"September? Please come out."

Tyler had been standing outside my door for a little under half an hour. He tried everything he could possibly think of to get me out, such as bribe me with mint chip ice cream, call Ariel and Mackenzie, then, finally, he just gave up.

"Just leave me alone," I finally said.

"September, please," Ariel begged.

"Yeah, girl. We're here for you. But you have to come out," Mackenzie added.

Out of frustration, I got up from my bed and opened the door. The three of them smiled.

"Schmer," I said, then closed the door in their faces.

"Schmer?" Tyler asked. "What does schmer mean?"

"It's the word she uses when she doesn't know what to say," Ariel said, relieving his curiosity.

"It means I have nothing to say and I'm not coming out," I said.

"But you just said something," Tyler said.

I stared at the door. If only he could see my death stare through the door. Once again, I opened the annoying piece of wood that divided me from my friends.

"I hate you."

"No you don't," he said, smiling.

"Fine, I don't. But I wish I did."

Before I could close the door, Tyler grabbed me. "Quick! Don't let her go!"

He picked me up and brought me to the living room. I continually yelled at him to put me down. When he did, I tripped and fell, soon getting up to glare at him.

"Oh, how I hate you."

"I'm sorry he hurt you like that," Tyler said.

He took my hand as I sat on the couch. My happiness had faded and quirkiness had left me — I was normal, which is never a good sign.

"Your dad is a jerk."

"I know. I didn't expect him to react that way."

I looked at Tyler, noticing his faded blue eyes. The light seemed to be sucked out of them. It made me sad.

"Yeah, well, I have the feeling I won't be welcome any time soon."

Tyler stood up. I don't know whether out of sadness or rage. He made his way down the stairs and to the front door.

"Tyler? Where are you going?" I asked, standing up to catch up with him.

"He can't treat you that way. I won't stand for it."

He slammed the door behind him. I heard his car start only seconds later. Without thinking, I grabbed my jacket and ran out the door.

"Guys!" Mackenzie yelled. "Wait for us!"

"Tyler!" I yelled as I ran after him. "What in the world are you doing?"

Without even thinking, I got into the car. Tyler sat there, staring at the driveway before him.

"Hey, what's wrong?" I asked.

Ariel and Mackenzie squealed an inhumane sound and got into Tyler's car.

"Woah," Mackenzie said. "So this is what your car looks like."

I turned around and glared at them. They shut up instantly and pretended to throw a key out the window.

"Tyler?"

"He has never acted that way towards anyone before. I don't know why he did now. And religion has never been a problem with him before. We used to go to church then stopped. He hasn't been the same ever since."

"Why?"

"Just because. There is no reason really."

Tyler finally put his seatbelt on and backed out of the driveway. I didn't like it when he was upset. It hurt. However, he has a right to be mad. And I'm not saying that in a "I'm so conceded, look at me" kind of way, but an "I see what you're going through, it's okay" kind of way.

He drove down the road. It took me a minute to realize he was driving to his house. My stomach churned and I began to feel light headed.

"Wait, Tyler. You can't go to your house!"

"Why?" He asked, glancing at me.

"Because...um...because..." I began.

"Megan!" Ariel yelled.

"Yeah, Megan really wanted to see you! She has something to...uh...something to show you! yeah, that's it."

He laughed and pulled over.

"You are an awful liar."

I felt the heat creep into my cheeks. If he knows that I'm lying now, I wonder if he knew I was insanely nervous to meet his parents...hm....

"Okay, yes, I am. It's a curse, but you have to listen to me. You can't go."

"Why?" he asked, grabbing my hand.

"Because I'm afraid something bad will happen."

"Thank you for your concern, but I have to do this. You can either come with me or stay out here."

"Stay out here?" I looked to my right. "Oh..."

We sat outside Tyler's house. It's quite funny, actually. I was excited to see his house but now, after I have seen it, I'm nothing but a pile of nerves.

Sighing, I unbuckled and opened the door. I didn't look very presentable, but who cares. Maybe it will make his dad feel bad...or maybe not.

Tyler smiled and got out of his car, slamming the door once he had exited the vehicle. Ariel and Mackenzie said they would stay out here. Well, actually, Mackenzie said she wanted to see the action, but decided against it after Ariel nudged her in the stomach, in which resulted in a breathless "never mind."

I followed Tyler up to his front porch, trying to keep a calm demeanor. His parents will most likely see through my facade, however, I didn't care at this point. They needed to know how he felt and how I felt.

