Little stories of love and joy.

lockwood

Title: Shadows of the Past

Chapter 1: A Midnight Encounter

Lockwood jolted awake, his heart pounding in his chest. Beads of sweat trickled down his forehead as he tried to shake off the remnants of his nightmare. The room was cloaked in darkness, the only source of light coming from the moon filtering through the curtains.

Feeling disoriented, Lockwood stumbled out of bed and made his way to the kitchen. The cold tiles beneath his feet provided a stark contrast to the warmth that still lingered from his dream. He needed something to ground him, to bring him back to reality.

As Lockwood reached for a cup, his hand trembled, causing it to slip from his grasp and shatter on the floor. The sound echoed through the silent house, jolting Lucy awake from her slumber. She groggily rubbed her eyes and listened intently, trying to decipher the source of the disturbance.

Curiosity piqued, Lucy tiptoed out of her room and followed the sound to the kitchen. There, she found Lockwood standing amidst the broken shards of the cup, his cheek sporting a fresh cut. His hair was disheveled, evidence of his restless hands running through it.

Lucy couldn't help but roll her eyes, her annoyance evident in her voice. "Lockwood, what on earth are you doing? Can't you even make a cup of tea without causing a commotion?"

Lockwood turned to face her, a sheepish smile playing on his lips. "Just a little mishap, Lucy. No need to worry."

Lucy crossed her arms, her sarcasm dripping from her words. "Oh, of course not. I'm sure you just decided to redecorate the kitchen floor with broken china in the middle of the night for fun."

Lockwood's smile faded, and he looked down at the mess he had created. "I... I had a nightmare, Lucy. It shook me up, and I needed something to distract myself."

Lucy's annoyance melted away, replaced by concern. She stepped closer to Lockwood, her voice softer this time. "What happened in your dream, Lockwood?"

Lockwood hesitated, his eyes clouded with memories. "It was... a memory, Lucy. A memory I thought I had buried deep within me. It resurfaced tonight, haunting me."

Lucy's heart ached for her friend. She reached out and gently touched his cheek, her fingers brushing against the cut. "Lockwood, you don't have to face these demons alone. We're here for you, remember?"

Just as Lockwood was about to respond, George appeared in the doorway, his eyes wide with curiosity. "What's going on here? Did I miss the tea party?"

Lucy shot him a glare, but her voice softened as she turned back to Lockwood. "Lockwood had a nightmare, George. He's just a bit shaken up."

George's face softened, and he walked over to join them. "Nightmares can be tough, mate. But you've got us to help you through it."

Lockwood nodded, gratitude shining in his eyes. "Thank you, both of you. I don't know what I would do without you."

And in that moment, as the shattered cup lay forgotten on the floor, the bond between Lockwood, Lucy, and George grew stronger. They were a team, facing not only the supernatural horrors that plagued London but also the demons of their past.

Together, they would conquer the shadows that threatened to consume them, one nightmare at a time.