Saphire laughed as she sat next to Slade in the library, listening to his jokes and even some of the ones that were Funny, she laughed. Harrier kept his watching his sister from behind one of the shelves, almost glaring at Slade. Starling walked up to her husband and put her hand on his arm before whispering to him.

“Why do you spy on your sister? You should trust her.” Starling whispered.

“I do trust her. It’s him I don’t trust. I’m worried Saphire will get hurt. Can you blame me for wanting to watch over my little sister? She is staying in a house with a man who cheated on her, when a crazy killer is out to her. I have seen my sister date many bad guys, how can I not worry that this male is one of them… or worse the killer out to kill her.” Harrier answered, taking his eyes off his sister to look at his wife before returning to watching his Sister.

“Most of that makes sense, but I don’t think Slade is one of them. Yes, watching over her to make sure she doesn’t get hurt, but I don’t think Slade would hurt her. He is too soft around her and his own sister. Did you not notice that he will do anything for his sister? How about for Saphire? Aria tells me she has gotten Slade to do many things for Saphire. Did Saphire mention to you white rose she found this morning that was turning Blue, with a vial on the end filled with dye? Aria whispered into Slade’s Ear that Saphire loved blue roses… but had never in her life found one. Ever notice that Slade hovers over Saphire’s shoulder… waiting to lend her a hand? He will not hurt her. I believe he would risk his life in order to save hers.” Starling reasoned. Harrier turned to Starling.

“A blue rose?” Harrier asked.

“Yes. A blue rose. Did you know Slade presented Saphire with a book she has long time been hunting for? What will it take to convince you that he will not hurt her?” Starling asked. Harrier’s eyes hardened as something crossed his mind.

“When he does indeed die to save her life. Look at Shayne, he gave Saphire that room, the expensive jewelry in that room, the gowns, the shoes, the clothes, and he still hurt her. He treated her like gold as well and he still turned around and hurt her. He cheated on her with four other women at least.” Harrier’s Face darkened again before he turned to Starling. “Did you know three of those women showed up dead?”

“What? They turned up dead? That’s got to be a coincidence.” Starling exclaimed a little too loudly. Saphire looked toward the bookshelf her brother was behind. Slade followed her gaze and saw Harrier behind the bookshelf and then saw Starling. Harrier looked at Starling.

“I don’t know. But either way, they were all killed the same way. Leads say they were all killed by the same person. But either way… I don’t want to take any chances.” Harrier hissed, attempting to not look his sister’s way since he knew she was staring at him.

“Well… I hope you’re not sneaking into Saphire’s female gathering tonight.” Starling whispered. Saphire cocked her head sideways trying to hear what was being said.

“What is your brother doing?” Slade asked.

“I don’t know. I’m trying to listen.” Saphire answered.

“I’ll have to. How else am I to watch over her?” Harrier asked. Starling smiled.

“I’ll watch over her tonight. Did you honestly think she wasn’t going to invite me?” Starling asked, smiling. Harrier nodded and pulled a book off the shelf and walked out to a table a little ways away from Saphire and Slade.

“Weird… not only does Shayne have organs in his fridge but my brother seems to be spying on me.” Saphire murmured. Aria appeared next to her from a set of shelves that had behind where Harrier was hiding.

“Can’t blame him though. I overheard the entire conversation when I hunting for my book.” Aria answered, sitting down next to Saphire.

“Why is he spying on me?” Saphire asked.

“Well… Can’t blame him… you have a killer after you. He loves you and wants to make sure your safe. And he doesn’t trust Slade yet. He’s concerned he’ll be another Shayne. And apparently he’s been listening in on the police. You know the four girls Shayne cheated on you with? Three of them have turned up dead. And I already knew all four were missing. If three of them are dead and the fourth one’s missing, who’s to say she’s not dead. And since they were killed the same way and by the same person, he’d rather watch over you protectively and find out it coincidence then pray it’s coincidence and you get killed like those three girls.” Aria told her.

“They’re DEAD?” Saphire Shrieked loudly. Harrier looked up at her in Alarm. Aria nodded. Saphire saw her brother and quieted her voice before continuing. “Since when?”

“I knew they were all missing 11 months ago but I don’t know about when they died. So they all round about went missing a little while after you dumped Shayne.” Aria answered.

“I would like to believe that’s coincidence too but this doesn’t seem to add up. All four of his girls that he was with at the same time as Saphire are dead or missing? What about any other females that he’s been with in the past? I heard he was dating Tania and Sydney at one point too. And He’s admitted to me himself he dated Lorel some time ago. They’re dead too.” Slade added. Saphire looked at him in shock.

