Hey there!
So I wanted to preface this by saying that things in this chapter get... fucked up, to say the least.
As a reminder, Leona is a twisted, morally bankrupt psychopath who has no qualms with getting her hands filthy. For her, everything she does is a means to an end, no matter how fucked up it may be.
Notice the gore tag. Things get bloody in this chapter- and Mamma gets to see a side of Leona which no-one has seen in a long time.
Also, not gonna lie, I had to keep taking breaks during the last section because I just kept getting too damn emotional- so I hope at least someone finds it as heart wrenching as I did :3
That said, do let me know what you think! As always, likes and comments are encouraged and appreciated greatly :3

Why is it that, whenever I have something good going on in my life, past or present, something always fucking happens to ruin it?

That morning started just the same as any other one; Mom and I woke up, I made her a breakfast of scrambled eggs, bacon, and toast and we snuggled on the couch for a bit. She’d leave for her first job and I got to work.

That day, I decided to take it easy and just do a couple flying pickpockets. Seriously, I cannot get over how fun that is. I only managed to get three chumps then, but that was mainly due to the lack of viable targets.

I mean, the majority of people were half broke, aside from a few lucky bastards. And the ones I robbed?

Sucks to be them.

I made a good 45 bits by noon and decided to make the journey home. Honestly? I was feeling great that day. The weather was friggin perfect, the skies were wonderfully blue and it wasn’t too hot out.

I went through the window- and imagine my surprise to find Mom home, sitting on the couch. Her eyes were red and puffy like she’d been crying so I ran over to see what was wrong.

“Woah, Ma, what happened?” I joined her on the couch and pulled her in for a hug. She sniffed, saying-

“They laid me off from the hospital. And the store cut my hours in half.” she let out a whimper and my eyes widened. Oh, shit.

I pulled her in for a hug.

“Eh, don’t worry, Mamma. We still have each other, huh?” she gave a soft smile.

“Yeah. Yeah, I suppose you're right.”

Evidently, we didn’t tell the hard times to fuck off hard enough.

Things were tight before, and they were straight up impossible now. I was hustling harder than I think I ever have in my life, and Mom was constantly out and about trying to find a job- with little success.

She went from working all day to a measly four hours a day, and I felt as though I was pushing my luck with all the petty crime. It was one thing to do a couple petty crimes a day- you’re less likely to gain notoriety that way. But when you’re doing this stuff constantly, your odds of getting caught increase because of sheer probability. That’s why usually you want a bunch of guys doing dirty work all at once, to spread things out- but I don’t have nearly enough to start my own crime family. Most I could do was pay some street urchins to keep an eye out for any leads, and even then, I could barely swing that.

Especially with how close I came to getting into shit during that cigarette operation, I was constantly looking over my shoulder, wondering what they knew and how long until I got caught.

About two months later, things improved very little. There would be some days where Mamma decided to skip eating to save money. Some days, I decided to skip meals, much to Mamma's disdain. And when rent was due, neither of us ate for a couple days in a row.

I almost got caught today. Almost. I was pickpocketing and I messed up, snagging myself on the guy's purse. Fucker had it on tight, and a nearby guard saw. It was just by sheer, dumb luck that I was able to hide in a crowd and disappear- at the cost of having fumbled the purse like a damn fool.

I admit, I was so frustrated that I went home and just… quietly sobbed into my pillow. I wasn’t sure how much more of this shit I could take.

But that’s not the worst thing that happened today, not by a fucking mile. That evening, Mom and I ate the dinner I made for us. That much hadn’t changed- at least when we could afford it. Nothing special, but it wouldn’t kill us.

Whatever doesn’t kill you makes you wonder why not.

I was sitting on the couch reading a book when Mom walked out of the bathroom in a state that I rarely ever saw her in. She looked quite good- had her makeup done up and everything- and had an adorable little bow in her head feathers. My eyes widened. No… No, please don’t tell me. Please, God, don’t tell me that Mamma’s about to go do what I think she’s going to do…

“Where are you going.” my voice was stern- and I think even she was taken aback by it.

“I’m just going out to visit a friend. I’ll be back late, so you can go to bed whenever.” I kept my glare on her. I think she suspected I knew something was up.

“Have fun.” I said, turning back towards the book I was reading.

“I love you, baby.” without looking up I said,

“Love you too.” I heard the door close and slammed my book shut. I wasted no time grabbing my favorite black cloak and sunglasses out of the bedroom.

