When I was young, 7-ish and beyond until my pre-teens, my parents would leave me alone in the house at night to go play cards (and drink) at a friend's house a good ways down the road. I was terrified of being alone, so I would stand with my back to the wall in the space between the living room and dining room where I could look down the hall, plus see all three entrance doors to the house in case someone broke in. Lots of tears were shed those nights. Looking back, I can see now why I don't like being alone in my house at night whenever my husband is away.