I ran as fast as my legs could carry me, my bare feet pounding against the forest ground. Branches tore at my arms and legs, but I didn't care. I just needed to get away.
Away from the screams still echoing in my head. Away from the terrified faces of Daemond, Ksaver, and Marcus.
My breath hitched as sobs wracked my entire being.
"I'm a monster," I told myself. "A killer."
I had wanted to protect them, but in the end, I had terrified them. I didn't deserve to be their mother.
"I love you all," I whispered, wiping the tears from my cheeks.
The wind howled around me as I weaved through the trees, hoping—praying—that if I ran far enough, everything would be alright. That the guilt clawing at my heart would fade. That I could outrun the monster inside me.
But then—
"Mama!"
I gasped audibly.
"Mama, wait!"
