It was an unsettling creature. This Unhallowed Noun that had been spouted at her in reverent tones while in the midst of such vile fledglings. Compared to them, it was the darkest and most disturbing of them all. It crawled under her skin like a parasitic lech, nestling itself deep into her bones, whispering accusations of truth in her mind that she didn't know how to acknowledge or even defend against. She had glowered at the ghastly thing, bold and proud as it crawled towards her, its long claws and sharp teeth bared intently. It chittered wildly as if it expected to share in conversation with her, its large obsidian eyes gleaming joyfully. When she remained mute, however, unmoved from her spot among the thicket--her fellow travels circled protectively on either side of her with quaking knees--it tilted its head, regarding her curiously, before pushing the word out vehemently. Mother. It was bitter on her tongue to even repeat. What kind of torment was this? To r...