Buried Secrets

One

"hello, is anyone there?"

She screamed as she scurried with a brown teddy bear gripped tightly in her hands. Her mind was disturbed at the unusual environment she found herself at. A room void of light. She could remember she saw light a few moments ago; in her room. She peered her vision into the dark but couldn't get a glimpse of anything. As she ran in the room that seemed to have no direction, she realized her hands and legs felt shorter. When did she grow so short. She wondered.

"my princess" a faint sound of a deep voice echoed. She halted in her steps. The voice was a familiar voice she could never forget; the voice was one she hears everyday even though there was no visible flesh that utters the voice. But, she was awareof who it was. She didn't expect to meet him in this way. A wave of joy and happiness filled her heart. She was ready to yell and cry as she usually does when he breaks the promise he makes as he departs for a journey. She uttered a sound but quickly slapped her hands to her mouth, her eyes bulging out widely. Realization struck her. She was ten years. Again. How was that possible. Or was it just a dream. No, it can't be a dream.

"da..ddy??" She whispered. She was certain her daddy had called out to her but she couldn't see any fugure engulfed in the darkness. But, she kept on calling out for him, her voice getting louder and impatient as she didn't get a reply. She had made a promise to him and he had made a promise to her though he didn't fully keep his promise. He promised her that he will be back and she promised she will answer when he calls out for her. He also promised, no matter what, he will answer when she calks out for him. But, there was a but. She was alone in the dark with no sign of response. Terror shone in her eyes as she took further steps.

"daddy, daddy. Please, answer me. I'm so scared. Where are you?" She demanded as her face got wet. She used her hand to wipe it

" yes, my princess. I'm right here." A soft husky voice replied again, echoing in the empty room. The little girl turned rapidly to the direction of the voice with her eyes shone brightly, searching for her daddy's figure to no avail. The light in her eyes vanished and was replaced with sadness and tears.

"I can't see you, daddy." She wailed. Tears fell from her cheek and dropped on the teddy bear's face. She tried wiping it off with the palm of her little hand but it kept falling uncontrollably.

" I'm right here, my princess."he replied again, his voice sounding nearer to her ears. She searched for his figure with her red eyes with hopes that he will come and take her out of the dark place.

"Daddy, where are you... where are you...don't leave me...." She cried out, scurrying towards the voice.

"sorry, my princess. I have to go." His voice turned dark as it drifted away.

"Noooo, don't leave me daddy, don't leave me daddy..." The little girl wailed louder as his reply resounded in her ears, his voice drifting away.

"Isa, Isa, wake up..." A soft, feminine voice filled with worry and anxiety called out as she shook the lady that laid on the bed, sweating profusely.
Rays of light romanced her eyes. Isabella jolted awake, squinting her eyes a bit before opening it up slowly. Her eyes fell on the soft, light rose curtain that draped the windows, then to the lamp that sat on her bedside table and finally, to her mum whose eyes described worry.

"mom." She gasped out as she realized all that happened was just a dream.

"Don't worry, dear. I'm right here." Her mum said as she drew her into her arms, gripping her tightly for almost a minute. "Isa, why didn't you tell me your nightmares started acting up again??"

Isabella laid in her mum's embrace, uttering no words. Her pupils moved randomly with fear and sadness. Why is she having this particular dream lately. Hadn't the longing she had for my dad diminished unlike when she was younger. She questioned herself in wonder, disentangling her self from her mum's embrace and staring at her with teary eyes.