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1800's- A Murder No One Knew Happened |
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The forest was quiet and dark. The trees were packed tightly together but the aura was one that was not foreboding. Above the treetops, dark clouds covered the sky, threatening rain. A low rumble of thunder skittered through the clouds. It was evident that a storm was indeed brewing and about ready to break open.
Within this crop of forest settled a small house. The family who resided here were the Lockehearts; a simple, trading, farming, and craft family. Jessika Lockeheart was a warm and gentle woman. She played the part of a perfect housewife. She stayed home and cooked, cleaned, took care of her two daughters and son and anything else the home required. Her hair was long and red, with pale skin to match her Irish decent. A simple woman in face but, for the time, was very becoming. It was no hard fact to see how she married easily.
Her husband, Richard Lockeheart, was a trader and a farmer. He was a muscled man with dark hair and kind eyes. His hands were the most gentle to lay on goods and his land. He and his family owned a small patch of land that had been cleared behind their home that they turned into a field. The meager crops that were grown and the tools Richard made were taken into the nearby town by him to sell. He did what he could to bring any amount of money into the home, but his family was what mattered to him the most. His children were the light in his life.
His two daughters, Erika and Mary, stayed home to help their mother. Erika, the older of the two girls, looked very much like her mother, complete with fair skin and red hair. She and her younger sister, Mary, enjoyed to bake side by side while their mother cooked. Mary, looked like a perfect blend of both her parents. Pale skin, brown hair mixed with red, and bright eyes.
Though in attitude, both girls were different. Erika was a shy girl who liked to stay home with her mother. Mary, on the other hand, was full of curiosity and adventure. Erika was always concerned about when her young sister would wander off in one of her adventures. More then half the time she came home with dress torn a little and a few scrapes.
The youngest, Johnathan Lockeheart, was only a ripe age of five. He carried more of the characteristics of his father. He sat in the home and played most of the day. Sometimes Richard would bring him out to the village beyond the trees if the day was bright and calm. The two girls loved their baby brother and would always play with him at any time.
On this particular cloudy day, Mary decided to take an adventure out in the woods. The hour was growing late and the forest’s shadows were growing larger. The playful girl did not pay any attention to the rolling thunder above her or the threat of rain that loomed heavily around her. Mary skipped around, humming to herself, between the trees right by her house. Lightning blazed the sky and the first raindrops began to fall from the laden clouds and pummel the earth.
Jessika noted that her one daughter was not in the house and knew exactly where she could find her. She sighed and placed her apron aside and headed for the front door. With a light twist of the knob, she opened the door and peered out, spying her daughter instantly.
“Mary! Get inside this house at once. You’ll catch your death if you stay out there, child.” Mary looked up and smiled at her mother.
“Coming!” She held her apron close to her and headed into the house.
“You adventurous little imp.”
“I’m sorry , mama. I saw some herbs that you could use for dinner. Here.” Mary then handed her mother a small bundle of little green herbs. Jessika smiled in thanks and headed back into the kitchen, calling over her shoulder.
“Go sit by the fire and warm up. It is still spring and I won’t have you catching a cold now. I want you and your siblings still healthy. Dinner will be ready soon enough.” Mary bent over and took off her shoes before she headed over to the fire where her sister sat. She placed her shoes by the fire to dry out. She smiled as she sat on the floor next to her sister.
Outside the storm began to rage like a furious beast. The rain whipped the house and the wind howled like wolves. Lightning turned the sky white with fury. Erika and Mary both looked out the window.
“It seems this storm isn’t holding anything back, is it, Mary?”
“Definitely not, Erika. Where is Johnathan? Usually he is down here and playing by now.” Erika’s eyebrows scrunched together.
“I’m not so sure.” As if he heard them, the little boy came bounding down the stairs with a box in hand. He smiled when he saw his sisters and went over to them, plopping down on the floor with his box of blocks.
“Erika! Mary! Will you play with me?” Erika smiled but shook her head. She indicated the cloth she had in her lap.
“I’m sorry, little Johnny. I want to finish this sewing up for mama.” Johnathan’s face fell. Mary smiled and moved over to her little brother.
