"Elizabeth? Elizabeth! Where are you?" I heard Mama call from downstairs. I giggled, backing deeper underneath the bed. She won't find me here!
801Please respect copyright.PENANApkXo8Hdmfn
Just then, my door creaked open, and I heard the sound of her slippers sliding against the hardwood floor. I covered my mouth with my hands to hide my snicker when I saw her feet in front of the bed.
801Please respect copyright.PENANANlPUF75Omx
"Ellie? Oh my, where could that girl be?" Her laughter filled my pink room with joy, giving me another reason to bite down my chuckles. I squeezed my Mr. Sheep toy and held my breath when she stopped in front of the bed. Does she know I'm here?
801Please respect copyright.PENANAUvaHv2C93x
Mama slowly bent down until her long brown curls were brushing against my purple rug. She peeked underneath the bed and smiled when she spotted me. "Found you, princess. C'mon, it's time for bed."
801Please respect copyright.PENANAkYWkGZeKv1
Her arms stretched towards me, making me back further and shake my head. "I don't wanna!"
801Please respect copyright.PENANAp5UkE2BEiT
She smiled. "Hm, I see. Then, I guess you don't want to say goodnight to your friends either? I bet they'll be real lonely sleeping in the dark without you."
801Please respect copyright.PENANAkbUFriRx6m
"Okay, Mama." Mama's right! I have to protect them from the monsters. I'm not tired yet, but that's okay. They need me.
801Please respect copyright.PENANAN3ZXVewV5Y
I pushed myself forward enough so that Mama could help me out. She grabbed my sides and gently slid me from under the bed. "Alright, upsie-daisy."
801Please respect copyright.PENANA3oNwQeL0wk
She lifted me up above her with a grin on her pale face. When her fingers patted my sides, I squiggled in her grip and laughed. "That tickles, Mama!"
801Please respect copyright.PENANAJzI0hPRGj2
"Oh, does it?" she questioned, looking at me with her wide, blueish green eyes. "How about this?" Mama moved her hands to my underarms and did a rasberry.
801Please respect copyright.PENANAPSMTBGyxFt
I didn't stop giggling and squirming until I noticed my stuffed animal fall from my grip. "Mr. Sheep!"
801Please respect copyright.PENANAssYkzJA0HF
After he landed on his back he let out a cry. The cut on his stomach spread open, spilling out his fluffy insides. "Oh dear," Mama said, putting me down, "What happened to him?"
801Please respect copyright.PENANAMlPorsrqJl
I looked at the wounded doll and gave a small smile. "...I wanted to see his insides so I cut him up."
801Please respect copyright.PENANAbmmHT9uz5e
Mama sighed, resting her head in her hand. "You shouldn't do that, Elizabeth. These are your friends; why would you hurt them?"
801Please respect copyright.PENANAbdu7ahs7C3
What did it matter? I shrugged my shoulders with a pout. "They're just toys. You can always get me a new one. Besides, I was going to sew him back together tomorrow."
801Please respect copyright.PENANA3bF2voYRN7
She picked up Mr. Sheep and handed him to me after brushing the dust off his tailcoat suit and fur. "I would've fixed him for you if you'd shown me this earlier, dear. Now, you aren't in trouble. But just make sure you be careful with them from now on."
801Please respect copyright.PENANAIYroZcQxXZ
"I will."
801Please respect copyright.PENANAufXgDsS6Uo
She lifted her chin up and put her hands on her hips. "Promise?"
801Please respect copyright.PENANAPIdGAFwqll
"Yes, Mama," I swore, even though I didn't want to.
801Please respect copyright.PENANAqx5qQtlNlX
At that, her frown was replaced by a smile. She ruffled my hair and said "Good girl," before laying me down under the cozy pink quilts. "Tired yet?"
801Please respect copyright.PENANAjF855ELd7M
Even when I stubbornly tried to keep my eyes open, I couldn't resist getting sleepy so late at night. I let out a yawn and turned on my side. "I guess so."
801Please respect copyright.PENANA8vCzk8BQUJ
Her soothing touch on my forehead calmed me. "Sweet dreams, princess," she whispered after planting a kiss on my head. I snuggled against my bed and breathed a sigh when the lights went out.
801Please respect copyright.PENANA8FEVpEU8Af
ns 15.158.61.21da2