couch , watching the invasive creature and trying to decide her next move . Her primal instincts searched for a way out of this nightmare , but she had read enough horror stories to know the truth : once you invited a demon inside , they wouldn ’ t leave without destroying lives .
“ Here you go , Cassie .” Mary handed the child the cocoa . “ I made it especially for you .”
Once the demon gripped the mug , she shivered in violent torrents as if the hot liquid stirred her blood .
“ What ’ s wrong , dear ?” Mary bent down to the child ’ s eyes , now an innocent powder-blue compared to what Nancy was exposed to in the car .
“ I want to be in water .” Her voice was so soft and wonderful that Nancy wondered if she had imagined the child ’ s dark eyes . She silently chided herself , knowing it was only a disguise to fool her parents . “ Oh , your poor thing . You ’ re so shaken up that you —” “ NO ! I want to be in water !” Cassie growled . She grabbed Mary ’ s hand and opened her mouth , emitting the horrid , rasping shriek again .
Robert eyed the child . “ Just do what she wants , Mary . I ’ m going to call the police . This girl is obviously disturbed by whatever she went through .”
Mary ’ s eyes were blank as she helped Cassie upstairs to the bathroom . Nancy listened as the tap turned on , and a cold dread settled in over her . Her mother came down the stairs and instructed her to watch the young girl while they waited for the police to arrive .
“ Mom , I don ’ t think we should —”
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