Lorelei

I woke up with a gasp. My heart was racing, and I was slick with sweat. I scrubbed my eyes and desperately wished I could unsee the vision of my mother all battered and covered in blood.

I took in a shuddering breath, forcing my mind to conjure the soft melody of the lullaby she used to sing to me. Slowly, my heartbeat settled into a steadier rhythm, the ghost of her voice calming the frayed edges of my soul.

I sank back into the thin mattress, but the sheets were cold and damp ...