Rise of a She-Devil

***"How is everything I've heard... real?"***
This piece of *Evie and Mya* literature is outdated and is scheduled to be rewritten or tweaked in the future. Please note that some events currently depicted will be heavily altered or removed when said content is updated. Read at your own risk of discombobulating the series canon in your head!
And spare yourself from Av's old writing, please.

## Rise of a She-Devil

### Director

Potato Flakin

***Rise of a She-Devil*** is a movie in *The Adventures of Evie and Mya* franchise, serving as a prequel to the events of Season 2. It was originally written as a special episode.

## Synopsis

Throughout her life, thirteen-year old Amira Fleckenshire has been neglected by her family, treated no better than an object. She longs to be loved, and when an unexpected event gives her a chance, she takes it head-on. However, she doesn't realize that her new guardian has other plans, and soon, she finds herself being unable to leave a monster.

## Content Warning

*This episode contains excessive violence, extensive emotional/physical abuse directed toward a child, homophobia, racism, and other scenes which viewers might find distressing. Viewer discretion is heavily advised.*

## Transcript

*The episode begins at a small, one-story house. Its address is 1467 Burlsberry Lane. Inside, surrounded by dull walls and furniture, sat a young teenage girl on the sofa. She was thirteen years old, and her name was Amira Fleckenshire. She leaned up against the dull green pillows, wearing her favorite gray-and-yellow "trenchjacket."*

Amira looked toward the television, which was off. Inside her striking brown eyes was a somber mind. Her parents, in the kitchen near her, had always ignored her since she was young. They still provided for her, of course - but had hardly shown her affection, love, or anything to make her feel special. Amira felt unwanted and lonely, fueled by the fact she was homeschooled and had little to no friends, other than the two she met in December.

The first one was Evie, a smart, bold, and strong-willed teenage girl. The second was Mya, a girl with long and fluffy light brown hair who was very sweet and had a flair for the comedic. However, the two were her only friends outside of her imagination. In some ways, she was similar to them. Sighing, she thought about how unique she was, as she was not only biracial, but also a lesbian.

Amira had always known since she was young that she was a lesbian. Boys were disgusting and came from the uncanny valley, and to her, girls were more attractive, relatable, and passionate, traits she all liked. She'd came out to her parents, who simply shrugged and accepted her in the second grade.

A year prior, she had gotten her defining purple streak in her somewhat spikey, yet smooth hair. It was to the side. Purple was her favorite color, and it helped to make her complete for a while.

But Amira always felt an empty hole in her heart. She wished she knew how to love an adult. Not even her grandmother, Dahlia, cared about her that much. She was only in her sixties, but she seemed to care about anything other than her granddaughter.

Amira was only just... There. She was an object her parents would hardly talk to. She was just another stain on the wall, another vase sitting on a shelf, another book resting against that of her favorite novel, *Coraline*.

She got up, yawning out of boredom, and grabbed it. The book and the movie adaptation were very precious to her, and she'd often watch and read once a month. She was intrigued by an outcast girl like Coraline Jones, who she related to the most. Her adventures in a seemingly convincing world lured Amira away to her imagination. It brightened its dim space a little.

Just as she flipped open the first page of her book, her parents walked toward the sofa.

"Hey Amira," her mother dully called. "We're going on a business trip and won't be back for a few months. Your grandmother is coming with us."

Shocked, Amira dropped her book on the sofa, and got up. "What? Why didn't you tell me until just now?"

Her father looked at the dusty ground, never looking his own daughter in her eyes. "We wanted to surprise you. You know. Like every good parent would."

Emotions surged through her like a fluttering bird. She stepped toward her parents. "*You could have told me a bit earlier than now*! Who's going to look after me? You know dang well I can't live on my own yet!"

Her fiery temper didn't bother her parents. They looked at the wall, avoiding eye contact. Then her mother spoke.

"Clearly kicking you out last time didn't settle your temper, nor did it help you. But don't worry, someone's coming to care for you. You haven't met your Aunt Shetani, and I know for *certain* she's always wanted to see you."