“I’ll play with you,” Mary said as Johnathan laughed happily. The brother and sister sat on the floor by the fire, building all sorts of things with the blocks. Erika watched them from her sewing and smiled. The laughter of the children shut out the sounds of the raging storm and gave the house a feeling of warmth and love.
The door suddenly swung open with a violent gust of wind. The children looked up, all a little spooked. A figure stumbled in, dripping wet and battled to close the door. Once it was closed, the figure turned and all the children smiled.
“Hello, father!” Richard smiled and took off his coat, hanging it near the door. Jessika heard the commotion and came from the kitchen to go greet her husband. She embraced him and kissed his cheek.
“Hello, dear. How was your day in the town?” Both parents moved over to their children, Richard sitting close to the fire to dry out his soaked bones.
“I was able to barter for some new tools. The axe and the scythe we had were too far gone. Now we have new ones. And now we also have fifty dollars. This one man must’ve been having some large get together for he bought all the crop and baked goods we had to sell.”
“Wonderful news, dear.” She kissed her husband’s cheek once more before returning to her cooking. Richard sat and watched his children, talking to them the whole while. He couldn’t help but smile when he was near his dear ones, no matter his mood.
Jessika peeked into the room and smiled.
“Alright. Play time is over. Come sit for dinner.” The girls rose with their father, Johnathan whimpering to be picked up. Richard smiled and picked up his son who giggled in response. The whole family ventured to the table and sat down to a nice, warm meal while the storm continued to rage outside their house.
Once dinner was over and the family spent time together near the fire, all soon retired to bed. The storm seemed to have gotten much worse. Little Johnathan, so frightened by the storm, slept with his parents. The girls both shared a room but weren’t so bothered by raging weather.
That night, Erika slept peacefully. Nothing troubled her, not the storm nor dreams. Poor Mary couldn’t find such peace. Nightmares flooded her mind. Demons bit at her thoughts, telling her to do things she’d never want to do. Red eyes laughed at her cries of mercy. The cold laughter froze her body. They poked at her, prodded her, laughed at her.
“Murder! Murder! Murder!” they chanted as they danced around her. The red eyes smiling with evil, the stare burning into her soul. Mary thrashed and turned in her bed, trying to fight them off. They tormented her to the point of screaming out.
“Mary! Mary!” Mary’s eyes shot open. Her heart pounded with skin of ice, and a cold sweat breaking out over her. Erika held her sister in a tight hug, doing her best to calm her. Jessika soon rushed in followed by her husband, worry painted on their faces. “Mary, my child. Are you alright? What happened?” Her mother spoke to her gently as she sat on the edge of her bed. She pulled from her sister and fell into her mother’s arms, tears streaming down her face.
“Mother I had the most terrible nightmare. Horrible creatures nagged at me. They told me to do things, horrid things. Two eyes of blazing red ruled above them, laughing at me. A woman’s icy voice echoed from them. I’m so frightened!” Jessika rocked her daughter close to her while stroking her hair.
“It was only a dream. It wasn’t real. Everything will be alright. We’re all here for you, Mary. I promise.” All three worked together to calm the disheveled Mary. Soon, she grew weary once more and Jessika lovingly tucked her back into bed. Mary’s eyes closed as she fell into a blank sleep; Erika watching over her until sleep took her too.
The storm eased up as the sun rose behind the clouds to open the new day. Mary awoke with caution. Erika had already left the room to begin her day. The thought of the nightmare still plagued her. She waltzed around the day in a daze. She did what chores had to be done before retreating to a chair in the living room to read.
Whatever she did, she looked behind her, waiting for something to jump from no where. There was something strange about the forest. There was an unsettling feeling lying in every shadow. The sky never cleared to let the sun shine down. Dark whispers seemed to echo on the winds.
Their father returned home after another productive day and dinner ensued soon after. Mary feared the thought of going to bed. She didn’t want it to come so soon. But, unwillingly. She had to crawl into bed and attempt some sleep. Erika chatted lightly with her, trying to ease her sister’s mind. It seemed to help, to Erika’s eyes.
Mary’s sleep was quiet for a decent amount of time. There were no peaceful dreams, only black. But then, a voice called to her; a chilling woman’s voice.
