Valentine

Twenty-One - Orion

I walked onto the balcony, where Mother lay in her bed, which was propped in the upright position so she could see the stage where Elizabeth was, to all appearances, lying dead in the chair.

From here, I could see that Meredith must have buckled her into the chair after biting her; she remained in the seat, though her body slumped backwards, her head resting on the back. Her hands were strapped to the arms of the chair as well, and I briefly wondered why, before I recalled that turning was not a gentle process.

I pulled my attention away from Elizabeth, focussing on my mother, who was plucking at the soft sheet that covered her frail form.

“You summoned me, Mother?” Lisbeth had left me at the door, a fact I was grateful for.

“Orion? Is that you my boy?” Mother looked up, her gaze d