100 Themes

65. A Moment in Time

   "Nora. Nora. Ineora."

   The child moved so quickly he almost couldn't track her.

   "Hey, hey. Nora, hey. It was a dream. This is real. You're real. I'm real." He grabbed her arms, moving so he was in her line of sight. "You're alright."

   For a moment she didn't seem to recognize him. "Where's A–" She blinked, and she was back with him. "Why're you holding me?"

   "Nightmare. Seemed like a bad one."

   "Oh." She nodded and drew her knees to her chest when he let go.

   Head cocked, he didn't move away just yet. "You were asking for someone. It started with an A?"

   Ineora shrugged. "I dunno. I think I was looking for someone. An Anna, maybe?" She shook her head. "I'm okay now, okay? You can go back to sleep."

   "You sure?"

   Another nod. "Swear it. Night."

   "Night."