That night, at ten o'clock in Reina's family home, the cold was piercing to the bone.
"Ugh, it's so cold. When will Mom come home?" Reina, a sixteen-year-old girl, shivered in front of the television, which was still on, showing a program that held no interest in her whatsoever. Her mind was filled with emptiness and worry, far beyond the entertainment on the screen. All she awaited was her mother's return, the only warmth she craved. Loneliness gnawed at every corner of her heart, fueling an increasingly dominant fear.
She slowly pulled a thick wool blanket from the back of the sofa and wrapped it around her slender body. "When will Mom come home? I have to see if she told me anything."
Reina stood, her steps light, floating across the cold floor. The cool breeze from the slightly open window brushed against her smooth, white skin. She wore only a thin, short white T-shirt and knee-length shorts, leaving most of her thighs exposed, adding to the tingling sensation. Her dark hair swayed gently as she moved.
She finally reached the small table in the corner of the room, where her cell phone lay. Her right arm was outstretched, her slender fingers stroking the screen. When her phone lit up, a notification from her mother appeared, sent about four hours ago.
"Reina, I'll probably be home around 1 a.m. because I have extra work. Don't forget you have school tomorrow, and don't forget to sleep. Remember, I had a hard time waking you up because you stayed up until 11 just waiting for me."
"So, I want you to go to bed now. Don't be a child anymore. You're 16, you should be more mature now."
Reading the message, Reina's shoulders slumped, letting out a long, heavy sigh. A small disappointment crept into her chest, but she tried to push it away. She then turned around, her eyes slightly red from holding back sleep and the desire to be hugged. She walked back to the sofa, her steps now feeling more languid than before. Once near the television, her cold hands reached for the remote and turned off the screen. The blue light immediately disappeared, leaving the room dimly lit. Reina returned to the sofa, wrapping herself completely in the blanket, seeking the warmth she needed more than anything. Slowly, his eyelids felt heavier, and he finally fell asleep, leaving silence in the entire room.