(Huge sigh of relief) Finally…done with big important chapters in my stories for a while. Enjoy:
Chase had planned on coming back to Erica's room that day, but the hours slipped by and before he knew it, it was midnight. So he came back the next day. To his amazement there were no signs of her leaving. Meaning she had stayed there the entire night.
"Erica," He called knocking on the door but opening it as well. She was sitting on the bed towards him. Slightly hunched over. Her eyes on the floor, watching her pale bare foot make small circles in the newly added carpet.
The room was still dark and she averted his gaze.
"Um…feelings better?" He asked, unsure of what to say.
"Yes…" She said softly and started tracing the circles with her other foot.
"Erica…I…uh…" Chase let out a deep sigh. "I haven't exactly been very honest with you since you arrived. I haven't lied to you. But I haven't informing you on matter in which you are concerned…" He paused and pursed his lips, nervously.
Erica looked up at him. Nodded slowly. Giving permission to continue.
"Er…do you remember when you asked me about what the amulet did? And I just sort of side-stepped the question?"
"Hey, you know, you are right." Erica spoke. "But…why did you do that?"
"Well Erica, the truth is, I didn't want to answer the question yet. I didn't want to do it all if I could avoid it." Erica opened her mouth to say something but Chase silenced her. "But, I feel now that I must tell you. Because it will help you understand what's going on."
"And maybe…when I know what it is…I can control it…?"
"That's what I hope," Chase grimaced. "Otherwise I am wasting my time informing you."
"Well…um…explain, please."
Chase sighed. Opened his mouth, then sighed loudly again. "Where to begin…"
Finally after a long silence Chase spoke again, this time with more confidence.
"Let's just start where we are best acquainted. Erica, do you know why you are slowly becoming a vampire?"
"Because I am in possession of the Amulet of Fantasies. Otherwise known as the Jewel of the Vampires." She said bluntly.
"Right, but do you know why exactly it is happening?"
"Um…something about the army within the amulet is full of vampires?"
"Correct," Chase said. "Correct. Now, we just need to apply that basic concept to everything else."
"Hmm?"
"You're becoming a vampire, because the powerful amulet with which you share power and thoughts with, is the holding place of my vampires. And thus over time, you are becoming like them. Make sense?"
"I suppose…but what does this have to do with behavior?"
"I'm getting there! Now, remember when you were acting and speaking more boldly. But you thought it was the palaces doing?" Erica nodded. "It isn't! It's the amulet again. I mean think about it, if you were an all powerful vampire, or mermaid, or dragon, or something else, wouldn't you be pretty bold?"
"I guess if I was powerful like that, I would indeed have reason to be bolder and less scared. Sounds logical." She thought out loud. "Basically what you're saying is I am becoming a vampire?"
"No, no, we already knew that." Chase shook his head. "What I'm saying is that the creatures within the amulet are becoming you as much as you are becoming them. You're becoming each other."
"Okay…?"
"Think of it like this. All the 'mythical' creature in the worlds souls are trapped in there. And after an eternity of being trapped in a necklace, they get rather reckless. (Excuse the rhyme) Think of it like this…the souls begin to fight with each other and just cause havoc. And occasionally if their strong enough, their thoughts and feelings, or actions, break through to the user; that would be you."
"Okay I think I get it now. I have a bunch of souls raging around within the tiny space of this jewel," she held up the amulet. "and they exhibited a powerful force over me…and come out…as my own thoughts and feelings and way of speaking?"
"And that's the most simple way of putting it." Chase answered. "Remember when you couldn't figure out why you knew so much about the amulet?"
"Yes. That was most peculiar."
"Well the souls inside do know. After all, the necklace is their home. They know more about it than anyone else. They've been feeding you the information as they please."
Erica starred down into the amulet. "You know, I have been taking care of those little guys more than ten years. You would think they would be a little more great full towards me. Instead of confusing me all the time and trying to make me use their emotions."
"Careful Erica. They can hear you."
"Let them hear me! I have been nothing but nice to the little guys. And the only thing they have done for me is make me a vampire. And that is more a curse than a gift."
"If you were to part with the amulet, they wouldn't be able to-"
"No, Chase. Just no. Do not use this to try and take the amulet. I would rather put up with them than be free, knowing I have damned the rest of the world."
"Had to try." Chase justified his actions.
"What about all these moods swings? How are they explained?"
"When two souls start fighting for control each will exert partial control, then jump to the next. And two beings would only ever fight for control if they had different opinions. That's why when one breaks through you feel fine and happy, then when the other takes control it makes you angry and sad. Then the happy one seizes control again, and then a different soul comes into the mix that wants you to feel-"
"Okay, sorry for interrupting, but why do these soul feel the needs to control what I think?
"No one knows, really. It could be that they want to control you and work through you to be the new host. It could be that they think you're doing a lousy job taking care of yourself, and thusly them, and feel the need to try and protect you."
"So what you are saying is that they either want to be control or they want to help me?"
"Or something else. As I said, no one knows. There are a number of possibilities."
"Well, I think those little…souls are quite weird, and strange little meddlers."
"I wouldn't be so quick to judge," Chase cocked an eyebrow at her. "One time these souls were majestic beauties that ruled the land and seas. Not too long ago was it when they were just like us."
"Then what happened?" Erica asked eager for more. She almost felt as if she was listening to a story, not random bits of information.
"Humans. Humans happened."
"The words speak for themselves…" Erica commented dryly. "How is that you know all this stuff?"
Chase chuckled. "One secret at a time, Erica. One secret at a time." He chuckled again and left her to prepare breakfast, being sure to turn on the light this time.
Well, I certainly hope this chap' did the explanation justice. Now, I command you to leave me a nice long review filled with praise and constructive criticism.