“WHAT? HARRIER!” Saphire spun around to look at her brother. Harrier stared. “Do you know anything about Shayne Dating Tania, Sydney or Lorel?”

“No. Why?” He asked.

“You know what just get your ass over here and join the conversation. No point in spying on me from afar when you can join the conversation.” Saphire exclaimed. Harrier got up and walked over to them.

“What are you talking about?”

“We’re discussing how the Shayne’s Girlfriends are turning up dead. There’s the four who went missing that we cheated on me with, the three found dead, and then there’s Lorel, Tania, and Sydney who turn up dead who suppose ably dated him too. That’s 6 out of 7 girls he dated that have turned up dead… and all went missing.” Saphire exclaimed. Harrier’s face darkened.

“What scared me more… is Shayne has the same name as the guy Lorel, Sydney, and Tania came to lora trying to escape. Scary or what?” Aria added.

“Scary. And it was spelled differently. I’m pretty sure it’s spelled S-h-a-n-e for that man.” Saphire added. Slade nodded.

“That’s right… his name was Shane. I remember Lora and Lily working over time trying to get those two girls.” Slade exclaimed.

“So… what’s the connection between all this?” Aria asked.

“What if there is none at all? It’s just all random and coincidence?” Saphire asked.

“There is no way that 6 out of 7 girls end up dead… killed the same way… clearly by the same person… all dated the same guy. It makes no sense. Harrier’s phone buzzed. He pulled it out and looked at it.

“Make that 7 out of 7 girls dead. They just found her. Slain the same way the girls were. Apparently been dead for weeks.” Harrier added.

“7 out of 8 girls actually.” Saphire corrected.

“Who’s the eighth?” Slade asked.

“Me.”

X-X-X-X-X

“Hey, Shayne!” Saphire called, running down the hall to catch up with him. He turned around and smiled at her.

“Saphire, how are you my dear? Is everything running well in the kitchen? I heard we were receiving a feast in our Freedom from Tammy. She’s being relocated.”

“Is she really? Cool. Things are well in the kitchen though I have a question about some of the things in the kitchen. I was poking through the freezer and found a few … oddities… I found, a heart, a stomach, an ovary, an-“Saphire started, listing the things off on her fingers before Shayne stopped her.

“I see you found my home work. You see I’m studying them, and I’m hoping to recreate the organs since the Atmos has a shortage of them. I’m also hoping to find something that’ll keep the heart fresher longer when donated. I hope terribly that I can find it. It would save so many more lives, we could do more heart transplants do to having more hearts to do the transplant with. And can you imagine the money I would make for such a discovery. I could keep this wonderful home. I could retire early. The things I could do with that Discovery. It is a goal worth working for. Perhaps you would like to help me reach it?” Shayne asked. Saphire shook her head.

“Um… no… I must refuse… at least not until after this ordeal is over with. After wards I’ll think about it. But um… did you Date Lorel, Tania and Sydney?”

“Yes I did. It was a shame to hear them go.” He exclaimed.

“Did you know those four girls you cheated on me with were found dead as well.”

“It was 6 actually. And No I did not know they were dead. How did they die?” Shayne asked. Saphire hissed at the number. Shayne hung his head. “I know what I did was wrong Saphire… but I truly am sorry. You wouldn’t let me have you… I needed you… to keep you from thinking I was desperate I had to find another outlet…”

“I don’t care. Can I get names of these girls?” Saphire asked. Shayne shook his head.

“No, I’d rather you not punish them for what I did. If you must punish anyone punish me. None of them knew I took another girl and had a girlfriend.” Shayne answered. Saphire narrowed her eyes and glared at him.

“I can’t believe you think I would stoop that low Shayne.” She hissed. Her head snapped up the hall as Thema came down the hall singing. As Thema saw them she ran down the hall.

“Shayne, Saphire! Hello!” Thema greeted a cheery smile on her face. Saphire smiled at Thema.

“Hello Thema, how fair things in the kitchen? From what I hear from Lily you’ve been in there all day.” Shayne asked.

“Things fair wonderfully. I was in the library looking through some cook books as I waited for my pie to bake, its apple, and I found this wonderful recipe that looks and sounds wonderful, but I am in need of a wine that I can’t find. Perhaps you know where I can find it Shayne?” Thema exclaimed.

“What is the recipe for?”

“Chicken. It’s actually for the sauce the chicken is cooked in but still. I also found a wonderful desert recipe but I need Chocolate liquor for it. I can’t find that either.” Thema exclaimed, almost pouting. Shayne looked almost sad.

