Rosekiller

(Calling out to a calming voice with the price of a knife and a single cut)

__Remaining players: Sirius, Evan, Barty, Teddy, Fleur, Dora, Raba, Frank, Alice, Cissa, Marlene, Dorcas.

Eliminated players: Remus, James, Regulus, Emmaline, Mary, Rita, Bella.
___________________________________

(Remus P.O.V.)

He woke to the sound of clanking, a tired groan leaves him as he surveys his surroundings, he seems to be sat at–or in this case tied to his chair at– a dinner table, the dining room looks almost historical as does the rest of the house..as far as he can tell,
It was only when he looks across the table does he notice an empty chair..all of the chairs are empty, if nobody’s in the room then what was that clanking sound?..

The clanking sounds pick up again and he looks towards what appears to be a kitchen, a woman standing in a Victorian styled dress…almost like a dancer’s, was mindlessly clanking a pot and a pan together..

“Lunch time boys!” she called out..as she said that two men entered the room carrying…Teddy and Sirius..he tries to call out to them but his mouth is taped shut..

They sat both of them down, Teddy was awake but seemed shocked when he saw him, he made a muffled sound and one of the men firmly placed his hands on Teddy’ shoulder’s, they were all dressed in Victorian themed clothing, Teddy had a factory boy get up on, Remus was a nobleman and Sirius was dressed as a…night worker…is that the right word for it?

Sirius woke when the woman started clanking again…

The woman smiles as she sees the look of panic on Sirius’ face replace with one of recognition as he saw her, she moves towards him in quick strides and grabs his chin, she then pulls the duck tape off of his mouth..

He yelps and she throws the tape to the side, she gestures for him to be quiet by putting her finger to his lips, she then takes out some lip gloss and applies it onto his lips..

She moves away proud of her work then claps her hands together..the men take the duck tape off himself and Teddy then she moves to the head of the table and takes a seat..

“You promised I would see papa yesterday..but you didn’t say anything about bringing dad here” Teddy spoke up to his surprise, he almost breaks down right there at the sight of him..how long has it been?

The woman waved him off, a sly smile on her face..”I said you had to be patient, also after that whole fiasco I watched the Dorian Grey movie, honestly Mr. Grey is just misunderstood”

If this were a normal situation Remus would gladly agree..but right now he just really doesn’t care..Sirius eyes him as if asking if he is okay, he nods slightly..

“For a therapist you sure don’t know a lot about the minds of people..” she turned as Sirius spoke..

“Why I don’t know what you mean” he saw her eye twitch slightly..is there something she doesn’t like about Sirius?

“Dorian was far gone even at the beginning of the book, but more importantly, why the bloody hell am I dressed as a Hooker” she seemed surprised at his language especially since Teddy was in the room..

“Yeah..why the hell am I dressed as some factory boy…if this is a reference to something it better be good cause lord knows if this is real ash on my cheek we’re gonna have a problem”

The voices of the two kept overlapping, Remus stayed silent looking for something sharp, when the woman–Matilda spoke up..

“Enough!...” they all stared at her as she regarded Sirius.. “This is supposed to be a joyful day filled with happiness, It’s christmas for god's sake… enough complaining..tell me don’t you love this time of year?”

Sirius stared blankly at her.. “Not really, the only thing I remember is my mum and dad threatening to kill each other..then also me and my brother, oh and arguing about the decorations, the party they’d plan..but Teddy loves it and I love him so who cares” her shoulders tense..but her eyes grow soft..

“Christmas at the orphanage wasn’t bright either, I usually spent it at hogwarts with my siblings, but Irene hadn’t contacted me since her seventh year and Spencer said he needed help with something,
when I get there I see a boy his age, with pale skin and blonde hair, and god his eyes were like silver..Spencer told me about..how they played a little game, he’d send boxes to the guy and people around him..there was this family of three too”

she pointed to the middle of the table where three skulls layed..

“I sat them down here and we played our own game-” she cuts herself off as she picks up a Knife..

“Watch closely now..” she stood behind Sirius and brought the knife to his throat…”what are you doing” Remus spoke up, his voice was chipped..

She ignored his question.. “This is how the game works, I hold the knife to his throat and you two have five minutes to run and hide..he can’t move until you do, when you’re done hiding, he’ll come out with the knife and try to find you, if he doesn’t kill you..he’ll get shot..Ready?” the men untie Teddy and Remus..

“What happens if I don’t find them?”

“I’ll find you all myself..”
_________________________________

(Evan P.O.V)

Evan liked to think that he was smart, he graduated top of his class in literature, criminology and criminal psychology, yet he couldn’t see the signs leading to the fact that his boyfriend was a murderer….

