Tiny Troubles

Part 15

Previously on Tiny Troubles...

Once Lou and Cole were alone, Lou looked at the little ninja in his lap. "How're doing, son?" he asked gently.

Cole shrugged. "Okay, I guess," he replied. "I wish that I wasn't a little kid, but I've been managing."

Lou smiled sadly and turned Cole so that he faced him. "That's not what I'm talking about," he said. "And I think you know that."

Cole sniffled and buried his face in his dad's chest. A few tears slid down his cheeks. "I miss her..." he whimpered.

Lou didn't need any clarification on who 'her' was. His own eyes shone with unshed tears and he hugged Cole closer. "I know son," he whispered, rubbing Cole's back soothingly. "I do too."

~~~~~

Part 15

The ninja spent the rest of the evening playing The Hat Game. Kai eventually caught onto how the game was played, but Lloyd couldn't quite figure it out. There was much laughter and even more screams of frustration.

Cole's dad had left after the first game, though not without hugging his son and reminding him to keep in touch. Cole looked a little upset after his dad left, but he quickly shook it off so no one really questioned it.

After dinner, the ninja enjoyed a small Super Smash Bros tournament with Kai and Cole winning most of the matches.

This came to an end, however, when Cole started to get sleepy. Despite his protests, the little ninja was soon escorted to bed by Zane and read a bedtime story.

The only reason that Cole didn't protest the bedtime story was that Zane promised to read him a Percy Jackson book. Zane did amazing voice impressions of the Percy Jackson characters.

"Alright," Zane suddenly announced, placing a bookmark in between the pages of the book. "That's enough for tonight."

"Awww, c'mon Zane!" Cole exclaimed, pouting. "One more chapter! You're at the really good part!"

"Cole, you've read The Lightning Thief over a dozen times. Surely you know what's going to happen next."

"Yeah, but that's not the point!" Cole protested. "You can't just stop right there!"

Zane chuckled and tucked the blankets around his younger teammate. "I will read you more tomorrow night if you wish," he promised.

Cole groaned. "Fiiiiiiine. Just as long as you promise to do the voices."

Zane laughed. "I promise." He gently ruffled Cole's hair and stood up. "Good night, brother."

"Night," Cole murmured as he cuddled underneath the blankets.

It didn't take him long to fall asleep.

~~~~

It was dark all around him. Cold, scary darkness.

Cole shivered and hugged himself, not liking the heavy darkness surrounding him. "H-Hello?" he called out hesitantly. "Is...is anyone there?"

Nobody answered him. Biting his lip, Cole started walking forward, trying to see if he could get out of this darkness.

"Hello?" He called out again as he walked. "Is there anyone else here?"

"....Cole?"

The little ninja looked up sharply when he heard his name being called. "Hello? Who's there? How do you know my name?" he called back.

"Cole!" the voice called out to him. "Over here, sweetie!"