Story in Moments: "Can't Sleep..."

She murmured, “Mama, I can’t sleep. Can I sleep beside you?”

Half-awake, she mumbled, “Yes, darling…” then froze.
Because something small was already curled beside her.

Two voices. One child.
And suddenly, the one in bed… giggled.

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Next night...
“Mama, I can’t sleep. Can I sleep beside you?”

“Yes, darling…” she whispered.
But her eyes darted open, her daughter’s silhouette was still standing in the doorway.
She turned back; the bed was empty. Smooth blanket.
Except… the pillow was warm.

From the hallway, two voices whispered in unison:
“Mama, can we sleep beside you?”

_sr

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Yet another night.
“Mama, I can’t sleep. Can I sleep beside you?”

“Yes, darling…” she said nervously.
She lifted the blanket,
A pile of cookies and a stuffed rabbit stared back at her.

And from the door came the whisper:
“Mama… if I’m here, who ate them?”

Every time she woke up; heart racing, drenched in sweat,
And every time she remembered…

She had no daughter.
No child.

Funny? Isn't it?!

And the realisation that there was:

Just one empty bed.

And the suspicion that maybe…

the dreams weren’t hers alone.

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_{Hello Dreamers, this is not only the contest prompt but also my participation piece. Looking forward to your versions too!}