I froze. Intuition was gone. Doubt moved in by stealth.
“Here.”
A sword appeared in my hand. I felt like I should swing it.
“Defend the castle!”
Soldiers lined the castle, weapons raised in a familiar pose.
“They’re swarming us!”
I swung again. Faster, with more force. Too much force.
“The castle!”
I stumbled back. The castle fell. A cry rang out.
“Mu-um!”
Building blocks and green soldiers bounced, defeated, around my feet.
“Now I have to build it all again.”
“Sorry,” I said, and I meant it. I would have cried too. Later, I did.