The Land of Dreams

1

Laughter could be heard outside the orphanage. Kids playing and having fun. Nathaniel preferred to be indoors, helping the adults do chores. The adults were greatly pleased with what he was doing. After that, he was asked to do an errand: to bring mail to Mrs. Kimley, the owner of the orphanage.

As Nathaniel went outside of Mrs. Kimley's office after bringing the mail, 3 boys cornered him. No no NO!! The tallest boy who seems to be the leader decides to lock him up in a closet just because he doesn't like him. So roughly they dragged Nathaniel by his arms and pulled him all the way to the closet. Nathaniel struggled to get out of their grip but their strength altogether was so strong. "STOP! PLEASE!!" He hoped that someone (or hopefully Calliope) would hear him and come to his rescue. And they threw him inside the closet and locked it. "Guys, this isn't fun!!" he shrieked. "It is fun for US!" They giggled and their running footsteps faded away, leaving Nathaniel inside the closet.

He sighed, partly out of frustration. Just great, he thought. Just as my day began to be good, those no-good bullies came and ruined the day for me. Why can't they just leave me alone? Or at least, lock me up some other time. He knocked and screamed "Hello!!??" many times but it seemed that nobody heard him. He was just about to doze off when the closet door flew open with an unwelcoming light, though he was grateful that someone found him. What's even more good is that Calliope found him "Oh my stars! What were you doing?""

Calliope listened to Nathaniel's story. By the time he finished, Calliope was frowning "Give me their first and last names and I'll make sure they'll be dealt with accordingly." At first Nathaniel hesitated, but Calliope reassured him "Once they get their punishment from Mrs. Kimley, they won't even bother to look at you or anyone. Mrs. Kimley never lets kids bully twice." Nathaniel smiled "Thanks." "Anytime friend." Calliope squeezed him in a hug. "But I'm going to work soon." She looked at him in the eyes "What are their names again?"

*********************

It was nighttime but he couldn't sleep, even after Calliope read him his favorite story. It's not that he was bothered by the "got-locked-in-a-closet-by-bullies" incident. He wasn't thinking about the Land at this current time. He was waiting for sleep to wash him. And as he closed his eyes, he dreamed of- you guessed it. The Land, where everything was peaceful.