No Escape From Tarkov

Chapter 6 - Easy Come, Easy Go

"Mam'?" I said, gazing at the adult rummaging through the fridge below.

I was holding the bars like a prisoner, embarrassed that I had to to this again.

"Mike?" She glanced back with some surprise, a plastic container with left overs from dinner, "Why aren't you in bed?"

"...I had a nightmare... There's a monster under my bed," I looked away with shame.

I didn't want to wake any of them up, but I just couldn't fall back to sleep. I kept hearing things coming from under the bed, some scratching and snickering, but I didn't have the courage to look. I've seen enough movies to know that's how the kid gets dragged into the abyss by a hideous thing.

She sighed, closing the fridge with a gentle swing. She then put the leftovers on the table, walking from the kitchen to the bottom of the stairs. As she began climbing the stairs, I retuned to the top and waited for her with hands behind my back, biting my inner cheek.

Once she reached the top, she couched to my level with both hands on my shoulder, "Mike, there are no monsters, they don't exist, remember?"

"I know, but... can you check? Please?"

She huffed, "I will. Then right back to bed, okay?"

"Okay," I replied, feeling more confident now that I had a guardian to shield me from evil.

She got up and went to my room, I stayed close behind her. As we approached the source of my fear, my eyes darted around the darkness within, expecting something to jump out at any moment and eat me.

Mom entered the room like it was nothing, flicking on the light switch. I covered my eyes with my hands, the sudden change was unpleasant.

"See? There's nothing here," she went over to my bed, raising the blanket to reveal exactly what dwelled under the bed; nothing.

"I... I'm sorry," I drooped my head, sauntering back to the bed and getting in. I laid back on the pillow, staring at her with a shy eye.

She shook her head, a thin grin on her lips. She sat down on the edge of the bed, playing with the fat on my cheek, "It's okay, I'm not angry, just tired... Hey, how about I put up a night light? Would you like that?" I nodded my head rapidly, she chuckled and leaned over me, kissing my forehead.

She then got off and kneeled beside the nightstand, opening the second drawer and taking out a small lamp that kept the monsters away, even if they were just in my head. It was old, back from when I was a little baby, but I wasn't ready to let it go.

She connected the night light in the outlet, the small lightbulb illuminating the room enough to see, but not enough to hinder me in any way.

"Thanks..." I whispered, but she probably heard that.

"Good night sweetie."

"Good night Mama," she turned off the lights, shutting the door behind her.

I wrapped myself in the blanket, smiling as I lost myself to the comfort of the space themed sheets.

I loved Mom, she was the best. If I ever get married, which will totally never happen because ew girls, Mom will always be number one.

I breathed a lungful, the soft, furry blanket hugging me-

Wait, furry?

Dream End

I opened my eyes to the familiar darkness, a ticklish darkness. I tried to move around but something kept me in place, even my legs were restrained. I'm pretty sure I was awake. What happened though? Where Am I?