“Oh, we should go shopping for this Chocolate liquor you need. I might already have this wine you require in my room filled with wines and champagnes. Come Thema, we should go poking through my room of wines and see what lies in there.” Shayne exclaimed, his eyes soft glimmering with something Saphire couldn’t place. Thema smiled.

“Why not? Then I can make them! And I’m sure Saphire would love to lend me a hand with the chicken.” Thema exclaimed. Shayne looked at Saphire with glittering eyes filled with a darkness that made chills run down Saphire’s spine.

“Then perhaps she should accompany us.” Shayne invited. Thema turned to Saphire. Saphire forced a smile.

“That sounds lovely but I need to speak with Aria and Sheena, our two crazy planners about an idea for tonight. I’m sure you two can find the wine just as easily without me. If you see Aria let her know I’m looking for her.” Saphire exclaimed starting to walk backwards up the hall, prepared to run up the hall.

“Oh, Sheena’s in the entry way playing model. Aria and Chase are also with her.” Thema exclaimed just before Saphire turned around.

“Thanks Thema!” Saphire exclaimed running up the hallway, desperate to get away from Shayne, while hating herself for leaving Thema alone with the man. Saphire ran until she escaped into the grand entry room where she Saw Aria and Sheena on the steps, each dressed in black. Sheena wore a black skirt with triangle like things coming off the ends, a pair boots covered in spikes, a t-shirt that had a skull and cross bones on it, black lip stick, heavy eyeliner, fingerless gloves and a black choker with a skull on it. Aria wore what looked like a medieval styled mini dress. it was crimson red down the center with silver laces traveling up the dress from Aria’s waist up to the top. The rest of the dress was black and ended about mid-thigh. The dress sported an empress waist line, empress sleeves, and a boat neck hemming. She wore knee high black boots that were laced all the way up and fishnet stockings. Aria’s Eyes were done up in black eye liner and her lips lined in black lip stick. Aria and Sheena stood close together on the stair case, staring at the Camera which was being used by none other than Kevin, Sheena’s fiancé, who was a professional photographer.

“Aria, give me a little more stare… just a stare… your bored… just stare… let your face drain of all emotion!” Kevin exclaimed. Chase walked over to Saphire as she entered the room. Saphire looked up at Aria and Sheena and stared at the two. Aria noticed and tried not to show how happy she was to see her friend. Kevin looked to Saphire for a moment before turning back to snap another picture of Sheena and Aria.

“Sheena needed another model, so Aria volunteered. She looks gorgeous but she’s having a problem seeming bored.” Chase explained to Saphire.

“I know a way to get her to be not so happy.” Saphire exclaimed walking toward Kevin.

“Oh and how’s that?” Kevin asked.

“Flip her off. It’ll either make her angry or she’ll be confused.” Saphire exclaimed. “Though she just laughs when Harrier or I do it. She knows we don’t mean it.” Kevin snickered.

“Tell me about. It used to work on Sheena, when she first started out modeling. I’d flip her off to get a reaction. It didn’t work so much after the first few times.” Kevin exclaimed. Saphire smiled. “If you can get her to stop smiling so damn much, you can join her up there.”

“Offering me a chance to model are we?” Saphire asked. Kevin looked up at her again and looked her up and down.

“Yes. Hang on. Yo Sheena!” Sheena walked down the stair case toward Saphire and Kevin leaving Aria confused.

“You thinking what I’m thinking Hon?” Sheena asked.

“Trading out Aria for Saphire?”

“Yes we are. Come on up Saphire, let’s see what I have that you will fit in that’s in the Goth world.” Sheena exclaimed walking up the stair case up to her room which was to the left as opposed to the right where Saphire’s room was located. Aria swiftly followed them. Saphire walked into Sheena’s room and simply stopped. All around the room there were clothes and shoes thrown across the place. But beyond the clothes was a soft black carpet, with the walls painted a deep crimson red, the four post bed with red velvet curtains was drawn up in red silk sheets and a red comforter, with several pillows cased in white.

“What happened in here?” Saphire asked. Sheena giggled.

“I am not organized at all when it comes to my clothes and I was driving myself nuts trying to find stuff earlier. That’s one way to unpack 6 bags. Let’s see now.” Sheena started poking around piles and then holds up a skirt similar to hers but much shorter and with purple triangles. She threw it to Saphire who caught it as Sheena continued to riffle through her stuff before finding a dress. The skirt was stripped in vertical strips in black and purple, and the top was black with a sequined skull on it, with a boat neck line. It was long sleeved and at the end of the sleeve where your wrist should be it fell loosely in many folds and frills, much larger than the rest of the sleeve. The sleeves were also stripped in Black and purple. “Try this on. Hand me that skirt. If the dress doesn’t fit we can have you wear the skirt.”

