A to Z Challenge - U is for Unhappy

This is part of an ongoing story throughout the Challenge.

If you're just joining me now, please start with A is for Abby.

U IS FOR UNHAPPY

Abby was ready for anything as she walked up the stairs. An ambush, a giant monster, a hundred monsters, a guillotine whooshing through the air to lop her head off. Everything in her was itching for a battle. She wasn't prepared for nothing when she reached the top.

The attic wasn't a big room. Its ceiling was V'ed and the rafters were bare. A filing cabinet loomed in one corner and a bookcase in the other. There was one diamond shaped window at the far end. The only thing in the room was a large old desk. Burrows sat behind it with the light from her computer screen illuminating her unhappy expression.

"I had hoped it would be you alone, Abby." Burrows sighed and tented her fingers.

"We can arrange that," Abby said through clenched teeth. Demetrius stepped in front of her. "No, we won't."

Abby wanted to push him aside and charge, but she still expected something. She moved to stand next to him, attempting to focus through her sorrow and rage.

"Handsome and chivalrous. No wonder Myrtle went all silly over him. It didn't deter her when I told her he had fae cooties." Burrows shuddered and made a blech sound.

"You know what I am." Demetrius grunted and then frowned. "Myrtle?"

"Not Myrtle." Abby shook her head. Her still glowing hands told her that whoever was sitting there wasn't human. Whatever it was wasn't hiding itself now.

"She's still in here, but I've had control for many years now." Burrows grinned, slow and maniacal.

"Demon." Demetrius bared his teeth, but Abby shook her head again. She knew what it was. She just didn't know how it could be what it was.

"Ah, Abby. You know, don't you?" Burrows chuckled and leaned back in her chair. "Most children conceive of their monsters in the closet, under the bed, somewhere it's dark and scary at night. Yet there are a few that have the darkness in them for one reason or another. And Myrtle had such a powerful imagination. When she created me, she gave me voice and intelligence. No regular monster for this little girl." Smirking, her gaze bore into Abby. "When one of the Fearless came to kill me, she found she couldn't take the life of a child to do so. So I killed her instead. My first kill. My most momentous kill."

Demetrius' battle cry shook the little room. He rushed at Burrows and was hit by a inky black tendril that sent him toppling down the stairs.

"Children are easy to kill." Burrows stood up. The shadows around her so thick the glow from the screen couldn't penetrate them and the window was blacked out behind her. "I'm so glad you're here now, Abby."