Casper jumped out of bed at the sound of the roaring thunder and ran as fast as he could to find his uncle. His heart was beating wildly as he ran faster and faster down the long hallways of the manor. A flash of lightning lit the house Casper's eyes filled with tears as he continued the search.

Another loud clap of thunder caused the three year old to scream. Unsure of what to do Casper hid underneath the stand which sat just outside of his Uncle's bedroom and covered his head with his hands protectively.

"Casper, what in the world's goin' on out here, ain't ya supposed to be asleep?" At the sound of his uncle's voice, Casper sprang up and wrapped his arms around the man tightly. "N-No sl-sleep, too scary." Another flash of light allowed the older man to see his nephew's tear stained face. He reached down to help the child to his feet.

"Come on now,ya ain't gonna let a storm scare ya" Casper nodded frightfully. Casper found himself being carried back to his room gently.

"Nothin' to be scared of little one. Just some noise, rain and light. I know thunder can hurt yer ears but, it can't get ya. Lightnin' ain't gonna come in here. Yer safe." He placed the boy in the bed and sat down next to him. Casper stared out the window. The wind picked up and Casper screamed once again causing his uncle to jump.

""Hand, it's gonna get me" He sobbed, but his uncle just smiled softly.

"Nah, that ain't no hand. It's the tree outside. The wind makes the branches move sometimes. Those hands ya think ya see ain't real, just branches. No big deal. Try ta get some sleep." He stood up and began to walk away but stopped when the child began to whimper.

"I want it to go away, go away and never come back" Casper cried.

"Those things can't go away forever, one day yer gonna understand that. That's life, the way nature works. Ya can't have things like flowers, trees or grass without 'em. Besides, by the time ya wake up in the mornin' the rain will be gone. It's late now, we should both get some sleep."

"Uncle Tony, how come you're not scared?"

"Cause I learned, that's why, you will to. Takes time ta know things. Everythin' will look better in the mornin' No more tears now eh?"

"But-" Tony sighed and walked back to sit on the bed.

"ya ain't got nothin' to worry about, cause I'm here. I ever let anything hurt ya?"

Casper shook his head.

"But I'm not scared of you Uncle Tony."

"Casper, long as I'm here, there ain't nothin' that's gonna happen to ya. Yer safe I promise." As the storm got closer, Casper latched onto Tony as if his life were depending on him. Tony wrapped his arms around the boy and hugged him tight.

"Tell ya what I'm gonna do. I'm gonna sit right here til ya fall asleep. How's that?"

"I'd like that, I know nothing bad can get me then. Not with you here." Casper smiled.

"Then close yer eyes little one. It's time to journey far into dreamland. When ya get up tomorrow, everything will be fine, rain'll be gone and You and me can go out and have a look." Casper yawned closing his eyes.

"Are you sure Uncle Tony, about it being gone?"

"Sure I'm sure. Storm's gonna be over with and the sun'll be out"

"You'll stay right?"

"Told ya I would, til ya fall asleep" Tony said leaning him back onto his pillows.

"You'll be here in the morning, you won't go away?"

"Course not. I'll never leave ya Casper, yer my nephew and very important to me. Never forget that. I'll always look out for ya."Tony tucked Casper in lovingly.

"I love you Uncle Tony." He said as he gave into sleep, now secure in the thought of his uncle standing guard over him.

"Love ya too little one. Sweet dreams." Tony stayed for several minutes until he was absolutely sure Casper was asleep before going into his room and turning in for the night.