"Mu-mummy?"
"Oh. It is you."
"Mummy why is...what is-was- that?"
"More of a who than a what, my dear. And it's not really something you need to worry about quite yet."
"B-but- "
"Darling do you know what a secret is?"
"...Yes."
"Good, well I-Mummy needs you to keep this a secret."
"Mummy, I'm afraid."
"Of course you are. If you'd been good like your brother you wouldn't be scared would you? Speaking of which, if you speak even a word of this to him I will see to it that he ends up much worse than this, you snivelling wretch! And you wouldn't want that, would you, darling?"
"No, Mu-...Madame."
"Swear to me."
"W-what?"
"Swear, on your brother's life that you'll be silent about this. Swear it."
"I- I promise."
"You promise what, dear sweet?"
"I promise not to tell."
"What is it that you're promising not to tell?"
"No-nothing. I don't have anything to tell."
"That's right. You always were such an obedient girl."
"Yes Madame."
"Now leave me be. I don't want to see your face again today. And mind you don't track any unpleasant stains into the house. Take off your shoes if you must."
***
YOU ARE READING
The Ones Who Live Inbetween
FantasyOur hammers are glass and our glasses are stone. We live on an ocean of smiles and bone. Breathe. Breathe. The ticking of a clock. In. Out. Tick and tock. Buzzing in chests and pumping through seas. Your father is coming. Don't let him see. The ant...
