The Lurkers' Domain

This has been his favorite place to think since he came to be trapped in this shell. Listening to the ocean lap up against the man made cliff. Looking out toward the horizon and remembering places and faces of long ago.

Ah but those times are gone. None of them are around anymore and others of his own kind seem so hard to find. Even the vampyres avoid him not knowing what to make of there signal. Do they not know that they are brothers. That there kind has the same mother that he does.

Once more he sighs wondering if anyone will ever bother answering him. His path is such a lonely one. Oh well he will wait a little longer and hope for somebody to come. If not, well he will decide what to do next if that time ever comes.

Walking through the chaotically crowded cobblestoned streets of Salem, Ma. This is the time of year when all Hell breaks loose. The summer sun has eased and the leaves on the trees are a pumpkin orange and sunset red. Hundreds of people crowd shoulder to shoulder trying to make there way through the crowds to see the next vender. Music played by bands scream far too loud. The smell of vending food is nausiating. Too many children with carriages where there is no room for them. Children run amuck dangerously too strayed holding glow sticks. Teenagers wearing a rainbow of different colors for their hair, too many face piercings and all black clothing.
So much noise and ruckuss. Walking through the dark alleyways is a young woman, human. Not afraid of the dangers lurking, just more interrested in getting away from the chaos guaranteed for another three weeks. Ahhh Halloween. The only place where this holiday breaths its own life. By far, one of the most beautiful
times of the year.

Seth sees the innocent one walking in the darkness and purrs. It has been a long time since he has had a chance to play or been in the mood to but tonight he is aggrevated. This girl was about to find out what darkness was all about first hand. He makes himself appear like a young gothic male and then walks up to her.

"Hello pretty eyes", he says, "Want some company"

White hot pain on her back, she falls to her knees. Scream left her lips. Looking up in utter disbelief, clawed hand raised, .....slashing across her chest. Flying back against the wall hard enough to make a hole in the plaster. She looks around wildly for something to use, nothing here. It's a nightmare!!! WAKE UP!!! A blow this time across the face, throwing her across the cell. Blackness for a second, then the taste of blood in her mouth. Trying to form words, but it just doesn't work. How am I going to plead for my life if I can't talk? The most sinister laugh of pleasure comes from the monster.
Picking the girl up by her hair and off the ground, she thrashes desperately at the beast, then he slashes across her stomach.......

The young one is trembling she will snap soon. He can not have this happen to soon time to put on a little kindness...He has learnt some restraint over the years don't want to kill he not yet.

"No pain", he whispers,"only pleasure."

The girl relaxes a little and Seth gives her a deep passionate kiss drinking of the energys which were built up during the pain and fear. He slowly rakes his claw down he chest making a long gash making her moan in passion instead of pain this time. The spell worked.....

She sleeps for almost the entire remainder of the night, most of the night as well. Her mouth being uncomfortably dry is the only thing that forced her to wake up. Now she can awake safe and sound in her bed, ask her mom for a glass of water and forget this whole nightmare with a gentle kiss on her forhead from her mom. Opening her eyes, what a chore that was, she sees the hole in the wall that her head made when she got thrown into it. Why is there blood sprayed on the ceiling? Who's is that? Why would someone paint in here? Moving her head to the side of the jail bars was like trying move a heavy bag of wet sand. Maybe someone started painting the floors, wall and ceiling red and just left while I was sleeping cause they didn't want to disturb me.

She sleeps for almost the entire remainder of the night, most of the night as well. Her mouth being uncomfortably dry is the only thing that forced her to wake up. Now she can awake safe and sound in her bed, ask her mom for a glass of water and forget this whole nightmare with a gentle kiss on her forhead from her mom.

Opening her eyes, what a chore that was, she sees the hole in the wall that her head made when she got thrown into it. Why is there red paint sprayed on the ceiling? Who's is that? Why would someone paint in here? Moving her head to the side of the jail bars was like trying to move a heavy bag of wet sand. Maybe someone started painting the floors, wall and ceiling red and just left while I was sleeping cause they didn't want to disturb me.

Oh shoot, it's day time, I gotta call my mom and tell her I'm alright before she freaks out on me, then I'll never hear the end of it. Slowly lifting her left arm, she sees what was supposed to be a sleeve to her cotton shirt. It was ripped to shreds, with paint all over her. I must've been in a huge party last night. Stuff like that will happen. Yeah, I met my friend and we came here to party. We must've snuck more friends over and started throwing red paint everywhere. Well, the party concept will certainly explain my ripped sleeve.

