Troubled Waters.
A/N: Well my pretties the time has eventually come for the prologue of Troubled Waters to appear on screens near you now, I own NONE of the fabulous characters in this fic apart from two men who go by the name of Alan and George / evil foxy grandpa they're mine *evil grin* the latter name for George isn't mentioned in this fic by the way so no need to worry! As I was saying the rest of the cast belongs to the amazing world and imagination of Jill Murphy well there's my disclaimer sorted now I'd just like to give a special thanks to Kimmeth for helping me with my plot, NCD for all of her advice, THCMPG for help choosing the title and her enthusiasm also everyone else who was there giving me moral support and finally , I wish you all... very happy reading!
It was an ice cold night in the month of November and all was silent as the mysteriously thick fog descended upon the village as a dark silhouette waited patiently for the woman that he was supposed to be meeting. It was unlike her to be late for anything, time keeping was her hobby and she was extremely obsessive about it. As he had predicted the wicked woman materialised out of nowhere, he lowered the hood on his cape so that she could see his face.
"Hecketty, lovely to see you again." He spoke with sincerity evident in his soft husky voice.
"George, how have you been?" her grin reflected that of Satan's signature scrawled across her face.
"Marvellous my sweet, how is our dear Alan?"
"He's grown into quite a young man and has finally lost the Irish accent, what about your darling granddaughter?"
"Coming along beautifully is our plan still going to go ahead?" he snarled.
"I have discussed it with Alan, he is unhappy about it but I managed to sway him to see it from our point of view." Hecketty hid a wicked smile. "Have you brought the locket so that he can recognise her?"
"Would I forget?" George asked rhetorically.
Hecketty grinned and held out her clasped hand, slowly opening it to reveal a golden heart shaped locket on a delicate chain. All the while George was mimicking Hecketty's actions until they both muttered a spell under their breath and threw the lockets into the air; hers became a raven which flew became the shape of a red Trail Blazer dragon and roared in fury before bursting into a flame and burning its way through her bag. The pact had been made and there was no going back, Hecketty had just made a deal with the very person who gave the devil nightmares.
"I'll see you at the ballroom dance tomorrow my dear" with this he laid a delicate kiss on her hand and watched as she materialised into a cloud of purple smoke.
He stood alone in the shadowed alleyway with his malicious thoughts once again burying themselves deep within his mind and a grin of pure evil spread across his ageing face as he turned and briskly stormed down the alley cackling whilst thinking of what was in store for his beloved granddaughter and the power that he would soon regain.
So this is who I am
and this is all I know
and I must choose to live
for all that I can give
the spark that makes the power grow
XXX
George was in a frantic search for his granddaughter, just hours away from the ballroom dance and she was nowhere in sight. The door quietly clicked open to reveal the face of a timid eighteen year old girl peering around the heavy oaken door.
"Grandfather, did you call?" the girl asked hesitantly.
"ah there you are, come here my dear I have a gift for you" the girl watched suspiciously as her grandpa made a beautifully wrapped and laced green box materialise from behind his back and signalled for her to come closer, he handed her the box and silently watched as she read the label.
To my darling Constance,
Wear this to the ball tonight
My entire love grandpa George.
"A ball, grandpa I'm not going to a ball you know how I hate them." Constance was silenced by a harsh glare and the drop of tone in her grandfather's voice which turned from a soft tranquil note into a dangerous growl.
"get up those stairs this instant Constance how dare you disobey me, and don't take too long we're already late." He noted that she was still standing there staring at him so he quickly raised his hand as a threat, this was enough to send her running to the stairs, not stopping until she was in the safety of her undecorated room and the door was fastened by a magical charm as well as the key. Undraping her thick curtains Constance was slightly dazed by the sudden blast of light entering her eyes which forced her to stagger onto her bed, usually she would have been more gentle with the bed seeing as its frame had belonged to her grandmother except this was a serious case of either sitting down or falling down and when it came to it she would choose the former any day of the week. Carefully untying the box and holding the dress in front of her, Constance took a slight gasp at the beauty of it. The embroidery was magnificent and matched the colour of the dress perfectly. Once Constance had slipped the dress on the fine detail in the cut and the décor were really brought to life, the short laced beaded sleeves sat just below her shoulders on each arm which led flowingly on to the front of her dress which was low cut and equally as laced and had the same amount of detail as the sleeves. She noticed how the corseted top led into an over fanciful flowing bottom, which trailed along the floor when she walked. Leaving her bedroom Constance slowly stepped down the stairs careful not to step on the end of her dress and saw her grandfather sitting in his usual chair by the fire place swirling his brandy around in the spherical glass, every now and then taking the occasional sip then going back to his swirling. How her grandpa managed to get changed and resettled so quickly was beyond her, these thoughts were soon interrupted when her grandfather spoke.
