"Do you have it?"

Dirk huffed out the moment I stepped into the car.

"Do I have what?"

I pretended to be the ditz he always thought I was.

"Do you have the contract Splendor?"

Dirk was stern and firm at this point.

"Yes I do, I have it right here".

I snatched it out of my jacket pocket.

"Oh blast it all! You've wrinkled it and there's a huge crease down the middle of it.

Next time, could you at least carry it with your own two hands?"

"Yes, the next contract sign I will be in much better condition, uncle, don't you worry".

Dirk gave me a knowing side glance to show me he was aware that I was being sarcastic but that he wasn't mad enough to actually scold me over it.

"You signed it I see. Excellent.

You made the right choice, Splendor, I know it was hard at first to accept all that responsibility but I promise you'll be better for it and I want you to have a better life, one that doesn't require you to rely on me alone.

You do need independence, a steady income, this will guarantee that and you must remember you won't always have me, Splendor, to help you out of difficult situations like this.

It's impossible for me to be with you forever.

I worry about you, I worry about how you'll manage life alone without me.

I want you to have security, safety and above all I want you to be happy".

I so very much wanted to believe him but after that conversation with Mansfield during the tour I couldn't look at him the same way as I did before.

"Whatever is the matter?"

Dirk only said that because I couldn't bear at this point to look into his eyes and avoided all eye contact.

"I'm just tired.

The whole studio tour wore me out.

I met a lot of people today, there was so much going on, bright lights, loud noises, firm handshake, scripts flying over the place. I'll definitely sleep well tonight."

"Highly unlikely but we can always hope. I'll have you know I bought the house, the price was far lower than I expected but the realtor was quite eager to sell it to me.

He laughed about the demon infestation, said he wished he could have met you but I do think the studio was a far more important obligation than seeing any old house.

Oh before you panic and ask where we're going and where I'm taking you, all your things are in the new house, your bed, your belongings and everything you hold dear has been taken care of. I know it's a bit soon but I really would like you to get used to the new house.

Get comfortable, get a feel for it.

So in case you're wondering why we are on going down this back road we are going to new house and I don't want to hear any arguing coming from you. Got it".

"Oh no how could I argue with the Great, mighty and wise Dirk Bentley?

Your rule reigns supreme oh dark master of the Redrum Manor".

"Oh come on, Splenda, don't deny it, you enjoyed yourself there. You were wandering the halls whispering, laughing as you went through all the rooms, touching the walls, staring in awe at all the murals and painting, if I recall you were even looking for a secret passage way.

You were happy there and now you can be happy again".

"If only it were that simple, uncle."

I decided to stew over this injustice in silence all the way there to this supposedly new house.

"I know you're mad at me Splendor but please understand, this is all for your happiness".

"Interesting how you came to that conclusion when you didn't even discuss it with me."

"I did discuss it with you this morning Splenda.

I even offered to have you to come along but you refused".

"No you never offered. You didn't discuss anything with me, you just told me what you were going to do and then expected to go along with it.

You never asked if I approved, if it was satisfactory to me or if I even wanted to move in the first place. I told you how I felt and you completely disregarded everything I said about it.

I told you I was uncomfortable about it and told you it wouldn't be a good idea to live there but you just thought this demon infestation was some big joke.

What hurts is you treated me like I was a joke.

Now you are merely forcing me into this.

This wasn't my choice and I think you get a real kick out of it".

"I don't know what you mean but you aren't a joke to me Splendor.

It wasn't my intention to hurt you, my only desire was to satisfy you, fulfill your every happiness and I longed for your approval but you were stubborn, just like someone else I know".

"Just like my mother I suppose."

"Oh your mother was like Ice and fire, she could give you a look that froze your heart and melted it at the same time which is not very far from the look you're giving me right now".

I had to meet his gaze for the first time in over an hour.

I had expected to see him smiling in tender remembrance of my mother but instead what I saw next made me want to leap from my seat, fling the door open and run for dear life.

Instead I felt I was glued onto the seat, I wanted to wiggle out of this situation, slide out of the seat, if only I could clutch onto the door handle but at this angle I couldn't reach it.

"You know I'm not really related to you, don't you Splendor?"

"Oh I'm well aware of that.

Are we there yet?"

"Does it matter? You didn't seem too eager to go in, so why not wait a bit longer?

You know I don't wish to alarm you yet I couldn't help but notice how unwavering his gaze was on you, he couldn't keep his eyes off of you for even a moment and I caught how you tried to hide your blush, as you gushed over him.

I told you he was quite taken by you and indeed he should be, you...are very beautiful.

