Unfortunate Circumstances

[SJL]

This is a tale of greed and hatred. A tale of a man known as James Hydeamon. He was the richest and most powerful man of his time, running the only bank in town, one could only imagine how wealthy he was.
His money gained him many mansions across the country, and enough cars to last him his life time. Of course, he had his fair share of the ladies as well, most only resulting in one night stands. He lived the life every man dreamed of. Having it all without a care or worry in the world. However, there were some who were conned and cheated by him. They fell for his charm and in turn, ended up on the streets, cleaned out by lies he wove. They had tried countless times to turn the followers of James against him, but they went ignored.
James' greedy streak got so strong, that he began to cheat even his closest friends out of giving up money to him. Little did he know, that the most respected man would become the most hated.
Late one evening, when the streets were silent, a group stood before the bank Mr. Hydeamon ran. In an angry rage, they threw flaming debris onto the roof and watched as the building quickly erupted into an inferno.
James was woken up by the sound of the fire bell echoing in the night. Looking out the top window, his eyes grew wide in terror as he saw his building lighting up the night sky with its fiery glow.
Rushing from his house, he ran to see the last of the fire be put out. He waited until the firemen left the scene before he walked to the smoldering ash. He wondered weather or not this was arson or a natural happening. It didn't matter, all that really mattered was that he was now out of a job, and out of money. All of his money was stored away in a safe, and apparently that wasn't strong enough to sustain the heat of the blaze. He was now faced with a tough choice on what to do next. He had several servants to pay, not to mention the renovations on a few of his houses and paying the one's doing the job.
It was too late to do anything at the moment, so he went back home and tried to sleep off the rest of the night.

The next morning he pondered over checks and papers, wondering if he had anything stashed away. He came up empty handed. After several hours of working on solutions, he decided to clear his head and go for a walk.
As he walked, he passed a skinny man perched upon a rock. He looked a bit sickly, and his fingernails had not been trimmed in what looked like months. Dark hair covered his fadeing face as he glanced up at the traveler.
James was put off by the sight, until he heard the man speak to him.

"Troubles?" He asked.

James explained all that happened as a vile grin spread across the man's lips.
He handed James a black, leather bound book and told him that there was a cantation inside that would help him solve all his money problems. He knew there had to be a catch, but he was so desperate that snatched the book and ran off.
He sat in a hidden area, far off from anyone to spot him. Upon reading the book, he found out that it contained nothing but the dark arts. It was a touchy subject, and ones caught practicing it were sentenced to death. He was so desperite for money, that he tossed that fear aside. Once he was rich again, he would just buy his freedom back.
Grabbing a stick, he drew a design in the dirt, just as the book instructed. Takeing a knife from his pocket he sliced the palm of his hand, letting the blood fall into the center of the design.
He began to recite the words printed within the forbidden tome.
As he spoke the words he felt the earth quake below him. Jumping to his feet he watched the earth split were the pattern once was. From the rendered ground came a large devilish looking hound, red and black in hue as it heaved smoke from it's nostrils in anger.

"Who dares call me forth?" It bellowed.

James dropped to his knees, looking up at the beast.

"It was I." He spoke with confidence.

The hell hound brought it's massive paw up and slammed it into the ground, crushing the stone around him.

"Foolish human!" It growled. "Tell me why you have summoned me!"

"I need a favor from you." James told the hound. "I need some money to regain my wealth and my business." He looked the beast in the eye, determined.

With a chuckle, the hell hound lowered it's massive head to James' level and grinned. It showed it's row of deadly fangs to the man.

"So be it." He declared. "Come the dawn your pockets will be filled with enough cash to return to your lifestyle."

James looked confused.
"There's no catch? No paying you back?"

"There may be a catch, human. That, you will find out on your own." With those words burned in the back of James' mind, the hellish creature returned to it's underworld abode.

When all was calm again, James stood there for a while as the wind chilled his body. He could see that the sun was about to rise as he turned around and walked back home.
Sure enough, the hell hounds words were true as he found the money in the pockets of the pair of pants her wore the night beofre. With a grin, he began to rebuild his bank, hiering guards to watch over the construction this time. The people who had sabotaged him gathered together. They had a feeling that James had been up to no good. They conspired to outnumber the guards and confront James that night.
When the construction was to come to a close for the evening, the mob circled James, spectators comming out to witness what was going on.

"Tell us, James." One said. "Just how were you able to fund all this with no money left to your name?"

James only shrugged.
"Just lucky I guess."

"What were you doing out in the middle of no where last night?" Shouted a voice.

James looked around. Had he been spotted? He coughed nervously.
"I was out for a walk, nothing more."