I saw Mom flying in a direction that I did not like, so I flung it open and gave chase, not even bothering to shut it behind me. I stuck to dark, shadowy places that would easily hide me as I followed Mamma…

Right to fuckin Redbird Avenue. It was the type of place you could go if you wanted to lay low, maybe pick up some illicit drugs, or most famously of all…

It’s a place where one could go to get their rocks off. I landed on a cloud, looking at the crowd below and keeping an eye on Mamma. My beak trembled. Tears threatened to fall from my eyes. I felt so many emotions that I couldn’t do anything but just sit there.

Anger. Sadness. Betrayal. Hurt. To know that my mother was planning to degrade herself for money was just too much to bear. I saw a griffon walk up behind her and smack her on the ass with a wing, and I couldn’t bear to watch anymore.

On the flight home, there were so many things I wanted to do. Cry. Vomit. Strangle a stray dog. I flew through the window and flung the cabinet open. I wasted no time, popping the cork of the bottle and taking several large gulps. The liquor burned like Hell as it poured down my throat.

The inebriation hit me nearly instantly and I almost dropped the bottle. I was barely able to get the cork back on and roll it back into the cabinet. Stumbling into my bedroom and hopping on my bed, I grabbed my favorite dolly, clutching it as though she were the last sacred thing I had left in this world.

In some ways, it was.

I felt like such a fucking failure. Between fucking up selling the liquor and almost getting caught today I just felt like I was worthless. I was nothing, and today was proof of that. I was just full-on ugly crying into my pillow.

I blacked out what happened next. Presumably, I passed the fuck out.

---

“Baby… Baby, please wake up… are you alright?” I awoke being nudged in my bed. My eyes were heavily crusted over so I wiped them with a fist. My mother looked at me with worry in her eyes. Evidently, I made no attempt to hide my activities last night.

I fixed her a glare. “You were out hookin’ last night.” her eyes widened and she sputtered incoherently. She stumbled backward as I sat up in bed.

“Don’t try to lie to me. I know you went to fuckin Redbird last night.” she was glancing from side to side, stuttering.

“I-I was…” then she scoffed and fixed a glare at me. “Well, what the fuck else would you have me do!?”

“Oh, I don’t know… how about not fuckin whoring yourself out!?” Both of our voices were raised. We were both at our wits end, and were about to let each other have it all- little did I know, I would eventually regret that dearly.

“Oh, that’s a great fucking idea! I’ll just get another job instead… Oh wait! I’ve been looking-” she stomped a fist to the floor to punctuate the next words- “For two. Months.” I threw my arms up in a gesture that universally meant Well, what the fuck!?

“And what do you think I’ve been doing!? Sitting at home twiddling my fucking tail all day!?” The Italiano in my blood never left me, apparently. My arms and wings were waving around in the air as I yelled, “I have been hustling day in and fucking day out, putting my ass on the line, just to bring us home a little bit of chump change, just to do it all again the next fucking day!” We both sat there in silence, glaring and gritting our beaks at each other when I hopped off the bed.

“And just where the fuck do you think you’re going, Missy?” she yelled at me as I made my way to the window.

“To make some God-damn money.” I hopped past the sill and heard,

“You can’t just fly away from me! Get back here!” But I’d already slammed the window shut and flew off. I went above the clouds where I could disappear- and I was gone. I’ll apologize later. But first, I had a plan. I was gonna fix my fuck ups if its the last thing I do.

---

I stood in an alley smoking a cigarette. It was about three in the morning.

Earlier that day, I gathered my band of street urchins, paying them to keep an eye out- scoping out potential targets. I was done doing small-time shit. It’s time to make some real loot.

There were a few wealthy people left in this city. And I planned to take full advantage of that.

I saw blue chucklefuck make his way towards me.

“What you got for me?” I took a heavy drag off my cigarette and tossed the butt away. He handed me a list of potential targets, which I pocketed.

“They meet the criteria I gave you?” he nodded quickly.

“Good. If I find out you’ve lied to me-” I pulled my dagger, grabbing the back of his neck with one hand and pressing the blade against his jugular with the other.

“Understand?” His eyes widened, and he stuttered out weakly-

“Y-Yes…”

“Excellent.” I put the knife away and let go of him, he breathed a sigh of relief.

“Anything else you need, boss?” I was about to say no, but then I had a second thought. I snapped my finger in front of him twice.

“Let’s go. Smokes.” he blinked at me in confusion before reaching into his bag for a pack of cigarettes, handing me a couple.

“Now fuck off. You did good.” I haven’t even looked at the paper yet, but I had a feeling Blue wouldn’t fuck me over. He’s loyal like that.

Still not 100 percent on his name, though. Guile?? I don’t know. I don’t care. I made the flight home- and my Mother wasn’t there. Probably out hookin’ again.

