Children of the fallen

Chapter one

*Vaxen*

"Ahhh" Vaxen screams as he wakes up from his nightmare.

  His mom Zaya bursts into his room with a frightened look on her face. She rushes to her son and sits on the side of his bed.

  "What is it this time? A friend chasing you? A random person? A dog?"

  Still frightened he answers "No, something was chasing you this time"

  "Me?"

  "Yes. I couldn't see its face but it chased us and you fought it and..."

  "It's just stupid nightmares Vaxen, don't you worry" Zaya gently brushes his medium-length, wavy dark brown hair back, trying to soothe him, but Vaxen can see the concern she's trying to hide behind her smile. She's used to his nightmares-he's had them for as long as he can remember

  but something about this one feels different. He shivers, still feeling the weight of the dream pressing down on him.

  "Try to get some rest, Vaxen.I'll make some Lavender tea for you, okay? It'll help you sleep better"

  "Okay."

  She gives him one last look before turning off the light and closing the door behind her. Vaxen lies back down, staring at the ceiling, the figure in his dream still lurking in the corners of his mind.

  Vaxen closes his eyes, trying to force the images from his mind, but the more he tries, the more vivid they become. The figure, the way his mother fought it with a strength he never knew she had—it all felt too real. His body is still tense, adrenaline humming just beneath his skin, making it impossible to relax.

  He can hear faint sounds from the kitchen as his mom prepares the lavender tea, the gentle clinking of a spoon against the cup, the soft rush of boiling water. He's grateful for her care, but the gnawing unease refuses to leave him.

  A few minutes later, Zaya returns with a steaming cup in hand. The soothing scent of lavender fills the room as she sets it on the nightstand beside him.

  "Here you go, sweetheart," she says, her voice soft and comforting. "This should help."

  "Thanks, Mom," Vaxen replies, managing a small smile. He sits up, taking the cup in his hands, the warmth seeping into his fingers.

  He nods, but the doubt lingers. He takes a sip of the tea, feeling the tension in his body start to ease as the warm liquid slides down his throat. The lavender's calming effect begins to work almost immediately, and the edges of his fear start to blur.

  Zaya leans over and kisses his forehead. "Goodnight, Vaxen. See you in the morning ."

  "Goodnight, Mom."

  As she leaves the room, Vaxen takes another sip of the tea, his eyes growing heavy. But even as sleep begins to pull him under, the figure from his dream remains at the edges of his consciousness, a dark silhouette against the brightness of his mother's love.

  *6:00 AM*

  "Vaxen, get up! It's time for school," Henry's voice booms from outside his son's bedroom door.

  Vaxen groans softly, rubbing the sleep from his eyes as he rolls out of bed. He goes through his usual morning routine, pulling on his clothes with a sense of reluctance.