Note: The term 'BLINK' will be used. I got it from the TV series Charmed in
which demons 'blink' or transport into a different place/position.
Chapter Ten: Riddled
"Alright," Callie ground out through clenched teeth, "what do I have to do?"
His eyes twinkled mischievously as he gave that haunting grin, putting Callie's hopes on ice. She felt that dizzying sensation from when they'd all entered the game, and she tried to concentrate on an object in the room, her eyes going in and out of focus. Everything turned dark and silver swirls pierced her vision as she felt air climb up and into her pant legs. Her feet slammed so hard onto the ground that her knees buckled and she collapsed.
It took about a minute for her eyes to adjust to the different surroundings. She cringed and rubbed her eyes as she lifted herself up. There was light, bright light, almost as if it was put there to burn. By the looks of it, she was all by herself.
The lights clicked off and Callie was engulfed in pitch darkness. Every time, well, ever since she could remember, Callie had always felt cold and alone in the dark, no matter if she had a group of people with her; she never did like the dark. But just as hyperventilation began to kick in, the warm soft glow of a flame twinkled. Looking around she noticed the source of light was coming from, what appeared to be a black candle resting on a large stone across the room. Callie sighed and approached the light, not wanting to encounter any more furry creatures, she thought it best not to try and venture beyond the soft almost caressing glow.
"Julian!" she yelled, "what the hell did you bring me here for if you were just going to do that-" she paused, trying to think of the proper term, " disappearing thingy?"
A gentle rumble came from the ceiling. 'An amusing rumble, a laugh maybe?' Callie thought. The hairs on the back of her neck stood on end as she felt something behind her. Her first instinct was to turn, but her feet seemed not to obey her mind.
"To solve your riddle," his exotic whisper filled her ear.
Even though she'd known someone had been there the full shock of the voice made her jump, gasp, and clutch her chest in shock. His evil laughter seemed to literally enter her body sending uncontrollable shivers throughout her body. She whipped around to face him and unconsciously took a step back.
'I will not let him get to me; I will not let him get to me,' she repeated over and over again in her head.
Lifting her chin up in slight defiance she glared. "What riddle?"
"It's just a little something to help you get your loved ones out," he smirked.
"Oh," she gave a puzzled look, then licked her lips and glanced back up, "I'm assuming there's either rules, terms, whatever, and I know there's catch. So lets not beat around bush."
Julian's electric blue eyes were so penetrating Callie could have sworn he could see into her very soul.
"It's very simple," he replied.
Callie lifted her eyebrow and cringed as she pulled the sticky wet cloth of her shirt off of her slashed middle. "Nothing is EVER simple!"
He gave a tiny grin and continued. "All you have to do is solve it and then give me the answer."
"And there is no time limit?"
"None at all, those are the rules," he replied innocently
She let her gaze travel over his face; silently damning herself because she couldn't read his expressions.
'Stupid expressionless face!'
"Ok, give it to me then," she said trying to hide fear.
"It's over there," he pointed to the stone. "Written on that."
With that last word he turned to mist and vanished. Callie blinked at the speed of him disappearing. She then shook her head and walked over to the stone, resting her arms on it.
If you break me
I do not stop working,
If you touch me
I may be snared,
If you lose me
Nothing will matter
"Oh great," she grunted, "how am I going to answer this?"
Sighing she slid down to the floor and sat in front of the stone tracing the letters with her fingers, hoping to get a better idea of what the riddle could be.
'Well, if its anything like the one he gave my mom, it will be a piece of cake. A kiss would be no big deal. She WAS an actress after all,' she thought with an absent smile.
An irritating itch tingled through her forearm, lost in thought she relieved it.
'Something that can be broken but still works?'
She let out a sigh of frustration. "I'm never going to solve this!" she pouted, "Stupid scratch!"
Scratching her arm harder, letting her concentration stray away from the task at hand, she noticed that the itch wasn't just an itch but rather a burning sensation. She looked down to see what was bothering her. About a fraction of an inch above her wrist was a thick, dark red mark developing across her arm.
She frowned and trailed her finger over it, "What's this?"
Then as if an invisible knife had slashed into her skin a large gash spread across her wrist. Blood dripped down her pants and onto the floor as she jumped up. She started looking around wildly for her attacker, but then understood.