I still couldn’t believe it. Of all the ways to make money, she picks the dirtiest, greasiest kinda work there is.

On the coffee table in the livingroom, I unfolded the piece of paper; it was a map of the city- covered in notes, annotations, and highlights. Basically? Rich fuckers with a consistent schedule that appeared to have a good amount of dough on them.

I just had to wait for Ma to make the proposal. I wasn’t giving her an option, though.

---

The door opened about an hour later. I was smoking a cigarette when she walked in, I barely spared her a glance. If she looked crusty, I didn’t want to know.

“Go get a shower then get back in here. We have business to discuss.” I was no longer talking to her as Leona.

“Now you listen-” I was speaking to her as the High Lord Executioner.

“If the next words outta your beak are anything except Yes ma’am, there will be Hell to pay.” I quenched the butt of my cigarette against the arm of the couch, head swinging to look at her, “Capische?” And her word is final. She clenched her beak shut, opened it back up, then closed it again. Head lowered, she ran towards the bathroom, and I could smell the sex funk from here. Disgusting.

After 20 minutes, she walked out of the bathroom, drying herself off with a towel. I patted the couch cushion next to me. “Sit. We have business to discuss.”

She stood there, unsure what to do. “I wasn’t asking.” She lowered her head and did as she was instructed.

“How much are you making per client?” was my first question. She sat there, staring straight forward. She then reached into her purse, pulling out a bag that looked way smaller than it should and handed it to me. I didn’t even want to count it.

“And you’re not even robbing the fuckers after you screw?” she began to shudder as she shook her head, sniffling. I threw the bag across the room.

“This is why I told you; leave the greasework to me. I’m the expert when it comes to doing dodgy stuff.” she scoffed at me.

“W-what? Was I gonna let you whore yourself out instead?” I facepalmed, hard.

“Look,” I started- “I’m gonna make you an offer you can’t refuse.” I picked a random target on the map.

“This guy here walks the same path every night. Intel says he looks more well off than most in the area.” I dragged a finger along the path, and pointed to a particular spot. “Right here is where we’re gonna get the fucker.” I didn’t even look towards Mamma for a reaction.

I knew this city back to front. I pointed to a particular alley-

“I’m gonna play the part of the lost, scared girl to lure him down this alley.” I pointed to the buildings across the alley. “Once he’s down the alley and distracted, this is where you come in. You still have Gramma’s old scarf and shawl?” I looked up at her for the first time since I started my plan. Slowly, she nodded.

“Fantastic. You’re gonna be dressed up in that, as well as wearing a face mask and sunglasses- this should obscure all your unique features. I want you to sneak up behind him…” I grabbed a kitchen knife that I had sitting next to the map, handing it to her.

“Grab him, clamp his beak, and hold that tight to his throat. But remember, we’re not out for blood. We’re just out for money.” I gave a smug smirk and looked up at her.

“It’s the perfect crime. Think about it; do you think any guard is gonna take him seriously when he says he got robbed by a little hen and her grandma?” her jaw dropped, she slowly shook her head.

“No… no! No, No, just… No!” I just snorted in response.

“Why not?” she began to stutter out a reply and I said,

“Is it because it’s illegal? What do you think prostitution is?”

“I-I… It’s not…”

“Just because the cops don’t enforce it, doesn’t make it legal. But suddenly this is a problem? Additionally, you’re fine if I go out and rob fools, but you’re too afraid to get your hands dirty?”

“No! I’ve never been fine with that! I just couldn’t stop you either way!”

“And why do you think that is? Why do you think I enjoy doing what I do?” she continued to stutter, but I was going to have none of it.

“Because being above the law is addicting! The thrill of barely getting away, knowing that one wrong move will lead to your demise, is fucking exhilarating!” You know. When I’m not doing it constantly with no stops. I grinned at her like a madwoman, saying-

“So you’re gonna help me rob this chump tomorrow night. I don’t want you whorin’ any more. Got it?” She looked at me. Then to the knife. Then back to me. She sighed heavily.

“Fine… Fine. I’ll join you, but… but I don’t like it. Not like I have a choice, I guess...” I gave her a wide grin, giving her a hug and burying my face in her chest.

“Trust me on this, Ma. We’re gonna have a blast, you and I.”

“Goodness… what have I gotten myself into…”

---

The very next night, it was showtime. I gave Mamma my sunglasses- most of her distinguishing features were completely disguised. I myself was wearing a tattered old cloak which I kept for panhandling purposes- and of course, I always kept my dagger strapped beneath it.

