Getting into my fluffy winter pajamas and wrapping my dressing gown around my waist, I take one last look outside to see if the snow has started. There are no snowflakes falling yet, but you can tell it’s close. The ground is frosted, and the trees are bare, with icicles hanging from them from the cold. With my hands on the curtains ready to pull them shut again, movement from behind one of the trees catches my eye.

“Daddy,” I whisper.

He looks sad and slowly lifts his hand to wave, and then he turns and starts walking away.

No, what is he doing? Something is wrong, I can tell. It’s not normal, why didn’t he come inside?

“Daddy!” I yell as I run to where I last thought I saw him, and the snow starts falling and the wind is whipping up.

I scream his name over and over again, but he’s not answering.

I don’t feel like I can run anymore. It’s like something just wrapped around my body, but I don’t know what it is. I can’t move, it’s keeping me still in one spot, but surprisingly, it feels good. Like I feel safe wrapped in a cocoon.

The snowstorm is getting stronger, and I’m struggling to see anything, and just as I start to feel that hug that is so calming and takes all the pain away, a face appears before me, making me scream like I’ve never screamed before.

“No, Chester. No, you took my dad, but you can’t have me too. No, stop, don’t touch me.”

His laughter is echoing in my head, but I can hear another voice.

It’s Forrest, he’ll protect me. He promised.

“Harper.”

He’s calling me from the distance.

“Please, save me, I don’t want to die. Forrest, please…”

“Harper, wake up! It’s Forrest, please, you need to wake up.”

My eyes snapping open, I see him. It’s the moment I feel like I can breathe again.

“I’m safe,” I frantically utter.

“I’ve got you. It’s okay, you’re safe.” His voice isn’t as loud as before but still sounds stressed.

I bury my head into his neck, and his strong hands rub up and down my back. It’s soothing, and I inhale his aroma. The one that makes me feel warm and precious, but at the same time, makes my heart race in a funny way.

I listen to the sound of his heavy breathing and the beating of his heart I can feel under my hand that is planted on his bare chest. The light whisper of him repeating over and over that I’m safe and he will protect me, it’s comforting. My senses are starting to settle, and I’m surprised I’m letting him hug me…