“Flashlight, misting water bottle, and a storybook,” he said. “What else?"

“Do not look in their eyes!” She said. "They don't fight fairly."

"Aye, aye, Captain," he waved a saute.

"Go forth and conquer.”

“I am a soldier. I can take on this army.” He marched into the living room. “Surrender! Resistance is futile!”

“Da-a-ad,” Adam rolled his eyes.

“Come on, let’s go.”

Reluctantly, the kids walked upstairs as if each foot weighed a hundred pounds.

He read them each a bedtime story and sang The Goodnight Song to each.

At Adam’s door, he used the flashlight to peak into every dark corner, then misted the Bogeyman Protecting Spray about the room.

“Thanks, Dad,” Adam said.

“What’s a little bogyphobia among friends?” He kissed Adam’s forehead.

In Mary’s room, the soft blue nightlight colored everything. “Thanks, Dad,” she kissed his cheek.

“What’s a little achluophobia among friends?”

“Do all kids know the name for fear of darkness?”

“Just the smart ones,” he kissed her forehead.

He was content. Fighting the clinophobics was one of his favorite things.

========================================

Clinophobia – fear of going to bed.
Bogyphobia – fear of the Bogeyman.
Achluophobia – fear of the darkness.

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Author guidance for This story

On Ficlets, artistsrunwild gave us a challenge: "Write a ficlet focused on one or more REAL phobias." These phobias also had to be defined. If you need a phobia for your story, check out http://www.phobialist.com/#E

updated Dec 21 '08 by Alexa1018