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.

to himself. I appreciate your kind words, but please stop doing so in

sulky expression. He appeared to be unwilling to speak to her by turning his

she reclined

fall asleep just

always be vulnerable in the wee hours. Zachary turned around cautiously. He pursed his lips and turned to face the sweet pea in front

cheeks, and lips. She looked harmless. The girl placed her hand under her

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

to awaken the following morning. He saw Lilly sleeping soundly with her head tilted back. Her body took the form of an “A,” with her feet resting on

foot and moved it. Lilly appeared not to be disturbed in the least. She placed her foot on Zachary’s

He removed

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

She sat up groggily while rubbing her eyes.

though the foot was small, it was

glared at her and hissed, “Did you grow

she explained, “No, I grew

defeat, saying, “Alright,

blinked her eyes

hardly ever eat meat back in South City. The maid would pack up any leftovers

back and got to her feet. She

had an oddly awkward expression on

can’t let anyone know that I called Lilly in the middle of the night because I was scared. If they did, how

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

was the first to be run over. He

room barefoot. She looked around in

Everyone was stunned.

you come out from

Lilly said, “I…”

ears; he also pursed his lips and averted

a nod, “She sleepwalked

gets the picture

“Ohh…”

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

was rendered speechless when the parrot exposed their

…

finally told Lilly that he had indeed witnessed a paranormal event, though it had occurred in a