Tommy Pinklets was only 7 years old. A curious, timid boy who was very smart, and relatively good was laying in his new 'Big Boy' bed with his Scooby-Doo comforter pulled securely to his chin. Tommy laid there in the dark amongst all the shadows and strange sounds of the night trembling with fear.

Tommy was very afraid of the dark. So, that alone, not to mention the shadows the big tree makes dancing on his wall that at times seemed to be very alive, dangerous and taunting him. All that alone could have Tommy so scared in his brand new 'Big Boy' bed all alone but tonight Tommy's problems were much worse than darkness, shadows, and sounds he couldn't identify.

No, tonight was far worse because as Tommy laid shaking under the protection of his blanket pulled tight to his chin he was sure there was a monster waiting right below where he was laying waiting to devour him. Tommy also knew that tonight was the night that the monster would finally eat him. Tommy could tell by his breathing he was finally done playing with his frail, timid, blonde haired toy and all that was left was to eat him alive in his brand new 'Big Boy' bed.

Tommy knew the monster was there and he also knew that it meant him harm. Even worse still, Tommy was also sure that tonight no one could even save him. He knew he couldn't be saved tonight because tonight the monster finally meant to have him and Tommy didn't think even his own Daddy, big as he was even, would be able to stop the monster when he finally came for him.

Tommy hid under the protection of his covers frozen in fear. Trembling and terrified he stared at his bedroom door. Cracked open, but oh so far away. He knew if he could reach it before the monster got him he might be able to get to his parents bedroom down the hall. But, Daddy slept with the door closed, and what if he didn't get up in time to save him? The monster would be very angry at Tommy for fleeing from him indeed. He would probably eat him extra hard for a stunt like that. Tommy stayed frozen, shivering in fear trying to decide what to do. It was at that moment that he heard the monster shift positions.

The sound hit him like a spike through his spine. It definitely moved. He heard the rustling clearly. It was definitely a very big monster, of that, Tommy was certain. Very, very big, with sharp claws, and rows of huge teeth like the sharks he had watched on the television with Daddy before bed. It was still for now but it was finding it's position and biding it's time. Soon it would leap out and pounce him for sure.

Tommy glanced at his Sponge Bob nightlight by the door for reassurance. None there. Sponge Bob only stared back blankly in his birthday hat and added to the scary shadows being cast on his walls. He noticed his new baseball bat by the door. Maybe if he could reach the bat he could fight the monster off until Daddy could get down the hall. It was his best plan so far but, leaving the safety of the covers felt too dangerous. Every child knows that monsters can't get you under the covers.

Tommy's eyes were getting heavier and he was afraid he would fall asleep before coming up with a better plan than the baseball bat. A yawn left his lips right before something brushed his foot.

Tommy jerked his feet up quickly into a criss-crossed apple sauce position. Certain that the monsters tail had just brushed them he pulled his Scooby-Doo blanket tightly over his head and began to pray hard for God to protect him through the night as intense fear and adrenaline raced through him. The full protection of the blanket and his prayers soothed him and he felt safe but, not safe enough to uncross his legs of course. He laid there fully covered from head to toe and prayed hard over and over for God's protection.

Tommy prayed and stayed covered up tightly until the Sandman finally took him. The next morning in the safety of the sunlight Tommy got out of his 'Big Boy' bed and looked underneath it. The monster was gone. Only his new baseball glove and ball were under there. Still wrapped with the rubber band Daddy had put on it after he oiled it up so it would be good and broke in.

The monster had been defeated for another night by the power of prayer and the impenetrable power, and safety of a child's blankets. Tommy felt an intense feeling of relief wash over him. He had made it. He decided he wouldn't tell Daddy about the monster because he didn't want him to worry. Tommy was a big boy now after all, and he was fairly sure he knew how to stop the monster if it came back.

Tommy grabbed his new glove from under the bed and decided he would go ask his Daddy if it was broke in enough to play some catch with today. The monster forgotten Tommy headed downstairs to begin his day.