It's just the shadows…
Zoë curled up tighter beneath the covers, pulling them higher under her chin. She eyed the looming shadows that the moonlight from the window cast upon her wall. The dancing curtains swayed with the beat of the wind. Somewhere in the distance an owl hooted softly, but it the mind of a young child, the sound was frightening. Her fear brought back memories of her mother's final scream. Zoë started to tremble again. She had to tell herself repeatedly.
It's just the shadows…They can't hurt me. I'm safe now.
She could hear the snores of King coming from down the hall and that comforted her somewhat. Her mother had told her once that he protected all of them. He could hear everything, even as he slept. Why then did Mommy die? That was one nightmare that Zoë could never wake from. Was it true that if she wanted to talk to her Mommy, all she had to do was pray? Zoë knew better than to believe the Gnome King when he said that there was no Heaven. She looked out of her skylight and saw the shimmering stars. If Heaven was that beautiful, Zoë couldn't wait to get there. But something told her that she had to stay here a little while longer. It's strange how much she could make the shadows sound like her mom when she was scared. More than anything, Zoë was just tired of waiting for the answers
"Why did you go to Heaven without me Mommy?"
Nothing came. No solace or comfort on the winds. The only protection she had was down the hall. One night, Zoë remembered, her mom sat her down and told her that if anything should happen to her, that Abby would be there to care for her. Mom said that Abby was like an angel that walked the earth to make it safe from the bad people, like the ones that took her and King to that dungeon. Abby was there and freed them both. Zoë was quick to realize that from then on, she had to be careful.
Because you never know what's behind the shadows.
She couldn't be scared anymore. If you fear something, it will destroy you eventually. She wouldn't let anyone take away anyone she loved anymore. She'd have to learn to be like Abby and King and fight. Zoë sat up in her bed and saw her reflection in the mirror. The little girl staring at her from the other side didn't seem so little anymore. The innocence inside her was already lost. Her eyes were dark and deep with knowledge that far exceeded her years. There weren't anymore tears to be cried over the past. She had to make sure that the future she knew awaited her, wouldn't belong to anyone else fate. That night, she realized that nothing was a fairytale. Everything that was good could be taken away and that what the hunter said, was true.
The world isn't nice.