The darkness didn't bother you, but the quiet did. They'd only recently separated you from your brother, saying that you were old enough now to sleep in separate rooms. Without him, you've found that the nights were entirely too quiet.
Not that he ever made much noise, not your brother. But there were nights when you'd stayed up late together, making shadows on the walls, talking of all the battles you would win together, the monsters you would slay.
He wasn't here now and you find yourself staring up at the ceiling, wishing desperately for his presence. Maybe he will sneak into your room, but as the light from the fireplace played on the high ceiling, you realized he wouldn't. So you slip out of bed, your bare feet smacking on the tiled floor. Your legs are short, but you move fast in your child's body. He was only two doors down and you shared a balcony besides. The balcony door was already cracked and you slip your little, six year old body inside.