Chapter 5: Beyond her Lullaby

After putting Akin back into her bed, she wouldn't fall asleep. Every so often she'd drift off, but wake to the sound of her own screeching. It was like her nightmares were dragging her mind into reality, and she lied there screaming and flailing trying to call for help. Then just like that, she'd stop. The nightmares would let her go and recede back into her subconscious, leaving her to sleep peacefully for the time being. It was a routine that she endured for a majority of the night, calming herself without my assistance. At some point in the night though, when the first blueish light of morning passed through our window, her screams became unbearable. She needed someone to guard the line between dreams and reality. She needed help.

"B? Are you... awake?" She whispered into the fading darkness. Her breath still winded from her previous screaming.

"Yeah, I couldn't sleep."

There was an apologetic pause. "B, do you...can I...can I sleep with you? I mean, sleep in your bed?" She was hesitant and awkward in her words. Obviously desperate for sleep, and I couldn't deny her.

"Sure...if it'll help." I said.

In the darkness I heard her rush and fumble out of her bed. Her feet hit the floor with a loud thump, and she ran recklessly into my bed, toppling over me in the process. She was like a small child, obviously afraid of the dark, and thinking of a bed as a sanctuary from it.

She positioned herself to my left, between the wall and my body. She dragged the blanket over herself, moved a bit closer to me, and stared at the ceiling. For a few minutes she was quiet, laying there silently next to me. She tried to shift positions and find comfort, but it was useless. In the fight for sleep her enemies were to strong. She was well aware of that, and when she found that she couldn't fight them alone, she had a request.

"B? I know this is weird to ask, but I mean. Well, after my parents died my brother would sing me a lullaby to get me to sleep. Would you sing it for me?" Truthfully, I wanted to say no. The request seemed ridiculous, but I needed to get her to sleep.

I sighed. "How does it go?" I asked. I could almost hear her smile in the dark. She began to hum the tune, then added the words into it gradually.

"Dream my darling

close your eyes

I'll protect you

stop your cries

Dream my lovely

go to sleep

I'll hold you

don't you weep

Dream my beauty

lose your fear

when you wake

I'll be here..."

Each word she sang was like honey, rich and smooth. It was as if her voice had been tailored specifically for lullabies. It made the dark room suddenly warm and bright. It was beautiful. I turned over in my bed to face her. I wanted be closer to her. Closer to the essence of warmth she gave off. It was new and different from anything I've ever heard. I tried to look at her face in the darkness, but instead I saw her lifespan flashing above her head. Eleven days... I had almost forgot... I had to stop this. I couldn't let myself care about her. I couldn't lose someone I cared about...not again.

"Akin I'm-I'm to tired to sing right now. Just go to sleep." I snapped at her. It was the only way to prevent an objection, but it hurt her. She sank back into the pillow that we were sharing.

"Alright... B..." She whispered in an ashamed tone, as if she'd done something wrong. I felt an overwhelming wave of guilt. I needed to say something quickly to make her feel better, and to make me feel better.

"You can call me ...Beyond." I said. It was weak, and not an apology , but it was something. The first rays of the rising sun glided through our window and onto her face, lighting it up and exposing a small smile.

"You changed your name? Beyond. I like it." She looked at me and smiled a bit wider. It was a loving smile, and at that moment Akin seemed to be the only important thing in the world. Everything else was just part of a setting, but here she was, the main event of life. Beautiful... I turned away quickly, it was getting too personal again. This time, she didn't care that I was attempting to shut her out. She wrapped her arms around me and nestled her head into my hair. I could feel her breath as she opened her mouth to speak one last time as she began to fall asleep.

"Goodnight...Beyond." She said, her words fading as her mind finally let her enter the realm of sweet dreams. I waited a minute, and when I was sure she had entered her slumber, I answered her.

"Goodnight, Akin."