“Okay. Get comfy on the bed while I find our book.”
That was easy enough to follow. I sat against the headboard, blanket bunched in my lap, stuffed animal to my chest, and thumb in my mouth. It didn’t take long for Sabastian to find the book and get comfortable on his side of the bed.
He opened to where he left off last time, his voice calm and relaxing. At some point, he handed over the sippy cup, and I gladly drank from it. Flavored water of some kind.
Maybe that was my problem. I hadn’t drunk much water the past few days.
When the drink was gone, he easily switched the cup out for one with just water. He didn’t stop reading while doing so, which had to be some sort of magic on his part.
As he continued to read, my body finally gave up on whatever it was fighting over. I slouched, almost falling into him as the minutes ticked by. Soon enough, I just gave up, scooting closer so I could lean against him instead.
He didn’t seem surprised by the movement, only moving a bit so I could find a comfortable position. Which ended up with me laying my head on his lap. One of his hands came to my hair, running his fingers through the strands.
That was when the tears started, and there was no stopping them.
All the pent-up emotions finally came out with every single tear. The worry, frustration, tiredness,loneliness, and all the other ones I couldn’t name. They came pouring out, clogging my throat as I silently cried.
Either Sabastian didn’t notice, or he was letting me get my emotions under control. All he did was run his fingers through my hair, scratching at my scalp as he kept on reading.
The words went in one ear and out the other. They didn’t stick in my brain as I pulled my body closer to Sabastian’s, seeking whatever comfort he’d give.
Eventually, the tears stopped, leaving me worn out in a way I knew too well. It was what I felt when the monsters came late at night. The sleepiness would cling to me forever, and the monsters would come knocking on the windows.
Tonight wasn’t going to be good.
“What’s wrong little one?” I don’t know when he stopped reading, but his voice was hoarse like he’d been talking for hours. Maybe he had been.
“Monsters.” I wasn’t sure the word came out well around my thumb, but I didn’t care. “Don’t let ‘em get me.”
Please don’t let them,I pleaded.
“I won’t let them get you, Oakley. You’re mine. No one else can have you.”
I hoped that was true. Still, I shivered, pressing even more against Sabastian, if it were possible. I didn’t know where one of us began, and the other ended. I wanted his warmth.
My legs were folded up to my chest, the stuffed animal still in my tight hold. I wanted to crawl into his lap and feel his arms around me. I wanted to be chained to the bed, even, so the monsters couldn’t drag me away tonight.
“Let me go to the bathroom, then I’ll hold you. You’ve had a long day.”
Long life, was more like it.
I sighed but pulled myself off of his lap. I watched with tired eyes as he slipped from the bed and headed towards the bathroom. Although I could hear him, I could feel the monsters coming closer. They were outside, dragging their feet along the ground as they inched closer and closer to the house.
My eyes looked around the room wildly. I had to hide before they came in here. I needed to find a spot where they couldn’t grab me and drag me off.
Before I could get my feet untangled from the covers, Sabastian was back. Whatever he saw on my face made him sit on my side of the bed, stopping me from moving.
“Listen to me, Oakley.” He laid a hand on my arm, and that small touch slowed the panic just enough to get my mind to latch on to his voice. “The monsters won’t get you. You’re safe here.”
I wasn’t safe. Not when the monsters wanted me.
I sniffed, my body shaking as fear and anxiety took hold.
“You are to go use the bathroom, then come right back here where I’ll hold you and keep you safe all night.”
I shook my head. If I moved, I was finding a hiding spot.
“Let me help you, then.”
