Fear

Aiko

''It is said that the soul or spirit of a young child/baby is the most vengeful kind because they died before they got the chance to enjoy life'' 

''Mama? What's wrong with Onee-san?'' Tomoko asked. Mama could only look at him with sad eyes, forlorn written all over her face as she stared at the small body of Aiko in the coffin. Aiko has angellic features; a small nose, angular jaw and beautiful eyes. Her once pink lips were now stained with lipstick as part of the funeral service. She was dressed in a beautiful pink kimono decorated with designs of delicate flowers, and on her little feet she wore a pair of geta. Her raven black hair were combed nicely and tucked behind her ears. 

Mama managed a small smile and and took hold of Tomoko's small but chubby hands.

''Onee-san is in a better place now, darling. She will be with the angels.'' Mama explained. Tomoko looked at her with big doe eyes. ''Will she play with me again?"

A stab of pain went throgh Mama's chest as she struggled to find the right words to explain to young Tomoko. She know very well Aiko would not be the cheerful, bubbly child she used to be, but only a lifeless, dead, cold body. Let alone play with Tomoko.

Mama lowered herself to Tomoko's height and explained to him slowly. ''Tomoko, Onee-san won't play with you anymore. She's gone. Mama only have you, and Tomoko have Mama. Alright?" She swallowed back a sob that was threatening to escape when Tomoko nodded slowly.  She wasn't sure whether he understood her, but she ruffled his hair and held him close to her side.

A million thoughts were running through her mind as she thought of her daughter. Poor, poor Aiko. She's so young but she lost her life at only 5.

Last week.

''Aiko! Look after your brother alright! Do not break the vases!'' said Mama. She was at the kitchen preparing some Onigiri for their dinner that evening.

Aiko was too busy playing with her 'friend' to even look after Tomoko. She sat in her room, changing the clothes of her doll which she had named ''Dolly''.  Tomoko sat alone at a corner and played with his new toy train, occasionally making 'choo-choo' sounds. The television was showing Handy Mandy and the living room was dark.

''Aiko? Where are you? Come play with your brother.'' Mama said, annoyed as she walked into the living room and found it dark. Searching for the switches, she found it and flicked it on.  Tomoko was still playing with his toy.

''Tomoko? Where is your Onee-san?'' Tomoko looked up from his toy and pointed to Aiko's room without muttering a single word. 

''Why don't you join her?" Mama picked up Tomoko from the corner.

''Because she has a friend. And her friend looks scary.'' he said. This made Mama curious. Since when had her daughter made a friend in the neighbourhood? As far as she know, there wasn't any child nearby.

''Scary?How?" 

''She seems to float off the ground and whenever she gets angry her eyes are red.'' Tomoko told Mama, fear reflected in his eyes.

Furiously, Mama went to Aiko's room and bursted in without knocking. A shocked Aiko stared back at her with Dolly in her arms. Aiko's features were replaced by those of anger as she process what happened.

''Mama? Why didn't you knock? My friend was scared!" Aiko stood up and walked to her closet, attempting to coax her so-called friend.

''What are you talking about Aiko? I don't see anyone here.'' Confusion were written all over Mama. 

''Come on, Haruka. It's alright. Mama won't scold you. Come out.'' Aiko reached out her small hands to the tiny space wedged between the wall and the wooden closet. After a moment, she return back to sit on one of the small pink chairs. Seeing Aiko's actions made Mama's hairs stand on end when she watch her daughter talked to empty space.