Chapter 1: Bringing The Nightmares Home

~Who knew the nightmares would follow you home? Who would know you let them in through the front door? Who would know those nightmares would come to life…?~

~x~

Night fall was here. The sky was calm as the stars twinkled above. Angel was procrastinating on going to bed. Ever since she got back she clung to an unusual plush.

He had long ears like a bunny. He was a withered gold color. But his most unusual feature was the grin. What stuffed animal would grin that way?

That's probably the reason he stayed on the shelf for so long collecting dust, ignored by anyone who saw him and continued to pass by opting for one of the friendlier looking plush animals. Maybe that's why Angel felt drawn to him? He seemed so alone without anyone to love him.

He needed her.

Even so, she thought he looked happy. "He's happy to see me." She declared.

At last it was 11:00pm there was nothing more to do on the computer. No friends to chat with and all the games had gotten dull. Watching whatever shows were on TV would only lead to Angel falling asleep on the couch. She knew that would be uncomfortable and not get very much sleep.

She shut the computer down, turned off the TV and lastly switched the lights off forcing the room to become dark. Angel needed a minute for her eyes to adjust before advancing forward.

A little night light in the hallway made it possible for Angel to find her way up the stairs and to her room.

"Do you want to sleep with me?" She asked the bunny holding him above her head. "I do!" Angel answered for him.

"You're my friend." Her amethyst eyes sparkled and she twirled around hugging the toy. "You're my friend too."

Angel sat the plush on her bed while she grabbed a band from her bedside table to pull her long red hair back.

"Do I have to go to bed?" She asked crawling onto the bed. "You want me to go to bed don't you?"

At this point she knew she'd be tired but there was nothing more to be done tonight. Angel held the plush in her hands observing him as if he said yes.

"Of course! We'll get to cuddle!" The thought made the girl happy and she got under the covers holding the grinning stuffed animal close. "We'll have fun like this every night." She rested her head against the pillow.

"I wish… you could be real."

She sounded kind of sad.

The plush bunny remained silent.

"I find myself alone most of the time. There's hardly anyone around to talk to or share my interests. I tend to find things to do that make me happy." She said. "I miss having fun at night." She continued.

There was a time staying up at night brought about great joy. Many hours spent watching TV shows or chatting with friends online.

Then Angel held the plush tight in her arms.

"Now I've got you. I really wish you could be real! You could be my best friend then I'd never have to be alone. You'd be my cutest, fluffiest friend ever!" That made her smile.

In Angel's mind she imagined a six foot bunny with gold colored fur and a cute nose to be her forever companion.

Or even a talking little bunny to keep her company, sit on her shoulder and join her for tea parties would be nice.

But not all wishes come true the way you want them to.

"Alright, you're tired." Angel settled back down under the covers with her new plushie. "I'll see you in the morning."

If you survive until morning…

Midnight on the dot a bolt of lightning shot across the sky and thunder roared behind.

Angel didn't want to be disturbed so she held onto her plush bunny ignoring the loud nose outside.

The forecast didn't call for a storm it was suppose to be a clear night. Perhaps it wasn't a storm at all because outside strange shadows began to appear. They silently grew closer to the house step by step.

Once he was certain Angel was asleep again the plush bunny crawled out of her arms. He looked at the sleeping girl a moment tilting his head to the side yet never uttering a word. He moved towards the side of the bed grabbing onto the covers while positioning himself to go over. The stuffed bunny fell onto the floor with a light thud. He shook his head and straightened his long ears before getting up to walk away.

It took longer for him to get down the stairs than previously having been carried up by Angel which was frustrating in the least.

Once the plush bunny reached the foyer he looked at the front door sizing it up. Knowing he wouldn't be able to reach the locks the plush glanced around for assistance.

His gaze fell on a chair poking out from the kitchen table.

The plush bunny pushed the kitchen chair across the floor up to the door. He paused briefly listening for any sounds from upstairs. When none were heard he hopped onto the chair reaching for the door and unlocked it.

The girl wanted friends to keep her company so now she'll have some.

Slowly the front door began to open.

Another flash of lightning revealed the silhouettes of some unpleasant characters standing outside.

The light reflected on their sharp teeth and pointy claws that could shred through flesh instantly. Their eyes glowed. Their bodies were withered and full of holes. They were tall and right out menacing.

True nightmares.

One by one they stepped through the door stopping inside long enough to take in their new surroundings or sniff the air.

It didn't take long for the nightmares to realize there was someone home. Someone young who wasn't expecting them.

One growled towards another as if giving a command. They needed to hide to wait for the perfect moment to strike.

While the nightmares deliberated amongst themselves the stuffed bunny returned to his owner, a sleeping girl who was none the wiser what was going on down stairs.

Angel could hear the front door close in her sleep.

"Did you hear that?" She sleepily asked her toy.

He made it back onto the bed just in time saying nothing and once again still like he had never moved to begin with.

"I guess it was just a dream." She pulled him close.

Thing was having gone to bed so late just getting to sleep and being woken up so soon really made Angel more tired. In this groggy state would make distinguishing what was real and what wasn't more difficult.

This difficulty would increase the less sleep she would be able to get.

Pleasant dreams… don't let the nightmares bite.