[IC] The dark heart +18 mature/viloence/language

[Markofkri]

The Grand father clock in the hall stuck half past eleven with a single strike. No change in your reflection as you stared at her she stared at you. The green gem in the necklace catching the suns rays from the window. You continued to watch for any change in your reflection. Your reflection slowly walked back from you and headed to the door. She opened it and started walking to the left.

You looked at your own door. Still closed just as you left it. You bit your lower lip and walked to the door. Opening the door you walked left. you kept walking until you passed a mirror where your reflection waited and then went further down the hall. This was the hint you followed then waited for the next mirror until you heard the creek of a door down the hall on your right. You saw the light from outside shining on the floor. It was one of the rooms you intentionally avoided because someone died in . It was grandmothers old room. "Can I help you madam?"

You nearly jumped out of your skin. Turning around and giving the help your reflexive dropped dead look, "No, thank you." You walked into the room and shut the door behind you. There was a large portrait of grandmother over the fireplace, but this was taken in her early 30's. Even here she looked sad. Around grandmothers neck was the necklace bright green on a white lace summer coat. To the right of the fire place was a 10ft by 2ft mirror. You scanned the room form the mirror to try and find where your reflection was this time. Instead you saw a woman come through the bedroom door dressed in black and close it behind her. She walked with regal grace as the woman approached you in the mirror there was no mistake. This was the same woman who was in the portrait above the fireplace. Elizabeth wore different clothing but her face was the same age as the portrait. Grandmother walked up to the edge of the mirror and then stepped through it. Your skin shivered. "The necklace gives me the chance to talk to you like this. My child, I am so sorry this has fallen onto your shoulders. I know you have many questions as did I. Please ask your questions my child."

[Airalin]

As Grandmother entered the room I felt my heart drop. This could not be real. I swiftly sat on the bed to prevent myself from growing dizzy. The ghost - or whatever it was - patiently waited for me to collect myself. I had put my trust in the strange phenomena that had been happening around me up until now, so I might as well continue to do so. Besides, Grandmother was right. I did have questions.

Not sure where to begin, I suddenly blurted out, "I am going crazy?" It was a rather rude question, of course, but I felt certain Grandmother would understand. "Sorry," I said, but I was unable to restrain myself. The questions flowed freely, in rapid succession, leaving no time for a response between them, "Why is it so bad that I inherited the necklace? What are my guards planning to do to me? How can I keep myself safe? You were fine for the longest time! Why... why do such awful things keep happening to me?" To my surprise, tears were rolling down my cheeks. My face reddened in shame; I was behaving like a pathetic little girl, yet I could not help myself. In fact, I was certain there were questions I had forgotten to ask.

I brushed away my tears, making no effort to stifle the ones that followed in their wake, then folded my hands on my lap, attempting to look as composed as I could. I was certain Grandmother would not fall for my masquerade, but I hadn't the faintest clue how to conduct myself around her. The two of us had not spoken at length since I was just a child!

[Markofkri]

Elizabeth did not change her facial expression of stone. "Yes you are going crazy. It is what the necklace does. The necklace can not be thought of as evil although many a time I had thought it was. The heirloom you inherited seeks out people who have suffered greatly. Once it had only sought out natural suffering. Now thanks in part to the family we crate our own kink of sorrow in order to lure the power to favor our family. I, munch like you, have suffered at the hands of others. This way the necklace doesn't try to leave our family. The necklace responds to this suffering and encourages the user to undergo more. I had it translated, the inscription on the back. It read, "May you suffer." This necklace was unearthed in Egypt worn around a king after he had died. Obviously not loved by his people. The necklace does the same to the wearer. The money our family lusts after so is part of the pain we are forced to endure. We are too greedy to get rid of this dark gift, yet it causes us to not really live like normal people do. The longer you wear the necklace the more chances it has to hurt you. It will drive you insane if it can. I can see the heirloom already growing in strength around you. It can keep you youthful at the cost of others. The scars that its healing are proof of what I say. Here you can seek me out." She points to the mirror. "In the mirror the necklace holds true power." There was a knock at the door. As you turned you head in the direction of the knock Elizabeth fades from your sight.

"NOT NOW." You turn your head back but its too late. She is gone.

[Airalin]

Grandmother had left without telling me a thing about who was after me and how I could get out of this mess!

