The candle that flickers in the distance
The night-light that illuminates the room
Still doesn’t protect me from the monster
That isn’t really there

He lives in the darkest corner of my room
And waits until I am asleep
To lurk into the faint light
And show his faceless face

As I awake from my slumber
He puts a trace on my soul
So that he can safely approach
My defenseless body

I lie their as still as a statue
I try hard to let out a scream
And when nothing comes out
He stands over top of me

He knows he is winning
When he stares into my petrified eyes
But when I look back at him
I wonder if he is trying to make me stronger

He takes his nonexistent hands
And places them onto my chest
And with increasing pressure
He squeezes the breath out of my body

I gather all the strength I have
Trying to force a movement
And just when I’ve given up
I feel my toes wiggle

Relief rushes through my body like a drug
And finally the movement transfers
From my toes to my legs
From my legs to my entire body

I break free from his despicable clutch
And I let out an ear piercing scream
I spring out from under the covers
In hopes that I catch my terrorist

I hear the stomps of my parents
Coming from the hallway
They enter my room
Before I can tell them “no”

And the hall light produces
Just enough light
To make my demon
Disappear

I hang my head in defeat
My parents make sure that I am okay
And after they tuck me in I lie in bed
And wait for him to visit again.