Amira perked up, lights flickering in her eyes. She hadn't met her aunt, who lived outside of Pineshadow. She'd *finally* have a chance to have someone to love! Someone who would care for her and make her laugh, and someone she could relate to other than her two friends and a book character.

"When is she coming?" She asked, more expressively.

Her father looked blankly at the door. "The next day. Dinner's already made for you tonight. And... We better get going. See you in the future, dear daughter." Without even hugging or kissing her goodbye, her parents walked out the front door, driving away into the sunset.

Amira sighed. Her parents really didn't know how to treat her well other than being boring, uninspiring, and being less than ideal role models. They were just neglectful and left her to do her own thing.

She didn't even have a pet to talk to. Her mother was allergic to fur and feathers. Her father hated reptiles. She quietly trudged to the fridge, finding microwavable food.

*Pathetic. Should've guessed.* After eating the lukewarm contents, Amira headed into her dull bedroom to sleep, her favorite novel by her side.

Shetani was her new chance to learn how to love now.

The next morning, Amira sat up eagerly in bed, grabbing her book and heading out of her room, shutting the door which had a single purple heart on it.

She quickly poured some cereal into a bowl, then took a seat on her couch, flipping it to the news channel. She didn't really care for anything on the TV, but it would do. Besides, having background noise was slightly soothing compared to complete quiet.

Beginning to relax, she sat down, eagerly awaiting her aunt.

An hour passed by. She heard a car pull up, and peering out the window, saw a bright red vehicle right by her mailbox.

"Eeeee!" She squealed. A tall, thin-bodied woman emerged. She had very long, bright red hair, and was wearing a buttoned white dress. She was holding two briefcases in her hand.

*Aunt Shetani!* Amira dashed to her room, sliding her "trenchjacket" on and moving to the door. The bell rang.

Breathing in anticipation, she opened it, looking her aunt in her dark blue eyes.

"Hi, Auntie Shetani!" She ran into the surprised figure, hugging her tightly. She didn't hear Shetani groan or see her roll her eyes in irritation.

"Let go of me, overeager child," she said flatly. Amira was puzzled by her tone, and Shetani, shaking her head briefly, then said, "I mean, how nice to see you, dear niece!"

She watched as her aunt moved her briefcases to her guest room. Then she returned, looking her niece in the eye and speaking. "Do me a favor and get me something to eat," she demanded. "Your auntie is... Tired from driving here. It would be *delightful* if you would help me out."

*She's in a mood,* Amira thought as she went to the pantry, grabbing a box of granola bars and handing them to Shetani. "Very good, child," she praised. Shetani then changed the channel to the crime channel. "Ah, enjoy this dark kind of stuff. Always fascinating..."

Amira shuddered, taking a few steps back nervously. Crime channels did not sit well with her. Her aunt was very interesting, to say the least. She went up to her room to read *Coraline*, thinking of things she and Shetani could do together once she came around.

Hours passed by, then she heard something. Amira pressed her ear to the wall, and she almost thought she heard a... Whip cracking?

"Mmm. Perfect," a muffled voice talked to itself. She gasped. That was Shetani - but what was she doing with a whip?

Assuming that she was in the basement, she headed down there, and her aunt whirled around to face her. "What are you doing, Auntie?" She inquired curiously.

"None of your business!" Shetani snapped. Taken aback by her remark, Amira jumped backwards, and Shetani spoke more softly. "Just checking out stuff in here. Go do something productive, go on, shoo!"

*Wow. Must be really irritated.* She ran toward the sofa and collapsed back on it, closing her eyes peacefully. She thought about asking her aunt to take her to Pinelake Park so she could hopefully catch Evie and Mya sometime soon.

She woke up to find it was evening - and Shetani was staring her in her eyes.

"**GET UP**!" She bellowed. Amira yelped and rolled off the sofa, hitting the floor with a thud. She rubbed her eyes. "What was that for?"

"Why, I needed to wake you up, we have important matters to deal with."

"What are those?"

Lifting her upward, Shetani stared at Amira with determination and a slightly cocky look on her face. "Dear niece, I need you to promise me something. Alright?"

