||Hello Neighbour: A Better Timeline||

||Chapter 10: Reassurance||

That night, Nicky guessed it was around. . . 2 am?
He couldn't sleep.
Not like he. . . Ever did, mean he does sleep but all he gets is nightmares.
. . .
Aaron fell asleep not too long ago, maybe Mya too.
He sat up, took a deep breath and got out of the bed, maybe a glass of water will help clear his mind and help him sleep.

~

"Need to work on your sleeping habits."
"I know Dear, there's just a lot to do. . ."
Theodore then stopped, listened carefully as silence rang out for Diana.
"Is it okay if I go check on the kids? Just to be sure?"
"Of course."
Theodore nods,"Won't be long.", she nods, he was paranoid man; wasn't much she could do to change that, but that's what makes Theodore who he is.
He just wants everyone to be safe.

~

Nicky put the cup back and wandered into the living room, looking at the basement that smelled of sawdust and cobwebs, not to mention the obvious dents done to the entrance floor of stuff being pushed out or put down for a second.
. . .
Now. . . He just needs to get back to Aaron's room.
Though, as Nicky looked at the hall and to the stairs, he felt dread swell up as the darkness swallowed the stairs.
It felt like it was getting closer, slowly swallowing up the house, bit by bit, Nicky struck to the ground, too scared go back through the dark in fear it would chase him and grab him, all he could do was hug himself, hold back tears and pray it wouldn't hurt him tonight.
He sensed something in front of him, he began to shudder and shake as he felt a hand hover over his hair.
It got him again-
But, instead the hand rested on his head gently.
Was it a trick? To lure into a false sense of security??
Though he slowly lifted his head, and was meant with not a monster.
. . .
But Aaron's Dad.
"Oh. . . Mr Peterson, uhm. . ."
He was knelt down, had his hand on his head and was concerned.
Mean- He was crouched on the ground, hugging himself and crying cause he was too scared to go back upstairs.
"Sorry. . . Please don't get mad. . ."
Mr Peterson was silent, then he stood up and turned on the lamp.
"Here, have a seat in the living room and I'll get you a glass of water."

~

Mr Peterson sat down on the opposite side of the couch,"Sorry, if I scared you; I wasn't sure how to approach you without scaring you more than you already seemed to be.", Nicky finished the water, put it on the coffee table and hugged himself.
. . .
"Sorry. . . I'm scared of the dark. . ."
Mr Peterson looked at him, as he wiped his face to get rid of any traces of tears,"It's really, stupid I'm sorry.", "No, no; It's natural to be afraid, and it's okay to be scared and cry.", Nicky nods, Mr Peterson looked at the clock,"Where you. . . Having trouble sleeping.", "I always do. . . I don't. . . Like sleeping. . .", now that took Mr Peterson back a bit, that was the first time he's ever heard someone they didn't like to sleep.
. . .
"But, I'm okay now. . . It's just, my first sleepover and my head just, went 100 mph."
Mr Peterson nods,"If you're sure, let me know if there's anything I can do go help and, I can take you back to Aaron's room if you still feel uncomfortable.", Nicky looked at the hall, the living room had no doors, just a entrance so. . . He could see the dark just lurking and waiting for him.
"Uhm. . . Yeah, if that's okay."
Mr Peterson nods.

~

He made sure Nicky got back to bed.
The boy and him walked in silence, only their footsteps and the house filled the silence, though Nicky gripped his hand tightly; He really was scared of the dark.
Once making sure he was in bed, he checked on Aaron to make sure he wasn't gonna start sleepwalking and then he'd check on Mya and they'll call it a night.

=

"Morning boys!"
Aaron rubbed sleep out of his eyes and Nicky tried to wake himself up, seriously they had no idea how Mya was jumping off the walls already.
"Breakfast will be ready soon, don't worry."