Nobody is Coming.

Before.

Wira always watched her family sleep. During the early hours of the morning when no one was up. It was reassuring, knowing they were alive, breathing. Everything was under control, everyone was safe. They were untouchable. No one could get to them. It was always so quiet during this piece of time- a crack of silence into another dimension, almost. Not a single breath could be heard, but it could be seen, and Wira always saw.

Unbeknown to the other members of the household, of course.

But, in the cool air of darkness, she felt in control, in her element. She could protect her family from anything that could come her way. After many years of falling asleep on the job, she had made it. She could survive on just three hours of sleep. She was useful. When everyone else was vulnerable, she was not. She was here. 

Then, as if the whole entire world was laughing at her thoughts, the Sun would come up and she would retreat back into her room, the place where she felt safest, her comfort zone.

One night, when it was almost half morning, nothing could be seen. The air itself froze as if to stop her from reaching her family. Her eyelids drooped and she fell to the floor. Through half-lidded eyes she saw the clock hanging above the door in the hallway stop. Her lungs felt like imploding from the thickness of the atmosphere, barely able to breathe, she gave in to the patiently waiting darkness.

Tick.

Tock.

Tick.

And then there was silence.