When Saphire emerged From Sheena’s room, Slade and Chase were talking in the entry way, talking. Slade looked up at Saphire at saw the dress she wore ended mid thigh and that she wore black combat boots and fish net stockings. She wore thick eye liner and wore a purple lipstick, and had a single red high light through her hair. Kevin smiled as he bent down the camera to catch Saphire, Sheena, and Aria walking down the stair well, each looking devoid of all emotion. Slade just stared in awe, staring up Saphire’s legs and looking over her clear figure.

“PERFECT!” Kevin called. “Now Saphire, pout just a little bit! PERFECT!”

X-X-X-X-X

“You looked amazing.” Slade exclaimed as Saphire walked out of her room wearing a deep blue dress that ended mid thigh and had thin straps holding it up. It was a plain dress.

“Thank you.” Saphire exclaimed. As she walked down the hall with Slade.

“You did a great job. I am dead serious, I am not into the goth look but you looked so good in it. I now wonder if you can pull off the biker look. You know I’m sort of into that thing. But sophisticated is more up my alley when it comes to women but still. I love girls who can pull it off.” Slade exclaimed as he and Saphire walked down the stair case and down the halls toward the library where Saphire was going to meet up with Sheena and Aria.

“I thought you were a biker?” Saphire asked.

“I am, but I need a girl who will fit in my sister’s world. And For some reason I love the sophisticated women. But I love it when they can fit in my world too. I can do elegant and Formal wear, but I by far prefer causal and biker wear.”

“How do you know I can do formal and elegant wear?” Saphire asked, looking at him, stopping in front of a painting of a woman with pale skin and long pale blond hair, her eyes black and empty, the dress of deep crimson she wore seemed to stand out against the dark background behind her. Saphire was completely unaware that the eyes seemed to darken and gaze at her.

“That was the outfit you wore when you first arrive here. You looked Sophisticated and elegant. You are also a doctor, and your title serves great purpose to elegance.” Slade exclaimed, his yellow eyes looking deep into Saphire’s, making her shiver pleasantly. Slade noticed the shiver and took it she was cold.

“You shouldn’t be wearing straps in a cool house. It’s a tad bit too drafty for that.” Slade told her. Saphire blushed, realizing he had noticed her shiver and had taken it the wrong way.

“I’ll be fine. It’s just this spot.” Saphire exclaimed nervously, suddenly feeling like she was being watched. She looked up and down the hall way for someone other than herself and Slade.

“Is something the matter?”

“I feel like I’m being watched. It’s an unpleasant watch too.” Saphire exclaimed. Slade nodded.

“I feel like that too. And that painting behind you really creepy. Her eyes look like they’re staring right at us.” Slade exclaimed. Saphire turned and looked at the old woman’s eyes.

“Yeah. It just as unpleasant as feeling Shayne’s eyes on me.” Saphire exclaimed, shivering this time in disgust and unpleasantness.

“I thought you liked Shayne.” Slade exclaimed. Saphire shook her head and continued up the hall, completely unaware of the paintings eyes following her until she vanished from view with Slade.

“No. I haven’t liked him since he cheated on me. Now, every time he looks at me, I feel unpleasant chills running up and down my spine. His gaze spells something dark and horrible, and all I want to do is get away from it. I don’t trust him as all, and I don’t like the fact that most his girlfriends have been found dead. I don’t like being near him. I feel something terrible, something I can’t explain. There is something dark about him, something I don’t know about and can’t explain. I hate it, and I hate being near him. I hate that his room is almost right above mine. I hate that I am forced to stay in this beautiful home with him when I want to be far away, maybe on Tropica swimming in the ocean, or on Terra Ray catching a few rays. I don’t like this darkness that I feel here. I don’t feel safe here at all. I feel like something bad is going to happen.” Saphire exclaimed, stopping in front of the library. Slade put his hand on Saphire’s shoulder, unaware of the joy Saphire felt when he touched her, unaware of how Safe Saphire felt in his presence.

“Don’t worry. I will not let any harm come to you.” Slade promised.” And I promise you, you will be fine, even if I have to die trying to make that happen.”

