Chapter 15 - The Mother at the Door
Cora was breathing, but every few seconds her muscles locked. June opened the case again. The vial of clear liquid was labeled SIGNAL BLOCKER.
"It might stop the receiver," she said. "Or it might just hide the symptoms."
"Give it to me," Cora managed.
"Only if you understand the risk," June told her.
Cora nodded. June administered the medicine and watched the monitor. Her breathing steadied, though the blue light still flickered beneath her skin.
Elena wheeled herself toward us. "Cora?"
My sister's eyes filled with tears.
"I didn't think you'd know me."
"I know your voice," Elena said. "I sang to you through a wall when you were little. They wouldn't let me hold you."
Cora's mouth trembled. "You were real?"
"Every night. I never stopped being your mother."
Cora pressed her face against Elena's shoulder, careful not to hurt her. I stood beside them, feeling happiness and grief fight for room in my chest.
Mira watched from the doorway. Elena reached out her other hand.
"Come here, sweetheart."
"You didn't give birth to me," Mira said.
"No. And I won't pretend I did. But nobody has to stand alone in this room."
Mira took the offered hand.
Jonah wiped his eyes and looked away. For once he didn't try to explain the moment with science.
The speaker announced: "FLOOD DISCHARGE IN TEN MINUTES."
Elena tightened her grip. "The release levers are beside the creek tunnel. I designed them before Victoria took over. One person can't hold both."
"Can you tell us how?" I asked.
"I can do better," she said. "I can lead you there."
Jonah protested, but she cut him off.
May you like
"I spent twenty-two years in a bed while my children grew up without me. I am not spending the last ten minutes asking permission."
Above us, the security system announced that every exterior door had just been locked.
