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.

her reply. He thought to himself. I appreciate your kind words, but

a sulky expression. He appeared to be unwilling to speak to her by turning his face to the wall, but

as she reclined next to him. She immediately

He wondered. Did she fall asleep just like

He pursed his lips

and lips. She looked harmless. The girl placed her hand under her cheek while she fell

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

first to awaken the following morning. He saw Lilly sleeping soundly with her head tilted back. Her body took

Lilly appeared not to be

removed

this time. It gave Zachary the impression that an elephant had

woke up immediately. She sat up groggily while rubbing her

though the foot was small, it

and hissed, “Did

explained, “No, I grew up

saying, “Alright, I

blinked her eyes

say anything wrong. I hardly ever eat meat back in South City. The maid would pack up any leftovers at the Hatchers and take the food home, leaving me with the vegetables they didn’t

back and got to her feet. She said, “Oh la la, I slept so well. Good

toward the door. He had an oddly

called Lilly in the middle of the night because I was scared. If they did, how am I going to keep my

moment. It flapped its wings and cried out in a loud voice, “Help! help! A person is

the first to be run over. He shouted incredibly loudly, “Where’s

from the room barefoot. She looked around in

Everyone was stunned.

come out from Zachary’s

Lilly said, “I…”

noticed Zachary’s red ears; he also pursed his lips and averted his gaze. She

a nod, “She sleepwalked to my

the picture

“Ohh…”

its head and yelled, “Bullshit! You’re a terrible

rendered speechless when the parrot

…

Zachary finally told Lilly that he had indeed witnessed a