I hesitated before leaving the guards behind. I needed them on my side, now more than ever since I was being shot at. In a whisper, I said, "Frank is trying to kill me - I just know he is! Please don't let him hurt me," I said, allowing a bit of my fear and vulnerability to show. I needed this man on my side, and for his type, that meant showing him how badly he was needed. A little acting could go a long way toward earning his trust!

I followed Amanda. I wasn't sure how much I could trust her - she might think me crazy if I tell her the truth, or, worse, she might turn against me. "The necklace... grandmother passed it on to me. It's a symbol of my position in the family, so, naturally, Frank wants to take it away to make me look weak. Also... this may sound silly, but it's a good luck charm. I need to get it back before Frank can find it!"

I knew my lies were bordering on the unbelievable - why would I get rid of the necklace if it wasn't harming me? I needed to come up with an excuse, and quickly. I could use my paranoia to my advantage; if I believed something to be wrong with the necklace for a while, it was conceivable that I would try to ditch it!

Amanda looks at you and her eyes narrow. Amanda looks up and to the left. "I remember that necklace." She puts an index finger to her temple. "That was a family heirloom and if Frank wants it then that's all the reason more to make sure he doesn't get it. Don't worry Eva. Of course I'll help you." She shrugs, "Where is it?"

I bit my lip as I tried to determine the best way to tell Amanda what had happened. Eventually, I decided there just wasn't a good way, so I said, "Well, um, Vivian and I began to think it was haunted or something, so we kind of sold it to a pawn shop. Then it got stolen, and the owner died, and the police auctioned the necklace off to some unknown person." I cringed as I spoke. From Amanda's perspective, I was certain the pair of us sounded like complete idiots. She hadn't seen what the necklace could do to those who came to close to it...

Amanda face palms. She lowers her hand from her face and as soon as Amanda's eyes meet yours she face palms again. "Just so I have this right. You sold a necklace that's been in the family for centuries. Then the pawnshop owner dies and the item is now in a private owners hands. Now you want it back, but you don't know who has it. You also don't know where that person lives." Amanda lifts her head and looks to the left after rolling her eyes. She places her hands on her hips. "Well I don't have the money to hire a P.I. to do the leg work but I have a dress that can get most people talking. You are going to dress just as suggestive and we're going to go find out who has it and what they paid for it. Hopefully we can get a copy a visa. Because if they paid cash as most private collectors do then we're screwed. Go get dressed and meet me out front in an hour. If we hurry we can get to the police station and question the clerk. I will be the family charming. While you search for the information. Now I got to use Nathan for security and change so meet me out front."

I clenched my fists in anger at Amanda's reaction, but I held my tongue. If we actually did manage to get the necklace back, she might have the chance to see firsthand why someone would want to get rid of it. But, for the moment, I was marching toward my room, preparing to dress like a slut to interrogate police officers.

I had never been a fan of revealing clothing - after what I had been through, the last thing I wanted was the eyes of lustful men to be on me - but I did have a few dresses that would fit the bill, most of them never worn before. When I arrived in my room, I tore through my closet until I found one of them, a black dress with a low neck and opened slits at the waist, revealing my legs. Just the thought of wearing it made me blush. But I had no choice. So, hating my life, I put on the dress and chose a pair of high heeled sandals to go with it.

By the time I had done my makeup and tidied up my outfit, I only had a couple of minutes to make it to the front door. I picked up my sandals and dashed through the hallways in an undignified manner. By the time I arrived, I was probably going to be late anyway.

Amanda was at the front door. She was wearing a tiny black dress spaghetti straps with no back and a low neck line. On her feet were black open toe stilettoes and had her hair pinned up. The limo was out front and Nathan was in the regular work wear. Time was short between the drive and the hours the clerk closed. It was 20 minutes until he closed Amanda called the office on the phone and did some sweet talking for more time.