"Constance you look amazing, black really is your colour my darling however, your outfit is still incomplete and don't even get me started on your hair."
Before Constance could interject she felt herself gain in height, her hair being pulled into a loose bun at the back of her head fastened by a beaded clip which spread over her hair barely visible since like her dress it was black, the same colour as her hair and two corkscrew locks hung down the side of her face, her hands and forearms were covered by a pair of black satin gloves and finally a delicate black fan appeared in her right hand. Taken aback by the moment Constance was silent still staring at her dainty heels when she realised that George was talking, he noticed her lack of attention and an aggravated look appeared across his ageing face.
"Constance, tell me my dear, what did I just say?" his relaxed tone sent icicles darting down her spine and into her heart. Constance's throat was like a desert she knew better than to ignore her grandfather, she had learnt that lesson from the tender age of nine when she was rendered unconscious for none less than three days then left in her room for the rest of the week until her grandfather was certain that she had learnt her lesson.
"I-I don't know" Constance replied cautiously fully aware of what should be coming next.
George's face was like thunder he couldn't stand Constance ignoring him. As he once again felt himself raising his left hand to the girl he caught the fearful look on her face he remembered that in order to get what he wanted everything needed to go accordingly and that the slightest slip of temper could be the reason for all of his planning and effort to go to waste. Acting quickly to rectify his so far one and only mistake, George made a golden heart shaped locket appear and hang delicately from his fingers. Constance's face automatically turned from fear to amazement, never before had she seen such fine embossing she noted how the bird stood out so magnificently from its neat background and how the raven looked so life like, every line served a purpose in the detail whether it be a line from the branch that the bird was resting on or just a single feather on one of its wings.
"Grandfather its beautiful!"
"That it is my dear, look after it and never remove it" he replied smoothly.
Constance gave George a withdrawn smile before lunging forward and hugging him and, noticing his obvious discomfort at her motion, she then released her grip and pulled away.
"Thank you, Grandpa, I really do love it," Constance said, finding this to be a better option than the one that she had previously chosen.
"I'm glad, now come on we have a ball to attend and thanks to you we are now fashionably late."
Constance looked down to the floor: how did George always manage to make her feel so guilty?
"Oh don't look so down Constance I'm sure that you will have a wonderful time and find a marvellous dance partner." George hid an inward smile.
"Grandfather I'm not dancing, I hate dancing!"
"Girl, you are seriously wearing my patience thin; get in that coach now or so help me I will drag you in there myself, and I will not be happy!"
Constance shuddered she hated it when her grandfather was in a mood like this; he was always so unpredictable and stubborn. Deciding that she would like to remain conscious Constance hurriedly made her way over to the carriage that her grandfather had hired.
"Wizards" she thought "flying is so much easier."
George materialized next to the door of the coach and offered Constance his hand to help her into it knowing that the dress and heels that she was wearing were not built for climbing. Once they were both seated inside the carriage the reins man snapped the reins and the coach jumped forward jolting Constance from her seat and throwing her across the carriage only to be caught and re-seated by George.
"Steady now girl, we don't want any accidents before we arrive at the ball do we?" Constance flinched as George raised his hand and brushed one of her corkscrew locks off of her ashen face.
"Why do you always flinch every time my hand moves, honestly you're more spooked by sudden movements than the horse pulling this damned carriage?"
"I don't mean to grandpa, it's just habit, I'm sorry." Constance replied impulsively not wanting to anger her grandfather like earlier.
"Yes, well we will have none of that tonight Constance is it understood?"
