The Witch's Ichor

Consequences [37]

Theo stares intently at himself in the mirror. Dark circles underscore his blue eyes. His usually neat and tidy hair is a little unkempt, so he grabs his comb. The tangles come out with each stroke of the comb.

I'm doing this for... for Zoe.

Footsteps fail to catch Theo's attention as he combs his hair. The sight of his mother standing beside him in the mirror startles him. He turns to her with a blank look, his tired eyes appraising her. She looks positively pissed.

"...Is something the matter, Mother?"

The scathing glare Theo receives tells him something is in fact, the matter. His mother's voice is stern and cold as she speaks to him.

"Yes, Theodore. Let's talk in your room."

Mother departs from the bathroom. Theo purses his thin lips in contemplation.

What could this be about?

Theo follows his mother with an impassive look. She is waiting in his bedroom with her arms crossed. Theo enters, shutting the bedroom door behind him. Mother is quick to point at his bed. Interpreting this as an order to sit, Theo takes a seat on his bed.

Mother takes a deep breath, her chest rising and falling. Her voice is strained as she speaks.

"Theodore, I am going to give you one more chance to come clean before... I have to make you."

Theo's thoughts linger on the plan to rob the bank. He could tell her about that, but she would be incredibly worried and upset. It is nothing for Mother to concern herself with.

That plan is under control.
So what is it?

Speaking in a tired voice, Theo replies.

"I'm not sure what you're talking about, Mother."

Mother's face grows red as she scowls at her son. Theo doesn't flinch under her scrutiny. It is clear Mother's patience is worn thin. She raises her hand, clenching it into a fist.

"Mother?" Theo whispers.

Contrary to Theo's fears, his mother does not strike him. No, she strikes the collection of posters adorning his corkboard.

Theodore blanches as his elaborate bank heist plans are revealed. The posters fall lazily to the carpeted floor below. Mother has tears in her eyes as she lets her reveal sink in.

She knew about my plans?
No, she knows about the board?

Nausea bubbles up in Theo's gut as he breaks eye contact with his mother. His hands clench into fists. Mother has known the whole time. Mother speaks, her voice breaking as tears drip down her cheeks.

"I thought you respected me, Theodore."

Theo's jaw tenses as he looks at his own feet. The heart break in his mother's voice is enough to give him pause. He parts his lips, his voice a little hoarse as he speaks.

"I-I do respect you, Mother."

"Really? Do you? Because you certainly didn't respect me enough not to come up with this crackpot scheme! Robbing a fucking bank? What were you thinking?!"

The tang of blood fills Theo's mouth as he bites his own tongue. He stops himself, looking up at his mother with an expression of fear. Existential fear that comes from realizing you're not who you're supposed to be. Theo's voice cracks.

"I-I don't know. It seemed perfectly logical at the time..."

Mother is wiping the tears that spill down her cheeks. She grimaces at Theodore's words, laughing bitterly as she looks over at the window. She mutters words not intended to be heard.