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Here is what inspired me to write the short stories for Tales of Zalonia. I have a lot to say about “Black-Eyed Kid” and a little to say about “The Golden Light.”
Black-Eyed Children – What Are They, Really?
While my story is fictional, reports of encounters with so-called “black-eyed kids” or “black-eyed children” have surfaced for decades. These mysterious figures are usually described as pale-skinned children or teenagers—typically sixteen or younger—with completely black eyes.
The first widely publicized account came from Texas journalist Brian Bethel in 1996, who wrote about his own chilling experience. After his story spread, others began sharing similar encounters, some claiming their experiences dated back to the 1970s.
Typical Characteristics of Black-Eyed Children
Most reports share striking similarities. Witnesses describe the children as:
- Pale and emotionless
- Often appearing at night
- Wearing outdated clothing
- Causing pets to act fearful or aggressive
They are said to knock on doors or car windows, asking to come inside—usually claiming they need to call their parents or want a ride home. Encounters usually involve one or two children, though some accounts mention up to three.
A key detail in many stories is that black-eyed children cannot enter a home or car without permission. They often emphasize this themselves—an eerie parallel to vampire lore, where the undead cannot cross a threshold uninvited. It’s curious that these beings can approach a porch or car but seem barred from crossing without explicit consent.
The Fear Factor
People who encounter black-eyed children often describe a sudden, overwhelming sense of fear—a primal, almost paralyzing terror. Whether that fear is a natural reaction or something these entities induce remains uncertain.
Witnesses frequently say they felt frozen, unable to move or look away, caught in that instinctive “freeze” response—a survival mechanism that kicks in when fight or flight seem impossible.
Interestingly, BEKs (as they’re often abbreviated) rarely display overt violence. Still, many witnesses warn that ignoring them is best, as those who invited them in supposedly suffered misfortune afterward—illness, bad luck, even death of pets.
Urban Legend or Something More?
Skeptics argue that black-eyed children are nothing more than an urban legend. All known reports came after Bethel’s 1996 story, raising an obvious question:
If these beings existed earlier, why weren’t they reported before?
Some suggest people feared ridicule until Bethel’s account made the subject more public. Others believe cultural suggestion plays a role—once a story enters popular consciousness, it shapes how people interpret unusual experiences.
Like seeing shadows after watching a horror movie, our brains can turn an ordinary moment into something frightening.
Unexplainable Phenomena
In some accounts, only the witness can see the children; neighbors or bystanders nearby claim to see nothing. They often leave no footprints in snow or mud and sometimes vanish suddenly. Reports of flickering lights or electrical outages often accompany these visits. In rare stories, BEKs ask for strange items—like fruit—which are later found discarded in odd places.
Possible Explanations and Theories
So, what could these children be—if the reports are genuine? Several theories have been proposed.
👽 Extraterrestrial Hybrids
Some believe BEKs are alien-human hybrids, which could explain their strange behavior and dark eyes. But this theory raises questions:
If extraterrestrials can abduct humans at will, why would hybrids need permission to enter a home? The inconsistency makes the alien explanation shaky.
🕴️ Connection to the Men in Black
Others suggest a link to the Men in Black (MIB)—mysterious figures said to intimidate UFO witnesses.
In one report, witnesses claimed to see black-eyed children leaving with two tall men in dark suits. While not confirmed, the similarity in description has fueled speculation.
🧛 Vampiric or Energy Entities
The “invitation rule” draws comparisons to vampires, though BEKs lack other vampiric traits. Some describe them more like energy vampires—draining emotional energy and leaving behind intense fear or exhaustion.
😈 Demonic Offspring
Another theory holds that BEKs are demonic beings or the offspring of demons. Throughout history, demons have taken many forms. Could black-eyed children be a modern manifestation of that same evil?
📜 Biblical or Mythological Origins
In Genesis 6, the “Sons of God” mate with human women—interpreted by some as fallen angels. The apocryphal Book of Enoch expands on this story.
If one takes these texts literally, BEKs could be descendants of these fallen beings—echoes of ancient hybrid lore.
🪶 Iroquois Legend of Otkon
The Iroquois tell of Otkon, an evil spirit that could mate with human women, producing black-eyed offspring. These children were said to spread chaos within the tribe, and were often killed to stop the curse.
Some versions claim Otkon could possess wandering children who returned with black eyes—spreading misfortune wherever they went.
Harbingers of Misfortune
Many believe black-eyed children are omens of bad luck. People who’ve let them in often report illness, the deaths of pets, or a string of tragedies soon after. Yet BEKs never seem to harm anyone directly—almost as if they carry misfortune with them rather than cause it.
Could they be some kind of curse? A warning? Or simply coincidences interpreted through fear? No one knows.
Similar Beings Around the World
Interestingly, similar entities exist in other cultures.
In India, for instance, there’s the Acheri—a spirit with dark eyes who preys on the elderly and children.
However, Acheris are usually described as female and sickly, while BEKs appear as both genders and often target adults.
You can read more about Acheris here.
Could They Just Be Pranksters?
Could black-eyed kids be teenagers in costume using black scleral contacts to scare people?
Possibly—but that doesn’t explain the intense fear witnesses describe, the vanishing acts, or the electrical disturbances.
It also seems unlikely that pranksters would risk getting shot or arrested for trespassing.
Psychological Explanations
Perhaps the simplest explanation is misinterpretation.
After reading countless stories online, people may subconsciously expect to see something strange. In low light, our pupils expand, and faces can look pale and unnatural—especially during stressful moments.
Combine darkness, fear, and imagination, and it’s easy to see how a normal encounter could transform into something terrifying.
Final Thoughts
Whether black-eyed children are paranormal entities, mass delusion, or simply urban folklore, their stories continue to spread—and to fascinate.
Maybe they’re the 21st century’s update to old vampire tales, or maybe they’re something entirely new.
Either way, the next time you hear a knock on your door at night, and soft voices ask to be “let in”…
you might think twice before answering.
Books
Black Eyed Children by David Weatherly – Affiliate Link
The Golden Light
The story about the golden light originated when I offered to write a short story to share while I was in rehab for alcohol abuse. The white light was a representation of addiction and how it can draw people in at the expense of others. Unfortunately I got sick in rehab and had to go to the hospital before I was able to use it during our short story time. However, the story also has a connection with Marcamples in my book, “Marcamples’ Daughter” the third book in the elements pentalogy.
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