Amira nodded, smiling. Her aunt seemed to finally be less annoyed, and she sat back on the sofa. "Sure. What is it?"

"I need you to promise me that you'll always help me with what I want, and never leave my side even when times get *rough*. A family must stick together after all - and you definitely *need* me. Do you promise to uphold this for as long as I'm here?"

"I do."

Shetani gave a very crooked smile, appearing pleased. Something was on her mind, and Amira wasn't sure what it was, but she figured it was positive. "That's a good girl. Now, I need you to polish the floors and dust everything. Your parents didn't do a good job of it, but you can do better. Now off you go!"

"Yes, Auntie," Amira stated, nodding.

"Remember your promise. *Remember it*," Shetani replied quickly, and Amira noticed an odd lack of happiness in her voice, which puzzled her.

She really hoped Shetani was just having an off day and was just tired - but she didn't realize her own life was about to become a nightmare then.

The next morning, Amira groggily opened her eyes, and much to her surprise, found Shetani in her doorway, wielding a set of rusty chains. This baffled her greatly, but nonetheless, she approached. "So, whatcha doing with those?"

"Something *important*, young lady. Now, come with me to the kitchen. We need to *establish* something of great value."

*What?* Amira followed her aunt to the kitchen, expecting to eat something nice and warm. But instead, she faced her with no emotion in her eyes, other than a partially scary glare. Shetani smiled crookedly again, causing butterflies to fly around in Amira's stomach. This was a strange way to act.

"Sit down," Shetani gruffly ordered her niece, flicking the chains near her waist, her bright red nails scraping the metal slightly.

"But Aunt Shetani, there's no chair here... I don't really want to sit on the floor. That's quite weird-"

"I said *sit down*! Follow my command, *dog*."

Amira's eyes shrunk in shock and disgust. She was just called a dog. She hoped Shetani was only playing some kind of bizarre prank on her, because this didn't seem normal and like what her mother had promised. Still, she obeyed her aunt's command.

"Yes, Auntie." She sat down on the cold floor, gazing up at the imposing adult before her.

"As I remember, you promised me yesterday that you would help me and never leave me no matter what. Today, that promise takes flight, the flight which I have always *dreamed* about!"

"W-What are you trying to say?" Amira questioned, terror now in her voice. She wasn't liking this at all.

"I'm your *guardian*. I decide what you do and what you don't do. And your job is to listen to every little word I cram into those little, *innocent biracial ears* of yours."

"Hey! That's not what you made me promise you!" Amira retorted. "I'm proud to be a biracial person, so if you meant it as a joke, don't say what you just told me *again*. That aside, I'm a teenager. I won't agree with you all the-"

"**SILENCE**!" Shetani bellowed, striking her across the cheek hard. Amira felt her eyes well with tears, but held it in. She was strong, and was going to fight her way out of this. But Shetani only went on from there. "From now on, you do *exactly* as I say. I *own* you, every last inch of you that is before me right now. Your only purpose in life is to work under me, your *master*, with flawless obedience. Disobey me, or tell this fine little secret, and the consequences shall be dire. Do you get that, *slave*?"

Amira was *livid*. Her aunt had gone way too far with what she said. If this was a joke, she wasn't tolerating it one bit. "**SLAVE**? I'm not your slave! Cut this disturbing roleplay out! You can't break my pride and spirit, whatever you're trying to say. You don't own me. This isn't the 1800s, where my Puerto Rican ancestors were controlled with emotional and physical violence. *Grow up*!"

That was a huge mistake, as Shetani punched her on the nose in retaliation, angered by her rebellious nature. Amira hit the table, and she rubbed her head, dazed. Seconds later, she was picked up with one hand and raised into the air slightly. With a devious, evil scowl on her face, Shetani scolded her.

"Don't you ever try that again, you slimy unwhite piece of soap scum. Because if you will, you're not escaping without a bruise on your unpleasant brown skin."

Amira gasped in sheer horror, then began to tremble. Shetani was being openly racist toward her because of her being biracial, a mix of her parents' skin colors and having Puerto Rican descent. She began to fear trying to stand up again - what would be the outcome? Injury? She only squeaked.

