This is just the beginning...thank you for reading...and your comments! S-M

Man, Myth and Magic

PROLOGUE

David Cook loved the coming of Autumn. The long, hot days of summer drained and depleted him, leaving him vulnerable to illness. It was in the summer that he first noticed the bad dreams, the headaches and the cold sweats. There were mornings he was drenched in perspiration, grasping fistfuls of sheet as he dragged himself to consciousness. There were days when he saw her, in his mind, the woman who haunted him, taunted him and seduced him into a cycle of madness. There were nights when he was inexplicably drawn to the darkness of his dreams, hearing it call to him, beckoning him to give in, then wrenching him back to reality, smothering him, consuming him, and leaving him with pounding headaches that ravaged him.

Yes, David Cook loved Autumn, but the summer had taken its toll on him, and he chose to find a cure alone and away from the city. He called an old college friend who handled real estate, rented an old Victorian in a sleepy community in extremely rural mid-America and headed for some rest, some rejuvenation and some writing.

Bring it on! I knew there was something new in the works!

*declares herself the number one camper on this fic LOL*

Interesting start! Can't wait to see what happens next!

I can't wait to read more of this story! Definitely looks promising!

Loved the "rented an old Victorian in a sleepy community in extremely rural mid-America" touch! (I simply adore Victorian architecture!)

Keep up the fab work!

Hope you like this...not gonna be like the last one
Might take longer to write, too...hmmm.

Hugs,
S-M



stay tuned...I usually update often. Thanks for stopping in!

Hugs,
S-M



Hi there, erudite!

Yes, I love Victorian, too. Those are usually the ones with hidden staircases, chambers and sealed towers, aren't they? Don't want to give away too much of the story, tho!

Hugs,
S-M

Girl, you know I love anything you come up with, right? Tho I kinda thought Rescue was a biiiiiit cut short. *pouts* But that's fine cuz we have a new one right here! It's so funny, I was refreshing the page and *poof!* there was your new post on the first entry and I was like gaaahh!! A new one! Yippee! I'm just really looking forward to this. Really.

Rescue was ready to end...but I supposed it could have drawn out a bit longer...hmmm

This will be longish...but hopefully will have enough substance to keep readers coming back. I can assure you, no belly dancing in this one!!

Hugs,
S-M

No belly dancing? Aw shucks! No, I'm kidding. Girl, the longer, the better! I'm seriously addicted to your fics like they were soap operas LOL. Gah! I'm really excited, can you believe this? I'm so weird LOL.

Don't leave me hanging I WANT MORE!!!!!

First I was drawn by the tittle and then it was the compelling way in which you started to describe it all that completely got me. Powerful words of suffering came together and now I am puzzled by this!

Its a fantastic job!

Loved it!

Please continue

Doll

Whoop Whoop Whoop! kayraine, sweetie, you gotta move over, because I'm campin' with you waiting for S-M's next update. She's my fan-fic hero, you know...and this one tastes different from PPR, doesn't it?

Bring it on, Sweet Mercy! Though I'm now going outside to do that fencing. Really.

Bring lots of marshmallows and Hershey bars, cause this will not get written in a couple of days
I've learned now.....go..............slowly.

Oh, apple pie wedges for everyone, too.
Hope to have one chapter up sometime soon!

Hugs,
S-M

Chapter 1

David packed his red SUV with enough clothes, guitar strings and creature comforts to last six months. His plan was to stay until the first snowfall, but he left all options open, and with the changes in weather, snow could come anytime after September. He checked with his friend, Leah, one more time about the accommodations, and was reassured that the home was ready, furnished, stocked and secure. She suggested he contact Martha Leary, the next door neighbor if anything was needed. He held the odd looking key in his hand, studying it with a wary eye. It was old with a jeweled top that glittered in his hand. It looked like it belonged in a museum, not to serve the purpose of opening a front door.

“David, you’ll be very happy there, I just know it. Just be wary of the old wives tales you hear!” Leah gushed. “And I let Doc Emery know you might be needing an appointment if those headaches keep up. How are they, by the way?”

“Bad. Getting worse. Anything else I need to know? Mail?”

“Your staff is handling that. Personal stuff only will be forwarded. You just need to relax and not worry, ok?”

