Forces Beyond The Grave

7.1

As if by magic, Lennox had felt more emotion fill her body in the five minutes she'd been awake than she'd felt over the last two years, and Kaila recognised that as she forced Lennox through the manor towards the basement. Everything was the same - the glass sticking out of the window frame that Lennox had cut herself on, the thorn that killed Sasha, even the book in the basement that had contained the photograph of Ekaterina Quinn - nothing had changed. 

"Kaila stop! Stop, please you don't have to do this, Kaila-" 

"Stop talking!" Kaila suddenly shouted, her voice echoing around the basement walls as she circled her fingers gently on her temples. "Kaila this, Kaila that, I will be glad to rid myself of this body, I've never hated hearing a name so much in my life." 

She opened her eyes and glared at Lennox, who saw her gold-rimmed eyes, just like she'd seen on her mother. 

"You're not Kaila." Lennox whispered. 

Suddenly Kaila's demeanour shifted, and she took a deep breath. "I'm sorry honey, I know she was your friend, that was very rude of me to say, I just need you to be quiet for a minute, can you do that for me?"

In an instant, Lennox knew exactly who she was looking at. Is it possible? She thought desperately.

"Mom?"

Kaila's face changed. Her expression of frustration became sympathy, and relief that she didn't have to abide by her façade anymore. She went over to Lennox, crouching in front of her with a kind smile. Lennox was transported back to her memory of being in the field with her mother, seeing that same smile on her face, and when she tried to shift backwards Kaila took her hands. 

"It's alright Lennox," 

"No," Lennox's voice was weak with emotion. She couldn't feel much more than a heavy weight compressing her chest and tears welling in her eyes. "No, you're not- how is...this isn't possible," 

"Oh sweetie," Kaila's hand reached out to wipe away the tear that had escaped onto Lennox's cheek. "You have no idea how long I've waited for this."