It was really late. 9:00 to be precise. I was snug in my bed with my long, all black pj pants on along with my Nightmare Before Christmas T-shirt that wonderfully sported Jack on Spiral Hill, along with the title as my own special tribute to the "dream" I had so long ago. I felt beautifully clean since I had just gotten out of the shower and combed my hair until it was straight as a rod.

Since I usually fell asleep to music, I decided to pop in the soundtrack. The first song went by fine, but when the Opening came on, I knew I was in for a weird night.

"'Twas a long time ago

When the shadows were long,

The snow sparkled bright

The trees moaning their song…"

I paused the player and looked outside at the wonderland of snow in the forest where I lived. The moon shone full, and cast long, eerie shadows on the sparkling white and the wind whirled through the trees, making them groan and sing with the coat of ice they wore. A chill went down my spine as I let it play once more.

"From a place far away

Driven by love

A creature waited patiently

For the human above…"

I wondered. That, theoretically, would mean there was something below me, if I was the human. But how far below? Basement? First floor? Under my bed?!

"Now you've probably wondered

Where this creature's come from…"

I spoke the last two lines in unison with the CD.

"If you haven't, I'd say

It was time you begun…"

Suddenly, a bony, four-fingered hand reached up from under my bed and grabbed my ankle! It started pulling with superhuman strength and I was on the floor, being sucked under!

I screamed for all I was worth, but since I was home alone, I hadn't a hope to be saved. I clawed at the rug, but to no avail. I felt myself go into the cold recesses under the bed, and I blanked out. Wisps of music from "This Is Halloween" floated through my head.