“Yeah,” David said, stretching and tensing his aching muscles. He looked at himself in the mirror. He was gaunt, thin and tired. Hours of forcing himself to stay awake was leading to a worsening of his already poor health. Shaven clean and wearing a white tee gave him a strangely angelic look, but with a dark, eerie edge, like a vampire, cold and dead, but yet somehow alive. He needed sleep. Just calm, merciful sleep. His mind drifted off, and in his own reflection in the mirror he saw her, again. She floated on a cloud of mist and vapor, arms extended, trying to lead him into the shadows. Her face was flawless, but evil emanated from her, enveloped her, and tried to envelop him. “David…” she called, “David…can you hear me?” He felt drawn to her, unable to resist her. He was terrified by her.

David snapped himself back to reality. He was still on the phone with Leah. “David? Can you hear me? Are you there?” Leah asked.

“Oh God..yeah, Leah. Right here.” He was shaking uncontrollably. “I’ll keep in touch, ok? I have a feeling I may need to talk to you once I get there..” he trailed off.

“Ok, sure, David. And if you can’t reach me, the agent in town is Lee Marshall. Ok?”

David was not pleased. He wanted Leah to maintain their connection. “Ok,” he said with resignation.
He looked around his home for what he suddenly felt could be the last time, closed the door behind him and drove north and east toward Lilith Lake.

Leah Richards was pleased with herself. She had accomplished her goal and would be richly rewarded for it. She stared at the white rose, tattooed between her soft breasts. And as she began scraping the petals with her fingernail, the white rose turned crimson red and began to trickle red droplets of blood. Leah Richards was pleased.

Oh no, something else I have became addicted to.
More soon please

Hello Frosty!

Thanks for stopping in to read this!

I plan to update as often as I can, at least once per day.

Hugs,
S-M

Woohoo! Awesome.

Different. Very

PS I updated Crimson Hahaa

Chapter 2

David consulted the hand-drawn map that Leah had sent to him. She tried to explain that Lilith Lake was not on the “regular” map, and so she had drawn, most professionally, David thought, a good representation of the location of the small town to which he was driving. There seemed to be endless fields of wheat and corn, just about ready for harvest. The road dipped and rose like a serpent, undulating through the lush countryside. Ride the snake, David thought, all the way to this strange and wonderful new place he was about to enter. He saw no cars on the road, and when at last he turned the final corner to reach Lilith Lake, a chill passed through him, on this hot September day. The road angled and turned and suddenly he was there. The streets were lined with massive oak trees, creating a fabulous canopy over the main street of town. Cobblestone paved, the SUV rolled slowly down Main Street, where David began to search out the cross numbered streets. He found 3rd Street, turned and then looked again for the corner of Third and Luna, where his new residence was located.

As David scanned the map again, he noticed something odd. There was a main road going into Lilith Lake, but there was no road out.

The massive Victorian was an incredible feat of architecture. It sat back from the street on a large wedge of land. A wrought iron fence surrounded the property, and the suddenly gray sky dulled the otherwise lovely picture of this beautiful estate. Steep gables and bay windows dotted the face of the building, with incredible wooden gingerbread tracery all around. Behind the property was a dense forest of trees that stretched as far as the eye could see. The smell of decaying pine needles, mosses and leaves was overpowering and David drew it in, creating a vivid memory for himself. As he got out to open the gate, a large owl screeched from somewhere on the property. David was startled and fumbled with the latch on the massive gate. Once opened, he drove inside and looked at the house. It was more than a house, it was a palatial manor. The late day sun glinted on the windows, creating bursts of light that blinded him. He parked the vehicle, climbed out and walked up the steps to the front door. The boards creaked from years of exposure to the sun, but David found them to be in relatively good condition. The wraparound porch with massive columns seemed to extend forever, and wicker chairs and other furniture lined the walkway, as potted flowers blew in the late summer breeze. The house looked inhabited, not abandoned as Leah had said.

David walked hesitantly to the front door, knocked, as if to warn anyone or anything he was about to enter, then inserted the jeweled key into the door. With one smooth turn, the lock was opened, and David walked in. He immediately picked up the scent of lilac and lily of the valley, pungent, almost stinging to his nostrils. “Hello?” he called. His voice echoed for a moment, but there was no answer. He was grateful.

