daybreak | two

Melbourne hears the door softly brush against the carpet
stirs and opens her eyes
– sorry
Riyadh’s voice whispers
– that’s alright
Melbourne whispers back
– is everything ok Ree? are you going to get enough sleep?
she asks sleepily
– i’ll be fine
Riyadh settles into the futon on the floor
Melbourne lies in the bed
– Ree
she whispers again
– yeah?
– what’s going to happen tomorrow?
silence
the sounds of sheets, pillows and the doona on the bed
– i don’t know
again the sounds of the doona
Melbourne settles back into her sleeping posture
– i’m scared
silence
Riyadh stares at the blackened window
allowing only the smallest amount of light to pass for dim visibility
she sits up
Melbourne lies still in the bed
Riyadh turns her head to look at the door
then the window
then the bed
she slowly pushes back her doona
walks across the room
pulls back the doona on the bed and settles beside Melbourne
– i’m scared too, Mel

behind her Melbourne hears Riyadh’s breathing pattern slow until she is asleep
awake now, she stares at the blackened window
wondering what time it is