#abue

Muffled sobs broke the silence of the otherwise quiet night. A darkened room held her in cold disregard, her damp pillow the best comfort the young girl had against the world, against her own parents. Cold and wet against her burning hot face, her pillow was hardly a comfort at this point. Swirling darkness filled her room, like smoke blinding her to even the outline of her bed. It's strange how scary the lack of light appears to young eyes.

"Please god. Take me away from here." She whispered in her mind, praying for a cosmic force to free her from this miserable life. From parents who hated her existence, teachers who called her stupid and classmates who called her ugly. Every little thing of her life now felt painful. Constantly, her stomach was twisted and burning from the fear of whatever awful thing was to happen next. Breathing felt hard, as though she could never grab a full breaths. And now, even the sweet relief of sleep was beyond her grasp.

When she went to bed that night, she had turned on her little night light as always. A little ceramic ballerina with a sparkly purple dress that glowed just enough to keep the monsters away. But her father was in a foul mood that night, and entered her room to take it out on her. While she hid from him under her blankets, pretending to sleep, he spoke to himself. Knowing full well she was awake and listening.

"Well, if the little fucking princess is already asleep, I can unplug her stupid childish night light. No point wasting electricity. She shouldn't need a light to sleep anymore anyways, she's old enough to sleep in the dark." She knew better than to protest, better than to move or show any signs of being awake. No, she laid in her bed trying not to cry as the light went out. Not hearing the flick of the switch, she realized he was pulling it from the wall. With the faint light of the hall still coming in from the doorway, she watched him wind up like a baseball pitcher, then whip it at the wall. Jolting at the loud crash, she tensed and buried her face in her pillow.

"I knew you weren't asleep, you rotten brat. Your teacher called me at work and told me you were cheating on your math test. Do you know how embarrassing you are? How much it pisses me off when my boss hears how shitty my kid is? If you're old enough to cheat, you're old enough to sleep without a night light. Go to sleep, no breakfast tomorrow. Breakfast isn't for cheaters." Leaving the room, he made a show of closing the door and turning off the hallway light. Leaving her in that swirling darkness once more, lost in a sea of nothingness.

Sobbing in the dark, she used her soggy pillow to muffle herself from her parents angry ears. Eventually, silence told her that they were finally sleeping, but she dare not leave the safety of her bed to turn on the light. She'd likely get beat if she turned it on anyways. Such thoughts made her cry more,knowing how shitty she'd be treated for taking care of herself. Little quiet squeaks of attempts to breath escaping her, rising her fear of being caught. Monsters in the darkness would get her. Or worse, her parents would wake up and come. Staring into the swirling darkness in fear, she pulled her covers over her head, peering out as though she might see a flicker of light. A rush of movement or shifting darkness. She didn't expect what she heard, having seen nothing to indicate the presence of another.

"Oh, baby girl, why are you crying?" A gentle woman's voice pierced the darkness, soft as a whisper and smooth as a hummed song. Fear gripped her heart, but the kindness in the voice was more than she'd had in a long time. Even if it was fake, she wished nothing more than to reach out to it and escape into its promised safety. The battle of fear within her was strong, keeping her silent for a few stretching moments. Had she just imagined the voice? If she had... then speaking would cause no harm.

"Daddy broke the night light. It's smashed on the floor." There was so much more that was making her cry, but she couldn't express it all. She didn't know how to. Small shuffling noises came from beneath the bed, causing the girl to freeze in fear. Her blood ran cold and her heart pounded so hard she feared the monster would hear it. A monster from under the bed! Her father broke her night light and now she was going to die. Closing her eyes tightly, she prayed she'd be okay.

"Now now, little one"It's alright, kiddo. Here, let me help." Through her closed eyes, she could see the shift of light. Slowly she peeked her eyes open, seeing a soft pink glow. A glowstick! Behind it however... Two red glowing dots. Momentary relief and excitement at a glowstick quickly turned to horror. Her body froze again and her breath caught in her throat.

"Oh, shit, fuck, ah damnit I can't swear you're a kid. Okay, it's okay, I can still fix this. Don't say swear words." The soft voice frantically whispered, the glowstick being set on the girls stomach on the blanket. A small ball of purple light grew in the woman's hand, the same colour as the night light. At first, it lit her face in a frightening array of shadows. Once it brightened up however, she realized she was staring at a beautiful woman with soft dark skin, soft beautiful eyes, and a fluff of hair that would make a poodle dog jealous. The woman looked like a princess doll, a soft warm smile on her face.

