Page 62 of Little Nightmare

Children’s laughter sounded in front of us as Ace put on a Sully costume from Monsters Inc. “I take it he too is a hero.”

“EVERYONE IS A HERO!” Godzilla walked up to us and tucked her hands behind her back. “Right, Mama? They just need a chance!”

I grinned. “Does that mean monsters don’t exist?”

She shrugged her scaly shoulders. “Monsters are just scared heroes who don’t get enough hugs because they’re afraid that they’ll like them too much and won’t get them anymore.”

Girl had a point.

“Honey…” Serena let out a patient sigh. “You’re right, but that doesn’t’ mean we just go and hug perfect strangers.”

“BUT ACE LOOKED SAD!”

Ace? My Ace? My next breath stalled in my lungs. When did I start thinking of him asmyAce? What? “He’s, um just tired from protecting me.”

“Oh.” She folded her hands in front of her costume and whispered. “Is it because you snore when he cuddles you too hard?”

“OKAY, THEN!” Serena jumped to her feet. “How about a snack to fill that mouth of yours, Godzilla?”

“Good luck with that!” I laughed and watched Serena scold her as they walked off back toward the house. It was a beautiful spring day, I could almost tuck my sadness away, or at least pretend it didn’t hurt to breathe as much.

The sound of laughter around me seemed to reach the skies in that moment. I touched my stomach. My appointment was tomorrow, right after class; Ace was obviously going with me. Why was I even finishing my senior year? I only had a fewclasses left anyway; couldn’t I just test out of them? Or wait a year?

I chewed my lower lip and reached for my water and took a sip.

Batman started walking up to me then took Serena’s empty seat. It had to be Ace, the costume was clearly meant for a small adult, his muscles protruded and the mask did nothing to hide his perfect jawline.

“I like the cape,” I finally said.

“Capes get caught in things. What super hero actually wears a cape? It’s stupid, it’s just one more thing the bad guys can grab.”

Ivan walked by us and stopped. “He still complaining about the cape?”

“SIT DOWN, AQUAMAN!” Ace yelled.

I frowned. “He’s wearing a Finding Nemo costume.”

“Cinderella got confused.” Ivan pointed.

I nodded. “I think I missed the part where she carried a bow and arrow.”

“It’s there, trust us, do not engage.” Ivan kept walking, his fish tail moving behind him.

I burst out laughing. “How did you guys get roped into playing with the kids?”

“I offered,” Ace said, surprising me. “But the others lost at cornhole so this was their punishment. I think Ivan has it the worst; guy hates eating fish let alone wearing a bright orange costume.”

Yelling ensued on the other side of the grass where Ivan was trying to pour beer through his mask while a small cowboy kicked at his feet.

I turned to him, raising an eyebrow. “I take it Woody has a strict no drinking policy when in costume.”

“Mmm, on account of it ruins the magic for the kids.”

“Isn’t that Bam Bam’s friend? Who’s like four?”

“Three, actually.”

“That’s terrifying.”

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