Convergence

Morgan was waiting for me that morning. He perched himself outside the door to my room for who knows how long before I finally emerged, greeted by his smile.

“Did you sleep well, little sister?”

“Yes, thanks. How long have you been standing out here?”

“Awhile.”

I rolled my eyes. “Well, obviously but I meant why? Why are you by the door?”

He looked saddened by the answer he had yet to give me. “I needed to tell you something and I’m not sure how to do it.”

I placed my hand on his shoulder. “Surely whatever it is we can get through it together.”

“If only it were that simple. Nothing ever changes.” The intensity of his gaze met mine. “Do not trust our father.”

Within the length of an inhale, he disappeared down the hallway. Before I was able to even let out the breath, Dad was beside me.

“Good morning, my darling. Sleep well?”

His sudden appearance shocked me into silence and his face contorted from doll maddening levels of happiness into more believable tones of anger mixed with a hint of false concern. It was his touch that shook me from my contemplation. I closed my eyes searching for the words that would placate him if only for a moment.

“Yes, Dad. I’m sorry. Just nervous jitters I suppose.”

“Oh? What are you nervous about?”

“Everything. I mean you all keep saying how powerful I am. I can even feel it inside of me most of the time now but you haven’t even taught me how to fully control it yet. Not really, anyway.”

He smiled in that knowing, fatherly way—a look he had mastered—and placed a gentle hand on my shoulder.

“It’s almost like you don’t want to teach me anything.” Those last words just emerged from within me and I regretted it the moment they came out.

His grip on my shoulder turned from kind to cruel and threatened to crush my bones. “What do you mean by that, my sweet? Who have you been talking to?”

“What? No one I swear.” I whined and tried to wiggle free. “You’re hurting me, Daddy.”

He wasn’t as quick to release me as I thought he would be. Usually calling him my daddy created an instant sensation of love and protection in him… or perhaps he had learned to master those emotions as well. Perhaps he had a plethora of false faces that helped him deceive the unsuspecting and naïve individual who didn’t know how to pay attention.

“Daddy?” I tried again.

His powerful grip slowly released and I was soon free.

“Forgive me.” He closed his eyes and leaned into the wall. “I guess I did not fully realize the desire that would wash over me should you get all of your power.” After a few breaths, he got down on one knee and held one of my hands in his. “There is no excuse for what I have tried to do to you. I can only hope that you would forgive me and find a way in which we could get by this incident.”

“What was that? What did you try to do?”

He looked up at me. “I’ve already told you a few times, my sweet. Demons are always attracted to power. The stronger the magic, the stronger the pull.”

“You’ve never attacked me like that before.”

He let out a chuckle. “You’ve never been this powerful before. You’re stronger than I am now.” He stood and ran his hand over my hair. “I know. Maybe I can do something nice for your little friend. I can take him from the cold basement and give him a room with an actual bed and everything. I’ll even feed him from time to time. How’s that sound?”

“You can let him go. You don’t need him and I hate to see him in such conditions.”

He kissed my forehead and changed the subject. “I want to take you to see the magical world that has been kept from you for so long. Would you like to go?”

I could feel my face merge into my own version of a happy little doll and gave him a nod.

“Right after breakfast then? You should eat something. Then we’ll go on a nice little family outing, all three of us.”

I was excited and suddenly believed that I belonged there with my true family. Just like that, my heart had changed over again. Anything having to do with saving Rick or finding ways to control my powers were gone in a surging wave of my demonic power.