Looking at the locked gate to the cell, well this sucks. Someone accidentally locked me in. Oh great, now here we go, yes mom, I was partying with people I don't know and don't remember, we had a huge paint party in a jail cell and the next morning I have a 9 alarm hangover and am locked inside the cell. Ya, that'll go over well.

"It isn't paint," a kind voice behind her speaks.

Slowly, she turns around and sees a handsome young man, blond hair, kind face has joined her in the cell. Dressed in a tie-dye shirt, faded blue jeans, and wearing a full-length white trenchcoat. There is a white rosebud in his lapel, and she also notices a golden necklace around his neck with a beautiful golden akhn charm that almost seems to glow.

In fact, an unseen golden overhead lamp seems to be shining down on him. He smiles a knowing smile and says, "And if the man you met last night comes back soon, you won't have to worry about making that call to your mom."

Not sure whether she should be frightened by the stranger, she stutters, "Wh- who are you?"

With as much compassion as he can muster, he begins, "My name is Andrew. I'm an angel. Unfortunately for you, my charge is as an Angel of Death. You didn't go to a party last night. A demon named Seth met you last night and brought you here against your will. He painted this room with your blood. Your rest is essential now, for your sake, but also to him. For if you should die, his fun will be over, till he finds another 'toy'."

Shocked by what Andrew has told her, the girl almost faints, but catches herself. Andrew helps her sit down and catch her breath. She will need to rest before he can help her, if she even wants his help.

A mysterious light haired figure suddenly appears in the room near the girl. There is a look of sorrow in his eyes. He looks at Andrew who immediately recognizes him as Raphael.

"You may go now Andrew.", he says, "There will be no death here tonight."

With that he turns his attention back on the girl and kneels beside her. The Beautiful one gently places his hands on the girl and hums a long vibrating note. The girls body is surrounded by a golden aura and her body starts to heat up. Her wounds miraculously start to close up leaving no mark what so ever. It is as if they were never there. After an hour of this Raphael stops humming and the light fades.

Looking at the walls Raphael shakes his head. Once more he lets out a long hum as he places his hands on the walls. In mere moments the cell was back as it was before the attacks. Just as the girl was back to normal as well. She will awaken to think it all a bad dream. Raphael picks the girl up into his arms and they both vanish.

They reappear in the girls room. He lays the girl down on her bed and removes her shoes and coat, then carefully tucks her into bed. Pleasant Dreams dear heart. He gives her a gentle kiss before he fades away.

The girl snuggled into her bed with her favorite stuffed animal. Stuffed animals and pink fill the room. White lace curtains, a few boy posters, vanity clogged with nail polishes and make up, not to mention her pride unicorn collection. Safe and sound.

A short ugly female demon vaporizes into the room. All golden light is gone. His job is done, but not her Masters. How DARE He remove his plaything from her pen. "Thank you for fixing her" the demoness whispers. Leaning close enough to the pink skinned little princess, she feels her warm breath. aaahhhhh so sweet, no wonder her Master wants to keep playing with this one. She hears a sound of someone coming up the stairs, "We're not through yet, my Master wants to make a prize out of you and your suffering. Let him fix you again, it'll prolong your strength and endurance. He'll be very pleased."
Her little sister bursts into the bedroom, "Arianna!!! Get your sorry butt out of bed!! NOW!!" She looks up "What?" putting the blankets back over her head. It feels as if she hasn't slept for days. "Mom is pissed at you for not doing the dishes!!! Plus, you got into my shoes again, didn't you?" Arianna gets up and goes down stairs with her irate little sister.

The demoness looks on through the closet door. "Soon, once the sunsets it'll be playtime once again." Then she disappears.

In a pink room populated only by a girl's stuffed animal menagerie, two angels of light appear. They know all too well what Seth likes to do with his toys. Like a spoiled brat, he abuses them til they are broken, then they are discarded like so much waste.

Andrew speaks first to Raphael, "What do you think we can do? Perhaps you should have let me take her Home. At least she wouldn't have to suffer like this."

Raphael shakes his head, "Andrew, I know you are also an Angel of Mercy, but God has great plans for this young one. Seth is using her as only a toy. So for right now, His Mercy to protect her is what is required."

Andrew agrees, "Fine, but how are you going to protect her without deviating from the Grand Scheme?"

Raphael finishes, "Blessings all around her for now, but I will keep vigilance over her as well. You may stay around too should Seth get carried away."

With that, Andrew leaves Raphael to his work of blessing Arianna's room, especially her closet. If he can find Arianna's younger sister, he jokingly wonders if an exorcism would be in order...

