Rise with the Sun; Cradled by the Moon

Sanctuary...But who's there?

She ran for miles and miles before getting tired.

She looked up to see the biggest and brightest building her eyes have ever seen. She was tired but she kept running until she got to the doors. There were families going in. Shouts of delighted children could be heard inside and out. So many children. So she blended into the crowd and went inside.

It was so bright and colorful. It smelled of something delicious and she realized how hungry she suddenly was. She ignored it, however, and focused on her mission. Walking through, she stared in awe of how big it was. There were shops, games, music and so many places to play. But of course, play was the last thing on her mind.

Eventually, she stumbled to the daycare where she could see so many children laughing and playing and having the time of their lives. She saw the slide entrance into the daycare and took a look around to make sure she wasn't followed before going down.

She slid into a ball pit and poked her head above the surface to take a look around. There were so many kids surrounding one particular person. He had a sun face and was dressed like a jester.

He was laughing and having fun with all the kids and just being particularly silly. She looked around more and thought of a plan in her head.

She decided she was going to hide here until the place closed and everyone had gone home. That way he wouldn't be able to get in to find her. If he wasn't here already. She didn't care how long it would take. Just as long as she finally got away.

She put her hood up and went back down into the ball pit, finding the deepest corner to hide in until closing. And she made sure she was out of the way of any incoming children.

A couple hours pass and the noise begins to die down. Parents are picking up their kids until there are no longer any kids in the daycare. There was a bit of noise outside but the daycare was now silent.

Apart from the nearby humming coming from the sunny jester as he tidied up.

Another hour and a half passes and it is now dead silent inside and out. The robotic entertainers were in their respective rooms, put away for the night. Everyone had gone home. All except for one.

She gave it another moment or two before carefully emerging from the ball pit. Cautiously looking around to see if there was anyone left. There was no one. Not even the jester.

She hoisted herself up on the ledge and quietly walked around. It was bright and colorful with pastel colors and toys. Drawings from the other children hung proudly on the wall, as well as other little arts and crafts projects. Done by the kids or jester, no one could really say.

She looked up at one of the play structures and started climbing.
Her injuries and aching muscles protested but she pushed through it until she got to the top and sat in one of the tunnels, trying to stay out of sight.

She hugged herself as she shivered. She was cold and still wet from the downpour outside. She could feel herself about to sneeze and before she could stop herself, it echoed loudly around the empty daycare.

Worried someone might have heard her, she quickly covered her mouth and looked frantically. No one was around. There was just silence. She calmed down and hugged her knees to her chest.

She didn't know when she passed out or for how long but when she awoke, the lights in the daycare were out. It was pitch black. Who could've turned off the lights? There was no one left. Right? She was sure there was no one!

She shook at the thought of someone being in here with her. Or worse. Her father.

Before her mind could go any further, something large landed on top of the tunnel she was in. She put her hands to her mouth to quiet her breathing as it made its way to the entrance of her hiding place.

She was hoping and praying it would pass her by. But it stopped at the very edge, it's fingers curling as it gripped the hard plastic of the tube.

His head dropped down and a small snarl came from him. She was frozen with fear. His glowing red eyes staring into her soul.

"Naughty girl~. It's past your bedtime~."