Shetani cackled. "Ah, pleasure. It seems you're finally beginning to understand what I want out of you in that promise you made. Now, get going and start cleaning and cooking. You have *work* to do, slave."

Amira shook as she got up, walking backwards toward the front door, with Shetani following.

"Aunt Shetani... I don't mean to be a bother, but-"

"Now, dear slave. Do you know how I would feel if you were never in my life? All the unhappiness and sadness without company? No pleasure, no fun? You wouldn't want to *disappoint* me, would you?"

"No, I'd *never* want to disappoint you! But I just think this is wrong. This is *now*, not *then*. Can't we work something out without having to have a slaveholder relationship?"

Shetani growled slightly, and Amira pressed herself against the door as her aunt placed her pale white hands onto her shoulders. "This is how *we* do it, *slave*. You *will* do as I say. You wouldn't want to disappoint me. Oh! You haven't even thought of the potential *consequences* of being unfaithful, have you?"

Amira yelped as Shetani dangled the rusty chains in her hands again. She was unsure *what* they were for, but she knew it was only for malice.

"Yes! I'm aware, I'm aware, I swear! But how do I know that this is right?"

"If you do everything I say... You might be *rewarded*. You might go out, and I get you stuff. After all, slave, hard work results in a better future. In addition to my promise... Do you want a happy life?"

"Yeah, I do. I love you, Aunt Shetani. I'll remain faithful." Shetani seemed to be right. Maybe this was going to be worth it. This work might make her stronger. This began to make sense to Amira, easing her confusion.

"That's a good girl. Now, don't you call me Auntie. I'm your *master*. Off you go." Shetani wrapped her hands around Amira's neck somewhat tightly, feeling something missing, but she chose to deal with it later. Amira squirmed as she was kissed forcibly on her forehead. Amira didn't want the kiss, but took it as one of Shetani's odd ways of giving her "affection."

Amira ran back into her room and shut the door. Her entire life was no longer free - it was going to be controlled at every move. She was a slave to her own aunt now, forbidden from doing anything she wanted to do. Sighing, she prepared to deal with whatever was thrown at her. If she could survive the heartless Daniela, she could surely survive Shetani.

Amira got up early again the next day, and headed out of her room. She found her aunt in the hallway, staring at her with unwelcoming dark blue eyes.

"Up early, I see? That's great. Don't you loiter now. I need food, and I need it *pronto*. Don't **disappoint** me, young lady."

Amira fearfully bolted to the kitchen. *At least I can somewhat cook?* She decided to make an omelet for Shetani. After a while, it was done and lightly seasoned with pepper, and on the side was buttered toast. She carefully placed the plate in front of Shetani on the coffee table.

"Hmm... Good enough. Here's your reward for giving me pleasure, *slave*!" She chucked a granola bar at Amira's face, making her fall back onto a chair. Rubbing her eye, she ripped open the bag and ate it.

"See? You're getting it. Keep it up, and maybe you'll get what you someday wish to *seek*."

Amira sighed in relief. She had to be careful and avoid messing up - one wrong move, and things could go horribly awry for her.

While she was washing the dishes under the inspection of her controlling aunt, the pressure got to her. A glass plate she was holding slipped out of her hand and hit the ground, shattering into pieces. Shrieking, she carefully gathered each piece up.

"Sorry, master! I'll clean it up, I promise-"

Shetani then stomped on her foot, causing her to screech in pain. Amira was then picked up by the collar of her gray sweater, and she began to sweat.

"I'll clean up, I swear! I... I..." She was faltering. The pressure was suffocating her.

"Oh, dear slave. You do realize that if there is one thing I despise, it's *weakness*! My watchful eye apparently makes you crumble... Never fear, alas. I have something that will *help* you in case this ever happens again!" She yelled. Amira's ears throbbed from the noise.

Her brown eyes were full of troubled feelings. She willingly followed her aunt into the living room, where a box lay on the coffee table. Using her fingernail, Shetani ripped it open, wrapping her arm around her niece's eyes so she wouldn't spoil herself.