Honestly, he’s not even mad, well he is but he’s more mad about the fact that Barty used his novel as material to the point where he got brought in for questioning and he did nothing, Evan spent at least an hour talking to Alice while he just sat there outside,

And all those times he was a little late for dates, was it because he was too busy killing people? If the only reason for their relationship was so Barty could get inspiration then…why does he fight so hard to keep them going? With the sign, meeting his family, knocking on his door soaked from the rain, everything that he did for him, everything they did for each other…it meant something…it still does, so why does it hurt?

Why does Evan feel like taking a knife and just stab the other until he feels the same hurt he does? Why did it take so long to notice..and why did he have to come to this conclusion now…no he knew, he always knew….he just didn’t want to believe it…

He stares back at his phone screen, the unknown message stared back at him almost mockingly…

__________________

Unknown…

Un: Head to ‘Queen’s Wood’ and find the tallest tree marked with S.P, stay there until the first, if you leave before then…you’ll have another family reunion of some kind..
12:32

Un: also ... .Merry Christmas my love…
12:33

___________________

Love is a word he never used often…and when he did, he really meant it…but now, after he used it so many times on one person…he finds that love might not have meaning anymore..
He puts on his coat, grabs his keys and heads down to his car…he left enough food and water for Bea but just in case…he called Dora..

{Ev? Is everything okay?}

Her voice rang in his ear, he heard the sound of beeping in the background..almost like a printer..

“Yeah, uhm can I ask you a favour?”

There was a little more rustling in the background before she answered..

{Of course, what do you need?}

“Can you check up on Bea every now and then…”

{sure but..what’s this about, are you going somewhere?}

Ignoring her question he quickly thanked her then hung up…he turned on his phone and lo and behold, the first song on his playlist was angeleyes..

Why does love have to hurt so much?
_______________________________________________

(Narcissa P.O.V)

She had been in the middle of making lunch when Alice got a call, she stepped out to take it and Cissa continued, Dobby was laying on the couch sleeping..she heard Alice’ voice raise a little in concern…when she stepped back into the kitchen panic over taking her features, Cissa only grew more worried..

“Has something happened?” she asks, turning off the stove and turning to regard her wife..

“Evan called Dora and asked her to take care of Bea for the next few days, when she asked why he thanked her and hung up..”

Cissa placed a hand on her arm attempting to provide some sort of comfort..”I’m sure his alright..Ev wouldn’t do anything that’s not in his best interest..trust me on this, I’m sure he’ll be home soon”

Alice sighed, offering her a tired smile, Cissa returned it..

“I’ll let you get back to lunch” she said, giving her a quick kiss before walking out of the room..

Cissa resumed with her cooking, checking her phone every now and then, the doorbell rang and Alice yelled out a quick ‘I’ll get it’ and she heard the door open..

She didn’t hear anything after that, the opened but it never closed again..an uneasy feeling spread throughout her, she grabbed a kitchen knife that once laid on the cutting board and her phone, then she walked out into the passageway…

She dropped the knife when she saw Alice on the floor, she went to her side trying to wake her up..

“Alice, wake up, oh–god” Alice had a deep wound on her arm, it was fresh and it wouldn’t stop bleeding…she got out her phone..but before she could call anyone, a cloth was placed over her mouth, she tried to scream and struggle but her vision grew blurry and dark..before she knew it..she was out, the last thing she heard was Dobby’s soft meow..she hoped he would be okay…
_____________________________

(Fleur P.O.V.)

“What did I say about touching my stuff?” Dora looked back at her like a kicked puppy, but she drew back her hand.. Fleur smiled and went back to examining the advent calendar..there must be something missing..something nobody is seeing..

“What are we even doing here?” she sighed.. “I'm working, your supposed to be resting”

Dora scoffed. “As if I’m gonna let you overwork yourself, what’s that?” she points to the puzzle laying upside down..

“A clue, now would you sit down..” Dora let out a whine of protest but sat down anyway..

“You think Remus Teddy and Siri are alright?” her voice was fragile, like the wrong answer would just break her..

“I’m sure they are, love..Frank and Raba got a tip they went to check it out yesterday, I think they’re still on the road”

Dora nodded, still unsure but happier nonetheless..the door opened and Florence, the new night janitor stepped in an odd expression on his face…

“Oh..sorry Ladies if you're busy I can come back” Fleur shakes her head..

“No need, we were about to leave” Dora got up, just as the man started laughing..

“What’s so funny?” asked Dora, he shook his head.. “Just thinking about Life, one moment you're sleeping on the streets and the next some guy says he’ll pay ya to kill a couple of whores” before she could register his words he reached into his cart and got out a gun..

He points it at Dora but the other doesn’t even flinch..

