Somnus was afraid he'd be found out for going upstairs. He spent the next morning anticipating being yelled at as he sluggishly left his room. He hadn't slept much, waking up every time he managed to fall asleep by nightmares that he could not recall afterwards. All he did remember was being terribly frightened. His body also ached from staying in such an uncomfortable position all night long.
The boy waited until he heard his parents voices before even attempting to leave his room. He found them in the kitchen, packing lunches and deep in conversation about something. It seemed they would be going out today.
"... may be the lead we've been looking for…" His mother was saying to his father. They were both researchers, studying ancient history and practices. They were rarely without a phone, laptop or book in their hands. They didn't share much about what they did to their son, saying some of it wasn't for children's ears. Somnus didn't care for it all that much though, almost hating their job as it made them far too busy for him even when they spent most of their time working from home.
Somnus cautiously went to grab his own breakfast, still waiting for some type of reprimand. But nothing happened, though his parents stopped talking about whatever they were conversing about when they noticed him. They instead wished him a good morning, joked about how he looked like a zombie today and then proceeded to leave the house once they were ready. They said they were going to several meetings with fellow colleagues today and would be back in the evening.
The two adults waved goodbye to a visibly exhausted Somnus before they left, telling their son to behave and to maybe head back to bed for a few more hours of sleep. Their child, only 8, was left alone when they were out. The boy wished he could ask them to stay as he did not want to be alone today. He didn't say anything though, already knowing it would not happen. He tried other times but his parents said their work was too important and Somnus would feel guilty for bothering them. They used to drop him off at a daycare last summer but decided to stop doing it this time, saying he was big enough to stay home by himself now.
Somnus felt a shiver of fear once he was alone, his house feeling as if it was far too big and open. If Ardyn were to break free, he could easily hide himself. There were many places he could be lurking and Somnus would never know until it was too late. They boy regret ever stepping foot upstairs. He should have listened to his parents. If he didn't know about Ardyn, he wouldn't be as afraid now.
After putting his dishes in the sink, Somnus hurried back to his room and shut the door behind him. The boy grabbed his blanket from the closet then jumped into bed, wrapping it around himself. He made sure to take Draco inside his makeshift cocoon. Only his face was left bare once he was done and he felt a little more protected in this position. The child then lay there and faced the door to his room. He would be able to see if anyone tried to come in this way as it did not lock. He'd just stay here until his mom and dad came back home.
Somnus tried hard not to fall asleep. His eyes felt so heavy though and the warmth of his cocoon made him rather sleepy. He forced his eyes back open every time they closed for too long but eventually lost the fight. He felt himself drift off, the last thing he saw being his door and the winding symbol his dad drew on it. The boy didn't know what it meant, but there were similar ones on every door of the house.
The child woke up an unknown amount of time later. He bolted upright, feeling his heart hammering in his chest. He glanced around wildly, an uneasiness settling around him. Light streamed in from his window but he still found himself afraid. Somnus froze when he looked over at his door, seeing it slightly ajar.
He'd... Closed it, hadn't he? The boy thought to himself.
Slowly, unfurling himself from the blankets, Somnus slipped off the bed. Swallowing audibly from his fear, he then tiptoed to the entrance of his room. He took a moment to peer through the crack of the door and saw nothing out in the hallway. The child closed it gently, breathing out a sigh of relief as he did.
Somnus didn't know what time it was but he hoped his parents would be back soon. He'd just stay in bed until then. He turned around, intent of hiding in his cocoon once more.
Only… He found quickly that he wasn't as alone as he thought he was. There had been someone behind him.
A tall, dark figure, it's face and body shrouded in darkness stood a few feet away. No features were visible, not any clothing or a hint of a face. The boy's eyes widened and he froze in absolute terror. He knew in his mind that he should run but found his body frozen as the figure took a slow step forward.
And then one more.
It raised one shadowy limb towards Somnus.
When it's hard reached for him, almost like Ardyn's did in the attic, did Somnus finally find it in himself able to move. His back hit the door as he stepped back and he screamed as loud as he could. He covered his eyes and allowed himself to slide down until he sat on the floor. He was too terrified to do more than sit there and whimper while he prayed someone somewhere might have heard him and would come to his rescue.