David flipped on the lights and saw the far corners of the main entry. A large portrait of a young girl greeted him as he turned to enter the main parlor on his right. He stared at her sad countenance for a moment, and then felt her eyes follow him as he left her presence. He attributed his heightened sensitivity to lack of sleep and went to the lamp he saw in the main parlor. Switching it on, he saw the ornate appointments, typical of Victorian interiors. He’d seen a lot in the past few years, but nothing like this. Leah was a gem to find this for him. He was anxious to unpack and settle in.

“You must be our…guest.” A voice said from behind David.

He spun around and saw a woman in her 60’s, clad in a black maid’s uniform, with a crisp white apron and cap. “I’m pleased to meet you,” she continued.
“David Cook,” he said. “Leah didn’t mention a housekeeper.”
“Oh yes, it’s a package. House and housekeeper.”
“I’ll have to talk to her about this…I was planning on being alone.”
“Don’t want to be alone here, Mr. Cook. You might get lost.”
“We’ll see. Your name?”
“My name is…Lillian.”
“Tell you what, Lillian. I plan to unpack my car and get something to eat. Why don’t you take the night off?”
“It would be better if I stayed…the first night.”
“And I think it would be better if you didn’t. Thank you, but I really want to be alone tonight.”
Lillian’s grimace was unsettling to David, but the woman had no choice. “Whatever you say, Mr. Cook. But I hope you’re not sorry later.”
“I’ll be fine. See you in the morning.”

Lillian left the house and David sat on the plush fainting sofa. The dull headache he had felt for weeks seemed to be subsiding. He smiled to himself and headed toward the front door, stopping at the painting of the young girl. He saw the name plate at the bottom, “Lucinda,” and winked at the sullen girl. “Aw smile, will ya Little Lu?” he said. And for a moment, he swore he saw the corner of her mouth turn upward. He blinked, and then continued out the door to the car. His headache was back with a vengeance.

That was simply amazing!

I can see shades of Rose Red and The Haunting (the original, not the remake) in this spectacular story, which makes it positively breathtaking!

MORE, MORE, MORE!!! Please?! Keep up the fab work!

Thank you, erudite!

I hope to post two updates per day, usually in the early morning. This is becoming a very special story for me, so I'm going to take my time in writing it.

Thanks for stopping in...and for your lovely comments!

Hugs,
S-M

Wow - I am completely taken with this already. I love the darkness. I can't wait to read more - and I'm glad to hear you have a lot planned for this and will be really fleshing it out.

Great imagery, wonderful description of a suffering and somewhat tortured David.

Is it time for the next update yet?

WOOOO!
I LOVE YOUR BRAIN!

I love it so far. I love old victorian houses. I wouldn't mind being in that one. I like the key as well. Heh, I am such a dork.

this is so neat...and intriquing. I can't wait for more. *hugs*

~Jess

Working on Chapter 3 now...will be posted sometime Monday morning, usually early.

thanks for stopping in to read!

Hugs,
Sweet Mercy




I thought I said that to you last week!! LOL

Thanks, Katt Woman

Hugs,
S-M




Jess,

Thank you so much! I am excited to write this...something I've wanted to do for a while.
Check back soon...will update daily, I hope!

Hugs,
S-M




EleanorJean,

I love them too..and wish I lived in one. Guess I can live there through the story...but it might not be the best house to live in...once the story gets moving, if you know what I mean!

The key...well, you never know where it may turn up again..or where it might be needed! And you are NOT a dork!

Hugs,
S-M

OMG this is deliciously creepy! I am seriously gonna wait for your next update and camp out here. Gahhhh I lovetttt!!!

Little Lu and I are like, close now. LOL!

Good...creepy is good!! hehe

Sorry to tell you this, hon, but that's it for this evening...will post tomorrow morning...just don't know when, though. Chapter 3 is about 1/3 of the way finished, so it should be early enough for you to read.

Hugs...and glad you're safe.

S-M

Oh I can wait. I know it's worth it. Good night, sweetie!

Didn't think I'd have this finished tonight...but here it is. Hope you enjoy!


