It was the first time in almost half her life that Sienna woke without tears. At first she couldn't remember what was different, then she saw the dank water sitting on the bedside table and the memory came flooding back. Remembering what had occurred the day before Sienna felt sick. That thing could have killed her! ...but it hadn't. She'd fought it and won. She had faced it bare handed and sent it running. She, a 10 year old girl, had chased away a night terror without anyone in her corner. Pride filled her as she stood up on her bed and stretched, her pyjamas riding up a little to expose her wrists and ankles. Today it felt good to be alive.

Hearing noises downstairs, Sienna made her way downstairs to the kitchen. Her mother was already dressed, throwing together a quick meal as she rushed to make it to work on time. She stopped for a moment when Sienna entered. "What are you smiling about?" Her mother eyed her curiously. Sienna shrugged, "It's Saturday?" "Huh," still watching her with confusion, her mother continued picking up the little bits and pieces she'd need for the day. "Well you know where the cereal is. I've made up sandwiches for lunch, they're wrapped, in the fridge. I'll probably be gone all day 'cause I'm working both jobs today and the second one'll be a double. If you need anything, Mrs Graham is just next door. Don't go out alone, and don't open the door to strangers." Sienna grabbed out the breakfast things under her mother's barrage of words, "Sure Mum. Don't worry. I'll be good." Again her mother stopped, looking down at her daughter, her little girl who, for once, had a genuine smile on her face. "Yeah, I know you will. You're a good kid." She gave her a small smile then kissed her hand before using it to tousle Sienna's hair, "You know I love you, right?"

Sienna's smile widened as she tidied her hair,"Yeah, I know. Love you too... Now go! Go, or you'll be late!" She looked down at her watch, "Darn, you're right." Grabbing an apple, she hurried to the door. She stopped and turned one last time. One last look at the smile that wreathed her daughter's face. A face that was usually a picture of sadness, or, at best, a blank slate that conveyed nothing at all. She couldn't remember the last time she'd seen her so happy, so... at peace.

Sienna looked up and rolled her eyes, but still she smiled, "Go!" Her mother laughed a little as Sienna waved her hand in a shooing gesture, "Alright, alright! I'm going. Bye." "Bye Mum. Drive safe."

As she heard the car back out of the drive Sienna took a mouthful of her cereal. She looked around and, for the very first time, she didn't feel scared in this house. No, it was more than that; she felt safe in her home.

There was a feeling of absolute certainty that it would not be back. She had banished it from her home. A small furrow creased her brow as she scooped up another spoonful. It was gone from HER home, but there were others out there. What's to stop one of them from coming. Could she really face another one of those nightmares?

Yes! Yes she could, and yes she would! The frown faded in the face of her determination. She would be ready if it came for her. It was time to prepare. It was time to plan her strategy.

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Sienna lay on her stomach, legs gently swaying and paddling the air as she tried to concentrate on the book she had to read for class. Yesterday she would have been too scared to enter her room while she was home alone. She had generally stayed in the living area, or gone next door and visited Mrs Graham. Now Sienna lay on her bed, relishing the new found confidence she had attained when she had fought and won her freedom from the darkness that had tormented her for so long. She rolled onto her back, lifting the book above her. She stared blankly at the page for a moment before realising she had no idea what she was reading. She'd read the last chapter without taking in a word of it.

She put the book down. Oh well, she'd tried. It wasn't her fault she couldn't concentrate. How was she supposed to focus on homework when she had more important things on her mind? She reached into the bag sitting next to her bed and pulled out a note book. Ignoring the math problems she'd copied, Sienna turned to a blank page at the back. Staring at the intense blue that lined the page, she started to make an action plan. What to do if she came across something like this again.

It soon became apparent that she was woefully uninformed. Without knowing more, there's no way she could make a viable plan of attack. She looked at the dot points that marked her thoughts;

⦁ What are they?

⦁ Why do they do it?

⦁ What are they afraid of?

⦁ How can I fight them?

⦁

After some thought she added

⦁ Where can I find out more?

She frowned down at the black scratches that spelled out her ignorance. For the life of her, she couldn't think of one person who'd be willing to talk about it, let alone someone who'd actually know. She tapped the end of the pencil against her teeth as she contemplated the impossible task she'd set herself. If only she had access to a computer. The internet was sure to have something, it had libraries of everythi-

She slammed her hands down and rolled her eyes at her stupidity. She then wrote down an answer next to the last question.

⦁ Where can I find out more? LIBRARY

Duh! Where else was a 10 year old supposed to go for answers. She'd ask Mrs Graham if she'd take her later. Maybe if she told her it was for homework?

Sienna wasn't sure how useful it would be, but it was a start. A first step. Know your enemy. She couldn't remember where she'd heard that but it wasn't just some famous saying. It was really good advice.

Next was learn how to fight. She would bite, kick, scratch... what ever it took really, but she needed to be more effective. Last night she'd fought and won, but Sienna wasn't naive. She was well aware that she got lucky. She was determined that next time -if there was a next time- she wouldn't need luck. The next time something went bump in the night, Sienna was going to go thump in the night.

There was a dangerous glint in her eye and a smirk on her face as she added an answer to the third point. One word.

ME