Sara woke up with a sudden jolt, her heart racing, her chest tight. A scream almost tore from her throat as the images of her dream still clung to her eyes, almost swallowing her whole. For a moment, she thought she was still trapped inside it.
But before the scream could escape, arms wrapped around her. Warm. Soft. Gentle. A voice whispered close to her ear, "It's alright, my child… everything is fine…"
Her breathing slowed just a little, but her body still shook. She blinked, and only then she realized she was lying on her bed, covered with blankets. The embrace was real. The voice was her mother's. She was safe.
Or was she?
Sara clutched the hand that held her, clung to it like it was the only thing keeping her alive. Her tears spilled without warning. "Mom…" she whispered, her voice breaking.
Her mother held her tighter, rubbing her back softly. "Hush now, everything is fine. Don't cry. You're safe."
