"Elizabeth? Elizabeth! Where are you?" Mama sang from downstairs. I giggled, backing deeper beneath the bed. She won't find me here!

Just then, my door creaked open, and I heard her slippers sliding on the hardwood floor. When she walked in front of me, I covered my mouth to keep from giggling.

"Ellie? Oh my, where could that girl be?" Her question filled my room with joy, giving me another reason to bite down my chuckles. I squeezed my Mr. Sheep toy, holding my breath as she stood motionless. Does she know I'm here?

Mama slowly bent down until her curly locks were brushing against my rug. She peeked under the bed and smiled when she spotted me. "Found you, princess. C'mon, it's time for bed."

Her arms stretched towards me, making me back further and shake my head. "But I don't wanna!"

She smiled. "Hm, I see. Then, I guess you don't want to say goodnight to your friends either? I bet they'll be real lonely sleeping in the dark without you."

"Oh, no!" Mama's right! I have to protect them from the monsters. I'm not tired yet, but that's okay. They need me.

I crawled forward enough so that Mama could help me out. She grabbed my sides and gently slid me from under the bed. "Alright, upsie-daisy."

She lifted me up above her with a grin on her pale face. Her fingers patted my sides, so I squirmed in her grip and laughed. "That tickles, Mama!"

"Oh, does it?" she questioned, "How about this?" Mama moved her hands to my underarms and did a raspberry.

I wriggled so much that Mr. Sheep slipped from my fingers and crashed on the floor. "Mr. Sheep!"

After he landed on his back he let out a cry. The cut on his stomach spread open, spilling out his fluffy insides. "Oh dear," Mama muttered, putting me down, "What happened to him?"

I looked at the wounded doll with a smile. "...I wanted to see his insides so I cut him up."

Mama sighed, resting the side of her head in her hand. "You shouldn't do that, Elizabeth. They're your friends; why would you hurt them?"

What did it matter? I shrugged my shoulders with a pout. "You can get me new ones. Besides, I was going to sew him back together tomorrow."

She picked up Mr. Sheep and brushed him off, then handed him to me. "I would've fixed him for you if you'd shown me this earlier, dear. Now, you aren't in trouble. But just make sure you be careful with them from now on."

"I will."

She lifted her chin up and put her hands on her hips. "Promise?"

"Yes, Mama," I swore, even though I didn't want to.

At that, her frown was replaced by a smile. She ruffled my hair and said, "Good girl," before laying me down under the quilts. "Tired yet?"

Even when I stubbornly tried to keep my eyes open, I couldn't resist getting sleepy so late at night. I yawned and rolled onto my side. "I guess so."

Her soothing touch on my forehead calmed me. "Sweet dreams, princess," she whispered, planting a kiss on my cheek. I snuggled against my bed and closed my eyes when the lights went out.