I conquer my fear (sort of)

“Olivia!” 

“What?”

“It’s trash night, can you take it out?”

Silence, as I switched off my iPod, and listened.

“Olivia!” 

“What?”

“It’s trash night, can you take it out?”

More silence, as I looked out the window.
“Olivia”

“What?”

“Can you hear me?”

“Yes”

“Can you please take out the trash for me?”

“It’s pitch black outside though!” 

“You’ll only be out there for five minutes at most!”

I lay in bed, my heart pounding, until another “Olivia!” forced me to make my way down to the kitchen, and grab the trash bag. I slowly slid on my shoes, and opened the door to our apartment, dreading having to step outside. 

“Olivia!”

“I’m going, but can’t mom take it out?” I asked, stalling for time, though I knew what the answer would be. 

“She’s in a meeting right now! Can you please hurry up!”

I stepped off the landing, and onto the mettle stairs that lead five stories below, to the front door. 

The dim light flickered, as I made my way down, the stairs creaking the only noise.

I inwardly cursed myself. I should have told him that I was afraid of the dark, of the monsters that seemed to be just around the corner, waiting for me. Always. But he would have just said to do it anyway, to conquer my fear. 

Two storys left, then one. I pushed open the double doors, letting in a whiff of cold air, tainted with the scent of cigar smoke and gasoline fumes. My hands grew sweaty, and I ran around to the back, where the trash bin was. There was no light back here, and none of the stars were out tonight. 

I froze. Was that something moving behind the dumpster? I fumbled with the lid. A car drove past on the street, and I jumped. I threw the trash in, and ran, back up the stairs, to my room, where I collapsed onto my bed.