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

Just then, my door creaked open, and I heard the sound of her slippers sliding against the hardwood floor. I covered my mouth with my hands to hide my snicker when I saw her feet in front of the bed.

"Ellie? Oh my, where could that girl be?" Her laughter filled my pink room with joy, giving me another reason to bite down my chuckles. I squeezed my Mr. Sheep toy and held my breath when she stopped in front of the bed. Does she know I'm here? 

Mama slowly bent down until her long brown curls were brushing against my purple rug. She peeked underneath 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. "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."

"Okay, Mama." Mama's right! I have to protect them from the monsters. I'm not tired yet, but that's okay. They need me.

I pushed myself 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. When her fingers patted my sides, I squiggled in her grip and laughed. "That tickles, Mama!"

"Oh, does it?" she questioned, looking at me with her wide, blueish green eyes. "How about this?" Mama moved her hands to my underarms and did a rasberry. 

I didn't stop giggling and squirming until I noticed my stuffed animal fall from my grip. "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 said, putting me down, "What happened to him?"

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

Mama sighed, resting her head in her hand. "You shouldn't do that, Elizabeth. These are your friends; why would you hurt them?"

What did it matter? I shrugged my shoulders with a pout. "They're just toys. You can always get me a new one. Besides, I was going to sew him back together tomorrow."

She picked up Mr. Sheep and handed him to me after brushing the dust off his tailcoat suit and fur. "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 cozy pink quilts. "Tired yet?"

Even when I stubbornly tried to keep my eyes open, I couldn't resist getting sleepy so late at night. I let out a yawn and turned on my side. "I guess so."

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