After all the suspicious happenings: The spotless house, his eerily pink hair, the centipede tattoo... Peep decided to keep his eyes open. Even at 9 years young he could put 2 and 2 together. These strange occurrences happened while he slept. Perhaps his dreams were becoming real? Maybe he had one oddball superhero power? Whatever the case he couldn't afford to keep hiding his appearance. Eventually summer would be here and he'd have to lose the sweatshirts at Jones Beach.

Peep had a plan. After school he'd pretend to take a nap. In his 9-year-old brain he deduced, If nothing oddball happens it's probably my dreams manifesting themselves. (Yes, he's that smart but his words came out differently.)

He thought, "If nothing happens while I pretend-sleep then maybe it's my dreams coming to life."

He desired to dream something awesome. He wished he could fly or become invisible. He already wished he were invisible like his father. Being made fun of everyday has its toll on a person.

Peep was a latch-key kid. Every weekday, while his mom worked and his brother was at soccer practice, he was alone between 3:30 and 5:00. After he got off the bus he ran to his house.

As he ran, he barely noticed the leaves had begun to change.  Fall was his favorite time of year. On October 31st he could dress up however he liked—and the day after he'd be ten years old.

No time for distractions! He couldn't wait to see if his plan worked.

Before opening the front door to their white colonial house with its kelly green shutters, he pretended to talk to his neighbors. He shouted, "No... I can't play basketball today. I'm really tired. Think I'll take a nap. See you tomorrow Lloyd and Lloyd's little brother." Peep thought if an outside source is messing with me I'd better make it sound authentic. He laid it on super thick!

Peep's hair had begun growing in. His one inch hair grew in half honey-blond and half hot pink. His mother was stumped. Hairdressers and physicians were equally perplexed. They tested his blood, his urine and sent a sample of his hair to the lab for testing. All tests came back normal. One doctor suggested Liza see a Phyciatrist. He inferred she was dying her son's hair for attention. Inorder to keep her son from becoming a science experiment and herself from being reported to DCS (Department of Children's Services) as well as to silence Principal Pain-in-the-A--, every morning she sprayed Peep's hair jet black. With Halloween approaching the temporary black hair dye was in ample supply. Warden Baughman didn't care for Peep's goth-looking hair but since it was a normal color she couldn't object.

Before Peep could pretend-nap he had to do three things: Let Taz out to pee, eat a Fruit by the Foot, and wash the black right outta his hair!  Today, he was in a hurry. As Taz did his business he stuck his head under the faucet in the kitchen sink. He washed his hair with sticky green Palmolive dish soap. Black dye swirled in the white porcelain sink. He dried his head with a white dish towel covered in yellow, orange and red fall leaves. Haphazardly he replaced the blackened dish towel on the handle of the stove.

While eating his 6 feet of rainbow "fruit" Taz barked to be let in.

As Peep headed upstairs Taz wagged his little terrier tail and followed him. "Not today Taz. You stay boy. I've got a mystery to solve." Taz whined and obediently jumped on the plush seafoam green sofa and laid his head on his paws.

Incase the powers that be were listening Peep playacted, "Good boy Taz. I'm going to take a NAP! I need some ALONE time." Satisfied, Peep ran up the stairs and jumped in his bed.

As Peep got under his crumpled covers he continued his over-the-top performance. Exaggerating a yawn he yelled, "Boy am I tired. I'm going to nap now." He laid his head on his Power Ranger pillow and folded his hands on his chest. He never bothered to take off his black chucks.

He stayed very still for five whole minutes then he opened one eye. Nothing. Perhaps this will take a bit longer than I think. He closed his eyes and accidentally fell into a deep sleep.

Locket hovered outside Peep's bedroom window. "I thought he'd never fall asleep." For now Locket could only appear once the boy had truly fallen asleep.

—-

Locket asked her mother why fairies have such a silly rule?

Her mother merely answered, "It's just the way things are. When your human child falls asleep they enter a timeless place. Dreaming for humans is a place of magic. They do all sorts of wonderful things when they dream."

"Yes mother, but they also have terrifying nightmares!"

"True Locket, however nightmares make them stronger. They learn to fight all sorts of hideous monsters that way."

Locket sighed as she thought about nightmares. She had her fair share of them and never felt a bit stronger.

Locket had a recurring nightmare. A gaunt, faceless witch put a spell on her. When Locket looked into Mirror Lake her own face was gone. She tried screaming for help but without a mouth she couldn't make a sound. She flew to her Queen-mother, who sat on her throne of many colors. The fairy queen didn't recognize her own daughter and she banished the faceless creature from the kingdom. Once ostracized into The Nothing Locket couldn't breathe. She would always wake up gasping for air and covered in gray glitter.

She told her mother about the nightmare and the fairy queen offered some advice. "Locket, one day you may need to face this faceless monster and I may not be there to help you."

Locket objected, "But mother, in the dream, you are there and you don't know it's me!"

Her wise and clever mother devised a plan. "How about this... If I ever see a faceless fairy I'll ask, who are you?" Then she handed her daughter the brightest reddest ruby in her treasure chest. "Daughter, if you're ever faceless, or say... turned into a frog or a troll or what have you... hand me this gem and I'll know it's you."

Locket liked this idea very much. She tucked the ruby into the hidden pocket in her glittery gold dress. After gaining the ruby, from her mother, her nightmares subsided. Every night, before she slept, she'd take out the ruby and feels it's cooless against her cheek. It made her feel safe.

Locket hoped Peep would feel safe too. She also hoped today would be the day they became best friends.

Locket zipped through the window, opened just-a-crack, and slipped through the tiny hole in the screen. Then she got an idea, an awful fairy of an idea!

She flew down to Peep's face, took the brilliant red ruby out of her pocket and shoved it up his nose!

Peep woke with a start! He felt an object in his nose. Using his pinky he plucked out the ruby.

He held the gem between his forefinger and his thumb. "What is this?"

Locket snatched the ruby from Peep's fingers. "Hey! That's mine!" She shoved the ruby deep into her pocket.

Peep finally saw her. "Am I dreaming?"

Locket answered, "No, you are most certainly 100% awake! And I'll thank you to keep your hands off my gems."

"Huh?" Peep was confused. "What was your gem doing up my nose?"

Befuddled, Locket shook her head and said, "Never mind that... I'm Locket and you're my hero."

Still baffled Peep asked, "I'm your hero?"

Locket answered, "Well, you will be!"

-End of Chapter 9-

Author's note: Fairytales aren't merely for children! Let's say we never grow up!
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