The slamming door echoed through the house. It was an ongoing fight between your parents. It's been like this your whole life. It was constant arguing. Then afterwards they'd act like nothing had happened.
You'd stay locked in your room with your teddy bear that you've had since you were a baby. It was your comfort and safe place even if it was just a stuffed animal.
You had named the teddy bear Channie. You squeezed your eyes shut, burying your face in the familiar worn fur of Channie. Years of arguments made this rountie a grim comfort. Tears pricked your eyes.
You drifted off, letting the exhaustion win over anxiety. You woke up feeling arms being wrapped around you tightly. You figured it was your mom, trying to give you some more comfort. But it didn't feel like your moms embrace. It wasn't her scent either.
You slowly opened your eyes, your head laid against a man's chest. This wasn't your father you knew immediately. You lifted your head up, feeling afraid now. Channie was no longer in your arms either.
Channie was no longer a teddy bear. He was a man. He stared down at you, still holding you closely. Concern in his kind eyes that used to be buttons.
"Channie?" You whispered.
"I can't see you hurting anymore." His voice was gentle.
You stared speechless. Channie, your comfort all these years, was suddenly alive. A wave of emotions washed over you. Fear, awe, and a sliver of hope. He had always listened, always understood. Now, he was here, living an embodiment of your comfort.
"I heard everything." He said gently, his voice soothing the way a lullaby used to.
You choked back a sob. "It's never gonna stop, is it?"
Channie shook his head. "Not unless they choose to stop it."
Was this a dream? But the concern in his gaze felt so real. He held you in his arms for the rest of the night. He'd rub your back, resting his head against yours once your parents were heard yelling again. When tears formed in your eyes, he'd kiss your head and whisper sweet things to you for comfort.
"How are you here? Please tell me it's not a dream..." You tiredly said.
He chuckled softly. "Let's just say, all the love and tears you poured into me over the years... well, it did something magical."
You found out his real name was Chan. Channie was just a nickname.
"You won't disappear, right?" You ask, hoping he'll stay forever.
"Don't worry." He whispered. "I'll be here whenever you need me. Sleep, my pretty girl. You need it. I'll be right here. Trust me."
When you woke up, he was gone. Not even his teddy bear form was there. He was nowhere to be found in your room. It was all a dream.
That night, as you drifted off to sleep, you wished Channie was there. That he would hold you like he did last night. Even if he was in his teddy bear form, you just wanted him back.
A warm hand brushed against yours. You were pulled into a soft and warm embrace. It couldn't be Channie you thought.
He was gone after all. He had disappeared even though he had promised he wouldn't.
Maybe you were dreaming again, but you felt his presence with you. There were soft kisses being planted on the top of your head as fingers ran through your hair as if trying to not wake you.
"Chan..." You whispered in your sleep.
"It's okay." A gentle voice whispered. "I'm here."
Channie was always still by your side when you didn't know. He'd hold you in your sleep and he'd keep you close on the nights your parents fought. You just didn't know he was still there. He would always be there.