"But I" Constance was abruptly interrupted by her grandfather clasping her chin with his cold hand and staring directly into her widened eyes he could see the fear in them and he relished this.
"I asked whether it was understood" his voice was threatening and low as he tightened his grip on her chin to the point of pain.
"Yes!" Constance cried, the tears in her eyes begging him to release his hold on her.
"Good." The horse and carriage came to a halt. "It seems that we have arrived." George said in a cavalier manner releasing his tight grip on her delicate face and materializing in order to assist her out of the carriage. George marched up the path leading to the entrance of the grand hall with Constance pursuing him as quickly as she could in her current footwear.
XXX
As they reached the varnished mahogany doors George pulled back heavily on the iron lion head doorknockers and then released them, seeing Constance take a step back he spoke.
"Don't forget our little talk that we had in the carriage Constance" Constance knew that this was not simply a reminder it was more than that, it was a threat. The weighty doors were elegantly pulled open to reveal the face of a strict looking woman wearing a high necked and long sleeved ball gown, like Constance's the ball gown was pure black however it had traces of dark green laced patterns all over it. The woman's wicked greenish grey eyes surveyed Constance's attire judgingly before staring at her directly in the eyes and sharply turning her attention to George.
"Ah George you made it, you're half an hour late."She stated cynically.
"Fashionably" he replied slickly their grins growing wider by the second.
Constance was stunned, never before had she seen a grin that could match let alone beat her grandfather's when it came to having a sinister nature about it. The woman's teeth were quite literally the colour of her hair, a dull shade of what Constance couldn't tell whether it was a faded blond, brown or pale ginger. In the end she decided to settle for a mixture of all three.
"This must be Constance." Hecketty said, mischievously hooking a cold finger under her chin raising her face to meet hers. "A little jumpy though isn't she George; I thought that you said she would make a good student."
"Trust me Hecketty she won't be a good student, she will be your best student can you not see the power behind those sparkling eyes?"
"Student, Grandpa why didn't you...?"
"Constance go inside! Hecketty and I need to have a little chat." Constance's mouth gave a slight twitch before she entered the large building not noticing the greedy grin on Hecketty's face as she passed.
"As I was saying my dear..." George continued.
XXX
The sound of her grandfather's voice faded as she slowly but surely got further down the decorative landing. The loud, slow music was swirling around Constance's head like the dancers on the floor below her and the vast intake of golden pillars with matching chandeliers confused her vision. Her mind went into a sudden faze of haziness which caused her to lose all little concentration that she may have been retaining at the time. Before Constance knew it she was falling, over what exactly she was unsure of however, she was fully aware of a hand grasping her upper arm and another being placed firmly yet gently on the centre of her back pulling her up and around before she could hit the tiled floor.
"whoa take it easy, we don't want any injuries occurring now do we?" Constance looked up at the stranger as he removed his hand from her back and brushed the out of place curl from her face. He noticed her flinch at this and made a mental note to not use such sudden movements, after all if his auntie got on well with the man who had brought her up then the poor girl's life couldn't be something to covet. His mental note taking was interrupted when he thought he heard the voice of an angel, a voice so soft and sweet that there couldn't possibly have been any other explanation for it. Looking around the room he soon came to realise that the voice was not that of an angel's but of a timid eighteen year old girl.
"I'm sorry what did you say?" he asked, she could have sworn that she had seen those eyes before, but where? In the end Constance realised that she was stalling.
"Who are you?" Constance repeated shakily.
"I'm so sorry, how rude of me to not introduce myself properly. My name is Alan, you are?" he replied with apparent interest.
"Constance."
"Well Constance, would you care to dance?" he held out his hand for her to take.
Constance stood looking at the hand for several seconds before looking up at Alan and answering his question. "I'm sorry I don't dance." She said taking a step backwards.
Alan withdrew his hand "Constance let yourself have some fun don't keep that beautiful face hidden in the darkness, dance."
"I keep myself to myself, if that is what you see as darkness then I have become accustomed to it, you know it's strange when I was a child I used to be afraid of the dark, of being alone whereas now being alone is all that I want and I finally realise just how foolish that child was." The whole way through this statement Constance had been staring at the floor seemingly not knowing that she had even said this out loud but for some reason she felt a certain warmth towards Alan, a type of trust in a way.
