She was curled up under her covers, wadded in a tight ball like a discarded piece of paper. Her body shook with shivers, despite the layers of blankets.

Someone was singing.

Indistinct la-las drifted slowly through the air, falling snowflakes of song. They slid over her skin like a balm.

No, not a balm. More like anesthesia.

She knew who was singing, knew that it bore no good. But the notes were designed to soothe. She couldn't help herself.

"La, la, la...la-la, la..."

Her body moved as if by puppet strings, but her fear melted as soon as it was born. She was shrouded in bliss, drowning in it.

"La, la, la..."

She stumbled in the darkness and felt cold arms catch her. They held her limp rag-doll body up, cradling her tenderly.

"La...la..." The notes soured. Terror rumbled through her body like a distant earthquake.

And then nothing did. Or ever would again.

-tbc-