shadow of doubt

"Good-night, little Princess". 

“Don’t leave me alone, Dad. The monster under the bed keeps me awake the 

whole night”. I bend. She is sitting with her arms encircled around her knees, 

her face ashen.

“Dad, don’t believe her”. I go numb.

But when my eyes scan the bed, nothing is there.

Laughter resonates the room.

But when I check under the bed, nothing is there.