Belly and Maya

"Maya! Maya, are you here?" Belly ran to her bed, and pulled the blanket over herself. She loved to hide under it. This made her feel safe.

"Maya?" She called out again. Still nothing...

"Where are you? It's bedtime story. You can't miss it!"

Deathly silence... Belly's words echoed far in the completely empty house. The little girl wondered why Maya didn't come running with her claws clicking on the floor. She didn't saw the little, shaggy monster head and the furry body or a wagging tail either.

Belly was alone at home -- with Maya -- since her parents had gone out for night. Grandma was supposed to look after the little girl, but she hadn't arrived yet.

Belly read a short tale before bedtime for Maya every evening. They were best friends, inseparable like two peas in a pod.

As there were no sign of the little fluffy beast in the room, Belly climbed out of the bed and went to find her, but Maya was nowhere. She wasn't under Belly's bed. And neither behind the cabinet... or around the table. Belly decided to check other parts of the house too.

"Maybe she wants to play hide 'n seek." The little girl murmured.

"I'll find you anyway!" She shouted.

A bit later she reached the kitchen, and spotted a shadowy figure next to the trash can. She sneaked on tiptoe to the shranked creature and then...

"Gotchaaaa! I told you I'd find you!" Belly cheered wrapping Maya in a warm hug, but the dark fluffy dog remianed still and quiet. Belly shaked Maya, hoping she'd wake up and listen to the nighttime story, but as there was no response, Belly gave up trying.

"You're already asleep, even without my story..." Wait here, I'm gonna get you my blanket!" She whispered while smiling.

After Belly returned she spread the banket over Maya. Then the girl curled up next to the dog and fell asleep quickly. Written for RM Stockton's Unofficial Challenge: