the sweetly scented killer

boo thang

a/n: i got oreos

flora

I never thought it would come to a point where I'd be scared to contact my family. And I never thought I would be away from my family.

A sigh escapes my lips as I stand alone in the desolate gardens. I only just stepped out here, but I just can't bring myself to look any longer. I close my eyes and start to cry tears of frustration. I huff, wipe them off my face then cross my arms.

"Malaki?" I say quietly. And then I take a look a look around me and remember I'm no longer up above. "Gresill?"

I turn and find him next to me with his hands behind his back. I jump.

"Flora of heaven," he nods his head.

"Good afternoon," I smile. "I have a question." He nods again. "How do I contact my family back in heaven?"

"I can pass along a message if you would like," he offers.

"Okay," I smile. "May I write a message physically?"

"You may."

"Thank you, Gresill," I smile. "I will call you when I'm ready for it to be sent." He nods.

Pin-drop silence surrounds me as I walk back to the grand bedroom I sleep in. I pass Alora's study and stop to wave hello.

"Flora, hi," she grins. "Pop in for a second." I push the door open and sit across from her at her desk. She walks over to a delicate tea set and pours me a cup. I thank her. "How are you, sweetheart? I feel like I haven't seen you in centuries."

"I'm alright," I smile. "I think I'm finally settling into life in--down here."

"That's good," she smiles warmly. "Where are you off to?"

"Well I was just about to about write a letter to my family. But I just realized that I don't have any paper."

"Oh," Alora says. She retrieves me a sheet of paper from a drawer on the other side of the desk.

"Thank you, Alora. Do you mind if I sit in here and write it?"

"Not at all," she grins. "Please do."

It's only when I stare at the blank sheet that I realize I haven't the slightest idea what I would like to say to my family.

Maybe I should start with just one person.

I miss you very much, my dear twin, I write. I miss your smile and your valuable lessons. I miss the way you were always so focused when we would watch over the humans together. Not a day goes by that I do not think about you. I hope you and Samuel are building a beautiful life together, and I hope the both of you tell me all about it. I love you, Fauna.

My eyes raise to Alora across from me as I think of what to say to my mother. The way Alora treats her sons...it's like a dream. And the way she treats me, it's with almost too much love. I could never imagine her really being my mom.

"Mother," a voice says, walking into the room. I turn around to find Seth's older brother Damien. "Father wants you in the small dining room."

"Thank you, sweet boy," she smiles. "I will be down in a moment." The way she speaks so lovingly to them.

He nods with boredom. They don't realize how good they have it. "Hey, Flora," he says, shoving his hands in his pockets while he leaves.

"Hello," I smile.

Alora places a gentle hand on my shoulder. "I'll be back soon."

And so I am left to myself and my own thoughts. I am able to finish my letter then request visitation. It was hard to say genuine things without making them at least slightly fabricated.