SLIPPING (B.E.)

{seven}

love u <3

unchecked

tears were already streaking down my face as i jerked awake, a sob ripping out of my throat.

i was trembling. the crib bars, put up as i had age regressed the night before, loomed over me, seeming more like a prison than a safe place.

and i had wet the bed. shit.

all these overwhelming thoughts caused me to slip in age quickly. i cried harder, feeling with my hands for wolfie and panicking even more when i couldn't find him.

my blanket was wet, too, so there wasn't much comfort in that.

i forced myself to sit up and tried to slow my breathing. the clock on the dresser read 3:27 am.

the door wasn't open this time. billie had put a night light by my bed instead, even though i told her i didn't need light to sleep.

thinking of billie calmed me a bit. i caught sight of wolfie now, on the other end of the bed. i scrambled to grab him, feeling better once he was hugged close to my chest. but every time i shut my eyes i saw my dream again.

"biwie?" i whimpered loudly. "biwie!"

i heard a thunk from the other room. i shrank into the corner of the bed. she was going to be so upset with me.

a few moments later the door opened, billie walking swiftly over and dropping the crib bars. while i just sat in the corner and trembled.

"angel, what's wrong?" she cooed, reaching for me. "why are you crying?"

i sniffed. "had bad dweam." i whimpered again. "i sowy biwie, i had accident," i buried my face in wolfies' fur in embarrassment.

"aww, babygirl, it's okay, c'mere," she gently took hold of me and lifted me into her arms, not seeming to mind my wet pajamas.

she tucked my head into her chest and moved me to one arm so she could start to strip the bed with her other, still cooing soft reassurances.

i barely paid attention, until she set me down on my feet on the floor of her room.

"no," i cried, gripping her shirt, not wanting to her let go.

"shhh, it's alright sweetheart. let's get you into some new pajamas, okay?" she murmured, rubbing my back gently but firmly with on hand.

"'kay," i whispered. she asked me if it was okay if she changed me, then wiped me down with a warm, wet towel and some baby wipes since i didn't want to have a bath or a shower.

instead of leaving me and going back to my room for fresh clothes she just gave me a big shirt of hers. i didn't mind, it was cozy, and it smelled like her.

she picked me up again in one arm when she went to put the laundry in the washer.

"babygirl, i need to put wolfie in the wash," she said once she'd gotten everything else in. "i know he seems clean but it's better to be sure, okay?"

i stared at her in horror. she was going to take away wolfie? "no!" i turned into her shoulder, hugging wolfie close in case she tried to grab him.

"i know angel, but it'll only be a little while, i promise. i can find you a new friend for the rest of the night. you'll have wolfie in the morning," she murmured, her thumb stroking my cheek. i just shook my head.

she sighed lightly. "gwenny, look at me please," her tone was a bit firmer now. i cringed in fear of being scolded but looked up anyways.

"precious, i know its hard but wolfie needs to get cleaned. he'll be back in the morning, and until then we'll find you another stuffy to sleep with," she murmured.