Free Devious by Aria Declan Page B

page loaded. “Sundowner's Syndrome?” I read. “Symptoms include: mood changes, anger, agitation but severe symptoms are hallucinations, paranoia, wandering and violence .”
    I shut the computer off, not sure why I was afraid. But, nothing made sense. Maybe I did need Mama more than anything. I began to cry, needing a friend to comfort me more than ever.
    ***
    I did not realize I fell asleep until I awoke in my bed with my pajamas on. I froze trying to see if I remembered getting dressed and going to bed. “Oh gosh! What if I did something crazy?” I cried.
    I rushed into my bathroom and I swore my heart skipped a beat. I was hideous as my once porcelain skin was pasty, clammy, and nearly transparent. My once glamorous hair was falling out as the seconds went by. I touched my hair and a huge clump fell into the sink. I then felt the top of my head and I could feel my cold scalp. I began to cry in fear and I stared at my arms that had gross age spots as if I were in the sun for too long. I tried to wipe my tears away as I looked into my once beautiful eyes, that were no longer fancy with long lashes. Now, I barely had one eyelash. “Oh my gosh!” I touched my lips that were once rosy with color, now were blue and hard. I looked dead; and the smell of my body order smelt so horrible that it made me gag. I smelled like rotten eggs, mixed with horse shit that was blended with a touch of raw tuna.
    I went into my bedroom and turned my cell phone on. It was two days later than what I remembered. I screamed and ran to the living room as I could hear a car outside my home. I opened the curtains and it was night time. I cried even louder as I saw a taxi pull up to the curb. I ran outside the home to greet Mama. “MOTHER!” I screamed so loud, that all the dogs on the block began to bark.
    Mama looked confused as I forced her to hold me. “Baby? Oh my gosh you look awful!”
    “Mama, I’m going crazy!” I screamed. “CRAZY! What is going on?”
    With fearful eyes, Mama put Lola on the grass and hurried to grab her bags out of the taxi. Lola stumbled into the home and I began to cry harder as my stomach began to ache. It felt as though I were in labor but I would not know that feeling because I had never been pregnant—but, it felt like what I imagined.
    “Is she okay?” The taxi driver stared at me as if I were the most disgusting alien that he had ever seen. “Do you need me to call 911?”
    “NO!” Mama shouted as she gathered her things and threw them on the lawn. She quickly gave the taxi driver some money and shoved him to leave.
    With her eyes still on me she ran into the home and paused in the doorway. Her nostrils flared up and then she ran into my bathroom. I felt as if I were about to pass out as I tried to run after Mama.
    Lola began to cry on the couch as I collapsed onto the hardwood floor. My head began to spin as I knew I were about to die.
    I could hear Mama running back to me, as her tiny heels tapped against the floor. She slapped me to sit up and then opened my mouth. With an infant medicine dropper she dripped with what tasted like old candy down my throat. For the next five minutes she continued to do the same thing until my pulse was normal again.
    I licked my lips and stared into Mama's beautiful hazel eyes. “Thank you,” I muttered and I knew she knew I loved her a lot.
    In disbelief, Mama lifted me and carried me into my room as if I were only twenty pounds. I wanted to ask so many questions but I did not have the energy to speak. I closed my eyes, hoping I would be alive tomorrow.
    ***
    The next morning, I could hear Mama humming so beautifully. I dragged my feet to my bathroom and I did not look so terrible anymore. My skin color was back to normal, but my hair was damaged. My hair was dull and brittle and just the wind from the window broke it off. I puckered my rosy red lips and smiled that I was somewhat pretty again.
    “Mama?” I searched the halls for Mama and she was in her