save you from predators

“Prisha!” Mom's sudden call dragged me back to where I was lying and I couldn’t help getting more panicked.

The door to my room was flung wide open and I was numb on the bed, watching her breaking in.

“What is wrong, love? Why were you screaming?” she inquired and I hastily darted at Aster, who was above me.

But to my surprise, there was no sign of him. ‘Where did he go?’ I mused, pulling myself up and looking around.

“Honey, I am talking to you.” Mom moved closer to me.

“I…” gulping hard, I tried to find a possible reason to tell her.

Getting more alert, she began to move around. “Why are you not saying anything? Tell me what it is?”

“There… There was a cockroach,” I stammered, scratching the corner of my forehead.

“HONEY!” She rolled her eyes, probably in disappointment.

Wrapping my hand around her, I mumbled, “I am sorry to scare you, mom. You know how scared I am of cockroaches.”

Shaking her head right to left, she rumbled, “And you scare the hell out of me.”

“I am sorry. Now you