Chapter Six: Megan:

She managed to make a friend in the time that she was placed in the care of an uncle. This was the only real friend she had up to this point.

Dr. Carta turned a page in her folder. “Tell me about Megan.” Danielle’s little eyes grew wide. She quickly shook her head.

“It’s okay,” the therapist said. “You are safe here with me.”

“No, I’m not,” the little girl mumbled. For the past few minutes, she could hear a grumbling around her feet. He didn’t like this lady talking to his host. She’s prying in too much. Danielle could only hold him back for so long. Would Dr. Carta end up dead because of her?

It was just like with Megan. That girl was brave or foolish enough to approach Danielle in the first place. Everyone else avoided the little girl at school and in town. Rumors followed in whispers. The curtains and windows would shut when she walked home.

But Megan was different.

The little red head approached on the playground. Danielle looked down at her feet, listening to the howling of the shadows around them. It got quiet when she noticed someone standing over her. She looked up to see a little girl with bright red hair standing over her.

“Hi!” this little girl said. Danielle gave her a blank stare. This might have been the first time anyone had ever spoken to her in months.

“Mind if I sit down?” the other little girl asked. Danielle stared as she sat down beside her.

“I’m Megan,” she said. “What’s your name?” Danielle looked down at her knees.

“Danielle,” she mumbled.

“Nice to meet you,” Megan said. “Let’s be friends!” The other girl stared at her confused. She was joking, right?

“Why?” Danielle asked. The little red head shrugged.

“Does there have to be a reason?” she asked. “Why not?” Her new friend gave her a strange look.

--------

“I don’t understand it,” Dr. Carta said. “Megan seemed so nice unlike the first two victims. Why did she have to die?” The patient shook her head. The therapist remembered that article. Megan’s body had been found up in a tree. Unlike the other two bodies, her organs were still intact, but her limbs and bones were broken into pieces. Two old ladies found Megan in that tree in the park.

“He was jealous,” Danielle mumbled. Dr. Carta raised her eyebrow.

“This demon friend of yours?” she asked.

“He’s not my friend.”

“Okay… Then what is he?”

The patient hung her head as she shook it. She shivered as the whispering grew louder. Danielle found herself trapped between stopping and reaching out for help. He was probably waiting to kill Dr. Carta when she asked one more wrong question. She didn’t know how much longer she could take. The psychiatrist set down the folder.

“Look,” she said. “I want to help you. But I can’t do that if you won’t talk to me.” Danielle rested her head on the table. Dr. Carta sighed.

“I think this will be enough for right now,” she said. “I’m going to set out for a bit and let you calm down. I’ll come back when you are ready, okay?” The little girl lifted her head with big eyes.

“Right,” Dr. Carta said. “I will step out and talk to a couple of people for a little bit and I will be back. I promise.” She pushed the folder in front of Danielle.

“See?” she asked. “I’m leaving your folder right here to show you that I’m not going very far. Okay?” The child stated at her in a quiet daze, as if trying to take it all in.

“I will be right back,” Dr. Carta said. Then, she got up and walked out of the padded cell. Danielle stared at the table. His voice came back louder than ever.

She has to go. I kill her right now.

Danielle shook her head. No.

But we can’t have her knowing too much like that Megan girl.

No!

I’m sorry, but I have to kill her.

No! Danielle slammed her hands down onto the table hard enough to shake the room. She collapsed over, panting. Tears ran down her cheeks. Even now, he clung to her.

--------

Three hours later, Dr. Carta walked back into the room. Danielle woke up and lifted her head.

“Have you calmed down enough to talk?” she asked. The child stared at her with wide eyes as she walked back to her seat. Something seemed different about the therapist than when she left the room. Dr. Carta had a stern look on her face. Danielle stared at her like a lamb about to be eaten by a wolf.

“Okay, Danielle,” Dr. Carta said. “Let’s start from the beginning. Tell me the truth. I have learned more things about you and your father.” Danelle stared at her, silent.

At her feet, the demon started whispering and shaking the ground.