I thought it was cute to be honest, how like a school girl you were in that office of his.

It was rather lovely seeing you fawn over someone like yet then it occurred that you'd never see me in that way".

"What?!

Are you serious?

Tell me you're joking?"

"Why would I joke about such a thing? I love you so you must understand I'm not angry with you, I'm not even that jealous because I realized that as much as he may fall for you he'll never be as close as I am to you.

He'll never have the same emotional connection need I say it, he'll never know you the way I do. It's horribly cliche I know but it's true and I really feel that I must get this off my chest.

You are mine, Splendor and you will always belong to me."

"Goodness you're actually serious.

How can I put this, I'm not- I'm not- you're not my type- I'm not really that into you, at least not in that way. You're like a father to me, honestly I love you but -you- you-you- you are practically family.

I-I-I-I love you as a father not as

a-a-a-a lover or a romantic figure."

"Yes I quite understand, in fact I'd expected that you'd react this way but I have a solution, this house is part of my solution.

I hope to sway you, change your mind perhaps."

I thought this was strange how he planned to seduce me yet now he was spoiling the devious little scheme by telling me all about it.

"So you literally just kidnapped me and dragged me to this wretched place so you could seduce me".

"No! Not seduce you and I didn't kidnap you! I resent that, you mustn't say such things, never again promise me that Splendor".

"Oh no I'm not promising you anything, not now and not ever!"

"Don't be so difficult. Please cooperate with me".

The tips of his fingers touched my skin, I wasn't prepared for his touch to be so torrid and nauseating.

I wanted to vomit, I felt like I was experiencing rigor mortis, I was so frigid but somehow when he grasped onto my face, I became flaccid and numb.

Is this what survivors spoke about when they were in this situation how they had lapses of time where they left their body?

I seemed to be there but it was like I was experiencing it as a third person.

I was a ghost but I was alive, I wanted to die but my soul was just as stubborn as I was, clinging to my body just like Dirk was at that moment.

I wanted to focus but my mind acted as if it was in a dream state.

Was I asleep or was I awake?

HELP ME. If Anyone can hear me please HELP ME!

I sent my thoughts out in desperation to whatever entity that was out there. If it was a demon that answered me then so be it anything was better than this.

You've Returned.

I knew you would. Oh how I've missed you.

It was so very lonely when you were away.

Have you come to stay?

I heard you've come to stay

Oh please tell me those rumors are true.

I was hearing voices yet again but as usual I decided it was best to answer these voices that spoke because usually they were a great help to me and even in some cases they could save my life and I had asked for answers after all so it would be rude not to respond.

I was hoping this was one of those occasions.

I don't know if I want to stay at least not now.

Look I don't have much time to explain but whoever you are please help me.

There was only silence that greeted me, my eyes were near to bursting and my throat was tightly closed up.

If you stay I will help you.

I couldn't stay, if I stayed I would be endangering my life even more, he'd be able to do this every night, if he wanted to, he could do anything he wanted with me at any time and since I was in such an isolated area, there wasn't much I could do about it.

It would be on his terms if I wanted to leave and I'd either have to hide from him in my room most of the time or I'd have to please him in some way just to survive.

Can you protect me if I stay?

I nearly sobbed but my throat was too dry to make a sound.

I can. Although soon you may want protection from me.

The voice was alluring, it was a gushing voice, calming and consoling but violent and fierce like a waterfall smashing into the surface of rocks.

I was lost in the voice that both crashed and enveloped around me as the warmth of a loving embrace.

It broke and crackled but then it became serenely smooth again and flowed over my brain like warm mead and it made my chest tingle like the first touch of golden sunshine.

At this point I don't care. Seriously, I'm not that concerned about what you are or who you are, just as long as you can get me out of this, please.

Very Well as you wish but know this, that I have warned you, I am not what I seem to be nor will I be what you expect.

I will save you but the price will be steep, the price may be your own sanity, your dignity, your reputation and perhaps even your humanity. Once you ask for my aid it will be too late and once you see my face there will be no turning back.

Does it look like I care?

I'm about to lose my dignity right now as we speak. I have no reputation, at least not yet and my sanity I lost that long ago.

What of your humanity?

What is humanity when you are about to be held prisoner by it?

Then you have made your choice.

So... how may I be of service to you?

Well for starters, I'm rather trapped at the moment.

I need to open the door but I can't quite reach it at this angle.

Just unlock the latch, pull on the handle and let me out.

That's all?

All this hubbub over a door?

You scream bloody murder and all because of a door?

No, I want a way out, an escape,

All escapes usually start with a door. Please hurry, you're wasting time, time I don't have right now.