The limo pulled up and Nathan opened the door. The guard at the door held it open for the both of you with his eyes all over your unscarred legs. When you had the scars you never dared to show them. Now they looked great and people noticed. Amanda might of been the black sheep but right now she walked like a cougar from a cheesy "b" flick. She rang the bell at the front desk. Twice, then a third time before the guy showed up. He was in his late fifties with the body of someone who lived behind a desk. He stood there mouth open forgetting the human greeting. Amanda dove into the role. She leaned forward and fake cried placing her hand to wipe away tears that never formed. She made sure to rap her arm just under her chest giving it lift. "Im here about an item at auction I must get back I talked to the officer who sent me here he said you would have the papers of the items that were sold and the receipts for them. My daughter (if he even looked at your face once would have know that to be a lie but he brain was somewhere else.) Misses it so." She pulls you to her and hugs you. It was awkward. "Can you help us little ladies?" She let go of you and waited for the signal to reach his brain.

"S-sure I can. This happens all the time. You know I practically run this place. They would be lost without me during audit time. I'm pretty big here. Lets see you said it was an auction well I assume you mean the latest one from that dead pawn guy." He bends over to pull out a file from the bottom drawer. You tried hard to stay in the sad silent roll. "Here we are the pawn auction. Now what was yours?" He leans closer to Amanda his eyes focused on everything around the top hem of her dress.

"The necklace it was right? Green with a gold chain." I wore it close to my heart. Now I want to give it to my daughter." She motions with a hand by her waist for you to come to the counter.

"Yep lets see. Ah, here it is. No chain im afraid but the gem is, yup sold to a woman name of Jessica Lynn." His eyes like magnets return to your aunt.

"Great well I need that information to get it back and I would be so grateful if y-." the man started twitching like a seizure and fell to the ground revealing Nathan behind him holding a tazer. Amanda without missing a beat. "Shocker. I have that affect." she tore the page out of the book and all three of you left. Amanda drove as Nathon using a laptop back traced the credit card to this Jessica it was over a two hour drive to her condo in the inner city. Nathon got out of the limo and was back within the hour. he handed Amanda a white envelope and she handed it to you. Nathon drove back.

On the return trip home you could feel it, not just though the envelope but the sensation it now gave you made your fingers tingle like you slept on them. It was home and it knew. You felt light headed and the limo became dark.

That had been disturbingly easy.

My heart sank as I peered into the envelope and saw the dreaded necklace within. The chain could be easily replaced, of course. I bit my lip as I looked at the object. It had caused me much suffering in the past, and was bound to hurt me again. Maybe I could have a safe installed in my room and keep it hidden there... with luck, that might protect me from the negative influence of the necklace.

I was surprised how well Amanda played a slut, of course. I hadn't even needed to be dressed up; the cop we had run into had eyes for her alone. I was perfectly satisfied by that, of course. The last thing I needed was some rotund excuse for a man soiling me with his eyes. Anyhow, that little ordeal was over. Now my real troubles would begin.

I would avoid wearing the necklace as much as I could, if only for the pleasure of watching Frank continue to frantically search for it, but I would probably be forced to keep it on my person at all times until I had a secure place to store it. Otherwise, Frank was bound to search my room for it. It might be best for me to dabble in its powers one more time to get rid of Frank for good; that would likely secure the safety of the necklace as well.

I held it in my hand and willed my thoughts to reach it. Please, kill Frank, before we return home... I'll have an alibi, and he'll drown in his own blood!

Your hands felt warm as you made your request to the necklace. Threw your fingers you saw the faint glow. "May you suffer." The ride home was quiet and Amanda just watched you look at the gem in your hand. When you arrived home you see an ambulance and some cops out front. Tiffany was in hand cuffs and a body bag was being rolled out of the house on a stretcher. The story your would piece together eventually went like this.

Apparently all the phone calls and money Frank was secretly spending to track down the necklace and hire mercenaries to kill you was discovered by Tiffany. However her interpretation of the spending of said money was to get rid of her. She just walked in and started yelling at him about Frank not being able to get rid of her so easily. That he would have to pay her everything he owned and more. Frank honestly having no idea what she was talking about dismissed Tiffany and told her she had it all wrong the money was none of her business and to take a valum. She grabbed the gun he kept in his closet and shot him to death right there. When the police arrive Tiffany said she had taken some sleeping pills and was asleep. She woke to find the gun in her hand, standing over the now dead Frank.

