"Mommy?"

I jump as I'm ripped from a very nice dream. It was another one of those dreams where I could physically feel myself levitating. I don't remember when I started having them, but they always gave me a sense of peace. Like I had control over anything. It takes a minute for my eyes to adjust on the small, shadowy figure next to my bed.

I sit up, rubbing at my eyes. "Yes, baby?"

"It's back again."

I sigh and pull myself over to get out of bed.

"Honey, we've been over this. There are no such things as monsters."

I hear little sniffles and gasps. I feel for her, when I was her age I used to see shadows or hear strange noises. The only monsters that ever really existed in my life were people. I wrap my hands around her small shoulders and guide her back down the hall to her room.

It looks the same as it always does, tidy with soft blues and greens. Kate had always been a fan of the ocean. She was oddly grown for her age. Instead of plastering cartoon images, or a popular kid's show she wanted white sheer curtains, calming blue paint, and a gorgeous blue-green comforter. Truth be told, I was downright envious of her room. The only thing that gave away her age was a single stuffed animal she kept on the bed. It was a white seal, with shimmering turquoise eyes.

That's what first struck me as odd when she started seeing it. Kate wasn't one to fib, or make up stories. As a matter of fact, she wanted to be a marine biologist and would talk my ear off about global warming and it's effects on sea life.

But the one thing she kept insisting on was the thing outside of her window.

I've never seen it, but I suspect it's probably the large oak tree in our front yard. She told me that it has long, spindly claws, rows of teeth, and thin, rubbery skin. Well, her exact words were 'dolphin skin.' I think it's just her not wanting to admit it's an overactive imagination after watching her blue planet shows.

There's a long, drawn-out brush against the window as if on cue. It taps a few times, then brushes before repeating the sounds. I lean down and pull up the blinds.

Cait stands back, staring blankly at me. "See?" I offer, smiling warmly up at her. "It's just the tree outside brushing against the window."

She hugs herself and shakes her head. "No. That wasn't it." She sounds very sure of herself. Enough that it gives me pause. Last time she seemed hesitant as if maybe she thought it was just her imagination. Tonight her tone was the sort that made you listen.

I try a different approach. "How do you know it wasn't it?" Her bottom lip trembles as she starts running her hands up and down her arms. "Because it spoke to me. Next to the bed." I crouch down and sweep a strand of hair back from her face. "What did it say?" Her brown eyes sharpen as they bore into mine. "That you aren't my real mom."

I start, blinking a few times. My hand is frozen in mid-air. My throat goes dry but finally my voice sounds. "Honey, that's not true. Not true at all. You are my little girl." I pull her close to me, stroking the back of her head. "I love you so much baby."

#

Her eyes have changed, they've softened as I pull the blankets up to just under her chin. She doesn't cry, she never does, but she seems sad somehow. "Why don't I have a daddy?" Her words hit me like a ton of bricks. I knew they would come someday, but not this soon. I'm not really sure how to answer it, but the truth would tear her apart. She may be exceptionally bright, but she's equally human. A little lie can sometimes be told for the best. Rape isn't something you tell your daughter about. Especially that she was the product of it.

I smile down at her, "of course you have a daddy honey. Remember where Leo went?" She nods. "Well, daddy is there too." Leo had been her pet kitty. We had barely had him six months when he passed away suddenly. No marks, no signs of another animal harming him. Just cold and lying next to the window. I calmly explained that when we die, we all go to a different place. A better one.

Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.

"Can I go there?"

I'm instantly alarmed. While I know lies aren't the best strategies, I thought this one may have helped ease her pain. "No, Kate. It's a place meant for taking souls once they are ready to go. When it's their time." She purses her lips and turns her head to the side. "What if it's my time, and I want to go. Can I go then?" I'm appalled at her question. She's five for christ's sake.

"It's a different kind of existence."

"What kind?" she shoots back. "The kind that isn't meant for little girls." I counter. This makes her quiet, but she turns away. I'm not sure why she's moody, but I can sense that there is way more than she is letting on. We're both awkward, unsure of how to be after our spat.

"Kate. I love you, very much. I only want what is best for you. Please trust me." She sighs and turns toward me. "How am I supposed to trust you, when you're lying to me?" I blink in shock. I want to be mad, but she is right and I know she is. I deflate a bit and reach for her hand. "I'm sorry." She smiles at me, sits up and hugs me. "It's ok, mommy. I forgive you."

After she lays back down, I pet her head until she's fast asleep.

I stand to leave and then freeze. I can't quite place it, but the feeling in the room has changed. Something isn't right with the wall next to the window. I stare hard at it, searching the blue surface. Something isn't right, it's just not right.

