THE THOUGHTS OF A CHILD

by KS Claw

(short stories 3)

David's thoughts about the nightmares his Dad has. (And the result of staying up
till 1:30 am)

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It has happened again.

I hear him let out a scream, the sound of running steps, and then... crying. The first
time it happened, I got out of bed and went to the bathroom. Daddy sat on the
floor, and he was crying. When I asked him why he was crying, he didnīt answer.
Mommy patted my shoulder though and told me I should go back to sleep. So, I
did.

But now, it has happened again. Daddy is scared of his nightmares. I donīt know
why he is scared though. Daddy never gets scared! Or at least not when heīs
awake. But, when heīs sleeping, he has bad dreams. They scare him a lot, and I
donīt like that. Mommy and Daddy talk about those nightmares sometimes,
mostly when they think Iīm fully asleep. Sometimes I am, and other times, I listen
to what they talk about.

Who is this Dr. Viper guy they keep talking about? I donīt like that name. It's
scary. And, apparently, it scares Daddy too. Once, when I asked him about it,
because they were talking about it on TV, he got all white in his face. I have never
seen him so scared ever, in broad daylight.  He immediately turned the TV off and
asked me if I had done my homework, which I had. He then kept asking about
other stuff, and even though Iīm only six years old, I could figure out that he
didnīt want to talk about it. So, I just answered what he asked about, and then I
went out to play.

I donīt like it when Daddy cries either. That he is sad makes me sad too. When it
was the second time that he had a nightmare and was crying, I began to cry too.
Mommy then came in and asked me what was wrong, and I told her I just had a
bad dream about Daddy getting hurt. She didnīt seem to like that. So, she sat
down and held me close until I fell asleep.

I can hear Mommy talking to Daddy. She's talking about how he shouldnīt be
scared because of his nightmares.... and now they're quiet.... probably kissing. I
can hear Mommy walking to the bedroom. And then Daddy. I hurry back to bed
and pretend to be asleep when he looks into my bedroom. I hear the floor creak
slightly as he carefully walks over to my bed. He stands quietly, watching me.

"Drop the act, champ - you're not sleeping." 

Surprised, I open my eyes and I look up at him. He has kneeled down beside the
bed.

"How did you know, Daddy?" I ask him, surprised. 

He smiles at me.  "Simple. Your breathing was faster than usual, as if you had
been out running," he says. "If you want someone to think you're sleeping, keep
your breathing slow and calm. Like this...." Slowly, he take some deep breathes,
as if he is asleep.

I nod and then I decide it's time to hear the truth.

"Daddy..... why are you so scared of your nightmares?" 

He looks at me puzzled, as if he doesnīt believe I just asked that.

"Why do you want to know?" he then asks me. 

I sigh and look down on my plush-dog, Softie.  "Because..... hearing you cry and
be scared.... it makes me sad.... and I donīt like that....," I whisper. 

He sighs again, then he hugs me.

I hug back and take a deep breath. I like his smell. It's so warm and comforting. I
call it "Daddy's smell." I snuggle close to his chest, and silently whisper:

"Daddy? Why are you afraid??"

I hear his heart beat in his chest. Then, he begins to talk.

"Sometimes.... grownups have something to be scared of too.....  We're all afraid
of something..... and in this case... Iīm afraid of my dreams."

"Why?" I ask quietly.

"Because.....Iīm afraid that they might come true.... and that something might
happen to you and your Mom."

"Why donīt you fight what you're scared of then?" I ask him. 

He looks at me again.  "Fight what I am scared of?" 

I nod.

"Yeah.... once when I had a bad dream that I got chased by a monster and I had it
twice, I decided to fight the monster, and it was scared of me!" I beam at the
thought. Softie and me really showed that monster who the boss was. 

Daddy smiles tiredly at me. I can see heīs very tired.

"Thanks champ..." he whispers. "I guess I should try and fight back... instead of
trying to run away." He gives me another hug and is about to leave when I stop
him by grabbing his hand.

"Daddy? Will you please sleep here with me tonight?" I ask quietly. 

He looks puzzled at me.  "What for, champ?" he asks me. 

I look around in my room.  "If... if Iīm all alone,... the black kat may come....," I
whisper.

"The black kat?" Daddy says quietly. 

I nod.

"Please stay here, Daddy.... please?" I whisper. 

He then nods. Daddy is very tired. I can see it in him.

"OK, champ...  Iīll stay....."  With that, he sits down on my bed and he curls up
beside me. He falls asleep immediately.

When I make sure he is fully asleep, I put a blanket over him so he wonīt get cold. 

"Goodnight, Daddy...," I whisper and give him a peck on his cheek.  

I can see he is happy because he is smiling in his sleep.  Then, I crawl up in bed,
snuggle close to Daddy, and fall asleep.

THE END