Chapter 3

David struggled to get most of his belongings into the house. His headache cut swaths of blinding pain into his eyes, his temples, his neck. All the tests had shown nothing. No tumor, no swelling, no indication that anything was physically wrong. A couple of falls during rehearsals had jarred his neck, but nothing so bad as to cause this pain. The last stab took him to his knees, and he doubled on the ground as he panted, sweated, shrieked in pain. He had dropped everything when the bolt of agony came, and his clothes lay strewn about him on the sidewalk. He slowly gathered the black shirt, then the gray one, then the white one…each time he touched the fabric, another twinge tore through him. He forced himself up and nearly collapsed again when he saw the woman. She was statuesque with golden brown hair and emerald eyes, and stood just beyond the wrought-iron fence, staring at him. Her clothes were quite extraordinary, and David noticed that she looked so out of place standing there; she belonged in a painting, like the one he had seen inside the house. The one that took his pain away. The one he had to see…now.

“Lucinda, can you make this headache go away?” he said to the painting. “Can you?” David stopped. “What the fuck are you doing, you idiot? Talking to a painting? Maybe they were checking you for the wrong thing. You’re going nuckin’ futz. Jesus, listen to yourself.”

David stopped talking. The portrait of the girl looked different again. Her mouth was decidedly different, with the corners turned farther down than before. She looked angry. Or maybe he was just crazy.

The pill slid down his throat effortlessly. He closed his eyes, focused on a non-existent beam of light in his mind, and then breathed deeply. The light glowed brightly, like a blue flame on a candle. The brighter it glowed, the better David felt. He could finally relax the taut muscles in his neck and upper back and his face. The tension left, and he reeled in exhaustion. Hunger. He felt pangs of hunger and realized he hadn’t eaten since he started out early this morning. He had to find a restaurant in this town.

He locked the door and headed to the SUV. The enigmatic girl from earlier was gone, vanished. David breathed a sigh of relief. He didn’t need any more drama this day. All he wanted was a burger.

The small diner carried the inauspicious name of “The Coffee Shop.” David drove up and saw that the lights were still burning at 8 p.m. He was lucky; in a small town like this, shops usually closed for the day at 5. He got out, still shaky from the debilitating headache, now fading quickly. Looking inside, he saw a couple seated at a table, and a waitress. He entered, ballcap in hand, and sat down.

The menu was simple. Easy for a troubled mind to choose from this. The waitress approached, smiled and asked for David’s order. She was young, sweet and attempted to hide her sudden giddiness when she saw David. “I voted for you,” she whispered. “Please don’t tell anyone.”

David was startled that she wanted no one to know, but he acknowledged her request. “Sure…our secret.” He smiled. “May I get something to eat?” he continued to whisper as he looked from side to side, in a comic attempt to hide from secret spies.

“Ohhh, sorry! Just got kinda…shook…you know.”
“Yeah, I do. A burger and fries, please. And water…lots of water.”

She took the menu from his hands and headed for the grill. David looked around, watched the old couple leave and rested his head in his hands. He needed something to do to keep busy, it was impossible to relax. He took the paper placemat from opposite him, turned it over and started to draw. His hand was drawing faster than he could control, and his right hand had to hold the placemat down to keep it from sliding about the table. He watched himself draw, like he was watching someone else, unable to stop himself. His mouth fell open as he suddenly stopped. He had drawn the likeness of the Victorian house, including the gables and spires and bay windows. A light shone from a tower, one that he had not seen earlier, and he was drawn to the window that emanated the light.

The waitress, whose name was Miriam, brought his order. David sat for a moment, taking in the homemade aroma of the food, then devoured it quickly. He paid for the meal, leaving the girl a generous tip, and started out the door, when the pain returned. He staggered toward the truck, and felt a gentle arm hold him up.

“You’re in no condition to drive,” Mir said… “Let me take you home.”
David was in no position to argue, and he climbed in. “Third and Luna. The Victorian.”
“Yeah, we heard someone was coming to stay there for a while…” she said wistfully as she looked at him, piled against the door, breathing with irregularity and clenching his teeth with every shot of pain.
“You gonna be ok?”
“Yeah, I guess so,” he said…”I hope so.”
They drove to the house and Mir opened the gate then drove in. She helped David up the steps and into the house. He began to relax as he sat on the sofa in the main parlor.

