Page 153 - Nuts to You - The Nutcracker Retold

Don’t Leave Me!
Clara was in the absolute grip of a nightmare. A crazed Godfather Drosselmeir swayed on top of the clock on the landing, calling her name. He frightened her. He frightened her even more, when he leaned over and stretched out his long, skinny hands. Why had she never noticed how claw- like they were? Clara moaned, as Godfather leaned down and reached for the clock door, “No! No!” she moaned, again and again.
She was afraid!
Afraid of her own Godfather. Afraid of what was behind those doors. Afraid she’d never wake. Afraid she’d never see Franz. “No!” she moaned again, but it was too late, Godfather had pulled the doors back. It took forever for those doors to open, so slowly did he pull them back. But it was much too fast for Clara. She flung out her arms in her dreams, trying to push back those doors. She didn’t want to see what was behind. The very thought terrified her.
She was so afraid!
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