He wakes from the nightmare, the sun streaming through his bedroom window. He throws off his blanket, and stumbles, sleepily, to the bathroom.

As he washes his hands, he realizes how quiet the house is.”Mommy?” he says. “Are you in the kitchen?”

He walks into the kitchen, but it’s empty. Maybe she’s in the garden. Still in his pj’s, he slips on his runners and his jacket, and steps out into the back yard.

“Mommy?” he calls again. “Where are you?” He sees her garden tools are out, but there’s no sign of her. He’s scared now.

He runs to the front of the house. Mommy’s car is still there. Daddy’s car, too. Daddy should be at work. His heart races.

He looks down the street. There’s no one. No one at all. He starts to cry. He’s alone. There’s no one left but him!

He wakes from the nightmare, the sun streaming through his bedroom window. He throws off his blanket, and stumbles, sleepily, to the bathroom.

As he washes his hands, he realizes how quiet the house is.”Mommy?” he says. “Are you in the kitchen?”