Noa

"Come, Noa."

The girl of only nine years clung to her sister, Grici.

"'I ask for nothing, only help as best as I can.' That's what the sign says. Pinako is going to help you." A reassuring smile, although added in her mind was a small whisper. "I hope she is, at least."

"Niiji no wayeh grats, gaivahn, niiji no wayeh grats, gaivahn, gaivahn, gaivahn, gaivahn, gaivahn, gaivahn..." She sang this slowly, softly. Quietly, Noa joined in.

"Niiji no wayeh grats, gaivahn, niiji no wayeh grats, gaivahn, gaivahn, gaivahn, gaivahn, gaivahn, gaivahn..." Noa weakly smiled as her older sister sang an octive higher.

Noa could remember the guitar, the clapping and chanting as Tyia, her oldest sister, twirled, the white dress making her skin glow and her smile shine even brighter. She even laughed merrily and joined in at one point, letting Tyia pick her up and swing her around.

Then, suddenly, a sequence of images flashed around in her mind.

Cough, cough, blood, a body, screams, DEATH, DEATH, DEATH!

She whimpered, eyes wide, and struggled to get out of Tyia's arms. Tyia let her go, concerned look on her face for a moment before she heard a whistle from the crowd and began dancing again. The violins played in perfect harmony, the claps and yells from the other Romas synchronized completely as they danced on the sides, singing in tune.

Noa only watched, unshed tears blurring her vision.

- - -

"Oh, make her be quiet, Tyia!" Grici complained, pointing an accusing finger at Noa. The rest of their friends and siblings left the shelter soon after.

Noa was sobbing, inbetween screaming, "Death, death, death, death!"

Tyia opened her arms. Noa shrinked away, crying even more.

"I SEE DEATH WHEN YOU TOUCH ME!" She shrieked.

A gasp from Tyia. Silence.

There she stood, her oldest sister, eyes wide with shock. "H-how did you know?" She whispered.

"I don't know! I saw blood... and.. coughing." Noa fell to the ground, clutching her face in fear of what she had seen earlier.

"Noa... you.. saw.." Tyia took a pause inbetween each word, shakily. "I.. have.. tu-"

A cough. Noa looked up when she heard a choking sound, and something spilling onto the floor.

Dark glossy red puddles. THUMP.

"Ty-" Noa stared at her sister.

The images.

DEATH, DEATH, DEATH!

"TYIAA!" Noa screamed, the soft patter of rain falling on the roof mixing with it.

Noa and Grici stopped singing as they reached the apartment.

"Allright, go on," She cooed, patting Noa's back with one hand and stroking her hair with the other.

Noa smiled nervously, a facade for the complete feeling of dread that poked around her stomach.

"It's okay!" Grici giggled, nudging her sister. "Mrs. Rockbell is nice. She helped me when I was sick. And her daughter is nice, too. I actually think she's about your age."

Noa nodded slightly, although uncertain. She just wanted to be fixed and get out of there, so she wouldn't see pain or death anymore.

"Noa.." Grici warned, looking down.

".. Okay!" Noa whined. She knocked on the wooden door, then put her hands behind her back, waiting for an answer...