I closed my eyes and fell asleep.
No shadows.
No whispers.
No endless void or vengeful stare from the little girl.
Just silence.
When I opened my eyes again, I felt… different.
My head was clear.
"Woah... I didn't dream of anything. So everything till now has just been a dream? It won't turn into reality?"
"Smack!"
A sharp sting slapped across my face.
"Ouch! Why did you hit me for, Iz?"
"You're so noisy, you woke me up," Iz grumbled, eyes still half-shut, her morning temper flaring like a boss monster at low HP.
"Oh, sorry." I backed down immediately. There were battles you couldn't win, and Iz's wrath in the morning was one of them.
Iz flopped back onto her pillow like a corpse returning to rest. I glanced at the clock beside her bed.
[4:44 a.m.]
Four. Four. Four.
A chill ran down my spine.
"Ouish~ So many number fours. That's bad luck," I muttered. "But it's just a coincidence, right?"
The air felt colder.
The silence, deeper.
Something about that moment unsettled me. A creeping sensation crawled up my spine like a curse activating on a delay.
I buried myself under the blanket and counted sheep like a level-one trying to regenerate HP in a danger zone.
One... two... three...
Minutes passed. The unease faded. I peeked again.
[5:00 a.m.]
Sigh... I survived the curse of 4:44.
I relaxed and laid still.
Still, I couldn't sleep. I rolled around, glancing at Iz.
Her face twitched. Brows furrowed. Discomfort.
Nightmare?
Fear + Morning Iz = danger zone.
I got scared and bolted to the toilet like a rookie mage running from an agro mob.
When I returned, I dropped back on the bed—and fell asleep instantly.
[9:30 a.m.]
Knock. Knock.
Someone was at the door.
I stirred, half-conscious. Iz? She was still dead asleep, like a log in winter.
"Young lady," called a gentle voice from beyond the door.
I rolled out of bed and cracked open the door.
"Hello," I greeted, brushing off my bed hair.
"Hello, Miss Llyne. How was your sleep?"
Anne. One of the house's senior maids. Always punctual. Always polite.
"It was great. Thank you for asking."
"I'll wake the young lady—"
"No need. I'll do it."
Anne nodded with grace. "Then, when you're both ready, please come down. Breakfast is prepared."
I returned inside and tried to wake the beast.
"Iz…"
Nothing.
"Wake up…"
Still nothing.
Time for Plan B.
I leaned close and whispered in my best imitation of Miss Selene, last year's geography teacher:
"If you don't wake up now, you will get a B."
Iz's eyes shot open.
"Don't give me a B, Miss Selene!" she yelped, springing up.
"Huh? Where's Miss Selene?" she blinked.
"Still dreaming? Go prep. Breakfast is ready."
"Where's Anne?"
"I told her I'd wake you. Who knew it'd be a boss battle?"
Iz glared. I smirked.
We went downstairs.
That's when I saw him.
Mr. Jong.
Iz's father. The man behind the empire.
He sat at the dining table, reading the paper and eating like he wasn't the wealthiest person in the city.
"Hello, Mr. Jong," I greeted.
He looked up and smiled warmly. "You must be Llyne. Isabella talks about you a lot."
"Daddy!" Iz hissed, placing a finger to her lips.
He only chuckled. We sat.
He was nothing like the photos. Gentler. More human.
But before we could settle in, the head butler leaned in and whispered something to him. Mr. Jong nodded.
He stood up. "It seems I must be going. Please enjoy the meal and your stay, Llyne. Sorry I couldn't linger. And thank you... for being my little pony's best friend."
He kissed Iz's head and left.
"Little pony?" I turned to her.
"Don't your Ma have a nickname for you?"
"Ya. Lazy bum. And I call her 'Demon Queen'… P.S., only in my mind."
Iz giggled.
We quickly finished eating and headed back up.
[Iz's bedroom]
"Hey, Iz."
"Hmm?"
"I was thinking maybe I should go home early."
Iz froze, shocked.