Look my uncle is a sex crazed maniac apparently.

I don't want to have to describe to you what's going on right now.

Please, this is a dire situation, one I don't think I should have to explain in great detail.

You can use your imagination later but please just let me out.

I'll repay you with anything you desire, I promise you, just help me and I promise I'll repay you.

There was a mighty fog that surged in like the foam of the sea, it flooded onto the road it silently whooshed down onto the car,

encompassing it completely.

There was a dull click and I felt my body slide backwards a bit, I allowed gravity to drag me into a horizontal position, I shoved the door open, which just sent me crashing onto my head which at this time seemed a small price to pay for freedom.

Now what do I do?

I sped into the fog not sure of where I was going.

Just keep going. You are very close, in fact not too far away at all, keep coming, almost there, you'll find me, just keep running.

Oh you're so close now, I can almost touch you, don't stop now, come to me, I'll be waiting for you where the fog ends.

The Fog indeed had a border and beyond the edge was a huge house stretched out above me, oppressively it towered over the fog and the size of the manor made me feel suddenly very small.

"Aw, you've arrived, please do come in, the chill has just settled in, the fog won't likely clear within the hour, it may detain any travelers perusing the roads for quite some time, so you might as well make yourself comfortable".

There he was, elegantly dressed, a burgundy suit laced with Fleur de LIS, a curved collar embroidered with dark green feathers, silver buttons, that matched the dark streaks in his already black lengthy hair.

He was the same dark entity I

had seen in my dreams.

"You must be exhausted.

The chill I'm sure has already sunk in.

Oh dear, I'm afraid that coat just won't do, allow me to find something more suitable".

A ribbon of dark purple material curled into his hands like a snake, it was a Velvet cloak, that shimmered like the scales of a dragon whenever the light touched it.

I felt a gentle tug from behind, when I leapt away from him not knowing he was merely doing the kindness of removing my jacket.

"What are you doing?"

I jumped not only because he was touching me but also by the fact he had been right in front of me moments before.

"Relax, I'm only removing your coat.

What is this some sort of threadbare jacket?

I can see right through it.

Oh I see it's designed to be that way.

Looks as if it's been knitted, how terribly old fashioned.

It's not exactly a pretty color either. Faded pink, this is absolutely atrocious.

I would throw this on the fire if I were you. It's horribly dirty as well.

Did you actually pay good money for this by any chance?"

"No I did not, I didn't spend any money, I don't really have any money to spend at least not any that's my own. my uncle is the one that is a big spender, he's very rich and he's -"

"Obviously wasting his money is what it looks like.

You dress like you're a pauper. Tell me what kind of life you are living, if you have to beg for the very clothes on your back but all you're given is sad shabby hand me downs that are clearly trying to be passed off as brand new?".

"I don't live for clothes, I live for my uncle at least I used to".

"Disgraceful if you ask me and it's not just the clothes I'm talking about."

He gracefully flung the cloak about my shoulders and I was surprised how heavy it was on my shoulders but it took the chill right out of my skin.

It felt safe and the weight was a comfort to me as he offered me a chair so I could sit by the fire.

"So you're the one that haunts this place?"

"I'm the only one that haunts this place, in fact nobody dared enter this place until you came with the others.

I didn't like the others, they were loud, imperceptive, they didn't see me, they didn't hear me, oh but they felt me.

Unlike the rest, you saw me glaring through the mirrors, you heard my voice in the walls, you followed its echo throughout the halls and strangely enough you understood my ancient speech.

I'd always hoped you'd return because when you left my silence returned and my loneliness was handed back to me.

So naturally I called for you, in dreams I left you my message, you did get it didn't you?"

"The dream, yes of course, I saw you and I spoke to you, it was all there, I don't recall what the message was but I definitely heard your call".

"Good. I feared you wouldn't, I was shall we say concerned that you would ignore my pleas".

"I thought the same thing when I was out there in that car.

I gave you my pleas and all you seemed to be interested in was striking up a conversation".

"Forgive me, I was overcome by what do you call it, joy, hope, it was something of that manner, something I haven't felt in a long while, it was something I never thought I was even capable of feeling until you came here.

I've not had company in a long time and the company I've had in the past has been rather dreadful.

Murderers, madmen, rich aristocrats, ruthless tyrants, they were all villains, the whole lot of them, there was never a tender heart, a kind soul or a gentle spirit to greet me amongst that sea of degenerate faces.

I was trapped here, cursed, caged and chained to this wretched manor.

Yet all that is over and passed, so I shant bore you with it, now you're here and that is what matters.