“Kinda rude to refer to me and my future bride as whore’s seeing as you're the one flapping your dick around..” she vaguely gestures to his fly..that was secure, he looked down and she lunged forward, Fleur ran past them and turned off the lights…

In the dark she grabbed Dora’s hand, she could tell it was hers from every line and scar…oh and the ring..

Dora didn’t move..

“What are you doing?” she whispered… “go Fleur, this guy won’t stop until we’re killed, he was living on the streets until that guy said he’ll pay him, It must be shite ton if he’s going through the trouble of become a janitor just for the chance that he’d find us..” she whispered back..

“Then come with me, there’s a freezer close to the door that has a vent leading to the outside, we could-” Dora leans in and kisses her, despite the situation it’s not rushed, it’s soft and it speaks for itself…I love you…is what it’s saying, over and over again..and it makes Fleur go weak..

Dora pushes her through the door and jams the lock, Fleur calls out to her, as the other yells..

“I’ll meet you outside!” Fleur bangs her fists against the door in defeat…

“If you die before we get married I swear to god Nymphadora Tonks I’m going to drag you up from hell”

With that she makes her way to the vent, it’s a struggle with all the body’s around but she manages to get the vent open without having to stomp on a corpse..

She hears two gunshots and her heart rate picks up, what would she do if Dora died?

She doesn’t give herself enough time to answer that question, she climbs into the vent and makes her way to the other side…
_______________________________

She slumps against her car door, her skin was covered with slight burn marks from going through the vents, her hair was obviously a mess and her worry for Dora only grew..

The door to the lab opened and Dora stepped out, dragging the guy by his shirt, he wasn’t dead (sadly), but he was hurt, Dora had two gunshot wounds, one in her arm another in her thigh which was causing her to limp, her hair stuck to her face due to sweat..

She had more cuts on her body and her lip was slit slightly on the side, but the only serious wounds were the gunshots,

She practically threw the guy to the side and went limp in her arms…

“Guess you're not dragging me out of hell anytime soon, huh?” she hugged her tighter..

Thank god for that…
_____________________________

(Lily P.O.V.)

She places her keys down on the coffee table as she enters the living room, Pandora is sat at the table by the window, there was a chess set in front of her, she moved the pieces as if she was playing with someone..

She walks a little closer until the blonde notices her, Pandora smiles..”Your home early” she notes..

“I’ve been trying to get a hold of Alice, I stopped by Evan’s apartment and he wasn’t there” Pandora hums and moves another piece..

“Don’t worry I’m sure he's fine..wanna play?” she gestures to the board.

“I thought you of all people would be worried, I mean with S.P still out there and all, he could be-”

“Oh, Lily, you know what today is?” she was taken aback by Pandora obviously avoiding the question, but shook her head..

“It’s christmas, oh I have to call Evan, where’s my phone, oh and your gift!” when she tried to get up Lily sat her back down, something’s wrong…is this similar to what happened to Sirius, she wondered..

“Pandora, I just said I don’t know where Evan is” Pandora continued to smile.. “I know, but I do…don’t you hear them..in the walls”

Pandora might get like this sometimes..quirky and in school she had a reputation of being weird ... .Lily never thought she was, but this was something else…

“Who?” Pandora smiles at her question.. “The people, they tell me Evan is somewhere darker than he was before..they call it the Abyss”

Lily sub–consciously reaches into her pocket and grabs hold of her prayer beads…

“Panda..are you okay?’ her smile grows almost sinister as she answers.

“Better than okay..say– you sure you don’t wanna play a round?” she nods and Pandora gets up…she takes a step forward just as Lily takes a step back,
from there it’s like a dance, Pandora seems to get bored of this and grabs Lily’s arm, she tries to pull back but the blonde wouldn’t budge she settles on pushing her away and Pandora ends up on the floor..

Pandora looks up at her, with the same smile she had earlier, Lily took note of her pupils dilating, this was all so strange it was almost like Pandora was….possessed..yes that’s it, this is all the devils doing..she’ll save her..she’ll—

She pushes Pandora back onto the floor and wraps her hand around her neck tight enough to leave a mark, the younger struggles to breath and squirms beneath her, Lily takes out her prayer beads and prays..

“We humbly prostrate ourselves before Thy glorious Majesty–”

“Lil-y-”

“--and we supplicate Thee to deliver us from all the tyranny of the infernal spirits, from their snares, their lies, and–”

“Lil–Plea..”

“--heir furious wickedness. Deign, O Lord, to protect us by Thy power and to preserve us safe and sound-”

“Lily please!”

She stopped…her voice sounded so— terrified, she looked down, Pandora was full on sobbing and struggling to breathe, Lily released her and the other started coughing…

She looks down at her hands and breaks off into a sob of her own..

