THE BUTTERFLY EFFECT
One single event can change the tide in many events to come.
The War Front
Sandor looked at the men that had all sworn their blood to him. In each one of their eyes he saw some amount of fear. Fear of never seeing their wives and children again. He also had that very same fear, but before them he was gallant and charming. Hoping to calm the nerves of his men. He did help many, while others were more focused on what was to come. His brother though, was silent and reserved. He had no fear in his eyes. There was actually nothing in the blackness of his eyes. It was almost as if he was looking into depths of his soul. A part of him, he had never saw and it actually sent chills down his spine.
How could he not notice his brother, his shadow, was much colder than the winter's wind that surrounded them. He had overlooked him for some time, but in the midst of war he could now see him. His little brother was harboring much more than just simple anger. He was holding onto a rage that, unsuppressed, could burn down whole villages.
Present Day
Kaz twirled Sam around the smooth dance floor. Her body pressed against his. She kept up with each of his deliberate turns and adjustments. Her body was firm, but still very supple. She was like that of a rare butterfly. One of supreme beauty, but with a roughness to it. She was magnificent. She was everything his father said she would be. He now just needed to see more it for himself.
He watched her carefully. She could feel his eyes on her like a cat watching it's prey. She met his gaze. Not intimated by the mysterious Kaz Krsnik. He finally spoke and what he said shocked her.
"You have my vote, my Queen."
She didn't understand him. He was very peculiar, and definitely not in a good way. "Do you always call women you dance with "queens"? Is that some way to get laid faster?" She spoke nonchalantly. Hoping to keep her true curiosity undetected. "No." He said, spinning her. "Just to you, because you are a Queen. I want to help you see that and take back what's yours." Her eyes didn't leave his face. He was sincere about what he was saying, but Sam couldn't shake the feeling he was not being completely forthright. Which meant he wasn't. She just didn't know about what. "You speak as if I'm in battle." She laughed. He pulled her in and dipped her. Letting her stay down longer than he should have. "Why, my Queen, you are. Nikolas is planning on getting you exiled again, just so there won't be any competition for that title." He pulled her back up. Their faces were inches from each other. His breath was sweeter than humanly possible. There was also a hint of mint. "He can't." She quickly said. Afraid of that very thought. She knew he would try to get her sent away again. He would do anything to hurt her. "He can." He corrected.
Falcon Cove Beach
Patrick loosen his tie and pulled it over his head. He couldn't breathe. He unbuttoned the top half of his shirt. Letting the cold air hit his chest. He was back on the small beach he had brought Sam to. He couldn't stop thinking about her. He had abandoned her to face the wolves alone. He just couldn't bear it. The intensity of the crowd and the overwhelming feeling it brought him.
He had the mask this time. What an ugly thing it was. The beak was wide and long. Hanging over, almost like a trunk, but not nearly as long. He wasted no time in putting it on and inhaling. His eyelids twitched and his eyes rolled to the back. The fumes were intoxicating. He collapsed. Falling onto his back. Memories of long ago shifted and took shape within his head.
The faces of his victims danced around within his head. Approximately thirty-six of them. Happy ones that turned to dread. He didn't mean for it to happen, but he couldn't control this. This….disease.
When he opened his eyes they were there, on the beach with him. Decaying, and drooling blood. Blood was actually seeping from their ears, noses, and the corners of their eyes.
"Mis hermosos ángeles sangrientos."
PCPD
Lucky stood outside the building. Not sure if he should go in or not. He wanted to, but didn't feel like he had the right to. He didn't know how long he had been standing there before Mac showed up, he just knew it had to be awhile since his legs were starting to fall asleep.
"You coming or going?" Mac asked, standing beside him as they both looked at the doors. "I'm not sure." He replied. Mac now looked at him. "I think you should come in." Lucky felt hesitant, but looked up at him. "You sure? I could be drunk right now and make another scene." He was being sarcastic, but still ccouldn't keep himself from feeling embarrassed by his past behavior. Mac lift his hand and placed it on Lucky's shoulder.
"And yet you're not. You look better than you have in months." Lucky nodded to this. He agreed. He felt better to. What Kaz told him at his party replayed over and over again in his head.
"I can help you solve Emily's murder, but you first must do something for me….trust no one. Not your fiancée, nor your best friend. Just me. Trust in me and all of your problems will be solved."
And so he did, or so he let him believe he did.
"Okay. I'm ready."
Wyndemere
Mrs. Hurst followed her tracks from the way she came. Back out in the hall she was able to breath again. She was running off adrenaline and needed to catch her breath. She needed to process everything she heard and saw.
Nikolas was running experiments in the crypts underneath Wyndemere. He was also holding a doctor hostage. He was planning something and it seemed he had been planning it for some time now. She didn't know what he was up to, but this was enough for now. This would hopefully get Sam away from here. She could spend her time somewhere else. Somewhere far far away and safe. Spoon Island was no longer her home. She had to see that.
A noise startled Mrs. Hurst. She tighten her grip on the SD card she was holding. Her eyes darting from side to side. The darkness seemed to be creeping up on her. It was like it was becoming her shadow. Attaching itself to her. Being surrounded by nothing, but blackness she was able to spot the movements within it. Someone or something was moving around her. Circling her.
