Write on Wednesdays: The Monsters Under Your Bed

Warm and dry after bath and toothbrushing, tucked into bed with Curly and Teddy and Hoot, Little One sank into the blankets and sighed. The pillow was soft and cool to the touch, and Daddy remembered to turn on the night light, which was shaped like a lighthouse. After a kiss from Mommy and a kiss from Daddy, Little One was ready to fall asleep. Mommy and Daddy left him in his room, and walked downstairs to the living room.

Little One wanted to go to bed, he really did, but there was something bothering him that night. Something big and dark and most definitely not friends with Curly and Teddy and Hoot. Little One peeked above his covers, saw a terrifying Shadow, and dived back under, curling his toes and scrunching up his face to forget it all. When he was so curious he couldn't stand it another moment, he slowly moved up, then quick as a flash, he peeked out of his blankets again. And there it was! It seemed to be a very bad, and very magical Shadow, for it could sense when Little One was going to pop up.

Again and again, Little One slowly peered above his covers, then quickly peeked at the wall. Again and again, the Shadow arched up against the wall, with a terrifying head and jaws wide open, ready to swallow Little One and Curly and Teddy and Hoot all in one bite.

Finally, Little One could not do it one more time. He shrank back under his blankets, the scrunched up his face and screamed with all the might in his tiny body, "MOMMY! DADDY!"

And there they were, tired faces reassuring and hands outstretched to comfort him.

"Why, Little One, what is the matter?"

Little One explained about the mysterious and smart Shadow that wouldn't let him sleep, and was very calm until the Shadow appeared again, dancing on the wall. Little One shrieked, but Daddy let out a laugh.

"Oh Little One, that was your mysterious and smart Shadow, reflecting from the nightlight. Everything is fine."

Little One realized he had been silly, and accepted Mommy and Daddy's kisses before curling back under his warm blankets with Curly and Teddy and Hoot. It had been a long night, and Little One's eyes closed softly before he saw his Shadow on the wall, standing guard so other Night Things couldn't harm him. Maybe if he had been awake, he would have seen the Shadow wink, the stand back at attention.