Chase sat upright in the bed, the muffled scream still on his lips.
Breathing as if he had run a marathon, the chase looked around the room as if expecting someone to emerge from the shadows.
A minute passed before his heart stopped beating so hard at the sight of the familiar furniture hardening.
Zuma slept peacefully next to him It's just a dream.
He muttered, leaning back against the pillow.
Although he knew he was safe, he knew he was safe within the four walls of his bedroom, the nightmare lingered in his head like a toxic cloud.
Every time he closed his eyes he could see the images clearly, frightening details etched under his eyelids.
They smelled of rotting meat, he saw grotesque faces staring at him, he heard the squeaky scream of ... a little puppy ... The sound of her heart-rending crying and the loud bang that accompanied him still echoed in his ears.
It wasn't real.
He told himself firmly.
But fear refused to loosen and choked him.
Chase discarded the matted sheets and left the room.
He turned on the lights as he descended the stairs.
There was something less threatening in his lit path, though he knew nothing would come out of the shadows.
Chase made his way to the kitchen, trembling slightly as his paws settled on the cold tiles, and filled a bowl with water. He drank and refilled it.
Chase, of course, had nightmares.
When he was about two years old, night terrors were quite common for him.
He never remembered what the dreams were.
All he knew was that he would wake up screaming, and the blankets suffocated him until his father's heavy footsteps approached his bedroom.
Nightmares again? ... he asked in a deep, reassuring voice ... They are not real, chase. They can't hurt you.
The nightmares phase was over when adult life came, or so he thought. Whatever happened, what caused it ... maybe he ate something?
The images remained, and the memory of the puppy's scream hovered there, softly tinkling against his heartstrings.
Chase flinched.
His father wasn't around to tell him everything was fine.
Standing in a bright kitchen, he should rest.
Chase was here now, safe in the warmth of his kitchen.
But a strange dream tormented him, and an inexplicable wave of fear struck him.
Dad?
He was snapped out of his reverie as he turned his attention to the entrance to the kitchen where there was a small shape.
The presence surprised him at first, but his initial panic quickly gave way to concern.
Ella? ... Chase took a step towards his puppy, the sight of her terrified face made his heart break ... What are you doing besides the bed, honey?
Ella was standing there, her fur looked like she'd just been electrocuted, and this image would have been comical if the chase hadn't been worried about her tear-stained face.
Her amber and gold orbs shone in their puddles as he lowered his head to her level, and when he reached out his paw to wipe a tear, Ella broke.
She practically fell into his arms, letting out sobs as he pulled her against him.
Holding it was like holding a leaf fluttering in the wind.
She was so fragile there, trembling and sniffing against his chest.
Chase kept up a steady stream of soothing words, rubbing her back with small circles.
Shh… it's okay, baby. All right… After a few minutes, my breathing finally calmed down.
She took a few shuddering breaths before Chase gently pulled away just enough to see her face.
I… I… she began, taking a deep breath to control the cracking in her voice… I was being chased by m… monsters. I... in ... I called you, and ... but you ... you didn't ... Ella gasped and hid her face in her paws ... When I woke up, I went to your room, but you ... you weren't there! ... Another sobs shook her whole body, sending more tears ... I thought they caught you. I thought you were gone! The last word slipped away as a desperate wail, and chase felt his heartbreaking.
Oh, no, no ... Honey, I'm here ... Chase hugged her again, sat down on the cold floor and pulled her into his safe hugs ... Shh ... it was just a dream.
A ... but it was so real! Chase squeezed her tight.
That's true. I'm real. I am not going anywhere.
She sniffed and finally nuzzled her head against the crease of his thick neck.
Chase rocked his baby girl gently and stroked her chocolate fur.
She fit there perfectly, as if he would always just hug her.
The sobs turned to soft moans, and finally she sighed, trembling.
They sat for a few minutes, but it might as well have been hours.
The floor wasn't that cold and Ella's body was so close.
Chase kissed the top of her head tenderly.
You know ... he started ... I had a bad dream too... Ella looked up and frowned in silent curiosity...I thought I lost you. The words escaped before he could even think about them, but he realized it made sense.
Though he hadn't seen his daughter in his sleep, he recognized only one voice, and her scream shook him deeply.
Ella blinked away so she could see his face.
Adults don't have bad dreams.
They have. I was afraid. I didn't want to lose you.
Ella seemed to think for a moment, biting her lip as when she was surprised, and said
But I'm here, Dad. I am not going anywhere. Laughter escaped his lips and crushed her into an embrace.
I know. I know. After a few more minutes of comfortable sitting, Ella yawned loudly and her eyes dropped with exhaustion.
Time for bed.
Moving so as not to disturb her too much, chase took her in his arms, and she instinctively wrapped her paws securely around his neck.
It barely weighed more than a sack of flour. When he reached her bedroom door, Ella shifted uneasily.
Can I sleep with you today? He replied with a loving smile and quickly changed direction.
His bedroom felt much less threatening now.
In fact, the moonlight streaming through the window shone in a comforting way.
He placed the Elle on the bed, safely wrapping the blanket over her body.
She stepped closer, hugging herself and breathing freely.
Chase's eyelids drooped heavily, and the sound of the measured breathing of his daughter and wife made it very difficult to stay awake.
Soon he closed his eyes and they both finally fell asleep without dreams.