"M-Monica." Chrissy shut her eyes really tightly and then opened them again. "W-what's going on?" Monica smiled as she looked at the young girl, who's face was still tear-streaked.
"Don't be afraid Chrissy. God sent me here to be with you, protect you, and help you. God didn't want you to be alone this night, so He sent His angel to help you." She explained. Chrissy swallowed and tried to blink back her tears as she looked away.
"Is God mad at me? Are you here to tell me that I've done something wrong?" She asked quietly. Monica took the girl's hands in her own, gripping them tightly.
"No! God is not mad at you. How could you think God is mad at you?" Monica asked, saddened by Chrissy's constant fear of being in trouble.
"F-for making my mom angry. It's my fault she's the way she is. I make her mad." Chrissy explained, biting her lip to avoid crying again.
"No Chrissy. It's not your fault! Your mother has absolutely no right to be the way she is. She's hurt you more than any mother has a right to. No mother should hit their child, or even yell at them the way your mother did. But your mother also took something away from you that hurt you more than anything else. She didn't allow you to express your feelings, so you kept them to yourself." Monica was crying too now, feeling her emotions coming out. Chrissy shrugged as she wiped away a tear that had managed to escape.
"I don't care. I'm fine. I don't need to express my feelings. I've always done fine keeping things to myself." She said casually. Monica shook her head, angry with Jessica for planting in Chrissy's head that there was nothing wrong with keeping pain internalized.
"No! You aren't fine and you aren't doing fine. Keeping your feelings deep inside you has caused you to release your anger and your fears and your pain in ways that are damaging to you. Chrissy, cutting yourself is your way of releasing your emotions, but it's not how God wants you to express those feelings. Chrissy, you need to allow yourself to open up to people. Talk to people, let them help you." Monica said, deeply meaning every word she was saying. Chrissy shook her head, as she stared at Monica with angry eyes.
"Who am I supposed to talk to? My mother? Are you here to tell me I need to talk to my mom? I can't! God should understand that!" She yelled.
"God knows you can't talk to your mom, little one. He knows, but He will provide someone for you. Your mother can't hold you back anymore. The police will find her, and charge her with child abuse. But you need to tell the police the truth of what happened here tonight, and what she's done in the past. You will be in good hands. God will protect you from your mother and she will never hurt you again. I can promise you that." Monica said, as Chrissy heard the sirens getting closer. She looked at Monica, and broke down crying. She had tried to hold it in to be brave, but couldn't anymore. She felt overwhelmed and exhausted all at once, and she felt too weak to allow it to consume her anymore.
As she allowed her tears to flow freely, she felt herself fall to her knees, sobbing uncontrollably into her hands. Monica felt her own tears fall, as she knelt down to Chrissy's level. She took Chrissy in her arms and held her.
"It's okay, little one. You're going to be alright." Monica whispered as Chrissy's sobs died down.
"I-I'm so sorry M-Monica." She cried.
"For what?" Monica asked as she held Chrissy closely.
"For cutting myself. I-I never realized why I did it before tonight, but I-I don't know how to stop. I-I've done it almost everyday for three years. It's going to be impossible to stop." Chrissy replied as she continued to cry.
"I know it won't be easy, but God is going to help you, and someone else will be along soon to help you too." Monica explained. Chrissy pulled out of the embrace and stared up at Monica.
"Who?" She asked quietly and curiously.
"You'll see, but remember what I said. Be honest, and allow yourself to be honest, and let your feelings out. Don't be afraid of what people will think or do, because nobody will hurt you anymore. Trust me." Monica replied as she brushed Chrissy's hair out of her face. Chrissy looked down.
"Will…will I ever see you again?" She asked meekly. Monica smiled, as she closed her eyes, as if waiting for God to tell her. She heard God's voice in her head, and then nodded.
"Yes, you will. Within the next couple of weeks, you will see me briefly. God also says that one day down the road, you will need me again, but I don't know when. Just remember that the journey ahead will be difficult, but let yourself open up and be vulnerable to your emotions. Don't try to be the strong one all the time, love, because God can be strong for you. Just like that song children learn in Sunday school. 'I am weak, but He is strong.' Let God deal with the big stuff, give it to Him, and trust Him to take care of you." Monica smiled and gave Chrissy a final hug. Chrissy heard footsteps running up her driveway, and she turned to see a female police officer run into the house. She looked down at Chrissy with sad eyes, as she noticed she'd been crying. The police officer walked over and knelt down next to Chrissy.
"Are you alright sweetie?" She asked quietly. Chrissy turned to look at Monica, but Monica had already disappeared. Chrissy sighed and looked up into the eyes of the police officer. She remembered what Monica had said about opening up.
"No, I'm not." Chrissy replied softly, as she began to cry again. The officer nodded, as if knowing what had happened.
"Why don't you come with me?" The officer offered her hand, as she stood up. Chrissy hesitated, but took it as the officer helped her up. Together, they walked out to the police car, waiting in the driveway. Chrissy looked back at her house, and felt peaceful about knowing she would never have to walk into that house again. She looked up to the sky, and felt the breeze against her wet face. At that moment, she felt safe.