A Child's Nightmare

• Blaze Edwards, Grade 10
• Short Story
• 2010

I hear rustling in the other side of my bedroom. My eyes open abruptly and I try to adjust my eyes to the darkness of the night. Failing to do so, I go back to my deep slumber and pull the blanket over my head.
Awoken again in which seems like a few seconds, my door starts to creak. I emerge from my sleeping state and am fully awake now. Slowly peering around my big, empty room, I discover an eerie shadow from behind my toy box. Suddenly, strange shadows are everywhere and I can hear the quiet hum of the house.
My heart beats faster and faster as the silhouettes start to close in on me. I hide under my covers as if my bed was a castle and pray that these terrifying images are just a trick of the night. Scenes from every frightening movie flash in front of my eyes as if I am haunted. The noises cease, I withdraw from my security sheet and rest. With my pulse slowing and my mind wandering, I begin to think I’m alone.
The blinds on the far window waft in and out as if they were in fact breathing. I can’t seem to recall opening that window, my pulse quickens and I begin to sweat. As the blinds crash and the shadows again come out from hiding, the sounds of harsh footsteps fill the air.
A random surge of energy fills my body and I rush to the door as quick as a flash of lightning; then manage to turn on the light. As I study the empty content of my bedroom, I’m astounded to discover that the far window was indeed open and the moonlight was casting a silhouette on the whole room. I now realize that my worries were just in my mind; but just to be safe I bend over and check under my bed for lurking predators.
Failing to find an eligible reason that I can’t go back to sleep, I turn off the light and gently lay my head back down; being careful not to let my mind wander.