Tyler walked into his house, prepared for whatever was to come. I was curious as to how he could be so calm and wanted that coolness as well. Unfortunately, it was out of my grasp.

"Tyler, honey," his mom began, "you're back."

She smiled as she took off her kitchen apron. By the aroma filling the air, I guessed that she was baking. It smelled like red velvet cupcakes. A sense of peace overcame me, however, I was still slightly nervous. I smiled and looked at Mrs. Howard. She looked at me.

"Tyler, she can't be here."

"Why, Mom? You wanted to meet her so badly, and now that Dad has an opinion on her, you're jumping onto the bandwagon?"

"Honey, it's not that. It's just, well, she reminds him so much of —"

"Excuse me," I cut in. "I have put a lot of time into this and have gone through gallons and gallons of fear and anxiety. I get it that people have opinions, but what your husband did was disrespectful. I was nervous about coming over today and now I'm not. I don't want to be in a place where I'm not welcome."

Taking a deep breath, I stood behind Tyler. I said what I needed to say and I wished that I could go, but I couldn't, I wouldn't. Then, as if everything was put together like a puzzle, Tyler's dad came in. He stared at me, then at Tyler.

"Tyler, what is she doing here?"

"She's here to support me. Dad, what you did was wrong. You can't just kick someone out of your house just because she reminds you of—"

"I told her to get out before and I will do it again. Little girl, get out of my house or this problem will only get worse," his dad said, his eyes spherical pieces of ice.

"No," Tyler said, stepping forward. "She isn't going anywhere. If I want her here, I will let her be here. You can't tell her what to do. As for right now, she won't be here because I don't want her to be around a conceited jerk like you. Now if you'll excuse me, we'll be going."

Tyler walked away and opened the door. I stood before his parents awkwardly.

"Uh...sorry...bye..."

I quickly walked to the door and ran out to Tyler's car.

—————————

Tyler and my friends ended up leaving not too long ago. They had spent some time discussing Jessica, my funeral, and the youth group, who decided to throw a little thing in honor of my memory. I guess I had an impact on a lot of people, but I didn't know how. I wasn't this perfect person who listened to Christian music all the time or read the Bible every day (though I tried to do so). I wasn't some saint. How could they possibly look up to me?

' "Because you tried," Amelia said.

I turned around to find her standing behind me, smiling.

"You are on the right track, September. You now know the difference between deception and reality."

"How?" I asked.

"When that demon told you Tyler left you to die, you believed it, or rather, you did not know what to believe. But now you know the difference."

I smiled. The thought of being a step closer to finding the reason behind my death made me happy. Though the idea of this whole process did not, the thought of making it into heaven changed everything.

"I did it," I whispered. "I actually did it. But does this mean I am amidst spiritual warfare?"

"Indeed you are. Spiritual warfare is a tricky experience, and a fearful one, as well. But your will is strong, your heart is big, your mind is tough. Those demons cannot get through you even if they tried."

I turned my head to look at the trees. The woods were still creepy for me since the first attack. I couldn't help but shiver as I looked at it.

"What if they come back?" I asked.

She was silent.

"Amelia?"

I turned back to find her gone. Fear rushed through my veins as I thought of the worst possible scenario.

"Amelia?"

"She isn't here," a man said.

I turned to look to my right to find a man standing in all red. His hair was a golden blond color, his eyes the ones of a snake. Chills ran down my spine as I looked at him. I felt nothing but evil emit from his presence.

"Who are you?" I asked.

"Dear, dear, September. You should already know that. You met a good friend of mine not too long ago," he hissed, stepping forward.

I stepped back and held up my arms. "Don't come any closer."

"How cute. The little peasant thinks she can fight me. You couldn't even fight off a shark. What makes you think you could get rid of someone more powerful than that?"

"Wait," I said. "I know who you are."

"Charming. The little girl knows who I am. Well, you should. I am praised among your people. Or, talked about a lot in certain contexts."

"You better stay away, or I swear—"

"You'll what? Call your little angels? They can't do anything. For all they know, you're living it up at your farewell party."

"What did you do to them?" I asked, my voice shaky.

He shook his head and looked at me, his golden eyes glowing.

"I am appalled that you think I would do such a thing as hurt your little angels. Well, I'll tell you what. I'll give you information on their whereabouts, if you promise to come with me."

I stared at him. His piercing yellow eyes were mesmerizing and I couldn't help but step forward.

