As a young child, the narrator was left home alone during a stormy night while his parents attended an event. At first, he was excited—no bedtime, unlimited candy. But after falling asleep on the couch, he woke up feeling cold. Remembering his mom’s checklist, he locked the doors and windows, but the house still felt off. Upstairs, he realized the storm had intensified. Then, something strange—his closet door was slightly open, even though he was sure he had closed it. Terrified, he left the room and hid under the dining table. Moments later, he saw bare, muddy feet and a wrench drop near him. The figure didn’t notice him and eventually left. The event traumatized him for years, leaving him with a lasting fear of the dark.