Mariana squeezed her eyes. Her fingers trembled as she gripped onto the sheets. Her chest burned with her anxious heart trying to break free like she was trying to escape her nightmare. But no matter how she tried to force herself awake, her body was paralyzed in the land of her subconscious, leaving her stuck until it decided to release her.

She could discern nothing except impenetrable, murky darkness that was void with any noise. Her body felt hollow and the darkness was so thick she felt it forcing her eyes shut, suffocating her airways. It pressed down on her like a heavyweight in the form of a smoking cloud.

Faint beeping noises leaped around in her ears like little crickets. Her eyes jumped to catch up with them, but she didn't know where they were coming from. Her temples dripped with water as the beeps got louder and evil cackles evolved from them. She once more tried wiggling away but nothing worked, until someone slammed open a enormous door, twined their fingers together with a smirk, and walked in.

"Time for me to make use of you, my sweet little niece..."

Mariana finally woke as she jolted herself away. She panted out like she had been running a marathon, but it felt like she was just fighting for her life in her own dream.

She gradually regained her breath as she looked around. She was back in her bedroom with the brilliant moon shining through like a nightlamp. The trees were rustling against the window quietly, like they were trying to soothe her. She also heard Micah snoring as he faced the other side.

She squeezed her arm and was relieved when she felt the shooting pain in her nerves. She was back safe in her own house, but now she felt unsafe by going to sleep again. Even though she had a lava lamp to provide light, that wasn't enough this time, so she got up and flicked on the light.

She jumped when she suddenly overheard Micah groaning and cursing from the bed.

"Who turned on the light?"

"Sorry! Had a bad dream so I would like the light on."

"Why? We have the lamp right there..." he mumbled half-asleep.

"Please, just for this one night?" She pleaded with favourable eyes.

Micah grumbled and pulled the sheets over his head. He slithered in like a turtle so that he was completely under the covers. "I can't stand sleeping with the light on..."

Mariana walked back to the bed and climbed in. She was no longer tired but spooked by her nightmare, so she decided to play with her fingers.

She groaned and lowered her head down. The faint moonlight caught her eye, and she traced it to the windowsill with a smile, but it was a sad one. She didn't like living like this. Her kids far away from her, reliving the whole nightmare of getting a family member taken away, and uncertain if she'll get them back or not.

She just wanted this whole ordeal to end.

She sighed and went back to bed, but didn't go to sleep straight away.

****

Mariana walked out of a bakery with a pastry. She bit into it, letting some stray bits rip off like dandelions and settle on her chin. She wiped some sweat off her brow and pulled flapped her top. She suffered a headache this morning during her fieldwork so when she was free, she decided to get some water and a quick snack.

One more thing she had to do, was to return to the office and type up what she found, but her eyes leaked tears of exhaustion. After last night, she just wanted to back to sleep. Even walking to her workplace, she felt like dropping on the floor and napping for the rest of the day.

She sighed heavily as she almost fell due her jelly legs. She desperately wished she could go back home and hug her kids but they weren't there. She could hug Micah if she wanted but she wanted her kids.

She walked to her car and got her keys out. They jiggled amongst her shaking hands. She kept an eye on her surroundings as people walked past, their shoes clacking and talking on their phones. Her ears picked up on every sound and her eyes closely analyzed under their coats to see if anything was concealed.

Just when she was about to get inside, someone called her name. She turned with her shoulders hunched but was surprised when she saw Pamela walking toward her.

"Hey!" Pamela waved. She wore an oversized hoodie which her big breasts bounced through, as well as the top messy bun stuffed under the hood.

"Oh hi, I wasn't expecting to see you here," Mariana replied as she stood in front of her.

"Well, I was just in the area, and I saw you. So I just thought to come over and say that I found where I must've put Mona's records. Not the actual thing but I think I have an idea where it is."

"Oh that's great! I'm happy to hear that." Mariana smiled.

"Yeah! After I do my shopping, I'm going to hunt in the drawer for it." She announcer with her pearly sky-blue eyes sparkling.

"Okay, I really hope you find it!" Mariana became more optimistic at this great news. If she knew exactly where to look for, then they'll find those documents in no time.

"Me too, I'll just be on my way now, bye!" Pamela said and then went on her way.

Mariana unlocked her and sat down inside her seat. She quickly gulped down her water to refresh herself. Because of her nightmare, her gloominess lasted throughout the day but this bit of news gave her the kick back in her day, which filled her with renewed energy.

After her work, Mariana went and spent some time with Leilani. They were sat in her living as the door to the backyard was wide open, letting the breeze cleanse the air and bring the world of nature to inside. They could see the columns of light spread out on the grass and bees swirling with the butterflies around the flower pots.

"How are you Mariana?" Leilani said as she dusted imaginary dust off the couch. She sat down and drank her coffee. "I didn't expect you to visit today with what's been going on."

"Oh I just wanted to hang out with you today," Mariana said, "you are like an older sister to me after all." She smirked.

"Honey, I'm not that much older than you." She smirked.

"Yeah, your almost a whole decade older." Mariana laughed a little.

Leilani just stared at her and Mariana stared back. It was like they were doing a staring competition until Leilani suddenly pinched Mariana's knee.

Mariana yelped as she wasn't expecting that and Leilani just laughed.

"I don't want to get old," Leilani said which sounded like a half-sob. She drank her coffee, and Mariana stuck her nose in the air as the coffee had the warm, sweet smell fruits and the tinge of spices that tugged at her nose.

"Mmm, what kind of coffee is that? It smells delicious."

