My mother's figure swayed, and she steadied herself against the doorframe. "That Broken Sword Ridge... that thing... Have you forgotten what it said the last time it came back? Did you hear what it said?!"
"It said... It said that with so many people in town sick and the disease spreading, it would be better to just kill everyone who's infected. Burn them clean with fire, then bury the ashes in the ground as fertilizer. That would root out the plague for good. It said that would work, but... Husband, it... it has no concept of human life!"
"It's a beast, what could it know!" Father seemed to be using his anger to banish his own fear. "But…"
"But I'm scared!" Mother cut him off. "This strange plague, it specifically targets the pillars of the family! The young and strong men of the town have fallen one after another! I thought the children and the elderly were safe… But Ping'er! He's only seven! Husband! If he also…"