But the information she had shared had been quite interesting. The necklace would bring me pain... but also youth. I could help but consider the trade. After all, I did not want to grow old. Why not see how bad the necklace could really be? After all, I could always take if off later.

But maybe that was just my insanity talking.

Regardless, I needed to find some way to escape from my guards, and the only idea I had was to go somewhere they would not be allowed to stalk me. That meant it was time for a little trip.

I returned to my room to grab my purse, which contained my credit card and a healthy dose of cash. I would certainly need it. Unfortunately, I could not change into anything more suitable for travel now; the guards would certainly notice my attire and would grow suspicious. I would have to buy something new later.

After finding my way back to the front door, I exited the house, glancing at the nearest guard. "I want to go out, to the nearest mall," I said, not allowing my eyes to linger on my keepers. Since I was in quite an affluent area, the mall would be a respectable establishment. I would probably be safe in and around it. The question was where I would go once I had lost my guards...

[Markofkri]

The guard relayed the info to the lead. "Standby. ...The closets mall is over an hour drive, we would have to stop and refuel. Requesting your presence at the pool house."

You arrive at the pool house where the door is opened by the team leader. "Sorry to call you over. I cant justify a 2 hour drive to go shopping. You could get whatever you need online. The security net for the house is still offline and as your mother should have told you I lost 2 guys in the move so now we are down to a six man team. Two men in the day including me and four at night. As we are out here in the middle of nowhere I've had to pick up the slack and I cant do interviews at my clients residence. I need a week to set it all up. Six more days and we can transport you in safety."

[Airalin]

I scowled at the team leader. I needed to play this well; otherwise, he would become suspicious of me. I was a spoiled rich girl. That's how I would act!

"The security net for the house if offline? What does that even mean?" I demanded, hands on my hips. "I want to go shopping today... shopping online is so boring!"

Could i really be so lucky that my guards wouldn't notice if I left? I didn't know where to go, though... I'd never get far enough away from the house to lose my guards on foot. My hand absently touched the gem on my necklace as I considered my options. It would bring suffering, huh? I wondered... could I use that to my advantage? If there were only two guards on duty, perhaps I could do something they would never expect from a pampered girl like me!

[Markofkri]

"I'm still running the security. My job contract doesn't include taking risks for your pleasures." He stands up and leans over his work desk. "Look I'm not trying to be the bad guy here. If we could transport you safely then we would go. Please don't leave the house grounds." He sits back down and continues with modifying a infrared camera to a wall anchor. "Now I've got a lot of cable to run and stuff to install." Just then a sound comes from his computer. "Christ. That Christian guy is at the door with some girl. He checked out before and the cab driver already drove off. Why don't you see what he wants?"

[Airalin]

I had to do something about these stupid guards, but apparently, I had bigger issues to deal with. What the hell was Christian doing here? He was neither invited nor welcome, and I intended to tell him so in no uncertain terms. As I walked back to the front door, I found myself wishing I had brought a knife or something with me. I needed to have some sort of weapon, just in case!

I could only assume the girl with him was Vivian, since her calls had come from his phone earlier. For now, I would focus my attention on Christian. He was up to something, I was certain of it!

"What are you doing here?" I snapped as I arrived at the door. My visitors turned, probably surprised to have me approach from behind. "You are not allowed to come on my property without my permission. I should have my guards escort you from the premises!

It occurred to me that I was not making a particularly good first impression on my niece, but what did she matter, anyway? I didn't have time to worry about anything but my own safety! For all I knew, the pair of them could be behind whatever was being planned in that email from earlier...

[Markofkri]

Christian had that shark grin. "Good to see you as well. No need for hostilities we're guests of your mother. We are here to keep you company while she is in Europe. So this is the family house. I was here years ago. During one of those suck up to grandma visits. I guess not munch has changed. You going to open the door?" You saw the raven haired girl tug at his arm. "Oh, yea this silent little creature is your niece Vivian."

She waved but didn't even fake the family smile. She was probably 16 tall with olive skin and brown eyes. Her hair was French braided and went to the small of her back. Vivians dress was beige, strapless, and stopped at her knees. Vivian wore sandals and a large sun hat. She had no suitcase. She was skinny but curvy for her age. "Sorry about the phone call, I was coerced by the family. Nice place." As she talked she didn't make eye contact once.

[Airalin]

Vivian seemed like a quiet girl, almost like someone who I could trust. I resisted that feeling; I doubted I would trust anyone ever again. She, too, was likely involved in some scheme to rip me off or worse.

