Unexpected Answers

They don't believe me. I wonder, if I was older would they?

Well, it's not like they have the power to make him leave, even if they did believe me. He doesn't come out at daytime-only at night, when everything is conveniently more frightening.

I finally find the courage to confront him, contorting myself, straining my eyes under my mattress.

"Why are you here?" I demand.

"To protect you from the others," he answers without hesitation.

Shocked into sudden silence, I follow his gaze to the closet. As if on cue, I begin to hear a soft clicking noise.