Author's note: I'm so sorry for the delay in posting, once again real life got in the way. I changed the status of the story to "in progress" since it was bugging some people but let me reassure you, the story IS completely written and posting should come faster now. A special thank you to: hotandcoldwulf, FaBber0oz, hraefnwwudu, Lyapunovsky, defarcas and frogOh. I have a little game for this chapter: I put a reference to another show in the chapter. The first person who sends me the correct answer via PM will get to read chapter 5 before it's posted. Who will the game?
The body was in horrible condition. Even in her wildest nightmares, Myka could never have imagined such horror. The body had been beaten to a pulp and there was blood all around it. Deputy Lupo and Deputy Andrew were doing their best to keep people away, while Sheriff Carter was looking at the body. Flies were forming a dark cloud over the body and the stench was disgusting. Myka couldn't stop her reaction; huddling against Sam's chest when the smell reached her nostrils.
Noticing the gathered crowd, Sheriff Carter scowled, commanding, "Go home folks, let us handle this!"
Obeying the lawman's order, Sam gently led Myka back home, while Pete went back to Amanda. Sam made Myka sit on the couch before bringing her a brandy, and then took one himself. They sat quietly for a while before Sam suddenly asked, "Why was Pete here in the middle of the day?"
Myka didn't answer, still shocked by what she had seen.
Growing angry as his wife seemed to ignore him, Sam growled, "Are you sleeping with him? Huh? Is that why you don't want a baby anymore? Because you want him to be the father?" Reaching out to give her shoulders a shake he yelled, "Answer me!"
"He came to offer me a deal to settle our debt with him," Myka said with an even tone. "In fact, I went to see the Mayor and he told me everything. Everything. So I made a deal with him. We will work hard and we will pay our debts. And despite what you think, Sam, I take my marriage vows seriously and I would never cheat on you. Now if you'll excuse me, I have work to do. Your dinner's on the table."
Myka got up and went to the study, closing the door behind her. Crossing to her writing desk, she sank into the chair, where she collapsed in tears.
The next morning, Myka was drawing a dress concept for Amanda when Macpherson came to the house. Forcing herself to be a polite hostess, she questioned, "Would you like something to drink Mr. Mayor?"
"No, thank you my dear, I won't stay long." Perching on the edge of the chair she'd offered, Macpherson added, "I came to tell you that I have decided to accept your offer. I've spoken with the other gentlemen, and they have accepted your offer as well. Mr. Lattimer, however, told me that he has made a different arrangement with you."
"He did, but my arrangement with you remains the same." Raising her chin proudly, Myka reiterated, "Ten dollars a week for the next fifteen years. You can keep the extra money for yourself."
Macpherson had a satisfied smile. "Very well my dear. I shall see you on Friday. Don't be late."
That night, Myka was sewing the first pieces of Amanda's dress when Helena knocked at the door. Myka was thrilled to see her and invited her in, leading her to the coziness of the kitchen.
Smiling at the seamstress, Helena apologized, "I'm sorry to come here so late, but I'm afraid Miss Donovan was quite busy with her project and didn't inform me earlier of your visit."
"It's alright, I wasn't asleep anyway." Returning the smile, Myka inquired, "Would you like a cup of coffee?"
"Tea if you have some, please." Perching on the kitchen chair, Helena added, "I saw the light still burning and that's why I dared to knock at your door at this time of night. Having trouble sleeping or late sleeper?"
Myka placed a cup of tea in front of Helena and sat opposite her at the table with her own mug. She offered a wry smile as she replied, "I'm having trouble sleeping lately, so I put my time into good use. What about you? What are you doing up and about so late?"
Helena ignored the question as she looked at the drawing on the table. "I see that you decided to do as you wish and have started sewing again."
"Yes, I have. That's why I came to see you yesterday." Unaccustomed nervousness flooded her, and gently turning her cup upon its saucer, she quietly added, "I wanted to tell you that I would like to accept your offer for work… If you still want me that is."
Helena had to fight the instinct to grab Myka and show her how much she really wanted her. She still hadn't figured out why this woman was so attractive to her. She had thought about it for the last two days and still had no answer. Something was compelling Helena to know the woman in front of her better, but she had to be careful. She had lost control after Myka's husband had rudely dismissed her a few days prior and she had drank from the first person she had ran into. Her wrath had been formidable, and she had almost been caught by a drunkard; denying her the time to properly hide the body. She had to be more patient and meticulous if she wanted Myka to trust her.