She and I had been rehearsing all evening once she got home from her short shift. Despite her reluctance, I believed she could handle it. Who knows? Maybe she’ll enjoy it as much as I will.

I checked my pocket watch, smiling in anticipation. He should be getting close…

“Somebody, help!” NOW! I yelled at the top of my lungs, sitting in the middle of the dirty alley. I think I was pretty smart when I picked this alley- it’s not a dead end. There’s a way out, just in case shit really hits the fan- and it doesn’t look as suspicious. I was laying on the ground, clutching my leg.

“My leg… It’s broken! Help, please!” I was a damn good actor. The feigned desperation in my voice was good enough for screenplay.

Finally, my target rounded the corner. “Please, help me! My leg is broken, it hurts so bad!” The guy walked down the alley cautiously. That’s right, cocksucker. Help the poor little girl.

Just as he got close, Mamma emerged from the shadows, grabbing him from behind, clamping his beak with one hand and holding the knife to his throat with the other. I got up immediately, giving him a smug grin.

“You picked the wrong night to do a good deed, my friend. You make a single move, Gramma here will have no qualms with aerating your throat. We want your belongings, not your blood.” The guy was shaking like a leaf, eyes wide in fear. I wonder if I can make him wet himself?

The guy was wearing a fancy silk cloak. I lifted it up to reveal the saddlebags hidden underneath. Using a claw, I cut the straps that fastened it to his body and slung it over my shoulders. Already I heard gold clinking.

“You know…” I said to him, circling him like a shark that smelled blood. “I know I said we didn’t want your blood…” I stopped in front of him, baring a claw and holding it to his throat.

“But you know… I’m feeling pretty hungry. Maybe I could take a little?” I was running my claw across his jugular vein, mother moving the knife out of the way as the shaking intensified. The intense look of fear in his eyes was just… ohhh, it felt so good. Tears rolled down his face and I had to suppress a sadistic giggle. “Just a small slice… a few gulps… And I’ll leave the rest of your blood for the rats.”

I heard the telltale pitter-pattering, and I let out a hearty cackle. He was hyperventilating, and I snapped my fingers. Mamma pushed him onto his side, I tossed her the saddlebags, and we both bolted in two separate directions, leaving the poor bastard to recollect himself.

We both flew in random paths around the city in case we were being followed, and finally I climbed in the window. Mamma was already there, staring at the saddlebags with a blank look on her face.

“You count our loot yet?” I asked excitedly, running towards her. She just looked at me with that same blank look.

“Yeah. Yeah I did.” my smile fell.

“And what was it?”

It felt like hours passed, the anticipation was killing me.

“Three hundred bits.” My smile grew and I nodded in satisfaction.

“That all?” I asked simply… and she shook her head and I tilted mine. Subtly, I noticed she began to crack a grin.

“Each.” My eyes widened, jaw dropping in disbelief.

"Three hundred bits in each bag?" She looked at me and nodded with that same subtle smirk. I just couldn’t believe it! I started prancing around the room, yelling YES over and over again. I stopped in front of Mamma, holding my arm up.

“Come on, high five!” she hesitated, but eventually she rolled her eyes with a wide grin.

“Pluck yeah!” she yelled, our hands meeting. We were both laughing and celebrating our winnings for what felt like ages.

“So out of curiosity…” she began to ask. “What was the point of that last part?” I just shrugged. Because I’m a sadistic cunt and I thought it was funny.

“Fear is a powerful thing. Plus, who’s gonna believe him when he tries to tell people that he was robbed by an old lady and a little vampire hen?” Momma shrugged.

“Point taken.” I gave her a wide grin.

“So… I take it you had fun?” she paused briefly, biting her lip(Or the closest analog you could do with a beak) and looking to the side.

“Ok… I admit, it was pretty thrilling, I guess… and the money was definitely good…” I gave her a wide smile, hugging her tightly.

“I knew you could do it, Mamma. I’m proud of you- you did good tonight.”

---

And so, we continued to scheme. Our Modus Operandi was simple- pick one of the many targets on the map. I would stake them out. And the next night, we’d double up on them. We did this about once a week, and every time we went out we did so in a different district. That way if they did file police reports, they wouldn’t notice the pattern of a little girl and old lady robbing someone every week in the same precinct.

Everything had finally started to look up for us… Until tonight. We’d so far successfully robbed five different people.

The plan was the same as usual.

“Help me!” I yelled, sitting in the alley. Just like usual, there was an outlet so we wouldn’t get cornered. “Somebody, help!” Our target was an older fellow with light feathers. He walked briskly down the alley, and just like usual, Mamma emerged from the shadows like a ghost and grabbed him from behind.