“Thank you Slade. I’m glad your room is across from mine. I can say I feel safe knowing you’re nearby. I don’t know why I do, I just do. If you’ll excuse me, I must talk with the girls.”

“Of course.” Slade walked away as Saphire slipped into the library.

X-X-X-X-X

“That ungrateful little leech!” Tammy hissed as she dragged her suit cases down the stair, thunking every time it hit the floor. She threw her suit case onto the pile of suit cases in the entry way and watched Officer Jameson haul her stuff into the trunk of a car as she stumped down to the car and got in it. As Jameson drove her off to a house in town, he dropped her off, and dropped her stuff off and left.

“And that Horrible little MAN!” Seethed Tammy, glaring at the car that was pulling away. She hauled her stuff into the deserted house, and didn’t even notice the shadow that flitted across the hall after her. She walked down the hall into the living room and sat down on the sofa, not even noticing the hand that lay under the pillow.

“ HELLO?! You all want to greet me!” Tammy called out into the house; expect people to come running to her begging for her forgiveness. But no one came. OR so she thought. She growled in annoyance and stood and walked across the room to retrieve the remote for the TV from the coffee table. She stopped her walk when she felt a difference in the carpet. It felt wet… it sounded it too. She looked down on the floor and saw the carpet looked a little dark, but since it was a black carpet she couldn’t tell what it was.

“Ew… I’ll go find the mangy mutt that peed and kick it out.” Tammy growled, walking out of the living room and into the dining room where there was a glass door that went into the back door, not even noticing the red hand prints along the base of the wall. She walked into the kitchen which was connected to the dining room and opened the fridge hoping to grab an apple and screamed the moment the fridge was open. Inside was head, the eyes gorged out, the tongue cut out, and the head cut clean off the body… where ever it was. As she screamed, backing away from the fridge, a pantry door creaked open and the body that the head belonged to fell onto Tammy, the body completely gutted, knocking Tammy over. She shoved the body off her and ran into the back yard where she screamed even harder as she saw three heads on stakes in the same condition as the one in the fridge, the bodies littered around the place, one of them pinned to a tree with a bunch of kitchen knives, one hanging from a gutter, and another just laying on the ground, all of them completely gutted.

“AHHHHHH!” Tammy screamed, attempting to run back into the house only to run into something. That something was a man in a scream costume whom pinned her to the inside of the house wall and pulled out an ice pick and plunged it into her stomach, making Tammy gasp in pain.

“Hello Tammy. We meet again.” He exclaimed. Tammy coughed.

“Again?” She asked.

“Again. You see… what you don’t know is… you know me… but you don’t realize it is me…” He exclaimed, running his hand up her leg and lifting up her skirt. Tammy wiggled in his grasp.

“Please… please… have mercy…” Tammy gasped, wincing as the man pulled the ice pick out of her stomach.

“Oh… you want mercy… how about the mercy that you never gave your cousin? Tania was it? Or how about the mercy you gave to everyone around you?” He asked, grabbing Tammy’s hips and then pushing his hips against her roughly, chuckling as he watched Tammy attempt to get away.

“PLEASE! Please! Spare me!” Tammy sobbed as the man ripped her underwear.

“The way you spared everyone?” He lifted part of his costume and unzipped the jeans he wore underneath.

“Please! PLEASE!” Tammy squeaked as she attempted even harder to get away.

“NEVER!” He growled before rapping her senseless and then while she was still alive… gutting her and then ripping her head off and sticking it on a stake and writing something on the wall in her blood and walking away, hiding until it was dark enough he could sneak away.

X-X-X-X-X

Me: Hello! I just wanted to take the time since I doubt I’ll be updating before tomorrow to tell you anyway,

Aria: Tammy got what she deserved.

Me: ARIA! Shush woman. Anyway, I wanted to wish you all a happy Halloween! Happy haunting! And for the Pegans, and Wiccians, Happy Samhain!

Aria: *cringe* I hate the story behind Samhain! Seriously… it’s really creepy. The god dies and veil between the living and the dead falls for 24 hours.

Me: I thought you said you hated the story behind Yule?

Aria: I hate that one too. The goddess gives birth to the god again and marries him!

Me: *eye roll*… okay Aria… I get that you think the story is creepy. It’s the shortest day of the year… it is the Day that our god returns to our world and slowly lengths the days before he starts to fall ill again and shorten them. Now Aria… top making fun of us.

Aria: sorry… it’s just weird.

Me: I think it’s romantic… Anyway… Happy Halloween! Happy Samhain! And for those joining me amongst the ghouls, ghosts, and zombies and trick or treating… Happy Haunting!