“I need to go…David.” She said prayerfully.
“Thanks for your help. You have far to get home?”
“Nah. I’ll be fine. Want me to check on you in the morning?”
“I think I’ll be ok…”
“I’ll check anyway. Try to sleep if you can.”
“If I can…I would love to. Thanks, Miriam.”
She let herself out and David was alone in the house. Or was he?

Or was he??? Poor guy. I would hate to have headaches that severe.

This is very exciting. What's up with the painting and is he really alone? Please update this soon.

She let herself out and David was alone in the house. Or was he?

Gaaahhh!! That seriously had tingles go up my spine...Creepy! I cannot wait to see where this is going--I thought you were gonna go to sleep, hmm?? Naughty girl can't get David out of yer mind? LOL.

I lovettt..I love youuuu!!

Wow... that was spine-tingling... Especially the last line... Incredible!

Poor David, I really know how it feels because I'm a chronic migraine sufferer myself...

I would really want to more of Lucinda... Is she good, evil or just plain ambiguous?! I can't wait to find out!

MORE, MORE, MORE!!! Keep up the fantabulous work!

He's gonna be ok...eventually...maybe

Hugs,
S-M




Everything comes into play in my stories...well, usually everything...stay tuned to find out!
New chapter sometime this morning.
Thanks!

Hugs,
S-M




Hehe kayraine,

True, can't get him outta my mind...and even when I sleep, he's there! It's true!

Tingles are good....we like tingles!

Thanks, sweetie!

Hugs,
S-M




Thank you so much erudite!

Sorry about your migraines. I had a neck injury once that caused lots of problems, so I understand
Lucinda will play a role...just like most of the major elements mentioned. Kinda like weaving a basket? Lots of loose ends till the very end!

Thanks so much for reading!

Hugs,
S-M

I am seriously getting addicted to the creepiness of this fic. Aaaaahhhh!!

Well, hang on to your...ummm...keyboard, it's gonna get creepier.

Hugs,
S-M

Will I be able to sleep tonight? LOL. I keep getting giddy when I see you're the last one who posted on this page, making me think there's an update LOL. I'm going crazzzyyyy!!! And will be back in an hour or so. See yuh!

Rainey

Chapter 4

David walked past the portrait of Lucinda, noting that her face seemed calmer, not as angry as he had seen earlier, and he shrugged it off as a sign of the headache that gripped him shortly afterward. He locked the front door and walked toward the staircase, wide and carpeted and somehow massively intimidating at that particular moment.

The large grandfather clock clicked as it began its resounding chimes throughout the house. The vibrations permeated David’s body, and he was motionless for a moment as each wave of sound passed through him. Each tone was deafening, and he covered his ears as he crouched at the bottom of the steps. Ten chimes. It was ten o’clock and he hadn’t been upstairs yet. At this rate, he’d never make it.

The chimes stopped and holding on to the banister, David headed toward the second floor. There were more portraits, older and fading as he climbed the steps. He swore the old man moved in that one, and the woman, was she fanning herself? God, he needed to sleep, to drop into unconsciousness and let his brain rest. At the top of the first flight of steps, he saw the massive hallways leading to a number of rooms, doors closed.

David went to the first door, opened it and switched on the light. It was a light, pink and very feminine room, with a double canopy bed and a vase filled with lilacs on the table in the corner.

The next door was opened, light turned on and David found a small, cozy reading room, with chair, table and an array of books, mostly old and dusty. No flowers, but a distinct scent of jasmine in this room.

The next door was opened, and David found what he was looking for. A large, oversized feather bed, well appointed with deep, rich colors and thick, down pillows. There was a canopy-like ornament overhead, made from deep blue-green fabric, gathered and cinched and looking almost like a crown at the head of the bed. He tore off his shirt and pants and climbed into the bed, stretching and rolling to experience the softness of the mattress, the sweet caress of the pillows as they cradled his head. He relished the quiet, needed it, at least for now. There had been too many loud nights of music, even for him, and he cherished every quiet moment he had. Sleep, he just wanted to sleep, and he wept silently as he felt his body relax in the comfort of this heavenly hand of feathers and cotton.



