Authors: Christine Sutton

Burkheart Witch Saga Book 3 (13 page)

A
urora woke from a deep
, sugar-induced sleep. Her room was dark except for the little kitten-shaped night light that illuminated one small corner. Her mom had given it to her when she was four, when she started having bad dreams. She told her mom that she was five now, and big girls did not need night lights. She was glad now that her mom had not taken it out yet.

"Daddy?" Her small voice echoed in the darkness.

"Aurora, over here," a husky voice said. "Right next to you."

"Whoâ¦ who's there?"

She wanted to jump out of her bed and run down the hall and into her mom and dad's bed. But she knew that only babies slept with their mom and dad, and she was a big girl now, so she would stay in her room. Aurora pulled the covers up around her face, hoping no one answered her.

"It's me, Aurora. Frederick the Bear."

"Frederick?" she asked, still fearful but a little less so.

"Yes, don't be scared. I'm not going to hurt you. I just need your help."

"You need my help?"

"Yes I do. I am trapped here and I need to get home to my mommy and daddy. I miss them. Can you help me?"

"What can I do? I'm just a little girl. Maybe my mommy and daddy can help you. They are really good at helping people. I bet they are even good at helping bears."

"No, they won't believe. It has to be you."

"They will believe. My mommy is the queen of the forest. She has lots of powers and I know she'll help you."

"No, it has to be just you. No adults allowed."

"Oh."

Aurora was no longer afraid. She knew that since Joy and Doc had given Frederick to her as a present, he could not be bad. She decided she would do whatever she could to help him. He was her friend and since she was the princess, she should help her friends when they needed her.

"Did you get the necklace in the sparkly blue box?" Frederick asked her.

"My new pretty necklace? Did you give that to me for my birthday?"

"No, but I know who did."

"Who?"

"I'll tell you later. Will you help me get home to my parents?"

"Yes, I'll help you. You should be with your mommy and daddy."

"Thank you so much, Aurora," the stuffed bear said as she reached out and hugged him tight.

"It's okay, Frederick, don't be scared. We can get you back to your mom and dad soon, and then you won't be sad anymore." She yawned and settled back under the covers with Frederick in her arms.

"Let's get some sleep," Frederick said. "We can get started tomorrow."