The grassland stretched wide, illuminated by a cloudless blue sky. Small birds flew above, chirping cheerfully as if the world stopped just for them.
A woman sat among the green grass, her black hair left loose, while her hands were busy gently combing the hair of her daughter who rested comfortably on her lap.
On the other side, a little girl sat cross-legged while playing with the grass, bending its stems, then letting out a small laugh at the strange shapes created.
"Are you tired?" the woman asked with a voice as gentle as the evening breeze.
The girl on her lap shook her head slowly. "No, mom. I want to stay like this forever."
"Forever?" The woman smiled faintly. "Forever is too long, dear."
The other child, still busy with the grass, suddenly chimed in. "If forever means being with mom, I want that."
Small laughter filled the air. Until finally, both girls lay down, resting their heads on their mother's lap. The woman stroked their heads with great tenderness, then started humming softly.
The voice was like a whisper that calmed yet carried sorrow. A simple song, but one that tied hearts together.
"Don't fear the coming dark,
for the stars will return.
Though the world feels foreign,
remember you're never alone.
Your small steps still matter,
even when storms test again.
Hold tight the light in your heart,
for I am here."
The voice floated around, clinging to the air, as if wanting to settle in the chest forever.
One of the girls opened her eyes, staring at her mother's face for a very long time. Her lips moved, whispering softly as if speaking to herself. "Don't go… don't go again."
Her hand lifted, trying to touch that face. But before her fingers reached it, the figure of the mother slowly faded, like mist blown by the wind.
"Mom?!" she shouted in panic, her body jerking up as if afraid of losing once again. But there was no answer, only the light that continued to fade.
***
The girl woke up with breath racing. Cold sweat dampened her temples, and her eyes darted around anxiously at the dark bedroom walls.
She covered her face with one hand, while her other arm rested on her forehead. Her chest rose and fell as she tried to calm the pounding that felt so real.
Silence. Only the ticking of the clock on the table accompanied her. Yet in her ears, the melody of that song still echoed, making her heart feel as if it was being squeezed slowly.
☆࿐ཽ༵༆༒ BENEATH MY SKIN, SHE LIVES ༒༆࿐ཽ༵☆
The morning sun pierced through the gaps of the curtains, reflecting softly on the floor of the simple bedroom. Sia stepped out with a towel draped over her shoulder. Her hair was still messy, her face half-asleep.
She walked toward the back of the house, the sound of a pan clashing with a spatula clearly heard. From behind the kitchen door, the smell of sautéed onions and eggs spread.
Sia paused for a moment at the doorway, her eyes falling on the figure of her mother who was busy cooking.
"..."
There was no greeting. She only glanced briefly before turning back toward the bathroom.
Yana, the mother, paused in her movement. The spatula in her hand hovered in the air. She turned slightly, noticing the shadow of her child who had just shut the bathroom door. The corner of her lips lifted faintly, then she returned to her busy cooking.
After getting ready, Sia came out of her room again. Her hair was now neat, her new uniform still stiff, not yet familiar to wear. She walked to the kitchen, the dining table already neatly set. There was rice, fried eggs, vegetables, and a lunch wrapped in wax paper.
But something caught her attention. A small folded paper, placed on the table, right beside her lunch.
Sia picked it up, opening it lazily.
Her mother's handwriting was clearly written:
"Sorry, Sia. I have to leave earlier today, I can't take you to your new school. You know the way, right?
I put your fare money on top of your lunch. Good luck."
Sia let out a short sigh. Her eyes glanced at the lunch. Sure enough, a folded bill was neatly placed on top of it.
"...Knowing the way on my own, huh." she muttered quietly, almost like a grumble.
Her hand crumpled the paper, then threw it into the trash bin at the corner of the kitchen without expression.
She sat down, pulling the chair with a slight screech, then began spooning her food alone. The sound of the spoon against the plate echoed clearly in the silent room.
After finishing her meal, Sia placed her spoon on the plate, then stood without a word. She grabbed her bag hanging on the chair, looked at the kitchen for a moment. Quiet, only the lingering smell of breakfast slowly fading.
"Heading out," she murmured softly, though no one heard.
She stepped outside, the morning air feeling damp after last night's rain. The road was still wet, and small puddles sparkled under the sunlight. Sia walked toward the bus stop, the sound of her shoes making small splashy noises among the puddles.
The bus stop wasn't crowded. Only one person was there. A man sitting at the edge of the bench, holding a black umbrella as if it were a cane.
The hood of his hoodie covered part of his face, his head lowered. A black backpack hung on one of his shoulders.
Sia glanced at him briefly before turning her face away. She sat on the other end of the bench, keeping a wide enough distance.
The sound of passing vehicles echoed, accompanied by the breeze that still carried the scent of rain.
Then,
SPLASH!
Water from the road suddenly splattered high when a car sped past. Sia reflexively shut her eyes and raised her hand, ready to be splashed by cold water.
But… nothing happened.
She opened her eyes slowly. In front of her, a black umbrella stood open, blocking the water that would've soaked her.
Sia turned.
And the man's face was already very close. So close that she could see his clear blue eyes.
A gentle smile curved on his lips. Not an ordinary friendly smile. More like a smile that hid something.
"The water didn't get to you," he said softly, his voice warm but with a faint undertone that made Sia hold her breath.
He stared straight into her eyes, tilting his head slightly.
"This morning is beautiful, right? But it would be more beautiful if you didn't zone out alone like that, darling."
Sia froze. That word, "darling" slipped out so lightly, as if they'd known each other for a long time.
She immediately straightened her posture and moved slightly away, her gaze shifting toward the road.
"I… don't know you."
The man chuckled softly, closing the umbrella with one smooth motion. "Not yet. But we can fix that, can't we?"
Sia stayed silent, but her heart beat a bit faster for no clear reason.
The bus approached, its heavy engine noise filling the air. She stood quickly, boarding without looking back. But as the bus began moving, she glanced out the window.
The man was still sitting at the bus stop, staring at the bus that drove away. The smile on his face hadn't faded. Calm, almost too calm.
The bus rolled farther, leaving the bus stop shrinking from sight.
Next?