CHAPTER 6

Andrew held tightly to the sobbing angel for a long time before her silent tears began to slow. His heart ached for her and the pain he could feel inside of her, even as his mind raced with questions about what had just happened. Tess, for some reason, had terrified Monica and he knew just how deeply that had wounded Tess.

Carefully, he pulled away a little to look at her tear-streaked face. He watched as her brown eyes searched his, almost as if she was trying to figure something out. He reached to cup her face in his hands as he  swiped at the tears on her cheeks with his thumbs,  “Monica,” He said softly, his voice husky with emotion, “Do you know who I am?”

Andrew watched as she searched his face and he saw her eyes cloud up  with fresh tears as she helplessly shook her head. She opened her mouth to speak, but then closed her eyes painfully, as if something was tormenting her.
“What is it, Monica? Please, talk to me.” Andrew felt his heart break as she dissolved into tears once more and he pulled her back into his  arms, holding her as tightly as he dared. She was so fragile right now, so confused and he had to find a way to help her.

“You can talk to me, sweetheart,” He whispered into her ear, “You can tell me anything. There is nothing to be afraid of here.”

She clung tightly to him, trying so hard to remember why he was so familiar and why she knew she didn’t have to be afraid of him. There was a certain peace about him, a warm comfort and she felt safe for the first time in a long time.
“Andrew?” She uttered, her voice scarcely a whisper.

“Yes?” He replied, pulling away to look once again into her eyes. He saw so much pain and grief there that it made him only want to protect her from any more harm.

Monica swallowed hard, almost afraid to speak, “I…I feel like I should know you, but yet I can’t remember why I feel that way,” Her expression turned desperate before she bowed her head, “What’s the matter with me? What happened that I can’t remember anything?”

Andrew took her hand and led her over to the bed so they could sit down. He then wrapped his arm around her trembling shoulders to pull her close, all the while remembering Sam’s words of caution about Monica needing to remember things in her own time, “You’ll remember when the time is right, honey.” He replied softly, as
she rested her head wearily on his shoulder.

“But who are you?” She pleaded, closing her eyes as she struggled to remember.

“A friend,” Andrew whispered, moving his head to kiss her forehead, “A friend who loves and cares about you very much. Just like Tess. She won’t hurt you, Monica--.” He stopped as she jerked her head up, her eyes now filled with fear.

“Please, please don’t let her come back here, Andrew!” She uttered, tears streaking her cheeks. She began to hear the singing in her mind again and the laughing. She closed her eyes tightly and clamped her hands over her ears to try to drown it out,
“Oh please, make them stop,” She sobbed in anguish, “Please, oh please, don’t let them hurt me again..”

Andrew quickly drew her back into his arms as tears filled his eyes as  well,
“Please, help her, Father,” His mind prayed frantically as he searched for the words to comfort her, “Don’t listen to them, sweetheart. Listen to me, okay? I won’t let
them hurt you and I’m going to do everything I possibly can to make them stop for good. I promise you that, Monica. I’m not sure of how I’m going to do that yet, but I’ll find a way.”

“Every time I close my eyes, they’re there,” She wept, curling into his embrace and holding on for dear life, “And I can’t remember who they are or why they want to hurt me, but they are always there! Why can’t I remember, Andrew? Why?”

“Shhh,” He whispered, rocking her gently in his arms, as he tried to  think of what he could safely tell her. She wanted answers so badly and he didn’t want to totally deny her what she needed, “Something traumatic happened to you, Monica and its best if you remember it when you are ready to remember it. When that time comes, I
want you to know that I will be right here with you to help you. You will not go through this alone, you have my word on that.”

Tearfully, she looked up at him and managed a sad smile, “If I didn’t know any better, I’d think you were my angel,” She whispered shyly.

Andrew reached to caress her tear-stained cheek and returned her smile, “The truth is a lot closer than you think,” He replied as he pulled away from her a little,
“Why don’t you try to get some sleep now, sweetie.”

She nodded her head as she slid back up the bed and curled herself into a tight ball as she laid her head down on the pillow.

“Will you stay with me awhile?” She whispered as he pulled the blanket up over her.

Though he desperately wanted to speak with Tess, Andrew couldn’t miss the hope in Monica’s brown eyes and he smiled, “Of course I will,” He said softly as he sat down on the edge of the bed. He watched as she closed her eyes and he stroked her dark hair until she drifted off to sleep.