Discovery

Magenta sat against the floor of the tub, holding her brother's tear-streaked face in her lap. She stroked a strand of stringy hair from his face. Riff Raff muttered something unintelligible under his breath.

"Shhh. You're ok," she murmured, glaring at the door. That stupid earthling knew no boundaries. She'd better learn, and learn fast. Riff Raff suddenly coughed violently.; Magenta looked down, and noticed a dribble of red liquid appear at the corner of his mouth.

"Why didn't you come see me this morning?" she asked.

"Dunno." He mumbled. Magenta stroked his hair, yearning for some hint of recognition, some hint of love, some hint of…sanity.

"Riff…" his name fluttered past her full lips, barely audible. She took his hand in hers. Magenta slowly took a pill bottle from her apron pocket and set it on the floor beside her, trying not to startle him. She eyed the bottle with disdain, remembering the day when it all began. My darling, dear brother, if only you hadn't…

She shook herself from her reverie and stroked her brother's head.

"Do you remember what I told you?" she asked gently. Riff Raff nodded.

"I gotta—I gotta say good morning. So you won't be sad."

"Mm-hmm," Magenta replied.

Riff Raff nuzzled up against his sister. Magenta stiffened. Look at us, she thought, He was always the one comforting me, and now…life is so different.

Magenta took the slender pill bottle in her hands, twisted the lid, and slowly tilted the bottle, coaxing one little pink pill to slide out into her perspiring palm. She took his hand in hers and handed him the pill. He gulped it down.

"Let me fix you a nice bath so you can relax for a while, she coaxed. "How about that?" Riff Raff nodded. She detached his gnarled hands from her slender waist and turned on the faucet. She let the steaming water warm her icy hands. She turned around to face her brother. He stood there awkwardly, with his head down, his arms tight to his sides, his fingers fidgeting nervously. She reached forward to undo the buttons on his shirt, and he flinched away. Magenta fought back tears. He's scared of me.

"It's ok, Riff," she choked, "I'll turn around." Riff Raff hurriedly undressed and slipped into the tub.

Magenta decided that it was time to leave, before Riff Raff could see that she was upset. As she opened the door to the hallway, she saw Columbia scurry backwards. She had been eavesdropping.

Magenta felt an electric rage as her fingers slowly curled into a fist. Red flooded her vision, her lips curling into a snarl.

"I told you to leave us!"

"I…I was just…"

Magenta violently grabbed Columbia by the throat and held her against the wall.

"Don't speak a word of this to the master, do you hear me?"

"I won't…" she squeaked.

"PROMISE."

"Ok, ok, I promise! Jeez louise!"

Magenta released her, locked the bathroom door, and stormed down the hallway. How dare she. Magenta was so angry that she could barely think. She grabbed a vase on table and threw it against the wall, shattering it completely.

"Oh." She picked up a few of the pieces and immediately regretted her action. Dammit. She never let herself lose control. Ever. It led to carelessness. It led to mistakes.

She remembered why she was here in the first place—one decision, one mistake. She must not do the same again.