Saved by an Angel

12:00AM

12:00.

Creak.

In a flash, she was back on the couch, catching her breath. She noted the absence of the wind, but didn't pay heed to it.

She looked at the door to see the youngest of all the siblings. Her little sister, with tear marks at the edge of her sleepy hazel eyes, black curls jumping everywhere. Halo could see that she was wearing her favourite sleepwear, a pink sweater and a pair of comfortable pants with white angels.

The toddler opened the door wide enough for the light from the hallway to get inside, illuminating the dim room. She rubbed her eyes to clear her vision as she looked up to her older sister and squeaked, "Hailly?"

Halo let a small, knowing smile take over her lips. "Did you have a bad dream again?" she asked, spreading her arms out to allow her little sister to run up to her for a hug.

As the toddler approached, nodding wildly, she began to cry again. Once she was in the range of hugging, Halo took her in her arms, pressing the little girl against her like there was no tomorrow. Her blue night blouse was dampened with tears, the odour of saliva and sweat drifting onto her nostrils.

But she doesn't care. The warmth and scent of her little sister, the wetness of her shirt and the tight grip on it, even the soft wails of her cries made Halo feel content; made her feel needed, as if she has a purpose.

Picking her up, Halo placed her on her lap. She absentmindedly stroked the toddler's messy locks, untangling some knots in the process, as she hummed soothingly, whispering calming words. When she could only hear soft sniffs, she gently took the girl's little chin, lifting it up to face her. "Do you want to talk about it?"

Instantly, the child's eyes glistened as tears formed, already ready to spill. She dug her face in Halo's shirt, clutching it more firmly. "Please, Hailly, don't go," she said, her voice slightly muffled. "Don't go near that window."

Halo frowned. "What do you mean?"

"Please, Hailly, don't go," she went on, "don't go away. Don't fall, don't fall, don't fall."

Halo's eyes widened -- did her little sister dream of -- no, no, no, no. That can't be. The girl couldn't have managed to visualize her. It wasn't logically likely --

"You can't go, Hailly!" the child said, whimpering. "P-please, don't. I love you so much. I need you! You're my ... my Halo."

Eyes larger than ever, Halo looked down at the girl, unable to believe that someone actually loved and needed her. She never really did much with her little sister, just talked to her when the child seemed to need some company, listening to what she has to say, giving some advice or encouragement at times. It didn't seem much of a big deal.

But, right now, as she gazed wide-eyed at the little girl - grasping her shirt securely and begging her not to pass on - it dawned on her that it's a huge deal. She never knew such little things could affect someone so much.

"Did I do something, Hailly?" the toddler was saying, as she looked up at Halo, eyes big in fear. Halo stared at back at them, and it hit her. Her purpose -- goodness, it's been in front of her all along. "Did I do something bad?" the child asked. "I promise, I won't do it again - just as long as you don't go--"

Halo hushed her, running a hand through the girl's locks. She held her closer, the toddler's head on the crook of her neck. "That'll never happen." Her eyes watered, a delighted smile stretching on her lips. "I'll always be here."

"Promise?" she said, voice soft. Her eyelids drooped, heavy with sleep.

Under the moonlight, the teardrop was silver, winking as it glided down, beside her face. She pressed her lips -- simultaneously hard and gentle -- on the little girl's forehead. A calm breeze entered the room and embraced them, strangely without the stench and sounds of the city, as Halo said, "I promise, Angel."