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“It was a dark and stormy night...” “Oh brother,” grumbled statement. “What? You didn’t like that? I just started the story, how can you not like it?” “Nah, its nothing like that. It’s just annoying that all ‘supposedly’ scary stories begin with the same dull line.” “Oh, I guess it is to give them a more... um... dramatic... intro?” “Uh, huh.” (eyes roll) “So, do you want to hear the story or not?” “Yeah, sure, go ahead.” sighed reply. “Besides, I just wanted to see if you are paying attention.” (smirk) “In actuality, this story begins on a clear early summer evening...” “Mom, Dad, there’s a dance at the Pavilion tonight. “ announced Joyce. “Yes, and?” mom asked. ”Rona, Tiff and the rest of the gang is going. I am meeting them by the front door of the Pavilion.” ”And who, pray tell, gave you permission to go to this dance?” ”Dad, I’ve been going to all the others and I am going to this one as well. I was just letting you know where I was going.” ”The difference is, you did not ask permission and it is a school night. So there will be no dance for you tonight.” ”But I have to go!! I already told the girls I would be there!” ”I am sure they will figure out what happened if you do not show up,” Mom says. ”But mom, there’s a lot of nice looking wo... people that go there. I want to find me someone.” ”You are not allowed to go... period!” dad repeats. ”I am going and I am going to have fun!” Joyce yells storming out the door. By the time Joyce meets her friends in front of the Pavilion, a small dance hall surrounded by a beautiful hedge enclosed garden, she has calmed herself from the arguments with her parents. ”Hey guys, you ready to party?” ”We sure are and you’re late.” states Rona. ”Oh, a little problem with the folks, but I am here now.” ”Let’s go then!” Tiffany announces. The friends walk inside and commandeer a table one of them had been saving. Ordering drinks, they start to enjoy themselves. As the evening becomes later, the friends have been drinking and dancing...except for Joyce. All night long no one has asked her to dance and the two women, she had courage enough to ask, turned her down. She didn’t know why this was happening, all she wanted to do was dance and have a good time. ”Hey, Joyce, you all right?” asked Rona. ”Yeah” she sighs. ”Boy, I tell you, I have never seen you have such bad luck as you are having tonight and it is almost closing time.” Glancing at her watch Joyce replies, “tell me about it. One more hour and this will be my worst night ever. At this rate, I’ll dance with the devil to, at least, say I danced.” Bursts of laughter explode from Rona at her friend’s desperate comment. ”You’re crazy, girl!” The friends are still laughing when they suddenly hear. ”Would you like to dance?” Heads turning to the voice, their attention is held by the most beautiful vision they had ever seen. Long, wavy raven colored hair, spaghetti strapped mid-thigh body fitting black dress, which shows off the long, luscious legs and deep-red lipstick on full lips. However, the thing that stood out even more than her lipstick were her eyes. They were so light brown, they almost seemed yellow. All Joyce and Rona could do was stare at the vision. ”May I have this dance?” the vision repeated looking deeply into Joyce’s gray eyes, holding out a hand. Mouth slightly agape, Joyce dumbly nodded then shook her head and finally answered, “yes,” reaching for the outstretched hand. Joyce couldn’t believe her luck. Just when she thought she would be going home without having danced once...this beautiful vision appears. ”What’s your name?” ”Amber.” ”I’m Joyce.” ”Yes, I know.” Startled, Joyce is about to ask how when Amber asks, “would you like to get some fresh air?” ”Sure,” she answers deterred for the moment. Walking outside, they walk towards a secluded area at the side of the building. Once they are away from prying eyes, Joyce finally asks her question again. “How did you know my name?” ”I’ve been watching you all evening and I heard your friends calling you that name.” ”Where were you hiding? I didn’t see you there once throughout the evening. I would have noticed someone as beautiful as you, believe me.” ”I was there. I just did not come to you until you called for me.” ”Huh? How could I have called for you if I did not know you were there or even knew your name?” ”Ah, but you did. You called for me when you became desperate for a dance.” Joyce puzzled eyes look into Amber’s while trying to recall anything she might have said. After a few moments, realization began to show on Joyce’s face. ”That’s right, you remember now, don’t you?” ”No, it can’t be!” ”But it is my dear.” An evil, deep laugh was emitted from the once beautiful vision, which had started its transformation once Joyce realized whom she had danced with and was now standing before. The once beautiful woman was now a one-hoof, one-talon, long tail and nails, two-horned grotesque-looking scary demon. ”No!” ”Noooo!” ”By the time that Joyce’s friends found her, it was too late. No, she wasn’t dead. Her face and body had been severely scratched. When her friends, the authorities and even her parents asked her what had happened, the only thing she could say, that they couldn’t understand, was “demon” and “Amber” and then she would start laughing hysterically.” ”Did she ever recover?” ”No, unfortunately she became a resident of a state institution for the mentally unstable.” ”That was a pretty good tale.” ”Tale! That was not a tale! That’s how it happened!” ”How would you know it really happened?” ”Because I was there.” ”You were? You saw when it happened?” ”Yep.” ”How.”
