Song Inspiration: TYRANT by Beyonce

"Mercedes, this isn't a good idea. We shouldn't be messin' around with stuff like this."

"Yeah, well I ain't got a choice." Mercedes muttered, continuing her trek up the steep hill.

It was dark, windy and cold but you couldn't tell by how Mercedes was dressed. Skirt, torn white shirt and missing a shoe, she looked like she'd been through hell because she had. The young woman, beautiful as sin and innocent as fresh snow, was furious. Mercedes Jones had never caused anyone any issues but she had been attacked on her way home and now she sought revenge.

"Mercy, we need to go to the police not to… her!" Her friend Tina said, grabbing her arm. "Look, I know you're upset and scared but we need to go to the police."

Mercedes looked at her friend before snatching away. "No, I'm doing this my way and if you can't support me then you can go!" She spat before turning and continuing up the hill. The raven-haired girl muttered before running after Mercedes.

When they reached the door Mercedes took a deep breath then knocked three times, the house was old and dilapidated. There were vines wrapped around the old pillars with thorny roses sticking out of them. It was the only house within ten miles and if the rumors were true, they might not make it home after this but Mercedes was angry.

She was determined and angry. Shifting, she knocked again this time a little harder. "HELLO!" She shouted.

"Okay, no one is here. She's just a folktale, let's just go to the police now." Tina said, trying to pull her away.

"Watch what you say or you'll become a part of the lore." A voice said.

A thin, dark haired woman came into view. She was stunning. There was a dark glow around her, she was holding a half lit cigarette. Her nails were long, sharp and red.

Open the screen door, there was a sudden rush of cold air before she stepped out. "Haven't you heard the rumors? Bang on the witch's door and disappear for the rest of your life."

Mercedes took a deep breath. "I want you to help me like you did the Fabray family."

The woman's perfectly defined eyebrow raised. She looked Mercedes over before frowning. "They were after revenge, your aura is seeping out anger. Who hurt you child?"

"Tank Edwards." Mercedes answered, wrapping her arms around herself. "Can you help me?"

Tina shifted on her feet. "He's a mass of a man, he had no right to do what he did."

The woman didn't say anything for a while before she stepped aside and nodded them in. They both inched inside following close behind the woman and entered the house.

"Sit there." She said, pointing to the table. "Give me your shoe."

Mercedes and Tina both sat in chairs and watched as the woman moved around grabbing a few items before she sat across from them.

"Now, explain to me exactly where and what happened."

Mercedes shifted, taking a deep breath. "I was walking home from school with Tina and he-"

'Say his name." The woman said.

"Ahh, Tank caught up with us and Tina knew I had a crush on him so she said she'd see me later and walked ahead of us. He was flirting and being cute but then he kinda nudged me off the path and…" She trailed off, tears running down her face.

The woman gently grabbed Mercedes' hand. "Keep going."

"He kissed me and it was okay, it was actually nice at first." Mercedes took a shaky breath before continuing. "But then he started getting rough. Pushing me against a tree, groping me. I tried to push him away, told him to stop, but he wouldn't listen. He... he forced himself on me. Right there in the woods."

A choked sob escaped her lips as the painful memories flooded back. Tina reached over and squeezed her hand in support, her own eyes glistening with unshed tears.

The woman across from them listened intently, her dark eyes flashing with an emotion Mercedes couldn't quite place. Anger? Sympathy? It was hard to tell.

After a moment, the woman spoke, her voice low and steady. "I understand your pain, child. The violation, the helplessness, the fury burning inside you. Seeking revenge may feel like the only way to regain control."

She leaned forward, staring directly into Mercedes' eyes. "But revenge often comes at a steep price. It can darken your soul, change you in ways you never imagined. Are you prepared for that?"

Mercedes met her gaze unflinchingly. The tears had stopped, replaced by a steely resolve. "I don't care about the price," Mercedes said, her voice unwavering. "Tank took something from me that I can never get back. He needs to pay for what he did."

The woman studied Mercedes for a long moment, as if weighing the conviction in her words. Finally, she nodded slowly. "Very well. If this is truly the path you wish to take, I will help you. But heed my warning - once you start down this road, there may be no turning back."

She rose from the table and moved to a shelf lined with ancient-looking books and jars filled with mysterious substances. Her fingers danced over the items before selecting a small, ornate wooden box.

Returning to the table, the woman placed the box in front of Mercedes. "Inside this box lies the key to your revenge. Use it wisely and sparingly, for its power is great and terrible."

With trembling hands, Mercedes lifted the lid. Nestled on a bed of black velvet was a small, intricately carved stone. It seemed to pulse with an otherworldly energy.

"What... what is it?" Mercedes asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

The woman's lips curved into a cryptic smile. "It is a talisman imbued with ancient magic, a conduit for the darkest of curses. Hold it in your hand, focus your mind on Tank and the wrong he has done to you, and speak the words 'Vindicta mea erit'. The stone will do the rest."

Mercedes reached out and picked up the talisman, feeling its weight and the strange, pulsing warmth it emitted. She closed her fingers around it, a sense of grim determination washing over her.

Tina shifted uneasily beside her. "Mercy, are you sure about this? Maybe we should think it over more."

Mercedes shook her head. "I'm done thinking. It's time for action." She turned back to the woman. "What do I owe you for this?"

The woman waved a dismissive hand. "We can settle the matter of payment later. For now, focus on your retribution. But remember, once the curse is cast, it cannot be undone. Tank will suffer, but the toll it takes on your own soul will be permanent."

This is based off like the last few seconds of the song so bear with me lol