Pavor Nocturnus
- Loren Eaton
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Pavor Nocturnus
Your four-year-old has night terrors. They shake her, drench her in sweat.
Two nights ago, a shriek dragged you from the nightly argument with your wife. "The knife, daddy, no, no." You soothed her. Her eyes soon shut.
Last night, she cried, "Daddy, the hammer, not the hammer." Despite reassurances, fear lingered in her gaze.
Tonight, she simply screamed. A glance at your hands set her sobbing. Your wife rushed in, brusque, irritated. "What did you do? Shhh, sweetie, you're okay."
Rage curled your fingers into claws. "I didn't do anything," you say. And you haven't.
At least not yet.
Two nights ago, a shriek dragged you from the nightly argument with your wife. "The knife, daddy, no, no." You soothed her. Her eyes soon shut.
Last night, she cried, "Daddy, the hammer, not the hammer." Despite reassurances, fear lingered in her gaze.
Tonight, she simply screamed. A glance at your hands set her sobbing. Your wife rushed in, brusque, irritated. "What did you do? Shhh, sweetie, you're okay."
Rage curled your fingers into claws. "I didn't do anything," you say. And you haven't.
At least not yet.
ISawLightningFall.com
Narrative, Genre and the Craft of Writing
Narrative, Genre and the Craft of Writing
Re: Pavor Nocturnus
Now THAT's creepy.
Never judge anyone until you have biopsied their brain.
"Be kind, for everyone is fighting a hard battle."
Known Some Call Is Air Am
"Be kind, for everyone is fighting a hard battle."
Known Some Call Is Air Am
Spoiler:
- Loren Eaton
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Re: Pavor Nocturnus
My little one has been having night terrors. But unlike the narrator of this piece, I get along with my wife. And I have no intention of putting any house tools to, er, splattery ends.
ISawLightningFall.com
Narrative, Genre and the Craft of Writing
Narrative, Genre and the Craft of Writing
Re: Pavor Nocturnus
Oooh, creepy.
Happy to say that my kids have only awakened with a scream two or three times, and I hope I can never sympathize with you here
Happy to say that my kids have only awakened with a scream two or three times, and I hope I can never sympathize with you here

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- Loren Eaton
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Re: Pavor Nocturnus
It's really freaky when it happens. What's worse is that the little one is almost inconsolable afterward.
ISawLightningFall.com
Narrative, Genre and the Craft of Writing
Narrative, Genre and the Craft of Writing
Re: Pavor Nocturnus
Well, I would think so. It can't be easy to see daddy do that to mommy.Loren Eaton wrote:It's really freaky when it happens. What's worse is that the little one is almost inconsolable afterward.
Never judge anyone until you have biopsied their brain.
"Be kind, for everyone is fighting a hard battle."
Known Some Call Is Air Am
"Be kind, for everyone is fighting a hard battle."
Known Some Call Is Air Am
Spoiler:
- Loren Eaton
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- Posts: 85
- Joined: Tue Feb 07, 2012 3:19 pm
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- Travelin Corpse Feet
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Re: Pavor Nocturnus
This is marvelously complex for something so short. And, hoo-boy, I can relate to staying up late thanks to screaming kids with sleep issues.*
*((BTW, I am Freddy Kruger))
*((BTW, I am Freddy Kruger))

A story of love, lust and violence and a man in a jam.
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- Loren Eaton
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Re: Pavor Nocturnus
Then you don't need to have "rage curl your fingers into claws." It happens naturally!Travelin Corpse Feet wrote:*((BTW, I am Freddy Kruger))
P.S. Glad you liked it!
ISawLightningFall.com
Narrative, Genre and the Craft of Writing
Narrative, Genre and the Craft of Writing
- Scattercat
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Re: Pavor Nocturnus
I think Freddy would be really happy and surprised if he could curl his fingers...
- Loren Eaton
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Re: Pavor Nocturnus
Or pick his nose.
ISawLightningFall.com
Narrative, Genre and the Craft of Writing
Narrative, Genre and the Craft of Writing