The dark. Something some people fear. Normal people get over that fear. She wasn’t like normal people. She still feared the dark. Well, really what she couldn’t see in the dark. Someone or something could be watching her, and she wouldn’t know. And with that she hated the feeling of being watched even though she knew there was no one around. She’s felt that feeling in her own house; even when there was no one else up. She thought she’d be over this fear by now being in her thirties, but she still had it. How could she be so immature to still be afraid of the dark? It probably was. And she knew that if she told this, they would make fun of her for it. But was she willing to tell anyone this? Nope. Instead, she’d deal with the constant fear at night. Which some people might just call paranoia, but whatever it was, it wouldn’t go away.

She had to stop herself from looking out the window. Anytime she looked out the window, especially late at night, she would think that there was someone outside of her house watching her. But there never was. It was just her mind playing tricks on her. It was the shadows of objects in her yard. Yet she was waiting for the day someone would be staring back at her. Would it be too weird for that to happen? In her eyes, no. She waited for the day it would happen. She didn’t even want to think about what she would do in that situation. She knew she’d probably freeze. And not protect herself. She’d like to think she’d grab things to protect herself, but she knew there was more of a chance she wouldn’t.

Now don’t even get her started on going into her basement at night. The moment she would turn off a light at night, she would turn into a track star and rush up the stairs. She hated the feeling of someone else being down there. It was only ever her. How she felt these feelings made no sense to her. She made fun of herself. Her family would make fun of her too. But no one would understand the feelings she feels. There are probably people who feel the same things. But no one she knew felt the same way. Who would want people to know that this is how they think? Probably not many people. But she didn’t care. She wanted to talk about it. It’s just who would take her seriously.

Sitting in her living room, she sat on her couch with a mug of hot chocolate in her hands. She had her television on to a random late-night show. Her eyes would sometimes flicker over to her front window that was closed not only from her blinds but her curtains as well. Her dog was sitting on the other end of the couch. Her dog, which she adopted from the local shelter, was always by her side. The two were inseparable. The only time they aren’t around each other is when she’s at work. “I’m just crazy right? There is no one outside of the house. It’s just my mind playing tricks on me.” She said to the dog. Her dog looked at her like she understood and shook her head. “This is why we are best friends, huh?” She asked patting the spot next to her. Her dog crawled over to her. She started to pet her dog. “If you were human, would you make fun of me? Because I know I would. I mean, I’m talking to you like you understand me.” She said with a laugh. Her dog looked to her as if her dog understood what she said. She laughed a bit. “I guess this is my body’s way of telling me it’s time to go to bed. Are you ready to go to bed?” She looked down at her dog whose ears perked up. “Well, let’s go to bed.” She said standing up from her couch. She walked out to her kitchen carrying the empty mug. She placed the mug into her sink and walked back out to her living room. Making her way over to her front door, she checked the door making sure she locked it. After that she made sure her alarm was set and then went up to her room. Her dog followed her up to her room. She got into bed and patted it before her dog jumped into bed. Her dog played down by her feet and faced the door. Her dog ready to jump and defend her if needed. “Good night sweet girl.” She said softly. She lay back on the bed and was able to quiet her mind enough to fall asleep. Her dog on the other hand closed its eyes but was ready to fight anyone or anything that tried to get her.