There is evil everywhere. A counterpart to good and within lies two tales. Two who found each other, two who would do anything to tear them apart. How this will end...only time will tell.
Jonathan and Jaci had met online, each with a need, a desire. Each finding in the other the spark which lit a flame, a flame they both thought extinguished a long time ago. Words were exchanged for months, e-mails leading to telephone calls, those rendezvous leading to this, a meeting.
In modern day fairy tales all wound have ended happily but I fear life has a way of turning a straight line into a crooked path. Obstacles in the way, for these two though neither were aware came in the way of each of them having...an identical twin.
Where as the two mentioned before were two of a kind, James and Jackie were the same. Each of them festering an anger towards their matching sibling and with the happiness each of them had found in the other jealousy had reared its ugly head.
It was Jackie who had finally heard enough about her sister's "precious" Jonathan and had gone in search of something, anything which she might use to drive a wedge between the two of them. Instead, her eyes grew wide the screen before her, the computer screen and the two names it provided already leading her mind down a path of destruction...for the two.
Less than 24 hours later, a telephone call led to two minds who thought alike. A decision made, a plan finalized and with that, it began. He would be the brawn, she the brains and as she sat at her sister's computer, poring over correspondence, stories, words shared, secrets told she almost laughed with glee at how easy it would be to set...the trap.
The trip had been planned for quite sometime for the weekend, the last days of October. Las Vegas the site and as each checked in they found a parcel waiting in their respective rooms. Both of them opening them to reveal identical cards, one written in feminine penmanship, the other in a mannish scrawl, both reading.
"My darling, I've waited so long for this day, I hope you won't mind waiting a few short hours more. There is to be a special costume ball this evening, All Hallows Eve and I have taken the liberty of selecting what I would desire you wear. I wish for this to be a very special evening for you. Arrive promptly at the time below and be assured I will find you and we will...play." Each was signed with a single initial, hers J, his the same.
Meanwhile the two co-conspirators at another location were already deep in their own preparations for the gala event, anticipating the spoils they both would enjoy. As the time grew near each with a wicked grim bid the other adieu and good hunting, knowing their paths would cross again later that very night.
That night, precisely on the time written on the card he still clutched, Jonathan dressed as a simple peasant from times of old found himself in front of a door, heavy, wooden, the sign on it saying "The Inquisition". It gave him pause for thought but the answer was evident as he opened the door, seeing a man in stocks, a woman behind him being handed a whip, a look of delights in her eyes. His steps took him further into the club with the sound of bare flesh being lashed. He felt a shiver, a chill running down his spine but what happened next, took his breath away.
The scent was intoxicating, the voice almost hypnotic as he heard from behind him, "I beg you m'lord do not turn around only know this. When we meet next in a few moments I will be in my role and I pray you will do the same. If so I promise you a night you will never, ever forget."
He stood there frozen to the spot. Almost forgetting to breath when suddenly he felt another come in contact, a slight stumble which caused him to turn and hear, "Might I suggest good sir that you be a bit more careful about where you walk?"
The poor man once again found himself dumbstruck. The beautiful woman before him dressed in finery, a sharp contrast to his humble rags. She wore her garments regally, the feathers of the peacock covering her mask, only her eyes visible and all he could do was stare, a fact not lost upon her.
"How dare you stare at me you commoner? Is this how you greet royalty?"
With that he came to his senses, going to one knee quickly, his head bowed in reply saying, "A thousand pardons m'lady, I meant no disrespect, my humble apologies."
He felt her presence as she circled him, as if inspecting a piece of property for sale, seeing if he might be found acceptable. Finally he heard her say, "I desire a red wine, now."
The man moved quickly, standing, bowing before turning to do the deed. The woman glancing to insure everyone was in place as act one of our play was about to take...a turn.
Jonathan walked back, glass of wine in hand but just as he was about to present it to her a monk like figure walked briskly past, bumping him and the dark liquid spilled, unfortunately onto the fine dress the woman before him wore.
He stood in horror, the woman's face a mask of anger. Her words were sharp, biting, "You fool! I have suffered enough at your hand. Seize him!" Two men dressed as executioners, hired for the evenings entertainment, stepped forth, each taking an arm as Jonathan tried to offer an apology only to receive a slap across his face, none too gentle a blow.
The prisoner's head snapped back, stars filling his visions as her voice seemed to fill his mind from far away. "Perhaps a stay in the royal dungeon will improve both your clumsiness and your manners sir. Take him away."
The two men half carried, half dragged the stunned victim, while the two co-conspirators s shared a glance before the five proceeded toward the stairs which lead down into the bowels of the ancient building. It's name rang true, his eyes taking in the many items used in olden times to torture and torment others.
Deep into the catacombs of the grounds, down many pathways they went until suddenly they stopped. The cloaked figure unlocking the door as the prisoner was pulled inside. The two guards positioned him under her watchful eye, each taking a shackle hanging down from the ceiling, his wrists quickly captured, the locks falling into place.
The helpless prey stood there, his body shaking, his mind racing trying to grasp what was happening as the chains attached to his wrists began to have the slack removed, his arms forced to be raised upward. Another set of irons meanwhile were being attached to his ankles and he gasped as his body was pulled taut. His back aching in protest as his feet were pulled off the ground and he was forced to support his entire weight.
The member of royalty nodded and the two henchmen performed their final act. The indignity of having his meager rags, his clothing ripped from his body until he hung there, for all to see.