Night falls on the noisy household. Dinner is done, the table cleared, dishes washed, children scrubbed in bed. The older ones can stay up for a bit longer, but not much. Sitting at the desk in her bedroom, Arianna busily works on her homework. Test tomarrow, hate this. The phone rings downstairs, her dad gets the phone. "Arianna, it's for you."
"Okay!" Yelling down, she cups the receiver, not to injure her girlfriends ear. "Hello" "Arianna, this is Eric. I know you don't know me, but your girlfriend Katie gave me your number and asked me to call you." Well if Katie gave him the number, he must have her stamp of approval. "I asked Katie first, would you like to go out with me tonight?" That was our code. Definate seal of approval. If she gets asked if he can ask me and she says yes and gives my number, a definate thumbs up! "Hold on." She scrambles to the stairs, "Dad, can I go out after my homework? Katie gave the seal of approval!" "Be back before 11 sugar." "Thanks!" Rushing back to the phone, god does he have a nice voice." "Ya, can you meet me or will you pick me up?" "I'll meet you, downtown?" "Sounds good!"
Alright!! A legitimate date with a nice sounding pre approved guy.

On the street below Katie's second-floor bedroom lies the bloody, shaking body of the young girl herself. Standing translucently next to the body is Andrew, an angel of Death.

Katie is convulsing from the trauma of landing below, still not escaping the terror in her bedroom. Andrew kneels down and whispers, "This is the only Mercy I have for you little one. I've come to take you Home, to the Light."

Before Katie takes her last breath she says, "Wha- what about Ar-ianna?" Then she exhales, almost calmly. Andrew stands up to see the translucent figure of Katie next to him, as beautiful as ever, un-harmed, un-stained by that demon Seth. He answers, "She is being watched over by others. A battle for her Soul is being played out. Unfortunately you were a pawn taken out by a dark knight. You need not worry about these things now. Let's go home."

Concern for her friend melts away as she walks toward the Light, holding Andrew's hand. Consumed by the Light, the tunnel closes. Moments later, an ambulance and a police car arrive at the scene of the grisly suicide.

heart beat
"She's dead... call the coroner."

heart beat
"Where's the girl's parents? Get Homicide out here, too."

heart beat
"Oh my God, her face is in this jar! Where's that detective?"

Walking down to the lighthouse point with her blind date pre approved by her girlfriend, they are both apparently having a very good night, ....so far.

Farther and farther the city seems as they are surrounded by the black ocean on both sides of the mile long walkway, out to the middle of nowhere and no lights at the end. Laughing, joking. "The tide is up, I love the ocean." From there feet, not even one foot below, the waves crash up to splash there feet." Katie steps back, laughing. "It's cold." "Of course it's cold you crazy duck, it's night water and just coming in."

Walking over to the very edge, he holds his sweet prize from behind, kissing her neck. Cuddling he whispers, "Can you swim?" "No." "Oh, then we'd better be careful then, shouldn't we pretty eyes." Arianna turns around and looks at her date a bit more closely and sees something too familiar. "I dreamt of you. Didn't I?" Not sure how to react.
"Yes, you did dream of me, as I have you. I am the man of your dreams. Your hearts desired."

He kisses her a long deep passionate kiss. Never before has she had a kiss like this. Everything she is feels as if it was leaving her, not all, like a taste of her. Heart flutters and she sinks into him. Holding her in his arms for a moment, the demon actually almost feels something. What? Not sure. Time to play soon. Making there way back to her home, they take a shortcut through an alley.

The same one that they met last time. "I'm having dezavu."
Two punks come out of the shadows with knives. Arianna steps behind her protector. They make further advances towards them. "Walk away or die." He says to them. You gotta be kidding is the looks that they give him. Turning to Arianna, "I don't want you to see this, it's not time." Baffled look from her. His lips touch her and blackness swallows her whole.

Opening her eyes, she finds herself lying in her bed, that feeling of dezavu nags at her once again, this time with urgency. "Good you're awake." Seth was sitting in a chair in her bedroom next to her bed, waiting patiantly for his toy to waken. "You're in my room, my parents would never allow it. How did I get here? Are you okay from those thugs? How did I fall asleep?" Moving around she feels bindings, her wrists and ankles are tied to her bed. "Now we're ready to play. Don't worry about your parents, they won't tell anyone that I'm here." The most sinister smile escapes his lips. Playtime begins.

Seth looks down at Arianna with glee in his eyes. That medeling Raphael will not save her this time and poor Andrew is to new to be able to compete with his power this much he knows.

