Gomez'

breath was knocked out of me, rep

risp cracking sound before snapping in two. My vision spun, darkne

d with astonishing, terrifying strength. It twisted viol

ore from my throat

trying to protect myself, but the hand was r

an eerie, broken moan. The pain was excruc

te, blinding terror, I b

the pressu

t go. The mo

head throbbing in agony, my ent

recoil, scurrying back into the sh

't und

ain was still swimming in shock and pain, s

was my mother's old pocket watch, the one she always kept pinned

ket inside had popped open, completely in

cture of me and my mom, taken years ago. We w

n the picture, then at my mother's eyes, and then ba

d, blooming rap

our eyes. My moth

o-the forbidden gaze-suddenl

t us. It was to pro

to protect t

as terrified of

at soaking my clothes, a cold thrill r

It was a rare, happy time for us. My mother, usually so stoic and

n-led by the powerful Anthony Horn-had ostracized her, whispering t

s strong. she stuck to her principles, even

e, that she just wanted to marry

r, her name was the one on my l

barely audible,

... Ch

as callin

g my neck into the darkness, but the sound faded