“You picked a bad night to be generous, friend.” I slowly approached him and got an odd sense of… familiarity. I just couldn’t put my finger on it. I didn’t have much time to think about that, though.

My eyes widened, the guy reared back like a horse, shooting his wings out knocking Mamma to her side. My reaction time was only a few microseconds- and with barely time to think I drew my knife and swung it in a wide slash, catching him as he came back down and putting a diagonal slice in his chest- then I gave a thrust, my dagger penetrating deep into his chest betwixt his ribs. He howled in pain, falling to his knees he clutched his wound. Blood was pouring out and he glanced at me with a look of pure hatred.

My eyes widened.

“Just who… cough, who do you think you are?” Mr. Fucking Galloway- that asshole teacher who humiliated Mamma in front of the classroom all those years ago. My smile grew wider than I ever thought possible as I glared at him with pure, malicious joy. I lowered my hood.

“What, you don’t recognize a mistake when you see one?” Blood started running down his beak as he stared in shock. He tried to wheeze something out, but the blood filling his lungs said otherwise, and he coughed some up on my cloak.

“I’ve waited eight. Fucking. Years for this, pal.” I was no longer aware of my surroundings- it was just me and this asshole here. “I’m gonna savor watching the life fade from your eyes.”

With a quick horizontal slash his jugular vein was split open, blood shooting out in spurts and painting my cloak a deep crimson. His body spasmed violently on the ground, like a worm writhing in the rain.

I cackled like a mad demon, watching in delight as the blood from his neck got weaker and weaker, the spasming slowing down rapidly- his heart would stop beating soon. I savored the show while I could, and finally, his head fell flat to the ground with a heavy thud.

He would find no more reason to speak in this world.

I snapped back to reality and my smile fell. I looked up and saw Mamma- beak wide open and shaking terribly. She then looked down and proceeded to vomit on the ground beneath her.

I took in a breath and shuddered as I let it out slowly. “Well,” I said, “Well, shit.” I cracked my neck and set the knife down.

“A minor setback to be sure.” I went up to the corpse and prepared to lift him. “Help me stuff him into this trashcan.” Mamma continued to look at me with that wide-eyed stare.

“Y-y-you… you…”

“Killed him. Yes, shocking, wooo.” I rolled my eyes and gave mocking jazz hands. “I’ll get us out of this, just gimme a hand. We’re gonna leave his stuff so it looks like a regular mur-” I heard something that made me freeze. Far in the distance, I heard whistling- at my estimation, I had maybe two minutes to get us out of this.

“Shit…” I’ve never seen Mamma look so scared. I had to think fast- and I couldn’t involve her in the plan. I refuse to let her go to prison.

I GOT IT!

“Alright, I need you to run like Hell in the opposite direction.” I approached her and she shook her head slowly.

“No… no, I can’t leave you I-” I slapped her on the cheek.

“GO. Stick to the shadows, get back to the house, hide those clothes, get cleaned up, and be ready to corroborate whatever I may tell you. Understand?” After a few seconds of doing nothing, I slapped her again. “Go, go, go! I am NOT letting you get arrested here. I’ll be home safe tonight. I promise.” tears rolled down her cheeks and she lowered her head, bolting in the opposite direction.

Luckily, I came prepared. I reached into my pack and grabbed the half-empty bottle of rotgut and placed it in the fuckers bag. Then I took my dagger and set it on the ground a few feet away, as though it had been tossed to the side.

From the whistling, I estimated I had about a minute left. This plan is so fucking stupid it just might work.

For the final phase of the plan, I had to piss myself.

---

The whistling was close, and I was ready to spring my plan into action. On an unrelated note- it’s surprisingly hard to piss yourself on purpose. Funny how the body works like that.

I sprinted out of the alley babbling nonsense, almost tackling one of the guards. I noticed the guard happened to be female- and my odds of success went up tenfold. “Please… h-h-help me!” I was leaning up against the breastplate of her armor and she put a wing around my back.

“Alright, calm down! What happened here?” crocodile tears ran down my face as I continued to whine incoherently.

“Holy shit…” I heard one of the guards murmur to himself, no doubt finding the corpse.

The female guard grabbed me by the shoulders and lowered me down gently, lowering herself to meet my eyes. “Hey, hey, it’s alright. You’re safe now.” I slowed my nonsense talk and slowed my breathing. “Please, tell me what happened?”

I swallowed, noticing her nostrils curling up. No doubt she smelled the piss.