"Oh this?" Leilani lifted up her mug. "This is Kona coffee. I brought the beans from when I last went to Hawai'i."

"Oh cool! Can I have some?"

"Sure, I still got some left over in the kitchen." Leilani placed her coffee on the side and went to get some.

"Thanks!" Mariana said and then crossed her legs while waiting. When she looked down, she could see Mateo playing on the floor.

"What are you making Mateo?" She bent down so she could see properly. She was quite curious as she saw some wooden tracks lying around with the coffee table pushed to the side.

"I'm making a big track, and then make my trains go around and pick up the people!" Mateo said and his body spun around until he went dizzy pointing to everything. There were some trees planted around the corner of the tracks, with people waiting outside and some buildings.

"Aw, it looks really nice!" Mariana said. She was excited to see it completed and to see the trains on the move.

Soon, Leilani came back with a freshly brewed coffee that was steaming with joy.

"Here you go chérie." Leilani gave her the cup and took her seat. They were now relaxing together as her toes were lightly painted, twinkling through her sandals.

"Ah, I love these days when I don't have to work." Leilani sighed with relief and combed her fingers through her silky hair that flowed beside her like a river of black pearls.

"Yeah, you only have to work for three days right? That sounds kind of like an easy schedule."

"Until I have to get up and work twelve hours." Leilani murmured and supported her against her hand.

"Oh, is it hard?"

"Leilani shrugged. "Yeah, but now I'm used to it so it's manageable."

"Yeah, I can imagine." Mariana nodded in agreement.

"That's why I try and make the most of these days." Leilani sighed peacefully and shut her eyes like a sleeping beauty. Mariana gently laid her head back with her and they sat there, imagining the sounds of the ocean drifting in their ears. The wind invited itself in and drifted over their faces, bringing in thousands of flavors from around the world.

"Hey after this, we can go outside, and I'll show you the things I have growing," Leilani suggested. She sat up, so she could face her properly.

"Sure, what have you grown so far?"

"Eh just the regular stuff like tomates, prunes, abricots, peppers—"

"Mommy." Mateo came and started tugging at her shoulder.

"Just anything really." Leilani concluded her sentence as her hand slid further down the arm of the couch.

"Mommy."

"You also grow prunes?" Mariana asked.

Leilani blinked b;ankly at her for a few seconds before realizing what she had said.

"Plums I meant." She smiled but then looked away from embarrassment.

"Yeah I got the other two, but I was confused on that one." Mariana smiled.

"Mommy!" Mateo whined louder.

"Yes Mateo what is it?" Leilani finally said and looked down to Mateo jumping.

"Look!" Mateo said and pointed to his finished set. There was now a completed circuit and a red bridge which the line of trains was stationed. Cheerful people were scattered around their homes, waiting to be passengers along the route picked up.

"Well done Mateo, it looks really nice!" Leilani said and swooped him up in a hug.

"Thank you!"

She pressed some kisses to his cheeks and then settled him down.

"Come on Mariana, I'll show you what I've got growing." Leilani got up and held onto Mateo's hand.

All of three walked outside, and Mariana was checking out everything. She noticed they had a pond which had tiny fishes swimming under the lily pads. There was a small, cherry blossom tree growing on the side which provided shade.

Leilani opened the greenhouse at the back, and they went inside. She directed Mariana's attention to the strawberry vines snaking around the metal, bell peppers bouncing up and down, and glistening cherries that had dripping dewdrops.

"You really got some nice plants here. I would like to grow some but I'm too lazy and kind of impatient," Mariana said. She was ducking away some forming spiderwebs, and kept her arms close from bugs.

"Yeah, these things take time to grow, but the results are always worth it," Leilani said.

"Do you mind if I take some home if they are ready?"

"Sure, I'll give you some to take home."

"Thank you," Mariana said as she continued following her behind.

Soon, they came to an expanded area which contained two small plants pots placed against the wall.

"Those are Mateo's plants," Leilani explained, "I'm teaching him to grow stuff so that he'll be able to do it himself when he's older."

"I'm growing a sunflower and cherry tomatoes!" Mateo announced and ran to his plants. He bent down and played with the little leaves.

"And he's doing so well," Leilani said proudly and ruffled his hair, making him smile. "Make sure you check the soil to see if its dry. If it is, then we'll go give it some water, okay my trésor?"

"Okay Mommy," Mateo said and started digging his finger inside.

"This reminds me of when I tried growing a sunflower once when I was younger," Mariana said with nostalgia mellowing in her tone.

"How did that go?" Leilani asked.

"It died."

"Oh..." Leilani muttered with her mouth slightly agape.

"I'm sorry."

"That's alright. I wasn't that interested anyway." Mariana laughed gently at the memory. "My dad just wanted me to spend more time outside instead of being stuck at the TV."

"That is a very good excuse." Leilani smirked.

"I know, I wish I saw it bloom, but it wilted before it could."

"Aw never mind, maybe I can give you some seeds and you can try again," Leilani said. She suddenly started feeling her pockets like she forgot something.

"That reminds me, let me go get a bag to pack you some fruits," she said and went to the gate.

"Come on Mateo, come help Mommy pack!" She patted the side of her leg which made Mateo ran towards her and took her hand.

"Thanks Leilani!" Mariana said and sat on a stool to wait. She was then brought a plastic bag filled with freshly picked fruits that were more than ready to be eaten. She placed them in her purse and when they got inside, they all played with Mateo on his train track.

A/N: Hey I hope you enjoyed this little filler!

This really reminded me of when I used to grow tomatoes during the first lockdown 😂😂XD.