Original Eleven

I close my eyes and count to one

I hate this game, it's never done

I pull my covers up with fear

I know that soon he will be here

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I close my eyes and count to two

I hear him lurk into the room

His steps are light, his breathing deep

I'm too afraid to fall asleep

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I close my eyes and count to three

Why's this happening to me?

He watches me with bright red eyes

Every night it makes my cry

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I close my eyes and count to four

I swear that I had locked the door

I hear him snicker with delight

"I see you creature of the light"

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I close my eyes and count to five

I pray to God he's gone outside

Daddy claims imagination

Sissy says he's my creation

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I close my eyes and count to six

Every night it's just like this

Mommy won't come to the door

Shedoesn'tbelieve me anymore

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I close my eyes and count to seven

Hoping I will reach eleven

I hear him whisper in my ear

"Though you'll leave I'll still be near"

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I close my eyes and count to eight

He says that this is our play date

He laughs and says "You're not alone

Although there may be no one home"

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I close my eyes and count to nine

He says the house is his, not mine

He said he lived here long ago

I swore to him I didn't know

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I close my eyes and count to ten

He's hiding in my old playpen

I hear him promise with a grin

That every night he'll come again

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Now I'm speaking down from heaven

He never let me reach eleven

Now we're both ghosts roaming free

Forever he will follow me