"So, how did you like my last story?" Amber purred. "Grrrr..." "Why are you growling?" "You know I hate it when you do that Amber." "What, what did I do?" asked with smirky innocence. "Hmmmpph, right," mumbled sarcastically. Chuckling Amber asked, "So, I believe it is your turn to tell me a story." "After that stunt you just performed, you believe you deserve a story?!" asked indignantly. "I swear, Topaz. If I didn't know any better, I would say I scared you senseless with the transformation and you're a demon yourself." Stated incredulously. "You just surprised me, is all. I wasn't expecting it," replied with a pout. "Aw, c'mon, it's Halloween and we are supposed to have fun scaring the heck out of each other." Amber says placing an arm around her smaller friend. "You're right. Okay, let me think for a bit.... don't you say a thing..." Amber's mouth moves to speak. "Don't!" Amber smiles sweetly and settles comfortably for the tale to begin. "It was a night..." Silence.
Amber had jumped back in her seat, eyes startled wide as she watched Topaz sing, well... something akin to singing and gyrate.
'CUT...THAT...OUT!" Amber roared. Silence. "Um... sorry, got carried away." Amber kept silently glaring. "Yes, the story. It was a night," Topaz began watching Amber's glare turn more heatedly waiting for her to continue. A cool Halloween evening and Dora and Hilda were going to enjoy themselves. They had been invited to a few parties but wanted to spend some time alone. After a quick dinner they would go to their favourite make-out point. They had heard all the rumours but in all the time they had been going to the same place, had never experienced anything unusual. Each year, on Halloween, people were warned about going and parking at the scenic point. People had disappeared, never to be found or their badly cut and mauled bodies found a couple of days later. The authorities searched for the culprits of the hideous crimes but always came up empty. Never finding a trail or clue as to pinpoint what had occurred. Dora and Hilda were excited. It had been, at least, a couple of years since they had been out, just to make out. They had been together since high school and once they moved in together, other things took precedence. Once they finished getting ready, they got in their car and drove to the restaurant they had chosen for this special evening. The dinner was delicious and intimate, setting them in the mood for the next scheduled event... the make out session. They drove up the scenic mountain road to their once favourite parking spot. The night was still young, nowhere to be and plenty of room in the back seat. About an hour later, having settled comfortably in the back area of the compact, window-tinted station wagon, a loud 'thump' on the roof of the vehicle was heard. Stopping their activities to see if they would hear the noise again, silence reigned. After a couple of minutes of silence, Dora and Hilda looked into each other's eyes and shrugging their shoulders continued what they had been doing. Fifteen minutes later, the loud 'thump' was heard again. "What the hell!" exclaimed Hilda coming to a sitting position. This time, noises of someone walking on the roof of the car continued. "Wait here, I'm going to see who the heck is doing that." "NO! No Hilda, please don't" Dora pleaded to her lover. "It will be OK, sweetheart. Probably just some wisearse getting his kicks tonight." Please Hilda...let's just go." Looking at her distraught lover, Hilda made her decision. Climbing over the driver's seat, she turned the key to the ignition. Nothing... She tried again. Again...nothing... She tried the headlights, radio, overhead light but nothing seemed to be working. "Hilda...what's going on? Why haven't you started the car?" asked a panicking Dora. "I've been trying, baby. Nothing seems to be working." "What do you mean nothings seems to be working? The car was fine when we got here!" "Well, for some reason, it isn't now!" Hilda replied in an exasperated tone. "OK, we need to calm down," she continued after taking a deep breath and exhaling it slowly. "The noises seemed to have stopped, I'll try the car again." Reaching for the key to turn it, the car began to suddenly shake from side to side. he moves were so violent it made the trapped women think it would shortly end up on one of its sides. They clung to each other tightly, praying that this nightmare would soon be over. Just as suddenly as it had started...the shaking stopped. They waited for what would come next. No cars had passed by since their arrival, so there would be no help from that direction. Then they heard it again...the thumping upon the roof. This time, it seemed to be moving towards the front edge and would soon be able to see whatever was making the noise, through the front windshield. They waited, breaths held, arms tightly around each other. All of a sudden, what appeared to be a ball landed on the hood of the car. Warily staring at the object, they saw two brightly luminescent eyes open, lighting the area around it. Dora had started to scream hysterically once the eyes had opened, showing the head's terribly disfigured features. Another loud 'thump' was heard and appearing behind the head was its darkly clad body. Hilda had jumped in her seat, still hanging tightly to the screaming Dora, startled when the body made its appearance. She noticed the long-nailed, gnarled fingers holding, what seemed to her, a very large and sharp scythe. Her eyes opening even wider when she realized the hands were bringing the scythe into a position to smash the windshield. She quickly glanced at the head, an evil grin upon its face, which slowly turned into maniacal laughter. Seeing the scythe being brought towards the windshield, she covered her lover as best she could to protect her. The smashing of the window never came. Looking up, Hilda noticed they were alone but for a lone car coming up the long, lonely road. She dislodged herself from Dora and turned the key. The engine caught immediately. Never once turning to look back, she sped home, though she would always remember the evil laughter following them until they were out of the mountainous area. "That's it?" grumbled an unamused Amber, "no blood, no disembowelment, no nothing? "You know that's your department." Tick "Well...they did...umm...have to change their underwear." "Ewwwww...yuck!" Looking at each other, Amber and Topaz started chuckling, soon turning in loud guffaws of laughter by the images their minds were conjuring.
