Arrow Lake But the proof's in the way it hurts

The scent of death filled her nose as she continued to make her way towards the borders of her old home. At first, she ignored it, assuming it came from someone who had met an unfortunate end somewhere nearby. But then she was suddenly struck with a thought that made her heart slam against her ribs: what if it was one of her children? So she quickly changed her path and headed toward the scent. But the closer she got, the stranger the scent became. Whatever it was, it still smelled of decay, but she also scented sickness and underneath all of it, something that told her this being was not dead at all. She knew now it was not Ego or Monarch at least, but her curiosity urged her forward anyway. As the scraggly-looking shadow came into sight, she slowed. He spoke as she drew closer, and she studied him with her usual shrewd gaze, inwardly surprised by how tall he was now that she was closer. She stared at him a few seconds longer before finally answering. That depends on what you need, she said curtly. She had no time for needy strangers and unless he had something interesting or useful to say, she would dismiss him and go on her way.