The days passed, and the bond between Lily and Henny grew stronger. Lily continued to provide a safe and comforting presence for Henny, who seemed to find solace in their conversations. One afternoon, during a quiet moment in the classroom, Henny approached Lily, her expression a mix of fear and determination.
“Miss Marsh, can I talk to you?” Henny asked, her voice trembling slightly.
“Of course, Henny,” Lily replied, kneeling down to her level. “What’s on your mind?”
Henny glanced around nervously, making sure no one else was listening. “It’s about the man in my closet. He’s getting closer, Miss Marsh. Every night, he’s a little bit nearer to my bed.”
Lily felt a chill run down her spine but maintained a calm demeanor. “Henny, sometimes when we’re scared or stressed, our minds can play tricks on us. It’s possible that—”
“No, Miss Marsh,” Henny interrupted, her eyes wide with fear. “He’s real. I see him. He’s tall and dark, with glowing eyes. He just stands there, staring at me.”
Lily took a deep breath, choosing her words carefully. “Henny, I believe that you’re seeing something that scares you. Sometimes, our fears can feel very real, even if they’re not. But I’m here for you, and I want to help you feel safe.”
Henny’s face softened slightly, but the fear remained. “Can you come to my house and see for yourself? Maybe if you see him, you’ll believe me.”
Lily hesitated. “I’m not sure that’s possible, Henny. But I can talk to your parents again and see if there’s anything we can do to make you feel safer at home.”
Henny nodded reluctantly. “Okay, Miss Marsh. Thank you.”
As the days turned into weeks, Lily noticed more signs of Henny’s troubled home life through their conversations and Henny's behavior at the kindergarten. One afternoon, during free play, Henny was sitting alone in the reading corner, clutching a stuffed animal tightly. Lily approached her, sensing something was wrong.
“Henny, is everything okay?” Lily asked gently, sitting down beside her.
Henny shook her head, her eyes welling up with tears. “They’re always fighting, Miss Marsh. Every day. They don’t see me. They don’t hear me. I feel like I’m invisible.”
Lily’s heart ached for Henny. “I’m so sorry, Henny. That must be really hard.”
Henny nodded, tears streaming down her cheeks. “Sometimes, I hide in my room and close the door, but I can still hear them yelling. It’s like they don’t even care that I’m there.”
Lily felt a deep pang of empathy. She wanted to reach out and hold Henny, to shield her from the pain. “Henny, you are very important, and you are not invisible. Your feelings matter, and I’m here to listen.”
Henny clutched the stuffed animal tighter. “Do you think the man in the closet is because of them fighting?”
Lily hesitated, thinking carefully. “I think when we’re really scared or upset, our minds can create things that seem very real. But whatever it is, we’ll figure it out together.”
Henny looked up at her with a glimmer of hope. “Promise?”
“Promise,” Lily said, squeezing her shoulder gently.
From that day on, Lily made it her mission to be a constant source of support for Henny. She ensured that Henny had moments of joy and comfort at the kindergarten, whether through art, reading, or simply talking. Lily also started paying closer attention to Henny's drawings and stories, looking for any clues that might help her understand and alleviate the girl's fears.
One rainy afternoon, as the children were engaged in quiet activities indoors, Henny approached Lily with a new drawing. It depicted a dark figure standing in the corner of a room, its eyes glowing ominously.
“This is him,” Henny whispered, handing the drawing to Lily. “This is the man in my closet.”
Lily examined the drawing, feeling a shiver run down her spine. The figure was eerily detailed, with long, twisted limbs and an unsettling presence. “Henny, does he always look like this?”
Henny nodded, her voice barely audible. “Yes, every night. And every night, he gets a little bit closer.”
Lily knelt down to Henny’s level, holding her hands gently. “I know this is really scary for you, Henny. But I want you to remember that you’re safe here with me. We’re going to figure this out together.”
Henny looked into Lily’s eyes, finding comfort in her teacher’s unwavering support. “Thank you, Miss Marsh.”
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