"Of course I want you!" A satisfied smile filled the British woman's face, topped by a wink as she added, "I only employ the best. And I pay for the best. Your price will be mine. When do we start?"
Myka's smile widened at Helena's enthusiasm. "We can start right now. How many dresses will you need?"
Helena took a sheet of paper and a quill and began writing as she said, "Let's see. I will need at least three corsets..."
Myka's eyes widened as she incredulously repeated, "Three?"
Helena once again ignored the other woman's words and continued writing her list. "As I said, three corsets and matching garter belts, along with ten pairs of undergarments, ten pairs of silk stockings and ten pairs of cotton stockings. Then to that I also need twenty dresses and five nightgowns, plus ten men's shirts, three pairs of trousers and new boots… Though I doubt your skills extend to that area, so I will need the name of the best cobbler in town."
Myka's bottom jaw had dropped lower and lower with Helena's enumeration of what she needed. Noticing Myka's reaction, Helena looked at her with a wicked smile and daintily shrugged. "What? I have to replace all my things."
"Why?" Waving between the list and herself, Myka asked, "Why hire a seamstress and not just buy all of your clothes at a mercantile?"
"Because I can, darling." Winking wickedly, Helena ran her hands down her current, ill-fitting dress, stating, "And I appreciate when my clothes fit me perfectly, and you can never have that with store-bought clothes. Plus, I do want the trousers to fit me and not a man so, I prefer to hire a seamstress."
Frowning as the other woman's words replayed in her head, Myka asked, "What happened to your other clothes?"
Helena's smile disappeared as she lowered her head. "I couldn't bring them with me. I left in a hurry and all I could bring was a quickly-packed bag filled with jewels. I sold the jewels so that I could buy passage on a ship to come to America, and start a new life."
"I'm sorry." Helena's sadness echoed in her heart, and blinking back tears, she said, "I didn't mean to pry. I shouldn't have asked."
Helena put her hand over Myka's. "It's alright, darling. Curiosity is part of human nature. How soon can you start? I only have three dresses and none of them fit me very well."
Myka looked at her and couldn't agree more. Helena was wearing the same black dress she had had onwhen they had first met, and now that Myka saw it up close, she realized that the dress was indeed too small for Helena's figure. Come to think of it, Myka also remembered that every time she had seen Helena, she had been wearing that dress.
"I have to do this dress for Amanda first, and then I can start on your order. But I'm afraid you'll have to go to Featherhead for your corsets and undergarments. They have a boutique where you can get your measurements taken, and then you can bring them back to me. And you could choose your fabric..." Excitement suddenly lit Myka's eyes as she exclaimed, "Oh! I know! I should go with you! That way it would be much easier. We could leave at dawn and be back at dusk."
Helena removed her hand from Myka's and cleared her throat. "I'm afraid that won't be possible."
"Oh." Myka's excitement deflated, and sitting back in her own seat, she softly added, "Alright, you can go on your own and bring me back your measurements and your fabrics. I'll let you know as soon as I have the first dress ready for a fitting."
Myka stood and picked up the empty cups, carrying them to the sink and silently washing them as Helena began to move around behind her.
Looking at Myka's stiff back with a craving that was getting hard to deny, Helena said, "It's getting late, I should leave."
Myka kept her back to her. "Yes, I think you should."
"I will be in touch Mrs. Martino. In the meantime, should you need to contact me during the day, you can leave your message with young Miss Donovan, she works for me." Moving towards the door with a swish of her shirt, she paused to call, "Good night."
Myka didn't answer and sighing, Helena left.
Myka dried the mugs and carefully put them back in the cupboard. She didn't understand why she felt so... angry at Miss Wells... at Helena. She had simply wanted to be friendly and practical. But she couldn't antagonize her biggest customer, she had to stay professional. There was something... peculiar about Helena. Something intriguing. She wanted to get to know the other woman, to be her friend. Looking at the clock, Myka hesitated between going back to her work, going to sleep, or baking bread. She felt an incredible urge to knead her hands in the dough, of running her fingers through its silky strands and bring it to her lips... Myka shook her dream away and pulled the flour from the cupboard.
When Sam rose the next morning, he found his wife asleep at the kitchen table and three fresh loaves of bread on the counter. Frowning over the fact that she'd chosen to sleep at the hard table, rather than in the bed with him, Sam left for work, slamming the door behind him.
