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He closed the door softly behind him, and I spent the night wondering when I would know when it was time.
Which happened to be why I was awake three hours later when I heard the soft thump-thump that had my heart racing.
Grabbing my phone for light, I tiptoed out of the room and down the hall where I could hear the thumping.
When I shined my light into the open space of the living room and beyond that into the kitchen, I blinked at what I saw.
Atlas, in only underwear, was opening and closing the fridge.
Open. Thump. Close. Thump.
Over and over and over again.
Was this what he did when he sleepwalked?
I walked over to him and hurriedly flipped through the knowledge that I had of sleepwalkers which was a whole, whopping zero.
I think I’d seen in a movie once that you weren’t supposed to wake them up?
It was freaky seeing him in front of me, but not aware of his surroundings.
I gently caught his arm and steered him away from the fridge.
He went surprisingly easily, following behind me like a lost puppy just wanting to go home.
I led him into his room, straight to his bed, and gently pushed him over so that he’d get into the bed.
He did, falling face first into it. He dropped like a log and didn’t move.
I backed slowly away, though every single one of my instincts yelled at me to crawl into that bed beside him.
“Ugh,” I grumbled as I backed out of the room and gently closed the door. “Just, ugh.”
I’d just taken a step in the direction of my room, my phone still firmly in hand, when another thump-thump came from the living room.
I hastily shined my light into the corner of the living room and started shaking my head at what I saw.
There was little Forest, walking face first, into a wall.
What were the odds?
I guess with Atlas Carter and Forest Carter? The odds were high.
With Forest, I was able to pick him up and walk with him back to his room.
I didn’t fight the urge to stay in bed with him, however.
I curled up under the soft dinosaur blanket and held him for the rest of the night.
Being lied to really triggers the Michael Myers in me.
—Pepper’s secret thoughts
PEPPER
I peeled my eyes open and found a cute little face hovering over mine.
“Good morning,” I said to the little boy.
