Yeah basements in Florida are definitely bad. Had a friend that lived down there for a while. It's not so much the fear of the dark as it is the fear of the unknown, just like you said. But you have to realize, in your own way, that fear you feel of not knowing what's there in the dark staring back at you works in your favor too. The dark is like a shield and a sword. It covers you and protects you from the things that hunt you, whether it be people or your imagination. And it let's you fight the things that scare you. And you go from the one that's afraid, to being the one that's feared. That goes for all fears and phobias. When you fight it and win, it only serves to strengthen you.