A week later, Myka was becoming exhausted. She was working from dawn to dusk, and barely sleeping every night. The house was as spotless as ever, Amanda's first dress was going great and she had a new story ready. She had gone to Featherhead to get the fabric for Amanda's dress and had brought back several samples for Helena, which she had left with Claudia. She hadn't seen Helena and she hadn't had news from her either.
Sam hadn't played cards in almost two weeks, much to Myka's relief. He was even working at the pub four nights a week to compensate his lack of hours at the bank. Things were less tense between the couple, which helped a lot. Sam had recognized that he had made a mistake, and Myka was making a serious effort at forgiving him.
Myka was carefully sewing the poplin of Amanda's dress when a knock at the front door startled her, and she pricked her index with her needle. She went to open the door with her finger still in her mouth to attenuate the pain, her eyes widening as she saw who her guest was. "Helena! I... I mean Miss Wells. Good evening!"
Helena smelled the blood and took a deep breath to stay in control. Forcing a smile onto her face, she returned, "Mrs. Martino, good evening to you as well. May I come in?"
"Yes!" Flushing at her lack of manners, Myka stepped back and gestured for her client to enter, replying, "Yes, of course."
Once Helena was inside, Myka closed the door behind them and led the way to the kitchen, inquiring, "Would you like a cup of tea?"
Helena too distracted by the delicious smell of blood to focus on Myka's question. She hadn't fed in over a week and would need to do it soon.
Frowning as her companion failed to answer, Myka turned to the other woman, asking, "Miss Wells? Are you alright?"
Helena refocused her attention on Myka, nodding. "Yes I am quite well. A cup of tea would be lovely, but I insist you have one as well. You look tired."
Myka put the kettle on the stove and sat opposite of Helena. "What brings you here tonight?"
"I came to apologize." Meeting Myka's gaze, Helena's remorse shone in her lovely dark eyes as she stated, "My behavior last week was rude and quite inappropriate. I came to propose we start our relationship over."
"There's no need to apologize." Waving away the apology, Myka added, "I shouldn't have been so forthcoming. You were right to put me back in my place. I shan't forget it again."
"Oh Myka, I'm sorry… This is exactly what I didn't want for us!" Placing her hand over the other woman's, Helena explained, "I've never had a friend, so I didn't realize that you were offering me your friendship, so I reacted the way I'd been taught since I was born. But I do wish to be your friend. If…If you want me."
"Of course I want you!" Myka said with great enthusiasm, before she instantly calmed down, embarrassed. "I mean, yes, I would like to be your friend."
Helena relaxed in relief, a large smile on her face. "Splendid! Now tell me, darling, why are you so tired?"
Myka had a little smile for her. "Because my new friend is keeping me quite busy with the new wardrobe she ordered. I have to draw twenty dresses and that's just for starters. Speaking of which, did Claudia gave you the samples I sent you? I need to know which fabric you want. Oh, and I will need your measurements."
The kettle started screaming and Myka went to prepare the tea, missing Helena's reaction to her words. "Good grief I did not wish to put you into an early grave when I asked for your assistance! You should rest, I can wait."
Myka came back with the mugs and a tired smile. "Unfortunately I can't. Sam and I have a great debt to pay, so I need to work as much as I can. It's alright, I've never needed much sleep anyway. Did you look at the samples?"
Nodding absently, Helena took a sip of her tea and tasted the small drop of blood that Myka had unknowingly left on the rim of the cup. Helena closed her eyes and let out a moan.
Myka looked at her and bit her bottom lip. Why was that sound affecting her so much? Helena looked… ecstatic. Myka had never seen someone enjoy tea so much, and to be honest with herself, she found it a bit attractive. Helena opened her eyes and looked at her. "What?"
Myka cleared her throat and took a big sip to have time to recover. "The fabric samples I sent you? Did you get them, and did you make a choice so I know what to buy next time I go to Featherhead?"
"Yes. Yes I have." Tamping her hunger down, Helena added, "I'm sorry I didn't come sooner, I was quite busy. I have them here."
For the next hour, the two women discussed muslin, batiste and crape; enjoying their tea as they did so. Myka took extensive notes on what Helena wanted for each dress.
"Alright, I will make a list of what you will need to buy in Featherhead and where to go to have your measurements taken and your undergarments made. Once your fabric order is ready, I will go pick it up and start on the first dress."
Helena looked uncomfortable. She got on her feet and started pacing.
Frowning at the woman's sudden reaction, she questioned, "Helena? Is there a problem?"
