A/N: Entry for Round 4 of the Newsies Pape Selling Competiton

Task Three: Write about the feeling of terror, and then the feeling of relief as the moment of terror passes.

Prompts: (Object) Lamp

Word Count: 386


A familiar, loud scream tore the peaceful night to pieces, jolting Skittery out of his sleep. His heart thudded in his chest and he quickly jumped off of his bunk, running towards the source of the sound. Specs, Racetrack, Dutchy, Jack, and a few of the other boys had been startled out of their sleep as well, all of them grumbling and complaining as they shuffled after the oldest Newsie. Skittery pushed his way past Mush and stumbled over to Tumbler's bed. The young boy was sobbing in his bed, curled up tightly around himself and clinging tightly to his pillow with his small hands. Skittery's heart wrenched with sympathy and he gently scooped Tumbler into his arms, holding him as if he were a baby. Racetrack turned on the lamp, bathing the room in a soft, golden light.

"Hey, wake up, bud. It's just a nightmare," Skittery said softly, rubbing Tumbler's back and trying to coax him back to reality. The young newsie hiccuped and whimpered, his eyes flickering open. Tears still spilled down his cheeks and his innocent eyes were blown wide with terror. He screamed again and tried to pull away from Skittery, clawing at the older boy's arms and writhing pathetically in his arms.

"Let me go!" Tumbler screamed, waving his arms wildly in the air and sobbing. Skittery's eyes welled with pity and he hugged the boy close, not caring that his arms were probably going to be covered with scratches in the morning.

"Hey! Tumbler, hey! It's me! Skitts! Ya had a bad dream," Skittery said, running his fingers through the younger boy's hair. Tumbler stopped struggling and laid in Skittery's arms, trembling. He looked around, confused, and then his eyes fell on the lamp Race had lit. He sobbed again, this time with relief, and buried his face in Skittery's shoulder.

"There you go, there you go. I gotcha, Tumbler. I ain't leavin'," Skittery said softly, setting the little kid down on the bed and lying down next to him. Tumbler immediately snuggled up next to him, already lulling back to sleep, his eyes heavy. Skittery held him close, nuzzling into his hair and sighing with relief. The other boys that had come to help smiled and wandered back to their bunks sleepily, letting the two sleep in peace.