"Okay I know this will sound really bad, stranger danger is important and you should never go with strangers, but your parents are awful. They do nothing while you're bullied. They hurt you so much, they don't feed you or take care of you. Your parents are miserable terrible people. You cry every night, kiddo. And that's not normal. That's not okay." Catching her breath in a sharp desperate gasp, the girl stared at the beautiful scary princess woman. She was... not understanding what was happening.

"I know you asked god to help you... But I can help you too, kiddo. Will you let me help you?" She held her hand to the girl, the bright light floating up from her hand to light the full room in a purple glow. Not knowing what to do, the crying child wiped her burning eyes on the sleeve of her sweater and reached her hand out hesitantly. A princess was going to save her, what little girl wouldn't go? Her small dirty hand hovered above the red-eyed woman's hand before settling down in the warm grasp of calloused fingers.

Rising to her feet, the woman encouraged the girl to get up out of bed. Cold little feet scrambled out. Dressed in poorly fitting jeans, a t-shirt, and a sweater much too large for her.

"There we go, kiddo. I know you're tired. I'll get you in a warm bed soon. You can call me Razi. I know it's scary, but I'm a demon. I'm not a bad demon, I'm a good demon. I'm going to help you." Help her. Someone was finally going to help her, and fix her horrible life. She just wanted to be free from her parents. But it'd be nice to have a kind mother like Steph's, and this scary princess demon woman was so kind to her already. Her life would be so much better without her parents, and she had nothing to lose by leaving.

Getting up out of bed, she carefully watched where she stepped, mindful of the broken ceramic on the floor. Looking down to see it, the demon woman gasped and scooped the girl up.

"Your feet! I can't believe he did that, you could get a cut!" Fuming, the demon woman balanced the girl on her hip and set about getting her school bag, shoving clothes into it, her plush rabbit from her bed, and her homework.

"Alright, that's all you need from here." She hummed triumphantly, pausing to look down at the broken ballerina laying in the dust of a shattered body on the carpet. Saddened by the sight, the woman shook her head and walked to the bedroom door. Without warning, the two walked through it as though it were never there.

Eyes wide with wonder and confusion, the little girl stared at the gently lit apartment they'd just entered. Her bedroom led to a hallway, not a home! They had entered a little living room with a long purple couch and black fluffy blankets. A coffee table covered in pretty candles, a TV set to a channel that just showed shooting stars, and shelves full of DVDs and knickknacks.

Jolting as the thump of her backpack hitting the floor caught her attention, the girl looked to the woman in curiosity. This room had normal white light, and in it she could see Razi had purple curls, and bright brown eyes like her daddy's whisky. Why did they look red in her room? The demon princess wore purple lipstick and eye shadow, a bright yellow shirt that tied around her neck, and black leather pants with a gold heart belt. Razi's big sparkly purple boots clomped on the floor as she took the girl down a hall and into a small bedroom. During the short walk, the girls head swivelled about to look at all the little things mounted on the walls. Mirrors, heart stickers, hanging flowers.

And then a princess's room! Razi had brought her into a room fit for a princess! There was a pink and purple bed with ruffly blankets, and sparkly curtains full of christmas lights. Glowing stars were spread on the ceilings and walls. Giant pretty flowers with butterflies were painted around the room. There were a dresser and rocking chair, both sparkly and covered in fake flowers and figurines.

"You're going to stay here tonight, you can keep the nightlights on, okay kiddo?" Razi whispered softly, setting the girl down on the edge of the bed. Looking around at all the pretty things surrounding her, the girl nodded almost numbly. This was good. She would happily sleep here.

"Your name is Monica, right?" That's when the girl looked down with a sad nod.

"Moni, I don't like Monica. I'm always in trouble when people say Monica." Razi nodded to the simple explanation, going to the dresser to pull out a nightie and grab a comb.