Helena stopped her pacing to look at the beautiful woman at the table. "I'm afraid going to Featherhead is not possible for me. Could you do it?"
Myka's eyes widened at the request. "Go to Featherhead? Ahh... I could but how am I supposed to order three corsets if they don't have your measurements?"
"That's what I meant, darling. Could you take my measurements and then order the corsets? And also order all the fabrics and necessary equipment you shall need." Winking at the seamstress, Helena declared, "Money shan't be a problem. I will send Miss Donovan to help you."
"Oh!" Shaking her head at the misunderstanding, Myka then nodded, replying, "Yes, I could do that. But at one point you will need to try the corsets on to be sure they fit you properly."
Helena started pacing again. She was starting to get hungrier, and focusing on the conversation was becoming difficult. Forcing herself to concentrate, she said, "When the time comes, I'm sure we'll find a solution. Now, should you measure me now, or is it getting too late? Your husband won't like that I'm keeping you away from him so late."
Myka took the mugs and the kettle to the sink. "Sam's not here. He's working at the pub tonight. but I expect him to be home in about two hours. In fact, I'm waiting up for him before I go to bed, so I have plenty of time to take your measurements now. I think it would be best if we go to our bedroom. I have a folding screen in there, so you can undress privately."
Helena stopped her pacing. Undress? Mmm... this could be very interesting. Smiling brightly, she ordered, "Lead the way!"
They went upstairs, and into the bedroom, where Myka showed Helena the screen and where she could put her clothes. Then she gave her a blanket to cover herself and left to get her measuring tape, a piece of paper and a quill.
Helena undressed quickly and couldn't suppress a sigh of relief when she took off her corset. The woman she had taken it from was smaller than she was and it was hard to breathe with it.
Myka came back as Helena was draping the blanket around one shoulder like a toga. She wasn't modest about her body, but she had a feeling that Myka would be.
My called, "Are you decent?"
Helena kept her witty answer for herself, and walked away from the screen. Myka led her next to the chair where she had placed her things. She took her measuring tape and started to work quietly. Myka measured Helena's shoulder and arm both in length and width, noticing that Helena's skin was abnormally cold and pale, but didn't say a word. Then she delicately tossed Helena's hair back to measure her neck and she felt something stuck in the long locks. The object fell to the floor with a soft thud. Myka picked up the square locket which had opened on impact. She couldn't help herself and quickly peeked inside to find the painting of a young girl smiling at her. Myka's eyes sought Helena's and she was surprised to find the woman distraught, with tears in her eyes.
"It's my daughter. Was. My Christina." Taking a shuddering breathe in an effort to calm herself, Helena whispered, "She... was taken from me ten years ago."
Myka closed the locket and attached it back around Helena's neck. "Was she sick for a long time?"
Helena's eyes hardened at the memory. "She was murdered by a horrible man who managed to escape justice."
Myka took Helena's hand in hers, softly caressing it in comfort. "I'm very sorry; I can't imagine your pain."
Helena tried to smile bravely at her, but failed to prevent her tears from falling. Myka walked to her nightstand and took out a clean handkerchief that she then gave to Helena. Once the tears were dried, Myka took her measuring tape and went back to business. The neck was measured quickly then she measured Helena's whole frame.
Pausing with the measure in her hand, Myka asked, "Would you prefer to keep the blanket on for the rest? I know some women find it uncomfortable to be nearly nude in front of others, so I offer the choice."
Helena saw the opportunity and took it. She let go of the blanket and let it slide down her body, waiting for Myka's reaction. Being the daughter of a seamstress and then an apprentice and a seamstress herself, Myka had seen her fair share of almost naked women. But she had to admit that Helena was gorgeous. Helena stood tall, very conscious of Myka's eyes on her and the effect she had. Myka's pulse was slightly faster and her breathing had accelerated as well. Ever the professional, Myka snapped out of her contemplation to finish her job.
Soon she had the measurements for Helena's chest, waist, hips, breasts and back. She was trying her best to stay concentrated on the task at hand but she kept getting distracted. Then she got on her knees to get the measurements of Helena's legs and she ended up with her face very close to Helena's undergarment. Helena smiled inwardly and stopped herself just before she pushed Myka's head to where she wanted it. She had to be careful.
Now uncomfortable, Myka hurried with the measurements and rose to her feet once more. She turned her back to Helena to write down the numbers, calling, "You can dress. Do you need help with your corset?"