"Why? I thought you were going to stay here?"
"I haven't told my mom about the dreams. I kind of feel like I should. Or else… I'll regret it."
I slowly stepped back, bracing for a tantrum.
Iz turned her face away, pouting.
"Fine, you selfish, immature, good-for-nothing, little insolent brat."
That's… not as bad as I thought.
"Come on. Don't be like that." I softened my tone. "I know I can be selfish sometimes, but I wouldn't want to intrude on your precious weekend. Besides, we can see each other next week."
"I doubt I'll see you next week."
"Why? Are you transferring school?"
"No. Just a feeling I got."
"You got your grandma's ting ting?"
"Maybe. But who knows."
"True. But you got to let your baby fly free."
"That was a trap, wasn't it, Lil?"
"Didn't catch you, didn't it?"
"Yup. Grandma's ting ting was working well."
"I wonder if you'll lend me her ting ting during the exam."
"Keep dreaming. At least stay till lunch."
"Lunch? Sure! Who can refuse food?" I laughed.
We studied. We played. And when lunch ended, I packed my things.
Downstairs, the head butler and maid were whispering. They turned toward us.
"Young lady and Miss Llyne going out, I presume?"
"I'm going back home," I said.
He held out his hand. "Let me call the chauffeur."
"Thank you."
We waited outside the gates.
"Iz, can I ask you a serious question?"
"Oh, the sky must be falling."
I ignored her sarcasm. "If I were to die... Would you miss me?"
Iz sighed and rested a hand on my shoulder.
"You know I don't joke around, right?"
"As if you could. You're as dry as a desert, and I know your grandma would agree."
Iz bit her lip, eyes twitching.
"Anyways, Lil. My grandma's ting ting is telling me that you are one hard nut to crack, so don't worry. I think you're going to be the last person on Earth to die."
I stared.
"You… You… Oh… I'm so touched."
"You don't trust me, do you?"
Oh boy… What should I say? I'll be dead meat before reaching home.
The limo arrived. I hugged her. She glared.
That's one hell of a perfect timing, Mr. Chauffeur.
I got in and waved goodbye.
Not knowing... that would be the last time I'd ever see her again.
[Llyne's Home]
I stepped into the house.
"Ma! I'm home. Miss me?"
"You're back? Why didn't you phone?" Ma walked out from the living room.
"I just decided."
"Poor little Isa. She must be a saint to tolerate this little devil."
"Ma, if I'm a little devil, then what are you?"
"Say some more, and no food for you."
I smirked and went to my room.
Shower. Diary. Breathe.
[Dinner Time]
I helped Ma set the table. We talked. Laughed. Ate.
Then I asked.
"Ma, can I talk to you about something later?"
"Of course. I'll be waiting in the living room."
I joined her after the dishes. She looked distant. Uneasy.
"It's about your dream, isn't it?"
I recoiled.
"How could you know, Ma?"
"I heard you screaming in pain yesterday morning… I didn't say anything, but I knew."
She reached out, gently stroking my cheek.
"I'm sorry. Please forgive me, sweetheart."
I nodded, and we hugged. I told her everything.
The dreams. The woman. The scythe. The girl. The death.
Her face… drained of all color.
"Ma? You alright?"
She held my hands, trembling.
"My baby. There's something your dad and I never told you. Something about our past."
I listened.
"We were in something dangerous. We made enemies. We left it all behind so you and your sister could live normal lives. No blood. No regrets. But..."
She squeezed my hand. Tear formed in her eyes.
"I can't tell you everything now. But… one day. One day, you'll know everything. Until then—promise me. Stay true to yourself, no matter what happens."
I nodded.
"I will, Ma."
She smiled and kissed my forehead.
"Let's head to bed. Goodnight, sweetheart."
"Goodnight."
She left.
I laid in bed, the warmth of her touch still lingering.
Yet something about the night gnawed at me. Like static before a storm.
If this were my final sleep…
I hoped it'd be peaceful.
But peace rarely lasts.
Especially for someone like me.