MUMA

by M. K. ROZE

  made Marissa think I was nuts when I told her I misplaced

  it, but then Sula noticed the mirror didn’t work without me

  near it, so she put it back on the end table.” Adelyn paused

  and looked at her ripped dress. “Sula showed me her

  memory of taking it.”

  Dad rubbed his face hard. “I can’t believe this shit is

  happening. I feel like I’m stuck in a nightmare.”

  “Me, too,” she mumbled and looked out the window at

  the daycare up ahead, hoping Nicole made it back okay.

  “Let’s destroy the mirror, and they’ll go away.”

  Adelyn grabbed his arm. “No, we can’t. I will die.”

  He sighed and placed his hand on the trucks handle.

  “How do you know Sula’s thoughts? And how do I know it’s

  really you and not her acting like you?”

  “Trust me, you wouldn’t be alive if Sula was possessing

  me right now. As for me reading her mind, I thought it was

  Muma playing tricks on me until Sula allowed me to see and

  hear what she was doing. And one of the memories were of

  her attacking Brittany.”

  Dad hit the steering wheel. “I don’t get it. Why didn’t

  Sula kill you and take the mirror?”

  “Sula tried, but then she gave up. She found out she

  needed me alive after she heard Muma telling me the mirror

  was worthless to her without me alive.

  “Why would the mirror be useless?”

  “Muma said I’m bound to the mirror because I’m the

  one who stole it. If I’m dead, Sula will only be able to see

  how she looked when she was burned alive. This is why she

  needs me.”

  “Adelyn, what are you talking about? Sula dropped you

  twenty feet. If your mother and I didn’t catch you, you

  would’ve been dead. You have to be wrong about her

  wanting you alive.”

  Adelyn shrugged, wondering if it was true and Sula had

  other plans.

  Dad shook his head. “This is so unbelievable.” He

  paused and looked out the window. “What did Sula make

  you do after she made you take the ambulance? I couldn’t

  find you anywhere.”

  Adelyn exhaled, not wanting to remember, but she knew

  her dad wouldn’t stop asking her if she ignored him. “She

  had me catch a deer and eat it alive. It was awful having to

  hear it cry and gurgle. I tried everything to stop her from

  controlling me, but she was too strong. I’m a prisoner in my

  own body, and I can’t control my mind or my movements.

  They keep taking turns manipulating me, and there’s nothing

  anyone can—” Adelyn’s body jerked.

  Dad opened the door, ready to bolt.

  “Dad, it’s me. I just got a muscle spasm in my back.”

  “Oh, shit. I thought you were possessed again.” Dad

  shut the door and sat there thinking. “We need to go talk to

  your mom. She will know what to do. What can we do so

  they don’t enter your body again? They may use you to kill

  us.” Dad paused and looked into her eyes. “I almost shot you

  back there,” he choked.

  Adelyn saw the desperation in his watery eyes. She

  thought about what Muma and Sula’s weaknesses were.

  “Take me home. I know what—” She stopped herself, not

  sure if they were listening.

  “What were you about to say?” Dad asked as he started

  the truck.

  Adelyn tapped on her ear. They might be listening, she

  mouthed.

  He nodded. “Honey, you have to get into the back seat

  until we get home.”

  “Why? Is it because you’re afraid of me?”

  “I’d be lying if I told you I wasn’t terrified, but that’s not

  why. I need you to get into the back because you stole the

  ambulance, and the other cops are out looking for you.”

  “Tell them the truth.”

  “I tried, but they almost locked me up. Please just get

  into the back seat so no one see’s you. I will come up with a

  reason for your actions later.”

  “Okay.” Adelyn got out and got into the backseat. She

  lay down, and Dad started the two-minute drive back home.

  Adelyn hated that she stole the mirror. She despised

  everything about herself, knowing it was her fault that her

  best friend got hurt because of her actions. She sobbed in

  silence.

  At home, Dad opened the door for her. “Come on.” He

  helped her out of the truck.

  Mom rushed out the door. “Oh, my God. You have cuts

  all over you.” Mom slowly approached Adelyn while looking

  at Dad, then she glanced back at her. “Are you alright,

  honey?”

  Adelyn nodded. She could see the fear in Mom’s eyes.

  Mom hugged her tightly. “What happened out there?”

  “The paranormal world is real, as you witnessed earlier.”

  Adelyn kissed Mom’s salty cheek and walked up the stairs.

  She continued to the bathroom, hoping to take a hot

  shower before they possessed her again. She hated the dry

  blood all over her body, and the taste of raw meat that still

  lingered in her mouth.

  fter Adelyn scrubbed her body down in the

  shower while crying, she brushed her teeth over

  and over again until the taste of the deer was gone.

  Adelyn got dressed and staggered downstairs, holding

  onto the handrail, hoping she didn’t tumble down the steps.

  She managed to make it to the couch and plopped down.

  Mom and Dad joined Adelyn and sat across from her

  while holding each other’s hands. “Honey,” Mom said. “Is it

  still you?”

  “For now, it is.”