"Constance look at me" she raised her head slowly so that their eyes met and each could see the others sincerity. Alan continued, "which is more foolish a child afraid of the dark or an adult afraid of the light?" Alan once again held out his hand which was wrapped in a white glove. "Would you honour me with this dance?"
Constance glared at the raised hand, after a long pause Alan took this to be his answer and just as he lowered his arm Constance gingerly took hold of his hand, noticing the wide grin on his face as they walked down the red carpeted stairs she allowed herself a smile. Was this what happiness without fear felt like? Constance abruptly found herself being spun around sharply so that she was facing Alan and was pulled into waltz position her head was like her emotions spinning on an endless merry-go-round confused by the overly loud music mixed with the intimacy of the moment could it be? could she possibly be falling for this man? Of course not she couldn't be; what happened to all her ideas of not letting in and therefore not getting hurt, to what her grandpa had taught her? Constance had morals and she was sticking to them, but what was it about this man that made her question them?
And I will stand for my dream if I can
symbol of my faith in who I am
but you are my only
Alan couldn't help but to stare at the woman in front of him he adored the way that her dark brunet hair sat perfectly the whole way through the dance, the way her dark brown eyes glistened in the light, the elegancy with which she carried herself and the soft cherry lips which showed such contrast when compared to her fair skin. How he'd love to have those lips pressed against his own even for a second; after all, wasn't a moment spent in heaven worth an eternity in hell? How he'd love to let his emotions run away with him to submit completely to his heart and block out all reality, just Constance and himself in an endless dance, in an endless spiral which would become life. However much he wanted this though, he knew that it just could not be his part in the plan of atrocity was vital and there was no going back for him or for anyone. Why must such angels be denied their wings leaving them defenceless and open to attack in this merciless world of greed and deceit? Alan loved her and there was no denying that after all which fool ever said that there was no such thing as love at first sight?
And I must follow on the road that lies ahead
and I won't let my heart control my head
but you are my only
The music finally came to an end and the grand hall erupted with the sound of clapping and applause. The orchestra started playing yet another song and Alan could resist the cherry lips no longer as he went to lean in he heard someone deliberately cough behind him he looked around to see Hecketty and George dancing behind them. Constance smiled sweetly and once again took hold of Alan's hand so that they were dancing, she knew that the night would eventually come to an end and wanted to make the most of it seeing as she would never again have an eighteenth birthday Constance decided that she wanted to spend it doing the very thing that she usually hated, dancing.
Alan was still unable to take his eyes off of her how could he let this beauty be harmed? How would he ever be able to live with his decision? To do this would be like taking a perfect rose and hurling it into the raging fire without a second thought. It was at this point that Alan made his decision George would have to serve his punishment and wait twenty years to be freed from his awaiting tomb; it was a small price to pay for killing your own wife and child merely for the power that coursed through their veins. George deserved to be cursed and remain cursed. On the other hand, how could Alan leave such a rare beauty?
And we don't say good bye immortality
and I know what I've got to be
George was now standing at the punch bowl as the silver spoon stirred George was reminded briefly of his past, of his child and of his wife if only he could turn back time he may have had second decisions about his priorities. After their death life just seemed to drag on for George perhaps this was also part of the curse or perhaps it was just the unused time beginning to catch up on him.
I make my journey through eternity
I keep the memory of you and me inside
If the curse which ensnared George was to be lifted tonight then he had to rely upon a nineteen year old boy and the sacrifice of his most precious possession other than himself, his eighteen year old granddaughter on her eighteenth birthday at the stroke of midnight when all evil was at its strongest point and sins could be overlooked. His fate relied completely upon this plan going accordingly if not then George would be nothing but an empty shell never aging, never breathing all thoughts ceasing to exist. George for the first time in his life was actually torn two ways between the caring grandpa that once was and the conniving manipulator that became.
In the end he may not have chosen the compassionate side of his soul but there was no way the earth that he would forget it how could he?
fulfil your destiny XXX
is there within the child
my storm will never end
my fate is on the wind
the king of hearts, the joker's wild
but we don't say goodbye
I'll make them all remember me
Upon noticing the time Alan took hold of Constance's wrist and pulled her up the stairs he only had seven minutes to get her away from her grandfathers clutches.
