Impressions double upon themselves. He's a man grown, he’s a boy; perhaps ten and frozen in the far corner. Rot collects fever-sweet about the woman on the bed. Black stains spread from throat and cheeks and quilt and hand. She's been dead for some time. Her eyes gleam silver discs, his own dull. Wary.
If he moves, something terrible will happen.
"Da'len," Her jaw cracks stiff. Rigor. "Come closer."
Reluctance shivers down his face. Older, at once aware of some pattern –
It fades. The boy stands, pauses for the shadow on the wall. An aberration. Instinct reaches for his side, the hilt of some absent blade, but his hand only finds air. Curls onto a skinny fist.
Cedric frowns, puts his back to the bed, protective of the corpse within. The hum pulses, quickens. A glance over his shoulder:
"It’s gonna be alright," He promises. Swallows, "There’s nothing there."
They’ll lift curfew soon. Another day or two. Another day, and he’ll go for help. But if he moves now, something terrible will happen.
(Her swollen purple tongue lolls the air. Has she seen Caius? Something seems to sense him, stir for his presence.)
cw gross body stuff thru thread
Impressions double upon themselves. He's a man grown, he’s a boy; perhaps ten and frozen in the far corner. Rot collects fever-sweet about the woman on the bed. Black stains spread from throat and cheeks and quilt and hand. She's been dead for some time. Her eyes gleam silver discs, his own dull. Wary.
If he moves, something terrible will happen.
"Da'len," Her jaw cracks stiff. Rigor. "Come closer."
Reluctance shivers down his face. Older, at once aware of some pattern –
It fades. The boy stands, pauses for the shadow on the wall. An aberration. Instinct reaches for his side, the hilt of some absent blade, but his hand only finds air. Curls onto a skinny fist.
Cedric frowns, puts his back to the bed, protective of the corpse within. The hum pulses, quickens. A glance over his shoulder:
"It’s gonna be alright," He promises. Swallows, "There’s nothing there."
They’ll lift curfew soon. Another day or two. Another day, and he’ll go for help. But if he moves now, something terrible will happen.
(Her swollen purple tongue lolls the air. Has she seen Caius? Something seems to sense him, stir for his presence.)