The Oilman

Last spring, my wife, Stacy, and I decided that buying a home would be wise for our family. Inspired by Fixer Upper on HGTV, we dreamed of restoring a charming yet distressed home to its former glory. However, we couldn’t afford a perfect dream home. With our kids, Nelly (4) and Emmy (5), we wanted to create a warm and loving place filled with memories.

Our search began in Middletown, DE, but a recent development boom pushed us to explore quieter options. In the summer of 2018, we found a home in a rural community in Cecil County, MD. It was a fixer-upper, but it had potential.

As first-time homeowners, we learned a lot about the house. For instance, mowing two acres of land required a riding mower. The kids loved joyrides on it that summer, their laughter echoing as they took turns steering.

The home was heated by an oil furnace with an external oil tank. While exploring the basement, we noticed a chilling message scratched into the concrete wall: “Never let the heat run out. He will come.” Stacy was unsettled, but I brushed it off.

A Chilling Halloween Night

On Halloween, the unseasonably warm temperature was 69°F. Emmy dressed as Princess Elsa, and Nelly as Ryder from Paw Patrol. After trick-or-treating, we came home with pumpkins overflowing with candy. As the kids sorted and traded their stash, Stacy mentioned the house felt chilly. I dismissed it, thinking she was always cold.

Later, after putting the kids to bed, we settled in for a scary movie. Stacy kept her phone nearby, expecting an important call. Around 9:45 PM, I woke to her shaking me. “Wake up. We have no heat!”

Confused, I felt the cold seeping through the hardwood floors. Checking the thermostat, it read 32°F. I switched it to heat, but nothing happened. Suddenly, a screeching noise echoed from the basement.

The Encounter

Investigating the basement, I saw a frail boy in the corner near the engraved warning. His pale skin and blue lips hinted at something otherworldly. “You’re in danger,” he whispered. “Don’t let the oilman in. Ed isl lih.”

“What does that mean?” I asked. “And who is the oilman?”

“He comes when you have no heat,” the boy replied. “Once he’s in, it’s too late.”

The boy pleaded for me to take his hand to learn the truth. Before I could, the doorbell rang. I heard footsteps upstairs, and the boy’s form began to change—his hands became wrinkled and claw-like, his face aged, and his voice deepened: “Take my hand now!”

Relief

Upstairs, a man in a Hillside logo shirt greeted us. “Hi, I’m Joe, the emergency technician. I’m here to fix your furnace,” he said calmly.

It turned out Stacy had called Hillside earlier, thanks to their stellar reputation and heating maintenance plan. Joe fixed a blown fuse and refilled our oil, restoring the warmth.

Later, I pondered the boy’s cryptic message, “Ed isl lih.” Stacy suggested writing it backward: Hillside. The boy had been warning us not to let our heat run out.

The next day, we signed up for Hillside’s automatic oil delivery, ensuring we’d never face another freezing night—or an unwelcome visit.

Never Let Your Heat Run Out

Hillside’s Heating Services and Special Offers:

• Automatic Oil Delivery: Reliable heating oil delivery in New Castle County, DE, Cecil County, MD, and Southern Chester County, PA.
• Heating Tune-Up: Regular maintenance prevents breakdowns and improves efficiency. Try our 30-point Furnace Tune-Up.
• Budget Billing: Spread heating costs evenly across 12 months for financial peace of mind.
• Tank-Guard Protection: Protect your oil tank from leaks and unexpected replacement costs.
• Worry-Free Winter Plans (Limited Availability): We’ll handle your heating system and oil deliveries while helping manage costs.

📞 Contact Hillside Today
302-738-4144 (DE & PA) | 410-398-2146 (MD)

Stay warm, worry-free, and protected with Hillside Oil Heating & Cooling.