"You asshole!" she screamed into nothing as she slung her arm into the air, "You failed to mention this little tid-bit on purpose you bastard!"
Cruel laughter echoed through the room. "Oh how wicked of me I forgot to mention that every three minutes that you don't have that riddle solved," Julian drawled, "you get a nasty little surprise, but I see that you've already figured that out by your expression!"
"SHUT UP!" she screamed.
But the sounds only became louder still as she slid back to the floor trying to convert her attention back to the riddle.
Another gash, higher up on her arm, appeared as she sat there.
The laughter was becoming unbearable now. It sounded as if twelve people were rolling in hysterics around the room. As she sat there in puddles of blood, she clamped her hands over her ears. Her eyes began to water as another cut sliced her arm.
"This is so not fair!" she whispered trying to get some relief from the evil sounding noise.
She stood up and began pacing in a small distance back and forth. She jerked her arm and blood splashed on the floor. By now both of her arms had become covered in gashes and all attempts to concentrate had been for nothing. She just couldn't make the sound go away. It was like it was echoing around in her head rather then the room.
As the noise and pain became worse, she had more trouble concealing her tears as they dripped down her face. Slashes had begun to appear across her legs now ripping huge holes in her pants. She refused to be reduced to being helpless and crawl into a ball. The need was so strong however that she dropped to her knees, the blood from her thighs seemed to glue to the floor.
'How can I possibly think like this?'
She shook her head and it clicked, like a light bulb turning on. She jumped to her feet grabbing on to stone to steady herself; she felt dizzy from her blood loss.
She couldn't believe she hadn't thought of it sooner. She knew this riddle all along and Julian knew it, it's why he was deliberately trying to distract her so that she couldn't think straight. She had learned the riddle in high school. It had been an assignment in her freshman English class. She was to find a riddle, analyze it, and write an essay going into the deep analysis. She'd been very fond of the riddle she'd chosen and had memorized it, writing it down everywhere she'd gone and laminating her essay.
If you break me
I do not stop working,
If you touch me
I may be snared,
If you lose me
Nothing will matter
"A heart!" she whispered clutching her arms to her chest. Relief swarmed into her chest and she gave a tiny grin as the insane laughter of the shadow men stopped.
She gave a gasp of laughter, "Now you have to let us go," she continued to whisper knowing full well she could be heard.
"Who said anything about all of you leaving?"
He looked like the devil draped in leather. His snow white hair ruffled in the wind, wind that couldn't possibly be because there weren't any windows or doors, his haunting blue eyes surrounded by soot colored lashes and brows, looked down at her.
Callie, who'd been on her knees, had rested down on them and she turned her head searching his eyes. "Y-you said-"
Julian cut her off. "I said some of them could go."
Callie shook her head, tears streaming down her face, "N-no you didn't!"
"Oh don't cry! Your mother didn't cry," his disgust was evident.
Callie glared. "My mother probably wasn't in this much physical pain!"
She shuddered as Julian walked towards her. His leather shoes came into view and she strained her neck, still in her crouched position.
"Are you in pain?" he whispered softly.
Callie lifted her upper body up. "Y-you say that as if you care!" her voice cracked in anger.
Julian sighed. "You might not even be able to get some of them to go free. You were supposed to GIVE me the answer," he replied in mock sadness. "I said you could get some of your loved ones out if you gave me the answer."
Slowly, painfully, she lifted herself up onto her feet, opened her mouth, held out her arms, and in an exasperated way looked at Julian. "Well I can't very well cut out my heart!" she then paused and made a slight pout, "C-can I?"
"Your mother stole something very dear to me, ripped it out like it was nothing, my heart!" he spat out, "and now she will pay! By me taking her heart, you."
A chill ran down her spine.
"What are you going to do?" she asked in a small voice.
A humorless grin spread across his face. "Callie love, you are your mothers pride and joy. Your death would just kill her! Wouldn't you say Orion?" Julian lifted his eyes.
"You can't kill her!" Orion spoke behind Callie. She turned swiftly.
His eyes glittering with malice, he raised his hand as a large dagger appeared in his hand.
He smiled at Orion. "Oh come, come! She'd be a good treat don't you think? Phenomenal actually," he blinked his whole body, liked the demons in Charmed, towards Callie, brushing his hand against her dirt and tear streaked face.