"Oh do not look so shocked Arianna Dear", he hisses,"You new deep down that this is how you would end up."

With that he gives her a deep passionate kiss. When he feels her starting to give in to him the dark one clamps down hard on her tounge bitting off half of it. Pulling away he spits the tounge in the girls face and watches her turn sheer white in utter terror.

"Now that is so much Better", Seth snears as he dips his fingers in the blood running out of her mouth and begins painting her face with it., "We are going to have so much fun together you and I"

Unable to scream from choking on her own blood and from her tongue being half bitten off, all she can do is make choked gurgling noises. If she could just get out of these bindings, she thought. "Oh, you want to be let go do you? We could get you out of those ropes. Would you like me to let you go?"
Knodding her head desperately yes. "Alright!" Seth gets up and goes down stairs. What the hell is he doing? He comes back up with a butcher knife. "It's not my first choice. You didn't say untie the ropes, oh that's right, you can't say anything. Beggers can't be choosers!" CHOP CHOP CHOP

S C R E A M !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Seth chopped off Arianna's left hand! Blood spraying everywhere from the thrashing about free limb. "I already know how to take care of this." He runs into the hallways, half jumping with glee. Out comes a fully scalding iron in his hand. "Be careful, it's very hot." Laughing. He sears the end of the arm/wrist. Smell of burnt flesh and blood fill the entire second floor of the small house.

The tears running down her cheeks are immeasureable. The fill her ears, and soak her pillow and hair. Pain is too much. This can't be happening again. "You forget I can read your thoughts, dearest." Would you like a little rest? A nice little time out so you can take a breather? Picking up the blood soaked butcher knife, he lops off the ropes that tie her to her bed. Picking her up by the hair, light as a rag doll, he hurls her down the steps. Going through the kitchen, leaving a blood trail as she goes, opening the door to the basement, he hurls down those stairs as well. "See you later, sweetheart for our next date, in about an hour. I'll get something real sweet prepared for you."

The door shuts and locks. Total darkness consumes her. She knows this house, what of the windows and bulkhead? Walking over to all the exits, everything is locked up tight.
What the hell is she going to do now? Rocking in the darkness.
She pretends and imagines to see those angels from before. Will they come? Were they real?

A golden light fills the room as Raphael appears before the suffering child. Once more song fills the room and the childs wounds heal immediatly.

"Come with me child",he sings,"I am going to bring you somewhere safe, take my hand okay dear heart."

As soon as she takes his hand they vanish in a flash of light. The next thing she knows Arianna is in the most beautiful garden she had evewr seen with Raphael close beside her.

"Are we dead?" Asking him and realizing her tongue is back. Pure relief from that one. "No, we're not dead. Unfortunately you will have to go back there. Seth is one demon we're, Andrew and I have been having problems with for a very long time. Although the girls all end up the same, broken toys. He's not truly trying to kill you, that's not his goal. He wants to break your will, your spirit. Then he will consume you. That's how he feeds and continues to fight us."

"What place is this? It's so beautiful. I've dreamt of a place like this before, but I just can't recall it in full details." Looking about. The colors alone tug at heartstrings. Quiet arguments of what color should go where and why. The exact shading. Contrasting and diversifying the pallett. Walking through the garden it feels as if it were a close rendering of what would be called home. Not the exact one, but like a painters pallett trying to reconstruct it from memory. Good memories.

The ground shakes. An earthquake? "No, Seth just found out you are gone." The angels face turned somber.

In this bright and warm place, in the corner of your eyes there's a gray shadow darting from behind your field of vision.
Evil laughter filled the garden. Arianna backs away from Raphael. "You! You could be HIM!" She starts to shake and tremble. "What are you talking about? How could I possibly be Seth? Look at me, do I look like I could be someone that vulgar?" "You tricked me before." Now she's at a high pitched scream, and crying. "You were my date, and I felt safe with you, just like I do NOW!!!"

A gray cloud springs up from the ground and forms behind her. "Whispering her that she's right. Not to trust the demon in the guise of an Angel. Run away, run away from him." She turns and flees as fast as she can.

"NO ARIANNA!!!!! DON'T!!!" Running, and running. Now the daylight filled garden becomes the deepest woods in the middle of the night. Her cloak gets caught on some thorny bushes and rips the fabric. Her long skirts are tattered and frayed at the bottom.