She pressed her back against the closest corner and waited for it to attack. Fear started to seep into her bone. Causing her heart to pace and for a cool bead of sweat to form on her forehead. She was a difficult person to scare. She had lived amongst people who barely aged and lived off the blood of another. She had seen things. Many things and she was still alive to tell the harrowing stories and see another day, but this was different. It didn't feel right.
A flickering light caught the corner of her eye. She turned her head to see the warm glow of a candle...no a lighter. It was flicking on and off. The closer it got, the bigger the flame got. She could now make out a hand and then a arm. Soon she was able to see a body. One dressed in all black. A man!
He lift the lighter to his face, letting the flame beam off his smooth olive skin. She now knew who it was and it made her mouth go dry. She straighten her back and stared him directly in the eyes.
"What do you want, Valentin?"
From across the room Nikolas watched Kaz and Sam closely. He couldn't figure out what Kaz would want with her. This wasn't a part of their deal. None of it was. While he kept his eyes on them, Kristina came up beside him.
"I'm sick of seeing her face. She needs to be gone. Soon." He could tell his little cousin was fuming. He smiled at her persistence. He was happy that she was on his side. She didn't hold any weight with their family, but she did have the back of the human royal court. He would need that. "In due time, cousin. In due time." He said, turning his attention on his favorite pet, who was lurking in the background. She smiled when she noticed his eyes on her. "When? She's been here long enough." Kristina said, irritated. He sighed. She was now becoming a real pain. "When it's time. Things like this can't be rushed, Krissy. When the proper time comes, she'll be gone and our family will once again be a happy one." Nikolas was just about to head over to his daring lover, when the coughing started.
It was just a small group, but the coughing got louder. People started to close in on their loved ones and dates, trying to figure out the problem. Then came the blood. It poured from every orifice it could possibly find. Even the skin began to sweat it. A loud scream was released and a mass hysteria began.
The sweet smell hit her hard. It was like someone had opened a oven full of freshly baked chocolate chip cookies. She Immediately halted her dance with Kaz, causing him to stumble and release her. She turned in the direction the smell was coming from and saw the terror began. Blood was everywhere, as well as terror. The people affected started to drop to their knees or in the arms of those closest to them. Screaming and crying had begun. Some people started to run. Confusion and disorder took over and Sam was now being pushed into the middle of the floor.
"KRISTINA!"
She heard Philip shout. He was as hysterical as the crowd was. Panic was the overall emotion.
"Kristina? Baby, where are you?!" His voice was now cracking.
Sam tried to get a hold of herself as she looked for her father and Molly. The crowd was becoming overwhelming and quickly turned into a stampede. Once you fell you were immediately stomped on. Some tried to help their family get to safety, but the crowd was too strong and they either were pushed forward or thrown to the ground.
Sam could feel the back of her throat start to burn. She held her breath and kept herself from breathing it in, while moving through the sea of people. A hand caught her leg and she froze. It was an old lady. One very familiar. Then it hit her, it was none other than Queen Elizabeth, covered in blood. Blisters and boils consumed her body as she exhaled her last breath.
Sam crouched down beside her, confirming her death, but also dipping her fingers in the pool of blood. She pulled it up to her nose, taking in it's heavenly scent. Then placing her fingers in her mouth. The thirst was unbearable and she felt herself lean in closer. When suddenly hands were on her shoulder.
Shame filled her and she looked up to see Kristina staring back down at her with a face full of disgust. One swift movement Kristina shoved her face into the old woman's corpse. "Seems you prefer the dead over the living. Now rejoice in it." Sam struggled a bit before she finally took in some of the old woman's blood. Her eyes instantly shifted from their normal brown to completely black. She grabbed Kristina's hand and stood. With all her strength she wrapped her hand around Kristina's neck. Squeezing as tight as she could. Kristina fought against her grip trying to breathe.
"And you like to test those growing impatient of your childish games."
Sam was pushed aside by Molly. "Stop!" She shouted.
Stefan immediately helped Sam up. Her face was covered in blood. She felt the embarrassment inside her grow. She had let the monster within come out. Something she never wanted, but didn't have a choice.
"Of course, you help your favorite daughter." Kristina said, trying to catch her breath. She didn't even spare a glance at Sam. Their father was irate. His hands were moving so quickly, Molly looked confused as to what he was saying. Kristina didn't even bother to try and decipher. She just lowered her head in respect.
"He's upset with you Kristina." Molly finally said. Stefan handed Sam his handkerchief and helped her clean off the mess. "Oh, wow. Really? As if I couldn't figure that out myself. Thanks, Molly. You're a real help." Molly didn't reply to her remark. She simply pushed her sunglasses up. When she did, Sam remembered Molly had predicted someone would die. Just not this many people.
"Enough!"
The voice caught them all off guard. It was Reuben. He was holding the body of a fallen. They were perplexed by his reaction. Then they saw who the grieving man was holding ; his daughter, Rania. She was covered in sore and in a puddle of her own blood. She looked just like the others. "This is impossible. This isn't right." He murmured repeatedly to himself. He looked up at them with tears in his eyes. "Her heart is still intact. How can she be dead?"
