Are You Afraid of the Dark?

I've always been afraid of the dark. Ever since I was a kid, I would sleep with a nightlight on and avoid going into dark places. I don't know what it is, but something about the absence of light makes me feel uneasy and vulnerable. Maybe it's because I can't see what's lurking in the shadows, or maybe it's because my imagination runs wild and conjures up all kinds of terrifying scenarios.

But nothing prepared me for what happened last night.

It was a stormy night, and the power went out in my apartment. I was alone, as my roommate had gone out with some friends. I tried to call him, but there was no signal on my phone. I felt a surge of panic as I realized I was trapped in the darkness, with no way of contacting anyone.

I decided to go to bed and wait for the power to come back on. I grabbed a flashlight and made my way to my bedroom. I closed the door behind me and turned on the flashlight. I felt a little better as I saw the familiar objects in my room. I got into bed and pulled the covers over me. I aimed the flashlight at the ceiling and tried to calm myself down.

I don't know how long I lay there, listening to the sound of the rain and thunder outside. I started to feel sleepy, and thought maybe I could fall asleep despite the darkness. But then, I heard something that made me freeze.

A knock on the door.

I sat up in bed, clutching the flashlight. Who could it be? My roommate? A neighbor? A stranger? I didn't want to open the door, but I also didn't want to ignore it. Maybe it was someone who needed help, or someone who could help me.

I got out of bed and walked towards the door. I hesitated for a moment, then reached for the doorknob. I opened the door slowly, and peered into the hallway.

There was no one there.

I felt a chill run down my spine. Was it my imagination? Did I hear something else? I stepped out of my room and looked around. The hallway was pitch black, except for the faint glow of my flashlight. I couldn't see anything or anyone.

I was about to go back into my room, when I heard another knock.

This time, it came from behind me.

I turned around quickly, and shone the flashlight at the door of my room.

There was someone standing there.

Someone wearing a black hooded cloak that covered their face.

Someone holding a knife.

I screamed and dropped the flashlight. The hallway plunged into darkness again. I heard footsteps coming towards me. I ran in the opposite direction, hoping to find a way out. But it was too late.

The cloaked figure grabbed me from behind and stabbed me in the chest.

I felt a sharp pain and a warm blood gushing out of me. I fell to the floor, gasping for air. The last thing I saw before I lost consciousness was a pair of glowing red eyes under the hood.

The eyes of the dark.