Eyes of a Tree

There are two rules in this unknown town: turn off all sources of light after six in the evening and never ever, under any circumstance or pressure, to stare at the trees for they are believed to rest during nighttime. If a kid doesn't believe the rules, parents are required to tell the story of three brave boys who tried to break the rules. If you also don't believe it, then it's my honor to tell you the legend my mother told me sixty-four years ago.

It was a night darker than usual. The locals of the town fell asleep before the dark creeps all over the place. Three boys of age eight escaped from their respective houses and met at a very old public cemetery where trees of all sizes were standing. Their names are Rico, a fat boy who brought three ruler-size candles; Emil, a spoiled brat who brought an expensive matchbox; and Luke, a poor and thin boy who brought nothing because of fear of being scolded.

The cemetery had only fifty gravestones. Each was two meter away from each other. If someone died, the oldest gravestone must be painted new, and the buried corpse would be thrown over the trees, to save space. The scariest part of the area was the largest grave, which was empty at that time. It was located at the farthest right of the cemetery. That grave was recognizable because of a mango tree living beside it. It was said that the mango tree had seventeen skeletons surrounding it.

That mango tree was the target of the boys, to prove all the scared locals that there is no such thing as "eyes of a tree". By the morning, if they survive the night, their parents would be proud of them.

"Give me your match, " Rico took the matchbox from Emil. He stood at the side of the grave, distributed the candles to each of them, lighted his candle, and shared the fire. The sudden illumination made the cemetery strange. It sounded like all the dead were groaning and wanting to get out of their graves. The trees were whispering death in their ears, making their spine frozen, and their skin chilled.

"Let's go home, " said Luke, closing his eyes and rubbing his cold hands. He looked down the grave. It was four meters deep, and the mud below was wet and stinky. "We need to go home. The dead ones are telling us to go home."

"Watch me, " Emil took the matchbox back from Rico, lighted one matchstick and threw it at the mango tree. Before the matchstick reached the tree, the fire was blown off. He ignited three more and aimed at the top of the tree. And once again, the tree blew them off. "You stare it, Luke. Just for ten or fifteen seconds. And we're done here."

"Why me?" Luke turned from Emil to Rico. "You Rico, you're the bravest here. Why don't you do it?"

"Okay, fine. Losers," Rico stepped closer to the tree. "Watch and learn."

Rico threw his candle hard at the tree. The two behind him started to count. "Can you two shut up? I know how to count myself." Rico touched the dusty bark of the mango tree. The tree shook a little. He looked up and saw a skull hanging an inch above him. The wind became colder and harsher. He stared through the skull and held around the tree. After six seconds, a cold hand touched his hand. He just thought it was just a fallen leaf that touched his hand. Eight seconds. Both of his hands were now being held by something. He still looked up not looking what it was that was holding him. Ten seconds. The skull's eyes were now black and then it became eyes of a human. When he decided that he had enough, the eyes from the skull fell onto his eyes, replacing his own eyes. Blood was pouring down his face. "I can't see."

Rico shouted but he can't hear his own voice. Pointed fingers were slipping inside his ears. He ran to his friend and he accidentally pushed himself and his two friends down the hole. The mango tree fell over the grave, trapping them inside. Skeletons fell into the hole. They tried but they can't get out. When the rain started to fall, they realized the clouds were the reason why it was darker that night. They shouted their soul out for help.

After ten minutes, the cemetery was quiet again. The rain stopped and the big moon lighted the town. The grave was now covered with mud. Six frozen hands made it to the top, but the three bodies were buried alive, sharing the same grave.