The Bones of The Rabbit

Chapter 108

Estella sat beside Alcina after the meeting, feeling her fingers press against her cheek and then pull her close. Estella felt her mother cry on her shoulder, staring ahead as she didn't know how to respond. She didn't know what to do, so she gently hugged her mother. Normally, a mother should be comforting her child, but right now, Estella understood her mother needed comfort. She listened to her mother's sobs, the growing sense of dread filling the young child's mind.

What bad things will happen, mother?

Soon, Alcina stopped crying, apologizing profusely for crying on her and staggered away. Estella stared at her mother as she left, sticking to the shadows and looming over others. On occasion, Estella did fear her mother, her golden hungry eyes in the shadows staring down others, just the glow of her irises as golden orbs.

You're scaring me, mother. Please stop scaring me.

Estella found Bela's room, finally allowing herself to be vulnerable with one question from her sister. "Are you okay?" Bela asked gently, Estella breaking down into tears. "Mom's scary! She lurks in shadows like monsters!" Estella cried out, sobbing and hyperventilating. Bela quickly came over to Estella, wiping away her tears. "It's so stupid that I'm crying!" Estella whimpered out, wiping her face on her sleeves. "No, no. Crying isn't stupid, don't feel bad for feeling bad. I know mom's scary, but I'll make sure she doesn't hurt you." Bela spoke softly, giving a hopeful grin. Estella wrapped her arms around her neck, pulling her into a tight hug.

You're the best sister.

Estella held some of the beetle larvae, giggling as they moved and saw her new pet. A big snake with a whole set-up. UV light, heat lamp, misters, thermometer, places to go into, driftwood, plants, and a little waterfall that filters the water. All for a ball python named Twister. Estella liked Twister, the snake, while being little more than a hatchling, was sweet as could be and loved being picked up. Bela explained that not all snakes liked to be picked up and some prefer to not be touched at all, but Twister enjoyed being held. Gently placing him back in his terrarium, Estella gave Bela another hug and wandered through the castle.

She hid in the spot she was shown in the library, hiding in the nook as she read a fairytale. As she looked up, her body shivered. She saw Alcina killing and eating a maid. Estella covered her mouth, fighting back tears as her mother stripped bones of their flesh effortlessly. A quiet scared whimper left Estella's throat, Alcina quickly looking up from the dark and making eye contact with her. Estella couldn't bare to look at her, terrified that she would be next. As she heard footsteps, Estella shrieked as a hand gently rested on her arm then quickly moved away. Shaking and slowly looking over, she saw her mother. She saw the sadness and regret in Alcina's eyes, the pain that lingered in her golden gaze. Estella grabbed her book and ran from the library as quick as she could, running into Bela's room. When she looked at her arm, she saw a bloody handprint.

Estella broke down into tears again, Bela giving her a hug. "I was in the library in a little nook, and I saw her kill. I watched her kill a maid and eat her!" Estella cried out, hugging Bela tightly. Bela held Estella tightly, gently rocking her to calm her down.

I don't know if I want to live here anymore. I only want to live here if my sisters are here.

Estella wanted you home more than anything, you were human just like her.