Spoiled by Eight Uncles

A woman in a wedding dress was stooping outside the door as if trying to peek inside the room.

They just so happened to be inches apart when Zachary peered out.

Zachary was startled. He abruptly jumped up and held his breath before realizing it was all a dream. He was terrified.

Zachary found himself in a dark place. He thought he heard rustling outside in the hallway, which had dim lights. Zachary had a hard time telling whether he was awake or dreaming.

When one had multiple dreams back-to-back or dreams within dreams, it was impossible to wake up. Zachary could not take it anymore. Instead of getting up to turn on the lights or peek outside as he did in the dream, he gritted his teeth, picked up the phone on the bedside table, and made a call.

When Lilly’s smartwatch rang, she was sleeping soundly. She groggily opened her eyes and said, “Hello. Who is it?”

Lilly did not have Zachary’s number. She rubbed her eyes adorably.

Zachary’s voice could be heard coming from the other end. He asked, “Hmm…Can you please come to my room?”

Lilly responded, “Huh?”

She gradually woke up and realized that the caller was Zachary. The young girl got out of bed right away and said, “I’m coming. I’ll be right there. I’m stepping out of my room and moving down the hallway. I’m almost there, about to reach your door anytime now.”

Zachary listened to the phone in a daze. He woke Lilly from her sleep, but surprisingly, she did not get upset.

Her voice was soft and gentle, as if she were worried that he was scared. She continued to hold the smartphone as she talked and walked down the hallway. Her voice could be heard both on the phone and outside in the corridor.

Then Zachary heard a click; Lilly had turned on the light. Zachary tightly closed his eyes and put a hand over them. He saw Sweet Pea running in his direction while he was in a daze. She sprinted and quickly climbed onto his bed.

“Zac, did you have a nightmare again?” Lilly sat down next to him and questioned him.

Zachary remained silent for a brief period.

Lilly reassured him as she patted his back, “Don’t be scared. I’m with you.”

Zachary spoke as he pursed his lips, “Do you think it’s ridiculous?”

“Huh? No, Zac, it’s not ridiculous. You’re seven years old. What’s wrong with being afraid at your age? It’s normal to wet your bed too,” Lilly replied.

thought to himself. I appreciate your kind words, but please

lay down on the bed with a sulky expression. He appeared to be unwilling to speak to her by turning his face

paid this little attention. She yawned as she reclined next to him.

was rendered speechless. He wondered. Did she fall asleep just like that? Is

always be vulnerable in the wee hours. Zachary turned around cautiously. He

her was chubby and cute, including her pink nose, rosy cheeks, and lips. She looked harmless. The girl placed her hand under her cheek while she fell asleep, showing that she

falling asleep and closing his eyes. He experienced a sense of security he had never known before with Lilly

sleeping soundly with her head tilted

he poked her foot and moved it. Lilly appeared not to be disturbed in the least. She placed her foot on

speechless. He removed her foot

her sleep, Lilly appeared to be upset. She firmly rested her foot against Zachary’s stomach this time. It gave Zachary the impression that an elephant had just stepped on him. His eyes grew wide as he exclaimed,

while

the foot was small, it was

and hissed, “Did

looked confused, and she explained, “No, I

his defeat, saying, “Alright, I give

blinked her eyes in

City. The maid would pack up

her cheek. She stretched her back and got to her feet. She

had an oddly awkward expression on his

anyone know that I called Lilly in the middle of the night because I was scared. If they did,

It flapped its wings and cried out in a loud voice,

over. He shouted incredibly loudly,

from the room barefoot. She looked

Everyone was stunned.

did you come out

Lilly said, “I…”

his lips and

nod, “She sleepwalked

the

“Ohh…”

flew onto Lilly’s shoulder. It tilted its head and yelled, “Bullshit! You’re

rendered speechless when the parrot exposed their

…

told Lilly that he had indeed witnessed a