“Mary…” Her eyes opened and she cautiously sat up. Again, it called to her, only this time it was much clearer.
“Mary…” Curiously, Mary got out of her bed and headed to the stairs. The hallway was much colder then it should have been. A strange feeling that she wasn’t quite alone came to her.
When she turned the corner and peered down the stairs, a black cloaked figure stood near the fireplace.
“Who…who are you? Why are you in my home..?” she asked in a small and timid voice. The figure laughed in a chilling tone, a laugh Mary knew from her dream. The figure turned and peered Mary down with blazing red eyes. Mary clung to the staircase as fear gripped her.
“Mary. Come here, dear child. I’ve been waiting for you…” Suddenly, Mary found herself walking towards the cloaked woman, but she didn’t move on her own. Something was controlling her. Her wide, fear filled eyes stared at this woman, seeing the room through her black folds. Mary’s fear rose. This was no real woman.
“Let me go! What do you want with me? Let go!” The woman pulled her towards her it her simple control. Her blazing eyes smiled as Mary stopped before her.
“Why didn’t you listen to me when I first called? Why haven’t you done what I’ve asked of you?”
“You asked evil things of me. I would never do such things. Ever!” The woman laughed again as her nails grew in length from the shadows of her hands.
“Foolish girl. You’ll come to me sooner or later.” With a bitter laugh, she began to slash at Mary. Her night dress tore and turned red with each swipe. The pain was searing, causing her to scream.
A commotion started from upstairs as the mother and father rushed awake and from their room. The woman in black faded from Mary’s view with eyes smiling.
“Mary! My God, what happened to you? You’re covered in blood,” cried her mother. Erika heard her parents and followed after them. Richard turned to her, worry holding his position.
“Erika, go get water and some cloths. We have to stop your sister’s bleeding.” Erika’s eyes doubled.
“Mary is bleeding? Oh no.” She then hurried down the rest of the stairs and disappeared into the other room. Jessika held her shaking daughter close as Erika soon rushed back in with bandaging, cloths and a basin of cool water. Richard took the basin and set to work with his eldest to clean Mary’s wounds. Jessika held her to her chest, doing her best to calm her, soothe her. Mary was trembling with fear and pain.
Erika watched with worry as she began to wind the bandages over the wounds on Mary’s arms as Richard did the same to his daughter’s legs. All three were terrified for little Mary. No one knew what had happened to her; her lips were sealed tightly. Richard soon gently plucked Mary from Jessika’s arms and carried her back up to her bed. Erika held her frightened mother’ s hand as they followed behind Richard.
“You’ll be ok in no time, Mary. We promise. Mama and I will be in our bedroom. Erika is right here with you, dear, if you need her. Sleep well, little Mary.” Richard leaned down and kissed her forehead, Jessika following suit before they both quietly left the room. Erika sat in her bed, ever watchful, as her sister’s eyes fell closed and she went to sleep.
When the next day arose, one that was still dark and dingy, Mary was stationed in bed, unmoving. Her wounds ached and she was still so very tired. But now that she was awake, she wouldn’t eat, wouldn’t sleep, wouldn’t even speak a single word to anyone. Her siblings tried so hard to cheer their somber sister up, but she was deeply disturbed right down to her soul.
When left in the room by herself, Mary could never relax. Her eyes constantly twitched back and forth, ever watchful for the black robed woman with the blazing red eyes. Her hair stood on end, leaving her nerves screaming for any moment to flee or fight. As she ran a gentle hand over her bandaged arms only questions were raised into her mind.
Who was that woman? What did she want? Why did she come to her? These thoughts would not leave her mind for a second. The scene of the night before would not stop playing over and over. The biting of the nails as they raked her skin was as vivid as it was when it first happened. The cold laughter as Mary tried to get away sent shivers down her spine.
Out of nowhere, a scratching at the window made her jump. Immediately she first thought that it was the black robed woman, coming for her. But as her eyes focused onto the window, her heart seemed to relax; it was only a branch in the wind. The adrenaline rush fled from her and exhaustion took over. She could not help but close her eyes.
