The Birdman
"And he let out his heartbreaking screech, then the villagers knew another was lost. His beak is always red stained with the blood of his victims."
"How does he choose his victims" Anneliese asked her eyes burning with black magic.
Marie looked away uncomfortably "you really shouldn't ask such questions."
"Why not" her husky voice contrasting with Marie's soft one.
Marie hesitated and turned towards the window "it just doesn't feel right."
Anneliese sat upright " Tell me about the time you met a fairy then".
Marie smiled weakly " you're seventeen and you speak as though they actually exist".
Anneliese sighed "never mind then. I'm tired anyway" She rolled over and closed her eyes. She listened to Marie's footsteps as she walked away and shut the door, but not completely it brushed the door frame.
Anneliese did not like to sleep, she focused her attention on the faraway voices of her parents in the kitchen.
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"It know it's ridiculous, but sometimes she scares me" said Marie.
Carl laughed "she's your daughter!"
"is she?"
At this Carl glanced at her sharply "what do you mean".
Marie sighed and leaned against the bench "you know I've never felt connected to her, ever since I saw her in her cradle, I don't feel like she's mine. She doesn't even look like either of us."
Carl raised one of her eyebrows "well I don't know, she looks a bit like an aunt of mine".
Marie looked exasperated "Carl, I'm not supposed to feel this way, this is not how a mother feels. It wasn't like this with Max, Johnny or Caleb. What's wrong with me?"
Carl faced her and held her arm "there's nothing wrong with you, no one understands teenagers. There's nothing to worry about, Anneliese is not off the rails she is a lovely girl. You did a good job of raising her."
Marie smiled weakly, he didn't understand "do you remember the incident?"
"Oh gosh, do I! This village is bonkers". He shook his head and muttered something.
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Anneliese was staring blankly at the wall. She knew how her mum felt, she could sense the detachment too. But unlike Marie there was no pain on her part only indifference "I have a cold heart" she mouthed.