Nina closed her eyes and let the darkness of her room dissolve. In her mind, she ran barefoot through a garden bathed in golden sunlight, her teddy bear clutched in one hand.
Flowers of every color swayed as if dancing with her, and butterflies flitted above, their wings shimmering like tiny rainbows. She laughed freely, the sound bright and clear, a melody that had never graced her real home.
Her mother was there, smiling, holding her hand, spinning her in circles as the wind kissed their faces. No anger, no shouting, no fear existed here only warmth, freedom, and love. Nina twirled and ran, her laughter echoing across the endless garden, feeling lighter than ever before. For these precious moments, she was safe, she was happy, she was a little butterfly soaring high, far away from the cruelty of the world.