“I… I was w-walking home f-from a f-friends house…” she nodded, urging me to continue with a look of pure sympathy. She took the bait! “A-and I got l-lost…” I sniffled deeply, “H-he started f-following me, and I tried to hide down this alley…” I began to hyperventilate and she put her wings around me.

“He said he… he wanted to play a game. His breath smelled really bad, too. I think he was sick, because he threw up…” I kept glancing from side to side, as though there were demons lurking within the very shadows. “He wanted me to.. To… touch his thingy and I told him no…” I forced myself to shake, letting out breaths in shudders.

“I said no, and he said he… he would follow me home and-and hurt my Mommy!” I buried my face in her armor, clutching her tight. “So I… I took my can opener and I…”

“You don’t have to continue. You’ve been through enough.” I pulled back and saw a look of pure heartbreak in her eyes.

“I… I didn’t want to hurt him so badly… then he stopped moving…” I choked back a feigned sob,

“Is… is he gonna be okay?” I started to glance back but she used a wing to block my view.

“He’s gonna be fine, sweetheart.”

“Am I gonna be in trouble?” I looked up and sniffled, seeing her scowling at the corpse. She shook her head slowly.

“Hey, boss!” one of the guards spoke up. “Check this out! Half empty, guy must’ve been plastered!” yep, there’s the rotgut. Her glare turned to the other guard, and I imagine he shut his beak.

“You’re not, sweetie. What you did was protect yourself- and you’ll never get in trouble for that.” her voice dripped with venom, and I knew I’d won then and there.

“I… I want my Mommy…”

“Don’t worry. I’ll get you home safe and sound.”

Just like that, I’d gotten away with murder. Not bad for my first one here.

---

The guardswoman was kind enough to escort me home, and I continued to put on a show- I was walking closely next to her, and every once in a while I would see a stranger of a similar build to my victim and would duck beneath the guard dramatically, asking her to protect me.

We made it back to our apartment, and Mamma and I bolted into eachothers arms.

“Baby!” she yelled, clutching me tight.

“I-it was awful, Mommy! I-I got lost, and there was a bad man, and… and… he said he wanted me to touch him and said he wanted to hurt you and… and I took my can opener… I was so scared!” Neither of us paid any mind to the drying blood on my cloak.

Our one-sided tearful reunion lasted a minute before Mamma pulled back.

“Sweetie, why don’t you get a shower? I have to talk to the kind guard.” I sniffled and nodded my head.

“O-Okay Mommy…” I slinked into the bathroom and stuck my ear against the wall. Come on, Mamma. Make it sound convincing!

“What happened to her?” She asked. Straight forward, fair enough.

“From what I’ve gathered, she got lost on the way home. Some sick fuck wanted to have his way with her.” I heard the guard scoff, “He was completely wasted. We found a half empty bottle of liquor in his bag.”

“Goodness…”

“Yeah.” … “This is the can-opener in question.” my hair stood up on my neck.

“Yes. It’s an old heirloom. Normally she does use it for opening cans, but… I mainly gave it to her so she’d have a way to protect herself in case… something happens.” YEAH, YOU GO MAMMA! “I told her to never walk alone at night!”

“Listen, I’m gonna make things easy for you two. I’ll make sure this case is opened then closed right back up. I just want you to promise me you’ll be there for her? This sort of thing… it sticks with you. Haunts your nightmares.” Dreams, more like.

“You want my advice? Move out of the big city. There’s nothing left here but degenerates and heartbreak.”

“Don’t worry, Ma’am. I’ll take care of her. She’s... all I have left.”

“You take care, now. Stay safe.” I heard the door shut, and that was my queue to hop in the shower.

---

The cold water was actually helpful for once- made it easier to wash away the blood. A half hour later I was as clean as a whistle. As for the cloak? Eh, I was just gonna throw it away. The blood had settled already and aside from that, it smelled like piss.

Method acting is a helluva thing.

I dried myself off and hopped out into the living room with a wide grin on my face. Mamma was sitting on the couch- staring at my bloody dagger in her hands.

“Bah, don’t look so down. We fuckin’ got away with it!” I was still running strong off that adrenaline high, the image of warm blood spraying all over still fresh in my mind, giving me that warm and fuzzy feeling deep down. I hopped on the couch.

“I mean, come on. Surely you got some entertainment out of seeing that fuck get what he deserves?” slowly, she set the dagger on the table.

“You murdered him.” she slowly turned to look at me, an odd hollow look in her eyes. “You were smiling. You were laughing. You stood there as you got covered in blood like you were just playing in a sprinkler.” I just shrugged.

“Oh, come on. That guy was a fuckface and you know it.” her eye twitched.

