Spark (5 of 11) “That smells great. Where’s mine?”

I sleep for a long while. When I wake, Mother is standing over me with a large bowl of soup. “That smells great. Where’s mine?” Louis asks. He peers into the bowl. “That looks like meat! We haven’t had any in as long as I can remember.” “Sweetheart, this is a special soup just for your sister,” Mother…

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SPARK (4 of 11) I never prayed for that.

Mother sits with me, my head on her lap and my legs curled under me as she strokes my hair. At dawn, my mother’s scream raised me from my bizarre revelations. I notice that a large puddle of blood developed under me and stained my pale legs. “My heart burns.” I cry. I can hardly hear my own…

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Spark (3 of 11) Into the darkness

I stare at the dirt floor with blurry eyes. I  can’t focus. Blood drips from my face. Is it my nose or my mouth? My stomach aches. Burning. Hurting. “Who’s been at you, Diana? I’m not going to ask again.” I try to answer Father, but sharp words catch jagged in my throat. I cough…

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