Feliciano was only five years old when he first heard her voice. His mother, Verona Vargas, had just tucked him into bed and he snuggled into his blankets, smiling blissfully and hugging his trusty teddy bear close.
"Goodnight, my dear Feli." Verona whispered to her copper haired son.
"Say goodnight to Mari too!" Feli said, smiling brightly. Verona laughed quietly, kissing her beloved child's forehead.
"Goodnight, Mari." She said, dutifully kissing the worn stuffed animal's forehead as well. She had given it to him the day he was born.
"Goodnight, Mama. Mari says goodnight, too." Feli said, yawning shortly after. Verona clicked on his nightlight and quietly left the room. Feli closed his tawny eyes and almost drifted off.
"Hey. Hey, Feli. Wake up." He heard a little girl, perhaps a bit older than himself, whisper in his ear. His eyes flickered open and he didn't see anyone. He did, however, hear the pitter-patter of small feet running across the wooden floor. His bedroom door was open. Hugging Mari close, he srawled out of bed and followed the sound of the footsteps. They led him to his small playroom. He poked his head in the room, expecting to catch the mystery girl who had snuck into his room. But, much to his surprise and confusion, no one was there. He went back to bed. The voice didn't bother him again for nearly five years.