Babysitting.

 My babysitters.

Two teenagers who wanted to get a little extra money.
Two teenagers who only needed some entertainment.
Two teenagers who thought it'd be fun to lock me in a closet.
Two teenagers who laughed as I screamed and begged to be let out.

Didn't they realize I was scared?
Who in their right mind would lock a six year old inside a closet for two and a half hours?
Apparently they found it amusing.

I remember another time I was over.
The video games were downstairs in the basement, light only from a miniature shark tank that glowed blue.
My six and a half year old brain was focused on getting down there to play Mario or Pacman.
Not for what was about to happen next.
They followed me downstairs, exchanging grins and glances in the dim lighting.
There was no game system.
When I turned to ask where it went, the lights turned off, immersing me in darkness. My mind went into frantic overload, words barely audible from my mouth as I asked why the lights were off.
There was no answer but a terrifying shriek in my ear, sending me stumbling forwards onto the cold basement floor.
I cried and crawled to get away from whatever was after me, the thing making horrible growling and screeching noises.
I felt it's hand grab my ankle, pulling me back over to it and releasing me, feeling it's breath in my tiny ear.

"STOP IT!"

The only words I could scream that weren't loud enough to drown the creatures menacing cries. I began to crawl again, faster this time, and hitting my head hard on a wooden surface.
The pool table.
I'll hide under the pool table.
Suddenly a hand grabbed my wrist and dragged me under it, the voice of one of my babysitters echoing through the darkness.

"He's gonna get you."

I yelled, terrified, trying to twist out of her grasp.
The monster's voice was closer now, like it was trying to crawl underneath the table.

"He's gonna get you, he's right there, you're gonna die!"

I managed to break free, crying and screaming in horror.
I somehow managed to find the carpeted stairs, climbing up them like a desperate dog would.
Reaching up I fumbled to open the door knob, hearing footsteps ascending the stairs after me.
The door opened. It wasn't locked.
I heard my babysitters curse behind me as I got up and went to run into the warm light.
Only a far off salvation.
Hands wrapped around my ankles, yanking me onto my stomach.
I felt the rug burning under me as I was dragged back down into the dark and unforgiving basement, the light getting further and further away.
I watched as my babysitter snuffed the light out with a slam, and sealing it with a click.