Chapter .5.

Hard stone presses against my back as I lean into the wall. Letting my head fall to take in the fresh wounds upon my right hand.

I look up when the door is pushed open.

"Mom," I murmur.

Her eyes widen at the scene, darting to take it all in.

The hair.

The hand.

The broken glass.

"Soraya, oh..."

I smile up at her. "I slipped."

Her face twists at the lie. She probably could already see through it.

"And, did the fall cause you to lose all your hair?"

I blinked innocently up at her, "it was just getting heavy."

She sighs and shakes her head, her eyes still lingering on the fresh red.

I quickly hide the ragged skin from her sight, noting now that she matched me.

Her hands were also red.

I knew what those hands on her meant.

When mom painted with red, you didn't disturb her. She fell away from you.