'Not for putting it on, my dear. Only to take it off,' Helena wanted to say but she shook her head before realizing that Myka couldn't see the action. Clearing her throat she replied, "No."
Turning with a smile, Myka nodded, advising, "Very well, I will wait for you downstairs."
Myka gathered her material and left the room without a backwards glance. In the kitchen, she looked out the window and waited for Helena to come back to the kitchen. She felt... she didn't know how she felt. There was a deep longing for something unknown and there was some unusual wetness between her legs.
"Myka?"
Myka jumped when she felt Helena's hand on her arm.
Frowning at her new-found friend, Helena asked, "Are you alright? You look pale."
Myka flashed her a small smile. "Yes. I think the fatigue is just starting to catch up with me."
"Oh!" Turning back to the table, Helena reached for her cloak, declaring, "I must take my leave then."
"Yes, it is quite late." Myka escorted her to the door, pausing to add, "I will come to you in a few days with the first patterns."
Helena walked outside the house but stayed close to the door. "Thank you for this lovely evening, Myka. We should do it again soon."
Their faces were very close and Myka's breath had quickened again. "Indeed. It was very... informative. I shall see you in a few days. Goodnight Helena."
Helena looked longingly at Myka's lips but decided to do nothing. "Goodnight Myka."
She turned around and left. True, she could have forced Myka to submit to her will, take what she wanted from the delectable woman and finally move on, but it wouldn't have been as much fun as slowly seducing Myka; to have her succumb to her charms of her own free will. Helena had felt Myka's discomfort and arousal, and the thought that someone else was going to enjoy the fruits of her labor annoyed her greatly. Sensing the hunger coming back to taunt her, Helena went to look for someone to satisfy her needs.
The streets were mostly deserted at this time of the night, but she easily found a strong man who was coming out of the pub. The place made her think of Myka because she had mentioned her husband was working there tonight. The thought reawakened her annoyance at not having Myka for her own, and she hurried toward the man. Soon she was drinking from his jugular while he was holding onto her. At one point, the man tried to squeeze Helena's breasts, but he was too weak and held on to her locket, which snapped from the tension on the fine chain.
For the second time that night, Helena thought about her daughter and this time it filled her with rage. She sank her teeth deeper into the man's throat and rejoiced in his cries of pain.
When Sam came out of the pub that night, he heard a faint whine but chose not to investigate. He really wanted to get home fast and be with his wife. To his great surprise, she was very responsive that night and demanded more than she ever had. Neither of them slept much that night.
The second body was found two days later, drained of all its blood. The town was now slipping into general concern. Univille was a quiet town and two brutal murders so close one to another were a great perturbation. Many people were now carrying weapons when they were outside. Despite Sam's protestations, Myka was amongst them and she left the house that Thursday night with her Smith & Wesson safely tucked in her bag.
When she gave her latest story to Amanda, the blonde woman looked uncomfortable.
Narrowing her eyes at her friend, Myka demanded, "Is there a problem?"
Shifting uncomfortably, Amanda replied, "Listen, Myka... We've received several complaints about the stories since the latest murder. People don't want to read horror stories anymore. We're going to take this one because we needed one more for the book, but... unless you can write something else; we won't buy stories from you anymore. I'm sorry."
Myka wasn't very surprised by the situation. "I understand. To be honest, it has been hard to write lately. Maybe I should take a break."
"Maybe if you tried to write something less dark?" Nibbling at her lower lip, Amanda suggested, "An adventure, or maybe a romance story?"
"I'll think about it." Moving towards the door, Myka called, "Goodnight Amanda!"
"Goodnight Myka!" Following the other woman to the door, Amanda watched her slip into the night, returning, "Be careful!"
Myka left the newspaper office and slowly walked home. She hadn't lied to Amanda; it had been hard to write about gloomy things since she had seen her first real dead body. But she knew she couldn't stop writing. She would have to seriously think about her friend's suggestion.
She was walking by Mrs. Donovan's boarding house when she heard a moan of pain. She didn't hesitate, taking her gun from her bag. She kept walking slowly towards the noise, ignoring the voice inside that told her to run.
As she turned the corner, gun first, she saw two people illuminated by the full moon. It looked like a lover's embrace but it became clear that the person behind was harming the other. Myka approached carefully.
The person in back raised their head to look at her. Myka recognized Helena, whose mouth was covered in blood. Smiling as she licked her lips, Helena's fangs gleamed in the moonlight, her words husky as she whispered, "Hello Darling."
Yes, I AM evil... muahahahahahahaha!
