After falling under the sleeping curse, what if Riddle dreams of being a kid again? What if he dreams of the childhood that he wanted?
What if Mrs. Rosehearts entered his dream?
She found him walking down the sidewalk not too far from their home. He had dreamed himself as a child, something she didn't expect even though she had been warned that anything could happen in a dream. In his small hands was a deflated soccer ball and he walked with a purpose. He stopped when he noticed her and cheerfully waved.
Relieved, she ran across the street and knelt down, holding his shoulders. "Are you hurt? Has the Heir of the Valley of Thorns done anything to you?"
His smile disappeared. "I'm okay, but I don't know who you're talking about," he said a little shakily. "Can I still go see Trey and Chenya about the soccer ball--?"
Mrs. Rosehearts's hold on his shoulders tightened. "No, you can't. You are in danger and we must get you to safety."
His eyes widened. "I'm in danger?"
"Yes. Now come." She began leading him by the hand. "As soon as we bring you out of this curse, we're going home."
"Um, Mama, isn't the house in the other direction?"
"That is not our real home. It's not real." She nearly fell backwards when Riddle suddenly resisted.
"What do you mean it's not real?" he asked with genuine confusion.
She sighed. He must not realize what was going on. "Riddle, you have been put under a sleeping curse by the Heir of the Valley of Thorns. What you see around you are illusions made up by your mind. I was one of the only people who could enter this dream and bring you out. Now come! There isn't much time."
But he didn't budge from his spot. He was staring at her like she had three heads, and there was a tinge of fear. She enunciated more, her patience thinning. "Riddle, stop resisting! I'm helping you!"
Neither of them noticed the sky greying. "I'm. . . I'm not going with you!" the little boy shouted.
"What did you say?" his mother snapped. "Have you forgotten the dangers of a sleeping curse? The fact that one of the most powerful mages in this world casted it makes the situation more dire. I put myself under a complicated version of the curse just to reach you. Do you understand the danger we are in, Riddle, or have you dreamt yourself into becoming ridiculous?" Something flashes in his eyes, telling her that he knows of a danger. Whether it was the curse or the situation, it didn't matter.
Mrs. Rosehearts suddenly became aware of the people around them. They were whispering, but somehow, she could hear them clearly. "Isn't that the famous doctor of the Queendom? What is she doing to her son?"
"Such a naughty boy!"
"I can't imagine what the boy will be like when he's grown."
"Perhaps raising a child is too much for her."
"Bringing up a child is never easy, afterall. It's comforting to know that even the greats struggle like the rest of us."
"Hehe, maybe child-raising won't be another accomplishment for her."
"Can't say I disagree. Makes you wonder, though, what goes on in that house if her child is so unruly."
She finally lets go of his hand, but in a moment, she's kneeling down and gripping his arms. "Stop with this childish behavior. You know I'm right about your situation," she hissed. "This curse will be broken, and I will make sure that happens whether you refuse the help or not."