She was also surprisingly old to be my brother's step-daughter. II would have to ask Mother about that next time we spoke.

Pulling my eyes away from the strange girl, I fixed my stare on Christmas, expression darkening. "No, I'm not going to let you in," I said, "Mother does not have the right to invite people into my house. Especially not shady characters like you. I know you're planning something, so you won't be taking me by surprise. Whatever you try is not going to work, and I am not going to give you access to my home to help your little scheme along! So you better tell me what you're really doing here!" I doubted he would say a thing about his plans, of course. But it seemed no one was truly on my side, so this was my only way of finding out.

[Markofkri]

"Ha, fine." He takes a step closer to you. "I'm here to raid your fridge, take up space, and stay glued to my phone and or laptop as a life line from being bored to death in this middle of nowhere. My parents forced this on me and I honestly don't care whether or not you like me but I'm not standing out here for a month. At this point we have two choices. One I can call your mother who will call this walking Gold's gym poster to make you, or I can use this key I left under the rock right of the door. Your call but I'm really tired and want a drink." He picked up his suitcase and waited for your response. The smile was replaced with a raised eye brow.

Vivian was looking at the ground. She had wrapped her arms around herself for comfort. Her eyes darted between the two of you and the guard.

[Airalin]

I was on the verge of tears. Before I could have a total breakdown, I said, "Fine, just stay away from me and my room!" I knew very well that opposing Christian as I had and then relenting would make me look weak, but what was I supposed to do? The truth was that I was weak. If my own guards would not obey me, there was nothing I could do to stop Christian from entering.

I unlocked the door and immediately made my way to my room, not even bothering to look back. Somehow, I knew I would find a smug smile if I did. He would regret forcing me to let him in before long!

As soon as I arrived in my master bedroom, I slammed the door behind me, locked it, then took a seat in front of my mirror. I didn't even care if I was going crazy - all I wanted was to stop that jerk from ordering me around!

"How can I get rid of all these people and protect myself?" I hissed at the mirror. It was really my only hope. I no longer cared if the necklace would make me suffer - I would use it to solve the problems that were before me in the moment, and Christian was the first one asking to be solved.

[Markofkri]

The sun was starting to sink. As the three of you sat at the dinner table. Vivian looked nervous she didn't say anything, While in between bites of his steak Christian stared into his phone. Your dislike of the whole situation became nerve racking. As you looked down at your plate a gleam of green caught your attention. You looked at you necklace without touching it as not to draw too munch attention. Suddenly Christian started to choke on a piece of unchewed food. He grabbed the table and his lips started to turn blue. Your necklace became brighter and the butler in the corner rush to Christians chair and hit him on the back hard enough to send the lodged steak flying across the table.

"Took you long enough. Still better then these two wall paintings. What the hell Eva? Do you like staring at people who cant breath you demented fuck?" Swiping the wine bottle from the table he stood up from his chair and left the room. It was now just you and Vivian. She looked up at you and giggled a little. "Serves him right." Her gaze returned to the food.

[Airalin]

Demented fuck, huh? Maybe I could prove him right...

It took all of my self control to keep a grin off of my face. My necklace had shone, all on its own, and Christian had nearly died. Was it possible that the necklace was bringing suffering... to others? To my enemies?

I raised my eyebrows at Vivian's comment. "Do you dislike Christian" I asked her, although the answer was obvious. "Out of curiosity, why?" I could only imagine what Christian might have done to earn her ire. Perhaps I could learn a few things from Vivian, if she was agreeable. It seemed like she knew Christian better than I did.

I would have to get over the fact that she was my niece. The rules of aging no longer applied to me, after all... I intended to wear this necklace all the time, and never age a day again. If others would never be able to love me for who I was, I would just have to make up for that by loving myself all the more.

[Markofkri]

Her eyes for the first time gripped you with rage, "That's none of your fucking business!" She looked down and said in a hushed tone. "...I have my reasons. I'm here like he is abandoned at the door of another relative as soon as my use is over. I can't stand it. Some days I just sit in my room for days hoping a plane would crash into my side of the house. Pathetic right? I have all the advantages, never worked a day in my life, and all I want to do is die." Tears rolled down her cheeks. "I heard what happen to you, I'm sorry. I'm sure my problems are pretty trivial to yours. Thanks for letting me stay here. I'll not be a bother to you. I promise." Vivian sat there pocking her food with her fork.

