Two soft white shapes emerged further from behind the sofa.
Not objects.
Hair.
The tips of white hair stood up at strange angles, like fake ears—twitching slowly, as if sniffing the air.
Lilia froze.
Her heart slammed wildly in her chest.
Then—
a pair of eyes appeared.
Is that a head? she thought.
The next second, the entire face rose into view.
A small child.
Messy white hair. Eyes glittering unnaturally. And the lips—
stretching into a wide smile.
"Hehe."
The small voice came out light. Cheerful. Completely out of place.
"AAAAAAAA—!"
Lilia screamed on reflex.
The child immediately stood up—too fast—then turned and *ran*.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
Small footsteps slapped against the floor, heading for the stairs.
"W-wait—!"
Lilia swallowed hard. Her hands shook as she pushed herself up, her breathing short and uneven. Her mind still hadn't caught up with what had just happened.
A child?
At this hour?
How did they get in?
She stared at the dark staircase.
Silent.
