29. Monster in the Closet

Nine-year-old Marth couldn't sleep at all. Every night, he had that feeling that someone, or something, was watching him. When he was lucky enough to finally fall asleep, he dreamt that a monster that lived in his closet escaped and devoured him . Ever since the dreams started, he was terrified to fall asleep; afraid that the 'closet monster' from his subconscious would come out and attack him for real.

One day, his best friend, a seven-year-old boy named Roy, came over to his castle for a sleepover. That night, after they finally headed to bed, Marth whimpered in his sleep, tears springing from his eyes as he shifted in his blankets. It was yet another dream of that closet monster…

"Marth?"

Marth jolted awake, his eyes wide and sweat beaded on his skin. Tears welled in his eyes again, and he turned to face Roy. The younger boy's eyebrows furrowed.

"O-oh…Roy," Marth whispered.

"What's wrong?" the redheaded seven-year-old asked.

"I-I had a bad dream…" Marth spoke.

Roy sat beside him on the bed. "Wanna tell me?"

Marth hesitated, but he began to explain to his friend about the closet monster. Roy listened intently, nodding periodically throughout Marth's story and rubbing the older boy's back in a comforting gesture. When Marth finished explaining though, Roy giggled.

"It's just a silly dream, Marth." Roy tried to reason. "There's no such thing as a 'closet monster'."

"B-b-but…what if it's real?" Marth asked with uncertainty.

"Even if it is, I won't let it get you," Roy reassured him, grabbing his toy sword.

"Y-you'll protect me?" Marth's eyes lit up.

"Of course! I won't let a monster go after my best friend!" the younger boy said, raising his sword up in the air.

"O-okay…" Marth nodded. "C-can you check if it's there?"

Roy nodded. "Of course! Leave it to me!"

Roy gripped his toy sword tightly as he approached the closet. His small body was shaking all over, but he gulped as he tried to steel his expression; he wouldn't let this monster know that he was afraid. He then grabbed the handle of the closet with his other hand.

"Mean monster, leave my best friend alone!" Roy screamed as he pulled the closet door open-there was nothing inside.

Roy sighed with relief. "See?" he said, pointing inside the closet. "The monster's not there."

Marth heaved a sigh of relief. "I-I think you scared it off…"

Roy giggled. "I guess so."

Marth smiled. "Th-thank you for protecting me again…"

"It's nothing, Marth," Roy nodded as a grin spread across his face, "I'll always be there for you."

Marth nodded, and after that, he yawned. "I should sleep. Good night, my knight in shining armor."

Roy giggled at his new title. "Good night, my prince."

He smiled as he crawled back into bed. Marth never had any nightmares of that 'closet monster' since.

Constructive criticism is welcomed! Requests are still opened!

Beta Reader: h34rt1lly