"This is what Darkness promised," she spat, "and Darkness lied."

I was trembling in fear. I had never seen her so angry before. She starting cursing, and I covered my ears in attempt to shut it out. It did not work.

"Darkness... Darkness..." She hissed, but I could see her anger start to die.

She sat down on the couch next to me, defeated. "I'm sorry," she said softly. "I don't know what came over me."

I awkwardly patted her arm. "Um, it's okay. But... What did darkness promise?" I knew it was the wrong thing to ask, but I had to know. After all, how could the dark promise anything? Well, it promised my nightmares, but that did not really count.

My mother sighed. "I don't think you are ready to know, sweetheart. If I tell you... You might become the next victim."

"V-victim?" I stammered. "What does th-that mean?"

"You know what it means!" She snapped. I flinched. Mom sighed again, her eyes starting to close. "I love you," she muttered. Her hand was cold against mine. I knew what was happening.

"Mom... Please don't go..." I starting crying very loudly, the depths of my body shaking with sadness.

The last words I heard her say were, "Darkness fought, and Darkness won."

Then she grew limp in my arms.