As soon as her eyes closed, the nightmares returned to her full force. Again, the demons laughed at her, called her name. They would not cease in the slightest. Constantly they poked at her, prodded her, nagged her. Then, the cold laughter echoed through the air and froze Mary to the bone. Her eyes blazed above the demons. A shadow then began to form in front of Mary’s eyes. She knew who it was. The eyes then fell from the dark sky and into the black figure before her.
“Hello again, Mary.”
With a sharp, quick scream, Mary awoke. She sat up straight and rigid. Again her skin was ice cold, her heart raced, and a cold sweat beaded her skin.
Erika walked into the room carrying a tray with a small bowl of soup for her sister. She saw Mary shaking and set the tray down on the nightstand beside the bed.
“Mary? Are you alright?” She sat on the edge of her bed next to her sister, reaching to her hand, holding it gently. She sighed as she felt it be as cold as ice.
“Nightmares again? I’m so sorry, Mary. I wish I was able to help you in some way.” Erika half smiled as she stood up once more.
“Hear. Please eat some of the soup, even if it is but a spoonful. Mama made it fresh today. You need something in you to keep your strength.” She smiled again and softly kissed Mary’s forehead, leaving the room a moment later. Once she left, Mary looked at the bowl with a deep sigh. She had no appetite for anything.
On swift wings the night came and blanketed the forest. Another storm blew through the trees and shook the sky. Mary clung to her bed sheets. She was ever fearful of what the night may bring to her. Erika soon joined her, trying her best to liven up the atmosphere. The feeble attempt at a conversation between the two girls was shot down almost immediately by Mary’s silence. Erika sighed at her attempt and soon laid down to sleep, dosing the lamp as she did so.
Mary watched the shadows of the room will careful eyes. She wasn’t going to be caught off guard. She silently prayed that the black robed woman would not return, that she would forget about Mary. When all felt safe enough for her, she laid back and fell into a light sleep.
Chills wrapped around the room and a tingling sensation crept through Mary’s body, unbeknownst to her. A claw of shadow had dug its nails into her, starting to control her.
“…Mary…” A soft voice echoed into her mind. The claws held her fast.
“…Mary…Come to me…I’m waiting…” Slowly, Mary sat up. Her eyes opened and peered around the room. The light her eyes held spoke volumes. She was under some control.
“…Come down…” She eased the sheet back and stood, her bare feet making no sound on the wooden floor. She looked at her sleeping sister but moved by, silent. She peered around the door, checking to see or hear any movement. When all was clear, she descended the stairs. Before her, standing in the middle of the living room floor, looking up at Mary, was the black robed woman.
“You listened to me. Good girl. You awakened me on one of your little adventures. And for that, I thank you. But now, repay me by doing what I say. Go to the shed. Fetch your father’s scythe. You’ll see what your work is soon enough.” A simple nod and Mary began to walk from the house.
The rain pelted her as she stepped through the door. Wind tried to toss her off of her feet, but she stood fast. She had a job to do. With a minor struggle against the elements, she made it to the shed and heaved the door open. The room was dusty and gloomy but it didn’t phase little Mary.
“The scythe…” she heard the woman whisper into her mind. Her dull eyes glanced about the gloom until a flash of lightning caught the glint of the blade. Mary moved to it and lifted it into her hands. Without the power this evil woman had laced into her, Mary would never have been able to wield such a tool. But none the less, Mary left the shed and headed back into the house.
The black robed spirit woman turned and her blazing eyes indicated a smile. The blood red hues scanned over the dripping wet Mary and slid over the scythe the girl held. She lifted a hand and passed it over and through the blade.
“Perfect. Now, my price is blood. Go repay me. Kill them, Mary. Every creature that breathes in this house.” Mary’s hand trembled a little. Deep inside she knew this was wrong. She tried to fight the control that held her. She didn’t want to kill her family. It wasn’t fair that she, an innocent girl, had to do such crimes. Mary didn’t even know how or when she ‘woke up’ the creature that stood before her.
The malicious spirit felt the waver in her puppet.
“Now, Mary. Be a good girl and do as you are told.” A squeezing force pierced through Mary. She no longer felt the need to fight. Instead, her dull eyes peered to the stairs toward which she began to move, leaving a trail of water droplets on the way.
