Nothing. Just darkness. The kind that can reach out and grab you, enveloping it you in its grisly grasp. Eight-year-old Ryan McDonnell stood on the top step of the cellar staircase, peering down into the darkness. He could hear his heart racing and could feel it pounding against his ribs. He slowly descended the stairs, sweeping the bottom stairs with his eyes.
Ryan reached the bottom after what seemed like hours. His hand shook as he turned on his small flashlight. He continued to creep deeper into the perfect habitat for the most savage of monsters. Why, he thought, did mom want me to get vegetables now? They could have waited until morning…and light.
His periphery caught movement. In a flash, he swung around and swept the area with his flashlight. A small whimper escaped him. He began backing away to the stairs when he bumped into something warm. He recoiled, shaking uncontrollably. He heard a low moaning growl to his left. He was shaking so bad that his teeth were chattering. His eyes were so wide that they were hurting in their sockets.
Monsters are real, he thought, I’m going to get eaten! My parents lied to me about this. He turned and ran, his only hope was to get back to civilization and light. A roar shattered the seemingly tranquil basement. He dropped his flashlight and ran for the stairs, his only escape route. The monster hit him on the shoulder and toppled him. Ryan feverishly wormed toward the stairs, everything in him bent on survival. The monster picked him up and said,
“Ha! Pranked you. The joke’s on you little brother.”
Huh? Ryan thought. Flashlights came on as laughter filled the cellar. Ryan’s three older brothers shone their flashlights on their faces identifying themselves. Ryan’s face became red. It quickly subsided as the four of them trekke back to the house. I guess there aren’t any monsters, after all, thought Ryan.