​Tonight, I’ll talk to my guardian angel

Almost every night, something sneaks into my room. It’s always right before I fall asleep, that I can hear something opening the door to my bedroom, get inside, and then lock it shut behind itself. Then it just sits there, beside the door. I don’t know who or what it is – obviously, it’s far too dark for me to see much of anything – or for how long this has been happening before I first noticed a few weeks ago. I probably should do something, but I’m not really scared – it never does anything except stand there and breath a little loudly, and it’s also always gone the next morning. Also, it makes me think of something Mom used to tell me.

Mom always tells me that everyone has an angel. A guardian angel, who is supposed to protect them, and just them alone. She also tells me to never trust strangers, but this one doesn’t seem so bad. Actually, I think this stranger might be my guardian angel.

Nobody knows about my guardian angel yet. Dad doesn’t believe in angels, he’s not interested anyway. Mom is always stressed – when she’s not doing stuff around the house, she’s working, so I don’t wanna annoy her. Dad doesn’t like to go to work so much, so she needs to do two shifts.

Today though, she said she only needs to work the nightshift. That means I finally get to ask her. Dad is out, which is good – he didn’t seem in a good mood this morning. Mom is standing in the kitchen, I think she’s cooking something. She’s chopping up vegetables – maybe I shouldn’t ask her right now, I don’t want her to cut hers-

“Is everything alright dear?” Oh. I guess she noticed me staring, even though she hasn’t even turned around to face me. I don’t know what to say.

“I… I don’t know…” I don’t know if I should say it.

“If I find my guardian angel, can I talk to them? They’re not a stranger, right?” I’m nervous. She stops cutting vegetables. She’s thinking about an answer, I think. I hope she isn’t mad, I don’t want to stress her out.

“Of course, dear. After all, your guardian angel has been watching over you for your whole life – they’re not a stranger, don’t worry.”

“Oh, okay. Thanks, Mom.”

“Daddy will be home soon. I’ll bring you dinner up to your room when it’s ready, dear.”

It’s night again. Mom and Dad were watching TV way too loudly the entire evening again – a lot louder than usual, actually – so I’m really sleepy. But I must stay awake – because tonight, I’ll talk to my guardian angel. I mean, Mom kind of told me it was fine to do, so I’ll just need to wait. I’ve fallen asleep twice now, but my angel still isn’t there.

Just as I’m really about to fall asleep, I can hear shuffling. I open my eyes and see a shadow open my door and close it again after it gets inside. My guardian angel is here. Definitely, it’s my angel.

But… something is different. They didn’t lock my door this time, and I think they’re holding something.. shiny? It’s flickering a little in the darkness. I don’t care though, I’ll still ask.

“Are you… my guardian angel?” They’re just standing there, silent. I know I shouldn’t be, but I’m a little nervous.

“H-Hey, are y-” The angel shushes me silent.

“Shhhh… A very bad man will visit tonight. But don’t worry, dear – your guardian angel is here to protect you.”