Nightmares

      I rubbed my eyes in exhaustion as the thunder boomed outside, definitely making the storm's presence known. Lightning continued to light up my room, jarring me even further from sleep.

      I threw the covers off of me and stood from my bed, turning towards my window. Of course, rain was pouring down in buckets, thrumming onto the roof and adding on onto the storm's symphony.

      I yawned and ran a Desert Kougra paw through my hair. And somehow, amidst the raindrops and thunder and harsh winds, I heard a soft whimper from outside my slightly ajar door.

      I poked my head out of my room, scanning the hall for any signs of the source of the sound. Another whimper wrenched me from my thoughts and I looked towards the room across the hall.

      I approached it and swung the door open, seeing my baby Kougra brother, Nicky, curled up in his blankets, his tiny form shivering as the storm raged on.

      He caught sight of me and lifted his head. "Tiger?"

      "Yeah, Nicky?" I walked up to his bed just as lightning struck again, nearly blinding me. The storm had to be close. Nicky emitted another whimper and ducked under his covers.

      I sat down on the bed, the mattress squeaking slightly under my weight. It was a small bed, fit for my little brother, not for me, who was the oldest in the family.

      "The storm scaring you, munchkin?" I queried even though the answer was obvious, tugging the blankets back to peer at my brother's frightened expression.

      "Mm-hm." He gave an almost imperceptible nod, continuing to stare out his window, watching trails of raindrops lower to the sill. "I had a nightmare. I dreamt I was out in the storm by myself in the middle of nowhere and the rain washed me away."

      I chuckled slightly. "Don't worry, Nicky. It was just a nightmare. Rain could never wash you away."

      He crawled out of his blankets and was soon beside me, a silent plea for me to hold him. Trust me, it had been quite a while since I comforted him in such a way, but I was still somewhat an expert.

      I could feel his small form tremble in my arms as another flash of lightning stroke across the sky.

      "S'alright, lil' bro. Just a storm," I assured gently, glancing at the door. I had a feeling all of my other siblings and my owner were still fast asleep. They tended to sleep like rocks.

      "Tiger?" My brother's small voice floated up through the beating rain.

      "Nicky?" I answered in the same questioning tone, mocking of course.

      "Canya tell me a story?"

      I smiled, knowing that that was Nicky's new request if he wanted composure. The first time I had told him a story, it must've left an indelible impression, because he just doesn't seem to ask for much else when he's agitated.

      Nicky tugged at my sleeve, looking worried and I coughed and gave my belated answer. "Oh, yeah. 'Course I can. What do you want?"

      "Anything."

      Another flash of lightning lit up the room, but it seemed slightly fainter. At least the storm was beginning to move on.

      I sighed, wracking my brain for a new story to tell my brother.

      "Once upon a time..." I began, staring up at the ceiling, "there lived a young boy. Much like you."

      Nicky smiled. "What was his name?"

      "His name was... Ricky."

      My brother giggled softly and I continued on.

      "Ricky was just a simple naive child. But most of his life, he never exactly trusted people. He was more of an introvert, constantly thinking of only himself, shy and quiet, not the outgoing type of person. He eventually grew greedy and selfish.

      "He loved to go out into the woods. It was a scene of tranquility to him, and he found the isolation relaxing. He soon called the woods his own, and his alone. He had a special tree trunk that he would sit on to contemplate over his life and enjoy the peacefulness in the woods. But one day, he found a girl in the woods, almost about his age."

      Nicky snuggled closer to me and gazed up at me. "What was her name?"

      "Ricky didn't know. He was appalled by the fact that this girl was in his woods. So he stomped right up to her and demanded that she leave his woods.

      "The girl merely glanced at him before resuming her flower-picking. The boy was furious to see her picking the flowers in his woods.

      "'These are my woods, and those are my flowers!' he declared, converting every ounce of anger in his voice to try to seem intimidating. The girl looked at him again with no hint of fear in her eyes. 'These are not your flowers. They are now mine,' she answered before getting up and walking away.

      "The next day, Ricky returned to the woods to see her pulling leaves off of the trees. He was mortified by the fact that this girl was still in his woods. So he ran right up to her and yelled to her to leave his woods.

      "The girl hardly acknowledged him as she plucked the leaves from the trees, gathering them in her hand. Ricky gritted his teeth, angry to see her plucking the leaves from his trees.

      "'These are my woods and those are my leaves!' he insisted, glaring hard at her. The girl shrugged his way, again not affected. 'These are not your leaves. They are now mine,' she responded and walked away."

      Nicky was curled up in my hold now, and I was pleased to find he wasn't shaking anymore. Thunder rumbled, more off to the distance.

      "The day after that, Ricky approached the woods to see her gathering pebbles on the ground. He was horrified by the fact that she was STILL in his woods. So he marched her way and ordered her to leave his woods.

      "The girl didn't even look his way as she continued to gather the pebbles in a small bucket clutched in one hand. Ricky crossed his arms, mad she was getting pebbles from his woods.

      "'These are my woods and those are my pebbles!' he informed her, harshly stomping his feet. 'These are not your pebbles. They are now mine," she replied and walked away."

      Nicky shifted in my arms, and I knew he was still listening intently.

      "The day after THAT, Ricky trudged to the woods and found the girl making something in the mud around his beloved tree trunk. He fell to his knees and gave a small anguished cry.

      "'Please! Just leave my woods and leave me alone!' he beseeched, holding his arms out pleadingly.

      "The girl looked up from her creation and smiled his way. For the first time, she told him, 'These are not your woods.'

      "Ricky cringed at her words, not wanting to argue anymore. Then the girl stepped back to show she had adorned the mud around the tree trunk with flowers, leaves, and pebbles. They were simple items found easily, yet she made them look nicer than any decoration of diamonds or jewels Ricky had ever seen.

      "'These are OUR woods,' she said, holding a welcoming hand his way. Ricky smiled and took it and they both sat on the tree trunk, exchanging conversation with one another.

      "Soon, Ricky became more and more considerate for others, sharing and talking more with people. He and the girl hung out at the woods almost every day, laughing and talking.

      "When he was an adult, he returned to the woods to find the girl was not there. He was surprised in his realization that of all they had talked about, they had never exchanged their names. She didn't come anymore after that, but he still did. Even though he once again had the woods to himself now, he always sat on the tree trunk, looked around, and smiled.

      "'These are OUR woods,' he always said."

      I looked down at Nicky to find he was fast asleep, his breathing even and calm. There was only light tapping as the rain hit the window. The storm had moved on, its rage barely audible.

      I set my baby brother down and covered him with his blankets, smiling at his innocent look before starting out of his room.

      I'm not even sure if that story had a lesson or not...

      But it sure got him to sleep.

The End