If you want to get out alive...

Children shrouded themselves underneath blankets when the monster growled under their beds. Children were safe under the covers; the creature couldn't see them - simply because they couldn't see it.
And, hiding worked.
Parents soothed their son, daughter, said There's no such thing as monsters, oh, but they didn't hear the tapping on the window, or hear the creak in the closet. Oh, they didn't see the shadow under the desk, or see the eyes in the dark.
Hide.
Hide.
Close your eyes, hide and you will be safe, because the monsters can't get you if you can't see them.

Sam didn't want to see the monsters; the shadows; the ghosts; the little girl.
And so, he closed his eyes.