The Thief in the Night — Henry Williamson

When nine year old Eric Thompson's fear of the dark publicly embarrasses his mother, she grounds him and locks him inside his room. When night falls, the blood curdling screams of her son would soon force her to come to his aid. Upon entering his room, she is forced to sacrifice her life for him. Helplessly watching as his mother is mysteriously branded and snatched away into the darkness, young Eric Thompson grows up seeking revenge on a supernatural creature.