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Cristina

The nightlight blinks twice and goes out I stare at it, waiting for it to co it to, but it doesn’t

I know I’m not the only ten-year-old who’s afraid of the dark, but tonight, the raging thunderstor I know, it’s that thunderstors

I used to like them but not anymore

Lightning crashes, and soainst the glass of theI know it’s just a branch, but that constant tap-tap-tapping hasthe blanket closer

I reach to switch on the laain Nothing

The power’s out That’s all The lightning must have knocked it out The house is old It happens a lot with storlass of water

Hugging my stuffed rabbit, Sofia, I push the blanket off I take a peek over the edge of the bed before sliding raze the soft carpet, and nothing happens

No monsters under the bed I’m safe

I stand and walk quietly toward htning sends a flash of bright light into ht and shiny and watching s

Quickly I turn the doorknob, pull the door open, and rush out into the hallway

They’re angry, the dolls I don’t play with them anymore I asked my father to put them away, but he won’t Just like the other, eht

“Lisa?” I say as I quietly open her bedroom door

She doesn’t answer

“Lisa?” I ask again

But when I peek inside, I see that her bed is still made It hasn’t been slept in and she’s not here Maybe it’s not as late as I think and she’s still downstairs

I hug Sofia closer and tell her not to be afraid

Usingthe wall, I walk toward the stairs I keep to the edge where the carpet doesn’t reach, and the hardwood floors are cold under et to the top of the stairs, I look down to the first floor Colored light colass of the double front doors, but otherwise, the house is dark