Mythicals Galore

1. Awake

    It's so warm and comfortable. Rue can't help himself and nuzzles into the warmth that he's pressing into. An unfamiliar deep chuckle rumbles out of the chest he's leaning on, startling him backward.

"Good morning, little one. Are you comfortable in Daddy's lap?"

Rue looks up and almost has a heart attack as he looks at the stranger's face. His first instinct is to pull away and attempt to run but that fails when the man's grip on him gets stronger.

"Careful. Daddy doesn't want to drop you."

Rue wants to be dropped. If it means getting away from this stranger then he would allow the man to drop him down a flight of stairs if he wanted.

The young boy opens his mouth to let out a scream but watches as something falls out of it. Rue looks down with wide eyes at the piece of what he thinks is rubber. His breathing goes ragged as he stares at the pacifier that was just in his mouth.

"Shh. It's okay, little one. Here," the stranger whispers, thinking Rue was starting to get so upset because he lost the pacifier. The real reason Rue was panicking was that that thing was in his mouth.

"Who is this man?" Rue's panicked thinking continues as tears sting his eyes. "Why am I here? Is this a joke? Why was that thing in my mouth?"

His throat seems to tighten as his heart starts to pound against his chest.

    Rue gets a sudden burst of energy as Daddy pushes the pacifier against his lips. He places his small shaky hands against the large chest and pushes, desperate to get away from the large man.

    "What's wrong? Don't you want your paci back?" Daddy continues to push the pacifier against his lips. Is this not the reason he's panicking?

"Is my baby awake now?" A feminine voice floats through the air before its burns away into quietness.

"He is. He's upset though," Daddy says, finally giving up on the pacifier.

A shrill squeal claws its way out of Rue's throat as gentle hands are placed under his armpits and he's lifted.

"Why's my baby upset, huh?" Rue is turned around to meet the face of a woman. "Are you going to tell Mommy?"

Rue can't wrap his head around all of this. This is too overwhelming and too many questions are popping up in his head.

"Why are they calling themselves that? Where am I? What's happening?"

Tears start to gather in his eyes. Rue hates to admit it but he's terrified. He stares into her red eyes with absolute horror. Her eyes stare into his blue ones that are glistening with tears.

"Oh no, baby. Don't cry. Mommy has got you." Mommy pulls Rue closer to her chest. She coos happily and bounces Rue around as she moves around the room. Her hand strokes through his hair and she smiles down at him.

Her actions just make things worse for Rue. Rue throws his limbs around in her arms, as he did with Daddy, trying to get free.

    "Baby, calm down." Mommy's hold on her baby gets tighter as he continues to thrash around. Her heart breaks at his terrified and distressed noises. All she wants to do is comfort him, but if he keeps this up he is bound to hurt himself.

"Rue, that is enough." Her baby freezes at her stern tone and whimpers. She doesn't give in as he gives her terrified eyes. "You need to stop. You're going to hurt yourself."

This is too much. Rue can't take it. He starts to feel lightheaded as the colors around him start to fade into a calming black. The spinning room finally stops as his head starts to droop.