Ail has just finished school, he closes his laptop and rushes to the living room. The warmth of his dads computer is like a blanket, the humming of the fan drones on as his dad is slouched over his desk muttering away to himself.

  "DAD!" shrieks Ail, "I'm done school, can we pleaseeeee watch tv now!?".

  His dad doesn't hear him.

  "DADDDD!?" Groans Ail jolting his dad to life like an alarm clock.

  Without even looking at Ail he says "Yes, ehm... sorry Aily. Dad has some super important work to do."

  Ail groans.

  With an abstent minded wave of the hand his dad says"Why don't you order some food? We have extra rations, you could get something sweet."

  Ail, like a jack-in-the-box jumps up and down before bolting over to his dad's phone to order some sweets.

  "Brrrrrrrrr" the doorbell shouts, Ail shoots up of the sofa like a spring. He preses a button to open the door, it slids up, the sound of metal on metal always makes Ail shudder. But it's all worth it when he sees the delivery bot, a mechanised arm raises and a monotone voice says "please stay still as i confirm your order". After reaching Ails level the camera on the end of the arm clicks and the hatch on the bot opens with a pop.

  "Thank you. Please take your items" the bot says but Ail doesn't hear it, he's too busy taking everything out of the bots orifice.

  After making sure everything he order is there Ail dashes back to the sofa, his Dad already sprawled, clearly exhausted from his work.

  "What did you get yourself Aily?" Asked his father as he stretched.

  "I got some Jack's and also some Juice", Ail said as he fumbled his stuff from the bag.

  Ail picks up his candy and drink. He rushes over to sit on the sofa next to his dad. After fumbling with the packaging he rips open his candy and scoffs it into his mouth. "Easy, Ail! What have I told you about rushing your food?!" Yelled his father. "Sorry, dad" crumbs of chocolate and biscuit splatter all over the place as Ail apologises to his father.

  Ails dad grabs the television remote, the slick flush desing resembling that of a droplet, he swipes the remote and a holographic display appears infront of the sofa. "What do you want to watch Aily?", "something funny! I don't want to watch something scary! I don't want another nightmare like last time." Ail cried as he tucked up and put his head into his knees. "You had another nightmare?" Asked his father dropping the remote onto the sofa and moving his attention to his son. The memories of the nightmare feel fresh in Ails mind, he wishes he hadn't brought it up, maybe that would of stopped the memories from flooding back.

  "Yes, I dreamt that I was in a black space and o couldn't see or feel anything. I was alone but I could hear people breathing around me! It felt like it lasted forever." Ail confesses to his dad, his body shudders and his skin turns ghostly. He begins to whimper, his breathing stutters.

  "Hey, hey, hey, it's okay" his dad says softly as he grabs Ail and pulls him in for a hug. "It's was only a bad dream it wasn't real. Do you want to know a secret tip to stop bad dreams?" He says with a hopeful tone. After sniffling a couple times Ail pop his head up and questions "a... a secret tip?".

  "Yes. When I had bad dreams when I was young like you, I figured that If I tell myself i won't have any bad dream and I believe I wont have any, then it's almost like I put a special shield around me. After that I didn't have any bad dreams for a while."

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  "Really!" Ail shouted, "I'm going to do it right now!" Ail then jumps up, he wipes the tears from his cheek and yells "I WILL NOT HAVE ANY BAD DREAMS!". He closes his eyes and lifts his head, he focuses as hard as he can. His father watching from the sidelines glad his son has a more confidence. After squeezing his eyes for nearly half a minute Ail feels much better, he can't wait to go to bed tonight.

  "You feel better now?" Asked his dad, "much better!" Ail gleefully says with a big cheesy smile. Ail sits back on the sofa next to his dad, "here why don't you pick?" His father says as he hands the remote to Ail. Ail scrolls for a moment before settling for a cartoon, it's one of his favourites.

  The cartoon blares loudly and the screen is bright and flashing, Ail and his father are enthralled by the escapades of the cartoon frog and rabbit. As they are enjoying the cartoon the hologram turns white and static starts to play. Ail confused looks at his father, but is horrified when he sees his fathers eyes are inhumanely wide and his jaw slack mouth agape.

  "DAD!" Shrieks Ail "What's happening dad are you okay!". Ail shakes his dad but it's no use, his dad is stiff and his face still contorted. Just as Ail stands up and starts screaming for help, the hologram flicks back to life along with his dad.

  "DAD! Are you okay?"

  "Of course, what's wrong buddy? You look like you've seen a ghost" his dad says as if nothing happened.

  "I... I just saw you, you're eyes where weird and you're mouth was open!" Cried Ail.

  "What are you talking about Ail? I'm fine I was just watching the cartoon." His dad reassures him.

  "But... but.."

  "Stop!" His dad interrupts.

  "I'm okay, you're just tired and you're mind is playing tricks on you. No more cartoons, get your pajamas on we can sleep in the living room tonight."

  Ail stands up, he doesn't take his eyes of his dad.

  "I'm okay, I swear! Go get ready for bed!" His dad says as he also stands up to get ready.

  Ail quickly runs to his room, he rummages through his closet, he digs out his pajamas and quickly gets changed. He can't stop thinking about his dad the whole time, the look on his face is seared into Ails mind. He closes his eyes and rubs them as if trying to remove some dirt. Has his nightmares followed him? Maybe his dad was right and he is just tired, after all he did work extra hard at school today and he hadn't slept much the night before. He tried to push the sight into the back of his mind, try to ignore it. He makes his way back to the living room to see his dad has set up the inflatable beds and made him some warm milk.

  "Here drink this, it will help you sleep." His dad hands him the milk, the warmth is an immediate comfort.

  "Which bed do you want?" His dad asks, Ail chooses one and sets up his blanket and pillow.

  "What if I have another nightmare" Ail meekly says has he sets up his bed.

  "You won't, remember what i said? And if you do i will be right over here"

  That brought the feeling of safety to Ail, as he lies down he repeats to himself "i won't have any nightmare".

  "Goodnight Aily!"

  "Goodnight dad!"

  "I love you!"

  "I wont have any nightmares... I love you too! I wont have any nightmares"