Nightmare

He lay in bed, blankets pulled up to his chin, watery eyes searching the dark room. He cried out for his father but no one came. The tears now rolled down his cheeks as he tried again for his father. Once again, no one came.

Knowing nothing would happen a third time, he gather his blanket tight around him then slid off his bed. Quietly cracking open the door, he looked up and down the hall for anyone. Seeing it clear, he stepped out, holding the blanket tighter. "Papa." He whispered, wiping an eye. He tried to be quick when entering his father's room but upon going to his father side of the bed he found no one there. "Papa? Papa!"

"Alan?"

Alan sniffled looking at the figure in the doorway illuminated by the candelabra the butler held. "William?"

"What are you doing out of bed?"

Alan walked to William, head bowed, blanket still tightly secured around him. "I had a bad dream."

William held out this hand to the child. "Why don't I tuck you and you can tell me what it was about."

Alan took William's hand, walking with him to his bedroom. "There was a monster and he took mummy from me then daddy too…where is daddy?"

"You're fathers away on a business trip, remember?"

"…uh huh."

They entered Alan's room, William placing the candelabra on the nightstand before lifting Alan into bed, taking the blanket from around him. "Get comfy." Alan obeyed, looking up to William with large eyes as William placed the blanket over the young boys body, tucking it in to the boys sides. "There. Are we all toasty warm now?"

"Will papa come back?"

William paused, blinking. He hadn't expected that question. "What do you mean? Of course your father will return."

"The monster won't get him?"

William smiled, stroking back Alan's bangs. "No. The monster isn't real. It won't come for him."

"Did the monster get mummy then?"

"No Alan. The monster didn't get mummy either."

"Then…what got mummy?"

"Illness."

Alan frowned. "Will I get sick too?"

"No, I can assure you." He stood, lifting the candelabra. "Now, do you need me to stay with you a little longer?"

"No."

"Alright. If you have another nightmare remember you can come to me at any time."

"Thank you William."

William gave a nod. "Goodnight Alan."

"Goodnight William." But as William began leaving, the candles light leaving as well, Alan began to shake. "William!"

William turned around, a question eyebrow raised. "Yes?"

"I don't like the dark."

William smiled, an idea coming to mind. "I'll return momentarily." He was gone then back in seconds, a candle holder in his other hand. "This will help you." He said placing it down. "In fact, this one's special."

"Why?"

"Because it came from your mother."

"Mummy?"

"Yes. This was what your mother would use every night your father was away like he is now. It helped her sleep and always made her feel like her own mother was watching over her, protecting her from bad dreams." He pulled a candle from the candelabra, using its flame to light the candle in the holder. "There. Does this help?"

"Yes. Thank you William."

William smiled, leaning down to kiss Alan's forehead. "Now try to get some rest."

"Okay." Alan lay there, watching the door close behind William. Still shaken from his nightmare, he rolled over, watching the dancing flame, slowly a smile etching onto his lips. "Mummy's gonna protect me." He closed his eyes, let out a calming breath. "Goodnight mummy." He said before returning to sleep, no nightmares to be had.

Yep, uh huh. Another one done. Yep. I hate the 'X' button. It's stuck on this keyboard and took me literally a minute to try and get it to work! Gah!