"A man so powerfull as you out alone and so far?" Came the voice again.

"What does it matter?" He shouted. "I lost track, that's all!"

A lanky and ragged figure walked thru the crowed, a hood covering his face.
"Lost track? I'd say so." He said. "Lost track of what is holy and what is evil?"

James backed up.
"Wh--what do you mean?"

The figure's eye became visable as he grinned.
"Is it true that you practiced the dark arts? Even asked a demon of the underworld for a favor?"

The crowd was taken aback at the man's words as they glared at James.

"No! I swear!" He shouted.

The figure reached into his cloak and pulled out the book.
"Does this look familliar?"

Everyone stepped back as James went pale in the face at the sight of the book. He must have left it on the ground when he was still dazed over what he had done.

"Your hand." The voice spoke. "Tell us why you have it wrapped?"

"Just a cut--"

"Of a knife?" He held the blade in his boney hands, the handel clearly bearing the name Hydeamon.

"How did you get that! You theif, you stole it from me!"

"Stole? A feeble sole such as I?" He dropped the knife. "My body may be worn but my eyes can still see. I witnessed you makeing a pact with a demon!"

It suddenly hit James on who the mysterious man was. His voice and the way he looked were all too familiar.
"You! You were the one that gave it to me!"

The mob was already baught by the hooded figure's statement as they crowded around James, throwing him to the ground and tieing him up. The police cheif walked up to the bound business man, looming over him.

"James Hydeamon, you are hereby sentenced to death for the practice of dark arts!"

He shook his head and pleaded as he was dragged off to the local prison to await his death.
He sat in his cell, ready to give up as he heard heavy foot steps come his way. He looked over, seeing yellow eyes glare at him. It was the man that gave him the book! He stood, walking over to the bars that held him back. He was ready to speak when the man spoke first.

"This is where greed lands you, Mr. Hydeamon." He spoke, his voice seeming diffrent.
"I would have figured that the downfall of your business would have let you see that, but I was wrong. That was why I gave you the book, to see if you would really use it or not. Looks like I was correct."

"Who are you? Why did you rat me out like that?" James demanded.

The man just chuckled and extended an arm, it looking simmilar to that of the hell hound's.

"Poor lost lamb." He said as he rammed his clawed hand into James' chest, a symbol forming under the creature's paw, the same in which James had drawn in the ground.

As he withdrew his claws, James collapsed to the ground, his arms around his waist as he shook. His cries of agony caught the attention of security as they stopped in front of his cell, watching as boney wings tore thru the man's back.
They could barely move as the man went thru his grusome transformation. He thrashed about and howled as long chains snared him to the prison. The celing began to collapse as massive pieces fell in front of the prison door, crushing the guards as his demonic howl echoed thru the city.


"And that is the tale of James Hydeamon." A boy said, with a flashlight up to his face.
"They say anyone who had tried to enter the fenced in prison grounds, would suffer from a mysterious burning sensation thruout their body. The farther they went, the hotter thier body felt, until fire itself consumed the body."

His audience of three looked terrified.
The group of boys were in costumes, dressed up for the halloween holiday. The master of cerimonies crossed his arms over his vintage costume, dressed up as the fabled James Hydeamon from the story he had just told.

A boy, who had stopped to listen to the tale, only shook his head and walked by. He mumbled something within earshot of the stoy teller, catching his attention as he shone his light on the passerby.

"What? You dont belive in the local histoy of the town's oldest building?"

The boy sheilded his eyes from the light.
"It's a bunch of bullshit, that's why." He spoke with a thick british accent.

The boy was not amused by this newcommer. He obviously did'nt know a thing about the town's history.

"I see. You're not from around here. Figures you'd know nothing."

The other boy adjusted his glasses, looking at the group.
"I can proove it's nothing more than a story kids tell on Halloween." He spoke with an icy tone.

"It's your funeral." The other boy said. "I'll show you where it is."

The group followed the boy to the prison that had clearly been shut down for quite some time. A fence surrounded the place, but a gate swung freely in the wind that began to pick up.
Just as the boy was about to walk in, the ring leader spoke to him.

"Say, what's your name. brit? We need something to tell the cops when they find your body smoldering on the ground."

He looked back, his grey eyes showed a bit of excitement. He smirked as he spoke.
"It's Basil."

He turned back around and stepped foot on the prison grounds, walking in as if it was a normal route for him.
He got to the doors leading inside as he turned to the group, a smug look on his face.
The group leader did'nt look to impressed for being prooven wrong. He then grinned and shouted to Basil.

"Why dont you go inside?"

