_“Door shut tightly, monsters might come.”_

She whispered in my ear

I smiled and wiped away a stray tear

_“What monsters are there for you to worry about, my dear?”_

She shook and shivered in my arms

Barely a crack through the door

All I could hear was silence

And her brothers soft snore

_“Monsters, they come at night._

_They yell, scream, kick, and fight.”_

I nodded my head and held her tight

And turned on the flashlight

She pulled a blanket over our heads

_“Do the monsters live under the bed?”_

_“No, they live just outside the door.”_ She said

_“So they come out when you sleep?”_

_“Yeah, and they fight and talk and kick things._

_I think one day they’ll get rid of the their rings.”_

_“What will happen when one finally wins?”_

_“Well, you’ll have two different homes. _

_You and your brother will travel from both.”_

_“That sound scary_.” She cried mournfully

I had to agree

_“But you are brave and strong, and can do anything.”_

The front door unlocked and the door creaked open

All sound disappeared, was replaced with none

_“Door shut tightly, monsters might come!”_