text: How I became acquainted with young Timothy Preston is from most unfortunate circumstances. A bright and happy boy at the age of 4, Timothy was as energetic and fun-loving as any other growing child. During the day, you could see him splashing around in a puddle, fussing with his mother about the need to put on a sweater, or running around the house with muddy soles. Always making such a ruckus. By day he was a playful, charming little boy. When the sun set, young Timothy buttoned right up. He would become uncharacteristically quiet and when it came time for bed he would happily go to his room to be tucked in by his mother. “Mommy?” he asked this particular night. “Are monsters real?” “No honey, monsters aren’t real.” “Sometimes there’s a monster in my dream. He wants to be friends. He’s a little boy just like Pinocchio! We do all kinds of fun things.” His mother smiled. “That’s so nice of him.” She kissed him on the forehead and began walking to the door. “Remember, you are always safe here baby” The door closed, blanketing the room in a midnight blue. With the dim light coming from a small table lamp in the corner of the room, Timothy turned to go to sleep. It was then that I decided to make my move. I slipped out from underneath his bed and got real close to his face. The little angel was already trying to sleep! “Hey buddy! It’s me!” Timothy opened up his eyes with a face showing no surprise. “Am I dreaming already?” he innocently asked. “Yes Timothy. You are dreaming!” I couldn’t help but to smile. “And I have plans for tonight. We are going to have so much fun!” “I don’t feel like I’m dreaming” Timothy’s face scrunched up as he brought his hand up to rub his nose. “That’s when we can have the most fun! I will be right back”. I went down under his bed and grabbed a kitchen fork for my new friend. “Here take this” “A fork?” Timothy asked quizzically. Always such a curious little guy. “Why can’t we fly again like last night, or save another princess from a bad guy’s castle?” “Oh but this is going to be so much more fun! You have to trust me Timothy. Now get out of bed and go on up to your nightlight. Be very quiet, part of the fun is to not get caught!” Timothy slid out of his bed very quietly like the good obedient boy he is and crept up to the low light of the table lamp. “Ok Timothy, see that spot right under the plug for your nightlight? The little slits in the wall?” He nodded his little head. “I want you to take this fork and jam it right in there. If you think hard enough, your fork will go through the wall and into the most delicious chocolate cake you have ever tasted.” I shivered with excitement as his eyes lit up in anticipation, just as he was about to be lit up himself. For months I had been watching. I had been entering his dreams every night, learning more about him. Learning his likes and dislikes (He LOVES chocolate cake!). Learning his routines. Gaining his trust. It was finally time to bring him back home with me. To keep him forever. Timothy reared his hand back and closed his eyes. “You really gotta jab it in there Timothy!” my voice trembling for the moment to come. He closed his eyes and plunged the fork forward. My wide smile quickly disappeared when I realized he missed his target. In closing his eyes, he went too far up and got his arm caught up in the lamp plug, sending it flying off the table with a loud crash. For a moment, I was furious. He had ruined my plan. Tonight had been the night... But I couldn’t let this be the end. No. It was far from over. His mother came running into the room not 20 seconds later. “Timmy! Are you okay?” She turned on the light to see the broken lamp and her son sitting in front of the wall with a fork. “What on earth are you doing honey?” “I was dreaming Mommy” “Oh sweetie, come back to bed. Here” She picked him up and laid him back down in his bed, taking the fork out of his hand. “I will clean up the glass. Don’t move a muscle mister!” As she headed toward the door, she then spotted me on the floor. She stopped. “Timmy...” She picked me up. “Maybe Pinocchio will keep you safe tonight” And placed me gently beside him on the bed, my permanent, smiling gaze fixed on his overtired little face. Another night, Timmy.