“That… that…” she finally blew up- “That doesn’t make it right! None of this is right!” she got up and was pacing around the room- I just stood around on the couch, leaning against the back of it. She spoke up,

“Gah, I can’t BELIEVE I let you talk me into doing this stuff!” I threw my arms up.

“We needed the money! Just from a few of those fuckers, we made enough loot to last us at least two months with no income! Finally, we’re ahead of the fuckin’ curve!

“And I suppose you were just gonna keep hookin’ for fuckin chump change? What if you caught syphilis or something?” and it wasn’t the modern, subtle kind- it was the medieval make your face rot off type. She just scoffed.

“I never should’ve let you stay home. Never should’ve let you homeschool yourself!” her voice began to crack, face turning red from anger.

“You… you are OUT OF CONTROL!” I just scoffed, holding a hand to my chest.

“Oh, I’m out of control? I’m out of fucking control?!” I grabbed the dagger, jumping over the couch and pointing it towards her. “WHY DON’T YOU GET YOUR ASS OVER HERE! I’LL SHOW YOU OUT OF CONTROL YOU WORTHLESS OLD CUNT!” She stopped her pacing, turning and glaring at me fiercely- then she turned around and walked away.

“That’s right! You turn around, bitch!” I threw the dagger to the side, watching it slide across the floor. I gave a smug laugh as I went to my cloak, grabbing me a smoke and a lighter, which I stole off someone a while ago. Leaning against the coffee table, I turned the radio on and lit my smoke.

I can’t sell my mama short on lovin’ me-
I guess that’s why she let me go so far!

I swear, this radio was literally magical. It always had the right song for the mood.

Mama tried to stop me short of stealin’
I guess that’s why I had to steal that cart.

I took a deep drag of my cigarette, puffing the smoke into the air.

She told me not to smoke it,
But I did, and it took me far away.

“Gotta get me some more reds soon,” I said to no-one in particular. I was starting to run low- I think I’ll hit up a wagon tomorrow.

And I turned out to be-
The only Hell my Mama ever raised!

Just then- the radio shut off. I had no time to react as the cigarette was yanked from my hand and quenched against the table. My eyes widened as I was grabbed and held tight in Mamma’s lap, my tail being raised out of the way. Ohh, I did not think this through. I looked back and saw the real family heirloom in her left hand; a thick wooden paddle with several holes cut in it for aerodynamics.

“Leona Grimfeather-” oh fuck, she used the full name… fuuuuuck… “I have been lenient with you, given you chance after chance after chance. I’m done.”

“Look, I’m sorry! I-I know things got heated but I-I didn’t mean it!”

THWAP

“Owwww, I’m sorry! I won’t do it again I promise!” no amount of bracing could prepare me for how much it hurt.

THWAP

“I-I’ll Be good!” tears rolled down my face as my voice cracked terribly.

THWAP

“I promise I won’t do anymore illegal stuff!”

THWAP

“I’ll even stop swearing…” my voice was feeble, hot tears staining my cheeks.

THWAP

Finally, she let me go and I stumbled forward, full on ugly crying in front of her.

“GO TO YOUR ROOM AND THINK ABOUT WHAT YOU DID! YOU ARE GROUNDED!” I wasted no time bolting to the bedroom with my tail between my legs. My gait was uneven as I slammed the door behind me and jumped into my bed. My ass still throbbed fiercely and I worried I may never be able to sit on it again.

Eventually the crying turned into soft whimpering and sniveling. And with nothing better to do… I laid in bed thinking quietly.

I felt just awful. Guilt, shame, regret- it was all there. Not in regards to the man I killed- I’ve never cried for my victims and I won’t start now. But laying in bed, thinking about what I’ve been doing this past while, I came to the conclusion that hurt so bad.

I’d been such a fucking asshole to Ma. I treated her like another associate, like she was worthless dirt beneath my shoes. Why? And I realized something, too. Originally I felt like a failure because Ma had to resort to hookin’- but… she was willing to degrade herself- all for my sake. And I had the audacity to criticize her for not bringing home enough money from it. As I choked back a sob, I came to the final conclusion:

She hates me now. There’s nothing to it. I blew it. I took the one, the only person who I’ve ever cared about in my life, past or present, and I shoved her away. The only one who took care of me, was always there when I needed her… and was willing to whore herself out for fucking pennies just so I could afford to eat.

My own words rang out in my head. We still have each other, huh? And now… I had nothing. I had nothing, no one, and barely any will to go on anymore. She hates me. I’m not the best daughter ever. I’m the High Lord Executioner- as though that worthless nickname meant anything anymore. She knows I’m a psycho, too- it wouldn’t be surprising if she kicked me out all together.

