The Last Huggy

Lottie liked her hugs. She liked them first thing in the morning and last thing at night, and for lots of the time in between.

At bedtime Lottie always waited for daddy to come and tuck her in. Now she watched the dark figure approach before sitting up.

‘Huggy,’ said Lottie.

‘I’ll give you a huggy.

I’ll give you the bestest, longest huggy you ever did have.

I’ll crush your bones and drink your blood.

I’ll take you off in my big black sack.’

The bogeymen grasped Lottie, wide-eyed now and strangely mute, and stole her into the night.