The words that she had spoke and the way she had sung them was enough to grab my mind’s attention. As much as the words disturbed me, they also soothed me to sleep. It was like the thought of a mother running her fingers through her child's hair and adding a good night kiss for good measures. For me, the latter was always soothing, yet disturbing all in itself at the same time.

“Good night, Maria,” I softly whispered.

I wasn't cold anymore, I had fallen into a deep, restful sleep, and I felt Maria was gone.