  “Why does it sound like you’ve been drinking?” Dad

  asked.

  “I took one of Mom’s sleeping pills before my shower,

  hoping they won’t be able to possess me. They told me they

  hated it when I’m sleepy.”

  Mom’s eyes widened. “Honey, they are too strong for

  you. I wish you would’ve asked me. You’re going to pass out

  soon.”

  “I know what I’m doing.”

  Mom gulped like she feared her. “Okay.” She glanced at

  Dad and looked back at her. “Your dad told me what you

  told him. I always believed in the paranormal, but I never

  fathomed that it would take place under my roof.” Her eyes

  filled with years of sorrow. “I’m so sorry I brought you to St.

  Augustine. It’s my fault.”

  Adelyn got up and walked over to her. She squatted and

  cupped Mom’s face. “It’s no one’s fault but mine. I’m the

  one who stole the mirror, and now I have to pay the

  consequences.”

  Mom hugged her. “I’m so sorry this is happening to you,

  baby. Don’t get upset, but I called Susan. She’s on her way

  here now with her sons.”

  Adelyn stood and paced the room. “Ghost hunters?

  That won’t help. If anyone would be able to help me, it

  would be a priest. But I’m certain a priest couldn’t help me

  either. I just need to take the mirror back and this will all

  stop.”

  Mom got up and approached her. “Adelyn, even if you

  attempt to take the mirror
back, Sula will stop you before

  you get the chance to leave Witchery Cove. We need to find

  a way to send her back where she came from so you can

  return it and that other witch leaves you alone.”

  Adelyn fell onto the couch. “When your friends enter

  this house, they may never walk back out. Are they aware of

  this?”

  Mom nodded and looked at Dad.

  Dad got up and sat next to Adelyn. “We know our lives

  are at risk, but we agreed we’d die trying to help you, just to

  save your life.”

  Adelyn grabbed Dad’s neck and pulled him close,

  crying. “I’m so sorry for stealing. Please forgive me for

  putting you guys through this.”

  Mom joined in, hugging them. “No one could’ve ever

  known that a damn mirror would be possessed by an evil

  witch. Just stay calm and let my friends do what they do

  best.”

  The doorbell rang, making them flinch.

  Mom ran to the door and opened it. “Hi, Susan,” Mom

  said. “Please come in.”

  Susan walked in with a black duffel bag and set it on the

  floor near Adelyn, examining her face. “How are you

  feeling?”

  Adelyn watched two hefty men, she didn’t know walk in

  with the same duffle bags and stand behind Susan. She

  looked at Susan, remembering her curly blonde hair and blue

  eyes from when she watched her a few times when her

  babysitter was sick. “I’m okay for now.”

  Susan smiled. “That’s good to hear. May I sit next to

  you?”

  Adelyn scooted over. “Yeah, that’s fine.”

  “Adelyn,” Susan said, “these are my sons Jacob and

  Mark. They will be helping me. Is this okay with you?”

  Adelyn looked at Jacob, who was smiling at her, then

  she glanced at Mark, who looked away like he was afraid of

  her. “Yes, that’s fine.”

  “Breanna,” Susan said, “can you and Jeff show my sons

  around, so they can set up the equipment, please?”

  “Equipment?” Adelyn watched her parents and Susan’s

  sons walk into the kitchen.

  Susan placed her hand on Adelyn’s shaky knee. “We are

  putting cameras up so if Sula shows up, we have evidence.”

  “You don’t believe she is real, do you?”

  “I always believed that Sula was real, but I never heard

  of her possessing anyone. I will need proof.”

  “It’s not just Sula you need to worry about,” Adelyn

  warned.

  “Yes, I’m aware of Muma being folklore. I looked her

  up on the way here, but I am confused as to how her mirror

  ended up in St. Augustine when it read that she’s from

  Romania. Do you know how it got there?”

  Adelyn shook her head, clueless. “Sula is folklore too,

  and you believe she is real. So, why not believe that Muma

  somehow took her mirror to St. Augustine? Everything isn’t

  on Google. I saw Sula myself. She looks nothing like it was

  described online.”

  Susan smiled. “Fair enough.”

  When Susan’s face melted away, Adelyn knew the pill

  was kicking in. “I’m tired. Can I pass out?”

  Susan went into her bag and took out a package of

  makeup wipes.

  “What’s that for?”

  “I need to know you’re not wearing makeup. It’s hard

  to believe someone can age so quickly. Do you mind?”

  Adelyn rolled her eyes—sure she didn’t believe her.

  “Yeah, scrub away.”

  Susan wiped the side of her face, then her chin, and

  looked at the white makeup wipe. “Interesting.”

  “Can I pass out now?”

  “For a short while, you can.” Susan stood and looked

  around. “Where is the mirror?”

  Adelyn pointed over to the table, and Susan walked over

  to it. She picked it up and looked into it. “Muma, are you

  there?” she asked and held the mirror back as far as she

  could.

  Adelyn got up and approached her. “I wouldn’t do that

  if I were you.”

