Monsters

“Daddy! I can’t go sleep, a monster’s in my closet!”

“Daniel, you’re too old to believe in monsters.”

“There is! I saw him!”

“You know perfectly well that there’s nothing in your closet. I’ve checked dozens of times, I’m not humouring you about it again. Daddy’s tired, he’s had a long day, and he’s not telling you again. Go. To. Sleep.”

He slammed the door behind him. In the morning he’d feel guilty, but tonight he was in no mood. Daniel drew the covers over him, trying not to cry.

…and from the closet, hunting knife in hand, I crept.