At the Malenfant house someone’s life was ending.

“Wait, are you telling me that I’m a DEMON?” Julie’s voice rose in pitch and volume until the last word was a barely intelligible shriek.

“Just half.” her mom said patiently.

“MY LIFE IS OVER!” Julie threw herself on to her bed. In her mind she could hear the entire school laughing at her.

“Don’t be melodramatic.” Julie’s mom made a face. “Besides it’s pretty difficult to kill a demon.”

“I’m not listening to you, LIAR. You said dad was in the air force.”

“Don’t take that tone with me, young lady. There’s a reason I’m telling you this tonight.”

“So you can ruin my birthday tomorrow AND THE REST OF MY LIFE?”

“You must listen to me, it’s important-”

Julie’s mom eyes widened and she gasped, pitching forward. Desperately, she tried to brace herself against the bed but her strength deserted her and ended up sliding down the matted sheet to the floor. Julie stared in horror at the blood that was soaking through the back of her mom’s favorite blouse.

“Mom?”