David was unable to move. He lay flat on his back, watching as she entered his room. The woman he had seen earlier, the one with long, golden brown hair and emerald eyes. Those eyes were alit with fire now as she moved toward him. He tried to reach out to her, but unseen hands held him down. He could not speak, could not scream, could not beg for his life if she was there to take it. Mist and vapor swirled around him and he found himself choking on it, gagging but no sound would come out, and he struggled to breathe. She was hovering over him now, holding out her hand, drawing his energy, replacing it with hers. He was powerless to resist. Her smile was crooked and evil, and he could see she savored his inability to defend himself. He was hers for the taking, but this night she only taunted him and made him fear her more. Her index finger grazed his skin, and she watched his pained reaction as she lingered here and there, as if her touched burned him. That smile. To take such pleasure in his agony! The taunting was not new to him, but her touch was. It seared through him, and he fought desperately to break free of her. Each twist and turn he attempted was met with stronger resistance until, at last, he stopped struggling.

David woke to the sounds of bluejays crying out in the early morning sun. He was soaked with perspiration, his hands still in tight fists. The cover sheet was tossed to the side and he realized he was uncovered as he lay there. The dampness from the sweat and the cool morning air sent a wild chill through his body and he tried to slowly get up. The headache was gone, but he felt spent, as if he had been running a marathon. He noticed for the first time a single white rose in a vase near the bed.

The door opened and Lillian, the housekeeper walked in. David grabbed for the sheet and covered himself.
“Oh, don’t worry, Mr. Cook. Nothing there that I haven’t seen before. “
David blushed. He had experience room service all over the world, but there was something different about Lillian. She stood over him, hands on her hips and a half-smile on her face. “Did you sleep well?”
“Not as well as I hoped. Uh, what time is it?”
“Time for your breakfast. I hope you like pancakes.”
“Yeah, I do…thank you.”
“Be right up. Just stay there.”

David re-arranged himself and propped his pillows. Breakfast in bed. Yeah, he liked that, at least for this morning.
Lillian returned with a tray and placed it in front of David. He started to cut into the pancakes when he saw the headline on the paper and stopped, “Girl missing.” On the front page of the paper was the high school senior photo of Miriam.

In a small town, nothing goes unnoticed, and when a girl goes missing, they don’t wait 24 hours to report it. Miriam’s parents reported her missing at midnight. She dropped David off at nine p.m. He put down the fork and shook his head. It was his fault. She helped him and this is the reward she got for it. He asked Lillian to call the police for him. He needed to tell them about last night.

*gasp* i hope they find her. *scolds David* it's not your fault *hugs him*

*shakes fist* darn you, creepy Lucinda...stop hurting David.

Another 2 chapters written flawlessly, i'm soooo stoked for more. ^^

Goodness... Is the mystery woman a succubus?! Sucking the life out of David slowly yet fatally?!

It was really chilling, and it truly filled me with trepidation!

Poor Miriam! She was so nice to David, and to be rewarded so lethally... *shudders*

I don't know why I'm so affected, but I really felt sad all of a sudden...

The latest scene reminded me of a classic movie here in my country called "Gumising Ka, Maruja" (literally translated as Wake Up, Maruja), which was made in 1978... Anyone who helped the protagonists get their deadly comeuppance...

All in all, a spectacularly terrifying chapter! And, we all want MORE, MORE, MORE!!!

Keep up the extremely fantabulous work!

Thank you so much!
Hopefully another chapter sometime this morning.

Hugs,
S-M




Thank you, erudite! You're on the right track regarding the mystery woman...sorta, kinda
Please don't be sad...there's a very long journey ahead, so pace yourself.

More later...or sooner!

Hugs,
S-M

Oh.My.Goodness. *faints* I think I took David's headache. He can take it back now, it hurts. Ohhhh missing Lillian, eh? I wonder if Luci has anything to do with it...Hmm....

You have a hint right there, kayraine. See if you can pick up on it.
More mysteries!!

Hugs,
S-M

Wow wow wow, Sweet Mercy! I go offline for a few hours due to work and thunderstorms (and more due today) and you rock my world with this! Excellent stuff, though of course I want to run to David and comfort him. Especially the headaches. And the scary dreams. And being so tired. Poor lamb! (No, not lamb like in PPR).

