A Little Girl To Save

The hospital finally discharged Kali, but the ride to the boutique was silent. Cassandra hadn’t had anything to say to her niece in days, not after the way Kali had been talking to her. Still, she held herself together. She was determined to be the best she could for this child… even if it felt like the child didn’t want her.

The funeral was only four hours away.

Inside the boutique, Kali wandered off to the kids’ section.

Cassandra watched from a distance as she twirled in front of a mirror, wearing a glittery black dress better suited for a pageant than a funeral. Cassandra didn’t have the energy to argue. She turned away and found herself a simple black pantsuit, clean lines, quiet, and respectful.

By the time she returned to the checkout counter, Kali had picked up more items she liked. Cassandra didn’t ask questions. She just paid.

They went back to the hotel, ate quietly, showered, and began getting ready. While Cassandra stood by the window fastening her earrings, she stared out at nothing, her mind a fog of grief. Losing her sister felt like losing the last piece of home she had. If her parents were alive… if anyone was alive… she wouldn’t feel this hollow.

Behind her, Kali sang softly and spun in her sparkly dress, the skirt flaring out around her.

“Aunt Cass… am I pretty?” Kali asked, stopping mid-twirl.

Cassandra forced a small smile. “Yes. Of course you are.”

She grabbed her purse, and they headed to the rental car.

---

When they pulled up to the funeral home, familiar faces turned toward them, some surprised, some sympathetic, and some unreadable.

Cassandra barely had time to take in the room before Kali slipped past her, pushing her way up to Mona’s casket. She placed both hands on it, kissed the top, and started whispering.

People drifted toward Cassandra, hugging her tightly.

“This just doesn’t make any sense to me,” one woman murmured, shaking her head through tears. “We were going to lunch that afternoon. Mona wasn’t on drugs.”

As the woman walked off, Cassandra’s uncle stepped forward, leaning closer than she wanted.

“Honey, I’m surprised you took that demon seed,” he muttered.

A few people hissed at him to stop, but he waved them off.

“Mona was scared of that girl. Called me many nights crying, said she didn’t know what to do with her. I figured they’d send her somewhere and I wasn't about to take her, but foster care might be the best place.”

Cassandra’s stomach twisted. She looked toward the casket; toward Kali.

Kali was already staring back at her. Those dark, unsettling eyes… and that small, knowing smirk.

Before Cassandra could react, the pastor entered, calling everyone to their seats. But instead of joining Cassandra on the front row, Kali dragged a folding chair all the way up to the casket and sat right beside it, facing the crowd. Whispers rippled through the room, but she didn’t flinch. She watched them all like she was the one hosting.

The pastor spoke the sermon. Mona’s favorite songs played softly through the speakers. And then, finally, it was time to leave… time to take her to the cemetery.