It was the sound of tiny feet padding across the carpet which woke me from my slumber. I smiled. My little girl woke me up this way most days.
“Daddy!” she exclaimed as she jumped into bed to give me a cuddle. I squeezed her back.
“Are you ok? Your voice sounds funny, I hope you’re not getting sick.”
She released herself from my cuddle and sat up next to me.
“Just thirsty” she responded.
Then I saw something that could not be. It was my daughter, standing in the doorway.
“Daddy?” she managed to ask, not at all managing to hide her fear and confusion.
I looked to my right and a sickening smile broke out on the face of my fake child. It was an unnerving smile, once that almost reached the bottom of her eyes. It chilled me to my core.
That hideous smile was the last thing I ever saw. I only hope the final moments of my little girl’s life weren’t as terrifying.

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