Deception
Her index finger brushed his cheek before she pressed her cold palm on his chest.
Mother?
She smiled. It brightened her already glowing face. “Yes,” she whispered. “It’s only pain, Aluxious. Your pain is your strength.” Then she vanished. Vanished into thin air.
Mother… Don’t go.
The pain didn’t subside, but an odd tingle started in his spine. “It’s only pain, Aluxious. Your pain is your strength,” her voice repeated in his mind.
Pain. There was nothing but pain. But boy, was he wrong? A loud scream erupted from his throat just in time with the cracking thunder.