Giving kudos to herself for not flinching she spoke with pure hatred. "I guess this is where Charmed got it right, demons really can blink!"
"I'm not demon.I am a god, I am the shadows, I am everywhere-"
"I get the picture!" Callie glared as Julian griped her chin.
It felt like he was going to crush her face as he pulled her to him and let his tongue slide up the cut on her cheek. She jerked back giving a disgusted sound.
Julian shut his eyes as he savored the taste. "Taste good!" he whispered then grinned and turned away, "You have two choices and be sure to make it quick because I am becoming impatient," he added sharply, "you can either leave all of your friends and family here to die while you go home safe, and sound, hmm, sounds familiar, like something else you did? Or you can let all of them leave-"
"That last one!"
Julian gave a toothy grin. "You didn't let me finish! You stay here."
He walked over and handed the dagger to Callie. She stared down at the silver plated dagger with liquid blue teardrops that had been placed in her hands.
'I wonder if I was quick enough could I kill him?' the weak thought whispered through her mind.
As if he knew what she was thinking he gave her a soft look. "Don't try it! I would kill you before you even took a step!"
With a large sigh of defeat she made her decision.
"My choice still stands. What do I need to do?" she asked without looking up.
Callie indented the tip of the sharp blade into her peach colored skin and gasped as a teardrop of blood emerged. So it was sharp after all.
"I think you know exactly what you need to do."
She nodded, never taking her eyes off the dagger, as she continued to trace the drops with her finger.
Tears falling down her face, she looked up. "Why are you doing this?"
"Revenge is a sweet thing," Julian spoke, his eyes trained on the blood that had drenched Callie's clothing.
He looked hungry.
"Can we make another deal? I mean since I'm giving you my heart.literally. You're taking my life the least you could do-"
"I'm not taking your life. That blade is magical! It'll cut through you, and it'll hurt, but when that tip touches your heart you belong to me. You'll be my slave. When I get angry I'll torture you, I'll make you slash your wrists repeatedly as they heal automatically before your eyes, you'll feel pain beyond your imagination and you will pay for your mothers sins."
Julian gazed into her dull eyes. "Slave huh?" Callie said shaking her head then suddenly she became desperate, "Please?"
Callie couldn't tell, but at that moment she thought she might have seen sympathy, something and she pushed on it.
"Julian please, let all of them go! I don't have anything else to-"
"Your hair," Julian stated.
Callie gave a confused look. "What?"
"Cut your hair so that I can give it to your mother. I want to see her face when I tell her what I have planned for you and when I give her the only thing she'll ever have of you and then I will let them all go."
Callie lifted the blade and sliced through her hair, cutting it slightly uneven to the middle of her neck. She tossed the slightly dry strands to him, which would have scattered if a black satin bag hadn't appeared and enveloped them.
"I'm sorry momma," she whispered as she plunged the dagger into her heart.
She cried out and her eyes watered. Callie couldn't even begin to describe the excruciating pain that ripped through her. She'd lost so much blood all ready that the haziness began to take over. A queasy iron taste fell into her mouth as her vision blurred. She fell to her knees as her lungs started to burn for air. The image that would be forever imprinted on her mind was Julian's saddened face as her world dissolved into darkness.
To Be Continued.
I'm very pleased with the way this part went! I hope you all enjoyed it! I'd also like to thank Luna in help writing it. Technically she wrote three pages of it and I added four pages to it along with some corrections in her writing.
Note from Luna:
Well, guys I guess I would like to introduce myself first. My name is Amber, usually called Luna. Aya contacted me when she needed a little help with this chapter. So I got my first chance at writing anything and actually putting it into text form for people to read. I set the basics for this chapter up and the plot of it, so that Aya could add detail and fix it to her liking. I would love to know what everyone thinks of it, so I'll know if I should try writing some of my own fics. Hey if Aya ever needs it again, maybe I can get a little more in later on. Can't wait to hear what you guys think! :)
Aya's note:
Definitely should write her own stories! She helped me out a lot with her three pages (I wasn't going to change too much of it, but like I said she got my writing bug going and I ended up added four pages to the three she'd all ready written.
