The earsplitting howling, an eerie high-pitched note whirls around in Stephanie’s mind as she sleeps. The awful noise wails just outside her window, so she is bound to hear the sound that could echo a music score in a horror movie. Not that she would know because she isn’t old enough to watch scary movies. But her imagination tells her so. The trees fall into a trance like a magic spell cast upon them. They rock back and forth, their branches bending in unnatural ways, the tips like long, pointed fingernails scratching her bedroom window. The sound grates on her brain like a fork scraping a plate and tires screeching on asphalt. Stephanie tosses and turns. She fights to stay asleep, to ignore the menacing noise. Subconsciously, she remembers Beauty and the Beast on the wall above her headboard, her favorite musical, how she adores Belle. They take her to a happy place so she can fall back into that deep slumber. But only for a few minutes…
The scratching escalates, growing more intense, faster, and wilder on her windowpane. The wailing blares louder than fire sirens. Her eyes scrunched closed, she covers her ears with both hands, hoping to mute the horrific sound while lying still, no longer tossing and turning. Fear has paralyzed her body. She feels trapped, so afraid to move even an inch. But she has to get out of bed! It’s coming for her! It will shatter her window and climb inside! Her legs may as well be blocks of cement, but somehow, with all her six-year-old might, she swings her left leg over the side of her twin bed, then her right leg. She is sitting up now but has to run! No time to waste! No time for shoes! Her bare feet must carry her down the hallway to save her parents! Suddenly, Stephanie hears glass shatter, shards land on her comforter! She flies off her mattress so fast, her legs sprinting out of the room!
For a second, Stephanie closes her eyes while her legs move at marathon speed, the hallway never seemed so long. And just when she reaches her parent’s doorway, arms bind around her tightly in boa fashion, squeezing the air from her lungs.
“Let me go! Let me go!” She screams loud enough to shake the roof. Her arms and legs fling sporadically. Fighting off the huge monster with pointy fingernails.
“Stephanie, it’s Mom, wake up!” Lauren gently shakes her daughter, sitting on the edge of her bed. Belle and the Beast watch from the wall.
“Mom! It’s coming for us. We have to get Dad. We have to leave, now!”
“Oh, sweetheart, I think the wind howling caused a nightmare. It’s storming outside, but the three of us are safe in the house. There’s nothing to be afraid of.”
“I was so scared, Mom. I hate the wind!” Stephanie says, hugging her mother, never wanting to let go.
“I don’t like it either,” Lauren hugs her daughter back, loving the feel of her little girl safe in her arms. “But just close your eyes and know that everything is okay.”
And just like that, consoled by her mom, Stephanie lets go and rolls over onto her right side. Exhaustion from the excitement finally kicking in. Her eyelids close slowly. Lauren sits for a few minutes, watching her beautiful daughter fall into a peaceful sleep. Then she quietly walks out of the room, but the earsplitting howling perpetuates. The storm isn’t due to pass for another ten hours.
Lauren Scott (c)
Baydreamer ~ Lauren Scott 
Oh, poor Stephanie!!!! But she’s safe!
…with you two! Does she remember that dream?
❤🌷❤
Haha! How’d you know this was about us? 🙂 She loved the story but didn’t remember the dream, whereas I recall it vividly. It started as a poem, then I thought it’d be fun to write as a fiction story, but keeping our names. I’m not a fiction writer, but it was fun to try. And yes, she’s safe, but we know how scary that howling wind can be. ❤️😁❤️😁❤️
😉😉…took a wild guess!!! 🤣😉
🤗😘🤗😘🤗😘🤗😘🤗❤❤❤
LOL! 🥰🥰🥰🥰
😉 xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
🤪🤗💕💜
❤🤗❤🤗❤
Some dreams are unforgettable! Well written Lauren.❤️
They sure are, Balroop. Thanks for your kind words. 💗
Dreams are sometimes too scary. Like a nightmare that never seems to fade away. Very nice Lauren ☺️
And this dream is one of them, Kamal. This story is fiction but based on my daughter’s dream when she was little. She doesn’t remember it, but I sure do. 🙂 It was fun to embellish. Thanks for your lovely words. 💞
Yes it was fun to read also Lauren. You are always welcome dear 💓💓💓💓
🙏🏻🥰
❣️❣️
Terrific story, Lauren. My kids had the same kinds of dreams.
I’m glad you can relate, John. This began as a poem, but then I decided to venture out into the unknown of story writing. 🙂 So glad you enjoyed and thank you for your kind words.
😊
Mother’s love and understanding 💕
Definitely! Thank you!
I remember growing up with sounds of crickets and cicadas outside my window at bedtime or on weekends the relaxing sounds of surf outside our holiday home. Violent tropical storms never worried me. I had to be restrained as a child from going outside to feel the power in those winds.
It’s nice that you had some wonderful relaxing sounds outside your window, and lucky those storms never bothered you. Thanks for sharing, Ian.
Waouh Lauren, you penned it so well, It’s like I was there, feeling it, the storm and the terror of Stephanie.
It’s terrible when nature is going crazy.
But thanks we have moms and they have a gift, they are a gift!
💓💓
Thanks so much for your encouraging words, Marie. Writing fiction even from real life is challenging for me, but a fun challenge. 🙂 And yes, nature has her way of causing fright, as well as mom’s abilities to console.
Have a wonderful weekend! ❤️🌻
Oh wow, Lauren, this is a change from your normal genre of writing. This captures the terror of a 6-year old and the later trust in mom very well.
A definite change, Robbie. Every now and then, I like to challenge myself in writing a fiction short story (even though some are derived from real life). I appreciate your kind words since you are an amazing fiction writer. 🥰
Thank goodness for mothers, who can wake us up and chase away the nightmares. ❤
Yes, they have their ways. I remember this night vividly, but my daughter doesn’t. 🙂 Thanks for popping in, Pam. 💕
Dreams can be very vivid, especially when you’re young.
They sure can. Happy weekend, Binky!
Great write Lauren. Sounded gripping from the beginning, then happy to know it was a dream. ❤
Thanks so much, Debby. Writing fiction is out of my comfort zone but fun to try now and then. So, your words are encouraging. ❤️
Your description kept me sitting on the edge of my chair! wow! so descriptive. I could easily see the scene. Love this
Thanks so much for your kind and encouraging words. I appreciate them and am glad you enjoyed this story.