The hairs on my arms and neck stand on end. Every molecule in my body is screaming to run away. My feet are glued to the rug. I watch in horror as small, hair-like shadows wriggle on the surface. The shadows dart from the wall to the window and suddenly, it's gone.

I stay there staring for a long, long time.

#

"It knows that you saw it."

I jump and turn to the doorway in the kitchen. "Jesus, Kate," I say crossly. "You scared me." She stares blankly at me with that unnerving, cold stare. Her eyes are a deep brown, almost black. Today they look darker than usual. "What does?" I ask as I walk over to her. "S'etak Rehtaf" she says, matter-of-factly. "S'etak Reh-taf," I repeat, "who is that?" She crosses over to the table and sits down. "My friend."

I stare at her feeling really concerned. I've heard of this, children making up imaginary friends. This whole thing had me really unsettled. I'm still struggling with what I saw last night. The only thing I can think is that it was a trick of shadows, or maybe me just being tired. It's creepy enough that I don't want to talk about it anymore.

"Honey, I don't want you talking to it. OK?" She jerks her head toward me. "Why?" I set her cereal in front of her and then sit across from her. "I thought you said it was a monster. You shouldn't talk to monsters." It's a pretty silly thing for an adult to say, but it's what I think she will buy. I don't like how this thing has taken a sudden hold on her.

"Oh, that." she says, spooning in a big mouthful of cereal. "He's OK." I wait for her to say more about it, but she remains quiet, happily downing her breakfast.

#

Everything goes by fairly uneventful that day. After dropping Kate off at school I managed to get in a ton of work at the office. I'm feeling pretty good when I roll up to Kate's school. I frown when I don't see her in her usual spot. I sit for several moments when Kate's teacher walks up. I roll down the window.

"Hey!" I call out. "Is Kate inside?"

I don't miss the frown that's quickly covered with a nervous smile. "No." she trails off, looking at the back of the car. "Ms. Smith, Kate wasn't in class today." I'm instantly thrown into panic mode. "What do you mean she wasn't here? I dropped her off this morning." She shakes her head. "She never came in. I thought she was sick today." I quickly thanked her, throw the car into drive and hit the gas.

I'm barely in the driveway when I kill the engine and leap out. I struggle with the front door, the keys fighting me every step of the way. Finally, it slams open.

There she is, sitting in the middle of the floor. She smiles up at me and waves. "Hi, mommy." I'm on the ground, hugging her and crying. I'm on the edge of hysterical, hugging her close. After several minutes, I pull her back and look down at her.

"Kate, why are you here? I took you to school today. Your teacher said that you never came to class." She looks puzzled and then nods her head. "Yeah, I didn't want to." I put my hand under her chin and bring her face toward me. "Why not?" Her eyes are black, all the way to the edges.

"I wanted to play with my friend." I let go of her face, slowly backing away. Her voice had changed mid-sentence to a deep, menacing rasp.

She turns and stares down the hall. In seconds, she's on her feet and then running toward her room. I'm torn, not sure if I should wait or follow. I've never been more afraid of anything in my life. She's my daughter, I should want to protect her.

Instead, I find myself wanting to torch the entire house and run away.

In the end, maternal instincts kick in and I get to my feet.

I'm startled at how dark it's become outside. How long had I been there, staring down the hall?

"MOMMY" Her yelling is loud and high pitched, it’s desperate and scratchy.

If I was hesitant before, it flew out the window. As fast as my legs carry me, I'm running down the hall.

I reach for the handle and twist. It's locked. I shove into it, throwing all of my weight into the door. I'm in tears, ramming and ramming. Her screams filled the air, over and over as I kick, scratch and punch the door.

Finally, it releases. The door swings inward. I frantically search the room when I spot them. The only movements are her feet poking out at the foot of the bed, still twitching. I run into the room and grab her legs, pulling hard. Something tugs back, harder. I tug frantically trying to save my little girl when a loud, bone-crunching sound fills the room.

I scream in horror as blood pools around her small frame. She goes completely still.

I shake my head back and forth, my hands covering my mouth. The blood soaks into my pants, drenching them. I scoot away and then rock back and forth squeezing my eyes shut. "Nnnn" It's the only noise I can manage to make. I nearly jumped out of my skin when I feel the soft touch on my arm.

A dream, yes, it was a dream. Or a hallucination. Kate is fine, everything is going to be ok. I grin, opening my eyes.

The small, headless frame of my little girl stands in front of me. A few meaty chunks spill from the opening of her neck. From the top of the gory wound, thin spider-like tendrils slither out.

“Everything is fine mommy,” the appendages say softly. “Just stay very still.” 

I sit, calmly allowing the black to wrap around my arms and head. “Yes,” I agree. “Everything will be fine.”