SHATTERED TIES 6.6

A violent jolt tore her from the dream. The haze of the dream world gradually cleared as she noticed the exaltation in Zeppel's voice. Without patience, the Beast picked her up by the scruff of the neck like a puppy and carried her to where everyone was gathered. It was night, so she assumed something must have happened. When she saw her mother's lifeless body, she struggled to escape Zeppel's grasp and ran to her side. A trail of blood indicated that it had not been a natural death. Her eyes, wide open, conveyed an inexplicable peace. As if she was looking at the stars. Kkelea burst into tears. Not even the crickets dared to interrupt her wailing.

Kkelea turned her to look at her back. She had been stabbed so many times, it might as well have been an entire legion, or a single being with the wrath of one. Humans? No, they could not have approached without her hearing them, and her scream would have alerted everyone. Kkelea slapped her cheek.