The unknown noises seemed louder in the darkness of the house. What was louder than that was the silence. The silence was deafening. The house appeared quiet and still, although who knew what was really lurking within. The smell of fear floated from one of the rooms on the second floor. A fear so strong, not even the sheets and covers it was smothered under could kill it. A fear of the unknown, a fear of the dark. This fear buried itself deep within its host and rooted to their soul. Could a fear of such power be conquered?

           A deep breath, a hard swallow and then, the foot. A foot placed strategically on the carpeted floor. The foot of the host. Under the apparatus which the host rested upon, lay a gaping space which threatened the foot. The foot challenged the threat without any hesitation, and soon the pitter-patter of two feet was heard through the menacing darkness. A cry cut through the silence and fear like a steel knife.

           "Mommy!"

           A light, two arms, comfort. The fear slowly faded away to a memory, only to return as a nightmare when the house was silent once more.