Bonds and Birthdays

I threw on an oversized, high-necked sweater, making sure the thick cotton collar pulled up high enough to hide the black, ancient runes scarred into my upper chest. My heart still hammered a frantic, bruising rhythm against my ribs. I turned my back on the fogged-up bathroom mirror. I couldn't look at my reflection anymore. I couldn't look at the physical proof that I was losing my mind, or worse