Mr. Ogre

I struggled to wake up from the nightmare that gripped my body to the bed, and my soul languished at my helplessness. I felt transient between my dreams and reality. Mr. Ogre (the monster that tormented me in my dreams without remorse) bellowed once again with a charge at me as I struggled not to fall off the cliff whose base only exuded pitch darkness; its base could not be sighted. Mr. Ogre charged at me closely, his ugly breath almost choking my very existence. I moved a little backwards, my right foot clearly half placed on a small rock stuck at the cliff. I stretched forth my hands to shield myself from the saliva-dripping monster with multiple and long hands and big oval shaped-looking scary eye balls. I felt a gentle push, unsure if it was from the monster, but rather than hit the ground hard, I dampened as though I were in a pool of many waters.

Beyond the chill of fear that coursed my spine, I was cold, and so was the world around me. Yet again, I struggled to hold anything, as it was clear that I was soon about to drown. My eyes gradually forced themselves open as I continued to struggle to breathe and survive the near-drown experience. As my eyes opened gradually, I could decipher arms reaching out to me—just that these were warm and loving. I relaxed my struggles, drenched in sweat as my mom's figure was shown in the darkness, her concerned voice gradually registering into my ears.

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"It's alright, Greg; momma's here." My mom whispered as she drew me into her arms, which I held tightly like my life depended on them. "It was just a dream; you're safe." She continued as she patted me on the back. My erratic heartbeat slowed; it was all a bad and scary dream, I realized.

My mom lifted me to herself, not minding my weight as a 9-year-old, even though I was just of average size, neither chubby nor skinny. She took me to her room with the aid of the flash light from her Android phone. I hated darkness, but I was constrained as that was what my mom could afford, being a single parent.

"Mr. Ogre again?" My mom asked barely inaudibly as she wiped off the sweat on my forehead and placed me on her moderately sized bed, which would have contained us both if it were bigger. She laid beside me sideways and hugged me with her left arm while her right hand stroked my hair gently.

"Many centuries ago, there lived in a small community of Lanshasha a little boy named Agos." My mom started up a story I was unfamiliar with that readily intrigued me, safely diverting my troubled soul. "Agos was the only child of his parents but lived timidly and was an introvert. He would not play with other kids his age; he lived in fear of nightfall as he was constantly haunted by his dreams. Eventually, a sojourner was hosted by his family, and the lady gifted Agos a willow hoop with a woven net around it. That was the dreamcatcher that Agos hung around his bed. From that moment on, Agos slept like a baby undisturbed, his self confidence returned, and he became more receptive to his age mates." My mom concluded.

I was all consumed by the story my mom told me, ignorant of the breaking day and the distant sun rising on the far horizon. "Can I get a dreamcatcher too?" I asked, my eyes almost teary. I had endured Mr. Ogre far too much and would do anything to enjoy a good night's sleep.

"Of course, my baby, I'll stop by today at the shopping mall and pick a dreamcatcher for you. Let me get you ready for school.

My fears were gone, washed away like a pool of water poured on a rock. My heart was lifted with hope, and my day throughout school was full of optimism. I could barely wait to get home, and I was glad to meet Mom at home already.

"Did you get it, mom?" I ran up to her with a hug, asking her about the dreamcatcher simultaneously.

"Get what?" She asked, looking confused. At that moment, my head sprang with disappointment as I hit my head with my right palm. "Just teasing you; here you go." She said it with a smile as she brought out the dreamcatcher as she had described it.
I grabbed the dreamcatcher from her immediately, and a thank-you trailed behind me as I went straight to my room. I hung it just above my bed, where I usually lay. I felt victorious and quickly dismissed the fear that lurked within.

We had our dinner of rice and stew with chicken and shared with each other how our day went. I was all my mom had, and the same was true for me. Mom kissed me goodnight after covering me with my duvet as I listened to her bedtime story.

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"Someone slept well last night." My mom's voice echoed deep in my sleep as a bright light shone directly at me through my window. I managed to open my eyelids a little, adjusting gradually to the brightness of the rising sun.

"It's morning already?" I asked, stretching my body as I sat up from the bed.

"And if you don't hurry, you'll miss the school bus." My mom chuckled, walking up to me and placing a gentle kiss on my forehead. "And what about Mr. Ogre?" She asked, looking into my eyes as though searching for answers.

"I didn't even dream last night; it's a first of a kind." I replied, giving her a hug, which she reciprocated.

"Glad to know, let's hurry you up for school." She said, patting me on the back with a smile on her face.