The Demon's plaything

~Emily.

Seven years ago.

I was sitting right next to my daughter on the hospital bed. She was holding my hand. Her breathing was weak and shallow. Her grip was loose, and I couldn't stop the tears that flowed out of my eyes. I thought I hated the smell of the hospital not until it became home for Ava and I.

I wished it had just happened to me instead. She was only ten years old. She did not have to go through all that pain.

My daughter had a brain tumor.

I tried everything that I could, but there she was, slowly fading away right before my eyes. Her skin had lost its color and her lips were dried and chapped. She didn't let go of my hand, but suddenly, everything suddenly grew cold and silent.

I snapped out of my thoughts and I didn't know why, but my daughter's hand was suddenly cold.

Why?

It wasn't supposed to be

Maybe it's just the weather...maybe it's just the hospital breeze.

I stood up. My legs were weak, but I needed to have a clearer image of my daughter. I placed my head on her chest, and that tiny little heart wasn't beating anymore.

Tears rolled off my eyes before a second passed. My head was there, still on her chest. I was waiting for the sound of a beat.

Even if it was just one, but I didn't get any.

I couldn't feel her breath on my skin.

I couldn't hear her heart beat and neither could I feel her breath.

"Ava," I called, tapping her gently.

I just wanted her to open her eyes and call me mother. All that I wanted was a little smile from her cute face. I wanted to hear the sound of her voice, even if it was just once!

But….there I was. Standing right there. I got none. I had never witnessed such silence my whole life. I watched the girl I gave birth to, lying motionless on the hospital bed. It felt like hell.

"Ava, Ava please, look at me," I begged, crying.

"Ava, just open your eyes and look at me. Say something to me Ava. I am right here. I am right in front of you. Mummy is here Ava," I cried. I looked at her and she wasn't answering me.

Ava wasn't answering me.

She can't be dead.

My daughter cannot be dead.

"Ava, please just wake up and look at me. I will get you the red bunny from the store. I'll give you chocolate and cupcakes every day. I'll buy a bigger playhouse in the backyard. I'll get you a lot of princess clothes. I'll let you sleep in my room, Ava. I'll take you to school and wait till you're done and bring you back home. I'll do everything Ava, please. Just wake up," I pleaded, holding her cold little hand.

Those were her wishes

She always wanted them and I said no ... .but at that point, I didn't care if they were healthy or not. I only wanted my daughter to live.

I felt a wave of chills down my whole body when my daughter's hand spilled out of mine. I sat on the ground and the cold tile kissed my skin.

"I'll do anything…. anything at all for my daughter to be alive. I'll give anything…. I'll do anything," I desperately mouthed.

I knew it was impossible for my daughter to come back to life but…..I was really willing to do anything.

Then, my prayer was answered with CURSE.

The evening became darker. The air in the ward suddenly became sharp and thick. My breaths became heavy and fast.

I couldn't explain….but it wasn't normal. In just a second, everything changed.

Then suddenly I felt something over my shoulder. I was alone in the room.

What touched me?

The feeling on my shoulder was cold, and hot at the same time. They burned my skin, and it froze my skin at the same time.

I never knew that could happen.

I screamed as loud as I could.

The pain was too much for me to bear.

"Stop screaming. Little Ava is asleep," it whispered into my ear.

It's voice was thick and firm. It sent chills down my spin. The pain on my shoulder worsened. My eyes were streaming with tears.

It claimed my daughter was asleep, but she was dead.

"She's…. she's…dead," I managed to say amidst the pain. I didn't know why, but I felt the urge to speak.

"Is she?" He asked, still whispering in that chilly old voice.

"What are….you?" I asked.

"I'm Tharros. I do what I want. When I want," he answered and he let out a soft chuckle. He was whispering, but his voice was still louder than a whisper.

After hearing him..I didn't know what came over me.

"Save my daughter," I said and the pain worsened again.

He chuckled, and I felt the same thing on my other shoulder. Then my waist, and my back and my legs…. everywhere!

I felt it

It was burning!

It was freezing!

I fell to the ground

I screamed.

"Leave me alone! Someone, help! Help!" I cried….

The pain didn't stop. When I opened my eyes…I saw a dark figure in front of me. His whole body was like a thick shapeless voice. His red eyes were the deepest thing ever. I was lost in his gaze. I was hurt. But I couldn't stop looking.

Then, he spoke. "I'll humbly grant your wish, Emily. Why will I not help you since you asked for it? I am here, right at your service. But I am sure you know that nothing comes for free. I'll save your little girl, and you'll do me a Little favor as well," he said.

What does he want?

What!

"I'll bring little Ava back to life, but only if you agree to give her back to me. She'll be alive as your daughter, but as my little human bride. Deal?" He asked. He didn't have a face, but I could sense the wide grin on his face.

"Deal?" He asked again.

I had to answer. I had to say something.

Should I? Or should I not?