Page 24 of Little Girls Sleeping

“What?”

“It’s what everyone has wanted to ask me tonight—my uncle must’ve put out a memo not to mention it. Am I going back to Sacramento PD?”

“Well, now that you mention it…”

“I don’t know,” she said. It was the truth: she wasn’t sure if she wanted to go back.

“You know what I think?” Chad’s smile had a way of melting even the toughest person.

Katie sighed. “What’s that?”

“I think you’ll know when it’s time.”

She laughed.

“What?”

“Chad Ferguson, I’ve missed you.”

He raised his beer in agreement. “Welcome home, Katie Scott.”

Aunt Claire came out then. “Look at you two, out in the chilly air. The party is inside. Come in and rejoin the others.”

“Now who can argue with that?” said Chad.

Katie laughed again and they followed Claire back into the house.

Katie tossed and turned in her bed, accompanied by moans and heavy breathing in a stressful symphony of sleep.

Cisco’s head popped up from his cozy dog bed and he stared in Katie’s direction, sensing stress that was above the norm. He watched her for a while until he was satisfied that everything was okay, then slowly lowered his head and remained in his restful position until his eyes closed again.

It was rare that Katie didn’t have at least one stressful dream every night. They were dreams her subconscious mind had created from previous defining moments, experiences to annoy, taunt, and frighten her, never allowing for a full restful sleep.

Tonight was no different.

In her dream, she ran to catch up to whatever she was chasing.

But there was nothing there.

Someone was chasing her.

But no one ever appeared.

Breathless.

Helpless.

Vulnerable.

Most of her dreams had the same theme and had begun to mesh together. The vivid images were fading, but the intent was still alive and graphic.

She stopped and turned to see a little girl with her back to her. She asked repeatedly if she was okay, and if there was anything she could do.

The little girl slowly turned, revealing familiar sad eyes and a mouth full of braces.

“Help me… Please help me… Help her… Katie, please help her…” she said, slowly and deliberately.

Katie woke with a shocking jolt and sat up. Immediately Cisco was next to her on the bed, sniffing and licking her.