The basement engulfed me in its quiet, the family still and silent. Or, maybe it was just the fact I'd blocked them out they felt so absent. Not that it mattered.

They'd be even more so shortly.

My first job was the severing. I reached inside, deep inside, felt for every thread I could find. Found them all, some stronger than others, but all there, waiting for me. Quivering in fear, knowing what was coming, my magic, understanding ...