by Douglas Black

Created on: April 09, 2011

COUNTING BACKWARDS

We all know the stories about him; either heard by a smoldering camp fire or between the warm sheets of our beds.  But, they’re just a bunch stories, right?  Tales to send shivers up our spines, leaving our imagination to run wild with terror. At least that was what a fourteen year old boy named, Richard Sanders once believed…

“I’m telling mom!” Bobby Sanders said with a scowl.

“Oh, no you’re not—because if you do, I’ll lock you up in the closet, and you know who will get ya.” Bobby’s brother Richard glared with malicious intent.

“I, I’m not scared of…the Boogey Man.” Bobby was putting on a brave face.

It was already two-hours past their bedtime, when Bobby caught his big brother Richard sneaking in the bedroom window. Bobby was only eight, and Richard, now in his early teens, but they still shared the same room.  Outside the pale moonlight cascaded in through window, casting shadows of the old oak tree upon the wall. Richard stood a few feet from his younger brother’s bed.

“OK, brave-man—there’s the closet; prove it.” Richard challenged.

“I don’t have to prove anything, you just don’t want mom to know you were out with Frank and Sam!” Bobby said with as much conviction an eight-year old could muster.

“OK, than—you leave me no choice…” Richard pulled on his brother’s blankets, grabbing firmly around the waist.

“I’m telling—I’m te…” Bobby felt the clammy palm of Richard’s hand close over his lips.

Richard hefted Bobby in the air with ease as he started toward the dark opening of the closet. Bobby flailed and whimpered as he saw the door swing open.  In a last desperate attempt, he tried biting his brother’s forefinger, but it was too late.

The large closet was black, and filled with all of his big-brother’s old toys. Clowns, trains and a whole box full of toy soldiers—one’s that Bobby was forbidden to ever play with.  Looking out with terror in his eyes, Bobby felt hot streams of tears pouring across his cheeks.  Richard hesitated, a moment of contemplation over what he was about to do.  He knew his brother’s deep-seated fear, but he couldn’t let Bobby rat him out. Not again, after he already was grounded for a month after being caught hanging out with the

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