Friday, August 24, 2012

Bedbugs

Bill squinted against the glare of the magelight that lit his path towards Billy's bedroom. His son's scream caught and died away when Bill pushed the door open.

Billy's face, red and puffy, indicated he'd cried for a while before becoming worked up enough to scream. Bill was the king's mage and his son should understand illusions. Not get worked up over things that went bump in the night. He tried to hide the annoyance he felt. It wouldn't calm the boy if he let it show.

"What's wrong?"

Billy leaned over the side of the bed and pointed underneath. "Something's down there."

Bill sat on the edge of his son's bed and stroked his fingers through the child's hair. Waiting for the child to calm. He was going to be too awake after this to fall back to sleep. He'd already begun to think about the pyrotechnics the king had asked for tomorrow's battle.

Once Billy's shaking stopped, Bill took his hand. "Look, there isn't anything under the bed."

"No, I'm not getting off the bed."

"I'll be here. I'll be with you." Bill tugged at the boy's arm, but the boy dug his feet into the boards holding the side of the bed. He was getting too heavy to lift.

"It's hiding."

"Look." Bill took a deep breath, stopping himself from what he was going to say. "I'm sorry." He pointed under the bed. "It's not what is down here that matters. But what is in your mind."

"What?"

Bill sighed. It was too early to teach the boy his heritage. Instead, he dipped his fingers into his bag of specially prepared powder and breathed on it, creating illusory bugs that scattered over the bed. Large bulbous things lit like jack-o'-lanterns with circles and triangles and other shapes swirling on their sides.

Billy's eyes grew wide and he crept towards one of the bugs. "What is it?"

"A bedbug. They eat monsters." He smiled at his son and ruffled the boy's hair. "Now go to sleep."

39 comments:

  1. Oh I loved that! The dialogue was just perfect, I could hear the boy and his father talking. The bedbugs were a really nice touch. Well done!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks. The snippet of dialogue about what's being in your head that matters was the spark that started this one.

      Delete
  2. Yeah! Wish it was that easy when mine were little :)

    ......dhole

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. A good friend of mine convinced her daughter that the cats ate closet monsters. I was surprised how well that worked. Now if it was only that easy to convince her to finish dinner ;)

      Delete
  3. The moment I read the word 'magelight' my happy fantasy circuits lit up.

    This was a lovely snapshot of a father/son relationship. I also love the idea of a mage called Bill.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The fantasy isn't foremost, but I'm glad it got the juices sparking. Names are important to me, so I'm glad this one had a nice effect.

      Delete
  4. Monster-devouring bed bugs, a great idea, I think all small children should have these to chase away the bogey men. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. If the war goes poorly, I'll be sure to encourage Bill's entrepreneurial side.

      Delete
  5. What a handy little creature. Could it be that lousy mortal beds are breeding grounds for monster-defense?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I've heard there's a dearth of monster's in New York and that the disappearance of monster's is spreading. Coincidence?

      Delete
  6. That was a sweet tale Aidan. I liked the dialogue between the two, and also the idea of bedbugs that eat monsters. It's really cool.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks. Modern science still has lots to discover ;)

      Delete
  7. Heh, monster-eating bedbugs! Better not let my nephew read this one, or my sister is bound to find all manner of critters in the sheets. Nice job!

    ReplyDelete
  8. I liked how Bill kept his annoyance in check and cooled his son's fears. And the thought of monster eating bedbugs was really cool. I can just imagine them swarming a monster and devouring it within seconds. I wonder if it's how monster parents get their young ones to behave. Do your homework or the bedbugs will get you...

    ReplyDelete
  9. I loved the monster-eating bedbugs too!

    ReplyDelete
  10. I loved the everyday sort of event put into a fantasy setting. Still, just because it is a fantasy setting, I'd rather Bill Sr. had actually checked under the bed!

    ReplyDelete
  11. I want a bedbug! Wonderful fairy tale feel to this one.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Hi there Aidan -- welcome back :) It would've been a bit trite if there was really a bug under there -- much more interesting that it's Billy's gift that's causing the nightmares. St.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Hi there Aidan -- welcome back :) It would've been a bit trite if there was really a bug under there -- much more interesting that it's Billy's gift that's causing the nightmares. St.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Quick Pest Control provide tailor-made pest control services dependent on your circumstances and budget. Bedbug control in Newham

    ReplyDelete
  15. Art lovers will also find much to enjoy in this city full of cultural splendour. budapest long term rental

    ReplyDelete
  16. Your information is a beneficial.That’s great to read this blog, you are a good and having the wonderful skills. Really appreciable, thanks for sharing this wonderful blog. Pest Extermination Edmonton

    ReplyDelete
  17. Wow, What an Excellent post. I really found this to be very informative. I would like to suggest that you keep sharing this type of info. Edmonton Extermination Service

    ReplyDelete
  18. You have shared such a great post. I got some valuable information from this post. Thanks for sharing such a post. Keep Post. animal control service san antonio

    ReplyDelete
  19. I generally check this kind of article and I found your article which is related to my interest. Genuinely, it is good and instructive information about pest control. Thanks for sharing an amazing article here. critter control Florida

    ReplyDelete
  20. I liked your work and the way in which you have shared this article here about bed bugs. It is a beneficial and helpful article for us. Thanks for sharing an article like this.
    bed bug control service singapore

    ReplyDelete
  21. Our the purpose is to share the reviews about the latest Jackets,Coats and Vests also share the related Movies,Gaming, Casual,Faux Leather and Leather materials available Ninja Jacket

    ReplyDelete
  22. Great Post. I am thankful to you for sharing this post. This is very useful for me and as well as for others. Your article is very well written and unique. please keep sharing such posts. Pest Control in Adelaide

    ReplyDelete
  23. You've shared some excellent material. I'm grateful for this post because it contains a lot of useful information. Thank you for sharing this piece of writing. Pest Control Franchise Cost

    ReplyDelete
  24. Excellent article. Very interesting to read. I really love to read such a nice article. Thanks! keep rocking. Carpenter Ants Edmonton

    ReplyDelete
  25. it so bad the monster-eating bedbugs too! thanks for sharing these information with all of us. Kinemaster Lite

    ReplyDelete
  26. The information in the post you posted here is useful because it contains some of the best information available. Bed bug control singapore. Thanks for sharing it. Keep up the good work.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Thanks for posting this info. I just want to let you know that I just check out your site Black Label Society Vest

    ReplyDelete
  28. Hey what a brilliant post I have come across and believe me I have been searching out for this similar kind of post for past a week and hardly came across this. Thank you very much and will look for more postings from you Best termite control Allen Tx service provider.

    ReplyDelete
  29. You have done great work by publishing this article here. It is useful and convenient info for us. Keep upgrading our knowledge by share these types of articles.Pests Extermination Edmonton

    ReplyDelete
  30. You have shared wonderful tips about bed bugs removal These are very helpful for those who are looking for it. Thanks for sharing such an informative post.

    ReplyDelete
  31. You have a way of sharing your knowledge, insight and experience in taking the time to write an amazing article. Black Label Society vest

    ReplyDelete