It had happened already. Frank was dead and Tiffany arrested. A chill ran down my spine; with the necklace, all of this was way too easy. I barely managed to stop myself from giggling with insane glee. No one stood a chance against me anymore - no one except the necklace itself. If I could find some way to neutralize, or at least minimize, its negative effects, I would be the uncontested ruler of my world, untouchable by all others!

Just looking at the dismayed expression on that bimbo's face made me happy. No more stupid demands that I go shopping with her - never again! Perhaps next time I should take out the leader of my security team... the jerk who wanted to blacklist me over Christian's death. No - that was pointless, I would suffer for nothing if I did that. Just being around the necklace was making me feel insane all over again. Vivian would be horrified when she caught sight of it. I needed to stash it away somewhere safe before it could do any harm.

I excused myself and returned to my room, necklace concealed in its envelope. Once inside, I changed into a more decent outfit and scanned the area for hiding places. There was nothing... nothing secure. It seemed my only option would be to install a safe.

It was nearly eleven o'clock when all the people left and the tape over the door where Frank was shot to death hung silently. You were exhausted and changed over for bed. Having no save you slid it under your pillow and closed your eyes. "May you suffer." You opened your eyes to the sound of Franks voice. The chill ran across your skin. It would happen, but from where, how? You would not wait long.

A shot rang out and the bullet struck you in the waist. The pain was sharp and the warm blood flowed. You told yourself it wasn't real but that did little against the sharp pain. The blood was real and so was the pain. You knew no one was in the room but you were shot none the less. You tried to leave the room but you couldn't move from the bed. Your legs refused to obey your commands. Panic set in from the realization. You were going to bleed to death on this bed. The door opened and Eva walked in with Jamie each holding a gun. They looked at you with no smiles and raised their guns at you. Each one taking turns shooting you. The bullet was real and it was a sharp pain, different from a knife. They shot your hands and arms. The holes poured blood and the bed was soaked in a warm red puddle. Just to drive the point home they shot your legs, you watched as the bullet left a red hole and the blood pour out. You felt dizzy but no pain from the injuries to your legs. More panic came in a torrent as You watched pieces of you being shot away. The pain was excruciating. Screaming unable to move the two girls were soon out of bullets you didn't see her come into the room but Vivian was there with a shot gun. "May you suffer." She took aim and fired at your throat. when you flinched you opened your eyes to find yourself sanding next to Jamie with a gun in your hand. You watched the mutilated Eva with both hands over her throat. The blood squirting threw her fingers with the timing of her hear beats. some of the buck shot went into her face exposing the inside of her nasal cavity and removing her right eye.

You stood there as Jamie and Vivian looked at you then left the room closing the door behind them. Eva on the bed was dead. Shot to death. She might wake up paralyzed or her voice removed like Vivian. She might have an eye that exploded in her sleep. It was maddening not know just as it was madding that the pain was still coursing threw your body. The next thought caused more tears to stream down your face as you though, what if you wake to all of these injuries. Awake you did. Covered in bruises for every shot taken. You pulled the covers from your legs and wide eyed fear watched your feet waiting to see if they responded to your commands. They did. You were so relieved from the response you looked up only to see you were in a different room. You were in the room with the mirror over the bed and you saw your shot to death self. You screamed.

I recoiled from the mirror after seeing my reflection. Out of pure instinct, I hurled a lamp at it, causing it to shatter, glass shards scattering across the floor. I frantically looked over my body, but the only sign of harm was a multitude of angry bruises. I was walking just fine, and both my eyes seemed to work.

I snatched up the necklace, still in its envelope, and ran toward the dining room, still in my pajamas. Amanda was going to ask what had happened to me, and I didn't know what to tell her - perhaps it would have to be the truth. But that didn't matter. I didn't care if she decided I was crazy - she could think whatever she wanted! I just needed somewhere safe, somewhere distant, to store this thing. Perhaps I could put it in my bank vault?

When I arrived in the dining room, I began making my demands immediately. "I need somewhere secure and very far away where I can put this stupid necklace!" I said, my voice shaking. I indicated toward my leg, toward the bruises running down it. "This stupid thing is cursed - I told you it was! It gets fucking high off of hurting me. The only reason I wanted it back was to prevent Frank from using it to hurt me, but now he's dead, so please, help me put it somewhere no one else can reach it and it can't reach me!" When I stopped yelling, I realized tears were running down my cheeks. Amanda must think me a complete lunatic! But that didn't matter... all that mattered was getting away from this awful thing!

