The Black-Eyed Children of Abilene

The phenomenon of Black-Eyed Children (BEKs) emerged into paranormal awareness in 1998 when journalist Brian Bethel posted an account of a disturbing encounter in Abilene, Texas. His story of two strange children with entirely black eyes spawned thousands of similar reports worldwide and created one of the most unsettling modern paranormal legends.

The Original Encounter

Brian Bethel, a reporter for the Abilene Reporter-News, described an incident that occurred in a movie theater parking lot. While sitting in his car writing a check for his internet bill (a payment dropbox was located there), two boys approached his vehicle.

The children appeared to be between ten and fourteen years old. They were dressed somewhat outdly, in clothes that seemed dated. They asked for a ride, explaining they needed to get home to retrieve money to see a movie. Their manner was calm but insistent.

Bethel reported feeling an overwhelming and irrational fear as they spoke. The children became more insistent that he let them into his car. Their voices took on an odd quality, and one said, “We can’t come in unless you tell us it’s okay.”

When Bethel looked directly at the boys’ eyes, he discovered they were entirely black—no whites, no irises, just solid black orbs. Terror overwhelming him, he drove away despite the boys’ continued pleas.

The Phenomenon Spreads

Bethel posted his account to an online mailing list in 1998. The story resonated with readers, many of whom came forward with their own similar experiences. The Black-Eyed Children concept spread through the early internet and eventually into mainstream paranormal culture.

Reports came from across the United States, the United Kingdom, and other English-speaking countries. The encounters followed consistent patterns: children or teenagers appearing at night, approaching people at their doors or in isolated locations, requesting entry or assistance, and revealing completely black eyes when looked at directly.

Common Elements

BEK encounters share striking similarities. The children are typically between eight and sixteen years old. They often appear in pairs. They request permission to enter—a car, a home, or sometimes just to receive assistance—and become agitated or threatening when refused.

Witnesses consistently report overwhelming fear that seems disproportionate to the situation. They describe feeling compelled to help the children despite their terror. The children’s speech patterns are often described as odd—too formal, too flat, or somehow wrong.

The eyes are always the crucial detail. When witnesses finally look at the children’s faces, they discover the solid black eyes. This usually breaks whatever spell holds them and allows them to refuse or escape.

Theories

Various explanations have been proposed for Black-Eyed Children. Some believe they are demonic entities in child form, testing humans’ willingness to invite evil. The emphasis on permission resembles vampire folklore.

Others suggest they might be alien hybrids, extraterrestrial beings using child forms to approach humans. The black eyes could represent alien anatomy.

Skeptics propose psychological explanations. The black eyes might be misperceptions, perhaps children with dilated pupils in dim lighting, exaggerated by fear. The phenomenon’s spread through the internet suggests cultural contagion—once the template exists, people interpret ambiguous experiences through that lens.

Internet Age Legend

The Black-Eyed Children phenomenon is significant as one of the first paranormal legends to emerge primarily through internet dissemination. Unlike traditional folklore passed through oral tradition over generations, BEK stories spread virally through email lists, forums, and websites.

This origin has led some folklorists to classify BEKs as a “digital legend” or “creepypasta”—internet-born horror fiction presented as true accounts. Whether the original incident occurred as described or was crafted as fiction remains uncertain.

Continued Reports

Reports of Black-Eyed Children continue to emerge. Witnesses describe encounters at front doors, in parking lots, at rest stops, and in other transitional spaces. The phenomenon shows no sign of fading.

Whether BEKs represent a genuine paranormal phenomenon, a psychological reaction to modern anxieties about children and strangers, a self-perpetuating legend, or deliberate fiction that has taken on a life of its own, they have become a significant part of contemporary paranormal folklore.

Cultural Impact

Black-Eyed Children have appeared in horror films, novels, television programs, and video games. The image of a child with completely black eyes has become an established horror trope, immediately recognizable to those familiar with the genre.

The phenomenon reflects modern fears: stranger danger, children as threats rather than innocents, the violation of sanctuary (home or car), and the anxiety that evil might wear the most disarming face. Whether reality or legend, Black-Eyed Children have earned their place in the paranormal pantheon.