She squirmed around in the strong grasp she was being held in. "Hey! Let me see for myself!"

Shetani jabbed her on the neck with her other elbow, causing her to stop, but remain shaking in fear.

Amira felt something leather slide around her neck, then heard two straps coming together. Shetani took her arm off her eyes. "Look down, *peasant*. Your master has given you a little present from the *pet store*."

Glancing down, she saw that a leather dog collar was now fastened around her neck. She gasped. It had a jingling tag that had her name imprinted on it.

"Now. What do you say to your master for giving you such a marvelous gift? To help you remember your position in this household?"

Amira felt tears welling up, but didn't cry, not wanting to show further weakness. She thanked Shetani, saying "I love it. Thanks, master." This was humiliation and degradation. If her aunt being racist to her because she was from a biracial family wasn't already horrible, her life was becoming a mess.

*What did I ever do to earn this treatment?*

Despite this, Shetani was right. Hard work would result in a happy life and a good outcome for her. Even if this felt wrong to Amira, it also felt right. Besides, she loved her aunt and didn't want to break her fateful promise. She had no desire to break free, instead feeling unwavering loyalty.

Satisfied, Shetani placed her hand on her shoulder. "You've remembered your place. Get back to work cleaning up those pieces and polishing all the dishes. If you show weakness, you're going to your *dungeon*!" Shetani snapped, heading out of the house, her heels smacking the ground loudly. Amira panicked and immediately started picking up the broken pieces of glass on the ground again.

*This has to be right.*

A week passed since Amira received her collar. Her life was now controlled at every corner, and she worked to death to give Shetani the pleasure she wanted. She had done enough to avoid going to the "dungeon" Shetani created somewhere in the house. However, she was still partially punished if she tried speaking out or if she didn't work at a consistent pace.

After polishing her aunt's boots for nearly an hour, Amira collapsed onto her bed, panting heavily. She felt unusually hot, and her stomach was tinging with anxiety.

She glanced out at her window. There was nothing but another boring, unoccupied house nearby, and she felt lonely despite having someone in her life. Suddenly, the truth dawned on her then, and it hit her like a bird hit a window.

Shetani never really wanted to love her in the first place. In fact, her parents had blatantly lied to her. Her only purpose in life was to act as a slave working to fill her aunt's wants and needs out of her, and she was to never break free, or she'd face terrible consequences.

She hit the floor, quietly sobbing now. She just felt even more unloved, even if Shetani was showing her own "affection" toward her. And yet, she loved Shetani despite what was happening to her. She didn't know what was right and what was wrong.

"Why can't anyone ever love me...? Is that too hard to ask for? Am I just a burden in this world?" Amira buried her face in her knees, then glanced up at the ceiling in her room. "I can't tell this secret to my friends, or I'll just be punished for being unfaithful."

Believing that Shetani was still outside, Amira walked around in the hallway. "If only I was allowed to be who I wanted to be. A proud biracial lesbian-"

"**WHAT DID YOU SAY**?" Hearing that booming voice made Amira place her hands over her mouth in fear. Turning around, she found Shetani angrily glaring at her, eyes narrowed and glittering with revulsion.

"I'm so sorry! I'll do whatever you want me to do as a punishment, and I'll please you!"

"No need, you little gay *brat*! You're a lesbian, and oh boy, do I have an *issue* with *that*..." Her aunt snarled aggressively.

Without warning, she picked Amira up by her "trenchjacket," and threw her into the wooden floor. She winced in pain, feeling her head throb. The heel of Shetani's boot dug into her throat like a needle, and she flailed around for a desperate escape.

She didn't get it.

Shetani yanked her upward by the collar, and Amira felt her face darkening. The air was being sucked out of her. Shetani dragged her around the house, not caring if she hit something.

"We're going the place I've been *waiting* to take you, slave. Your *dungeon*," Shetani suddenly told her. Amira felt her heart wither and die.

She then screamed as she was thrown into the stone floor of the basement, sliding forward. She got up, but almost immediately fell down in sheer horror.