<Fade>
The Treasure "OK, one more story. It's almost midnight...the witching hour...oooooooooooo." "You know, Topaz, for a demon...you're strange." "Yeah, well...you love me anyway," said as Topaz flutters her eyelashes and sending an air kiss towards Amber. "Yeah...yes I do." Regina Townsend was a beautiful, rich and powerful woman. Unfortunately, she was also arrogant, greedy and cold-hearted. Whatever or whomever caught her eye; she just had to have it...no matter the consequences her actions afforded. Then once she tired of her new 'toy', she would discard it without further thought. People would cringe upon hearing her name or seeing her walk towards them. If they found a way, a hasty exit was made. Jandra Powell, Regina's latest conquest, was also a very beautiful woman. However, Jandra was quite the opposite of Regina. She was always friendly, self-giving and always had a smile upon her face. Shoulder length red hair, vibrant green eyes and light colored skin allowed for the further contrasting comparison to her lover. Although a blonde, Regina's skin was tanned and her brown eyes held no warmth. How Jandra came to be with Regina, no one knew. They just secretly wished the young woman well. Regina and Jandra were sitting in their hotel room in Phoenix, AZ, where Regina was attending a business meeting. "Did you hear about the legend in the desert outside the city, Reggie?" "What legend?" "There's supposed to be some treasure hidden in one of the mountains out there. The opening is not easy to locate. However, once every five years on Halloween when the moon is full, the door to the hidden cave is supposed to open allowing the treasure to be found. Unfortunately, the entrance remains open for only a minute. You're supposed to try and carry as much out as you can in the allotted time but if you remain longer, the door will close trapping you forever." "Do people know the exact location to this place?" Jandra could see the interest in Regina's eyes. "No. According to legend, only one person has ever succeeded. Regina, this is a legend. You cannot believe in silly legends. They are just stories made up to spark the interest in something or other." Despite her words, Jandra knew Regina was not listening. "It sounds interesting anyway. I believe I will further investigate this matter." "Regina, you can't!" With a sudden spin Regina glared at Jandra. "DON'T...YOU...EVER...TELL...ME...I...CAN'T...DO...SOMETHING!" Regina dangerously enunciated each word. Jandra stared disbelievingly at her lover for a few seconds more then, lowered her eyes. She then heard the door slam as Regina stormed out. As the sun started to hide behind the mountains, Regina walked back into the room. "I was able to gather some more information concerning the hidden treasure," she informed Jandra who was on the bed reclining on the headboard and watching television, "tomorrow night, Halloween, is the night the door to the cave will be revealed." Jandra kept quiet as Regina walked around the room taking off her clothes while gathering clean ones. "I've also, made arrangements for us to be taken to the site where the supposedly hidden cave is located. We'll be leaving very early in the morning." "I'm not going, Regina." "Of course you're going." "No, I'm not. This is a foolish trip and I want no part of it." "Are you saying I'm a fool?" “No. I think the reason for this trip is foolish." "It doesn't matter anyway. Bottom line is...you're going." "Regina, no..." In the blink of an eye, Regina had advance upon Jandra pulling her to her by her arms and in a low, deep rumble told her, "You don't understand Jandra, you’re mine. You belong to me and you will do as I say. Do...you...understand?" "You're hurting me." "Do you understand?" "Yes!" “I knew you'd see it my way. Get ready, we're going down to dinner." Jandra nodded her head while rubbing her sore arms. A tear slid down her face as Regina walked into the bathroom. Bright and early the next morning, along with the guide Regina had hired, they went into the desert. A few hours later found them in the region where the guide said the cave was hidden. "Well, where is it?" asked an impatient Regina. "It is in this general area, Miss," the guide answered, "legend says that the door to the treasure is near the bird's eye." "Bird's eye?" "Yes, ma'am." "Maybe there's some birds nest on top of one of these mountains," suggested Jandra who, up to that moment, had not much to say since the previous night. Regina turned a surprised look towards the once silent figure. To tell the truth, she had forgotten Jandra was with them. "What do you think?" she asked turning to the guide. "Anything's possible," shoulders shrugging. "Well then, let's start searching." They rode around looking up into the mountains hoping for a glimpse of a nest. Regina had brought along some binoculars so her search was made easier. After another few hours of searching, Regina frustratingly exclaimed, "Where is it?" "Regina, look!" Jandra