Angel Faces Evil

Angel Faces Evil

Third Place in the "Flash Of Lightening" contest.
Word Count: 695

“No way Darcie, that little girl gives me the creeps. Give this one to the new girl. It being her first day as a social worker and all, plus she's just so damn excited about it!”

“No need to be sarcastic Martha. We all need to welcome our newest member to Social Services. Angelina, we got one for you to cut your teeth on. Are you up for it?”

“My name is actually Angel and…”

“Ok then, this one’s yours Angel. We estimate this little girl to be about ten years old. We don’t have a name or any background on her. She has been living in that old Riverside Cemetery, for some time now. The groundskeeper could never catch her until Christmas day, when he found her passed out on the stone steps of an old crypt late in the afternoon.”

Fools, thou thinketh thee to be but ten years of age. Thy name is Mariah!

“She seems to be suffering from malnutrition and dehydration at the very least. Look at the dark circles under her eyes and the color of her skin. It’s gray! I’ve never seen anything like it. She hasn’t spoken a word since she was picked up. She just stares straight ahead, we’re thinking she may be blind and/or deaf, we’re just not sure.” 

“Well, shouldn’t we have a doctor check her out?” Angel asked.

“Yes, I need you to take her over to the clinic so that Dr. Stone can have a look at her. Then take her over to the Main Street Orphanage, to spend the night. You really need to get going, it is getting late and this storm is supposed to get worse.”

Angel glanced over her shoulder at the sick little girl, who sat in a chair near the door, without movement, staring straight out the window into the storm. A flash of lightening lit up her face in an eerie way that sent a shiver down Angel’s spine.

“What is that she is wearing, pajamas?”

“I don’t know, her clothes are so filthy that I can’t even tell.  The top kind of looks like it began as a dress but over time was ripped and torn to shirt length. The pants remind me of those pantaloons, from Victorian times. Maybe it was a Halloween costume she had on when she disappeared or ran away. Hopefully, it will help us locate her family.” With another flash of lightening the lights flickered.

“Wow, I think you’re right, this storm is going to get ugly. I’m going to get her over to the clinic, then cleaned up and fed. I’ll call you later.”

“Come on sweetheart, come with me. My name is Angel and I am here to help you. We’re going to get you cleaned up and something to eat.” They stepped into the elevator and the doors closed.

“What is your name honey? Can you speak? Don’t be afraid, we want to help you.” The girl stood staring straight ahead without blinking, without moving. Then the lights flickered and went out. The elevator jerked to a stop and the two stood in total darkness for a moment or two.

Angel heard a deep throaty-growl that flowed into what seemed a low evil laugh. Then the soft red security light flickered on, bathing the small steel box with eerie red shadows. The little girl stood in the back of the elevator, facing the corner as if she were being punished. Angel could now hear her quiet sobs.

“Oh, don’t cry, it’s alright. It’s just the storm. The lights will be back on in just a minute.” Angel stooped down to the girl’s level and held her arms open to the child. "Come here, sweetheart.”

The child slowly turned to face her then hurried right into Angel’s open arms. Angel was so proud to think that she had gotten through to this little lost soul on her very first day.

As she hugged the small child close to her, the girl buried her face between Angel’s neck and shoulder. A sharp searing pain shot through Angel’s  neck. She gasped in shock and confusion,‘Did she just bite me?’