I start my first day at the Order's hospital. The routines are consistent across all asylums. But now I am hopeful. I want to see Uncle Ryan.
Someone opens the door, and I anticipate seeing him, but I'm instantly disappointed. Georgiana, the therapist, enters.
"Good morning, Arabella. How did you sleep?"
"Good," I say without masking my disappointment.
"What's wrong? Is there anything you don't like?"
I dislike you, and I would like to express this. But I am not saying it. I will continue to do what Selby has told me.
"I thought my uncle Ryan was coming ." I react.
Georgiana sits in the only chair in the room and motions for me to sit on the bed. I obey.
"Arabella, I'm your therapist; I've already told you. He'll come see you in the afternoon during visiting hours."
I calmed down slightly. But the hours will feel endless until I see him.
"Tell me about the demon," Georgiana asks.
"Do you believe that?" I ask.
"Yes," she replies. "Demons exist, but this might simply be a hallucination. We must prove that the demon is genuine. Tell me about him."
I take a deep breath and begin to describe the demon that has been haunting me. Georgiana listens intently, taking notes as I recount the terrifying details of my encounters with the dark entity. As I speak, a sense of relief washes over me, knowing that someone finally believes me and is willing to help me confront this malevolent presence.
I continue telling her, and Georgiana responds seriously:
"It's obvious that the demon exists. But you have major mental problems as a result of all the abuse you've been through, and you need therapy."
"And what can we do to free me from the demon?" I ask.
"I need to speak with specialists about these issues. We're going to help you, Arabella."
Georgiana leaves. I'm delighted she wants to help, but only my uncle can. I'm sure.
It is afternoon, and I am counting the seconds before my uncle comes. The door opens, and this time it's him.
"Arabella," he says with a very honest smile. I threw myself into his arms and gripped him tight. He makes me feel like I belong in his arms. He softly releases me and says:
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THE MONSTER INSIDE ME (#ONC2024)
Horror#ONC2024 Round two Ambassadors' pick. :D SHORTLIST ONC 2024 My prompt is number 3: Your greatest fear is monsters in the dark. The last thing you expect is to become the monster in the dark. Arabella Dagon was always afraid of the dark. In the dar...
