Slender Cat

by timtam2400

Azusa is alone. She has no idea where she is or how she got there. As she makes her way around, she finds mysterious pages and feels that she needs to collect them. But something is stalking her in the darkness. All comments welcome. Slender Star was the inspiration for this fic. I chose to use one character for simplicity's sake.

2. Relief

"... usa. Azusa."

Her eyes flying open, Azusa flew upright and looked around wildly. "Where...? What...?"

A pair of hands grabbed her face. "Azusa!"

Azusa blinked a few times. A face materialized in front of her. Not a white featureless face, a human face. "M... mom?"

The gentle face of her mother came into focus. "It's okay sweetie. You were having a nightmare."

Her heart filling with relief, Azusa grabbed her mom and began crying. "Mom, I'm so glad it's you."

Smiling, Ms. Nakano hugged her daughter. "Of course it's me, honey. It's alright now."

The tears poured uncontrollably. "It was so scary. I was all alone, and this guy was chasing me, and..."

Azusa's mom stroked her daughter's head. "Shh, shh, it's okay Azusa. It was just a bad dream. There's no-one chasing you." She tightened her hold. After a few minutes, Azusa's tears stopped. "All better?"

Azusa nodded, blushing at her emotional outburst. "Yes..."

Her mom smiled. "Sweetie, there's nothing wrong with crying after having a nightmare. Goodness knows how many times I did it when I was your age."

This brought a small smile to the kouhai's face. Her mom then started to leave, when Azusa grabbed her arm. "Um... Could you stay a bit please? I don't think I'll be able to fall asleep again by myself."

Smiling again, Ms. Nakano settled into bed by Azusa. Stroking her head, she hummed a lullaby until Azusa had nodded off again. Taking care not to wake her, she tucked her sleeping daughter into bed and quietly left the room. "Sweet dreams, my angel."

THE END