Chapter 73: Just A Nightmare
(Eret's POV)
I wake up to the sound of screaming.
It's been seven years since Grimmel's defeat, and eight since Drago's.
I look to my left to see my wife sleeping soundly.
I bolt out of bed, fearing the worst for our daughter, Ruby.
I run to Ruby's room to see her thrashing in her sleep, screaming about someone hurting her. Oh, gods…please, no.
She soon sits up, breathing hard.
"Daddy?"
"Daddy's here, my little love. Are you alright?"
"No…"
"What's wrong, baby?"
Ruby, our sweet jewel Ruby, starts to cry. I light a candle and kneel in front of her. She all but throws herself at me, sobbing.
"Shhh. Shhh. You're alright, Ruby. I'm here. No one is going to hurt you. I promise."
I hear my wife's footsteps behind me.
"Eret? What's going on?"
"Ruby had her first night terror."
I start to pass over Ruby to her mother, but Ruby clings to me.
"What is it, my little love? What's wrong?"
"Mama…Mama hurt me…in the nightmare…she – she hit me."
Tears form in my eyes. My wife has never laid a hand on anyone like that, unless they deserved it. Ruby never has.
"Oh, Ruby. I'm so sorry you had that nightmare. I would never hurt you."
"Even when I'm in trouble?"
"Even when you're in trouble, Ruby."
"You want to sleep with me and Mama, just for tonight?" I ask. Ruby nods and I get up and we head back to bed, thankful it was just a nightmare.
