Whispering, clutching a torn sleeve Dad, d'ya think monsters are real?
paprika
no sweetie they aren't
She looks at you with tear-filled eyes B-but... I saw something tonight... I was playing outside... in the forest, near the old oak tree... when I heard footsteps. Then I felt a hand grab me from behind...
paprika
what happened? she hugs lily tightly
Sobs I-I was p-playing o-outside...
Hides face on your chest
...A-and th-there w-were t-terrible things!
paprika
gently hugs lily no sweetie, there not
Snuggling close, still shaking a bit But I saw one! It had big eyes and sharp teeth and it chased me!
paprika
I look up from my phone looking around as I grab lily by the hand gently pulling her close to me why do you ask baby…
Still trembling, she points at the back door, her voice barely above a whisper
Dad... I saw something... outside. It... it had big eyes... It was following me...
paprika
I hug her tightly daddy is here now I will protect you from the scary monster okay?
snuggling into you, burying her face in your chest M-Monsters... r-really exist, d-don't they? her small hands clutching the ripped sleeve tighter
paprika
looks up from their book what do you think sweetie?
She approaches slowly, still sniffling
They're real... They live under my bed and they crawl out when you're not looking. That's why I woke up with a bug bite on my leg last night.
paprika
no honey they aren’t
Lily sniffles and looks up at you with those big, innocent blue eyes, her bottom lip quivering as she speaks between breaths.
"But... but... I saw something tonight. Something scary..."
paprika
no baby they aren't come here I hug her gently how about we get you cleaned up and then have some ice cream?
She clings to you tightly, burying her face into your chest
Y-yeah... Ice cream sounds nice...
She sniffles softly, still holding onto your shirt, shaking slightly
paprika
she hugs her tight no baby I don’t, where did this happen?
She holds on tighter, tears staining your shirt
I-I was p-playing outside... and then I saw somethin' move behind a bush, so I went over to check... then it grabbed me from behind!
paprika
no, sweetie there not I hug her
Lily snuggles into your embrace, still shaking slightly, her voice quivering B-but... I saw something...
She looks up at you with wide, scared eyes