From Darkness to Light

Hungry and tired, I grudgingly went in and sat on the living room couch. Sinking back into the cushions, I watched as the last bit of sunlight disappeared into the backyard. Large, foreboding shadows flickered and grew into shapes as the room expanded and contracted in the growing darkness. Terrified, I stood up on the couch to see if Kaye's light was still on, but each time I turned my head, the bandaged corpse advanced a little closer. A bright light shone from its forehead, and I could see a deteriorating body beneath dirty strips of peeling gauze. My mind, now riveted with fear, made my head jerk uncontrollably, back and forth, back and forth, between Kaye's house and the mummy until finally, I got mad! Getting up off the couch, I flicked on the hall light and then entered every room, turning on the lights as I went along. Determined to conquer this demon of darkness, I forged ahead, checking behind doors, under beds, and in closets. Gaining power with every step, I passed through the kitchen heading for the garage; the place where children never go alone, especially after dark. Although my fear was paramount, my resolve to face the bully was not to be thwarted. Opening the door just wide enough to slide my small hand along the wall, I groped for the light switch. The smell of gasoline made me think of my father's car. "Remember Sissy, there is nothing to fear but fear itself," Dad advised whenever I was afraid at night. Ghosts lurking behind boxes of old clothes and family photographs threatened to come out of the shadows and scare me to death. "There is no one here but my own self!" I declared. Ignoring my hunger, I went to bed and fell asleep.