Inside of Teddy it was even darker than in the closet, and warm.

And soft.

And safe.

She couldn't hear anything now except the sound of her own quick, shallow breathing, but even that quieted down after a few minutes. Anne pricked her ears up, just in case someone was coming, but she couldn't hear a thing. Then she heard one word, very clearly because it was said so loud, oh so very loud, and so high she knew she'd never forget it. Her mama never spoke like that, but she'd never forget that she could.

"Please!"

The word was said over and over and over again, but nobody answered. Maybe papa was going; that'd fix everything. Don't beg him to stay mama, please don't; please let him go.

"Please!"

There it was again, even louder this time, and still no answer. Then, there was one. A loud, quick roar that she could hear real easy; she knew the sound, because nothing else could make that sound but Toby. Her mama didn't say another word.

Anne curled up tighter, fighting the urge to cry as she felt more than heard her papa's boots thud up the steps, all slow and heavy.

Don't cry 'cause papa will hear; don't make a sound. She gripped the stuffing of Teddy even tighter, burying her face inside of it. Each step of her papa's big boots sent a new wave of dread through her, curling her stomach into knots. She squeezed her eyes shut; don't come no closer, please.

Just leave. She heard his steps stop inside of her room and could nearly feel him looking for her; she wasn't there, just go!

His steps got closer and she heard the closet creak open; she wasn't there, not there. She had gone far away and there was only Teddy there; her papa would only find Teddy. There was no sound outside of the warm air inside of Teddy, not even her breathing because she wasn't breathing no more. Then with a long, high sound Teddy's zipper was opened and a firm, hard hand grabbed her wrist. She could only whimper and hang onto Teddy as they were both dragged out of the closet into the light of her room.

She trembled looking up at her papa, his face a mask of contorted anger, his clenched jaw working away at the rage. Toby was pointed right at her and she held up Teddy; he'd protect her. She couldn't get her mouth open to speak; it refused to open. She just prayed he'd do nothin'; please don't. Please don't.

She heard the sound of Toby being cocked and shook her head, silent tears rolling down her cheeks. Please no, please no, please no, pleasenopleasenopleaseno. Don't do it! Please! That silent second seemed to stretch on forever, her papa's finger tensing against the trigger; she buried her face into Teddy.

"Drop your weapon!" Anne looked up quick and saw her papa turn, a look of surprised fury on his face. There was a loud bang, different than Toby's, and something wet hit her face as her papa fell to the floor. When Anne saw the meaty hole in her papa's head, her mouth finally opened and she screamed, burying her face into Teddy, the stuffing sticky to her bloody, tear-stained face. Teddy would protect her, he'd protect her from everything.

Please...please.

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That marks the end of Teddy! I hope you all enjoyed this little foray into...well, a pretty horrible world, actually. Check back on Friday, January 6th, for a brand new story! I'd love to hear all your thoughts and comments on the story. Thank you!

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