I was lying, curled in my bed shaking and sobbing. I knew that if I turned off my lights that he would get me. Some people think that the Boogeyman is an illogical fear. If it really was illogical, people never would have feared it in the first place. And if it really was an illogical fear, I wouldn’t be afraid of him because I am NOT an illogical person despite the fact that I’m only thirteen. And not all blondes are as dim-witted as jokes, movies, and books make them out to be either!
“December Skye Wallis!” my mother screeched out my full name at me in her horrendously shrill voice. “Turn off your lights and go to sleep! It’s nearly midnight!”
I couldn’t turn off the lights for fear that the Boogeyman would come out of my closet. And I most certainly couldn’t disobey my mother again! She would, without a doubt, thrash me. There was only one option.
I glanced around my small room quickly before making my final decision. I grabbed my drab school bag and dumped its contents on the floor, except for a pencil. I tossed some random clothes into the bag, followed by a book for entertainment if the opportunity ever arose, and a wallet that I knew contained; forty-seven dollars I had gotten for my birthday, the day before, between my dad, grandparents, and older brother; and my bank card. I tossed my half eaten sandwich and untouched apple from school that day on top, and was finally satisfied.
“DECEMBER!” Mother screamed again. “Turn off the lights!!!”
“But what about the Boogeyman?” I asked, knowing how ridiculous I sounded.
“Just shut up and turn off your lights! Don’t make me come in there, girl!”
I grabbed an elastic to tie back my blonde hair from my pale, thin, malnourished face and was out the window, gracefully hitting my head off the peeling window frame on my way out.
I was free. I was finally free from my abusive mother; my dad, who was never home; my overprotective brother; my dreary house that hadn’t been home in a long time; and most importantly, the tall, looming, dark and blood-covered, forever-watching Boogeyman who had haunted my room for the past two weeks. For once in my short life, I was taking a stand and escaping.