shouted out excitedly. Regina turned to look at her lover who was seating in the back seat, her finger pointing slightly behind and to the left. Regina's eyes followed in the pointing finger's direction. "Well, I'll be." The finger was pointing to a mountain whose top was shaped in the form of a bird. From this angle and distance, it was unmistakable. "That way. Head over that way," she instructed the guide. The sun was already very low in the sky by the time they stopped near the bottom of their intended target. “What do you think? It doesn't seem too bad a climb." "No, it doesn't but we will still need to go slowly. The dirt seems hard-packed, however, it might not be in some areas. I will lead the way, you just follow my step." Regina gave a nod agreeing with the plan. They turned back to the jeep to extricate their climbing equipment, stowed in the rear, they required. Slowly and carefully, the three climbers inched their way closer to the bird-head formation. By the time they reached the ledge closest to the summit, the brightly shining full moon was almost directly over their heads. Jandra and the guide took a much needed break from the arduous journey; Regina began to search the side of the mountain for an opening. "Where is it? I can't find an opening anywhere." The legend says the door will only open at midnight," explained the guide, "according to my watch, there's three more minutes until then. "Then we wait." The alarm on the guide's watch went off and at the same time a sliding noise was heard to their right. Regina scurried to where the noise came from to find a passage where there had been none. Using her headlamp and flashlight, she illuminated the inside. She could see sparkles of every colour shining from inside the cave. Hurriedly she entered running her hands over the jewels and silver and gold coins packed in chests before her. Jandra and the guide stood awed by the entrance. Snapping out of her stupor, she touched the guide to snap him out of his and they both rushed in filling their pockets with treasure then running back out. "Regina, hurry. The door will close any second now." "I'm coming, I'm coming. I just need to fill this bag." "Just bring it with whatever is in there now." "No, I have to fill it!" At those words, the sliding noise was heard once again. "Regina, the door!" "In a minute!" "REGINA!" At the sound of her lover's frantic shout, Regina turned seeing her predicament. Grabbing the sack, she rushed to the door but it was too late. "NO!" The sound of Regina's shout was sharply cut off by the thud of the now sealed and invisible door. A few silent, motionless moments passed before Jandra reacted and started pounding her fists on the area where an entrance had once been. She kept calling out never receiving a response. Without having had any success in finding a way back into the cave, Jandra and the guide climbed off the mountain and headed back to the city. Informing the authorities of what had transpired, a search was immediately launched. They didn't find any evidence to the story of Regina's disappearance inside the hidden cave and suspected the storytellers of foul play. Jandra and the guide were astounded and infuriated by the accusations. Reaching into her shorts pocket for her handkerchief her movements stopped cold. "Miss Powell, are you all right?" asked the detective. "Huh?" "Are you okay?" he asked again. Her face was suddenly filled with a wondrous smile. "Yes, I can prove our story is true." She slowly pulled out her hand from her pocket and opening it she showed the detective what she held. The guide quickly dove his hand into his pocket and pulled out his prize. Throughout the entire turmoil of Regina's disappearance, they had forgotten about the treasure they had stuffed into their pockets. They pulled out everything that the pockets held...jewels and coins. The astonished detective could not believe what his eyes told him, especially the coins. The coins had years embedded on them to the time of the conquistadors. To be on the safe side, he had them evaluated to prove the authenticity. Much to his dismay, they were the real things. The investigations continued but because of lack of evidence, Jandra and the guide were allowed to go back to their lives. Despite his wealth, the guide continued with his business, which grew due to the sensational story of Regina Thompson's disappearance. Jandra went back home and after a few months, found the love of her life…a tall, dark, blue-eyed romantic whose life spun around Jandra. As for Regina, well...let's just say…she made a wise choice in taking her time in the cave and allowing at least two people a chance at happiness. "So, what did you think?" "Not bad. A pretty good end for someone who did not play well with others." "I agree. Okay, time for bed." Crawling under the sheets, they snuggled close to one another. "Goodnight, Amber." "Goodnight, love."
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