Liar

“I swear, Dad, it was right behind that door.”

“Maybe it got tired.” Dad always humored Violet, but that didn’t mean he believed her.

Yet the monster had definitely been there before. “Monster” not being exactly right. The thing—all eyes, smiles, and swirling nebula-like limbs and negative spaces—had offered her the chance to soar to a different time. To jump straight to having her driver’s license, friends, a spot on the dance squad, maybe even a boyfriend.

So after her Dad left, when the knock came again, Violet was ready. She opened her closet door, and stepped into the future.