Silently she crept into her own room where her sister slept. But Erika got a strange feeling as she laid in her bed. Something compelled her to sit up and rub her eyes. From the faint light of the hall she saw a shadow approaching her bed.
“Mary?” The figure, which was definitely her younger sister, kept moving toward her, scythe held high. Erika’s eyes widened and she stood, ready to flee or try to stop her sister.
“Mary? What is this? What are you doing? Mary stared back at her with clouded eyes that glowed with evil. She lifted the scythe a little higher and before Erika could scream or move, she struck. A gurgled gasp echoed through Erika’s lips, a trickle of blood spilling from those lips. Blood began to pool below her. With a sickening thud, her body fell, split at the waist.
Mary watched as the crimson liquid crawled toward her, seeping under her toes. Her head tilted to the side as she watched.
“Good…Now move on…” Mary nodded again and turned to leaved the room. Behind her she left her sister to grow cold and a trail of glistening red footprints as she moved out into the hall. The blood on the blade trickled down the handle and onto Mary’s hands. The next door was but a few steps away.
The door opened without a sound and she peered in. Mother. Father. Johnathan. This would make the job easier. On the silent footfalls, Mary walked into the room. But this time, she stepped on a creaky floorboard. Little Johnathan whimpered a bit and sat up. He blinked his sleepy eyes and stared at the unmoving figure by the bed.
“Mary? Sister…what are you doing?” He looked over his sister’s nightgown, seeing it covered in blood. This scared him. He thought maybe his sister was hurt. But then his innocent eyes saw the bloodied scythe.
“Mommy! Daddy!” Both Jessika and Richard were roused by their little boy’s cries. They looked around, disoriented at first, before they looked to their son..
“Johnathan, what is…Mary!?” Jessika pulled Johnathan a bit closer to her while her husband quickly got out of the bed. Seeing his daughter covered in blood, fresh blood, and a scythe in her hand made him panic.
“Mary. What are you doing? Where is your sister?” He spoke calmly but the tremble was evident.
“Dead.” She spoke with no emotion, monotone, and her eyes were blankly evil.
“N…Now, give me th…” But his sentence was cut short. Mary swung and gave him the same treatment she gave her sister. The blood spattered and his body toppled to the floor, the blood pooling yet again. Jessika let out a terrified gasp as Johnathan screamed and began to cry. She grabbed her son and scrambled from the bed, holding him close to her chest. Her body shook as she backed away, the fear of no escape setting in as her armed daughter approached them.
“Mary…Mary please…Don’t do this…We love you…Don’t do this!” The lightning caught the crimson blade as Mary raised it high above her head. Jessika whimpered as her back hit the windowsill. This was the end
“Good bye, mother.” Jessika shut her eyes lightly and held Johnathan for dear life as the blade came down. The blood sprayed onto the glass of the window and the butchered mother and son slid to the floor. Again, Mary watched the blood pool. She dropped the blade and turned, leaving the slaughtered family in their rooms. Mary’s bloody footprints glistened in the flashes of light that ripped open the sky with its thunderous companion.
The black robed woman was filled with glee when the echoing of the blood dripping through the cracks of the wood floor from the rooms above hit her ears. She faced the bloodied Mary and embraced her. Those ruby eyes of her blazing.
“Beautiful job, Mary. We shall meet again soon when you fall into the hands of who I want next. Our partnership has been sealed in blood, even yours.” The icy laughter broke through the air with a thunderous crescendo as the black robed woman and her blazing eyes disappeared into the darkness.
Mary, no longer under control, walked numbly to the door. She would never speak of such a crime. She was one with the spirit woman. What she did was only a job, it was right. She left her home and the cold bodies of her family behind, never to approach the house again.
The rain whipped at her. The thunder crashed. The lightning pierced. Only the night held the chaos. Once the sun was to rise, all would be calm an beautiful. Yet Mary wandered the forest she knew so well. Days later she still wandered. Though, one day, a man found her in such ragged condition and brought her home to his family. The spirit would soon return to her, to guide her. This family was soon to die. Mary had marked them. Death was looming with the approach of yet another terrible storm
 ~The~Blackest~Rose~ · Sun Jun 14, 2009 @ 02:53am · 0 Comments |
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