By my bedside the shadow comes bearing dreams of horrible peril. Nightmares that haunt me while I sleep. I cry out and I lash at you. Kicking at you, scratching at you with fingers hooked like claws. Red streaks form on your face and neck as droplets of blood begin to drip from your skin.

            Then you come near and pull me into your strong arms and keeping me safe. You comfort me and whisper softly in my ears, “It’s alright, shhh, it’s okay, I’m here now, shhh shhh.”

            The shadow begins to slowly move away, creeping along the wall and quietly seeping out the door and back into the black night. No longer am I afraid, you are here with me and I love you.