Ella shook as she clutched her stuffed bear tightly, standing in the doorway of her mother's room. Her bare feet were cold against the wooden floor as her nightgown shifted, conforming to an almost non-existent breeze. She took a few steps forward, accessing the darkened room as the moon illuminated her path just the tiniest bit. She sidled up to the side of the bed, where a figure lay sleeping beneath the covers, its soft snores an indication of its blissful slumber.
"Mommy?" she squeaked quietly "Mommy"
The figure shifted beneath the covers, before settling once more.
She took a bit of initiative, and reached out, her free hand gently prodding the figure.
"Mommy" she whispered once more.
A soft groan was heard from beneath the snow-white sheets, before the figure slowly moved once more. It wasn't too long, before she saw something protruding from beneath the covers. She waited patiently, as two antlers attached to a human head appeared before her, along with a set of tired eyes. The antlers shone in the moonlight, gleaming beautifully as the head they were attached to tilted, dully reflecting the moon's rays.
"Hmm?" her mother hummed, her brain still asleep for the time being.
"I- I- had a n-nightmare..."
Her mother's face turned into a tired smile as she sighed good-naturedly, tossing the covers off a bit as to allow Ella onto the bed. Ella herself took the opportunity, and hoisted herself onto the bed, gently setting her teddy bear on the sheets before climbing up. Her small hands gripped the mattress as her legs kicked, she struggled for a bit as she finally made it over the edge, and flopped tiredly onto the bed. After getting her breath back, she grabbed her bear, and pulled the covers up, snuggling next to the other occupant in the bed. Ella felt her mother wrap her arms around her as she pulled her closer, she soon got comfortable, and felt her mother whisper.
"What was your nightmare about?" she yawned, sleep evident in her voice.767Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0JDwHy0xop
"I was running...and then...then there was this really huge storm...you were there...you tried to pull me out...an- an- an-"767Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB2C6M0NJxx
She sniffled, close to tears as she felt a hand run through her hair, soothing her as her mother hummed a tune, quelling her fears a bit.
"They were just figments, dear child" she cooed, her voice comforting as it was tired "Imagination is a fickle thing- when it gets bored, it tends to play tricks"767Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1CwEsP9ycv
"That was a mean trick..." Ella affirmed, scooting closer to her mother.767Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvRUGLFw8te
"Indeed it was, however-" she took a moment to yawn, her teeth showing in the moonlight "-only you have power over it, your mind will only run away if you let it"767Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrVlR6voR2k
Ella nodded, and pushed a blonde lock of hair out of her face as she curled up next to the heat of her mother, sighing contentedly as she felt herself drift.
"Mommy...do you ever have nightmares?" she asked, her curiosity not letting her rest until she asked the question.767Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡksmU1mZRXG
"I used to, Ella" she responded.767Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbJapw9kpYK
"Why don't you anymore?"
"..."
"Mommy?"767Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9jY0cWKbmN
"Don't you worry, child" she responded, giving her a brief squeeze "Now is the time for slumber"
Ella felt herself nod absently, and her head rested on the pillow, smiling a bit as she ever so slowly went off to dreamland.
Her mother smiled briefly, before slipping off to her own dreams, mindful of her antlers against the headboard as she she lay her head on her own pillow.
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