The question is now that you're here what shall I do with you?"

He had a scheming smile but it wasn't at all predatory like my uncle, it was wicked but surprisingly not a trace of evil in it.

"Yes...that is a g-g-g-good question.

A question I-I-I-I will get back to later... so what do I owe you?"

"You owe me nothing".

"I'm sorry, I'm probably not being clear enough.

I mean how do I repay you? How do you want me to pay you?

What is your price?"

He gave me a look of forlorn scorn

"I know what you meant.

There is no price and there is no need for payment on your part.

You're here, you did what I requested, you came here, you returned. I think

that is payment enough.

You don't want me to charge you again do you?"

"No but what about the door, the freaking fog that appeared out of nowhere, or the fact you guided me all the way here ,sat me down in front of the fire and gave me your cloak to wear?"

"The door was a mere trifle, the fog is just sheer child's play, guiding you here was complimentary, the cloak is just a simple gesture of kindness.

I don't know what world you live in but from my experience people don't generally pay for compliments and kindness.

I could be wrong but from my understanding that's not how the world should work."

"I couldn't agree more but in my world you pay your way and it doesn't have to be with money, you pay with your time, your energy,your love and your body apparently and lastly with your blood sweat and tears if need be.

It doesn't matter what it is as long as it's yours and you give it without complaint".

"You do realize you just described the fundamentals of slave labor?

That's how slavery works, that's how it functions, you give everything, you get hardly anything in return and then you are expected not to say nothing about it afterwards"

"I am NOT a slave! What I just described to you is the basic construct of capitalism not slave labor!"

"Capitalism is not just the Private ownership of certain companies but it depends on the private ownership of human kind.

That's the only reason why they call it the free market, it's free for the masters within the realms of business but they rely on the unquestionable and silent subservience of people poorer than they are.

Yes I know how capitalism works, I'm a demon, I was there when it was invented.

It was meant to be the new world order, the new solution to every order before that but instead it was a System that was corrupted by the greed and lust of men.

I'll have you know I never referred to you as a Slave, I merely was insinuating that you were part of a system that encourages slave labor.

I think what you're involved in may be something a bit more than just mere capitalism.

Just look at your uncle, wandering around in that fog, cursing wherever he goes, kicking the rocks, stumbling over stones embedded in the ground.

I am surprised you can't hear him right now.

He's very loud, I can hardly think over the din and cacophony of his heavy breath, his heavy footsteps and his harsh hollers of frustration. Shall I detain him longer? I could wear him out for you, confuse him a bit by allowing him to hear a voice soft and sweet,not to mention very familiar voice, he'd follow it only to find that the voice was coming from behind him.

This familiar voice shifts, I can move it anywhere I please and if it suits me I can make it to where that voice can be heard from every single direction.

Everywhere but nowhere much like myself, much like you actually.

You've been everywhere haven't you, but no one ever saw you, no one ever learned your name and no one was even aware you had a voice in which to speak, until now.

A face in the shadows, how very kind of you to join me, how very fortunate that our shadows should meet in this infinite darkness that we call earth."

"You know for a demon you're really quite strange."

"Oh really? Strange, in what way?

I'm curious how am I strange to you?"

"You're-You're not what I expected. When I met you in my dreams, you were different, you had more of an ego, you were arrogant in a way but you weren't what you seemed to be.

You offered me immortality in exchange for my humanity, so when I came here I thought that's what you'd ask for but instead you're not asking for anything.

I don't mean to be insulting but I thought demons didn't do anything for free, I thought they only did things for people unless they received some sort of payment.

It's in all the stories, there's always a price, I can't help but anticipate that there is something more that you want of me."

"Yes its strange isn't it to have someone give you something completely free without charge or payment?

The price is always high with him isn't it?

It almost seems at times that your efforts are for naught, you feel your labor isn't enough, your tears are nothing to him, your sweat is just a weak excuse for rest, why even the very blood from your veins probably couldn't satisfy him.

So what's next?

Whatever will you give him next?

Will it be your kidney, a piece of your liver, your heart or perhaps even your very soul?

I'm not asking any of that from you but he hungers for you out there, he thirsts for your tears and he lusts for your terror and your devotion.

Then he forces himself on you and any of his other self seeking ambitions and greed ridden ideals yet still people call me the demon, while degenerate rats like that scurry about freely in the world and in broad daylight I might add.

I mean come on, let's be honest, Look at your Uncle, he's practically a criminal, he's the ultimate villain here, just look at all he's put you through, all those years of suppression and silence. He never listened to you, he's never believed you, he never really believed in you either, he believes in money, now he believes in himself and that he can actually force you into loving him.

