Imagine the worst possible thing that could ever happen to you. Now, times that by a billion. Does that seem scary to you?
I hope not, because this dream was a billion times worse then that.
I awoke in a cold sweat, letting a gasp out so loud that I frightened myself. It was horrible. The dream, it was horrible.
I looked around the room, but saw nothing because of the darkness. There was no sound at all and it scared me. I couldn�t remember my dream, but I knew somethin� awful had happened, and now I was alone. Left all alone, by myself, in the darkness.
I felt the tears burning the back of my eyes; I didn�t want to be alone. Where was Uncle Billy? Where was Uncle Billy?
The events of that night overwhelmed my mind, reminding me of things only hours before. Oh no, where was Uncle Billy? I remember I was in his bed, so where is he?
I began to panic. I didn�t want to be all by myself, not now. Not ever. I felt the hot liquid drop fall down my cheek and I wiped at it blindly. I had to find my Uncle Billy.
Hopping out of bed, I reached for Bert� but he wasn�t there. I felt more alone then ever at this moment, a lump building in my throat.
I cautiously made my way to the door, where I saw a beam of light coming in from under the door. I also heard faint whispers coming from outside the door.
I slowly turned the doorknob and stepped out into the hall. The bright glow from the light above me hurt my eyes as I quickly shut them tight. After a moment, I slowly opened them again, letting them adjust to the radiance slowly. You get less of a headache this way.
I padded down the hallway, trying to be as quiet as I possibly could. I could see that the lights in my room, the dining room, and the kitchen had been turned off, but thankfully I spotted the dim light of the lamp in the living room, and I still heard the whispers.
As I got closer, I could tell it was Uncle Billy and Merry talkin�. Oh boy, Merry. I wondered if he blamed me for his gash? He probably did. It was my entire fault. I should have never run away.
As I stepped into the living room, I saw Uncle Billy in his favorite chair, and Merry sprawled over the couch. Both of them had red, swollen eyes and the guilt inside my stomach made me feel sick.
At that moment, Uncle Billy looked up at me, his face turning into one of panic. �Alex. Kiddo? Are you all right?� he asked, hopping to his feet.
I ran to him, wrapping my arms about his leg. The darkness had lifted now, and I didn�t feel alone any longer.
Uncle Billy sat back down, and pulled me up into his lap.
I glanced over at Merry, who was watching me with a subdued look upon his face. He didn�t say anything though. I think he�s angry with me.
�What are you doing up Alex? What�s wrong?� Uncle Billy broke me out of my thoughts.
�I woke up. I had a bad dream, but I can�t remember it.� I whimpered, taking my gaze off of Merry. He just kept staring at me.
I looked at Uncle Billy. �An� then I- I didn�t know where I was. It was so dark an� Bert� Bert�s gone. I can�t find him.� I sniveled, the tears returning.
�Sh�� Uncle Billy hushed, �Just remember Alex, I�m here. Dom�s here. There�s no need to feel scared, okay?�
I nodded solemnly, daring a glance at Merry. He remained wearing that same placid look upon his face. I shuddered.
�Who�s up for some cocoa?� Uncle Billy smiled, trying to lighten the mood. Merry just grunted a reply and I nodded once. �Great. I�ll be right back.�
I was set down on the ground as Uncle Billy stood and left to go to the kitchen. I wanted to follow him. Merry didn�t seem too happy right now, he wasn�t talkin� much.
I turned to leave, when I heard Merry shuffle around on the couch. �Hey runt,� he yawned, �Come �ere.�
I turned around slightly, looking at him in the eyes. He was tired, really tired. I guess he noticed my hesitation, because his face became confused.
I gulped. �S-So you aren�t mad at me?� I mumbled, my feet shuffling from awkwardness. Merry looked about as surprised as a tired hobbit could be. Haw-bit.
�What in the world would make you think I was angry with you?� he asked, beckoning me over to him.
I hung my head and walked over to him, hopping up on the couch beside him. ��Cause.� I mumbled.
��Cause why?� he asked. I felt his gaze on me as I shifted nervously in my seat.
This was it. �I-I�m so sorry Merry! I didn�t mean for you to get hurt! It�s all my fault, I shoulda stayed home with Kaylee� if you hadn�t of come, I�d be� gone.� I blurted out, letting my tears flow freely. I hadn�t cried this much before, and I felt really bad about not being brave. �I didn�t mean for you to get hurt!� I said, only now noticing the bandage on his wound. �I�m so sorry Merry. I really am.� I sighed, my voice quivering in guilt.
I didn�t dare look up at Merry. Was he mad? Angry? All I heard was silence for a very, very long time� well, what seemed that long anyway.
�Alex.� Merry finally whispered, using that soothing tone that I had heard earlier after the attack. �Look at me, Alex?�
I forced my gaze upward and was startled at what I saw. The grief and joy and a whole bunch of other stuff that was consuming Merry, shone through his eyes, none of which was anger.
�Alex, you are like the kid sister I�ve all ways wanted. Don�t you ever think different, all right?� he started, running his hand through my hair. �This cut, that fight was not your fault, okay? You have to believe me on this one, okay runt? That man was hurting you, and no one hurts Dominic Monaghan�s little sister without paying for it.� He winked at me and I smiled a bit. �This was not your fault, okay? No more apologizing to me at all. You�re a brave kid Alex and no one harms you without me getting� them, all right?�
I nodded. �Thanks Merry. I�m just glad you aren�t mad at me.�
Merry nodded. �Never runt. Never.�
I grinned; glad that that was over, but I stilled had one question left. �Merry?�
�Uh-huh?�
�Who�s Donimic Monahim?�
Merry laughed at this point. I sighed deeply realizing I had just said one of those things that I get laughed at for, but don�t understand why.
At that moment Uncle Billy showed up with the cocoa. I grinned at the sight of the bag of marshmallows that he was carryin�. I loved marshmallows.
�Dom, after this I think we should all be hitting the sack. It�s two-o-clock am and we have to get up at five.
Merry groaned.
I didn�t see the problem. Five-o-clock was still a long time away, a whole bunch of time away.
Uncle Bobo and Merry didn�t seem to think so though, �cause they drank their cocoa in no time and before I had even finished half of my own cocoa, Uncle Billy scooted me off to bed.
�But � but wait!� I protested, �The marshmallows!�
�To bed with you kiddo.� Uncle Bobo yawned.
Then it hit me. Bert. Where was Bert?
I began to panic again, rememberin� that the last time I saw him was at the pub. Oh no.
�Hey runt!� Merry called after me. I turned, just as I saw something come flying towards my head.
�Ah!� I cried as the thing hit me in the head. I glanced down at the flying object and my eyes widened. �Bert!� I cheered, reaching down and hauling him up off the floor.
�To bed!� Uncle Bobo repeated, picking me up. As we walked away, I saw Merry wink at me. Good ol� Merry.
Merry spent the night on the couch and Uncle Billy curled up beside me.
I slept like a baby for the rest of the night, my brave Uncle Billy sleeping beside me, still protecting me. I didn�t have any more nightmares for a long time after that.