Do not read this expecting anything but simplicity; do not read this with thousands of questions and doubts in your mind. If you think deeper and further than you should, then you will not understand this story, nor will you enjoy it.

Ease

The days always seem to pass quickly, as though eager to throw the world into darkness as soon as it could. It was her last day; or rather, her last few hours, for it was already sunset. Hao was watching her once more from under the oak tree.

She spent the day as she always did, as though it was just another day, resting in her room, chatting with her parents, watching her siblings when they came into her room to play with her, but she knew, without a doubt, that the end was near.

Time waited for no man, and the sky darkened steadily. The melody was getting weaker, and softer, and Hao could barely hear it now. He tilted his head up towards the sky and frowned slightly, trying to concentrate; yes, she was still singing, but her strength was running out. The moment she drifts into a slumber will be the moment she draws her last breath. It was going to be painless, but she will have to prepare herself, nevertheless.

Hao waited until the sky was clear, until every star shone alongside the moon before he treaded quietly towards that huge glass panel again. She noticed him immediately this time, and sat up from her bed, eyes wide with wonder. And when he smiled at her, like he had last night, she understood. He had come to comfort her before she departs.

She mustered all the courage she had, and beamed back; her song wavered. Hao half-expected her to plead for her own life again, as she had done before, but the unpleasant jolt that disrupted the fluid melody lasted for only an instant. She had managed, however barely, to curb her own selfishness, swallow her own sadness, and transform it into a pleasing song that will keep playing until she dies.

Now, sleep, Hao told her wordlessly, never breaking his eye contact with her, sleep, and let your pain go.

She obeyed after a lingering glance at the door, and slipped into her bed, under her covers. She lay there, for a long time, but he knew she wasn't asleep. She was waiting for someone. Hao retreated back into the shadows of the big oak, and waited together with her.

It wasn't long before her mother came in to check on her, and she welcomed the adult with outstretched arms, mutedly asking to be embraced. The woman complied, and knelt down next to the bed before leaning down to hold her daughter in her arms.

Amidst the weakening melody, Hao could hear her last request quite clearly: stay with me.

It was directed at her mother, who seemed to have understood when her daughter clung onto her hand after they broke apart, and she sat down, assuring the girl that she would be by her side until she fell into deep slumber. Satisfied, she finally allowed herself to rest.

The melody that had been constantly resounding within Hao now faded into nothingness, and a different kind of sadness engulfed him. Her body had gone limp, and her thin hand slipped from her mother's warm, healthy one.

Hao watched as the girl's mother tried to shake her daughter awake, as her tears fell onto the lifeless body. She won't wake up again, he thought, somewhat apologetically as he placed a hand over his chest, because her soul now rested within the Great Spirit.

Take comfort, he willed silently as the woman's cries filled the air, she is now safe, and free from all pain.

And without another look back, Hao slowly made his way out of the estate.

Final chapter will be up either later today, or tomorrow.