Staying on Target (Bay)

[Bay]

Bay opened his eyes. The small thud near the doorway bringing him back to consiousness. Ni was there, holding her legs, all pretense melted from her face.

He approached her silently. Slowly. Her expression seemed lightyears away as he gently placed his arms around her trying to comfort her. She stiffened.

"Hey, it's okay. It's just me," he said softly.

Ni relaxed and leaned in to the embrace. Bay held her for a few seconds and surprised himself when he scooped her up. She didn’t resist as he placed her in the bed. He tried his best to comfort her and found himself gently telling her that she was safe, that no one would hurt her here. Her expression remained blank.

Bay smelled salt on his beard again, but this time he quickly wiped away the tears with the back of his hand. He wasn't the one hurting right now and he needed to help her. Even though he didnt know what to do next.

Then, he remembered the one experience he had always longed for when he needed comfort growing up. One he had never experienced himself, but thought that maybe he could do for Ni.  

He reached down into his bag and pulled out his datapad. He clicked on the screen for a second and began,

"Once upon a time, there lived a young girl who lived in a forest..."