A late night.

The monster's shadow reveals a pile of clothes on the desk chair.

The growls from under the bed frame have quieted down.

I haven’t heard from them for a while.

I climb under my blanket of security,

My vision blurs as I fall into a different realm.

I see my old friend,

Stuffed and stitched just for my comfort.

His paw waves at me,

And his fur is freshly combed and he is wearing a bow tie.

I enjoy his sewn smile.

His eyes are two buttons, 

Carefully put into place.

G R O W L S. They’re back.

A rugged hand grasps my ankle

Scream and shouts for help as this monster is being fought inside my realm of dreams.

I rock back and forth in this empty boat waiting for the war to be over.

My body grasps for oxygen as the door to this realm closes.

I am awake again.

My mind feels—F r e e. At last.

My stuffed bear is in the corner of the room,

Glaring at me with those button eyes and sewn smile.

As I open the door to my realm of dreams once again,

Something brushes my arm.

I look over and gaze upon my childhood friend,

And his sewn smile looks droopy.

The cut on his left paw drips slowly, and his fur looks rugged,

Strings falling out here and there.

My stuffed bear jumps into my arms.

“You are safe now.”