Stone Soup

Where young artists paint the world with words

The international magazine of stories, poems, and art by young writers and artists. Published continuously since 1973.

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Scared of the Dark

Thunder crashes.
My world is turned into a dark abyss from which I will
forever fall.
Shadows creep around me as if monsters waiting for the
right moment.
Lightning strikes.
For a second I see my normal room with everything
in place.
But then the shadows come again and engulf me in fear.
A giant-eyed spider!
No, it’s my electric fan.
A poisonous snake!
No, it’s my belt on the floor.
I feel my eyelids start to drift down.
No! If I fall asleep they’ll get me!
A little lower.
I’m too scared to sleep!
Almost closed.
I’m too scared to sleep!
I’m too… scared… to…