Shadow puppets

Night-night.

Note: Sum short while I puzzle out the next one. Apologies for the lack of cover art— the one I had disappeared on me!

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“A bunny!” Allie cried, watching the long ears twitch against the wall.

It fell apart as the fingers separated. Then they rejoined, knuckles and fingers dancing and kneading until the shape came to rest in the light thrown by the bedside lamp. Looking at the small, pointed ears and the long snout, Allie clapped her hands while she called:

“A dog.”

But then the shadow tilted. The dog threw back its head and opened its mouth. Allie frowned at it for several seconds before brightening and yelling out: “It’s a wolf!”

The wolf’s head bobbed up and down in agreement before it disintegrated. 

The hands pooled together for another challenge when Mom came in. “Okay, it’s time for bed.”

“Five more minutes.”

“That’s what you said five minutes ago.”

Allie crossed her arms. “No fair.”

“You keep it up and tomorrow I’ll take away the lamp and there will be no more games.”

“No! I’m sorry.” She flopped down on the pillow. “I’m in bed, see? I’m in bed.”

Mom’s face thawed under her daughter’s smile. “Fine. Now, go to sleep.” She smoothed down Allie’s hair, pressed a kiss on her cheek. “Sweet dreams,” she said, reaching for the lamp.

“What about AJ? Doesn’t she get a kiss?”

Mom’s hand withdrew. “Of course.” She bent over, made a kissing sound.

Allie giggled. “That’s not AJ. She’s over there, in the corner.”

“Well, it’s time for AJ to go to bed, too.” She reached for the light again and the room went dark. 

In the doorway, Mom turned. “Night-night,” she said in a soft voice.

“Goodnight, Mommy.”

The door eased shut. Allie listened as her mother went down the stairs, saw the wedge of light spilling in from the hall wink out, which meant Mommy was downstairs.

She reached out, flicked on the lamp, and sat up again. 

“Show me,” she said, eyes wide and eager. “Show me the good ones.”

By the soft glow of the pink bedside lamp, long, thin shadows began to unfurl. Fingers like the bare branches of a tree. Or spiders’ legs. They crawled first up one wall but soon the writhing, twisting shape rolled across the other ones, until it held her tight.

“Oh,” Allie said, rapt, although she knew she was never gonna guess what it was.