"Sis," Tashia called out, noticing her sister staring blankly into the distance again.
Sharlene blinked, startled. "Sorry, Tashia," she said, snapping out of her daze.
Tashia just nodded and gently guided her back home. Their grandmother Felicia's wake had been going on for almost two days now.
"I'll come back tonight," Tashia said softly, bidding farewell to her half-sister.
Sharlene nodded silently.
"Ashley, go get dressed now. Don't give your mom a hard time today," she said kindly to the child, who only smiled and nodded back.
Before she could turn away, Sharlene handed her an envelope.
"I know you don't have any allowance right now—and this is also a little something for helping me."
Tashia stared at the envelope, uncertain.
"I know it's not much," Sharlene added with a tired smile. "But when I have more, I'll give you the rest."
Without thinking, Tashia stepped forward and hugged her. It was brief but sincere. Sharlene looked at her in surprise.
"That's for you, sis. I'll contribute this to Grandma's burial," Tashia said quietly as she returned the envelope.
But Sharlene reached into it and pulled out a smaller portion.
"Here—take this, at least for your travel expenses. Let me be your older sister this time."
Tashia knew how stubborn Sharlene could be. She accepted the money, already knowing she would use it for something important—likely something related to their grandmother's wake.
Both of them had been left behind by their parents. They had been abandoned without explanation. But despite that, they found strength in each other.
"I'll go ahead now, sis," Tashia said gently.
Sharlene waved as she watched her leave. Outside, a few neighbors lingered at the wake. Tashia waited for a jeep, preparing to return to the place she shared with Vivianne.
As she stood by the roadside, her eyes suddenly landed on a familiar face—Sharlene's husband—walking toward the house with his best friend, Sheila. To her shock, she saw them kiss before going inside.
Her eyebrow arched. Seriously? At a wake?
Just as she was boarding the jeep, a woman in mourning attire caught her attention. She followed closely behind Sheila. Tashia tried to get a better look, but the vehicle pulled away, blurring the scene.
She glanced at her watch. Nearly 5 PM. Thankfully, her shift had ended early today, and she had picked up Ashley from school.
Eventually, she arrived at their place, paid the fare, and let herself in. Inside, she found Vivianne, just home from work.
"Got off early today, sis?" she greeted.
Vivianne nodded. "Yeah, thankfully."
Tashia headed straight to the bedroom to change into her home clothes. Once dressed, she stepped into the kitchen to help prepare dinner.
"How's she doing?" Vivianne asked after a while.
Tashia turned, puzzled. "Who?"
Vivianne didn't answer right away. She exhaled deeply, gaze unfocused.
"I had a dream the other night," she said finally.
Tashia remained quiet, waiting for more. It wasn't unusual for them to have long chats—it was just the two of them in the small house they rented.
"I saw Grandma," Vivianne said slowly. "She was asking me for help."
"You probably just need rest, sis," Tashia said, trying to keep things light. "Are you going to come with me tonight?"
Vivianne shook her head. "Not yet. I'm still unsettled by the dream."
Tashia raised a brow. "What kind of dream?"
"I'm not superstitious, and I don't believe in ghosts... but lately, something feels off. Each dream leaves me more uneasy than the last."
Vivianne paused, then continued. "In this one, I saw a woman in mourning. I couldn't see her face. Grandma was with a couple, and their hands were tied to something I couldn't make out."
Tashia's thoughts raced. A woman in mourning? She had seen the same thing earlier.
"And then... I saw Ashley."
"What? Why would Ashley be in your dream?" she asked sharply.
"I don't know. But something tells me... something bad might happen to her."
Vivianne's voice trembled. Tashia could see the fear etched into her face.
"Sis, take a break. Maybe you just need a good sleep."
Vivianne sighed. "Yeah, maybe you're right. I'll lie down. Just let me know when dinner's ready."
She disappeared into the room, leaving Tashia alone in the kitchen. Tashia stood for a moment, gripping the edge of the table. Vivianne's just tired, she told herself. She needs rest.
After cooking and eating, she lay down on the couch. Her sister's words lingered, but she tried to shake them off.
I'll just nap for a bit.
Silence fell over the house. But then, Tashia heard it—a faint sobbing.
She sat up, scanning the room.
The soft crying grew louder, coming from the corner.
Confused and unsettled, she got to her feet.
A child was crouched in the corner, trembling in a hospital gown.
A chill ran down her spine.
The door had been locked. No one should be inside.
She took a cautious step forward.
"Child?" she called out gently.
The sobbing continued.
"What's wrong?" She asked again, voice shaky.
The child slowly looked up.
Tashia gasped.
"A—Ashley?"
The face was unmistakable. But her eyes… her eyes were bleeding.
Tears of blood trickled down her cheeks.
"Help… help, Sister Tashia…"
That voice.
That scream.
Tashia jolted upright, gasping for air.
A dream.
Her shirt was soaked in sweat.
Ashley—
Without thinking, she got up and dressed, ready to rush to Sharlene's house.
Vivianne stirred in the room. "Are you leaving?" she asked sleepily.
Tashia only nodded.
Vivianne glanced at the wall clock. "It's almost nine."
Still groggy, she got up and prepared some food.
Tashia passed by the kitchen.
"I'm heading out," she said.
Vivianne only nodded, watching her go.
Outside, the night air was heavy, and her thoughts raced as she waited for a ride.
She couldn't shake the feeling that her dream was more than just a nightmare.
It was a warning.