The Figure at the Foot of My Bed
Vocabulary
Reach each word out loud.
dread
/dÉšÉd/
noun
a strong feeling of fear or worry about something that might happen
Example:
I felt dread when I heard footsteps in the empty hallway.
figure
/ËfÉŞÉĄjÉ/
noun
the shape or outline of a person or thing that is hard to see clearly
Example:
A tall figure stood in the doorway, but I couldn't see his face in the dark.
animalistic
/ËĂŚnÉmÉËlÉŞstÉŞk/
adjective
like an animal; sounding or behaving like an animal instead of a person
Example:
The wrestler let out an animalistic roar when he won the match.
wink
/wÉŞĹk/
noun
(informal) a very short amount of sleep; usually used in negative sentences
Example:
The baby cried all night, so I didn't sleep a wink.
consume
/kÉnËsum/
verb
to fill someone's mind or feelings so completely that they cannot think about anything else
Example:
Guilt consumed him after he forgot to call his mother.
assume
/ÉËsum/
verb
to believe something without proof; suppose
Example:
Why would you assume that I am friends with him?
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Story
Read the story out loud or play the audio and follow along.
Audio recorded by Thomas
The Figure at the Foot of My Bed
I hadnât been sleeping well for a while. At first, I thought it was just stress. Work has been tense lately and I assumed I wasnât sleeping because I had a lot on my mind. Only problem is, I always lie there staring at the ceiling with the feeling like Iâm being watched. I never searched around the room though. I would just lie there with that feeling and wait until I eventually got some sleep.
But, no matter how hard I tried that night, I just couldnât fall asleep. I lay in bed for three hours, anxiety consuming me. That feeling of being watched was more intense than ever. Finally, I gave in and took a look around my room. Nothing. I slowly lay my head back on the pillow and, just as I started to relax, I heard something move. I immediately sat up in bed and looked straight at it. A figure.
I donât know how to describe it exactly. The figure wasnât human-shaped, but it wasnât really animalistic either. And it was slowly growing and shrinking. Maybe like it was breathing? I just sat there, staring at it. All the while it stared back. Neither of us moved for hours.
That was two nights ago. I havenât slept since. Not even a wink. Any time I try, Iâm immediately filled with dread. Itâs out there, somewhere, waiting for me to fall asleep. I know itâŚ
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Written by:
Thomas
Lesson updated:
October 3, 2026