  Susan looked at Adelyn. “I don’t scare easily. And I

  don’t feel any energy coming from it. What does it do when

  you hold it?”

  “It makes my scar on my face vanish. And when Sula

  possessed me and looked into it, it showed her how she used

  to look before she was burned. She was beautiful.”

  Susan glanced in the mirror. “Huh. I still look like I’m

  turning forty-nine.”

  “It only works for me and when Sula possesses me.”

  “Fascinating.” Susan didn’t seem convinced. She placed

  the mirror on the table. “Try to lay down and get some rest

  until we’re finished setting up everything.”

  Adelyn sat back on the couch. “I’ll—”

  Her body jerked, and she jumped up, narrowing her eyes

  on Susan.

  “Adelyn, what’s wrong?”

  “She isn’t in control right now, cunt,” Adelyn said in

  Sula’s voice as she approached her.

  “Get in here,” Susan yelled in a shaky tone.

  Mom, with Mark following her, ran around the corner.

  “Honey,” Mom said.

  Adelyn flickered her eyes her way. “Don’t call me those

  disgusting words,” she warned. She ran over to the table,

  grabbed the mirror, and smiled as she looked at her yellow

  eyes. She found Mom and scowled at her and Justin, who

  was in the corner of the room. “No one will take what is

  rightfully mine. No one,” she bellowed and leaped on the

  table.

  Susan approached Adelyn. “If you are truly Sula, then

  tell me how you escaped death.”

  Adelyn hissed. “You dare to test me, hunter?”

  Susan stepped inches from Adelyn. “Prove to me that

  you are Sula.”

  Adelyn grabbed Susan by the hair and puked up blood

  with chunks of deer meat onto the table.

  Susan screamed out in pain. “Let me go!”

  “Let my mother go!” Justin yelled.

  “Get out of my daughter,” Mom sobbed. “Let her go

  and possess me.”

  Adelyn glared at her. “I like them young.” She grinned

  and slammed Susan’s face in the blood and meat chunks until

  her hair and face were drenched in the sticky substance. “I

  prove myself to no one, cunt.” She forced Susan’s jaw open,

  picked up a piece of meat, and slammed it into her mouth.

  “Eat it, whore!”

  Susan gagged and tried to wiggle out of Adelyn’s hold.

  She spit the meat out onto the floor, gagging. “It has to be

  Sula or the devil. She’s much too strong. Go get what we

  talked about.”

  Justin bolted out of the room and ran out the front

  door.

  Dad charged down the stairs. “What’s going—” His

  mouth snapped shut while looking at Adelyn in disbelief,

  who was still holding Susan by the hair.

  Hi, daddy,” she said and sexually licked her lips.

  “Get out of her,” Dad thundered. He charged toward

  Adelyn and she pointed at him, sending him flying backward

  into the wall, knocking him out.

  “Jeff!” Mom screamed out as she ran up to him.

&n
bsp; Adelyn cackled and licked Susan’s neck.

  “Hurry up,” Susan yelled.

  Mark ran down the stairs, holding a camcorder. “Mom!”

  He dropped the camera. “Let my mother go, dammit!”

  As Adelyn glared Mark down, a black mass in the shape

  of hands erupted out of her chest and grabbed Mark’s neck,

  snapping it. He fell to the floor—blood running out of his

  nose. The hands withdrew back into Adelyn’s chest, causing

  her body to jerk violently. She glowered at Mom. “Stay back,

  cunt, or you’ll be next.”

  Mom gasped and ran back toward Dad.

  “No!” Susan cried. “Justin!”

  Adelyn opened her mouth and ripped Susan’s throat

  out—blood squirting in her face. She licked the blood off

  and smiled as she looked around the room.

  Justin charged into the house, holding a chain. He

  slipped in his brother’s blood, falling on his lifeless body, and

  looked at his mother on the floor. “What did you do?” he

  sobbed.

  Adelyn leaped off the table and landed on Justin, tearing

  his throat out with her teeth.

  Pop, pop, pop, pop, pop, pop.

  Adelyn turned toward the gunshots, looked up at the

  holes in the ceiling, and crawled up the wall like Spiderman,

  looking down at Dad while grinning. “You won’t kill me,

  daddy, will you?” She crawled as fast as a spider across the

  ceiling and dropped onto the floor in front of him.

  “Stay back, or I will,” Dad yelled. He stepped back while

  pointing his gun at her, both of his hands shaking.

  Adelyn walked to the side to get a better view of Mom,

  who was standing behind Dad. “I don’t think mommy will

  forgive you if you kill me.”

  “You’re not our daughter!” Mom yelled.

  “No, I’m not. But Adelyn can see and hear everything.

  She will never forgive you.”

  “Why are you so damn evil?” Mom’s voice trembled.

  “Because I’m the devil’s daughter.” Adelyn charged

  Mom, yanked her hair back, ready to tear her throat out.

  “Get off of her!” Dad yelled.

  Adelyn whipped around, grinning. “You won’t dare

  shoot your daughter.” She bit into Mom’s neck.

  Mom gasped, and the blood gushing from her neck ran