A sister had just finished washing the clothes. She carried the wet bundle outside to hang, leaving behind a wide metal bowl filled with cloudy water.
The room grew quiet.
A moment later, a small head peeked around the doorway.
Burning silver hair caught the light, red glinting at the tips like hidden embers. Big pink eyes scanned the room carefully. There was mischief in them. And chocolate.
A smear of it stained the corner of her mouth.
Father had told her to keep it a secret from her sisters.
So she had to wash her hands.
The chocolate on her lips, however, had gone completely unnoticed.
She tiptoed inside, placing each step carefully as if the floor might give her away because of her tiny feet. Her gaze darted around until it landed on the tap fixed to the wall.
Water.
She hurried toward it and stretched her arm up.
"Higher… a bit higher," she muttered to herself, rising onto her toes.
Her fingers wiggled in the air, brushing nothing but emptiness.
