A Boy Named Zeke

Nightmare Pt. 2

Zeke gasped and looked around his room. He heard someone screaming. The lights snapped on and he was able to see the other rooms, but not who was screaming. The screaming turned into crying.

Zeke jumped out of his bed and went to his window. He was able to see the other rooms surrounding him. "Are you alright," A familiar voice asked.

Zeke jumped and turned around. He spotted Nevan still dressed in the same clothes he wore yesterday. "You scared me," Zeke said.

"Forgive me," Nevan said as he held his head down.

"It's no problem," Zeke said. "Who was screaming?"

"Your brother, Arthur,"

"Is he alright?"

"Yes," Nevan said as he nodded. "He had a nightmare."

"Can I talk to him," Zeke asked. He was sure that if he could help brother on earth he could help one here.

The walls change to blue and the floor changed to stone. The view in the window had change and was now a few of the buildings from the ground. Zeke turned around and saw a boy, about Lana's age, crying while the queen was holding him.

"Are you okay," Zeke asked the boy.

The boy looked up and his sadness was exchanged for confusion. "Who are you," The boy asked.

"Arthur," The queen said in a soft voice. "This is your brother Zeke."

"Hi," Zeke said. "I heard you had a bad dream."

Arthur looked down and nodded.

"Do you want to talk about it," Zeke asked. He was concerned. He never heard anyone scream like that before.

"No," Arthur croaked as his eyes filled up with tears.

"I used to help everyone with their nightmares," Zeke said. "I can just stay with you until you go asleep."

"What if I don't go to sleep," Arthur asked.

"Then I won't go to sleep either," Zeke stated.

"I'm sorry Zeke," The queen said. "But Arthur shall rest soon. Do you want to go to sleep now?"

Arthur hesitated, but nodded. He lied down on his bed and closed his eyes. The queen grabbed his blankets and covered his body. She leaned over and kissed him on his forehead. "Can you go to my room with me," Zeke whispered. The room materialized back into Zeke's room.

"Nevan," The queen said. "May we have some privacy?"

Nevan disappeared from the room. "What was that," Zeke asked.

"Arthur's nightmare," The queen sighed. "He always has the same one, but he never speaks to us about it."

"Have you tried to take him to a therapist," Zeke suggested. "A professional who could help him with it?"

"We've tried to help him," The queen snapped. "But it terrifies him. He can't even talk about it."

"There has to be another way," Zeke said. He didn't want Arthur to grow up with that nightmare.

"There might be another way," The queen said. "But right now you have to sleep. You have lessons tomorrow."

"Lessons," Zeke repeated. "Is that school?"

"Yes," The queen responded. "It's home school. The children don't go to public schools."

"Why not," Zeke said. "They would learn and make friends."

"We just never did," The queen sighed. "Perhaps we should try a public school. Good night, Zeke."

"Good night," Zeke said.