Torn Family Tree (DISCONTINUED)

XII. Mother

When I reached the next door, it was locked. I placed my ear against it and listened. There were small moans of agony escaping through to wood. I decided to leave it be. It would be rude to ask Father, even though this was my home now too. The next door was the same as the last. Locked and filled with moans of agony. The last door was a bathroom. All it contained was a clawfoot tub, and a pantry full of towels. The end of the corridor led to the parlor. There was a fireplace, a love seat and two matching chairs. There was a large throw rug beneath the glass table. It looked to be an animal pelt. I looked around to see if there was any firewood and saw none. Disappointed I left the parlor and was back in the entryway. I headed up the staircase to the second floor. All the doors here were locked as well. Some were silent, others were full of moans of pain. One door in particular held moans of a different kind. Disgusted I walked down to the only unlocked door. When I opened it, it was a bedroom. The walls were black and there was a plush black carpet lining the floor.

Against one wall was a French gothic iron bed with a dandelion comforter and black sheets. There was also an black owl throw pillow. The side table looked liked black sticks and atop it was an Eiffel Tower lamp. On another wall was a console desk with a black desk chair. A throw pillow with an Eiffel Tower decal sat upon it. My laptop sat on the desk, as did a leather bound sketch book. A black dog bed sat next to the desk. The wall facing the end of my bed had a weathered black dresser and a matching wardrobe. The dresser had a jewelry box with a golden K on top of it. Behind the desk there were pictures of different locations in Paris. This has to be my room, I thought to myself. I opened the wardrobe and found my backpack. My clothes had been hung in the wardrobe and my delicates were in the dresser. My books were also in a dresser drawer. I took them out and placed them in a desk drawer.

I looked around for my plush owl and could not find it. I started to panic. It was the only thing I had that belonged to my mother. I ran down the stairs and found father sitting in the parlor with the owl in hand. I looked at him a little relieved but still on alert.He looked at me and held up the plush.

"She always had some kind of owl around the manor. This one was her favorite."

"Why do you continue to talk about her like you care? She was just another woman to you."

"She was the mother of my only child. Of course I cared about her. She lived with me for a great number of years. We agreed to give you a human life. To shield you from this lifestyle."

"But don't you think it would have been better to live with my parents? You could have left me with mother in this manor. I would have known no different! You failed at your attempt to keep me safe."

"I DIDN'T DO IT ON PURPOSE!"

He stood up abruptly and threw the plush into the fireplace. I fell on my knees in front of the fireplace and watched the owl burn. Father stood behind me and placed a hand on my shoulder. I cringed away and ran to my room. Cerberus pawed at my door. After a few minutes, I gave in and opened the door. He entered my room, laid on his dog bed, and went to sleep.

I heard shouting coming from a few rooms away and decided to investigate. I tiptoed my way down the hall and stopped about four doors down. I placed my ear against the door and listened to some muffled voices. It sounded like father and a woman arguing.

"Why did you burn my plush!"

"I didn't mean to Amalthelia! Kylie should not have had it in the first place!"

"You have led her to believe I was dead! She should at least have one of my possessions. When are you going to tell her, her name is Kalleria!"

"I told her you were dead because I want her to believe she is at least partially human! Her name will not be revealed to her if I can help it!"

"She is going to learn she is a Dryad soon! She is of age. Her ears will begin to form, her eyes will turn green, and her hair will begin to change color in the fall!"

"Yes, dear wife, I know this. I knew when she came home with the dog. I just wanted her to be normal."

"I understand husband. But she is not normal. She is anything but. Kalleria is a temptress. Just like you and I. Whether you like it or not."

"That would explain why the man we left her with raped her. She was tempting him without even realizing it."

I stood back from the door. I didn't want to hear anymore. Father had lied to me! My mother was alive. I wanted to confront him. I was standing in front of the door lost in my thoughts when father emerged. I snapped out of my concentration and looked up at him. His mood was hard to distinguish. I looked past him into the open doorway and caught a glimpse of a woman.

"Kylie, what did you hear?"

"Well, I heard you arguing with my mother." I stated coldly.

He seemed at a loss for words. A woman emerged from the room behind him.

"Hello Kalleria."

She was absolutely beautiful. Her hair was shoulder length and raven black. Her skin was fair, and her eyes were forest green. This was my mother.

She looked at father, "Even without a face, she is more beautiful than I ever imagined."

I was too stunned at my mothers presence to say anything. She looked as if she was going to cry. I waked over and gave her a hug. We let go from our embrace when father cleared his throat. I looked at him. I wasn't sure if I was still upset with him. At the moment I was overjoyed at my mothers presence.

We all walked downstairs into the parlor. Mother and I sat on the love seat and father sat on one of the chairs next to the fireplace.

"Kalleria, have your ears developed? Or at least began to develop?"

"I'm not sure." I pushed my hair behind my ears.

"They have! Oh, they should be fully developed by tomorrow."

"She should begin to develop facial features also. She will not be faceless like myself forever."

"Really!? I can actually start to put my own makeup on and not look like a weirdo? This is great!"

I looked at father and he looked a little hurt.

"Oh, father I was not implying being faceless is a burden or curse. But it must look odd to see me wear makeup even though I have no noticeable facial features."

"Yes daughter, I understand. If you don't mind, I believe I will retire to my bedroom."

He headed up the stairs and left mother and I in the parlor.

Mother stood, took my hand, and led me to the kitchen.

"Are you hungry? I'm famished!"

"I could eat, yeah."

She took some lettuce, tomatoes, radish, cucumber, and olives out of the fridge and began to make us a salad. While she prepared that, I got into the fridge and grabbed a kidney. I had brought some with me from the mansion. I cut it up and used it to top my salad. Mother looked at me.

"What is that?'

"Oh, while I stayed at the manor with Slender, a friend gave me these kidneys to try. I tasted it and fell in love."

She looked uncomfortable.

"Are you okay mother?"

"Yes, I'm just not one for meats."

"Oh."

We took our food into the dining room and ate.

"Mother, do you think it would be alright for me to get a job? I want to be able to earn money."

"Well, I so believe, when your ears and facial features arise, you will be able. But I must discuss this with your father first."

"Thank you."

When I finished eating, I excused myself and retreated into my bedroom. I took my choker off and changed into my pjs. I looked at Cerberus and smiled. I walked over and ruffled his fur. He stretched and got up. I watched him walk out the door and down the hall. I got into bed and fell asleep.