Once, when the world was young, there was a race of beings who were the keeper of bad dreams. Whether it was a stubbed toe or a murder, they locked them away so others could have restful night.
It wasn’t an easy job. Those who kept watch often became morose and had to be replaced frequently. It aged them. Replacements dwindled, but the keepers still kept watch, not wanting the universe to become a haunted place.
Soon , there were only a handful left. They tried to send warnings into the universe, but they were ignored. Not one other single being had ever experienced what the keepers called “nightmares.” Others thought they were just the ramblings of a lunatic race.
Eventually, only one keeper was left. He kept sending his signal, hoping for salvation. No one came. Much too soon, there were no keepers left. The bad dreams were unleashed into the world. The universe learned to scream that night.