"Alan where are we going, what are you doing?!"
"Shhh keep your voice down I'm getting you out of here." Constance was confused why did she have to leave?
"Why?" the look on Constance's face broke Alan's heart he hated seeing her so bewildered and afraid.
"Constance please trust me you're not safe, your grandfather has plans which I now refuse to let go ahead." Constance was now shaking her head in disbelief her grandfather was never kind to her but surly he wished her no harm.
"Grandfather, how did you know?" she was sure that the word grandpa had not passed her lips all evening.
"I can't say but please Constance, let me help you escape." Alan was desperate there was no time to waste. It was his mission to help the girl who sent butterflies fluttering around his stomach every time they touched and it was his duty to see the escape through.
Cause I have found a dream that must come true
every ounce of me must see it through
but you are my only
Constance stared at Alan wondering whether she could trust him or not despite the fact that she barely knew the man, there was just something in his eyes and tone of voice that enabled her to trust him. Constance wanted a smile or a hug anything reassuring to give her some confidence in the dead of night however, she did not want to confuse this newly found trust for love if this happened then she would be truly defenceless.
"Stay here, don't move Constance."
"Where are you going?" Constance was completely alone in the consuming darkness which swallowed her entire figure. If it wasn't for the light of Alan's lantern reflecting the mist surrounding their feet as he returned she wouldn't have even known it was there staring past Alan now, Constance could make out a large enlightened white blob following him. This blob turned into a shape which became a figure which became a horse with a large fanciful breastplate which matched perfectly with its cream bridle and saddle.
"Here let me help you on" Constance was shocked by the animal's presence but was quickly brought back to reality when she heard the clock chime midnight.
"Quickly Constance!" Alan lifted her in his arms and placed her on the horse making sure that the girth was tight Alan looked up to Constance "will you be ok?"
"Come with me, I'm scared Alan I can't do this." Constance was practically begging.
"I can't, you have to do this, this is your freedom, your life, I just wish that I could be a part of it, now go" he waited for a second "GO!" Alan sent a spell up into the air which made the sound of a gunshot causing the horse to bolt forward.
I'm sorry I don't have a role for love to play
hand over my heart I'll find my way
I will make them give it to me
"Hecketty where are they?! They're meant to be here!"
"I don't know it was arranged with Alan to bring her here at twelve!" George picked up on the growl in Hecketty's voice clearly she was agitated by this betrayal from Alan.
George and Hecketty were stood by the lake they figured that a quiet place would be the best for such a crime that was to take place.
"George stop panicking!" Hecketty snapped.
"I have exactly sixty seconds before I am cursed for twenty years and stuck behind a rock, what do you expect me to do?!" George was panicking and Hecketty needed to snap him out of it thinking fast the first thing that came to her head was to hit him. His face was one of shock as he stared at her.
"Plan ahead what do I need to do to help?" Hecketty loved the fact that for once she was the more relaxed in the situation. George nodded in approval at Hecketty's composed manner as he spoke.
"In twenty years time you will need to find the place where I have been taken give me the locket now and use Constance's to track it when the time is right." Hecketty handed George the enchanted dragon locket with this George returned to his usual state of calmness.
"Thank you my sweet. Oh and don't forget she must be schooled by you and learn the skills off of the curriculum in order to be able to perform the final chant to unlock the secrets and the power of...." George never finished his sentence as he turned into a cloud of grey smoke that was absorbed by the ground. Hecketty knew what she had to do and she knew that George and herself would meet again.
Immortality
there is a vision and a fire in me
I keep the memory of you and me inside
and we don't say goodbye
XXX
As Constance galloped down the track she passed a glance back to the man who had somehow in the space of one night managed to secretly steal her heart. Little did Constance know that this would not be the last time that she would see Alan.
With all my love for you
and what else we may do
we don't say goodbye.
A/N: for those of you who are still with me *notices pile of dead readers* I hope you enjoyed it the next chappie should be better as we zoom forward in time yay! I'm really sorry for the delay and please do review or you may hear Kelly singing operatic style trust me you really, really don't want that so free ear plugs for all reviewers