The chilling silence of the forest engulfed Emily as she followed Molly deeper into the woods. The towering trees formed an almost impenetrable canopy, their branches twisting together like the claws of some monstrous beast. Emily shivered, pulling her coat tighter around her. "Molly, honey, where are we going?" she asked, her voice tinged with unease.
"You'll see, Mommy," Molly chirped, skipping ahead with a carefree smile. "It's my favorite place."
Emily frowned, her discomfort growing with each passing step. She had no idea how Molly knew of such a remote location—this wasn't a place she'd ever brought her daughter. The path was barely discernible, overgrown with weeds and brambles. The deeper they went, the less the sunlight penetrated, leaving them in an eerie twilight.
"Sweetheart, we should turn back," Emily tried again, her voice more insistent. "It's getting late, and—"
"We're here!" Molly interrupted, spinning around with a gleeful smile. She stopped in front of a decrepit house, its wooden frame sagging with age. Vines crawled up its sides like veins, and the windows were shattered, their jagged edges glinting faintly in the dim light.
Emily's stomach churned. The house exuded an aura of abandonment, of secrets buried deep within its rotting walls. "Molly, what is this place?" she asked, her voice trembling.
"This is where I hang out with Morgan," Molly said casually, as if she were talking about a playground. She skipped toward the house, her small feet crunching on the dead leaves that littered the ground.
At the mention of Morgan's name, Emily froze. Her blood ran cold, and her heart began to race. "M-Morgan?" she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper.
Before she could process the revelation, a voice emerged from the shadows, smooth and chilling. "Little star," it crooned, sending a shiver down Emily's spine.
Emily's head snapped up, her eyes locking onto the figure standing in the doorway of the house. Clad in black from head to toe, her presence was as commanding as it was menacing. It was Morgan.
Molly squealed with delight. "Big star!" she cried, running into Morgan's outstretched arms. Morgan caught her effortlessly, lifting her into the air as though she weighed nothing. Her laughter echoed through the woods, dark and haunting.
Emily's legs felt like jelly, and she stumbled backward, her eyes wide with horror. "No… no," she muttered, shaking her head. "This can't be happening."
Morgan's gaze shifted to Emily, and her lips curved into a sly smile. "Hello, Emily," she greeted, her tone dripping with mock warmth. "It's been a while."
Emily's breath hitched. Her mind raced, trying to piece together the nightmare unfolding before her. "What… what are you doing here? What is this?" she demanded, her voice trembling.
Morgan set Molly down gently and took a step toward Emily. "Oh, don't be so dramatic," she said with a smirk. "I've been looking after our little star here. She's quite remarkable, isn't she?"
Emily's stomach churned at the possessiveness in Morgan's tone. She looked down at Molly, who was clutching Morgan's hand with a bright, innocent smile. "Molly, come here," Emily said, her voice urgent. "We're leaving."
But Molly didn't move. Instead, she clung tighter to Morgan's hand. "No, Mommy," she said firmly. "I like it here. Morgan takes care of me."
Emily's heart broke at the words. "I take care of you, Molly," she said desperately. "I'm your mother."
Morgan chuckled, the sound low and mocking. "Oh, Emily," she said, shaking her head. "You've been so blind, haven't you? You don't even realize how much your little star has outgrown you."
Emily's eyes filled with tears. "What are you talking about?" she whispered, her voice cracking.
Morgan crouched down beside Molly, brushing a strand of hair from the girl's face. "She's special, Emily," Morgan said, her tone almost reverent. "She's not like other children. She doesn't need you anymore."
Emily's knees gave out, and she sank to the ground, her hands trembling. "Molly… please," she begged, reaching out to her daughter. "Come back to me."
But Molly didn't budge. She looked at Emily with a calmness that was unnerving for a child her age. "I like being with Morgan, Mommy," she said simply.
Morgan straightened up, her smile widening. "You see?" she said, her voice triumphant. "She's chosen me."
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Emily knelt in front of Molly, her voice soft and trembling. "Molly, sweetheart, please come home with me. Please baby"
Molly shook her head stubbornly, her eyes glistening with tears. "I don't want to, Mommy. I want to stay with Morgan."
"Molly, you don't understand," Emily whispered, her heart breaking. "Morgan is a bad person."
"No, Mommy, you know nothing about Morgan!" Molly shouted, her little fists clenched at her sides. "She's very nice, and she listens to me, unlike you!"
Tears streaked Molly's cheeks as she glared at her mother.
Morgan stepped forward, her tone gentle but with an edge that sent chills down Emily's spine. "Now, now, little star. What did I tell you about yelling at your mom?"
Molly sniffled, her anger melting into guilt. "It's bad," she murmured. "But she's saying bad things about you!"
Morgan knelt beside Molly, wiping her tears with a soft touch. "It's okay, little star. Some people just don't understand," she said, her eyes locking with Emily's in a silent challenge.
Emily's stomach twisted as she realized the depth of Morgan's control over her daughter. It was over. There was nothing she could say to convince Molly to leave.
"Okay, baby," Emily whispered, her voice breaking. "I'll stay. But please… listen to me, Molly."
Her words barely registered as Morgan smiled down at Molly. "Dinner's ready, little star," Morgan said warmly. "I made your favorite."
Molly's face lit up as she took Morgan's hand. "You're the best, Morgan!" she said brightly, then added with a smile, "Thanks for getting rid of Pierre!"
Emily's breath hitched as the words hit her like a blow. "Molly… what are you saying?"
Morgan's smile widened, her gaze cold and victorious. "Come inside, little star," she said, ignoring Emily completely.
Emily watched, frozen, as Morgan led Molly inside. The door clicked shut, leaving Emily alone on the porch, her world crumbling. She sank to the ground, tears streaming as the truth became undeniable. Her daughter was connected to Pierre's death—and there was nothing she could do to stop Morgan now
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A/N:THE NEXT TWO CHAPTERS ARE THE LAST CHAPTERS 🥹 🥹