The walls were lined with all kinds of weapons someone would find in their worst nightmares. There were chains, whips, nunchucks, knives, and so much more.

Seeing one final chance to get out of her situation, Amira apologetically whimpered, "Please... I can appease you! I can try doing something else for you! Just tell me what you want and I'll do it!"

"***NEVER***!" Shetani laughed. "If erasing your sexuality was a thing, I'd have you do it. But at least I can remind you that it *hurts* to be who you are!"

A wave of trepidation hit Amira when she saw that Shetani was holding a whip in her hand. She crawled against the corner of the wall.

There was nowhere left to run. She shut her eyes, letting tears fall down from her light brown face.

She heard the whip crack, and at once, she felt pain. A terrible, terrible sense of pain that repeated itself for over a minute.

By the time Shetani was done, her left cheek had a giant, swelling welt that hurt to the touch.

Her worst fear had just come true - not only was her aunt racist, she was also homophobic.

Shetani then threw her out into the hallway with one arm. "Contemplate my views in your room, *slave*. I don't need you for any more work today. But let me remind you of your promise - you shall be by my side with *unwavering loyalty*."

Broken and miserable, Amira trudged back to her bedroom, laying down on her bed and sobbing uncontrollably. She was being toyed with emotionally and physically, and if she didn't please Shetani, her situation would only just get worse.

She'd even let herself believe that Shetani's actions were the way to go. She still thought this was right. Her wicked aunt always brought up her promise, to remind her that she was to follow every command and to be faithful, to remind her that she was a slave meant to fulfill some sadistic pleasure.

*If I got myself into this, I need to remain loyal and love Shetani. That way, I'll get out. No turning back then, and no turning back now.*

The next day, Amira got an idea.

Maybe, just maybe, she could turn her aunt around somehow, and get her to look in a mirror. And to do that, she would need to work extra hard to fulfill her desires, give her the pleasure she wanted out of her. She put on her collar and immediately got to work.

Shetani was stunned to see that she was nearly done cleaning the dishes after an hour. "Are you satisfied?" She responded, bowing down to her aunt in a gesture of faithfulness.

"Good work, *slave*. Now wash that last dish **with your FACE**!" Without warning, Shetani shoved Amira's face into the sink water, and she began to struggle. Her idea backfired on her as she worried that she was going to drown.

Finally, Amira felt herself being yanked out, and she coughed up tainted water from her mouth. She dropped to the floor, wheezing, water pouring from her nose and ears. Her hair was sodden, but her streak remained unharmed by the water.

"Don't be all so smart, slave. Fast work is not the way to do it. You do it when I *say so*. And speaking of that. **GO CLEAN UP MY ROOM**!" She barked. Amira yelped and ran to the room, grabbing a featherduster and starting on the spot. Dark blue eyes were boring into her soul - if she messed up here, she would be tortured.

She hid the back of her head with the hood of her "trenchjacket" as she dusted. Shame coursed through her. *I have to stop failing her even if I die trying. That's how I'll escape this hell. She's weird, but maybe weird is alright.*

Nearby, Shetani started talking smugly, another cocky expression on her face.

"I may not have entirely approved of your actions there, dear slave. But I understood you had *good* intentions to please me. I could see my face in those dishes. An okay job."

"Thanks, master," Amira replied blankly. "I won't ever forget your promise."

"*Never* forget," Shetani growled. "Now to get rid of that giant mirror... What was Mikayla thinking with that thing? Does it look like I need to stare at my own reflection? Pathetic..." Shetani continued muttering as she headed away from her room.

Amira felt unnerved as she cleaned and dusted and polished. Her priority was making her aunt happy. Inside, her heart was shattered to pieces, held down by the devil she had unknowingly sold her soul to.

No one would ever love her, and no one would ever care. She was broken completely, emotionally, and physically, yet hid this inside her. The trauma was too dangerous to let out. If she spoke her mind, she would tumble into a pit of inescapable despair.

Shetani soon returned.

"Since you've shown good loyalty after your beatings and whippings... I'll let you go for today. And maybe even take you to the park. What do you say to that, little piece of not-white trash?"

