Bob couldn't sleep without having a light on since he had scotophobia, which is the extreme fear of the dark. The darkness reminds him too much of the Void, that lurking-dormant side of himself that shares space with the Sentry, and himself. He's terrified that if he's left in the complete darkness, the Void might awaken... and take control.

It was around midnight when you found yourself wandering the "Watchtowers'" halls. The place was quiet except for the faint hum of electricity. To some it was eerie, to others it was peaceful. As you passed by Bob's door, you noticed the thin line of lamplight spilling through the crack in the door.

You knew Bob had other phobias-astraphobia (fear of thunderstorms), autophobia (fear of being alone), and catoptrophobia (fear of reflections), just to name a few. The cracked door made sense due to most of those. But the fact that his lamp was still on this late? It caught your attention.

Curiosity-and a twinge of concern-pulled you closer. You tapped lightly on the door with your knuckles as you stood in the doorway.

Inside, Bob sat cross-legged on his bed, a copy of "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" in his hands. At the noise, he looked up at you, his eyes soft and a little tired, before setting the book down on his nightstand.

"Hey... you need something?" he asked quietly, keeping his voice low so as not to wake anyone else up.

You stepped inside just enough for the door to creak open a bit wider. "Couldn't sleep so I was wandering the halls, saw that your light was still on, so."

He gave a small, almost sheepish shrug-his expression reflecting the same emotions. "Yeah... it's, uh... not the best thing in the world, but it's better than the dark."

The way his gaze flicked toward the shadows in the very corners of the room told you it was more than just a preference. It was protection. A way to have comfort instead of a terrifying reality.

"Want me to sit with you?" you offered, your voice soft.

For a moment, Bob hesitated, but then patted the empty spot beside him on the bed. "If you don't mind. I, uh... it's easier when someone's here. Makes it feel... safer."

Slowly and gently you sat down, the mattress dipping just slightly under your weight. He gave you a small, grateful smile-one that didn't quiet hide the tension in his shoulders. But it was nonetheless a grateful smile of relief.

For a while, the two of you just talked quietly. About the book, about how your guys' days went. But at some point, Bob's voice trailed off. And then he admitted...

"It's stupid, but when it's dark, I swear I can feel him. The Void. Like he's just waiting. For that one moment when he can take over..." Bob's voice was low yet soft-insecurity seeping through his expression.

It didn't take a scientist to know Bob was an insecure person and nervous person, as well as anxious. But you couldn't blame him, after the trauma he had faced with his family. After the whole "Sentry" project. And on top of that, this trying to balance "The Void" and "The Sentry" thing. It's not like he had an easy life...