Amanda bit her bottom lip at the rant and when it was over she lunged at you and hugged you. Still holding you she spoke softly, and the nervousness in her was heard in her voice. "I knew your kidnapping was brutal and I see the psychological effects on you have turned into a self inflicting resentment. I want you to know that I didn't really care about you past but I care about people. Its what makes me the out cast. If it helps to focus the negativity you feel at an object instead of your self then I will help you. In your grandmothers old room there is a small wall safe. I think the combination is under a shelf in her nightstand." Vivian will be coming back now that franks lawyers are not getting paid." She lets you go and her eyes are watery but she isn't crying. "Just talk to her and try not to fixate on stuff too munch the worst is over the gate will be up and everything will be all right."

Just as I feared, Amanda totally thought I was nuts. Well, whatever. "I know you don't believe me, but I'm not wrong about this necklace," I said, "You should see the news story about the man who stole it from the pawn shop." I hated to be pitied the way Amanda was pitying me now, but there was no point in making a big deal out of it. I stormed out of the room, heading toward Grandmother's room, my heart sinking. The necklace was going to bother me while I was there... I just knew it was!

I kept the door open while I entered the room, frantically ripped the paper with the combination free from the bottom of the shelf, and dashed over to the safe. I couldn't help but wonder whether I'd find something else inside; there was only one way to find out. Within a minute, I heard the 'click' indicating that the safe was unlocked, and, breath held, pulled the door open.

Grandma's room was quiet the bed linen was removed and not replaced. The room was dusty and could of used some cleaning. A thin layer of dust could be seen on everything. The safe unlocked to reveal a stack of old letters. As you looked through them a lot of addresses you had never heard of and a few that you had.

The unknown addresses you put to the side for the time being. The addresses you did recognize were from various locations the law office that first delivered the necklace. Your fathers office address. That one had "return to sender" written on it in your fathers hand. It remained unopened and was dated, during your kidnapping. Another unopened letter was also returned to sender in your fathers hand writing. One letter was to a university in Cairo. There was a return letter from the same university.

Taking the letters that interested you. You placed the envelope with the green gem in the safe and insured it was locked you left the room. As you closed the door to the room you felt dread. The same dread a child knows when they broke something of value. Feeling slightly dizzy you needed the wall for support. Your vision became blurred and your head started to spin. As you struggled to your feet and noticed your phone was alerting you to a message.

Vivian- I'm at the hotel and will be at the airport in the morning. I should arrive at the house late tomorrow night. I heard what happened to Frank, serves him right. I'm glad you don't have that necklace. From what Amanda told me it sounded something that it could have done. But I know you can live with out that cursed thing. See you soon.

I snorted at Vivian's text. She was going to be in for quite the unpleasant surprise when she returned.

Or perhaps not. If the necklace was to stay in the vault, and if it didn't interfere with my life from there, there was no reason for her to even know it was back in the house. I was certain she would be more comfortable that way. Maybe I should speak to Amanda, convince her not to share the information. If she could just believe that Vivian was as scared of the thing as I was she might not think me to be crazy. Of course, that was a long shot - I would probably always be an unstable lunatic in her eyes from this point forward.

Hand resting against the wall the entire way, I slowly returned to my room and laid out the letters I had taken on my bed. Whatever they were, they might have nothing to do with me. However, it was also entirely possible that they did. I couldn't hide from the truth forever - I needed to know. So I sat on my bed, opened one of the letters, and began reading.

The unopened letter returned to sender.
From: Lauder, Malcome, and Shwab
To Mr. Mistly
Date: your birth date
Please don't do this. I want to be the last. I know you, you don't have the stomach to put some one through that munch for it to choose her. For the love of all that is good. Please don't do this! I will give you more money then you can spend. She is your flesh for Christ sakes. If you do this I will cut you off. I promise.