Now after you've processed all of that, look at me.

Am I really all that bad?"

"No, I don't think you're bad at all and if I'm to be honest, I don't really need much convincing at this point especially after what happened out there...with him.

He wasn't always like that, I mean I don't think he was, somehow I remembered him being kinder when I was a child.

He was my everything, he was my hero and I loved him,I loved him so much it hurt. It didn't matter how short-tempered he was with me, I always forgave him but this is more than that, it's more than I can even fathom right now and dare I say it I think it is more than I can forgive".

"There is a difference between forgiveness and overlooking a multitude of sins.

Your love can overlook everything he has ever done to you, yet how long will you look away?

How long will you ignore his crimes?

How long will you live in silence while he steals the very life from your soul?

Yes you can continue to see the best in him but the fact remains, he has robbed you, he has robbed you of your voice, your youth and of your very own free will.

Forgive by all means but you will never forget.

Love him for all I care, but don't let it blind you from the truth, love him from a distance just like you are now.

Eventually your love will fade into the vast darkness of this place which I live in.

You'll live here too and I'm sure you'll find it comfortable here."

"Well I'm not sure about that.

I'm not even sure about you.

You seem really nice but then your voice gets all soft and slow like you're trying to trick me somehow.

I guess what I'm saying is I don't trust you yet.

I'm sorry...is that insulting?

I shouldn't have said that, I should've been more eloquent and less forward with you.

I didn't offend you did I?

Are you angry with me?"

He let his gaze get lost in the flames of the fire, he was held in a trance by the hypnotic flux of the fire.

"No. I'm a demon, I'm a devil, why would I expect a God fearing human like you to trust a shifty and devious creature like me?

That's obviously too much to ask from you, we just met and you're new here, I'm of the darkness and you are of the light.

You're just moving in and I'm the evil that haunts this wretched and forsaken place.

I don't take it personally, I'm not insulted and I'm certainly not angry.

Believe me you would know if I was angry.

You wouldn't be standing on your own two feet if I was in a rage and better yet if you were smart you'd be running far away from this place which is still an option at this point.

You could go, leave me and your uncle... all alone".

The way he said the word alone suggested that he was planning on doing something to Dirk that could possibly cost him his life.

"You aren't planning on harming him are you?"

"Harm him? Oh I wouldn't dream of it, he's enough harm to himself, I don't have to do anything to him.

I just want to toy with him a bit, nothing drastic you understand, just a bit of Tom Foolery that's all.

Come now, wouldn't it amuse you to see him dart back and forth in the dark like a simple minded rat trapped in a cage?

He's already squirming around outside, cold and confused, the fury already losing its potent taste, his nerves are as raw and numb as his finger tips.

I could let him go on wandering but do we really even feel sorry for him?

I know why don't we just leave him be, let him enjoy his own company since he seems to love himself so much

Oh my is that wolves I hear coming from yonder woods?"

"Well as amusing as it would be to watch him be torn apart by wolves or to witness him freeze to death, I think it's best if you let him in."

"Now? Well I don't know, I think he'd best live amongst the wolves, now they would teach him respect, why a week with those wolves, he'd be humbled so low, he'd be practically eating off the ground.

Yet you want me to let him in, so he can act all high and mighty,

The Lord of the Manor, the overseer and ruler of all things in this worthless wasteland.

If he enters that door I shall see to it that he does not rule this house. This is not only my house, this is my territory, which means he will play by my rules.

Mark my words, Splendor, my rules will be obeyed.

So you must understand certain disciplinary actions have to be made in order for that to happen. Are you alright with that?"

"Wait, you're asking me?"

I was bewildered by his question because it was so rare for people to actually ask me my opinion.

"Why do you look so surprised? Oh I see, OH how tragic, nobody has ever asked you have they, no one has ever asked what you felt or thought before."

"Once or twice but for the most part not very often.

Having my thoughts and feelings heard was a luxury, it was a privilege to be earned, a rare treat but never something I deserved".

"Allow me to be the first to tell you deserved to be heard, Splendor.

Yet before I ramble on all through the night, how thoughtless of me, you must still be absolutely exhausted, I'm sure you would like to be shown to your room so you can rest and recover your strength."

"Yes I'd like that.

Oh by the way I don't mind if you toy with him a bit, just don't torture him too much, go easy on him, he's disturbed enough as it already".

"I never said anything about torturing him, you silly girl but I like where your mind is going. Don't worry I won't be too hard on him. He'll have his life in the end, you're in luck, I don't usually murder guests who come to my home, let alone human ones. Follow me".