9 Demons Out Before Meena’s thumb could push all the way down on the button, I drew a sidearm from the holster on my belt and shot her in the right side of her head. Her thumb rested dead on the detonator, paralysed. I holstered the gun and caught the girl as she fell forward. I laid her down gently on the floor, her big, terrified eyes burning memories into mine. She only had a few seconds of life left in her. I spoke softly. “I’m sorry.” She whispered something, barely audible. I leaned in close. “Am I dying?” she asked. Before I could lie to her, she stopped breathing. Her eyes glazed over. Along with Auntie Claire, the news about Dad and then Mum leaving, this was the worst memory ever. I closed Meena’s eyelids with forefinger and thumb as the rest of the unit stood down. Natha