Mother

 I squeezed my eyes tightly shut as I let the darkness calm me down. I imagined that when  I opened my eyes, everything would be alright, just like all fairytales. But if only fairytales were true.

I opened my eyes. Nothing, I tried again. Nothing, nothing, nothing! I clammed my eyes shut, begging myself to think straight. I imagined two large arms wrapping around me. I held the warmth, clinging to every strand of it. Her eyes gleamed with a softening, blue glow. Her caramel-coloured hair spiralled down to her chest. There on her lap, I lay. Her sweet, muffled laughter, constantly on repeat. Or maybe a song. I held her gaze, her beautiful smile fitting perfectly with her elegant gold embroidered dress. She held me up, twirling as her dress fanned out. But now she was gone. Now only a long-lost memory. Tears pricked my eyes. “Good night, my little soldier,” her voice sang as I cradled to sleep.