"Alright, Moni. Here, you didn't have any pyjamas that fit, so you can have this one. No one sleeps in their day clothes in my home." Moni smiled at the pretty nightie, it's purple ribbons and little butterfly embroidery. She quickly started getting out of her ill fitting clothes. Once ready, Razi help her into the pyjamas. Sitting beside the girl, Razi started gently combing her tangles free, holding the locks near the girls head so any tugging wouldn't pull her scalp.

"Mommy said I didn't need pyjamas, but I get cold when I sleep." Moni explained, relaxing as her hair was combed. It'd been so long since anyone had combed her hair, and never so nicely. Nodding to the girls words with a hum, Razi made quick work of the hair and tied it back.

"We'll get you a bath tomorrow and wash your hair, okay? Now, do you want an extra blanket to stay warm?" An offer made with a smile. Moni hesitated for a moment, Razi had already done so much for her, she didn't want to be annoying. But she did get cold, and Razi had offered.

"Yes please" Razi got her the blanket, and helped her under the covers. Tucking the child in, Razi sat on the edge of the bed and looked down at the sleepy little girl. She was about to offer a bedtime story. But all Razi did was smile, and the kid was out like a light. So tired, finally being warm and feeling safe had been all it took for Moni to pass out.

Razi set to work. She had noticed this kid awhile ago, she'd seen the little girls parents blaming her for all sorts of bullshit in a grocery store. Accusing their daughter of eating all their money like a parasite. Witnessing parents accuse their child of being a punishment from god without throwing fists was not an easy feat. Instead, she had watched from the shadows to make sure it wasn't just a very bad day. The way Moni's parents treated her was despicable, and Razi had decided this little girl needed help. Deserved help. Every child deserves a good chance at life and a family that loves them.

When Moni woke up the next day, the christmas lights were turned off, and a purple glow came from a little ballerina nightlight plugged in next to the door. Squealing in delight, the little girl rushed to inspect it, surprised to see all the little cracks where it had been glued together piece by piece.

"Good morning. Did you sleep well? It's almost noon." Razi was in the doorway, leaning against the side and smiling proudly. Moni could have sworn there was no one there when she'd left her bed, but she was happy to see the kind demon princess!

"I slept really good! I was warm!" Moni shared happily, enjoying how kind the woman was, how she actually seemed to care what she had to say. Razi held out her hand and this time, Moni didn't hesitate before taking it. Guided to a little kitchen with daylight flooding in and a black table with brightly coloured purple place mats, the little girl looked around, taking everything in. Walls covered in pictures of happy kids, little cat ornaments hanging from hooks all over the place, heart, flower, and star shaped carpets of various colours set on the clean dark wood floor. Surely Razi had to be a princess to have such a fun pretty home!

"Alright, lets get you breakfast. What do you want to eat? Anything in the world except junkfood, okay?"

"Bananas!" Moni exclaimed in excitement.

"You got it, kiddo! Bananas are a good healthy choice, but we need more than just bananas. What else?" The young girl hesitated, unsure what to ask for. Unused to being given the choice of what to eat, nor the privilege of asking. She hummed and scrunched her little face up in thought, the bags under her eyes were from many nights without sleep. It'd take more than one good nights rest to fix them.

"How about french toast and bacon?" Razi suggested with a smile, earning an earnest nod from the child. She left the girl to sit at the table as she got to work, making the french toast and getting a great big cup of juice with a silly straw for the girl. It wasn't long until a small stack of french toast and a bunch of bananas were on the table, followed shortly by crunchy bacon. Two plates were set down and Razi served them both, heaping syrup onto their toast.

"All my kids get a big breakfast on their first day, enjoy it, kiddo." Already wolfing down a banana, the young girl looked to the demon, tilting her head. Mouth full of food, she asked.

"All your kids? You have kids?" Would she get to meet them? Did the bedroom belong to another kid? Razi laughed and shook her head, surprised at how easily Moni's whole demeanour had changed with a good night sleep and some food.

"Not quite, kiddo, none of my own. Maybe one day I will. No, my kids are all you lovely little sweethearts I bring home from bad homes. Your home was bad and you were hurting, so now you get to be one of my kids. I'm going to take you to a new family who really want a little girl just like you, and they're going to love you." Moni stared at Razi, chewing on banana and thinking.

"Will I see mommy and daddy again?" She questioned warily.

"Do you want to?" Razi asked in return.

"No"

"No" At that response, the little girls eyes lit up and she grinned. With excitement buzzing about her, she tucked into her breakfast.