The riddle used came from this site: - puzzles.org/sol.pl/riddle/26
Chapter Ten: Riddled
"Alright," Callie ground out through clenched teeth, "what do I have to do?"
His eyes twinkled mischievously as he gave that haunting grin, putting Callie's hopes on ice. She felt that dizzying sensation from when they'd all entered the game, and she tried to concentrate on an object in the room, her eyes going in and out of focus. Everything turned dark and silver swirls pierced her vision as she felt air climb up and into her pant legs. Her feet slammed so hard onto the ground that her knees buckled and she collapsed.
It took about a minute for her eyes to adjust to the different surroundings. She cringed and rubbed her eyes as she lifted herself up. There was light, bright light, almost as if it was put there to burn. By the looks of it, she was all by herself.
The lights clicked off and Callie was engulfed in pitch darkness. Every time, well, ever since she could remember, Callie had always felt cold and alone in the dark, no matter if she had a group of people with her; she never did like the dark. But just as hyperventilation began to kick in, the warm soft glow of a flame twinkled. Looking around she noticed the source of light was coming from, what appeared to be a black candle resting on a large stone across the room. Callie sighed and approached the light, not wanting to encounter any more furry creatures, she thought it best not to try and venture beyond the soft almost caressing glow.
"Julian!" she yelled, "what the hell did you bring me here for if you were just going to do that-" she paused, trying to think of the proper term, " disappearing thingy?"
A gentle rumble came from the ceiling. 'An amusing rumble, a laugh maybe?' Callie thought. The hairs on the back of her neck stood on end as she felt something behind her. Her first instinct was to turn, but her feet seemed not to obey her mind.
"To solve your riddle," his exotic whisper filled her ear.
Even though she'd known someone had been there the full shock of the voice made her jump, gasp, and clutch her chest in shock. His evil laughter seemed to literally enter her body sending uncontrollable shivers throughout her body. She whipped around to face him and unconsciously took a step back.
'I will not let him get to me; I will not let him get to me,' she repeated over and over again in her head.
Lifting her chin up in slight defiance she glared. "What riddle?"
"It's just a little something to help you get your loved ones out," he smirked.
"Oh," she gave a puzzled look, then licked her lips and glanced back up, "I'm assuming there's either rules, terms, whatever, and I know there's catch. So lets not beat around bush."
Julian's electric blue eyes were so penetrating Callie could have sworn he could see into her very soul.
"It's very simple," he replied.
Callie lifted her eyebrow and cringed as she pulled the sticky wet cloth of her shirt off of her slashed middle. "Nothing is EVER simple!"
He gave a tiny grin and continued. "All you have to do is solve it and then give me the answer."
"And there is no time limit?"
"None at all, those are the rules," he replied innocently
She let her gaze travel over his face; silently damning herself because she couldn't read his expressions.
'Stupid expressionless face!'
"Ok, give it to me then," she said trying to hide fear.
"It's over there," he pointed to the stone. "Written on that."
With that last word he turned to mist and vanished. Callie blinked at the speed of him disappearing. She then shook her head and walked over to the stone, resting her arms on it.
If you break me
I do not stop working,
If you touch me
I may be snared,
If you lose me
Nothing will matter
"Oh great," she grunted, "how am I going to answer this?"
Sighing she slid down to the floor and sat in front of the stone tracing the letters with her fingers, hoping to get a better idea of what the riddle could be.
'Well, if its anything like the one he gave my mom, it will be a piece of cake. A kiss would be no big deal. She WAS an actress after all,' she thought with an absent smile.
An irritating itch tingled through her forearm, lost in thought she relieved it.
'Something that can be broken but still works?'
She let out a sigh of frustration. "I'm never going to solve this!" she pouted, "Stupid scratch!"
Scratching her arm harder, letting her concentration stray away from the task at hand, she noticed that the itch wasn't just an itch but rather a burning sensation. She looked down to see what was bothering her. About a fraction of an inch above her wrist was a thick, dark red mark developing across her arm.
She frowned and trailed her finger over it, "What's this?"
Then as if an invisible knife had slashed into her skin a large gash spread across her wrist. Blood dripped down her pants and onto the floor as she jumped up. She started looking around wildly for her attacker, but then understood.
