Prologue
He walked down the street and turned onto the road that leads to the old Riddle place. Words flew through the air; the wind speaking to him, warning him, trying to scare him. He ignored them and kept walking. Screams of torture flew by him. All he did was smirk and continue on his way.
Finally he reached the house. Up the stairs he went, completely unaware of the sound of creaky bones they made as stepped on each one or the smell of rotting bodies that wafted through the air. As he crossed the threshold of the porch to the door, the wind grew louder and fiercer, daring him to go farther. On he went through the door. Even inside the house the wind blew. It clearly wouldn't give up. But he wouldn't either. He had to keep going. He had to report his good news.
Up the inside stairs he went, beating against the wind. Suddenly, there it was, the door, right in front of him. He had made it. Time to collect his reward. He pushed the door open and stepped inside the room.
The room was quite small. A soft glow came from the slowly dying fire in the hearth. From the light, he could barely make out the silver snakes slithering every which way on the dark green wallpaper that surrounded the room. A black desk sat against the wall to his right. Papers were strewn every where. Some had slowly dying sparks where someone had lost their temper. To his left was a small black bar with various drinks, half-empty bottles, and empty glasses scattered around. Next to the bar was an old, broken record player that was in there just for looks. The stand for this, too, was painted black.
He turned his attention towards the fireplace. Sitting in front of the hearth were two black leather armchairs. In between the chairs sat a black side table, intricately designed with silver snakes similar to the ones on the walls. These, though, had glowing green eyes. On top sat few empty and half empty glasses as well as one full glass. He smirked; they were expecting him. He strode towards the armchair in front of him.
"Master, I have done what you have wished. She is gone." He stopped right behind the chair. A black-cloaked head was just visible to him. His right fore-arm started shooting blinding pains throughout his entire body, but he ignored it, excitement as well as pride rising in him.
"Very good." A cold, high-pitched voice issued from inside the cloak. "You have done well, but the task is only partially finished. You have a ways to go before you receive any type of reward."
"But..."
"Silence! If you wish to argue with me, you will pay dearly. Now go before I lose my temper. You of all people should know what happens when I lose my temper."
"But you promised me a reward if I completed my task."
"You haven't done all that I have told you to do so you don't get any reward just yet!"
"I've done everything you've asked. I have gotten rid of the girl, like you wanted! There is nothing more for me to do! Now give me my reward!" As soon as he said that he knew he had gone too far. A bright light started to grow from an object in the cloaked figure's lap as the voice grew louder.
"NEVER TALK LIKE THAT TO ME! NOW YOU MUST PAY!!!"
He got down on his knees and begged for mercy, but it was too late. The light grew bigger and brighter and it hit him.
His torturous howls echoed through the village. Many shuddered to think what might be happening to that mysterious man that dared to near the haunted house of the Riddles. What could those spirits be doing to create such terrible noises from the man brave enough to awake them? The wind picked up, carrying his screams everywhere as those stupid enough to be outside at such a time scampered to shelter from this horrific storm.