"Yes, master..." Amira reluctantly agreed. She ran to her room, shut the door, and sobbed into her blanket, letting her pent-up emotions out. She couldn't take all this manipulation and control anymore.

Every week, she would gain a new bruise, scar, or some form of injury at the hands of Shetani, who enjoyed every cruel act of torture inflicted on her.

*I might be better off dead than alive.*

Would Amira truly be happier dead? It would mean getting away from all the pain. But something inside of her told her not to. Inside, a picture was developing. A sweet voice echoed in her thoughts, a voice of someone innocent, yet asking for help.

*Call the doctor, call the doctor. Must be something wrong with me...*

Amira related to that voice. She began to write something down on some paper.

*Call the doctor, call the doctor*

*Must be something wrong with me (oh-h)*

*She's a monster, why do I want ya?*

*Please tell me, please tell me*

*Woah!* Amira was appalled by her lyrics, which looked smooth and surprisingly meaningful on her paper. She sadly thought about losing *Coraline*, which her aunt deemed a "waste of space in this household" and threw out. But songwriting acted as a second joy to her, a secret joy only she could have.

*I'll think more on the lyrics later. Tired,* she thought.

Days began passing by. She was occasionally clumsy, and got beaten, starved, and whipped. Amira felt herself becoming very tired and weak, and she was constantly punished harder and more brutally.

All the while, Shetani had taunted her with remarks, lies, and controlling promises that she'd be let go eventually. It worked, and she always believed every one, wanting to be faithful.

She could never leave the monster in her space. Her love of her, moreover her desire to turn her around, was draining day by day. There seemed to be no hope.

Just after getting beaten on the cheek, Amira shut the door to her room. She grabbed a pen and began writing on pages she ripped out from a diary.

For those that are reading, I live a life of shame and abuse.

I'm barely ever allowed to play in my yard. I'm watched closely by my aunt.

My aunt has never loved me. My parents and grandmother hardly care about me. I feel like a Coraline Jones.

I'm whipped, I'm starved, I'm not allowed to have a glass of water. I work constantly. I never get a break. I'm beaten, I'm bruised. I'm broken.

I see no light in my future. I'm just a hollow-shelled girl turning 14 in June that has nothing left for her.

There is no hope.

I am a dog. I am a slave. Defined by the collar I don't want to save.

I only see it through with writing something personal to me.

I should just end my life at this point. But what I wrote keeps me going... For now...

Amira compiled her song lyrics together. She wrote a dire note on the back of the final lyric paper, then hid it all under her bed. She laid down on her blanket, tears falling from her face. She shivered, even in her gray sweater.

*I wish someone could know the truth so they'd help me.*

She could see only the tiniest speck of light in her future now. And she could never admit the truth to anyone, not even her two friends. She couldn't even call her parents or grandmother.

Amira sat on the edge of her bed, feeling depressed and hopeless from all the abuse.

*What's love to me if I've never even felt it?*

## Cast

* **Zoe Saldaña** as Amira
* **Margaret Cho** as Mikayla
* **Don Cheadle** as Braxton
* **Grey DeLisle** as Shetani

## Songs

* Dev - *Monster* (snippet/rewritten by Amira)

## Trivia

* The movie takes place shortly after Amira met Evie and Mya.
* Amira's yellow-and-gray jacket is nicknamed a "trenchjacket." Its color scheme, in addition to its name, are a reference to the Twenty Øne Piløts studio album *Trench*.
* This episode reveals that:
	+ Amira is of Puerto Rican descent through her father and her ancestors were enslaved in Puerto Rico long before she was born. She is also a huge *Coraline* fan, owning the book and movie.
	+ Shetani enjoys crime shows and doesn't like looking at her own reflection. She is also blatantly racist to Amira.
* When Amira is describing her broken heart, she references two Halsey songs, *Hold Me Down* and *Devil in Me*.
* A brief snippet of the first lyric to *Monster* can be heard when Amira thinks of the voice in her head.
* *Rise of a She-Devil* will be rewritten at a later date.