"You asshole!" she screamed into nothing as she slung her arm into the air, "You failed to mention this little tid-bit on purpose you bastard!"
Cruel laughter echoed through the room. "Oh how wicked of me I forgot to mention that every three minutes that you don't have that riddle solved," Julian drawled, "you get a nasty little surprise, but I see that you've already figured that out by your expression!"
"SHUT UP!" she screamed.
But the sounds only became louder still as she slid back to the floor trying to convert her attention back to the riddle.
Another gash, higher up on her arm, appeared as she sat there.
The laughter was becoming unbearable now. It sounded as if twelve people were rolling in hysterics around the room. As she sat there in puddles of blood, she clamped her hands over her ears. Her eyes began to water as another cut sliced her arm.
"This is so not fair!" she whispered trying to get some relief from the evil sounding noise.
She stood up and began pacing in a small distance back and forth. She jerked her arm and blood splashed on the floor. By now both of her arms had become covered in gashes and all attempts to concentrate had been for nothing. She just couldn't make the sound go away. It was like it was echoing around in her head rather then the room.
As the noise and pain became worse, she had more trouble concealing her tears as they dripped down her face. Slashes had begun to appear across her legs now ripping huge holes in her pants. She refused to be reduced to being helpless and crawl into a ball. The need was so strong however that she dropped to her knees, the blood from her thighs seemed to glue to the floor.
'How can I possibly think like this?'
She shook her head and it clicked, like a light bulb turning on. She jumped to her feet grabbing on to stone to steady herself; she felt dizzy from her blood loss.
She couldn't believe she hadn't thought of it sooner. She knew this riddle all along and Julian knew it, it's why he was deliberately trying to distract her so that she couldn't think straight. She had learned the riddle in high school. It had been an assignment in her freshman English class. She was to find a riddle, analyze it, and write an essay going into the deep analysis. She'd been very fond of the riddle she'd chosen and had memorized it, writing it down everywhere she'd gone and laminating her essay.
If you break me
I do not stop working,
If you touch me
I may be snared,
If you lose me
Nothing will matter
"A heart!" she whispered clutching her arms to her chest. Relief swarmed into her chest and she gave a tiny grin as the insane laughter of the shadow men stopped.
She gave a gasp of laughter, "Now you have to let us go," she continued to whisper knowing full well she could be heard.
"Who said anything about all of you leaving?"
He looked like the devil draped in leather. His snow white hair ruffled in the wind, wind that couldn't possibly be because there weren't any windows or doors, his haunting blue eyes surrounded by soot colored lashes and brows, looked down at her.
Callie, who'd been on her knees, had rested down on them and she turned her head searching his eyes. "Y-you said-"
Julian cut her off. "I said some of them could go."
Callie shook her head, tears streaming down her face, "N-no you didn't!"
"Oh don't cry! Your mother didn't cry," his disgust was evident.
Callie glared. "My mother probably wasn't in this much physical pain!"
She shuddered as Julian walked towards her. His leather shoes came into view and she strained her neck, still in her crouched position.
"Are you in pain?" he whispered softly.
Callie lifted her upper body up. "Y-you say that as if you care!" her voice cracked in anger.
Julian sighed. "You might not even be able to get some of them to go free. You were supposed to GIVE me the answer," he replied in mock sadness. "I said you could get some of your loved ones out if you gave me the answer."
Slowly, painfully, she lifted herself up onto her feet, opened her mouth, held out her arms, and in an exasperated way looked at Julian. "Well I can't very well cut out my heart!" she then paused and made a slight pout, "C-can I?"
"Your mother stole something very dear to me, ripped it out like it was nothing, my heart!" he spat out, "and now she will pay! By me taking her heart, you."
A chill ran down her spine.
"What are you going to do?" she asked in a small voice.
A humorless grin spread across his face. "Callie love, you are your mothers pride and joy. Your death would just kill her! Wouldn't you say Orion?" Julian lifted his eyes.
"You can't kill her!" Orion spoke behind Callie. She turned swiftly.
His eyes glittering with malice, he raised his hand as a large dagger appeared in his hand.
He smiled at Orion. "Oh come, come! She'd be a good treat don't you think? Phenomenal actually," he blinked his whole body, liked the demons in Charmed, towards Callie, brushing his hand against her dirt and tear streaked face.
