He called the agency of nurses. They hesitated, then revealed that Amélie had used false papers. His number no longer worked. David contacted a private investigator who specializes in tracing people. Two days later, the investigator, a man named Laurent, returned with disturbing news.
Amélie’s real name was Amélie Judith Moreau. She had a criminal record. Three different families had reported her for aggressive behaviour towards children.
“She’s been doing this for years,” said Laurent gloomily. She changes cities, uses false documents, targets single parents.
The police were immediately alerted. Amélie worked for another family in a neighboring town. It was arrested in forty-eight hours.
The next night, Ethan refused to sleep in his room. David moved his bed to his own room. For the first time in weeks, Ethan slept peacefully. But at 3:07 a.m., David woke up. Ethan was no longer in his bed. He was in the hallway, his face against the wall.
— Ethan !
David ran to him. The child turned round, his lips trembling.
“She has returned,” he murmured.
David held him close.
“No, you’re safe with Dad. She will not return. The police took her away.
The next day, David made a decision. He completely transformed the room. New bright yellow paint, new furniture, new layout. The dreaded corner became the location of Ethan’s toy box, covered in dinosaur stickers and rockets.
Dr. Mitchell organized play therapy sessions. Little by little, Ethan changed. He laughed more. He was playing. He stopped going to the corners.
Three weeks after the arrest, David entered the living room and saw his son laughing as he built a tower of blocks. This time, Ethan was smiling. David’s eyes filled with tears of relief.
A few months later, the prosecutor announced that Amélie was charged with multiple counts of abuse. She would go to jail. David did not feel victorious. Only grateful that her son is safe.
On Ethan’s second birthday, David knelt beside him.
“You are the bravest child I know…” and you’re safe now.
Ethan laughed and ran to play. But sometimes, late at night, David still wakes up to check that everything is okay. Not because he fears spirits, but because he now knows that the real monsters are human… and that a father’s duty is to keep them at a distance.
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