Briefly, I wondered what would happen if I died again? Would I once again reincarnate into a different life? Or would that really be it this time? I was really, really considering testing that theory…

Then the door opened. I buried my face in my pillow. I couldn’t face her, not now and not ever again.

I was quite surprised when she got on the bed with me and put a wing over my back. I just sniffled.

“Go ‘way.”

“Sweetie-”

“You hate me now.” she just pulled me in tighter. “I wish… I wish I was never born…” I should’ve died on the fucking chair, eight years ago.

“No, baby-”

“I should’ve been stillborn. That way you wouldn’t be stuck with me.” my entire body shaking as I was choking back more tears.

I felt a wing lightly slap me on the back of the head.

“If you say anything like that again, so help me I will get the paddle.”

“I’m the worst daughter ever.”

“No, sweetie…” she let out a sigh.
You are my sunshine…
My only sunshine…
You make me happy… when skies are gray.
You’ll never know dear, how much I love you.
Please don’t take my sunshine away…

And just like that, for the second time tonight I was full-on ugly crying into my pillow. I was starting to get a bit dehydrated, in all honesty.

“I-I’m sor-ry-ee-ee” I was yammering out apologies in between bouts of sobbing.

“Sweetie… what you did to that man is unforgivable. I can’t forgive you for that- it’s something you’ll live with and remember for the rest of your life.” she said it so sternly...

“That’s not what I meant!” I sniffed and turned to face her. “I don’t regret killing him, not one bit. I don’t regret anything, from the stealing, assault, burglary… No, that stuff… I was born for that kind of life.

“Mamma… I’m a twisted fucking psychopath if you haven’t figured that out already. Damn near everything I do is a means to an end. Everything I do in life has a purpose. That man needed to die because if I let him live, we would both be rotting in a dungeon cell right now! I didn’t want them to take me away from you!” she looked at me and blinked, the surprise evident on her face.

“What I am sorry for is the way I treated you. I’d lost sight of myself, all as a means to an end without thinking of the consequences. I am so, so sorry, Mamma."

She just continued to look at me- then let out a deep sigh.

“Sweetie…” she sat up in bed, and I did the same- though I winced because my ass still stung. She looked from side to side, as if trying to figure out what to say.

“You really… don’t regret killing that man, do you?” she looked me in the eyes and I shook my head.

“I’d do it again in a heartbeat if it meant protecting us.” I took a deep breath.

“I regret the way I treated you… the way I talked to you… I can’t take it back. No matter how much I want to, I can’t take that back. Just…” I hugged her, burying my face in her feathers.

“Please… please, I want your forgiveness for the way I treated you- but if you never forgive me, I wouldn’t blame you. But no matter what, everything I do, I do for your sake!

“I love you, Mamma. Forever and always.” I heard her sniffle.

“I love you too, baby. Just… No more illegal stuff, not even for me. No more breaking the law. I’d rather go hungry than know my daughter is out there risking herself.” She wrapped her arms and wings around me and I sighed.

“That guard was right. There’s nothing left for us in this city.”

“But… but what’s the alternative?” she asked me, and I said-

“We still got all the loot from our more… successful endeavors. I know a guy who can get us a wagon for cheap, legally, that is.” I quickly added that last part when I noticed the glare she gave me.

“Admit it. All this hustling is no good for either one of us. It was only a matter of time before one of us snapped.” I pulled back, looking her in the eyes and grabbing her hand with mine.

“There’s nothing left for us in this town. Things are only gonna get worse around here- so let's bail while we’re still ahead! What d’ya say? I’ll get us a wagon, and we’ll pick a direction and go!” her smile grew, and she let out a sigh.

“Ok. Ok, I admit you’re right. What do we have to lose, anyway?”

“That’s the spirit!” she rolled her eyes, still having that smile on her face.

“Why is it that you’re always the one coming up with these things?” I just shrugged.

“Eh, I was always better in the thinkin’ department, wasn’t I?” Mamma snorted out a laugh, saying-

“Oh, what was that, Missy? Because I heard go get the paddle because I haven’t learned my lesson!”

“Hey, I don’t know what you’re on about!” We both shared a hearty laugh before we both decided to try and sleep that night.

Overall, I felt as though I was closing up a significant chapter in my life. I can’t help but wonder what sights we’ll see? I’ve always wanted to go on an adventure like that, but… well, I never had the time in my old life.

For the first time in a good while, I felt optimistic for the future.

“I love you, sweetie.”

“I love you to Hell and back, Mamma. Don’t you forget it.”