After several minutes of clenching his eyes shut and whimpering, Somnus felt no one grab him. Trembling, he opened his eyes and peeked through his fingers.
There was no one else in his room. The shadowy figure was gone.
The child sat there for several long moments before he forced himself to move. He once again hid himself in his closet but this time began to sob as he curled in his refuge. He knew he must have still been half-asleep and imagined the figure but he was still frightened. The knowledge didn't ease his fears and he prayed for his parents to come home.
Somnus made sure to stay by his mom and dad when they arrived later that evening. He was quiet, glancing around often for any sign of someone else as he watched his mother make dinner. He startled easily, over little things like his dad walking up behind him to ask what he'd been up to today.
If his parents noticed something odd about his behavior, they didn't mention it. They probably didn't even notice though. Both adults were talking in hushed whispers about whatever they learned today. Somnus felt a little sad that they couldn't see how scared their son was.
That night, Somnus was almost too terrified to go to bed. He took Draco with him and huddled under his sheets. He broke down and asked his mom to stay but she just said they received some important information that day that needed to be worked on immediately.
Somnus didn't argue, he just nodded. His mom kissed him on the head and wished him a good night.
The child heard his parents rummaging around the kitchen soon after. Were they bringing food to Ardyn? The boy thought as he heard their footsteps on the stairs. He'd never thought it odd they did this so many other nights. Now he could only wonder.
It was quiet after, and though Somnus was afraid, he once again fell asleep.
" Somnus."
The whisper of his name came from nearby. The boy could almost feel that someone else was in his room as he awoke. Somnus felt his heart stop and his eyes shot open. All he saw was darkness however as he had pulled the blankets over his entire body this time. The boy stifled a whimper of fear and did not move. He knew he must be dreaming again but his immediate terror was real.
Heavy footsteps, the sound of bare feet, approached the bed. Even in darkness, it seemed as if a shadow was cast over Somnus by the figure no doubt standing right beside him. The child closed his eyes, his breathing becoming more erratic as his fear intensified.
" Brother… "
The blanket was grabbed roughly and pulled away. All Somnus caught was a glimpse of golden eyes in the darkness of his room and he screamed.
Somnus woke up crying out for his parents, his sheets still over him. His father came rushing down the stairs and was in his son's room in under a minute.
"Somnus!" His father called out and then asked. "What's wrong?"
Somnus couldn't even tell him. When his dad sat on his bed, the boy leapt into his arms. He began to cry as he grabbed his father in an uncomfortably tight embrace.
His father continued to ask him what the matter was but Somnus couldn't even manage to speak from his gasping sobs. It took some time for him to calm down enough to tell his dad he'd had a bad dream.
"Can't you stay?" Somnus asked some time later, when he'd calmed down entirely.
"Somnus… I can't. Not tonight… Your mom and I are doing something very important… You'll understand when you're older."
"But dad-" Somnus's voice wobbled.
"I know you're scared but it was just a bad dream." The elder Caelum tried to console. "Dreams can't hurt you."
"I know." Somnus responded, dejected. Why couldn't his dad just stay this one time? He didn't even want to fall back asleep. Not after what happened these last two times.
"You remember what I always say when you're afraid of something?"
"Face it." Somnus whispered. His father had always told him to face his fears. To prove to himself that he would not be controlled by them.
"Yes. You have to face your fears, Somnus. I know you can do it. You're a big boy now."
Somnus took a deep, shuddering breath. He feigned confidence and nodded to his father, letting go of him.
"Good." The elder Caelum smiled at his son. "I'm going to leave the light on, alright? I'll be right upstairs if you need me."
"Okay." Somnus responded. Not really okay with it though. "Good night, dad."
"Good night, Somnus."
Somnus watched his father leave and shut the door behind him. The boy curled up in his blankets, clutching Draco to him as he told himself over and over again that he was big and strong and not afraid. It helped a little, enough that he eventually fell asleep again.