AUTHOR'S NOTE: This series of drabbles or short chapters is loosely based off American Horror Story. I do not own American Horror Story or the characters and I will NOT be receiving any payment whatsoever for writing this story. It is intended for entertainment purposes only.

Tate Langdon: "My father ran away when I was only six. If I'd have known any better, I would have joined him." (American Horror Story)

(1983)

Gone

Tate Langdon was just a little boy. He was a child of six and full of so much innocence. The little child knew nothing of death or violence, but his heart did know unspeakable sorrow.

His daddy was gone. He had disappeared without a trace. His mom said he was never coming home... and Tate missed his daddy. He had been kind to him and full of love which was such a sharp contrast to his mom who had been nothing but cold and ruthless.

No matter how much it hurt, Tate never let his tears spill. He kept them trapped deep down inside where no one could see them.

Sometimes when he was alone in the basement he would whimper and start to cry, but today he wouldn't. Today he wouldn't think about Daddy; today he would play.

Tate was playing with his favorite truck. Mrs. Clary, the nanny was not watching him. He would sneak down in the cold, dark basement and he would play. No one would find him. Tate was a soul who liked the dark.

On the concrete floor of the basement, Tate pushed his heavy, steel truck. He made motor noises as he played in the darkness. No one could find him; here his mom couldn't yell at him and remind him of all his shortcomings.

Tate was alone... or he thought he was. He had no idea that someone or something was watching him in the darkness. It growled at him as it showed it's fearsome fangs. Tate screamed and tried to run away. He needed to escape the horrid thing as it wanted to drink his blood.

"Help me!" Tate cried as he abandoned his truck and headed toward the staircase.

But she found him, the gorgeous lady in white. She took him in her arms and comforted him like a mother. "It alright, sweetie," she whispered. "What's your name?"

"Tate," he answered as he wrapped his little arms around her. "Who are you?"

"I am Nora. I'm the lady of the house," she said as she caressed his hair so tenderly as if he were her own.

"Wh- what was that thing?" he asked, his voice trembling.

"That was Thaddeus. If he ever comes back to scare you, just close your eyes tightly, and tell him to go away. Do you understand, Tate?" she instructed him gently.

Tate nodded, hugging her and never wanting to leave her arms. "He'll be gone... because I am going to protect you," she said. "I will NEVER let anyone hurt you."

Her looked up at her with admiration aglow in his eyes. She smiled at him and Tate's heart melted. "I wish you were my mommy," he whispered.