"Good night son," I said softly, kissing my young boy on the head and rustling his hair. Today was a busy day, as it was the weekend. Now I know what you're thinking, Busy? On the weekend? Yeah, well let's just say my son can be a handful.
"Night Dad, love you," came the tired reply, followed by a yawn. We had spent all day playing with his toys, watching his cartoons, then we went to the play-park with his friend. Spending my weekends like this is tiring, but I love my son and I want him to enjoy childhood, so it's an easy sacrifice on my part.
I closed the door softly behind me as I exited the room, making my way across the hall to my own bedroom. I live alone in this two bedroom flat with my son; the wife left me with him a year after he was born. Raising a child as a single parent can be hard, but it's rewarding nonetheless.
I entered my bedroom and flopped onto the bed, "Aah, finally some time to rest and read a good book!" I said jubilantly, picking up my book from the bedside table. I began from where I left off, and got lost in the story.
"Dad!" I heard a shout come from my son's room; I sat up with a jolt. I must have fallen asleep while reading. I quickly set the book down on the bed and checked the clock—3:48 am. He must have had a nightmare. I quickly made my way across the hall to my son's room.
"What is it, are you alright?" I asked tiredly from the door. I saw my son wrapped in his duvet with a terrified look.
"There's someone under my bed..." he whispered fearfully, looking as if he was about to cry. Not convinced, I shook my head with a smile. Around his room everything was in the correct place, nothing moved. His window was closed, and if someone came into the apartment, the alarm would have gone off.
"Alright, I'll check for the scary monsters," I stated playfully, but my son did not budge. I crouched down and pulled up the edge of the duvet, which spilled over the edge of the bed. When I looked under the bed I saw my son curled up in a ball shivering.
"Dad... there's someone on my bed," he cried softly, tears running down his cheeks. My face fell, my heart pounded. I didn't want to look back up there... the bed above shifted. I held my breath, I was frozen in place, too terrified to move. I heard the sound of a bare foot touch the wooden floor beside me.
"What's wrong... Daddy?"