"Do I have to go to school still?" She asked after a few bites of banana and french toast.

"Not your old school, but yes. A new school."

"Will the teachers be nice?"

"They better! If they aren't you just tell me and I'll make sure they stop being mean."

"Can I keep my night light?"

"Of course, baby girl! It's a gift for you, kiddo. You can take it to your new home and put it in your new room."

Moni quieted down, thinking and eating. When she finished, she slumped against the table and giggled.

"I'm so full! I never eat so much food!" Razi laughed and patted her own stomach in jest.

"A big meal is a good start to the day! You need fuel to run!" Getting up with a laugh, the woman cleared the table then clapped her hands together.

"Do you want a bath, or do you want to cut your nails first? Both are happening." Excited and guessing that she could ask for something fun, Moni hesitantly asked with a cheeky smile.

"Can I have a bubble bath?" Razi's eyes lit with a mischievous smile. Childish fun was always fun!

"Of course! Who would want a bath without bubbles? Bubbles are mandatory here!" With the both of them laughing, it wasn't long before Razi had gotten the child cleaned up. Bathed, nails clipped and painted at her request, a fresh haircut to clear the dead ends, and new clothes, Moni was certain this was the best day of her life. Standing in the mirror in Razi's room, the little girl admired her new sparkly jeans and fluffy blue sweater. She was scared she was only dreaming, but everything felt so real!

"I love them! I want to stay here forever!" Moni looked back at razi with a face full of happiness. She could only laugh, then sadly pat the girls head.

"I wish you could too, I want to give you a good life and make you happy. But there's a lot of kids who need good homes, and I'm busy making sure they're safe. I found a nice family who want you to join them. They're going to be good for you. They'll get you clothes that fit, good meals, and a comfy bedroom. They're going to be even better than me, because they're going to help you grow up to be a good person." Moni pouted, but nodded. A princess who helped kids had to be very busy.

"So I'll have a new mommy and daddy? When do I meet them?" Razi knelt down to give the child a hug, then booped her nose.

"If you're ready, we can go now. But I need to tell you a few important things first. Are you ready?" Confused, the young girl nodded.

"You remember how I told you I'm a demon?" Moni's eyes widened, she had forgotten that, but how could such a nice woman be a demon? Unless demons could be good... Yes. Razi was a good demon.

"I'm going to bring you to a world where lots of magical people live. There will be demons like me, and fairies and witches. Many more, and humans too. Lots of different people. They call the world hell, but it's not like the people here say hell is. It's just a world like this one." More confused than before, the girl shied back a bit.

"Hell? But... Monsters live in hell. Scary monsters. Hell is where the bad people go." Sighing softly, Razi sat down cross legged and shook her head.

"There is a place bad people go, and it can be called hell too, but this isn't that world. There are monsters in the world, but they're nice monsters. They look scary, but they're like me. They're nice." Calming down, Moni sat down in front of Razi and reached for her hands. Complying, Razi held the young girls hands in her own and smiled.

"I can look like a monster too, looks aren't what make the person though. Remember your old mommy and daddy looked like good people when they went out? I look like a monster when I don't have my magic on. Looks mean nothing."

Moni nodded in confusion, and Razi got up. Bringing the child up with her, she gently rubbed her back.

"Everything is going to be okay, I promise. Everything will make sense once we get there. You go grab your backpack, and I'll open the door to the new world okay?" Nervous but excited now, Moni ran off to go grab her backpack. It would be sad to see the bright little girl go, but she had a mission. There were many like her, and they all needed guardian demons too. Not dwelling long on the thought, Razi left her room and closed the door, tracing shapes on it before chanting a small prayer.

"Today I leave the veil of light

To carry forth a wrong to right

I give this world a life to raise

And ask of you to clear the haze."

Just as the young girl arrived and took Razi's hand, the door began to hum with magic. Smiling down at her newest kid, she pushed the door open and they walked into a world of warm dry air and bright green plants with thick leaves and flowers that looked like their petals were filled like balloons.

They stood on a sidewalk, facing a house with a bright flowery garden. A normal looking house like one might see in a suburb. (Truly it must be hell to arrive in a suburb.) But this was a good house, with good people. Walking the girl up the pathway, Razi knocked on the wood and glass door.