Basil raised an eyebrow and tried the door, finding it to be locked.
"It's locked!" He shouted back.

"Yeah right! You're just afraid!"

Frustrated, Basil kicked the door as it flew open. He looked inside for a moment before taking out a flashlight and walking in.
He wandered around for a moment before her came to the cell in which James was said to be held, the rocks from the roof still blocking the way.
Only one thing seemed true so far, but this could just be the building falling appart.

"Move the rocks." Came a voice.

Basil turned sharply in the direction of the voice and threw his flashlight, his eyes focusing to see the outline of the group of kids.

"Shit! You almost hit me!" Came the leader's voice. He walked past Basil, to the pile of rocks. He handed the flashlight to one of his friends as he began to pry away at the rocks.
Just then the light dissapeared as the leader stood, annoyed.

"Hey, shine it back over here!"

The flashlight fell from the celing as the boy picked it up. He shone it upwards to see his friend hanging by his neck from chains.
Basil stumbled back, not being able to look away from the carnage that hung just above him. The other two boys fled, fearing for their lives as they escaped the old building.
Basil's attention was adverted by the sound of something hitting the floor.
The flashlight rolled to his feet and shone on the leader's body, a large gash in his neck from where someone, or something slashed him.
Basil trembled fiercely, wanting to scream, but nothing came.
He stood in the silence for a while until a wild rushing noise broke the calm. Something came to Basil as he regained himself, blocking with his arms.
The force was strong as it pushed Basil back. Swinging his leg around, he tripped the hidden assulter, giveing him time to try and run.
It was a failed attempt as he was kicked hard in the back, landing on the ground.
Recovering quickly, he stumbled to his feet, he looked upwards, trying to see who or what was after him. The flashlight's dim light only made out a feint outline of what it was.
The attacker sprang forward, it's claws extended and aiming for Basil's neck. As the creature got closer, it hesitated for a second, it's claws lowering enough to pierce Basil in the chest.

He looked up, meeting the creature's eyes as his vision grew blurry. He could barely make out the face before him as he coughed up blood.
His chest felt like it was on fire and it hurt to breath. He felt his knees shake as he collapsed onto the concrete floor below. As he landed, he looked up to see the chains that held the monster disinigrate.
It looked at it's hands before gazeing upward at the hole in the roof. Extending it's wings the creature escaped without any hesitation. That was all Basil saw before his vision grew dark.

When he woke up, he found himself in a white room.
Pain shot thru him as he tried to sit up to see where he was. It was'nt until a doctor walked in when he realised where he was.

"Oh great. A hospital." He thought to himself.

The doctor walked over to him, sitting down beside the bed. He flipped thru some files before looking over at him.

"Other than a few stab wounds to the chest and some mild bruseing, you seem fine." The doctor said, looking at Basil, who was'nt even paying any attention, his focus was set on a small garden outside.

The doctor sighed.
"However, the other two who were with you were found dead."

Basil turned his gaze to the doctor. His stone colored stare glareing from behind his glasses.

"They both suffered fatal injuries and were already reported dead once at the sceen." He looked up at Basil, who was grabbing the blankets hard bewteen his hands. "Good thing the others made it out." He said, hoping to lift the mood. "Without them, we would have never got the call."

Basil was silent, but was looking rather annoyed.

"I know this is a little hard to hear after you were almost killed yourself but--" The Doctor barely finished his sentence when Basil smacked the man's extending and comforting hand.

"Get out! I dont want to hear anymore!" He shouted, almost loud enough for the whole wing to hear.

Confused, but not wanting to pry, the doctor complied. He had figured seeing people get slain was really takeing a toll on the boy's mind. He turned and left, leaving Basil alone.
Getting up from his bed, Basil went over to the window, glanceing around the garden outside. With a scowl he closed the curtains as someone knocked on his door.
With an angry sigh he turned, seeing a woman walk in. Her hair was just about to her shoulders, and tan in color, just like the boy she was looking at.
She had a worried yet sad expression on her face as Basil pretty much ignored her precence.

"What do you want, Lynn?" He asked.

"I was just seeing if you were alright. I was worried when the hospital called me. I came as fast as I could..." Her voice was sweet with concern, haveing the same british accent as Basil's.

"I can take care of myself. I dont need you around." He told her, straight out.

"I know but..." She began, lost for words.

Basil sighed and looked at her with a blank expression.
"Just get out. Im sick of hearing your voice..."

"I understand..." Lynn said with a low tone. "Do you want me to pick you up when you're discharged?" She asked.

Basil just ignored her as she left without saying a word to him.

