Cursed Banshee

Chapter 2

After I've finally wrestled her bag onto her back, and we quietly made our way down the stairs, I hear him pacing outside on the front porch.  Most likely, he is holding a pipe in his one hand and a drink in the other.  When he isn't working, he's drunk and out of his mind.  Why mother kept him around, I don't know.  When we get to the downstairs landing, I signal for Ariadni to hide just out of sight, while I creep into the kitchen.  Mom is there, on the floor, blood pooling around her head.  I bite back a sob, crawling up my throat, shoving a hand over my mouth to keep the small sound that escapes in.  But I cannot stop the tears that silently track over my cheeks.  Her eyes are open, vacant, staring, unblinking.  What am I going to do now?  While this was always a possibility in the back of my head, I had prayed to Nyx, goddess of the night, to spare us and help us leave him together.  Now she is gone, home with the goddess, and I need to be strong for Ariadni.  I go back to her, take her hand and whisper:  "Ari, close your eyes."  When she does, I take her hand and guide her past mother's body, out the back door.  "We need to run now."  She pulls back.  "Mama?"  I can see the confusion, the fear in her eyes.  Pulling her close to my side, I wish I can tell her the truth, but she won't want to leave if I do.  "Mom is still getting things together for the trip.  She said she'll meet us at our clearing.  You know, the one she and daddy used to take us to, close to the mountains back there."  Her eyes follow my finger, pointed at the darkening forest, in the opposite direction than our favorite stream.  She nods once, then starts forward.