After dinner you both went your separate ways. You looked in the mirror and you reflection did nothing beyond your intentions. Just like before dinner. Dinner, that giggle sounded so familiar.....

You washed up and changed for bed. Walking to the massive four post canopy you heard a feint knock at the door. The maid asked if there will be anything else? "Noooo. Good night." Climbing into this bed was the last thing you did.

"NNNOOOOOOOOO! Don't! You crazy bitch!" Christians screaming woke you. You sat up and turned on the lamp by the bed stand. Checking the room nothing was out of place except your reflection standing there while you were still in bed. Your reflection is wearing the same thing you went to bed in. The noticeable exception was your reflection is covered in mud and holding a blood covered combat knife. "AAAHHHHHHH!" again coming from Christian outside. You rushed to the window, flung it open, and saw Christian with stab wounds to the chest the knife you were holding in the mirror was sticking out of his left eye. His hand fell away from the handle. The motion of the guard caught your attention. He witnessed the whole thing as well.

The cops came questioned you, the staff, the guard, Vivian had to be woken up as she took a heavy sleep aid. This parade went into the night and finally came to an end in time for breakfast. The police arrested one of your guard and drove him back to the precinct for further questioning. Vivian looked at you across the breakfast table but only when you weren't looking. You heard the giggle again but it sounded like it came from upstairs.

Out side the spot where Christian died was marked with blood. The area sectioned off with Police tape. None of this mattered as the sun rose just like every day. The sky was a clear blue and birds made their presence known. All of the guards were looking at you. When they noticed you looking back they became busy with setting up the security system.

[Markofkri]

The chief of security sent a email to your mom and sent you a copy. "We have a situation. One of the guard at the location was assaulted by the person your sent over by the name of Christian. He was able to grab a knife which caused my coworker to defend himself. The issue I have is Christian took the knife to himself. I told the police he was having a waking nightmare. He fought with himself and eventually was the cause of his own death. Since the security system is still being installed, it was determined by the police to be under investigation since it was Nathans blade. His finger prints were the only other prints on the weapon. I'm now down to 5 men in the detail. This is unacceptable. I therefore request the immediate approval of 11 new personnel to the roster. As per the current contract you signed any damages my team should incur from client introducing unknown variables is the sole financial responsibility of the current employer. In short you sent that time bomb into my O.P. (operational parameters). As a result I lost a good man. This will go into my official report to both you and the police. So will the financial cost/ expenditures." You received said copy via phone.

Your mothers reply was brief. "Fine."

The text that followed was from the Team leader. "We must talk." Your not sure why you went. Maybe as a dare for him to start some shit so you could fire him. You walked in and the room got quiet. "Out." This was all he said and the other two guys left both keeping their distance from you. "I've seen some shit before. So has Nathan. He did special op missions in parts of the world where other people just disappear. Dark places that butcher people as a warning. He has more medals for valor and citations from presidents then some members of my team put together. That being said, getting locked up for a kid that went over the wall is not something I ever thought would happen." He folded his hands in front of his face. "The look I saw in his eyes was one I'm intimately familiar. It was fear. I know what Nathan said he saw. But that type of behavior doesn't happen over night. I got a private investigator digging up that kids life to use in court. I paid extra for any Psych information. Well, you paid for that. I don't need it, because I already know he was no where close to the place it takes to stab himself 27 times in the chest then slowly shoving an 8 inch blade into his head. That type of thing takes balls I don't have. Just know I'm going to get to the bottom of this. If any of this come back to a questionable autopsy, or a lost toxicology report, or hell if my nose itches when you walk by, I'm going to take my .45 caliber and dump a magazine into your pretty face." He pointed to the door behind you. You did a fake laugh and quickly walked out of the pool house.

[Airalin]

What the hell was going on?

I had been threatened by my own guards over the brutal suicide of that brat. I needed to find a way out of this, and quickly. Although I was tempted to tell the guards that they could take their pay and just leave - whatever was necessary to get them away from me without being shot - the Team Leader seemed to want answers. It was possible that, in his eyes, asking him to leave would be the same as admitting I had a hand in the arrest of one of his men.

And I hadn't! At least... not intentionally. The necklace had obviously granted my wish, and now, everyone knew something strange was going on. if I tried to escape and got caught, I might end up dead. That meant there was only one option left to me.