Stopping and spinning around in circles. "How could this be? It's so incredibly real." Howls from a pack of wolves from the not too far distance. She has no weapons to protect herself with. There are no prayers here that will save her. This she is convinced of. No trusting anyone here, at all. Her red hair falling in her face in wet ringlets. Eyes darting about wildly. Panic has given way to complete survival. This is what Seth has been waiting for for such a long time. Not many get this far. To become animalistic and fight back blindly. Now the game is afoot.

How can the angels possibly help, but be so indirectly that they themselves do not have to hurt Arianna from hurting herself if she tries to fight them away. Has Seth finally won?

A calming voice which sounds like a lullibye fills Ariannas head. "Listen to me dear hear. That one you just left was your friend. He is trying to help you. Let him come and aid you. Do not fight him he is here to protect you."

Warm loving energy fills her heart as she slowly begins to calm down and relize that Raphael was her friend. A golden light fills the area as Raphael appears before her once more.

"Come to Dear Heart.", he sings, "Quickly now"...

She backs up and cowers like a wounded animal. Calmed at least, but still shaking. Not walking or talking, just crouched and cowering. Expecting to see Seths face at any moment.

He makes his presence and pleasure of this little game very known. Every tree and blade of grass feels him. Even the light can not chase away his shadow from the dark side of the trees.

No animals are moving in these woods however. They know that the predator is very very close at hand. Don't make any sudden movements, stranger. For you are in MY territory, seeking to remove MY toy.

Tread carefully. Angel

Raphael feels the energys around him and knows that if he does not act soon it could be to late for both of them.
He looks at Arianna and sends more comforting thoughts at her to ease her troubled mind.

"Quickly child", He sings, "Please trust me we are in his home. If we do not get out of here soon I do not know if I will be able to help you"

He feels the darkness closing in around him and prays that he is not already to late....

Seth appears out of the shadows with a troop of 10 demons at his side. He grins menincinly at Raphael.

"You are to late light one", he purrs,"This is my home turf. Get him."

With that the charge the mighty Angel intent to tear him to shreads. Raphael has no choice but to leave without the child there is no way he can take all of them.

Cackling with glee Seth has two more of his servents bind Arianna and carrier her to his tower. Seth follows closely behind.

"Oh, pretty eyes",he chuckles,"We are going to have so much fun together you and I...Oh,yes we are and there is nothing the ones of light can do about it..Because here I am supreme and they know it. Here I might as well be god."

Insane laughter echos through the night as the walk into a tower that seems to be made of black glass.

"Honey I'm Home", he screams ,"And I got me a new toy come and see her".....

Raphael looks on the scene with a growing apprehension. Tears come to his eyes as he relizes the girls plight he has no choice he must try to cut a deal. He begins singing the forbidden song which will bring the Queen of the night to him knowing that by doing so he was probely condeming himself.

When she appears to him Raphael bows down before her.

"I wish to make a deal" he begins.....

"Speak to me. Impress me, I take not being summoned lightly."
The Dark Mother stands before him.

Raphael looks at the form before him and takes in a deep breath. Long ago he swore that it would never come to this but now it has.

"Seth has a innocent one under his power that I want spared."he sings,"Since I can not think of anyway else to save her I am willing to pay the ultimate price. I will swear my alligance to you if you swear to free her and protect her from harm. The girls name is Ariannna. This is the deal I make. I offer my place here in the garden in exchange for the girls saftey."

She is only human. What purpose would there be for you to save her? Of all the others out there...all human, what has merited this one to be any different? They all die, let her. Are you becoming more attached to your charge, dearest?

Raphael lets out a sigh. He can see this was going to be hard.

"I can not let this one day",he crys,"She is important I can feel it. She should not die today and if she does the consequences will reach far beyond her time. She must be spared I will do anything you wish just spare her Dark Queen."

"What could you possibly have to offer me light child? What would I possibly want with you, that I can not get for myself?"
She turns and ready to walk away.

"What would you want from me that you can not get for yourself?", Raphael ask,"Try a Celestial of the council at your becken call as your own personal slave. Try a council member who most do whatever you say no mater how much it goes against his nature or wishes how does that sound?"

Turning back around to see him. "You want this so badly don't you my dearest?" She looks around the realm. Tired, bored. "I'll save your precious little human. No guarantee that he won't go after her again. Knowing Seth, he will. Destroy him and all that raign with him, and give me this. That is what I wish for." Motioning around the castle and all within. "I'm tired of drifting. A safe lair. That is what I desire." With that she disappears. A tremendous roar from Seth coming from deep within the castle walls. Obviously Arianna has just disappeared.
"Should you fail by the second sunset, I'll return the girl to Seth as well as you." Whispers in his ears.

Now the fun really begins.