Chapter Eleven

The Devil Inside

Nerdlory had annoyed me with her story. Cara sounded like a baby brat and I am sure Margo and Claire got what they deserved. I was also not happy about how nosy her questions were. besides chitchat with Mallory prevented me from more important activities like cooking up more schemes for my church.

Mallory read her book. I sat in silence next to her writing on a notepad. I could not think of any good church ideas. Boo and Bullfrogs.

In my room, I have a wonderful dollhouse that Seth made me a few months ago. sometimes using it helps me come up with ideas. I went to my room. Mallory did not notice me go.

I had a princess doll for me and a green haired troll for Andrew. I had a shoe box full of dolls that I keep next to the house.

I put the Karen doll on a bed "Andrew! "

I made the troll talk in my best whiny baby voice, "Yes Karen?"

"Listen to my song! Andrew, Andrew, stinks like glue. Andrew, Andrew I hate you." I laughed maniacally.

"Wahhh!" I made troll Andrew cry then I tossed him aside for a plastic baby wearing a pink bonnet.

I changed my song to be Emily instead of Andrew and sung it again. I got more dolls and sung the song again for other people in my two families and my friends. I made up new lyrics as I sung. I am a good song writer. I once wrote a Thanksgiving song for a school play and gave myself lots of solo parts because I am a star. I called Emily a baby brat and Pamela a meanie mo and Nancy a traitor. I sung until I was bored and plopped on my bed. I did not like to admit it but the Karen evil train was running out of steam. I missed my friends and was starting to think maybe I should give up on my church and apologize to the other kids.

I picked up Goosie. "What do you think, Goosie? Should I give up on my church?"

"Karen, never give up on your dreams!" I made Goosie say in a squeaky voice.

I threw Goosie against the wall, "Stupid Goosie. I am fresh out of ideas for making my dreams come true."

I got up and turned my radio on. I was hoping that once again the radio would help me out. I was at a crossroads. If I could not find a new idea to make myself the supreme goddess of Karenity then I did not know what else to do. Having my friends not be mad at me would be nice but it would be boring.

Here come the world

With the look in its eye

Future uncertain but certainly slight

Look at the faces

Listen to the bells

It's hard to believe we need a place called hell

The devil inside

The devil inside

Every single one of us the devil inside

I switched the radio back off. I did not really have the energy to do my sweater pants dance but the song had given me a good idea. I had been using Midgie's doggy crate as hell where I wanted bad kids to go but I forgot the rest I had read on Seth's computer about hell. Not only did bad people go there but it was run by the devil. The devil is a bad guy who influences people to do mean things and he makes evil things happen with black magic. Or at least that is how I interpret it.

I was through with my church. All my friends have one but why should I have what my friends do? I am Karen Brewer. I am more special than them so I should not have what they have. I should have better and more wonderful things than they do. I also should be more powerful than them. Since being worshipped as a goddess did not work out for me, I decided I should be at least a feared demon. Besides being evil is fun.

I slipped out of my room for some more web surfing. I tiptoed into Seth's office. I did a search for pictures of the devil. He was usually shown as red with black horns. I did a search for 'bad' and it was mostly Michael Jackson. 'Bad girl' turned up a lot of pictures of ladies in devil costumes and underwear. Those were no help.

Just then I heard a car pull into the driveway. Either Seth or Mommy was back. I exited the web browser and ran back to my room. A few minutes later I heard a knock on my door.

"Karen?" It was Seth, "We need to give Mallory a ride home. I will take you to dinner at Burger Castle after we drop her off."

Burger Castle? Goody! Maybe he forgot about my punishment, "Ok Seth. Give me a minute to change my clothes and I will be ready."

"Ok, Karen but hurry up." Seth replied.

I needed something evil to wear. Unfortunately, Mommy thinks I am a baby and buys all my clothes at Gymboree which is a baby store. I rummaged in my closet and found a black tulle ruffle skirt, black tights, a pair of red shiny patent leather boots with a bow on top, a red long sleeve t-shirt, black sunglasses and a red knitted hat that Nannie had made me. She called it a cloche. I grabbed a black hooded sweatshirt to wear on top.

I wandered downstair to where Seth and Mallory were standing by the front door waiting for me. They were both looking at me strangely. I do not know why. I guess they recognized that I was the all new Karen Brewer.

Seth cleared his throat, "Uh Karen… I think it is a little hot for the outfit you are wearing. It is the end of June after all."

I rolled my eyes but because of the glasses he could not see, "Do not worry about it, Seth. Let's hit the road."

We went outside and to the driveway. Seth unlocked the car. He and Mallory got in the front. I climbed in the back and and slouched down. I did not even put on a seat belt. I put one leg on top of the other and my arms behind my head. I thought I looked cool.

Seth did not agree. "Karen, get into your booster seat and buckle up."

"Booster seats are for babies, meanie mo. I am not riding in that thing." I slid my glasses down my nose and narrowed my eyes at him.

"We have been over this. You are not tall enough to ride in the car without it. Get in the seat, Karen." Seth sounded very annoyed.

I obeyed and buckled up but I was not happy. "Mallory is not riding in a booster seat."

Seth sighed, "Mallory is older and taller than you, Karen."

I decided not to say anything else to Seth. I made what I hoped was a devilish face at him but he did not see it. He just pulled out of the driveway and drove down the street. Mallory was reading her book again. It was very quiet.

Then Seth's phone rang. He answered with the car Bluetooth system and I heard Mommy's annoying voice come out of the speakers, "Hi Seth."

"Hey Lisa. I am just taking Mallory home then I was going to take Karen over to Burger Castle to grab a bit to eat. How is Andrew?" Seth replied. I thought about screaming at Mommy because I was still mad but I was curious about Andrew so I did not.

"Andrew is okay. Turns out he was just shaken and has few bruises. I do not know what we will do about Karen. I talked with Watson while we were at the hospital and he is at a loss as well." Mommy sighed.

"I am here, Mommy. I am really sorry I hurt Andrew. I did not mean to. I was just very mad." I was not sure if I meant it or not but I knew she would want me to apologize.

"I believe that you are sorry, Karen but I do not know how to help you stop." Mommy sighed again.

"I am done with my religion, Mommy." This was true. Now that my goal was to be the devil, I did not need my religion anymore.

Mommy replied, "Karen, you were going through a hard time before that. There is a lot you need to work on."

I rolled my eyes behind my sun glasses so Seth could not see me, "I know, Mommy but…"

Seth interrupted which was gigundo rude of him. "Hey Lisa, I am almost to the Pike house. How about you and Andrew meet us at Burger Castle and we will talk then?"

"That sounds like a plan, Seth." Mommy ended the call.

We drove in silence the rest of the way to the Pike House. I think Mallory was uncomfortable with us because she had not said anything since before we left the little house.

We pulled into the Pike Drive and Mallory scurried out of the car. "Bye Mr. Engle! Bye Karen!"

We watched as Mallory ran into the house then we were off to Burger Castle. I was very excited because it is a fun restaurant to eat at. It looks like a real castle and the chairs are like thrones. Plus you get to wear a crown while you eat! My happiness was only dampened by Mommy and Andrew coming. Mommy still did not sound happy with me and I was not sure about Andrew.