The girls were quietly huddled together in the dark broom closet, waiting. A heaping pan full of dust had been precariously balanced on top of the trim surrounding the front door, rigged to dump its contents on the monster if it tried to come inside to get them.

Mary tried to pry open Olivia's tightly closed eyes.

"Oli, fear is all in your head," said Mary.

"No, fear is at the door," said Olivia.

"You have to face that fear. Meet it head on. Say, 'I'm above all this. You don't frighten me. I'm the boss here... creator of my own universe. I make up all the rules. The world is mine to conquer."

Inspired, Olivia slowly opened her eyes, looked around and grinned. Then from the other side of the closet door they heard Missy Hyde open the front door.

"Oh, Miss Ida. I'm sorry, please come in. How long have you been standing out..."

CLICK, FWOOSH, CRASH, SCREAM!... then everything became very still... too still.

"Hic-up!"

After a terrifying moment, the closet door slowly swung open and the girls saw a very angry Missy Hyde halfway covered in dust and grit. She stepped back to let the girls see Miss Ida, similarly covered in a film of dirt. Her knotted hair had loosened and drooped dispiritedly. Odd bits of trash dangled from the grimy plastic daisies on her filthy hat. And beneath all the dust, Miss Ida's face was an outrageous shade of purple.

Olivia (her eyes still shut), suddenly began to shout at whatever was standing there, ready to devour them all.

"I'm above all this!", she yelled boldly, "You don't frighten me. I'm the boss here… creator of my own universe. I make up all the rules. The world is mine to conquer!"

Miss Ida arched one dusty eyebrow, Missy Hyde rolled her eyes heavenward, and the other girls cringed in horror.