Gone Mad

"Can you tell me what you saw?" The officer asked gently as the little girl was wrapped in a blue blanket outside her home near the ambulance. The red and blue lights were lighting up the entire neighborhood on the dark night and started to make her face more clear to the man.

He then noticed how she seemed somewhat disoriented with watery eyes, but decided distracting her would be the best for the girl.

She still had blood smeared across her cheek and had a terrified look upon her innocent face, but the paramedic checked her for wounds clearing her to be interviewed by the detective. But the officer knew her state of mind wasn't clear since she wasn't speaking to anyone.

Crowds were gathering outside her home as officers were bringing body bags out. Curious whispers were all about trying to make sense of this horrible scene. This was the most horrific murder to take place in this conservative quiet town. Many came out barefoot trying to get as close to the crime scene as possible knowing this would be the towns gossip for the next few years.

With all the courage she could muster, the child craned her neck looking at the officer with tears streaming down her blue ocean eyes. She shook her head not wanting to describe the details that she just witnessed just hours before. She didn't wish to speak about the memory she now had when it came to the death of her beloved parents and what she had witnessed. She felt some sort of betrayal from the man she befriended who was responsible. It was hard to explain how she let the monster into her home and deep down, the child blamed herself.

In her own thought process, she honestly believed she was to blame for the whole event even though she didn't kill her parents directly.

Bending to his knees, the officer put his hand on the girl's shoulder giving her a small bit of comfort. He could tell she was in a state of shock, but the forensic team would be able to digest the situation making it so she wouldn't have to speak of the gore.

The police had come to the scene as neighbors heard the crying screams. They broke down the door into the tiny little home to come across the two dead adults lying on the floor covered in blood. And as they searched more intently, they found the small blonde headed girl cuddled under the table shaking in fear.

"Your uncle is on his way to get you. Don't be scared. He can't hurt you anymore." The officer whispered wanting the girl to feel safe.

"He had never left me alone before and he always finds me when we play hide and seek..." she whispered looking toward her front yard with wide eyes staring at seemingly nothing.

The officer followed her gaze but didn't notice anything out of the ordinary. Glancing back at the child, he wondered what she was referring to. From the evidence they had gathered, it appeared as though her father had brutally killed her mother before committing suicide. Was she still worried her father was alive?

"He won't be able to get you ever again." The officer said realizing the girl was still in a traumatic state. She was surrounded by officers, but her attitude showed how she didn't feel any safety around her. Wanting to change the subject, the officer thought of different questions to ask the young girl. "Can you tell me what your name is?"

"Alicia. But I go by Ally." Came her soft voice.

Smiling the officer then asked, "And how old are you Ally?"

"I'm eleven sir."

A small chuckled came from the man hearing her. "Well my name is Daniel. And anytime you need help, I will always be there for you. Do you understand?"

Alicia looked into the mans brown eyes noticing the kind softness intertwined within. He seemed to have a kind face, but she already trusted a man who ruined her life this very night. However, the smile the officer face her look like one her father gave her some nights before bringing forth a pleasant memory.

A small smile formed on her face for the first time thinking that this man was going to protect her from the monster.

But then she remembered what the monster did to her parents causing a great deal of anxiety to form in her chest filled with worry for the man.

"I don't want him to hurt you either Daniel! You need to protect yourself too!" She exclaimed.

Scrunching his eyebrows, Daniels raised his hands trying to calm the child. "He won't be able to hurt me Alicia. You're safe now." He calmly stated as her breathing began to slow down.

Alicia nodded slowly staring into the mans eyes before lifting her hands against his ears. She then proceeded to whisper not wanting anyone to hear their conversation.

"Good. Because he is not a nice man. He's not even a real person. He seems magical and says he can give you so many things, but it's all a lie."

Daniel eyebrows furrowed listening to her warnings and slowly raised his arm capturing her hands gently.

"Like I said Alicia, he won't be able to hurt me or you anymore."

Looking into her eyes directly, he saw another tear run down the sweet child's face. Deep down inside, Daniel made himself a promise that this girl would be protected by him.

"Please don't leave tonight. He stays away when you're near." She whispered again hoping Daniel stayed by her side.

A loud sigh came from the man. Standing up looking toward the road, Daniel notice a black Cadillac park on the side.

A tall bulky man with a receding hairline got out of the car doors looking around the scene with a worried face until he spotted the little girl by the ambulance.

"Alicia!" He called out rushing over to her side giving her a big bear hug. "Thank heavens you're alive! I'm here now." He said in a comforting tone.

The police officer smiled softly allowing the two to reunite. The blonde little girl started crying into her uncles arms telling him all her fears and concerns.

The officer walked over to his Sargent who gave him a pointed look.

"How is she coping?"

"She's still struggling."

The man nodded at the officers words staring back at the blonde.

"I know our minds protect us when terrible events occur, but I'm worried she won't be able to accept the truth. So far all the evidence points to her father and not an intruder she keeps suggesting."

Shrugging and also watching the child from afar, the officer felt a bit protective.

"It's hard to accept such a terrible act from a family member. Just give her time."