Giving kudos to herself for not flinching she spoke with pure hatred. "I guess this is where Charmed got it right, demons really can blink!"
"I'm not demon.I am a god, I am the shadows, I am everywhere-"
"I get the picture!" Callie glared as Julian griped her chin.
It felt like he was going to crush her face as he pulled her to him and let his tongue slide up the cut on her cheek. She jerked back giving a disgusted sound.
Julian shut his eyes as he savored the taste. "Taste good!" he whispered then grinned and turned away, "You have two choices and be sure to make it quick because I am becoming impatient," he added sharply, "you can either leave all of your friends and family here to die while you go home safe, and sound, hmm, sounds familiar, like something else you did? Or you can let all of them leave-"
"That last one!"
Julian gave a toothy grin. "You didn't let me finish! You stay here."
He walked over and handed the dagger to Callie. She stared down at the silver plated dagger with liquid blue teardrops that had been placed in her hands.
'I wonder if I was quick enough could I kill him?' the weak thought whispered through her mind.
As if he knew what she was thinking he gave her a soft look. "Don't try it! I would kill you before you even took a step!"
With a large sigh of defeat she made her decision.
"My choice still stands. What do I need to do?" she asked without looking up.
Callie indented the tip of the sharp blade into her peach colored skin and gasped as a teardrop of blood emerged. So it was sharp after all.
"I think you know exactly what you need to do."
She nodded, never taking her eyes off the dagger, as she continued to trace the drops with her finger.
Tears falling down her face, she looked up. "Why are you doing this?"
"Revenge is a sweet thing," Julian spoke, his eyes trained on the blood that had drenched Callie's clothing.
He looked hungry.
"Can we make another deal? I mean since I'm giving you my heart.literally. You're taking my life the least you could do-"
"I'm not taking your life. That blade is magical! It'll cut through you, and it'll hurt, but when that tip touches your heart you belong to me. You'll be my slave. When I get angry I'll torture you, I'll make you slash your wrists repeatedly as they heal automatically before your eyes, you'll feel pain beyond your imagination and you will pay for your mothers sins."
Julian gazed into her dull eyes. "Slave huh?" Callie said shaking her head then suddenly she became desperate, "Please?"
Callie couldn't tell, but at that moment she thought she might have seen sympathy, something and she pushed on it.
"Julian please, let all of them go! I don't have anything else to-"
"Your hair," Julian stated.
Callie gave a confused look. "What?"
"Cut your hair so that I can give it to your mother. I want to see her face when I tell her what I have planned for you and when I give her the only thing she'll ever have of you and then I will let them all go."
Callie lifted the blade and sliced through her hair, cutting it slightly uneven to the middle of her neck. She tossed the slightly dry strands to him, which would have scattered if a black satin bag hadn't appeared and enveloped them.
"I'm sorry momma," she whispered as she plunged the dagger into her heart.
She cried out and her eyes watered. Callie couldn't even begin to describe the excruciating pain that ripped through her. She'd lost so much blood all ready that the haziness began to take over. A queasy iron taste fell into her mouth as her vision blurred. She fell to her knees as her lungs started to burn for air. The image that would be forever imprinted on her mind was Julian's saddened face as her world dissolved into darkness.
To Be Continued.
I'm very pleased with the way this part went! I hope you all enjoyed it! I'd also like to thank Luna in help writing it. Technically she wrote three pages of it and I added four pages to it along with some corrections in her writing.
Note from Luna:
Well, guys I guess I would like to introduce myself first. My name is Amber, usually called Luna. Aya contacted me when she needed a little help with this chapter. So I got my first chance at writing anything and actually putting it into text form for people to read. I set the basics for this chapter up and the plot of it, so that Aya could add detail and fix it to her liking. I would love to know what everyone thinks of it, so I'll know if I should try writing some of my own fics. Hey if Aya ever needs it again, maybe I can get a little more in later on. Can't wait to hear what you guys think! :)
Aya's note:
Definitely should write her own stories! She helped me out a lot with her three pages (I wasn't going to change too much of it, but like I said she got my writing bug going and I ended up added four pages to the three she'd all ready written.
The riddle used came from this site: - puzzles.org/sol.pl/riddle/26