"How about I sweeten up the deal? If you come with me, you'll be able to talk to your sister Megan and beloved boyfriend Ty-ler," he said, singing Tyler's name in a vicious melody.

The offer ran through my mind. How could I pass this up? I could finally tell Tyler I was okay!

He moved the hair from over my ear and tucked it behind. "I knew you couldn't resist."

I felt like all sanity had left me. Not only could I not fight the temptation, but I was following Satan, the one being I was always taught to deny.

Satan grabbed my arm and a cold wind enveloped us. It stabbed me with its cold touch. I realized right away this wind was different. It was cold to the touch and filled with hatred and hopelessness and evil. I didn't know how much longer we would be in this cold cyclone. The feeling of it made me uncomfortable. Then, finally, it stopped.

We were back at my house. Once again, everyone was back. Had I missed the discussion of their return? I heard the front door open and close, revealing a somewhat normal Tyler.

"Tyler!" Megan yelled, running up to hug him.

"Hey, Little Munchkin," he said, laughing. "How are you?"

"I'm good. How are you? How is September?" Megan asked.

Everyone stopped short. How am I? Does she not know that I'm dead?

"Megan," Ariel began, "September is...somewhere else."

"Where?" she asked.

They all looked at each other, silently deciding who would break the news. Megan's eyes were filled with hope and love and, most of all, joy. I looked down, trying to avoid the tears.

"She is in a place where she can watch all the Disney movies she wants and run in fields of flowers..." Tyler said.

"Will she be back?"

Mackenzie, Ariel, Tyler, and Mom all looked at one another. I knew exactly what they were thinking. How do you tell an eight-year-old their sister is dead?

"Megan, honey," Mom said, "she won't be back for a while."

"How come? Did she feel sick after the pool party?"

The pool party? That was only a few days ago...I was alive then. How does she not remember?

"The pool party?" Mackenzie asked.

"Yeah. Last night her and Tyler came back from the pool party."

"Megan. Do you remember the beach?" Ariel asked.

"We're going to the beach?" Her little brown eyes lit up.

"No, honey, we're—" Mom began.

"I'm taking you to the water park," Tyler interrupted.

"Tyler, that's sweet, but you don't have to..." Mom said.

"No, it's fine. Plus, September has been telling me to do so before she...um...left."

Tyler and Mom looked at a now excited Megan. She jumped up and down, screaming, "yay" over and over and over again.

"Well, little missy, I guess you better get ready," Mom said.

"Yay!" Megan yelled, running back to her room.

I wanted to follow her, to talk to her, but something compelled me to stay here. I'm not exactly sure what it was and why, but the evil feeling surrounding me only moments before had vanished. For once, I felt like I could actually breathe, theoretically speaking.

Mom sat down at the table. Her wrinkles had returned on her forehead and eyes were full of tears. Ariel sat beside her, trying to be as comforting as possible, but it only went so far.

"How are we going to—" she trailed off, the tears finally breaking free.

It hurt me to see her like this. They didn't deserve this pain. It was my fault that attack happened. If only I had listened to my stupid dream, then none of this would have happened. Rage ran through my veins, through my body. Why does my family have to suffer for my own stupidity?

"It's okay. I'll take her out and you can figure that out amongst yourselves. I promise, everything will be okay," Tyler responded.

"How do you stay so calm?" Mackenzie asked.

Her blue eyes sparkled with tears. She wanted an answer and, for some odd reason, I did, too.

"I'm not calm. In fact, I'm dying inside from all this pain, but I know that she is watching over us and if I can't be strong for myself, I need to be strong for her. Emotional pain was never something I could really deal with. When we lost Jessica, I broke down. In the end, it hurt my family relationship. I don't want to make the same mistake, because sure, the loss of Jessica was huge, but this loss is so much more because it was not her time to go. Or maybe it was, and if that is the case, I will never understand why she was taken. But I can't shake the feeling that something is happening around us, that she is here. So wouldn't you rather want to look happy for her rather than sad? She always wanted happiness over sadness...."

Tyler sat down and broke into tears. Ariel, Mackenzie, and Mom were all shocked, as they have never seen this side of him before. I only saw it once, but it was a time I vowed I would forget. He began taking deep breaths in order to stop the sobs. Mom got up and sat next to him.

"Tyler," she said, "we have all lost September. I have been sitting here, thinking that I have it worse when, truly, you have received the greatest loss of all: a best friend. You were her rock and she was yours. You were best friends and so much more. I have seen September go through many crushes and they have all ended in pain, but with you, it hasn't. You have given her the best days of her life, and I am sure she has given you your best days of your life. To see you go through this gives me pain. Thank you for being such a good sport, for being so comforting, understanding, and helpful. I am glad God but you in her life and you in hers. There is nothing that makes me happier than seeing the two of you smile."

