"There's someone in there," Anna whispers when she sees me. "I heard noises."
I nod solemnly, treating her fear with the respect it deserves. "I'll check. You stay right here with your mom and aunt Jenny."
Crossing to the closet, I make a show of opening the door slowly, hand on my weapon. I scan the small space thoroughly, even moving the hanging clothes and checking the corners. Then I kneel down and look under the bed as well.
"All clear," I announce, returning to Anna's bedside. "No monsters. No bad guys. Just shadows and old clothes."
"Are you sure?" Her little voice wavers with uncertainty.
"Positive." I crouch down to her eye level. "And even if there were monsters, they'd take one look at me and run the other way."
This earns me a tiny smile. "Because you're scary?"
"To monsters and bad guys, absolutely terrifying," I assure her.
She considers this, then asks, "Will you stay? Just for a little bit?"
The request catches me off guard. I glance at Amelia, who looks as surprised as I feel, but she nods encouragingly.
"Sure, kiddo. I can stay for a while." I awkwardly perch on the edge of the bed.
"Can you tell me a story?" Anna asks, snuggling back under her covers but keeping her eyes on me.
"I... don't really know any stories," I admit.
"Make one up," she suggests, as if it's the simplest thing in the world.
I look helplessly at Jenny, who smirks and shrugs as if to say, "You're on your own, big brother."
"Alright." I clear my throat. "Once upon a time, there was a... a brave rabbit named Hoppy."
Anna giggles and holds up her stuffed toy. "Like my Hoppy?"
"Exactly like your Hoppy," I confirm, warming to the task. "Hoppy the rabbit lived in a big forest with his mom, who was the kindest, bravest rabbit in all the land."
"Like my mom," Anna interjects, glancing at Amelia with pure love.
"Just like your mom," I agree. "One day, Hoppy and his mom had to leave their old burrow because... because a big, mean fox kept trying to get in."
"Foxes eat rabbits," Anna says solemnly.
"Yes, they do. But Hoppy and his mom were smart. They traveled far away, through streams and meadows and dark woods, until they found a new place to live. A safe place guarded by... by bears."
"Bears?" Anna's eyes widen. "But bears eat rabbits too!"
"Not these bears," I assure her. "These were special bears who protected little rabbits from foxes and other dangers."
As I continue the improvised tale, spinning a story about how the bears taught Hoppy to be brave and kept the fox from ever finding their new home, I watch Anna's eyelids grow heavier. By the time I reach the part where the fox gets trapped in his own den, she's fast asleep, her breathing deep and regular.
I stand slowly, trying not to disturb her. When I turn, I find Amelia watching me with an expression that makes my heart beat a little faster.
"Thank you," she whispers as we step out of the room, leaving Jenny to keep watch over Anna.
"No problem." I feel strangely self-conscious, like a teenager caught doing something unexpectedly kind. "It wasn't much of a story."
"It was perfect." Amelia smiles, and for a moment, I can see past the exhaustion and fear to the woman she must have been before Derek Mitchell broke her down. Vibrant. Strong.
Chapter 6 - Amelia
