Page 72, THE SWORD AND SICKLE

PART TWO: DECEPTION

CHAPTER EIGHT

DAUGHTER OF SATAN

©2017, Olan L. Smith

Along a dark country road, in 1999, Captain Henry and Ebon Steel are driving home when they see a child along the road. A girl is standing along the road facing them, staring into the harsh glare of the headlights. She doesn't move. They halt their car, get out approaching the child. They question her before putting her in the backseat of their minivan. The rough looking, and smelly girl doesn't say a word. This was no place for a child at night. Who would leave her here without anything but the ragged clothes she is wearing, they think to themselves. Ebon says, "Come here, little girl, we will help you. You must be freezing to death." Ebon and Henry conclude, the child is a runaway, perhaps escaping abusive parents or worse, child traffickers. As time passes the strange girl begins to open up and tells them that she is running away from her family and hometown, but doesn't reveal the location.

Ebon, "Why wouldn't your friends and family want you? You're beautiful."

"I do strange things."

"Honey everybody is different. You probably misunderstood them. What is your name?"

"They call me six-six-six."

"Is that your real name?"

"Yes, look." She raised her bangs and showed them the numerals 666 tattooed on her forehead in gold, with blue edging, which made it appear three-dimensional.

Ebon said, "Stop the car. Stop the car!"

Henry pulled over and asked, "What is it?"

"Look! Look at her head." Then she said to the girl, "I didn't mean to scare you, honey. Would you show my husband your forehead for me?" Six-Six-Six pulled back her hair for Henry. "Look at that. What mother in her right mind would have that number tattooed on her daughter's forehead?"

"What is your last name?"

"Six."

"What are your parent's names?"

"Jack and Jill."

"No honey. What are their real names?"

"I am not going to tell you."

"Did they hurt you?"

"No."

"Did they love you?"

"No."

"Where did you go to school? Do you have a grandmother or grandfather?"

"No, people don't like me."

"Why honey?"

"Cause they grow old."

"Honey, everyone grows old. That doesn't mean they don't love you. Where are your parents?"

"They're dead. When I get angry, they grew older. One day they died."

"Who took care of you after they died?"

"Nobody, they were all afraid of me."

"Honey, we can't keep you. If you don't tell us where you are from, then we have to give you to the authorities."

Six-Six-Six sat quietly the rest of the way to the base. Ebon said to Henry, "Poor girl doesn't understand death and she believes she is the reason."

"Seems that way. They will help her on the base and find out the truth. I will make sure of it. Soon, she will be with a loved one." In the headquarters of the Military Police, he reported he had found a little girl walking alone along the highway in the middle of the desert.

The officer looked at the little girl and asked, "Don't be frighten little one, I won't hurt you. Do you mind if I ask you some questions?"

"No."

"What is your name and where are you from?"

"My name is Six-Six-Six and I am from nowhere? My mommy and daddy are dead...everyone I know is dead. I killed them. Everybody I know gets old and dies. I have never been to school and no one wants me, because they are afraid of me." Then she said, "You will die too, soon. I don't know why the people I know grow old and die. They just do. Everybody thinks I am the devil's child and people call me Six. I am sorry you are going to die. You just are."

The corporal became white as though all his blood rushed to his stomach. He asked the Captain, "Sir, I don't have enough information. Did she tell you more?"

"No. She thinks because someone dies it is her fault. She didn't tell us a story about our dying, I am sorry she told you that. That's a new story. I believe she is a runaway and suffers from shock after the loss of her parents. She is going to need a lot of care."

"I am not sure this is our jurisdiction, sir. And frankly she spooks me."

"Okay corporal, but if you don't mind, I promised I would watch over her and I would like to take her to the sheriff's office."

"That is perfectly fine with me, sir. That will save me a ton of paper work."

"Come with me, Six. I will make sure you're safe."

"See, I told you people are scared of me. I just know things."

Henry and Ebon got in their car and headed for the county sheriff's office. On the way, Six became friendlier. She said, "Henry, I like you. You have a good heart."

"Thank you, Six. You are a good girl."

"I can read minds, you know."

"Six, I believe that you believe you can read minds, but that is impossible."

"I can read your mind! I can read hers', too!"

"Okay Six, What am I thinking of right, now?" asked Ebon."

"Eight. Because that how old you think I am."

"And now?"

"Thirty-three."

Henry asked, "What am I thinking?"

"That you know a General, who might be interested in me."

Henry pulled over and stopped the car. He said, "One more question Six."

Six replied, "You were born in Odessa, Iowa."

He made a three-point turn and headed back to the base. Ebon asked, "What are you doing? They told you to take her to local authorities."

"Dear, she read my mind and you heard her. There is no way she could have known these things. I do know a Brigadier General who would be interested in her."

"What about her parents?"

Six exclaimed, "I told you my parents are dead! No one wants me!"

Ebon turned to look at her in the backseat and said, "Six, do you want to do this?"

"Yes ma'am, but only if Henry gets to look out for me. I like him."

"Surely there is someone who is worried about you?"

"I told you they are all dead! They're dead! They're dead!" Then crossed her arms and turned her bottom lip out.

"Henry, are you sure about this?"

"I am sure."

"Why would a General want her?"

"He works with people like her and they are well treated. I will insist that I get regular updates and we get to see her from time-to-time."

"I am not sure about this, but if you say she will be safe...then, OK." Little Six jumped for joy and clapped her hands when she heard those words, for she knew that this was her destiny. The drive went quickly and Ebon noticed Six chanting, om. Ebon asked her, "Why are you meditating?"

"Oh that is the only way I can see my father? He is very wise."

"Is that how you see your daddy?"

"No, that is how I see my real Father? He came to me in my dreams when I was very little and taught me to meditate so I could see him when I am awake."