She could smell the musty air that lingered after a fire - it must be morning, as her mother always put on a small fire to get through the night.

She sat up slowly, and saw the one gazing upon her.

Red eyes locked with hers, ink black hair flowing down the sides of their pale, youthful face. If Salmu had to guess, this child was at most five years old - however, the cold, lonesome stare they gave her shouldn't belong to any little boy out there.

He was dressed smartly, a ruby on his collar and a small, rather dapper suit to boot. A little glowing blue butterfly perched on his head, occasionally flapping its wings.

The little boy slowly moved away as Salmu got up. The house was empty, silent - yet she was surrounded by all familiar things.

Once again, her gaze locked with the deep red eyes of the child before her. He had yet to speak or give any real acknowledgement of her existence.

Salmu felt intimidated by the small figure. There was something else about him, not just the dark loneliness that lingered in his eyes, and the little butterfly on his hair.

Fearful, she clutched the straw beneath her.

The butterfly crawled in front of one of the boys eyes, and it seemed as if he only then saw her.

He gave a small wave, leaving his hand in the air briefly before letting it drop again. His facial expression slipped into a small smile.

“Um, hello.” He said in a light voice. “Salmu Naorni, isn't it?”

Salmu nodded, taken aback. “And you?”

The boy gave a light laugh - trying to distract her, Salmu noticed - and said,”I don't think that's for you to know yet. You'll see when the time comes.”

“Ah - alright! Everyone has their secrets…” Salmu replied nervously. The smile faded from the little boys face.

“You don't have to pretend not to be afraid, you know.”

His words pierced Salmu's heart.

“Afraid? What do you me-”

“Stop that. Don't. You're not even meant to be seeing me right now.”

“What?”

“Wake up.” Their voice echoed and distorted, the butterfly moved away from their eye.

A mirage of disembodied voices followed as Salmu was plunged into darkness.

“Do-n’t-t d-die!” A feminine voice cried out from the darkness.

“How-w was it-it? Dy-ying-g, I me-ean?”

A roar, the calls of crows, black suits, arrows - sounds and images flashes through Salmu's head, until finally…

“I think it's time to wake up.” A voice said, as hundreds of eyes fixed onto Salmu.