Lullaby for An Anxious Child

Moondrop's lullaby ☽

"Hello? Is everything ok?" A voice whispered quietly.

I blinked my eyes open and looked around. I was curled up on a mat with a pillow and blanket. The last thing I remembered was polishing off that Pizza. As my vision cleared, I saw a tall animatronic with an outfit just like Sundrop's. They were identical except this animatronic had a blue outfit and a moon face. He was sitting next to the mat and looking down at me curiously. I squinted.

"Aren't you Moondrop?" I asked groggily.

"Yes, but I've never met you before. How do you know me?" He asked.

"Sundrop told me a little about you. Wait a minute, what time is it?! How long have I been out?" I looked around, panicked.

"The daycare already closed. I'm sorry. Children usually get picked up by now. You were yelling in your sleep so I had to wake you".

"Yelling? Not again..." I hadn't done that in a while.

"Growing children need good sleep. Let your parents know that you're having nightmares". Moondrop said with worry.

"I would if they ever decided to show up! Did they forget I was here? Did I do something wrong??" I yelled. Frustrated tears poured down my face. I wiped them away with the back of my hand, embarrassed.

I was so tired of being left behind. It felt like they worked more and more and kept forgetting I even existed.

Moondrop placed a hand on top of my head.

"I tried to call security but the power went out. Until the power is back on, I'll stay right here. You won't be alone"

Moondrop handed me the blanket gently.

I was still scared but I felt a little calmer after listening to him. At least I wouldn't be stuck in this place alone. I laid back down on the mat, more exhausted than ever.

"I'm so tired but I'm afraid to go to sleep again" I whispered.

"How about I sing you a song?" Moondrop suggested

I rolled over to face him. "Which one..?"

"I have many songs. Some are for grumpy children, some are for children who don't want to sleep. I also have one for anxious children" he replied.

"That would help alot" I closed my eyes.

Moondrop tucked me in and softly hummed a tune before drifting into the full song. His voice was steady and calming, and my breathing slowed to a steady rise and fall.

Moondrop softly sang,

"Days seem sometimes as if they'll never end
Sun digs its heels to taunt you
But after sunlit days, one thing stays the same
Rises the moon"

He hummed a while then continued,

"Days fade into a watercolour blur
Memories swim and haunt you
But look into the lake, shimmering like smoke
Rises the moon"

Oh-oh, close your weary eyes
I promise you that soon the autumn comes
To darken fading summer skies
Breathe, breathe, breathe"

Days pull you down just like a sinking ship
Floating is getting harder
But tread the water, child, and know that meanwhile
Rises the moon

Days pull you up just like a daffodil
Uprooted from its garden
They'll tell you what you owe, but know even so
Rises the moon

You'll be visited by sleep
I promise you that soon the autumn comes
To steal away each dream you keep
Breathe, breathe, breathe"

Ever so slowly, I was transported into a beautiful dream. I was standing among thousands of stars and the moon sparkled brightly like a pearl in the black sky, guiding my way. I felt peace and all the stress in my body began to dissolve.

I wished I could feel this way forever.

Moondrop

Slowly I faded out of the song when the child was in a deep sleep. This time they looked much happier and relaxed. I couldn't understand why any parent would leave their child alone, especially after closing hours in the Pizzaplex.

I couldn't think about that right now, my job was to watch over those that needed me. That was my true programming.

I wasn't supposed to think about anything else but entertaining or comforting children. But sometimes, in moments like these, l wondered what being a real parent would be like.

Was that even be possible for an animatronic ?

Looking down at the child, I hoped one day it could be.

I sighed softly and leaned back against the wall, waiting for sunrise.