[ IP ] Emma The Ruthless

Emma stalked her prey, like a wild cat in the jungle. She watched as he stopped and knelt, speaking to a small child. He was a monster, but the child could n't see that. He wore sheep's clothing. 
 
 She waited patiently as the man took the small child by the hand. He led the child to a small building, and opened the door. Inside that building, terrible things would happen. 
 
 Emma raised her gun and fired. A single shot dropped the man, and the child began to glow. The child turned to her and waved, and ascended into Heaven. 
 
 The ground beneath Emma steamed from the heat. This was her charge. Protect children at all costs. She walked over to the man. Her father's face, placid, looked up at her. She knelt and closed his eyelids with one hand. 
 
 She heard a snap, and quickly turned. Behind her, she could see her father walking toward another small child. She raised her rifle, and sighted in. He looked hungry, and menacing. She fired. 
 
 He fell, slumped into a pile. The child turned to her, glowing. He waved as he ascended to Heaven. 
 
 She stood. She looked out over the wasteland that had become her life. She saw her father everywhere, preying on children. She marched on. 
 *** 
 `` Time's up, Emma.'' 
 
 Emma looked up, her therapist smiled at her. She loved her therapist. Emma looked back at her drawing. 
 
 Her therapist spoke, `` Emma, that was a wonderful story. She sounds like a very strong girl, who has been through a lot.'' Emma nodded. 
 
 `` How do you feel now?'' her therapist asked. `` Do these stories help you?'' 
 
 Emma nodded again. `` He ca n't hurt me,'' she said. She looked at her therapist. `` Right?'' 
 
 Her therapist nodded, and knelt putting a hand on Emma's shoulder. 
 
 `` He ca n't hurt you anymore,'' her therapist said. `` He's far away, locked up, and he wo n't ever get out.'' 
 
 Emma nodded. She had saved herself; and now it was her job to save others. 
 
 

