Sprite's Fright

Chapter 3

The following afternoon...

...when the same yellow bus stopped by the house, Sprite's mother hurriedly rushed to open the door. Sprite came running into her mother's widespread arms with sudden tears cascading down her cute pinkish cheeks. When she sank into her mother's embrace, she burst out crying in her mother's comforting arms. Sprite's mother tightened their embrace.

She had been waiting long for her arrival. Since the time she had heard of Sprite's unusual behaviour, she grew greatly anxious. Her husband did whatever he could to pacify her, but all went in vain. The matter perturbed her greatly for never before had Sprite displayed such awkward behaviour. Furthermore, she was her mother and her sixth sense was telling her that something definitely wasn't right. There was nothing in the world that could scare Sprite, with the exception of frightening nightmares, mice, wiggly worms, darkness, and GHOSTS.

"Ah, my child! There— there— there. Stop crying, my darling. Where's my brave girl?" she attempted to soothe her while continuously patting her on the back. She couldn't bear to see the love of her life shedding tears like that.

This went on till Sprite's mother drenched in emotions as well. With small tears brimming in her eyes, she said, "Sprite. Look at me. If you don't stop crying, then I will soon start crying as well,"

"Mommy! Oh, mommy! I can't— I can't stop. But that doesn't mean you will also cry— stop it..." replied Sprite, rubbing her mother's eyes with her soft little fingers; her voice came out muffled as she sobbed during pauses in her speech. Subsequently, she wiped her radiant blue eyes that were at that moment soaked with her salty tears.

"Okay. You don't want Mommy to cry, then you have to do one thing. Honey, stop crying. Why are you crying? Are you scared of something? Just tell me what happened. Mommy can help you." her mother said, voicing her concern. Sprite merely mumbled in response. After a few more sobs, she finally spoke, "Nothing. Nothing happened. I am sleepy, mommy... I want to go to bed. Mommy, will you sleep with me today?"

Sprite's mother took a quick glance at her husband. Forcing a smile, she addressed her daughter ardently— "Of course, I will darling. Let's go to sleep. But, we have a lot to do, yet. We have to eat. Do jokes. Then, brush. Remember to scrub your teeth well. And last of all, we will go to sleep. Together. OK, honey?"

Sprite nodded vigorously in approval.