1 The Changing Toddler

It started off as any other day...

SMACK

"Mama, wake up!!!" Groaning I roll over and look at my three and half year old Atland as he smiles sweetly at me like he didn't just slap me in the face. I get out of bed and start getting dressed for the day and look over at the crib where my youngest boy Gable still slept peacefully. "ok baby, are you ready for breakfast?" I ask Atland as we walked into the kitchen; pulling eggs and bacon from the fridge. I walk over to the stove and start to scramble the eggs and fry the bacon when the baby monitor goes off with the sound of Gable crying. After i got him settled into his swing and a bottle propped up for him, i sat Atland down at the table and went back to cooking. "mama im hungry!!" Atland started to yell, I knew he was getting restless but what i didn't expect was the plate to come flying by my head only to smash against the wall. Quickly turning to face the table I see Atland sitting there with his arms crossed and a mad expression on his face. Thinking no way could he have thrown the plate that hard i look around the house expecting to find someone else but we were in fact alone since my husband left for work an hour ago. So i finished cooking breakfast and cleaned up the plate even though i was still confused about who threw it... After breakfast i burped and laid Gable back in his swing for his nap. Then I went to play in Atland's room with him. Sitting down beside him i picked up one of his monster trucks and started to run over the other cars on the floor.

"Don't mess it up!!" he yelled pushing my hand away from the cars.

"alright. what are you trying to do sweetie?"

"I'm building a race track mama, so don't run over the cars"

"ok baby, but at least let mana help you build"

"I DONT NEED ANY HELP!!!" he yelled pushing at my chest only to send me flying backwards and landing in a heap on the floor trying to catch my breath. I was stunned because I didnt understand how my sweet baby could be strong enough to push me five feet away with one touch. I got up wheezing then grabbed my phone and texted my husband.

'hey love, I need you to text back when you get this it's about Atland. There is something weird going on.'

After I started at my phones waiting for a reply, I glanced up and watched Atland play through the open door in his room. I still couldn't shake the feeling that I may have been seeing things so i went ahead and washed the breakfast dishes and then started cleaning up. I was just finishing sweeping and mopping when Atland came in the living room, reaching down i gave him a hug.

"mama I'm hungry"

"I know baby but I still have to cook, it will only take ten minutes then lunch will be done."

"I can't wait that long."

"yes you can sweetie and if your good we can go outside later"

Suddenly my sweet little boy was replaced by a dark green monster that started chasing me around the living room swinging razor sharp nails at my face and body. Hiding behind the couch I look down and find a tennis shoe. taking aim I chunked the shoe across the living room and pegged the Atland-monster in the forehead with a loud plop! The green monster fell to the ground crying and holding his now bruised forehead, I felt bad for hitting my son but I needed to know what was going on. I grabbed my phone and called my husband.

"hello?" my husband answered and I could hear the construction going on in the background. "hey.. um I dont know what's going on with our son but I think you need to come home."

"why is he sick?" I could hear the concern in his voice.

"no he's not sick and you wouldn't believe me if I told you. so just please come home." I replied looking over in the living room where Atland had returned to normal and sat on the couch watching TV.

"I'll be home after work just hang on till then, I have to go I love you bye."

Putting the phone down on the kitchen table i take one last look at Atland and then go check on Gable in his swing, luckily he wasn't hurt in the chase. I wearly sit on the couch beside Atland and just look at him, wondering if I was going crazy. Maybe I was that would explain a lot.

After I was sure he wasn't going to turn into a monster again I went into the kitchen and started making grilled cheese for lunch, then called Atland to the table. "Thank you mama, can I eat in the living room?"

Fearing if I said no it would trigger another change in my child I reluctantly agreed and we ate in the living room watching looney toons. About an hour later Atland fell asleep and I took him to bed, changed Gable's diaper, made him another bottle. after his feeding i laid him on the floor for tummy time while I washed dishes. Finishing dusting and wiping down counters and walls I heard little growls coming from Atland's room. I walked excruciatingly slow to his room and turn the door knob. Opening the door I saw a black blur fly towards my face just in time to grab whatever it was. looking down at the thing know my hands it reminded me of a shadow and a monkey mixed together. I was surprised it see the tears flowing down its little face. "shh, it's ok mommy's here. mommy's here." I gently rocked the shadow monkey knowing it was more than likely Atland.

"I had. a nightmare mama, dont let the shadows get me"

"it's ok baby there are no shadows going to get you here."

Once Atland was calm we walked into the living room where Gable was staring at us. I put on Turbo on Netflix for the boys to watch and started making dinner, about half an a hour later I heard my husband pull into the drive way and get out his truck. I unlocked the door and greeted him when he came in. "ok, I'm home. now what was going on that was so important to call me at work?"

"follow me into the kitchen so I can finish making dinner and I will tell you." I replied before starting to walk into the kitchen and putting the bacon and cheese stuffed chicken breasts in the oven. We sat down at the kitchen island and I told him every detail of my day. My husband just sat there and started at me with a horror stricken expression and muttered "I didnt think they would show any signs until they got older."

My eyes bulged from my head

"what do you mean by that?!"

"well honey, there's something you dont know about me. I am not a normal man."