Can you hear me?
The monster waited outside of my bedroom door.
My body pressed against the floor.
Looking, waiting for someone to save me.

The silence slices through the air.
Mommy didn’t try to scare him away this time.
I felt my heart beat in my ears
and felt his nails caress my hair.

What makes you happy? Why is this happening?
My screams trapped inside my pillow?
My eyes red from tears?
Are you thriving from my fear?

All the King’s horsemen are dead.
The next day, I made my bed like terror never lived.
Tucked in my blankets and fluffed my pillows
erasing the memories of last night’s shadows.