A Manic Princess

Gertrude's POV

“Gertrude hon, you did not meet that strange man again, did you?” my mother asked me as soon as I stepped into the house.

“No, why do you ask?” I asked rather innocently.

“Nothing, were you able to buy the seasoning?” she asked.

“Of course,” I gave her the items I had bought and watched her walk into the kitchen.

I had lied. I had seen the strange man on my way back just as he had been leaving our compound. He had given me a sneaky smile and made even more sneaky comments about me before walking off.

It was easy to guess that he had been here and he had wanted something from my mother.

I also knew what would happen tonight.

When the clock struck twelve that night I saw my mother walk into Gerard's room. I followed her softly so she would not hear me. She left the door ajar and I could see her kneel by my brother's bedside and then tap him softly.

Gerard woke up and before he could protest she had arrested his eyes with hers. Her eyes were no longer there, instead, her s