Madre

"Madre..."

The soft voice awakens me from a deep sleep. I clench my blanket with icy fingers.

"Madre! What have you doooooonnnnneee?"

Unwillingly, my head turns. My daughter, Maria, is walking towards me. Her arms outstretched. Maria's eyes are blank, and her simple dress is a bloody ruin.

"What have you dooooonnnnneeee?"

Her voice has a terrible power. A vase trembles, then falls to the floor with a crash.

I cannot close my eyes. There is blood. Everywhere. On my hands, my nightgown. . .the walls. Behind Maria stands Rafael, and Carolina. The same terrible, blank stare and bloody clothes. They circle around me, reaching. Reaching out for me.

I start to scream, and awake with a start.

"Madre..."