~no closing~

From: Lauder, Malcome, and Shwab
To: your father
Dated: four years before your birth 5/12/92
Mr. Mistly
You are hereby ordered to cease and desist all communication and forms there in regarding Emerson Mistly. Any further inquires regarding this matter may be forwarded here.
Regards,
The law offices of Lauder, Malcome, and Shwab

From: Lauder, Malcome, and Shwab
To: Emerson Mistly
Dated: 6/02/92
Cease and desist order delivered by private third party. Legal action to declare you competence suspended indefinite.
Regards,
The law offices of Lauder, Malcome, and Shwab

From: Lauder, Malcome, and Shwab
To: Emerson Mistly
Dated: 4/14/95
Forwarded document received by office By Mr. Mistly.
You bitch this wont do you any good. My wife is four months pregnant with a girl. We could of done this the easy way. Now you have no choice.

The letters seemed to tell a story I already knew. Father had arranged for me to be kidnapped in order to make me a tortured soul eligible to inherit the family fortune, and Grandmother had implored him to reconsider, but to no avail. The only elaboration the letters seemed to offer came in the form of a few minor details. Still, it could prove useful to have material evidence of his scheme. I would hold on to these.

I dressed myself in a dark dress with long sleeves, one that concealed all of my bruises. If I could ignore the aching that came with every movement, I would be able to function as normal; in truth, the memory of my attack was far more painful than the remnants of it.

I left my room and made my way back to the dining room. Amanda was still present, as I had hoped - we had unfinished business.

"I don't really care if you think I'm crazy," I said, "But you should not tell Vivian that my necklace is back in the house." My voice was stern; I couldn't help that. "She is just as scared of it as I am, if not more so. The last thing she needs is something else to worry about. So if you care about her well being at all, please hold your tongue regarding this matter."

With that, I sat at the table, unconcerned with whether I'd be viewed as rude, and was served. I began eating immediately. The night had been long and miserable; some sustenance was long overdue.

"If there is one thing that you should of caught onto by now its that I mind my own business as munch as I can." Amanda took a drink from the cup on the table. "This family has a ton of secretes and I'm glad I know so little about the sick crap that goes on here." She didn't look up and finished her plate. "Honestly I'm going to bed and forgetting today."

Since Amanda had agreed to hold her tongue regarding the necklace, I decided to shrug off her opinion of me and eat my food in silence. My breakfast was more than good enough to provide ample distraction until she left the room.

With Frank gone, I didn't have much to worry about, at least for the time being. There wasn't much I could do about the necklace beyond what I had done already. Of course, it was likely that Frank would be replaced by some other scumbag, but I would have to deal with that when it happened. I decided to go watch some TV while I had the living room to myself.

TV was a good filler as time passed and Amanda went out side for a swim before lunch. The shift change came and went for the guards. Other then the sores reminding you of what happened earlier the day on the couch was refreshingly boring. Your phone received another message from Vivian letting you know she was doing some light shopping to be delivered to the house and she would be on the last flight out. Getting home just before midnight. If you wanted anything while she was out then to let her know soon.

Amanda coming back in from the swim mentioned that since the lawyers were no longer needed some of your funds would be returned to you by the weeks end. She said to expect just under a million. She thanks you for the help and walks toward her room. As your eyes take a break from the TV you saw the sky was blue and a few white clouds floated silently by. The weather man said that it was going to be clear skies and in the mid eighties for the rest of the week. The house was quiet. You were alone.

Lunch had come and Amanda sat at the opposite side of you. "This is good you should think of giving him a raise. I asked him to make me a rich chocolate cake for dessert tonight." She takes a drink from her cup and clears her throat. "I guess I'm just saying this for my own sake. Eva, you need some fresh air and to meet people who don't know you. This family is screwed up and you shouldn't let that be your only contact with the human race. This will always be yours and I know I'm just a guest and speaking of now that Franks gone I think its time I should be leaving. Vivian will be here and Nathan has my number should you need someone. I just have my own life and place to live. After all that's happened since I've been here I don't think you hate me, but I do think you need your own space and to become the woman that's the real you. I don't think that's going to happen with me shadowing you. I'm packing my stuff and already booked a flight. I hope you can understand this and not think too bad of me when I'm gone. My flight is at ten tomorrow."