30 Reasons To Read

Episode 9: Daisy

"Here, sweetheart, keep it wrapped tightly around you," Maisy said softly, adjusting the blanket around her little son, Martin, who sat curled up like a small bundle in front of her.

"It's a cold night, Mommy," he murmured in his small voice.

"Yes, it is," she replied, rubbing her palms together and crossing her arms over herself to keep warm.

"Don’t you want a blanket too?" he asked, concern flickering in his young eyes.

"No, baby. I’m fine. Thank you." She smiled faintly, her gaze lingering on him.

The dim glow of a small lamp besude them barely lit the room, accompanied by the pale moonlight that spilled through the open window. A biting wind seeped in, but neither mother nor son moved. They sat in silence, watching each other, locked in a shared intensity.

"You promised me a story," the little boy reminded her, rubbing his sleepy eyes.

"Yes, I did." Maisy shifted closer, her smile twitching nervously. "Mommy had a sister when she was little. Her name was Daisy."

"Wow! Maisy and Daisy... it rhymes!" he said, beaming.

Maisy chuckled softly, the sound brittle. "Yes, it does. We were twins. We did everything together, played, ate, bathed. But one day, Daisy did something without me. For the first and last time."

The boy blinked, his interest piqued. "What did she do?"

"She... died. She left Mommy all alone." Maisy’s voice trembled as she wiped away a tear clinging to her lash.

"How?" he asked, his small face creasing with sadness.

"She tried to kill me," Maisy said quietly, her voice hollow. "She was jealous. She thought I was better than her at too many things. One night, she tried to set my bed on fire. But... she tripped. She fell into the flames herself." Maisy paused, her voice heavy with memory. "My father saved me. But not Daisy."

The boy's eyes widened in horror. "That’s terrible, Mommy!"

"Yes, baby, it was. I was so scared."

He reached out and patted her hand. "Don’t be scared, Mommy. She’s gone now."

Maisy smiled at his innocence and kissed his small hand. "No, darling. She’s not gone. She’s still here."

His breath caught in his throat, eyes wide with fear. "Is she... here?" he whispered.

"Yes." Maisy’s voice dropped lower. "So, I need you to promise me something." She extended her hand. "If anyone who looks like Mommy comes to you and says they’re me, you must ignore them. No matter what."

Martin’s little hand trembled as it found hers, his lips quivering with fear. "I promise, Mommy."

She smiled, gently laying him down on the pillow. She brushed his hair softly, humming a low lullaby until his eyes fluttered closed and he drifted into sleep.

Moments later, the quiet of the room was shattered by a soft knock on the door.

"Martin?" A woman’s voice called out.

Martin’s eyes shot open, panic seizing him.

The door creaked open slowly, revealing a figure peeking in with a wide grin. "Are you asleep? Mommy's here!"

His heart pounded as his mother's warning echoed in his mind. He squeezed his eyes shut again, pretending to be fast asleep.

"Miss? I think he’s asleep," the exorcist said, standing behind the woman in the doorway.

She shook her head slowly, her smile fading as her eyes began to glisten with fresh tears. "No. He’s just pretending."

"Because of what your sister's spirit tells him every night?" the exorcist asked, his brow furrowing.

"That’s what he has written in his diary," she replied with a shrug, letting out a broken sigh.

The exorcist nodded. "No problem. We will talk to him in the morning. Call me when he is ready."

She gave him a small, knowing smile.

"Thank you, Mr. Lewis."

"Anytime, Mrs. Potter."

She smiled again, "You can call me Daisy."

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