Everyone has a bit of a fear of the dark. It seemed to be a human trait I tell myself, trying to justify the way that I was feeling.

I wasn't sure if I imagined the eyes looking at me or not but there was definitely a presence, and it had noticed me. I stand there stock still and wait for the feeling to go away.

The feeling didn’t go away, it intensified as I felt I was drawing its attention. I thought I was in darkness before, but I was wrong. There was no sound, even the vague shapes of sight were gone, the darkness enveloped my senses and then I breathed it in.

I felt it course through my blood as I went numb, my body lost its feeling and I was its captive. Things shook, no I did, as it pushed into my mind and memories long buried bubbled to the surface. A small bubble burst…

“Daddy I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to. I didn’t know you and mommy were fighting. Please don’t, please don’t. I’m so sorry.”

My breath catches as I’m choked by my sobs, I knew Daddy can’t hear me right now, he’s too mad.

All my thoughts and tears stop as my back and head hit the wall. I know to just sit still as Daddy locks me into the closet. The shoes are really uncomfortable underneath me, and the closet is really small but I’m really small too.

All of my senses rush back at me at once, there is a pounding in my head as my pulse beats in my ears. Vertigo hits as I fall to my knees, pins and needles stab all over as the numbness fades, I dry heave twice.

With a shaky breath I pull myself onto my feet, my knees feel like they might bruise. It didn't seem to keep all of its attention on me, it almost felt like something awoke for the smallest moment. Then it went back to sleep, as though I wasn't worth waking for. Or that's how I feel. Or, truth to tell, I just want to comfort myself.

I scramble around in the dark, feeling for a pull chain or a light switch. I push back at the frantic anxiety that is starting to build, when my hand smacks into the cord.

After what felt like forever reaching around in the dark, although it was probably mere moments, the darkness finally abates as the light flickers on.

“From now on I am leaving a flashlight next to the basement door!” I declare, as I stamp my foot on the cement. I can’t help but think this is the first time in months I would have been happy to have my cell phone… It has a flashlight.

From what I could see it seemed to be a rather ordinary basement. I breathe out a sigh of relief and take a glance around. Even though it looked normal enough I don't think I will spend time truly cleaning or exploring it.

I walk around just enough to find the washer and dryer. I pat myself on the back for being clever enough to think of the washer and dryer being down here. Having located it I bring down the bedding and get the washer going.

Finished with the basement, I climb the stairs and take a look back at the open door. I gently shut it and think to myself did that really happen? Should I think about it, I take a breath, smack the door “nope” and walk away.

I needed some down time, so while it was washing, I went into the library to read. I could play games on my phone, but I wasn't interested in doing that, I didn’t want to be on my phone at all.

I did have some new otome games to try out, but I wasn't in the right mindset for that, so curling up with a good book sounded perfect.

I walk into the library and skim around, chuckling about the last time I was in here, haha evil couches.

I walk around the shelves, running my fingers along the spines of the books. I wonder how much knowledge is contained in these books, and if I wanted to spend time learning it. Not at the moment, so I avoid those sections.

My eyes catch on an occult section, I guess it isn’t all alphabetical. For a moment I feel like checking it out but shake my head. I had enough of the occult in my life just by living here. No need to psych myself up and corrupt my experience by trying to fit it into the confines of the books I read on the topic.

Part of me just wants to close my eyes and walk around and read whatever I stopped in front of. But I thought that this might be a bit much for today. I wanted something from my cinnamon-roll’s collection.

I made my way over to my note leaving friends nook and saw that they had been there since I was last here and had left me little notes. On the cupboard there was a note that said ‘Friends share. Feel free to enjoy a few.’

I smiled at that and said out loud, "Note friend, thank you I might in a bit”.

On the fridge there was a note that said, ‘I have an odd taste in drinks, but I'd love it if you tried some.’

I replied to this note, "I think I will. Thank you." and saying that I pulled out one of the drinks I hadn't tried and set it next to the chair.

I looked around, seeing if there were more notes. To my immense delight there were. On the games each was marked with a note ‘Feel free to play’ or ‘Sorry but I'm still working on this one.’

I smiled and made sure that I would always respect the notes. I also wondered how a ghost was able to eat snacks, drink drinks, play games, read and such. But it was probably for reasons that I would not really be able to understand and let it be.

Sadly, though at the moment I did not feel like playing a game. Hmm... I decided to look over the notes to see if he had recommended one for me to read.

I walked over to the shelves and was delighted to see that there were more notes on these. He had series grouped together and seemed to have little comments for some of the series. I decided that the series with notes would be what I read first.

One note in particular was written in bright pink and it read ‘Here is the rest of that series you asked about! When you finish it, Achievement Unlocked’.

“Thank you” I say, it felt like my shy note writing ghost was my friend here, my first friend aside from the cats.

I twirl a lock of my hair around my finger as I look at the series and wonder what I was in the mood for. I know I had asked about this series, but I think I want something with a different tone.

Did I feel like a comedy with romance elements? ‘This was one of the first series that I read. :)’ was on the series Soaring High Hostess Club, ‘I loved the leads in this one’ on the Neko Sama! series.

I grinned. I had read a little bit in that series and I agreed. I loved how strong the female was and the kind persistence of the male lead. Instead, though, I decided on one that he wrote, ‘I love this love story. I'm a boy, I cried, and I am not ashamed!’ That made me smile and I even laughed a bit.

"I will never shame anyone for what they read. And now I know you are a boy. How about you tell me your name next?" I asked.

And I think to myself, oh good I was using the correct pronouns, that is very important after all. I noticed he was responding to my comments, so I will continue talking out loud to myself. No, to him.