“Why did..what happened?” Pandora looks back at her with a mix of fear and worry…

“You don’t remember anything?” she shakes her head… “I remember coming home early after stopping by Evan’ you were there playing chess by yourself..acting weird, so I thought..god I thought you were possessed”

“Lily, you did come home early and I was playing chess by myself…but, you started acting weird, mumbling to yourself and looking at nothing..it was like you were talking to someone, you kept answering yourself, and when I got up you stepped back and I tried to go to you–and I wanted to help so I reached out and—” her hand hovers over her neck..

“Pills” they stared at each other….it takes a few minutes until Lily continues..

“Last month after Teddy went missing, my pills did too..”

“Pills? You mean like your medication for PTSD?” she nods, this happened once before, though the last time..it was Petunia ... .of all the things her father has given her, why did this have to be the one that ruins her..

“Pandora I’m–” she pulls her in… “Don’t say anything, we’ll have to stop by the clinic today..also if something like this happens again you tell me alright?” she nods and buries her head in the crook of her neck..
___________________________________

(Barty P.O.V.)

“Hello?”

There was a bit of heavy breathing on the other end before a husky voice spoke…

{Queen’s wood, 7pm sharp, don’t be late..once you get there stand by the tree with a rose carved in it, the game is simple kill until you find Evan..if you don’t find him before midnight on the first, everyone dies}

The person hung up, Barty stared at his bed, he crouches down and pulls a box from underneath the bed…he takes out what he’ll need along with a machete..fun, apparently he won’t have time to paint all the body’s..a shame, just when he said he wasn’t going to play by this guys rules…
_____________________________________

(Raba P.O.V.)

“Are you sure this is the place?” Frank checks the GPS again then nods.. “Yup Queen’s wood, though it’s not close to any landmarks”

They get out of the car to have a better look, the suns going down so they won’t have a lot of time, just then a camera attached to the tree catches his attention..

“He's watching us” Frank looks over as a voice breaks through the tense silence..

{Indeed I am, always the smart one, Rabaston, since you figured that out, how about I give you chaps a little treat? Look to your left, there will be a gun there, nothing special just a normal hand gun..oh-and pick it up will you}

They do as S.P says…

{Amazing!, now then I’ll need you boys to carefully point it at each other}

Raba furrows his brows just as Frank frowns, but they do it…

{I assume you know about the ten duel commandments, but since you don’t have second’s nor a medic on sight, we’re going with the very non-traditional route..Now then whenever your ready}

“Wait, we're supposed to kill each other?” Frank questioned..

{well yes, if you want to set the family of three free}
“Is this what you did with Regulus? You promised him that you’d set Teddy free as long as he hurt himself…for all we know If one of us got shot right here and now, you’d kill the other instead of setting them free” Raba observed..

{.........That’s not very nice, I can’t fathom how your related to my darling Evan}

Raba scoffs..

“I’ve seen Evan write, read, listen and watch the darkest shite with a smile on his face, you might keep this strange image of him being a saint in your head but he's not…and you might think that me and Frank are gullible enough to fall for this but you my friend are sorely mistaken”
He bites out, Frank lowers his gun..Raba then points his gun to his own head…

“Raba, what the hell are you doing..”

{Rabaston..stick to the game}

“Tom Riddle was my Field general, and I was friends with two high ranked soldiers and I had a high rank myself-”

“I know this, you told me this before Raba what the hell is this?”

“One night Riddle brought us all to this where house and said one of us had been slacking off, he then brought in a rookie’s wife and told my friend to have his way with her while the other’s held the rookie back,
he said no and he along with my other friend payed hell for it….then a few weeks later Riddle sent us on a mission—it was horrible, we stayed there for weeks all of us dying one by one….to make it out I killed many people—only when they didn’t look by the time they blinked or turned away from me they were dead…the ‘Weeping angel’ is what the rest called me when I was the only one to make it out alive…”

“Raba, why are you telling me this?–”

“Because Barty was right..I don’t see any reason to play by his rules…say–cupcake, do you think when this is all over we could–”

“Yes-yeah whatever you want, I mean it but just don’t, take your finger off the trigger” he tilts his head..

“You're not just saying that?” he shakes his head.. “The only reason I left that morning was for work, I didn’t want to tell you but, I really like you…I just-put down the gun so we can talk..please?”

{Listen to him…}

Raba smiled and made eye contact with the blinking red light of the camera..the last thing he heard was Frank yell, and the last thing he saw was red…
What was that thing Barty said..it was the day they met….right.. ‘Try as you will, but you’ll never be able to fully escape the screams of the past’

Guess that’s true..after all, he can still hear them…
_________________________________________