#maligne

Coming up!

Soft coos came from the BT baby in Mama's lab. Sam could hear faint scratching on the ceiling, the little one had been crawling around. Small black handprints and feet were scattered over the walls. Barely noticeable unless one shows a light onto them. Though Sam knew Mama's story, he couldn't help but feel nervous as he watched the invisible force of the undead child pitter-patter around. It was ominous to say the least, considering both he and Lou had been chased by more monstrous BTs.

"She doesn't like it when you stare," Mama called out, still keeping her eyes fixated on the computer while she typed away at various programs.

Sam flinched, then shook his head. He walked over to Mama, taking a seat in a spare chair as he awaited the updates on deliveries from her.

"Could've fooled me," Sam said. He was blunt, maybe a little too sarcastic, and made a face upon catching himself. He could see that Mama smiled from the comment.

"How do you concentrate when she's around you all the time like this?" Sam asked as he couldn't help but look up, hearing the BT smacking some things around. The cooing turned into soft laughter as Mama sighed. She stretched her arms, relaxing them as she spun her work chair around to where she was facing Sam.

"As creepy as our situation is, she's sort of my good luck charm. If she's not around trying to distract me, then I know something isn't right." Mama said, furrowing her brows as she sadly observed the BT.

"I can see past the surface. Finding the worth that is hiding underneath. Even with the BTs. Not all of them are bad. They don't know better. Much like--"

"Children." Sam finished.

"Yeah," Mama nodded. A sad smile crossed her features. "Like children."

Sam hesitated, but he found his shaking right hand reaching out to gently rest it upon Mama's shoulder. She looked down at his fingers, observing them tremble before cupping them with her own hand. She patted Sam's skin gently as she smiled at him. There was a sincerity in her gaze he hadn't seen before. Not in a long time at least.

"One day this will be over, right?" Mama asked softly as Sam nodded. He couldn't keep her hopes hanging.

When I made an appointment with my city's employment service because, according to my mother, it is the right time because it is election time and the mayor is trying to please everyone to get re-elected.