The cottage

"The Cottage" by Frank Belknap Long is a science fiction story from 1954 that looks at cruelty within a family and what happens when hate goes too far. The story is about Will Durkin, a mean stepfather who really dislikes his stepchildren, Robert and Emily, and their mom, Helen. Durkin gives the kids a dollhouse, but he plans to use it to make them feel bad because they don't like him. The kids start playing with the dolls and turn them into characters that show Durkin as a monster. As the world faces some major threats from atomic explosions, the dollhouse becomes a portal to another world, and Durkin, full of anger and revenge, finally understands what his cruelty has done, facing off with a force of revenge. The story shows the contrast between innocent children and angry adults, focusing on the dangers of being spiteful and vengeful.