- Zoe, baby, clean up here, please, - mom entered her daughter's room, who at first didn't seem to notice her presence and buried herself in the phone, - It's high time to put things in order here.

- Don't call me baby! - Zoe snapped, throwing her phone aside. - I asked you about it!

- Speak calmly, - mom answered a little roughly, - Don't raise your voice at me, please.

- I don't... Oh, I'm sorry, mom,- Zoe's voice softened, and her brown eyes filled with tears, - Just why do you call me that? Am I a little girl?

- Zoe, I know, you are already twelve, - mom sat down next to her on the bed and hugged her, - But for me and dad you will forever remain our little sweet baby.

- Even when I'll be an adult?

- Even when you'll be an adult.

Zoe lowered her eyes to the floor, and bitter tears were rolling down her cheeks, - Mom, I don't want to be a little girl anymore, and I can't be her forever.

- Zoe, I understand, - mom started stroking her hand, - Dad and I call you that not because you are little, but because we love you very much. But if you want...

- I understand, mom, - Zoe blurted out, hugged her tightly and immediately let go, - I love you too. Can I go to bed now?

- Sure, ba... Zoe, - she almost called her baby again, but immediately corrected herself, - I love you, - mom kissed her on the forehead and left the room.

Zoe tried to sleep for a long time, but something prevented her from doing it. Various thoughts were running through her head.

- But why isn't my older sister called a baby? - she thought, closing her eyes, - Why is Anna called only by her name?

Zoe opened her eyes and looked out the window. Deep night has long descended into the city, hiding from sight all the buildings around. Only the light of streetlamps and stars could fight against the all-consuming darkness, which, so predatory, tried to make its way to all corners of the street and residential buildings.

Zoe was awake. Zoe dreamed. She dreamed that her parents would treat her the same way as her older sister. She dreamed of being called only by her name. And, finally, she dreamed of becoming an adult as soon as possible.

Clouds floated slowly across the night sky, now covering and then reopening the eternal sources of light. The wind was picking up. The clouds accelerated faster and faster, as if racing among themselves. The light in the houses has long gone out, leaving them in silence and darkness. It seems that the world has sunk into silence and oblivion, if the wind didn't blow so much outside the window. It swayed the tree branches from side to side, making them move in tact. The wind seemed to threaten to break them if they didn't obey its power. And suddenly, in an instant, it was quiet. It disappeared, leaving silence behind. It was an oppressive silence that squeezed a head and made hear a heartbeat. The universe seemed to be quiet, trying to take into account something very important. After all, tonight is a special night. The night of the fulfillment of all desires.

Zoe closed her eyes, and the wind blew with renewed force, carrying the star falling from the sky with it.

It was early morning, but the alarm didn't go off to wake Zoe up for school. Instead, she was awakened by a neighbor's dog barking loudly outside the window.

Without a word, Zoe opened her eyes and, stretching, slowly got out of bed.

- It's strange that the alarm clock didn't work today, - she thought, walking into the bathroom. - And how badly my legs hurt!

The dog continued to bark under the windows until a soft male voice called out to him, - Frank! Stop barking!

- Frank? - Zoe thought. His name was Buddy. Did they change the dog's name?

Then she went to the window and saw completely different neighbors. It was a couple with a dog. With a completely different dog.

- When did the Jacksons manage to sell the house and move? - Zoe looked around the whole street, and it seemed to her that the roof of the house opposite was brown yesterday, and today it's blue. And that hole in the road has never been there before. And under the window there was a tree, but now only a dry stump remained of it.

Going down to the living room, Zoe found that breakfast wasn't ready yet, and there was no one in the living room itself.

- Mom! Dad! - she called, but was immediately surprised at her voice. It was hoarse and rude.

Then Zoe tried to clear her throat and say something again, but suddenly someone knocked on the door.

- Good morning, Mrs. Peters! - on the threshold stood a young dark-haired girl, - You woke up early today.

- What kind of Mrs. I am to you?! - Zoe was surprised and covered her mouth with her hand, amazed at her voice.

- Mrs. Peters, it's me, Teresa, your guardian, - the girl tried to take Zoe by the hand, but she stepped aside, looking into her eyes with fear, - Maybe I should call an ambulance?

- I don't need to call anyone! - she answered roughly and covered her mouth with her hand again.

Zoe backed away, still staring fearfully into Teresa's eyes. But suddenly she abruptly turned her back on her and ran to the mirror hanging on the wall.

- Mrs. Peters! - exclaimed Teresa, picking up the phone, - I'm calling an ambulance!

Zoe was already standing at the mirror, looking in horror at the reflection. Opposite her was standing an elderly woman, staring at her with dull brown eyes. Her wrinkled hands covered half of her aged face. Gray hair fell carelessly over stooped shoulders. It was evident that the old woman's thin legs were giving way and just about couldn't keep her fragile body on them.

- Zoe, - she said hoarsely, making sure that the elderly woman in the reflection was Zoe.

- Mrs. Peters, - Teresa was standing behind her with a muscular man with a syringe in his hand. - We want to help you.

Zoe slowly looked up from the mirror and looked at them with eyes full of tears, - It can't be...

Teresa slowly approached her, and a man followed in her footsteps, trying to hide the syringe behind his back.

- Don't touch me, - Zoe threatened, backing away, - It's not me... It's not me. It's not me! - She screamed and rushed forward, but the man immediately grabbed her in a strong embrace, - I want to go back to school! I want to see mom and dad! I want them to call me baby again!

An empty syringe was laying nearby. The sedative was spreading through Zoe's blood, making her voice quieter and quieter. And, in the end, she fell asleep right in the man's arms.

- This is the fourth exacerbation in a month, - Teresa said calmly, stroking the hand of elderly Zoe Peters.