The next night, Michael was lying in bed, reading one of Zara's new stories, each one getting better by the day.
As he sat quietly reading, he heard a loud repetitive thumping in the room down the hall. When thud on the wall got louder, he instantly knew it was Zara. Michael jumped up from the bed and ran to her room in a desperate to help. She was in her bed asleep, kicking and flailing about.
"X!" Her small, graveled voice tried to scream as he ran to her.
"Shh, Zara. Wake up, sweetheart. It's just a dream, baby girl. I got you."
He pulled her into his arms, trying to avoid hitting her wrapped head while protecting her from hitting herself, his heart hurting for the poor woman.
Waking up panicked and sweating, Zara grabbed him crying from the horrible dream she had. She wept as she buried her head in his chest, gripping his t-shirt in her hands like a lifeline.