Lion Head Mesa Amaryllis

she thought she knew fear well—the dread that lingered in the pit of one’s belly before a task not only new, but terrible. it turned out she was only acquainted with it. whatever it was she had thought paled in comparison to what she felt in hearing her daughters words! 
Toula stood over her daughter, sniffing restlessly for any telltale signs of impending death. nothing, nothing that she could see—where does it hurt, my little love?