This one is different and I'm liking it a lot. Must go pour my tea and get some work done so I can take a break in a while and hopefully find another chapter updated.

Funny that the old house has a key just like David is wearing around his neck in my most recent chapter, though his is for a happier reason.. .

Oh my God. I seriously can't wait. *wiggles in my seat*
Is there any chance that another chapter will be up before I doze off? *sheepish smile*

Thank you dear wyld! I treasure your comments, as you know.
Funny, I see David as a bit older, less vulnerable, but still an innocent in many ways - especially as the story unfolds. Comfort is always good, and with what is in store for him, he's going to need it.

Yes, it is different, and as usual, I will try to throw in some unexpected developments along the way.

Working on the next chapter now...may be up this morning sometime.

Hugs,
S-M




Prob not, dear.

Get some sleep and you may have a couple of chapters by tomorrow!

Hugs!
S-M

No problem, sweetheart! Have a great day! *huggles*

Chapter 5

Lillian answered the door and a short, out of breath deputy sheriff entered. David sat in the drawing room, sipping coffee as the man walked toward him. He introduced himself as Deputy Floyd and took out a small pad and a pen. David began relating the story of his encounter with Miriam. He was starting to hyperventilate as he recalled her kindness and concern for him.

“Sounds like Miriam. She’s a good kid. Always trying to do something nice for someone.”
“Do I need to come to your office? I want to get this out in the open. I’m afraid this isn’t a good way to start my stay in this town.”
“Actually, Mr. Cook, Miriam was seen after she left here. Some folks down the street talked to her around 8:15. She was alone at the time. I’d say you’re ok for now, but don’t go taking off on me, ok?”

David sighed with relief. At least he was safe, for now. But he was concerned about Miriam.
Floyd gave David his card and excused himself. He whispered something to Lillian, who nodded, and left. David sat in an upholstered chair, staring out the window. He ran his hand through his already wild hair and leaned back. His headache was gone, for now, and he closed his eyes. He was tired.

“David? Can you help me? I helped you…can you help me? Please?”

He opened his eyes and looked around for the source of the voice. He was alone. Miriam’s voice echoed. He sat helplessly, pinned to the chair as he had been pinned to his bed in his dream, unable to move. She needed him and he could do nothing to help her. He put his hand to his mouth, to stifle his own cries, and wept for Miriam and for himself. Head down, his shoulders raised and lowered with each sob. He was so tired and just wanted some peace. Blissful peace of long sleep, with no dreams, no nightmares, just rest.

“Mr. Cook, try this. It might help,” Lillian said, offering him a cup of something hot. It smelled like sweet flowers and licorice.
David looked at it, then up at Lillian, her usual half-scowl was replaced by a smile. “Take it, Mr. Cook. It will help, I promise you.”

David took the mug, smelled it again and sipped the hot liquid. It tasted as sweet as it smelled, and he sipped it again. He curled his legs up and leaned against the back of the chair as he drank. He felt his body relax again, and soon he was finished with the strange brew of tea.

“C’mon, up you go…” she said, helping David to his feet. “Let’s get you back here,” and she led him to a back hallway, narrow and dark, that took them to the servant’s quarters, located next to the kitchen. She helped him to the bed, pulled up his legs and covered him with a sheet. He looked quite peaceful as he lay there, she thought. He was fast asleep in minutes, and she traced a tiny heart across his forehead as he lay there, innocently, quietly, vulnerably. Then she touched the spot between her breasts, the spot that bore the single white rose tattoo, as she looked at David. Her hand returned to him…and she let it wander aimlessly over his body. He didn’t move. He didn’t respond. The tea worked. He would sleep for hours. Lillian raised her eyebrow, smiled knowingly and closed the door.

Hmmm, so trying to decide if Lillian's creepy or sweet, not sure on that one. This is coming along quite nicely.

Famous line: Trust no one.




Hugs,
S-M

Amen! Must keep that in mind!
Is there a chance that Miriam might have survived whatever she encountered after helping David? I really hope she can come out of it unscathed...
Spectacular, as always! MORE, MORE, MORE!!! Keep up the fantabulous work!