Unnoticed by V . Willows
There was nothing but candlelight all through the Abrams house , courtesy of the storm that knocked out their power . Maia sat alone in her living room with some files on the coffee table in front of her . Another day , another case , another neglected child . She let out a tired breath and pushed some of her hair back . It was so cold in here without working heat , and the thunder outside was giving her the worst headache imaginable . The only saving grace was that Eve was sleeping in her room and not out here getting in Maia ’ s —
“ Mom ?” Never mind .
“ Hm ?” Maia answered without looking up . She couldn ’ t stop the slight hint of annoyance in her tone . Of all the times to interrupt , did her daughter need to choose right then ? She had to have these things looked over by morning ! What was she doing up at three a . m . anyway ? When no reply came , she spared the girl half a glance before giving her attention back to her work . “ What is it , Eve ?”
“ Mom ,” the girl began , “ are you afraid of dying ?”
Maia paused . Where had that come from ? She put her work aside for a moment to fully regard Eve and frowned at what she saw . It could ’ ve been the dim lighting , but the girl was looking rather pale . She also looked to have some bags beneath her eyes . Maybe she was just having trouble sleeping ? Nightmares or the storm ? “ Eve , are you okay ?”
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