J.D. Barker

hiccupped between ragged breaths

I imagine Mother had scrubbed at the mess with the same enthusiasm she applied while creating it, but blood was a stubborn mistress and not one to release her hold once she got her snarled old hands wrapped around something she liked. I made a mental note to suggest Mother apply cat litter. Not only was litter absorbent, but it would help mask the odor.

Alive one moment, charred dust the next. I would play God.