"Yeah," Ariel agreed. "She loved all of us, but the bond the two of you had was beyond amazing. She deserved someone as great as you. And she got that."

"When she freaked out at the pool party, I should have known. I have snuck up on her countless times and she always laughed. But this time was different. The fear in her voice...it was the exact same fear she had when she was attacked. I should have known...I should have..."

"Tyler," Mackenzie said. "We all should have, but sometimes things just happen. There was nothing we could do. But living in the same fear she did won't help us. It will only hurt us even more. Like you said, we have to be happy. For her."

Hearing what Mom had to say made my heart melt. She was right. He was my rock. I couldn't imagine living without him and I can't even imagine him living without me. I was worried before about how I died and just saying hi to Tyler and telling him I was okay when I should have been focused on Tyler's character more than my own. Maybe that was one of the reasons I died. Maybe, just maybe, it was for me to see the truth in who I have become.

—————————

Megan came it out nearly twenty minutes later, grinning from ear to ear.

"What took you so long, Little Munchkin?"

"Sorry," she said, giggling. "I had to grab Mr. Wiggles."

Megan held her brown stuffed teddy bear. She has had Mr. Wiggles sense she was two. I got it for her on her second birthday; she could never let go of that thing for a year. It made me happy to see she still had it. But, also, it made me sad. Who would Megan be like if I didn't exist? Would she be spoiled? Would she be kind? Would Tyler be around? Would she still be friends with Mackenzie and Ariel? All these questions spun around in my head, making me slightly nauseous. Then, more questions came to mind. Who will Megan be now? Will she still be friends with my friends? Will Tyler still come to visit her? What if she changes?

My stomach began to feel queasy. I couldn't think about these things. My heart felt as if it were being squeezed as I thought of these questions. Unable to stand any longer, I sat down next to Mom. I quickly wished she was able to see me, to touch me, to hear me. I wish I were there with them, laughing, singing, smiling like we used to. This kitchen had so many memories ranging from shoving pie in Tyler's face after losing a dare, only to be surprised by him shoving a pie into my face resulting in many screams, to baking cupcakes at one in thenmorning due to the inability to sleep and so on. Tyler asked me to homecoming in this room. Megan lost her first tooth in this room. She was so excited.

Tears streamed down my face as I thought of these things. How could I be so naive as to forget all of these memories until now? So many laughs echoed off the walls and floors only days ago. A flour war broke out with the one I love. Mackenzie and Ariel sprayed soda in this room, in which we called The Great Soda Battle of 2015.

I felt a cold entity surround me as I continued to cry. My family and friends began to fade in volume. A cold hand touched my shoulder. Looking over, I stared into the yellow, snake-like eyes.

"It's time to go," Satan said.

"But what about Megan and Tyler?" I asked.

He stared at me. My fear soon turned to peace as I stared into his eyes. Maybe he wasn't all that bad.

"You'll talk to them soon enough. Trust me."

And with that, we vanished.

—————————

We stood outside a brightly colored building. Children and parents ran inside, pure joy running through their veins. Slides twisted and turned from inside the building to outside then back in again. They were various colors of reds, oranges, blues, and greens. Screams were heard from outside as the occupants of the slides rode down through the water.

"We're talking to them here?" I asked.

Satan stood beside me, hatred and vengeance emitting from his dark soul.

"Indeed we are. Come, pet. Let us go inside."

Taking a deep breath, I followed him inside. The air went from semi-warm to humid within seconds. The smell of chlorine invaded my nose, the screams of children and rushing water occupying my ears. As i heard the yells ring and echo through the building, I was reminded of the shark attack. Visions of water and red and darkness played before my eyes. My heart rate began to go up as I felt fear run through me. September, I thought, you're only in a water park. Nothing can hurt you here. Nothing can hurt them here. I took a deep breath and looked for Tyler and Megan.

I could easily spot Megan—she was the only one wearing the finding Nemo swimsuit. Alongside her was Tyler. They were heading over to the wave pool. Again, visions of waves crashing over me flashed before my eyes.

They walked into the water as they headed back to the five foot area. The lifeguards blew their whistles as them, making sure it was safe for Megan to go into the deep zone. Tyler clarified she was with him and said everything was fine, that he would keep a sharp eye on her. I wanted to be with them so badly. Then, as if something was pulling me towards them, I walked into the water. My white dress remained dry as I stepped further and further into the water.

