“Constantine, when did you say I started talking about her?” She’s giving an answer. Why can’t I hear her? Sadie must have been right. None of this real…shit. “Constantine! Mum, mum! Speak louder!” I actually addressed her as my mother, maybe she’ll pick that up and speak louder now. She’s looking at me funny. “Luke! I said...” My ears feel like a handful of bees are buzzing around in my head. “Mouth the words! Mouth the words, I can’t hear you!” This will work with her, too. It has to. “I’ve had it with your games Luke. This has gone too far, I’ve put up with all of your messing about. I can’t continue to pretend. You’re breaking, cracking for all I know…I just can’t do anything else. I’m sorry, Luke.” That can’t be right. Break. Brick...Crick…croak...crack? Questions, questions, questions. What could it be? CREEK! “The creek!” I yell so loud my throat has now become the fire. I can feel tears falling. Like I had seen on her face. The cabin. The one that we always went to. How does she know about that? There is not enough time. There is barely enough time for me to see the hand flying towards my face.
Her nails graze my left cheek this time. Hard but light. Then I’m out.
