Tip-toeing around to the corner, my eyes peer down the hall.
Darkness streams in from the windows, creeping up to cracks in the doors-
Pushing back against light as it fights to escape.
Each taxing breath, like a vacuum bidding to envelop change left on a bedroom floor.

One step away from safety, and another and another.
My hands shake, as if the branches of the trees’ lashing against the house.
The descent begins, again in to the cavernous abyss.
Perhaps tonight Nyx’s watchful eye will grant me protection.

As my foot hits the bottom step, I hear a ghastly cry from behind me:
“Son, back to bed!”