Claudia bounced down the steps, her curly hair bouncing along with her. "Mommy?" She whines. "I had another nightware..." Her fat feet slap against the wooden floors. She looks around the living room, her eyes glistening. Multicolored lights twinkle, and a small fire crackles in the corner. "Mommy?" She calls out.
"Yes, honey?" Her mother, Abigail, in the kitchen, is just finishing up another batch of cookies for the next morning. She wipes her brow, bending down, so she is eye to eye with her tear eyed daughter. "What's the matter?"
"I had another wightmare." Claudia explains, rubbing her eyes with one hand while dragging her rugged sock monkey in the other. "That mwan was in wit." She explains. "Dat one in wall black?" She looks at her mother for recognition. After she nods, Claudia continues. "And he was scwary. Can you welp?"Abigail purses her lips, kissing Claudia's forehead.
"Why don't you head back to bed? He can't get you anymore. And that nightmare shouldn't come back. Once you wake up, it's over!" She smiles. "Think of it like..." She searched for something her daughter would work with. "Think of it like being at the hospital. They take your blood once a month, and then your done! They don't see you for a /long/ time!"
"A wonth is a long twime?" Her mother nods, and Claudia giggles, clapping her hands.
"Come on, sweetie." Abigail stands up, picking up her daughter. "Let's head back to bed. You have to get some sleep if Santa is going to come!" Claudia giggles as her mother presses he finger against Claudia's nose, lightly.
Abigail opens her daughters doors, placing her back in the small bed. Claudia's hands reach out for her mother giving her one last hug before shutting the door.
As Claudia tosses and turns, she can't find the way to get to sleep. In every corner, she would find something to keep her awake: A umbrella that looked like a snake or a set of pillows that resembled a face staring at her.
She turned on her side, watching as the door opened.
Oh no, mommy...
A built man walked in, looking around. He glances upon the little girl, supposedly asleep. He lays down a present, walking over to her. He rustles her hair, a bittersweet smile on his face.
"Sleep vell, young one."
He turned to leave, glancing around her room. Decked in lights and toys of Santa Clause and Jack Frost laying around, supplied by her mother. He chucked very softly, making sure not to wake anyone. He took a cookie from the table in the hall, and gulping down the milk. He silently rushed down the step, and to the chimney.
In the other room, Claudia climbs out of her bed, peeking out her door.
"Santa?" She muttered.