The Crown

Full Body Terror

As Victoria entered her home, she suddenly felt... uneasy. The hairs at the back of her neck rose and the woman felt slightly panicked. She looked at the hallway from the door. Everything looked as it should have so she took in a deep breath and started to walk toward her bedroom.

She felt so alone and cold. Her steps echoed in the empty house. The woman hugged herself and put on a brave face. Victoria's sight fell on a darken hall-way so she stopped in her tracks.

Without her consent, her legs guided her to the middle of the corridor. There stood a woman, huddled up on the floor, a crazed smile plastered on her face. Her eyes, however, were focused and they fixed right on Victoria. The mystery woman's smile seemed even larger now. She picked herself off of the floor, straightening her dress slightly. Victoria's eyes traveled to the floor and she had to stifle a gasp as she saw the other woman floating slightly above the ground.

"Hello" The woman across from Victoria said. "My name is Antonia Ann Koster. Please excuse my... less than decent state. And you are?" Antonia's voice seemed strained as if it hadn't been used in decades, but Victoria couldn't help but notice the sensual edge it had.

Turning her head away, Victoria seemed to have grown a bit... shy. "I'm Erin Koster" The blonde muttered. She heard a 'tsk' sound from directly behind her. Cold arms wrapped around her waist and Victoria gasped, a slightly pink color starting to tint her cheeks. A body pressed up against her back and she felt Antonia's parted lips near her ear.

"Don't you dare lie to me, Victoria Trahern" Again, despite everything, Victoria felt slightly attracted to the whispering voice. "You have to help me, Victoria darling." Continued Antonia.

"H-help you? Wi-with what?" Victoria couldn't help the slight stammer in her voice. Cold hands settled firmly on her shoulders, long dark red nails digging slightly beyond her clothes and onto her skin. Then, she was roughly turned around. The two women were mere centimeters apart from each other, so close they could feel the other's breath. This made Victoria slightly uncomfortable, but it also made the pink on her cheeks more visible.

"Yes, help me. Help me get my revenge on this damn family."

"What?" Victoria suddenly became truly frightened of the woman in front of her. "I couldn't do tha-"

"Oh, but you will." Interrupted Antonia, her eyes turning malicious and smile slightly cruel. "If you do not, I can't promise my lips will be sealed. I will make sure, with all my might, that your beloved 'children' find out your deepest, darkest secret."

Victoria gulped, staring at the smirking woman in front of her. The blonde's shoulders slumped slightly in defeat and she sighed.

"Fine..." Victoria whispered miserably. Before Antonia could form her next words. Ben's loud steps echoed into their small hallway. A pang of panic struck Victoria's heart and, without thinking, she pushed the other person in the room further into the shadows before stepping out herself to greet her husband.

She began to run to the entrance way. She knew from experience that Benjamin Nathaniel Koster had a short temper, and that if she wasn't there to greet and give him a kiss on the cheek like an obedient little wife, he would, most likely slap her.

She ran until she saw the stairs that led to the main entrance. There, she stood for a moment, composing herself. Then she made her way to Ben.

He stood there, keys in hand. When Victoria finally came down, one of Ben's eyebrows rose. "You are a bit late. Later than usual anyways." His eyes had a slightly threatening quality to them. Victoria quickly made an excuse.

"I was out on a run at Russell's park, the one near the playground you know? I lost track of time I guess. Came thru the back door." Victoria's heart started beating loudly but she prayed Ben would belive her, just this once.

He hummed absently and asked "Did you at least have time to make us dinner? The lot are staying at your mom's tonight." Victoria could smell the faint aroma of Jack Daniel's on his breath but she decided not to push the matter. She opened her mouth to answer his question, but the ringing of his phone stopped her. He pressed a button on his screen and put the device against his ear.

"Hey Nate!" A loud voice boomed out from the phone. "Me and the boys are all at the pub near Russell's for a little ol' reunion. To remember the good old days ya know? You in?" Victoria could faintly hear the commotion of the pub.

Without a word, Ben tossed the keys to Victoria, put on his coat and left. Victoria felt miserable, alone and abandoned. Then her thoughts wondered back to Antonia, and she realized with horror that the other could be anywhere in the house by now, doing God knows what.

Deciding that this madness was more than enough for today, she tucked the keys away into their proper place and started walking the the kitchen.

Once there, she numbly searched for a bottle, without looking at any of their labels. The somber woman poured herself a healthy amount, taking big gulps out of her drink. The foul taste somehow managed to calm her nerves and make her forget everything, at least for a time.

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That night, as Victoria stood in bed beside her husband, she wondered bitterly 'What the hell has my life become?'