Cold

Everything was cold. Where was she? Where was Mother? She silenced the whimper in her throat before it came out - Mother had told her not to make a sound, she would listen. She would find Mother. Where was she? It was dark. She shakily pulled herself up to her knees, feeling the smooth stones of the floor beneath her hands. Why were they wet? She took in a breath, crawling forwards, trying not to make a sound. There! She reached forwards, grabbing onto the fabrics of Mother's skirt. Everything would be alright now, Mother would explain why everything was so dark. Was Mother sleeping?

'Mother?'

No sound.

'Mother, wake up! It's dark, you need to turn on the lights!'

A sound, not from her. The door groaned open, but no light entered the room.

Mother wasn't moving and she didn't know where she was, what should she do? She scooted back, not breathing.

"Hey!" Somebody shouted, "There's a kid in here - oh. Poor lady."

More sounds.

"Hey, kid, we need to leave, they'll be back."

She shook her head. "It's dark, and I'm not suposed to go with any strangers.'

"Dark? Kid, it's the middle of the day."