The first time Marta entered Lucas’s room, she felt the heaviness immediately.
The curtains were drawn shut.
Expensive toys sat untouched under layers of dust.
The air felt still, like time had stopped.
Then she noticed him.
A small figure sitting in the corner.
Lucas.
His wide eyes watched her like a frightened animal.
Marta kept her voice soft.
“Hello, sweetheart,” she said gently. “Don’t worry. I’m just going to clean a little.”
Lucas didn’t respond.
He pulled his knees closer to his chest.
Marta didn’t approach him.
She simply began tidying the room.
After a few minutes, she started humming quietly.
A soft lullaby.
Old.
Warm.
The same one her mother used to sing when Marta was a child.
From the corner of her eye, she saw movement.
Lucas lifted his head slightly.
His fingers stopped trembling.
Marta continued humming as she dusted a shelf.
After a long moment, Lucas stood up.
Just one small step forward.
Behind the half-open door, Daniel froze.
He had been watching secretly.
His heart pounded.
Lucas hadn’t moved toward anyone in months.
Then Marta spoke again, her voice still gentle.
“Do you like that song?” she asked.
Lucas stared at the floor.
A long silence passed.
Finally, he nodded.