Before Her Eyes (Constance Langdon x OC)

Benjamin Norrange

Cassandra was up and dressed before her alarm clock buzzed. When it finally did go off she hit the button to turn it off and gave Simon a pat on the head before bounding down the stairs. She had chosen one of her more professional looks today. A dark grape cardigan with a black, silky tank and light gray pants. She put her reading glasses in her shirt pocket in case she needed them. Grabbing an energy bar for breakfast and pouring herself a cup of coffee in a to go mug, she quickly dished out Simon's breakfast, grabbed all of her necessary things and headed out the door.

The drive, though short, was fraught with anticipation for what was to come. Cassandra checked over her research several times and made sure she had everything ordered just how she wanted it before she even got out of the car. She felt somewhat out of place as she headed into the building. Most conventions like these were full of conspiracy junkies and cult leader wannabes. She didn't mix well with crowds in general, but those types always found some way to ruffle her more than most. Keeping her arms tight at her sides, her head down, and her eyes scanning the room for Mr. Norrange she made her way around, largely unnoticed.

Finally, she spotted him. Making a beeline for his booth, she managed to avoid bumping into any of the small groups gathered around several tables. Adjusting her posture to that of a more professional nature, she walked the last few feet confidently. "Mr. Norrange," she questioned, even though she was sure it was him.

"Yes. How may I help you," came his reply. His voice was deeper than she expected.

"I was wondering if you'd take a look at a case of mine," she implored. She took the folder out from under her arm and released her white knuckled grip on it as she handed it over to him. He accepted the folder, opening it and spanning the contents out nicely over his table. Cassandra winced, as she still did every time she saw the photos of her family lying dead in her childhood home. Her mother and father lay in their bed, pooled in their own blood, wounds still dripping when the photographer had taken the photos of the scene. And her sister, her poor, innocent sister. She'd just turned seventeen a couple of days before and she was even worse off than her parents. She looked like a cadaver in a medical school. Her skin and muscles had been peeled back, some of her organs pulled out and laid around her. It used to make Cassandra vomit, and the sight still made her sick, but she'd become desensitized to it somewhat over the years, which was a thought that sent a chill through her.

Benjamin took his time examining the photos, police report and Cassandra's accompanying research. "You really know your demons, Miss..."

"Reagan," Cassandra supplied. She received a small grunt of recognition and a curt nod in response.

"Well this is nothing like I've seen before," Benjamin finally stated after a considerable amount of silence. "I don't think you're looking at demons here, Miss Reagan. I'm very impressed by your research though. Phineas Black certainly taught you well." Benjamin spoke as he tidied up Cassandra's files and slipped them all back into the folder.

"How do you know about my relationship to Phineas Black," Cassandra asked, taken aback.

The man turned around to face her before carrying on their conversation. "We're old colleagues. Had a falling out a few years ago, I'm afraid, but he and I go way back. I was glad to hear from him again when he told me about you. Said I might be expecting you here today."

"Oh," Cassandra said, still a bit surprised. She hadn't thought Professor Black would reach out on her behalf, but they did still keep in contact regularly, so she guessed it shouldn't really come as a surprise that he'd tell a colleague about her. She had told him about the move before she'd left Massachusetts. Cassandra pulled herself away from the thoughts. She was here to talk to Mr. Norrange after all. "So, you don't think it was demons," she asked.