Psychic Short Stories

Meeting Achan (Sia, Age Five)

Tiny feet pattered down the long, sterile hall as wide pale blue eyes stared around. The girl followed after a man who was dressed all in black and had a gun in his belt. She wasn't exactly sure why he needed one, but between that and scar on his chin, she didn't want to disobey him at all. An Asian woman in a long white coat walked along behind the girl, a clipboard in her hand and a stern look on her pointed features.

The scar-faced man stopped at a door and glanced at her before pushing open the door. "In," he grunted.

The girl stopped before hesitantly padding over to the doorway and looked into the room through the long blonde hair that hung over her face. The room was plain, with light grey walls, a metal table, and two metal chairs on either side of the table. A man was standing on the far side of the room with his back to the door and his hands folded behind his back.

"Go." The woman nudged her with her with the corner of the clipboard.

She took a few steps into the room, her heart picking up speed. The door shut behind her and she squeaked, looking back towards it with wide eyes. The woman had stayed in the room and was looking down at her coldly, like usual. "Sit." She motioned to the chair.

The girl stared up at her, not moving.

"I said, sit!" she snapped, shoving her towards the chair.

"Su Ma." The man's voice was stern as he turned around. The little girl jumped and looked over at him. Despite his stern voice he actually appeared very kind, with sparkling eyes and salt and pepper hair. His face softened as he looked down at the little girl. "Sia Temples, I presume?

The girl just stared blankly at him

 Su Ma replied for her. "It is."

He nodded curtly and looked back at Sia. "Please, sit." He motioned to one of the chairs.

She looked up at him with round eyes. "Where's my mommy?"

"She's not here," he replied softly, crouching down in front of her. "She asked me to take care of you until she gets back. Is that okay?"

Sia frowned, her eyes filling with tears. "I wanna see her. I don't like it here."

"I know, kiddo. But you'll see her again soon. You just need to be patient." He pushed her hair back out of her face. "And if you give me a chance I'm sure we'll get along just fine."

"I don't wanna." She sniffed, looking down.

"Sia, I'm sorry, but it really can't be helped."

"No!" she shrieked, her gloved hands balling into fists. "She's been gone forever, I wanna see her! I wanna see mommy!"

The man looked uncomfortable for a moment before standing up and sitting down in one of the chairs. "Sit and we can discuss this."

She shook her head, rubbing her eyes. "Go away."

A pen rapt down on her hand and she squeaked, looking up at the source. Su Ma scowled down at her. "That's enough! Sit like you were told."

She started crying harder and rubbed the back of her hand, but she did what she was told this time and climbed up onto the chair. Tears fell down her cheeks and she tried to wipe them off.

"That's enough," Su Ma hissed again from behind her.

"Su Ma." His voice was firm. "You may leave now."

She didn't look pleased but she turned on her heel and left, shutting the door a little too hard behind her.

Once she was gone the man leaned over the table a bit and spoke softly. "I'm Mr. Achan. I own this institution."

Sia looked up at him, he looked really nice, much nicer than the scar-faced man and Su Ma. "I want my mommy. Can you please find me my mommy?"

He sighed and shook his head. "I already told you, I can't do that. I'm sorry."

"When can I see her?"

"Not for a long time."

Her forehead dropped down onto the table as she shook with sobs. She just wanted her mommy back. It had been over a week since she'd left her here with the promise that she'd come every day. But she hadn't come at all.

Achan reached over and patted her shoulder. "It's okay sweetie. You can cry if you want."

She didn't stop crying for several minutes and he finally came around and picked her up. He sat back down on the chair and rocked her back and forth. "It's going to be okay, Miss Temples. Everything is going to be ok."