“Who's there?”

I opened my eyes as quickly as I could. That feeling of being noticed was back again. I could even feel the heat on my back. I sat up in my bed, pulling back the blanket as I looked around the room fearfully.
Once I felt a little calm, I quickly noticed my window. I gasped. Again, the shadows in my window seemed so real. Those black shadows had haunted me since I was a child. However, when I blinked my eyes, the creature disappeared. I didn't understand why I felt like I was seeing black shadows all the time.

I fell silent as I watched the window open again. The night breeze came in and brushed against my skin until my goosebumps bristled. It was cold. I don't like cold at all. I still felt wary but I forced myself to step towards the window. That window must be closed.
“This window seems to be getting old” I muttered as I locked the window.

After locking the window, I once again made sure it was really locked. It had always been like that since I was a child. The window would often open by itself with shadows that made me dread spending time alone in my room. I was tired of waking up in the middle of the night. Unfortunately, I kept waking up. I was a big girl now. I can't bother my mom anymore even though I'm really scared right now. Mom has been working a lot of overtime lately.
In the end, I went back to bed. I pulled my blanket up to my neck and turned toward the wall while hugging my wrestling. I was fine. I've been through it all along and I should be able to get through this one too. After all, nothing happened. It also made me think that it was all just an illusion.

“It's just an illusion, Key! It's time for bed”
I tried to convince myself. I climbed onto my bed, pulled up the blanket and closed my eyes. The feeling of fear of being noticed still lingered. However, I turned my body to face the window. Afterward, I started to catch my breath. Nothing was going to happen. When I was about to fall asleep, I heard the sound of the door opening.

“Keysa” I heard a soft voice calling me.
It was my mom! My mom is an editor. She always took the time to check on me after coming home from overtime. I could hear her slow, tired steps. I just kept quiet. If she knew I was awake, she would definitely chat with me. My mom's presence made me feel more comfortable. My tensed muscles are relaxed now. Mom stroked my hair gently. Mom's caress succeeded in making me sleepy and brought me back to the edge of my dreamland. At the edge of my consciousness, I actually started to hear mom's voice.

“I don't understand, Key! Your grandmother always does that!” mom complained. “But I've said it clearly, this is my decision. I'm not going to change my decision at all.”
Mom and Grandma didn't have a good relationship. Grandma often calls but rarely visits us. The last time grandma visited me was two years ago and I can remember how grandma and mom argued.

I've lived with my mom since I was little. My father disappeared when I was 5 years old. As far as I remember, mom and dad never divorced. However, mom and grandma's relationship was not good from then on. They would argue in my absence and then shut up when I saw them arguing. Although I missed my father, I didn't ask any questions. Mom told me first. Dad had business and he would come back to us someday. Unfortunately, I don't know when that will be. However, I know my mom loves me very much. Just as she stood up for me, I will stand up for her too.
“Mom's decision is the best for us” Mom whispered, still stroking my head.

That world? Did she mean the small world where my father and I lived? Or the world where my grandmother's hometown was in Arizona? I wasn't sure. The image of my grandmother alone in her house flashed in my head.
“I don't understand how the past is still chasing us. Even if it was fate, mom would have rejected it. Not for you, Key! It's not your destiny and that world is not suitable for us.”

Feeling curious, I squirmed. I opened my eyes and saw mom's tired-looking face.What exactly had mom gone through? I wasn't old enough to hear it. But, I wanted to ease my mother's burden. Perhaps, I can do something for my mom. I think I'm not that useless!
“Are you okay?” I asked.
Mom smiled.“Did you hear what I said before?”

I nodded and mom hugged me. “We'll be fine.You don't have to worry.”
Mom smiled.“Of course! Not tonight!You have school tomorrow.”

I nodded while mom repositioned my blanket.Mom watched me with affection. “Go to sleep! Mommy will sing to you!”
Mom would sing songs while I slept. Songs that I didn't know the meaning of or what language they were in.If you ask me how she spoke other languages, my mom was a linguist. She speaks at least five languages. Sometimes, she even edits writers from other countries and even translates. I always wanted to ask her the meaning of the song. However, every time I heard that song, I was always attacked by overwhelming sleepiness. The last thing I remembered was my mother's bitter smile.

The next day, I completely forgot about it and always forgot to ask.
My mother's singing washed over me. Slowly, the fears and shadows faded away from me.
The reason I've always been able to survive all this time from those shadows is mom's singing. She had a voice that was as melodious and soothing as a harp. In the end, she managed to bring me back to dreamland.

“Key” mom called. “One day, you will known too....”
But I wasn't listening anymore. I was already plunged into my dream world.