Memento Mori.

"Sandman come to me tonight... Comfort me 'till morning light, as darkness falls and shadows gloom,

I bid you welcome to my room.. Rest your bones beside my bed, lay your hands upon my head,

cast your spell- a slumber deep; and stay beside me as I sleep...

If I should die before I wake, I give to you my soul to take...."

The little girl laid in bed with her porcelain doll awaiting the Sandman's spell of sleep. Her room was cloaked in darkness and shadow as the full moon glowed in the dark night sky... She hugged her doll closer as the shadows crept across the walls and ceiling inching closer to her.

The little girl heard the speaking of the old wooden steps. She kept still as she heard footsteps down the hallway going towards her room. The footsteps stopped right in front of her door.

The little girl hid her head underneath the covers as the door opened. She heard a wisp of cold air enter the room. She peeked out from the covers and watched as a shadow made its way towards her.

"M-Mr. Shadow?" she asked timidly.

The shadow moved even closer.

"W-What is it that you want?" she asked.

"....Memento Mori..." the shadow rasped out as it laid its skeletal hands on her head.

Everything faded to black... and the girl died in her sleep.

"...Memento Mori... my child.." the shadow whispered as it took the hand of the little girl's spirit that held her beloved doll close and walked off into the darkness...

The End.