[SJL]

Back at the scene of the murders, investigators were tying up loose ends to the case, takeing down notes and picking up what would be considered evidence.
A man with the look of high authority approached one of the investigaters.

"Sorry Im late." He replied. "I had to pick up my son, Warren." He turned a bit to introduce a scowling boy looking around the area.

"I see. Well I know this place has been in your family for quite sometime so it must have been quite a shock to have a murder in here, huh Mr. Blanchette?" The detective said, looking back at the man.

"Hmm, yes. Quite a shock indeed."


"Well, Im sure you want to check things out?" The investigater said, glanceing over at him.

Mr. Blanchette nodded, following the man into the prison, his son following behind.
Pictures were being taken as they came around the corner. Blood still stained the walls and floor as left behind items now rested on clean surfaces for later investigation.
Warren left his father's side and walked over to the fabled cell that was said to have held James Hydeamon. He looked at the strewn rocks that have been moved. His gaze caught sight of a rusted chain link. He bent down to pick it up when a heavy hand clutched his shoulder. Warren turned fast and smaked the hand away. He looked up to see his father looking back at him with an eyebrow raised.

"Dont do that!" Warren shouted.

Mr. Blanchette chuckled and smiled apologeticly.
"Im sorry, Warren. I forget this place makes you a little uneasy."

"It does not..." The boy snapped back, pushing past his father as he left the building.

He stood outside and peered back at the old prison. He uncurled his fist, holding the old chain link in his palm. His eyes narrowed as he glared at the looming prison before him.


It was a week before Basil was able to leave the hospital and return to school.
He entered his classroom, sitting down and holding his head. His chest still hurt and it was giveing him quite the headache. He pricked his ears upon hearing his name be spoken in conversation.

"Im suprised they let him out in public."

"Yeah, it was clearly him who killed those two, I mean, he has such a horrid temper."

"We should be carefull, the whole school could be next..."

The chat was cut short as they heard a desk crash to the floor. They looked over, seeing that Basil had tipped it over in rage. He shot the group a dirty look as he grabbed his backpack and walked past them, out of the room.
He left the school grounds, heading for home. This was a normal routine for him. If we was bothered or made angry while in school, he was allowed to leave. The schoolboard thought it would be safer for the students and him if he had left.

He took his time today, which was'nt like him at all.
It could have been because it felt like summer in November, thou he was sure everyone was'nt complaining.
He headed for the lake, a spot where he felt most at ease when his temper had been flared. Thou, which each step he took, he had the feeling that he was being followed. He glanced behind his shoulder and took a detour down a path into the woods. If he had to defend himself, he did'nt want any help from someone passing by, or the police for that matter.

The feeling still hung above his head as he slowed down his pace, pretending to stop and check his pack. Maybe whoever was following him was takeing the route to get someplace quicker. He stayed crocuhed down for a few minutes before comming to the conclusion that it was all in his head.
With a sigh he stood up, slinging his backpack over his shoulder. When he looked up, he was face to face with something unworldly.
He stumbled back, trembling as he got a better view. The creature was a soft grey in complexion, boney wings protruded from his back, and his hair hung lossely around his shoulders, covering his face.

He stepped closer, reaching out a hand that only had three fingers on it.
Basil stepped back, unsure of what to do. He stopped, remebering that he had seen this figure before.

"You!" He shouted, dropping his backpack. "You were the one in the old prison building on Halloween night!"

The creature stopped, a grin spread across his face.
"So, you remember me after all." He said, moveing his black hair from his face, revealing chilling, golden eyes.

"I'd rather not remeber." Basil said bitterly. "Why have you been following me? Do I have something you want?"

The demon chuckled and pointed a finger at Basil.
"You are what I want." He said, still grinning.

Basil was confused over the demon's words. It was him that he wanted? The boy scoffed and looked away.
"Please. What would you want with me?"

With quick speed, the demon pinned Basil up agiesnt a tree, leaning in close to him.
With a sly manuver, he snaked his hand under Basil's shirt, makeing the boy cringe.

"This mark on your chest." The demon whispered, grasping onto Basil's wound. "It means that you belong to me now."

The pain shot thru Basil's body enough to make him collapse agienst the demon. He would have used his sharp tounge to say otherwise, but he was in too much pain to even speak.

The demon chuckled lightly, moving away from Basil and letting him drop to the ground.
Basil looked up, finding strength to speak.

"Who....the hell are you...?" He demaned.

The demon crouched down, placeing a hand on the boy's cheek, leaning in to whisper to him once more.

"You can call me James." He said smoothly.

Basil was hit with shock and suprise. There was no way this thing could be that man from the story. He went to stand, but was consumed by a wave of dizzyness, and then, darkness.