"Tyler! Throw me! Throw me!" Megan yelled.

"Okay, Little Munchkin."

He had picked her up just as the waves were turned on. A weird feeling began to form in the pit of my stomach. This isn't right. Something is wrong.

"Tyler! Don't throw her!" I yelled.

He threw her into the water just as a wave began to form. I dove under, making sure everything was alright. But as I got closer to where Megan was, my suspicion began to come true. Megan swam up to the surface, as did I. The moment her tiny head popped up from beneath the water, a wave crashed over her, sending her down. I dove under, my heart beating a million beats per minute. Just as she was about to fight her way back up, a brown figure shot up from beneath the ground and grabbed her ankle. She screamed as she realized she could not swim up. The demon let her go, pushing her up. It only gave her enough time to say a few words.

"Tyler!" she screamed.

Before he could reach her, the demon pulled her back under. Megan screamed and kicked until she no longer could. It took me a minute to realize she was lifeless. The demon looked at me, staring, its red eyes laughing before it sank beneath the concrete.

"No!" I yelled.

The exasperated sound of the "no" rang through my ears and water. Whistles were heard from above. There was a splash as someone jumped into the deep end. The bubbles formed around me as I saw a hand grab Megan and pull her out of the water. I swam up to the surface to find kids running out of the wave pool, crying or yelling for their parents. Adults gasped as a lifeguard carried Megan's lifeless body in his arms. Tyler looked at her, a blank expression on his face.

"No!" I screamed.

Everything seemed to go by in slow motion as I saw them lay her body on the cold concrete ground. Children continued to run out of the wave pool. Tyler started to run to the concrete. I turned in a single circle, my hair whipping around my face. My breaths were heavy as I watched everything play out; they were the only things I could hear. Tears trailed down my face as they began to perform CPR on her tiny body. Tyler ran up to them.

"No," I said again.

"Megan!" he yelled.

Once he had reached them, everything seemed to speed up and go at normal pace. The echoes from the children in other areas of the park covered my breaths, making everything seem more real. I watched as Tyler's knees buckled beneath him. I saw tears run down his face.

"No," I said. "No. Megan."

I ran to her and sat on my knees across from Tyler. He stared down at her, trying to urge her to wake up.

"Come on, sweetie. Wake up," the lifeguard said.

"Ken, it's no use," said the girl lifeguard.

"No, it isn't, Mary," Ken said. "Come on, honey, wake up."

I looked around the building. Everyone stood around Megan, either covering their mouths or looking down. My head began to spin. Then I saw him. His yellow eyes smiled with pure hatred.

"One," he said, holding up a finger, "two, three."

Rage ran through me. I stood up, about ready to yell at him, but then something stopped me—a voice.

"September?"

It sounded familiar. I turned around to find Megan stand before me. Tears ran down my face. She stood in her Finding Nemo swimsuit, her skin pale and eyes lifeless.

"No," I whispered.

"Mommy said you weren't coming back. Are you?" she asked.

My heart broke into a million pieces. How could I tell Megan I wasn't coming back? How could I tell her she wasn't coming back?

"No," I whispered again, tears continuing to glide down my cheeks and hit the ground. "No, Megan, you—you can't—"

"I can't what?" she asked.

My heart broke yet again. She was so innocent and clueless. I couldn't stand to see her like this. Before I could answer, Tyler spoke up.

"Come on, Megan."

"Megan," Ken repeated, "you gotta wake up for me, sweetie. Come on. You can do it."

Then, as if a switch turned on when she looked at me, horror sketched her face. She screamed and cried. She's remembering the attack. I walked up to her and tried to calm her down. "Shh...it's okay, Megan. I'm okay."

Before I could say anything else, Megan screamed then disappeared.

"Megan? Megan!" I yelled.

I turned around to look at Tyler, Megan, and Ken. As if a miracle had occurred, Megan began to cough and spit out water. Gasps of relief overcame the crowd. Tyler hugged Megan then Megan hugged Ken.

"She's dead," Megan whispered. "She's dead."

Tears ran down her pale cheeks, falling onto the beige colored concrete.

"Megan," Tyler said, pulling her into a hug. "I'm so sorry."

"She's dead," she whispered again.

"Little Munchkin, what's wrong?"

Megan looked at Tyler then over at where I was standing only moments before.

"I saw September. She isn't coming back."