I would have to rely on the necklace again.

I knelt on the floor in front of the mirror, holding the gem in my hand. "I don't really know what you are," I said, my reflection regarding the necklace in awe, "But you've been a big help to me so far. So thank you, and..."

I met my own eyes in the mirror, "And I need you again. If you don't save me from my guards, I'm gonna get shot. So they need to die. All of them. If you help me, I'll do my best to keep feeding you blood." The necklace hadn't done a thing to hurt me yet. Perhaps it was satisfied to hurt the people near me. As far as I was concerned, it could keep doing that!

"Please... make one of the guards slaughter all the others then kill himself. Make it look like he was behind Christian's death, too. If there isn't a clear culprit, I might end up being arrested myself." Of course, the police would be vulnerable to bribes, especially ones of the magnitude I could offer. But I certainly didn't need the hassle!

I gave the mirror my best twisted grin. The truth was, I was a bit excited. Perhaps, if I was lucky, I could be the one to make the Team Leader draw his last breath. He certainly deserved it after what he had said to me, and what his team helped put me through so long ago. Killing him would probably feel great!

My smile widened of its own accord. I really was going insane!

[Markofkri]

As you sat watching your reflection watch you. The gem gave off a dull glow. You were sitting but your reflection stood. It took one step then another. Stepping over the frame into your room. As the foot crossed the threshold it changed the reflection changed entirely like watching a wet person jumping into a pool but in the reverse. When the figure finished stepping out of the mirror it was not your reflection, but Christian's. You pushed yourself up from the floor desperate for the safety of the door. However when you turned to stand you saw a dress. Elizabeth was standing in front of you. Before you had time to ask for help she grabbed both your arms, spun you around, and held you firm. Her mouth was near your ear. "May you suffer."

Christian walked until he stood directly in front of you mire inches from you. You felt cold hands touch your stomach. Then the sharp pain like a group of nails being driven into your stomach. You tried to scream but grand mother had a third hand that covered your mouth. "This is what it wants. The more you feed into your selfishness, the more power you get, the more you suffer. The more you suffer the more power it grants." Christian was slowly squeezing your organs trying to find where your most painful spot was. This went on for hours. Tears rolled down your cheeks until your eyes went dry. There was a knock at the door. As the knob turned your torture stopped, the two vanished. The maid came in and as her face turned white, you passed out.

115pm you awoke to a damp cloth on your forehead. Vivian was by your side. "Its ok. You must of had a bad dream. The maid found you making weird faces while sleep walking. She said it looked like you were in pain." You sat up slowly. It felt like you did a few thousand sit ups. You moved your hand across your stomach other then the soreness you didn't see any blood or holes in your outfit.

[Airalin]

I wished I could believe Vivian when she said I must have had a bad dream, but I knew that what I had gone through was all too real.

Pain. Agonizing pain. It hurt just to think about it! But... there was no sign of any lasting damage. And...

"That more you suffer, the more power it grants." That was what Grandmother said. I had suffered, so what powers had I gained?

"Why... are you watching over me," I asked Vivian, my confusion genuine. "You've already seen that I'm not a nice person, so why wait to see if I would recover?" Was the girl trying to endear herself to me, so that she might share in my wealth? In truth, I would have preferred to wake up alone, so I could think things through. It would be better if I did not rely on the necklace whenever I could help it... but I had no doubt that I would call on its power again. I had suffered, but that was better than letting my guards kill me or worse.

"Did anyone else stop by to check up on me?" I asked, wondering whether the Team Leader would use this as an excuse to shoot me. Maybe, if I was lucky, the necklace would still grant my request, now that I had paid my dues. If not... well, the lingering soreness of my stomach had given me an idea. I could use my own suffering to my advantage. Vivian might be of some use yet.

[Markofkri]

"I ....I don't know. Somehow you make me feel like I could care about someone other then myself. I heard what had happened to you when you were younger and I'm not surprised that you have night terrors. You could have been a normal kid, just like I could have. If not for this fucked up family. Sometimes I dream of living on the streets being a hooker. But I am too munch of a coward for that. The money might as well be chains for me. I will never be free." A tear leaves her left eye and silently slides down the side of her face.

"No, no one else knows about it I didn't see any point to let the guards know you had a bad dream. Well since your up I'll leave you alone. I'll be in the dinning room finishing my soup." Vivian got up and left your room shutting the door behind her.