Fear of the Dark

Fear of the dark

By: Ben Pollard


“Our Father, who art in heaven…”
Sweat pops out on my forehead. Long skeletal fingers rap against the window.

“Hallowed be thy name…”
My eyes dart, looking for the source of heavy breathing. Rapping, tapping, scratching, draws my attention back to the window.

“Thy Kingdom come…”
Cold clammy hands pressed together, I resist temptation. I don't look over my shoulder.

“Thy will be done…”
My shadow stirs on the wall as lightning flashes. The pounding of my heart drowns out the thunder.

“On earth as it…”
My knees ache and the skin on my thighs crawl at the thought of what lurks under my bed.

“Is in Heaven…”
Rap-tat-tat. Rap-tat-tat. Coming from the closet. Something wants out.

“Give us this day our daily bread…”
The sound of breathing grew louder.

“And forgive us our trespasses…”
Rap-tat-tat. Rap-tat-tat. Click.

“As we forgive those who…”
Screech, the door opens.

“Trespass against us, and…”
Screech, the door closes.

“Lead us not into temptation…”
Rap-TAT-tat.

“But deliver us from evil…”
The creak of a floorboard.

“For thine is the Kingdom, the…”
My heart races and blood thunders in my ears.

“Power and the Glory forever…”
My skin crawls as I feel a presence behind me.

“Amen.”
I finish just in time, my soul safe for another night, my shoulder grasped in a firm grip.

“Billy, its time for bed dear,” my mom said.

I inhaled her sweet scent as she tucked me in, whispering her own prayer over me.

I drowsed, slowly falling asleep when I saw the yellow eyes looking at me from the closet. One eye winked just before the door closed. We would meet again tomorrow night. Then sleep took me away.