Fear builds up, vibrating blood ringing in my ears until I can’t stand it anymore. Weird shadows appear on the shades and there’s that sound of a dying chicken again  Dogs are barking ferociously. My imagination goes wild.

There came to  my mind a thing so horrid that I dreaded even the near thought of it. I scream for my Mommy.

And she comes in and sits on my bed.

“Please turn on the lights”.

“What are you yelling about?”

“Well, I just got awful scared. It’s so dark and quiet.”

“There’s nothing to be afraid of, Darling. You should be sleeping at night.”

“But, Mommy, I can’t. I hear scary sounds around and see shapes.”

“ Well, go to sleep Honey, I’ll see you in the morning.”

“No don’t turn out the light, there might be ugly things in the dark.

“Where? I don’t see any.”

“No, you can’t with the light on. They disappear and run away...

“Where, though, Peter”?

“Maybe in the closet, Mommy.”

 “That’s ridiculous, there are no such things as ugly things. You only think you see them. Don’t be afraid of the dark. It’s nice to sleep in comfort. Now when I turn the light out, you’ll fall asleep.”

“OK, Mommy.