hear music playing from one of the bedrooms. I called out to let them know I was home and to find out where they were, they yelled that they were making snacks in the kitchen. I felt myself calm down a little and walked into the kitchen. When I walked in, I saw that my son with his head stuck in the refrigerator and my daughter was standing at the sink. I said hello to them both, when to my horror they both turned to reveal that they were holding tall glasses of milk!!! I must’ve fainted because when I woke up, my children were kneeling over me looking ever so worried. A couple tears ran down my face as I looked at them, the side effect had already taken over…both of them grew long, thick, Fu Manchu moustaches… | |
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Member
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Location: I have been all over Michigan | The thing is called a pen and paper. The bad side affect is they saved your life with it. The funny thing is you wake up find you are a great person. You always will be in your childs eyes.
Writen by a man who so far has none wondering if I can ever live up to my father.
Something to thing about for people thinking about getting married.
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Unusual Side Effect 5/6-5/12