The room had cleared. Cassadines from every corner slowly crept from the depths of the shadows they hid amongst during the stampede. Nikolas was the first to say something. "This...all of this," Nikolas lifted his hands to take in the destruction, "Is all her fault." Sam didn't need to look at him to know he was pointing at her. "She has brought this devastation upon us, like a plague. She will eventually be our family's downfall."
Their eyes met and she could see nothing, but pure hatred in his. It was overwhelming. "We can't let this opportunity pass us by. I say we reinstate her exile and get on with our lives." Sam now noticed who he was directing his little speech to. The Covenant was here. All nine members. Three for each division stood before them. Some old and still fashioned by the time they were born in. Others, like Irina, much younger and much more ambitious. Everyone had an agenda. Sam just didn't know who would benefit from her leaving.
"I stand with my sworn prince. He has a point. None of this had begun until Natasha's spawn came back." Amelia Cassadine, from Greece said. She was as ancient as Rome. Her skin was like wax paper and her hair like wisps of white cotton candy. Her grandson, Markos, stood behind her. He gripped her wheelchair gingerly. He was very protective over the old bat and fiercely loyal.
Reuben didn't argue against this. His arms were full of death and blood. He couldn't even hear his old thoughts, let alone the words of the others. Sam looked from him to the rest of them. They all seemed deadlocked on this decision. Irina smiled. "Shall we send the cursed princess packing or to the death she should've had alongside her whore mother." Irina tapped her chin lightly, as if she had final call.
Stefan stepped forward shaking his head. "Move aside mute. You have no power here." Nikolas said laughing.
"I say we stick a fire poker through her heart and rip it from her chest!" Someone from the small crowd yelled.
"How about we dismember her and sail each piece to the four corners of the earth!" Another chimed in.
The crowd turned like the tide, all in Nikolas favor and against her. Sam took in each horrible suggestion and it made her heart break. This was her family and they all blamed her for this. The anger inside filled her, touching every nerve in her body. She silently walked over to Mikkos large that hung just above the grand fireplace. Standing before it, she straighten her back.
"You will not touch a hair on my head." She said loud enough for them all to hear. A silence swept over them. Nikolas moved out into the open. Standing across from her. "And why is that?" He asked, curious to her response. She didn't disappoint. "You're not our king, prince." She spat. He flinched at her harshness. "I have as much of a right to that throne as you and I plan to sit upon it." Rueben was now staring at her, with tears in his eyes. They all were. "I'm officially putting myself in the game and I will win."
Centuries ago
The battle was nearly over. They were victorious. Sandor was feeling more and more confident in every enemy he had cut down with the swiftness of his sword. Cutting them in whole halves. Then decapitating their heads for prizes to be mounted along the walls enclosing his kingdom. His men were quick and efficient. Their families would be proud. He surely was.
House Rurik was nearly destroyed and Vladimir watched it from the shadows of his brother's light. Sandor would receive the glory and the praises. He was their strong and capable king that tore down an entire house. While he, Vladimir, was the inscrutable younger brother. A halfwit to some and a spare part to others. His anger filled him. Boiling the nerves within. He was tired of this. He raised his sword, rushing toward an enemy heading in his direction, with one swift movement he sliced off his head. While in the process also decapitating his beautiful brother's.
Looking around to see if any of their men noticed. He quickly grabbed the sword of the enemies and smeared it with the blood of his older brother's. Stabbing himself to make it seem like it was a fierce fight. Once he was done he fell to his knees. Letting this foreign feeling take over him . He wept.
The battle was over. They had won.
Present Day
Sam sat at her desk in her room. Feeling the pressure more than ever now. She had given her bid for the throne and others were finally taking notice of her. Seeing her for more than the troublesome child that caused a massacre over a decade ago for the love of a human. Now she had to prove to them she had truly changed. She just didn't know if that was true.
She opened the lower drawer of her desk. Pulling out the brown leather diary that belonged to her mother. "I miss you so much." She whispered to the cover, running her fingertips across the smooth surface.
She flipped the book open. Looking at the first page.
September 21, 1988
This damn island is my punishment.
It's been some weeks since I seduced my brother Stefan at his bacchanalia. I just wanted to cause some trouble for my father. Make him look like a fool in front of the Covenant. It would be his prize for giving me to a man I absolutely loathe. But…
That has backfired on me. Now I'm stuck on a giant rock, pregnant, and soon to be wed to a man I don't love.
I hate my father more than anything
Stefan is all too happy to marry me. He believes this was fate, because he's always loved me. Love that surpasses the conventional love a brother should have for a half sister. He's a fool. I think I hate him just as much as I hate my father.
Him, for begging father for this. When our father still planned on marrying me to the prestigious Duke of York. Now I'm stuck with him and this island until the arrival of this abomination. I pray I miscarry in the night. That way, I would be rid of it and would no longer need to marry that dignified brother of mine.
So this entry is like a prayer or wish, you may call it. To you my beautiful Apollyon. Please rid my body of this leech and get me the hell off this island.
