Bona Fide Fright

Maggie was afraid to go to sleep. She knew that nightmare would occur once again and she woke frightened every time. She drifted off into a fitful sleep about an hour later snuggled up next to her big brother, Peter, who was her protector and her safety zone.

The backdoor to the house creaked open and they entered. Maggie reached over, touched Peter’s face and whispered, “they’re here.”

Peter took Maggie by the hand and they snuck into the attic through the tiny door hidden behind the bed. They climbed quietly to the other end and Peter let down the steps from the small attic window to the ground. They ran quickly to the Daltons house across the street. Mrs. Dalton saw them coming and swung the door open, then slammed it shut behind them.

“They’re back Mrs. Dalton,” Maggie screamed. “They are in the house again.”

Mrs. Dalton smiled lovingly at Maggie, opened the door to the basement and she and Peter disappeared into the cellar.

It was very quiet and Maggie held her breath as a small spider skittered across her leg. Peter kept hold of her hand to try to calm her. He knew this would be over soon.

What seemed like hours later, Mrs. Dalton came to the top of the stairs and announced, “They’ve gone Maggie.”

Maggie would awake with a start and she would be in her own bed surrounded by her purple blankets and all of her stuffed friends. She grabbed, Ducky, a favorite, clutched him tightly and lay back down on the bed.

The nightmare was over again and she knew she could go back to sleep now and rest. It always happened only one time a night. She didn’t know why but she was grateful because when it was over, she could sleep without dreams.

She greeted Peter at the breakfast table with a big hug.

“Did I save you again last night?’ he asked teasingly.

“It’s not funny,” Maggie cried.

“I know, I’m sorry punkin,” Peter replied using her pet name.

“That dream scares me all the time. I think they are going to take me away and it really, really scares me,” she said emphasizing the world really.

“I don’t want to go with the aliens. I want to stay here with you and mommy.”

Peter looked at her sympathetically and said “I know honey. I will protect you. I promise.”

Maggie went off to play, temporarily forgetting about the nightmare and the aliens. She spent most of the day running between the swings and the sandbox with a short break to pick berries.

She waved twice at Mrs. Dalton who was out working in her yard.

“Hi Maggie,” she yelled knowing she would see Maggie again tonight in her dreams.

As evening approached, her apprehension began to grow. Nighttime always became a worry.

“Time for bed, Maggie”, mom yelled.

Peter scooped her up and tucked her in, read her favorite story and kissed her goodnight.

Hours later, she was tapping Peter on the forehead. “They’re here, Peter.”

“OK, let’s go,” as they headed for the attic door.

When they hit the last step near the ground, there was an alien standing there.

Peter pulled her behind his back to protect her. This was a departure from the regular nightmare.

“What do you want?” he asked.

The alien made a strange noise, reached out to touch Peter’s hand and peeked around at Maggie.

Peter and Maggie ran toward the Daltons and the alien followed.

When Mrs. Dalton slammed the door, the alien had managed to slip inside and now was staring at all of them.

He reached out to touch Maggie and she awoke with a start screaming “No!”

She was back in her own bed with Ducky nearby. She tiptoed into Peter’s room and saw the alien slipping out the window with Peter in his grasp.

“No!” she screamed and Peter was gone.