by starroute » Thu Aug 03, 2006 4:38 pm
This was a new one for me -- adolescent cousins of the Men in Black, maybe?<br><br><!--EZCODE AUTOLINK START--><a href="http://www.ufodigest.com/news/0806/bek.html">www.ufodigest.com/news/0806/bek.html</a><!--EZCODE AUTOLINK END--><br><br>Black Eyed Kids: A Profile<br><br>by Barry Napier<br><br>Black Eyed Kids: A Profile<br>The internet has made it so that it is much easier to stay up to date with paranormal events. Sadly, it has also made it easier for people to spread many false claims and hoaxes. Because of this, it is difficult to tell when someone is contributing to a lie that has already fooled many readers or if the account is truthful.<br><br>One such phenomena is the growing number of stories regarding so-called Black Eyed Kids. The stories certainly reek of an almost mythological stench, but there are so many similar accounts that it is hard to look past. The events have been quietly gaining momentum in forums and paranormal websites, so quiet that many people are still not familiar with them. The Black Eyed Kids reports are scattered around the internet and chances are that a great deal of them are fabrications derived from the first reported accounts. But if the Black Eyed Kids (BEKs) are real, then they certainly deserve a great deal of attention. And for those that are not familiar with the phenomena, a profile might be handy in order to get familiar with the subject.<br><br>A Brief Background<br><br>The first well documented and discussed account came from a journalist named Brian Bethel in 1998. In his story, two children (not quite teens, but close) approached him as he sat in his car while parked in a parking lot. At first glance, the kids looked normal, wearing clothes that were in style and had a pale, olive colored skin. In acknowledging the two boys, Bethel was overcome with a peculiar fear that he describes in his account as: "I could feel fight-or-flight responses kicking in. Something, I knew instinctually, was not right, but I didn't know what it could possibly be."<br><br>Claiming that they were on their way to see a movie but had left their money at home, the two boys asked Bethel for a ride back to their house. When Bethel did not allow them into his car, the kids seemed to get annoyed and kept asking for a ride. As Bethel's fear and panic increased, he actually found himself wanting to open the door. However, when Bethel noticed their eyes, a primal fear took over and momentarily paralyzed him; the kids had coal black eyes, completely lacking pupils and irises.<br><br>As if sensing that their chance for admittance into the car was coming to and end, the kids got more urgent and demanding. Bethel was finally able to push his fear momentarily aside and drive away. And while his story sounds like something out of a horror novel, there are other accounts to back it up. (Bethel's account can be found at <!--EZCODE AUTOLINK START--><a href="http://www.ghosts.org/stories/tales/evil-kids.html)">www.ghosts.org/stories/ta...kids.html)</a><!--EZCODE AUTOLINK END--><br><br>Most accounts occur at the individual's home. There is a knock on the door and on the other side, waiting patiently, is a kid of roughly 12 to 17 years of age. Their dress is usually common for the time and they seem rather normal. But then the sudden fear and the sense of wrongness sinks in. And then of course, there are the eyes.<br><br>The BEKs will always ask to be invited inside. Sometimes they claim that they need to use the telephone because they are lost, or their car broke down just up the road. If anyone has ever let them inside, there are no credible accounts. Almost all people who have run-ins with BEKs are too overcome with an unexplained fear and end up turning them away. This only infuriates the kids and they appear to grow impatient and more demanding that they be let in. Also, they will never actually leave until the person they have approached has either closed the door or left the scene of the encounter.<br><br>Rational Theories<br><br>There are a few obvious explanations that can be used to debunk these odd stories. The black eyes, for example could be nothing more than contact lenses. (Solid black contacts are available). But still, how does that explain the unnerving sense of fear and despair in those that encounter the BEKs?<br><br>The most likely scenario is that the few convincing reports were the results of overactive imaginations and that the string of reports that followed were nothing more than copycat falsified stories used for attention or fun. But most accounts seem to be passionate, and people that have encountered the BEKs seem to be genuinely frightened even after the encounter.<br><br>These are the easier approaches to the subject, the logical theories that easily sweep aside such foolish notions. But if even half of the numerous reports that are hidden around the internet are true, these logical approaches could be dangerous.<br><br>Not-So-Rational Theories<br><br>The most bizarre contradiction to the story is the fact that BEKs are said to give off a frightening vibe. Those that meet them claim to feel threatened, panicked and even disoriented. Some believe that this could be a result of their black eyes, maybe some sort of hypnotic suggestion used as an attempt to convince the person to let them inside their house or vehicle.<br><br>But then there is the question of why they don't just storm through the door without an invitation. Surely such a menacing figure would be capable of such an intrusion. A common theory that explains this is that the BEKs are some sort of evil spirit, maybe even a demon. The most recognizable figure that needs an invitation before entering a house is a vampire. While it is certainly a big stretch to claim that these kids are blood sucking fiends, we must remember that the idea of an evil presence needing some sort of invitation before entering a house (or even a human being) is a longstanding belief in many religions.<br><br>Another question: If BEKs are demons or some other evil entity, why take the form of a child? Perhaps they feel that caring people would have no qualms about allowing a lost or distressed child into their home to use the phone? The idea of a needy child knocking on one's door is certainly more appealing than a strange man.<br><br>There are others that think the BEKs are extraterrestrial simply because of the ability to inflict fear so quickly (ie; mind control) and the black eyes. Obviously, being that all accounts are so far only available through the internet, there is no tangible proof. So these theories are exactly that…theories.<br><br>At a Glance<br><br>Whether or not you buy into the mythos of the BEK phenomena, it is certainly a topic that leaves an unsettling feeling with the reader. But the more accounts you read, it seems that there might actually be something to it all, something that gives it a bit of slight credibility rather than dismissing it as an urban legend.<br><br>In closing, here are a few things that seem to be constants in BEK reports. Whether you use this information for your interest in the subject or debunking strategies is up to you.<br><br>1. Almost all cases occur at night or late afternoon just around dusk. Is the preference of night an instinctive strategy for the BEKs? Does our instilled fear of the dark somehow assist them with their scare tactics? Or maybe it is simply easier for them to approach their target undetected while moving about in the night.<br><br>2. The need to be invited in, as stated before, certainly reminds us of vampires. And while I personally don't believe in vampires, I can easily entertain the notion that the BEKs might be evil spirits or demons. If, that is, they are real to begin with.<br><br>3. The black eyes are obviously their most striking feature. It has been argued on several forums that if the BEKs are so sinister and crafty, why don't they just wear sunglasses to cover up this demonic feature? An easy counter to this is the fact that their eyes seem to be the source of the overpowering fear that people experience. Therefore, by obstructing their eyes with sunglasses, any sort of hypnotic suggestion via eye contact would be eliminated.<br><br>I'll be among the first to admit that the phenomena is a far fetched and unbelievable one. But as several internet forums indicate, it has many people intrigued. Still, as is the case with many other series of unexplained events that are spread across the net, the BEKs will be nothing more than internet hearsay until there is undeniable proof.<br><br>*(Note: Any readers who believes that they have had an encounter with a BEK or similar entity, please e-mail me with a detailed account to be used for future research. Thanks.)* <p></p><i></i>
