Phobia

I approach the basement door, knowing that all that lies below are discarded objects and emptiness. However, what I see in my mind is a face. The ceramic face of a child, staring at me with empty eye sockets from the bottom of the stairwell, in the center of the blackness. What I sense behind the door in the darkness, is a monster, wearing the mask, a beast of claws and malice, one that knows only how to hunt and kill. It is a being of darkness, one that wants only to rend flesh and drink blood. I have yet to open the door, my heart telling me to stop. I finally ignore the warning, and twist the knob. I see no face, but I feel the beast. Near frantic, I flip the switch, and the darkness that housed horror is scattered, revealing what my memories told me was down there. As I glance around, seeing only forgotten toys and concrete, my mind tells me that there was nothing there. But in my heart, I feel it will be back, in every dark area, beyond every door and window at night. But what I know, even deeper, is that the beast I see in my mind and fear, is me.