Sadie's Nightmare

Chapter Eight: Odd

Sadie pulled the magic blanket off herself and opened her eyes.

Dim, pink light filled her bedroom through the red curtain that covered her window. She was back.

She kicked off her doona by dragging the blanket to the end of the bed with her legs. Off she went-feeling better than ever-out of her room, straight to Patricia's bedroom door. Not even realizing that she'd left the magic blanket on her bed.

As per Sadie's usual routine, she would try to wake her mother, but fail miserably. Then she'd try for her father-who's door was always left open for Sadie.

Steven would force himself out of bed and be led by the hand, by Sadie, to the kitchen. He would then make breakfast for the two of them. But that morning, upon entering the kitchen where more light was shining through, Steven noticed something odd about Sadie.

He stopped in his tracks. "Sweetie? Why are you so dirty?"

"Huh?" Sadie looked down at her pyjamas.

She was absolutely filthy!

"Why don't we head up stairs and you can have a bath first." Steven suggested.

~~~

Sadie was dressing herself-after her bath-when she heard her parents in the hallway near Patricia's bedroom.

"Filthy?" Asked Patricia.

"Yup. Her pyjamas were covered in black dirt." Replied Steven.

"What about her bed?"

"Yes, her bed too. Only between the sheets though."

"Do you think she was sleep-walking?"

"I don't know. There isn't a speck of dirt near any of the doors. I have no idea how she got so dirty."

By now Sadie was dressed and she stood outside the bathroom door. Patricia noticed her.

"Sadie?" Patricia said in a cold tone.

"Mum?" Sadie said in response.

"Is there a reason why your clothes were so dirty this morning?" Asked Patricia who was sitting at the edge of her bed.

Steven, who stood at Patricia's door, added, "We're not upset with you. We love you and just want to know what happened."

"You won't believe me." Said Sadie.

Steven and Patricia looked at one another before returning their gaze to Sadie.

Steven went over to Sadie and knelt beside her. "Will you tell me anyway? Just me. You can even whisper it in my ear if you want." He said.

Sadie considered it for a moment, before leaning in close and whispering, "The blanket that Grandma Rosie gave me is magic."

"What do you mean?" He asked softly.

"I pulled it over my head and wished to be a princess. Then poof. I was a princess in a magical world. The blanket took me there." Sadie replied.