I was 17 when she came. I was living with my abusive mother for 17... long... painful years. It was around midnight and my mither was already asleep, so when 3 soft knocks at the door came, it was me who had answered. An odd looking little girl was standing there with cheeks pale and colorless. Blonde hair, braided pigtails, pink dress torn a little at the hem, feet bare and turning slightly blue from the cold of the winter. And black eyes... fathomless, deep black eyes. I quickly let her in, thinking how horridly underdressed she was. It wasn't til later that I wondered why she wasn't shivering or questioning what she was doing here in the first place. I got her into the living room, wrapping her little form in a thick afghan my grandmother had knitted. She held it, though it didn't seem to affect her... and I smiled. "And what might your name be darling?" A long silenced passed in which she stared at me. I was beginning to feel discomfort when she kept staring at me and her lips began departing with a little soft voice. "Lacie Morgan." I nodded, smiling again. "You can stay here tonight Lacy, " I said motioning to the couch. She curled up in a little ball, black eyes still on me, and I exited the room. That night, I slept soundly, not worrying about my mother beating me or that little strange girl thats sleeping on my couch. When morning came, I trudged into the kitchen. I was greeted with a coffee mug to the shoulder. I gave a feeble shout of pain staring at my mother. "What the hell did you do? Why is there dirt on the couch?" she shouted. Upon investigating, I found that Lacie had vanished. Only proof that had been there was that some dirt had either fallen off her dress or her feet. I took responsibility, earning myself a strong hit to my cheek, then left for school. While there, I heard something that sent chills down my spine. Lacie Morgan was found dead last night. I passed the days, waiting for anymore news on the subject, but found none. Upon arriving home, the news was broadcasting live on her report though. "Lacie Morgan, 6 years of age, was reported dead at 7 last night. Her body was located in the backyard, buried there in a pink dress. So far, there has been no sign of her mother, Marrisa Morgan, who is suspected to be the killer. Marrisa has been reported before for abusing Lacie and is possibly responsible for her death." Suddenly, a picture of Lacie appeared on the screen. She appeared very close to how she had been when I met her. Blonde hair, braided pigtails, pink dress, paleface, only... her cheeks had color and her eyes were baby blue. To most, this would seem unimportant, but to me it was. She died before she arrived at my house if what the newscaster said was true... died hours before. I tried to play it off, going about my business. I went to bed early, so I wouldn't have to see my mother. It was around midnight when I awoke to cool fingers stroking down the bruise of my cheek. I sighed, leaning into the small hand. "Never Again," Lacie whispered before her hand vanished. Not 10 minutes later, I heard my mother screaming. I rushed into her bedroom, nearly fainting at what I saw. My mom was thrashing wildly on her bed, a small creature having buried its face into her chest. I could hear the sound of flesh tearing and mother's screaming increased in volume... I wished I hadn't got up. Later on, I'd tell myself that I hadn't... but I had. So when Lacie pulled herself from my mother's gaping hole of my mother's chest cavity, I had plain view of her razor sharp teeth glinting in the light... glinting with... my mother's blood. She smiled at me innocently for a moment, before swiftly tearing out my mother's juggular. That time... I did faint. When I came to, I was in my bed. I walked to my mom's room, morbid curriosity getting the best of me. Upon opening the door, I found the room empty, the bed made neatly as if my mom had left for work early. The only oddity was where the dirty child's footprints lead to an open window which showed that Lacie had infact visited... I never saw my mother again and I never missed her either. I eventually got married and we had a child together. I named her Lacie. Recently, I noticed my neighbor's daughter had all sorts of scrapes and bruises on her arms. I started watching their home. And the other day, I saw something odd. A little girl running barefoot through their backyard up to their backdoor. It was around midnight so I couldn't be for sure, but I thought she met my eyes with her black ones. And I could swear she mouthed 2 words to me... Never Again