Mona

The night is brisk. Some nights I try not to sleep. Tonight. Tonight I'm trying not to sleep. I can't sleep. She will get me. She will do to me what she did to everyone else. She picks them out. One. By. One. I know I'm next. I must be careful. I must watch every movement I make, every breath I take. For if she catches me, I will no longer be moving. I will no longer be breathing. She will have me in control. So I must be careful. I can't let Nana down. She always protected me from her. Everyone protected me from her. That's why everyone is gone.

Nana was always my favorite, I was always her favorite. I remember the first time Nana told me about her. I remember I had to sleep in Nana's room for what seemed like forever, until Nana was gone. She told me about Mona when my parents died. I was only young when she got to Mama and Papa. 6 years old. I didn't really understand the concept of death. But now the gravity has hit me. And I know that I will fight to survive. Whatever it takes I will fight.

9 years have passed since Nana passed. She fell to the stars just 7 months after Mama and Papa. Now I'm all by myself, but I've gotten used to it. I'm amazed I've made it this far. Mama always told I was born a fighter. I will always hold onto that. Mama and Nana were always so much alike. Same personality. Sassy, self-centered, but kind and trustworthy. Mama and Papa used to fight often. I got used to it quick enough. Running to my room. Hiding under my sheets with the pillow covering my ears. At least now, I don't have to deal with it. But sometimes I miss it. I miss their bickering and how, after a couple hours Papa would pull Mama into his arms and reassure her it would be okay and how sorry he was. But now all I can do is day-dream about seeing my family again.

I get out of my stupor when I see the sun rise. Another day gone. Another day, alive. I can't decide if I want to risk going out to get coffee, or staying here, where I know I'll be safe. Mona can be anywhere. Everywhere. Anytime. Every time. I need coffee though. I can't risk falling asleep with Mona lurking everywhere. No, I can't. I will suffer through the day.

The day goes by quick, but night is what I'm afraid of. Night is when she got everyone else. But I'm so tired. I haven't slept for 3 days. Maybe just a wink of sleep for a couple of minutes. It can't do much harm. I've done this before. I make my way to the guest bathroom, and open the cabinet. I rest my hands on the cold knife. I must have protection if she comes to get me while I rest. Nana gave this to me 4 days before Mona got her. I always have kept it in the cabinet. I always have it near me. I slowly move to the bed, where I get settled with the knife at the bed stand. Before I shut my eyes, I say a prayer. Please Lord, give me protection so I may be safe from Mona. All I ask is 15 minutes. Please, give me strength and tell my family how much I love them. Thank you. I take a deep breath as my eyes start to close.

This feels good. Sleeping. I haven't done this in a while. Don't get to used to it, Grace. Only 15 minutes. Only... 15...... minutes......

Grace. Gracie. The voice crawls through my ears like a nail on a chalkboard. It's me Gracie. Do you remember me? I met you when you were just a baby. It's me, Gracie. It's Mona. Hearing that name... it makes my eye twitch. At this point I feel it has been longer then 15 minutes. But I can't wake up. No, no I don't think I'm dead. I'm just dreaming. It's all just... just a dream. Gracie you have to answer me. I have a secret. Do you want to know it? Do you want to know why I'm here? Why I'm haunting you? It's me Gracie. You know I'm here. You just have to give in. Like everybody else. I try to ignore her voice, but it's so strong. No, I can't give in. I'm a fighter. Just like Mama said. Her chuckle haunts me. Ha ha ha. Oh Gracie. Do you want to know what your "Mama" did? No. No. No. I try to wake myself up. Wake up Gracie, wake up. Are you really gonna let her get you? You're the only person left in the Dupall family. You can't let that go to waste. You have to make it through this dream.

I should have gotten coffee. I should have done anything but this. Why do I have to be so stupid. I feel a tear roll down my face, but I can't even wipe it away. I feel powerless. Useless. Oh Gracie. Sweet, little Gracie. Don't you want someone to hold you and wipe your tears away? That's what I'm here for Gracie. I know you remember me Grace. You can't defend yourself anymore. You're powerless. I have your knife, you know. Oh God.

I'm not giving into her, but I know I can't stand much longer. My Camo jacket Nana gave me for my birthday feels tight. It's funny how in times like these, you notice the smallest details. I try to focus on small details. But it's hard, her booming voice in my head.

Grace. Your mother did something horrible. Something she never told you about. That's why I'm here. I know you want to know, just ask. Ask, Gracie. That's what I'm here for. Don't you want to know what I'm here for? Ask. I can feel my self starting to give in. No. No. Be a fighter, like Mama always Said. Oh I know Grace. She always told me what a fighter you were. What? Gracie, your mother and I were friends since the beginning of time. How I loved her. But she betrayed me. My heart starts beating fast.

Grace. Your mother betrayed me. Stabbed me in the back. It started a while ago. Your mother was starting to act different around me. Strange. Then one day, she shut me out. Out of her life. I never knew why. So, I befriended her ex-best friend. We made her life miserable. Every single day of her life. A couple weeks into this, I found her in my apartment. This very room that you're staying in right now. She was sitting in the dining room chair at the front of the table, holding a knife. The same knife that your Nana gave you. Your Nana loved me. This knife meant a lot to me, I got it from Costa Rica when I was a child. I gave the knife to her. She gave it to you. Anyways, she was holding the knife. With a dead stare in her eyes. Tears are rolling down my face. No. It can't be, this isn't my mom.

Your mother walked over to me and stabbed me until I fell to the ground. She stabbed me in the back. So, I murdered everyone she loved. Everyone that ever meant anything to her. Payback. It's over now. I know the truth. I know my mother didn't do this. With the minimal strength I have left, I lift up my hand and claw my left arm. I jolt up on the bed, blood starting to puddle and dribble down my arm. AHHHHHHH! I see a face with a grin ear to ear. Before I can even flinch, I have a knife in my stomach. Mona doesn't say anything, but as she leaves, she tosses a match in the apartment.

I see flames all around me. She got me.

I start to see a swirl of white, leading me up. She got everyone. She completed her mission. I'm no fighter.