Someone watching, submitted by Vanessa.

I can remember my first nightmare. I was three years old. I had a nightmare that the

Wicked Witch of the West from the Wizard of Oz multiplied and stole the souls of

the little kids in the neighborhood.

Ever since that night, I remember being so sensitive

and worried about being kidnapped and no one trying to find me.

I always felt like someone was watching me at night

when there never was.

Moving forward to being five years old, my parents were looking for a new home.

One that was in a safer neighborhood with more space and with a better school.

They found our new home with a pool in the backyard.

I remember before we moved in,

my parents took my brother, sister, and I

to see if we loved the house as much as they did.

When we got there, I felt heavy in my heart like something negative was

watching me enter the house. I brushed it off because I saw how happy everyone was. The realtor was

there and she took us for a tour.

First we went to the backyard to see the pool.

As soon as I saw it, I felt the heaviness and started to cry.

We moved in and I remember having a nightmare that very first night.

As soon as I fell asleep, the nightmare started.

I remember seeing my nightlight dimming and heard my mom walk in and tell me,

...