[SJL]

It seemed like some time had passed since he collapsed. Opening his eyes to see that it was barely dusk. Standing up slowly, he retrieved his bag and took his time walking home, still feeling a bit on the dizzy side.
He was met by Lynn when he walked up the steps of the apartment complex. She rushed over to him and placed her hands on his shoulders, looking him over.

"Are you okay? You didn't get into another fight did you?"

He swiped her hands off him and walked off next door. He took out a key and unlocked it, walking in and slamming the door shut.
The woman only sighed as she looked over where Basil once was.

"At least he's still alive..."


Basil sat down heavy on his couch as he stared blankly up at the ceiling.
"Stupid woman..." He muttered to himself. He closed his eyes soon falling asleep where he sat.

When he awoke it was to the sound of the phone ringing. Cracking his neck he reached for it, picking it up and answering in a tired yet rude way.

"Basil, it's 8am you should be in school..." Came Lynn's voice.

"I'm not going today. I had one hell of a night. Don't call here again this early, you got it?" He hung up harshly.

Lynn flinched, not at his harsh words, but at the feedback from the phone slamming on the other end.
She hung up as her co-workers overheard it all.

"Lynn, he's holding you back. Why don't you just forget him?"

"I cant..." Came Lynn's answer. "I made a promise on my brother's death bed that I would look after him." She clenched her fist against her chest.
"Besides, I'm all he's got. Even if he does hate me for what I did, I cannot go back on my brother's last wishes."

The two other women looked at her, feeling a bit sorry for her. Lynn's story did sound sad, but they were right. All Basil was doing was holding her back from having a normal life. However, they cant try to change one's fate that they alone had set for them selfs.

Warren sat up in his room, looking over a year book from the school Basil attended. He knew that one of the victims from Halloween night had set James free, and he wanted to know who. Ruling out the one's who had been killed, he started off with the first person on his list, Basil Kaikura.
When he found the boy's picture in the book, an odd chill swept over him. His eyes narrowed as he closed the book, heading downstairs.

"Hey dad? What would you say if I wanted to go to a public school?"

"Why for?" The man asked, looking up from his book.

"Home school doesn't seem to be working for me. Im growing quite bored with it to be honest."

His father simply smiled.
"I'll see what I can do tomorrow then."

Warren turned and grinned. He was now determined to track down Basil and find out why he was able to survive James' assault, let alone set the demon free.



Basil had woken up close to noon when the sun shot thru the window and onto his closed eyes.
With a grumpy sigh he sat up and removed his glasses, giving his face a rub with his hands. Putting his glasses back on he stood up and sat at his computer. Thoughts began to race in his mind about the past experiences he had. Each time tried forget, that demon's face would show up and remind him that maybe it was real.
He placed a hand on his chest to find it was still sore in the spot he had been stabbed. Pushing his thoughts aside at last he began to play an on line game to get him to wake up. He was soon distracted by the sounds of thumping coming from the roof above. His eyes narrowed angrily, annoyed with the animals that used it as a roadway. As the thumping progressed, he realized it was far to heavy sounding to be a squirrel or even a cat. Paranoia set in as he got up from his seat, looking upward as he followed the sound. It had stopped as Basil found himself in the middle of the room. It was quiet for a while until a knock from the door made the boy jump.
Shaking off the fear he walked slowly to the door, opening it half way to see it was just the mail man. Opening the door and receiving his mail he calmed down a bit. With a half polite wave he saw the mailman off, closing the door behind him. Standing in the kitchen he flipped thru junk mail and fliers before tossing them on the table.

"Useless junk as always." He said to himself.

He turned around and was met again with James. Backing up in shock, Basil grabbed the nearest item and threw it, missing the demon.
James only laughed, his long hair making him appear more creepy.

"Is that anyway to treat your master?" He asked, walking closer.

"You don't own me!" Basil yelled back. "How the hell did you get in here anyway?"

James chuckled.
"I don't need to explain myself. I only came to tell you that in three days, you'll fully belong to me. That mark you bear on your chest will fully develop by then. Once the circle's complete, you'll be mine."

Basil growled as his eyes seared thru James.
"Why me then?" He asked. "Why didn't you kill me like the others?"

James looked amused at the boy.
"You have potential." He said with a grin. "You also seem to remind me of someone I use to know."

"Get out!" Basil snapped.

James shook his head.
"Don't worry, I will. However, you'll be stuck with me once your three days are up." He turned and left thru the window in which he had entered from.

Basil quickly locked the window and everything else he could before he sat down on his couch, his arm laying across his eyes.
"Some demon..." He said. "Has to crawl thru the bloody window..."