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Post by Sylvia on Oct 21, 2007 8:25:56 GMT -5
*Sylvia’s stomach twisted at the sight of the mansion. She had thought she had left this behind her. She had finally started to feel safe. It took a force of will to exit the carriage and go up to the door. She knocked, but there was no answer. She tried it and it gave. Slipping quietly in, she made her way down the hall to his study, figuring it was a likely location for…business. She burst into the room more forcefully than she had expected, but it was empty. She fell to her knees in exasperation. Why would he do this? If he wanted her, why wouldn’t he be here? Tears started to slip over her cheeks.*
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Post by Thatcher on Oct 21, 2007 8:32:44 GMT -5
*There was a soft clucking behind Sylvia. Thatcher stood coolly, leaning against the door frame, looking down on her.*
“Dear Sylvia…how far you have fallen.”
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Post by Sylvia on Oct 21, 2007 8:34:18 GMT -5
*Sylvia looked back, fear instinctively gripping her heart as she scurried away from him. He filled her with all sorts of thoughts and emotions that she wasn’t ready to deal with yet. Her eyes immediately fell to the floor.*
“Please…I…”
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Post by Thatcher on Oct 21, 2007 8:34:39 GMT -5
*Thatcher just stood and watched her, shifting his head to take in her beauty broken. She had been so much, but now…she was nothing. Nothing of use. He sighed lightly.*
“If you were as smart as I had given you credit for, you would let me kill the doctor. Then I might be…persuaded to take you back into my good graces. We could work on rekindling our business arrangement.”
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Post by Sylvia on Oct 21, 2007 8:38:08 GMT -5
*Sylvia looked up to him in blind panic. The situation was so very far out of her control.*
“No, please…I’ll do whatever you want. Just…don’t.”
*She used to be better at this. When did she get so soft?*
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Post by Thatcher on Oct 21, 2007 8:38:41 GMT -5
“Of course you will. It’s what you were always good at. At least, until your work ethic went a bit lax. But perhaps…”
*Thatcher walked further into the room, towering above her.*
“Perhaps we might be able to work something out. What is it that you want?”
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Post by Sylvia on Oct 21, 2007 9:00:44 GMT -5
*Sylvia pushed herself up. There was no point in begging, he would not be moved. She lifted her chin, not bothering to wipe away the tears from her cheeks.*
“I want you to let the doctor go and to leave us alone.”
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Post by Thatcher on Oct 21, 2007 9:01:38 GMT -5
*Thatcher gave that eerie grin.*
“And are you willing to pay the price for such a thing? If I promise to let you pay the entirety of it alone, and to leave him out of it?”
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Post by Sylvia on Oct 21, 2007 9:02:02 GMT -5
*Sylvia paused a long moment, shutting her eyes as more tears fell. But she forced them open to meet his defiantly.*
“Yes.”
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Post by Thatcher on Oct 21, 2007 9:09:17 GMT -5
*The strike came instantly, hard across Sylvia’s face. It knocked her to her knees. But Thatcher was not deterred. He took a handful of her hair and lifted her, dragging her to his desk and forcing her over it. He unsheathed a knife, pressing it crudely beneath her jaw. She winced. His body spooned hers as he leaned to whisper in her ear.*
“I know it was you. And it broke my heart. You will pay tenfold for what you did. Do you know what it’s like to be devoured, sweet Sylvia? Perhaps we should work on broadening your horizons. But let’s not be too hasty. We can start with something more familiar.”
*His hand still in her hair, he lowered the other to pull up her skirts, drawing the cold blade up her thigh.*
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Post by Sylvia on Oct 21, 2007 9:25:27 GMT -5
*Sylvia elbowed him defensively, but he just laughed. She shut her eyes bitterly. What else could she do?*
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Post by Thatcher on Oct 21, 2007 9:25:46 GMT -5
“There now…you promised…”
*Thatcher flicked the blade deftly, cutting the flesh of Sylvia’s thigh. She cried out in the sharp pain of it. He tightened his grip in her hair, pulling her head back.*
“I would be more complacent if I were you. I will take my payment, whether you give it or not. And I will take pleasure in it.”
*He pressed his hips against hers, holding the skirt up as he lifted the blade to the back of her dress. He slipped the cold metal under the neckline and drew it down slowly, taking some satisfaction in the way that she squirmed and winced as he cut open the back of the dress. Once the bare flesh was exposed, he smiled as he traced the blade over it. She whimpered as the knife bit fresh trails into her back. He leaned in again as lowered his hand to his trousers.*
“On second thought…scream all you like.”
***FADE OUT***
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Post by Death on Oct 21, 2007 19:13:06 GMT -5
***SOMETIME LATER, MUCH LATER***
*Death had felt something. It was a strange pull. He had checked his list. And rechecked it. Nothing. But...he couldn't shake it. Then he located it. His expression grew stern and he oozed into the shadows.*
*He appeared in the cellar, lit by a single lamp. It was cool and smelled...well of him. It took him a moment to realize what was happening. She was such a mess. He glided to her side. She looked up to him with sudden fear, but it passed, leaving only an expression of resolution. She was ready to die. To be his. He shook his head sadly, brushing back a lock of hair, clumped with drying blood.*
"I'm sorry, Sylvia. I can't. If only I could."
*Fresh tears stained her cheeks as she weakly coughed up more blood. Her eyes cried in despair.*
"Fear not, I'll get help. It's the least I can do. For both of you."
*With that, he oozed back into the shadows.*
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Post by Death on Oct 21, 2007 21:01:03 GMT -5
***LATER***
*By the time they returned, Sylvia was completely still on the mattress in the dusty basement. There was blood everywhere. She had been stripped naked and bound, cuts and bruises over her entire body. There was a wound in her side that was very deep. Her eyes were shut and she wasn't breathing.*
*Death manifested with Crane, unfurling him and releasing his hand.*
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Post by Jonathan Crane on Oct 23, 2007 20:03:22 GMT -5
*Crane felt his blood turn to ice at the sight of Sylvia. He knealt down by her side, feeling for a pulse.*
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