A Lighter and a Flashlight

Little Nightmares

Six's POV

It was dark and I was alone.  All alone... very - very alone...

I called out, "Hello?"

All I hear was the echo of my own voice.  This was all very unnerving.  I looked around again.

A light!

I ran to it, and saw a cake, a cake with candles, seven to be exact.  My seventh birthday had been five days ago, why was I seeing this now?

"Hello Six dear..."

That voice! C-could it be?

"Mama?" I looked behind me, where the voice had been.  No one.

"Sorry I was so late with the celebration," I turned to face the cake again, and there she was, on the other side, "I didn't realize you would last so long..."

What did that mean?

"Mama?"

"Happy seventh birthday my dear..." I ran around the cake to her, giving her a hug, "I love you... and... I'm sorry it had to be this way."

"Mama? Please..." I hugged at her kimono, "Tell me what you mean..."

"Six my love, my time here is limited," I felt her arms wrap around me, "There is a great darkness, a curse, that lies upon this vessel. It is all because of my vanity," she looked away, ashamed, "I'm so sorry for the pain I've caused you."

My hands grabbed at the soft silk of her kimono, I buried my face in the material, and began to stain it with my tears, "I will always love you Mama, I-I forgive you, for whatever you've done."

"Thank you my sweet, your forgiveness is all I could ever ask for," She began to dissolve, her clothes, her form, fading into the darkness around us, "I am glad you are still in the land of the living my dear, just know that I would never willingly get rid of you..."

I paused in my sobbing, looking up at her, "Y-you, you sent me away? I-in that suitcase?"

"Yes, and I am sorry. My vanity - my darkness - it controls me, I tried to fight, to protect you, but I fear my corruption will still find you." I stayed silent now, processing this, listening for more, "Six, do you still forgive me?"

I felt my tears resume, leaving hot, searing streaks down my cheeks, "Of course Mama... I understand. I forgive you."

She smiled down at me, her face beautiful and radiant as ever; her hazel eyes inviting and warm, "I am almost gone, and my form is fading, I fear I cannot protect you from the next nightmare. I shall see you again sometime, in another dream, when I have enough power to reach you again. We can talk again then"

"I promise I will wait for you Mama"

She leaned down and pressed a kiss to my forehead, "Stay safe little one," she straightened, her form almost one with the darkness surrounding us, "Please know that I mean you no harm, and that I will try to fight for control, please, know I am sorry if I hurt you..."

And with that, she dissolved entirely. She was gone.

"I know Mama."

Turning to the birthday cake I smiled. The yellow icing was beginning to melt where the candles were placed.

I blew out the candles, leaving me stranded, and alone in the dark.

)%(%)%(%)%(

When turned, I saw another light, a cold, bright, familiar, beam of light.

"Seven?!"