Within the Demon's Grip: Part One

Chapter 7

Trees swept past the windows of Natalia's car. Swift blurs of brown, green and gold, becoming thicker, wilder. Twenty minutes ago she had followed Robin's car onto a dirt road that was overgrown with weeds, and hadn't caught sight of another vehicle since. The heavy foliage was blocking out most of the afternoon sunlight, making it appear later than it really was. Natalia glanced at her clock again, and sighed.

She knew that she wasn't fooling anyone. If Sandra so much as glanced back she would know that Natalia was following her. The conversation would definitely be awkward later. Natalia couldn't shake the feeling of anxiety that was settling into her chest and throat, but it felt too late to turn back now. She had to confront Sandra. She really felt Sandra was making an awful mistake. Something about ... all this just seemed horribly, horribly wrong; she feared for Sandra's safety.

Natalia knew ... if she could just talk to her (calmly, genuinely) Sandra would realize what she was doing and that it was wrong. It was obvious, she had been brainwashed or manipulated somehow. Natalia sneered. She had never trusted Robin; not once. She knew from the first time they met he was garbage. Now Sandra would know. If Natalia could just talk to her, she would know.

Then the trees cleared, and the road spilled into a large, open area with a massive building looming ahead. Natalia's eyes widened. This had to be it! The infamous manor!

Dozens of vehicles were parked in the open area, the shadow of the manor draping over them like an ugly blanket. Its weather-worn walls lifted high, proud, traversing the entire area behind, verging on the trees that probably swept back for miles.

Natalia idled momentarily, watching as Robin parked near the front of the manor, beside a row of other vehicles. (The yard was actually quite crowded.) Sandra opened her door, and stepped out. The wind hit her, pressing her dress against her legs, and fluttering her hair behind her shoulders. She looked at Robin, and her mouth moved in excited conversation. Natalia was too far away to hear what they were saying, but neither Robin nor Sandra looked her way, so Natalia found a space to park for herself. She couldn't believe she was actually doing this. She had no idea what she was going to say (or do) when she finally confronted Sandra. It was going to be so embarrassing! Natalia's stomach knotted with anxiety and she felt like she might throw up.

Natalia waited until they had disappeared through the front door before getting out of her car. As she walked up the pathway, she looked around, wondering why anybody would want to be in a place like this. If anyone was so desperate for sex to do the kind of things Candice had done, they definitely needed help. There was just no way around it. That kind of depraved behavior was unhealthy.

The hedges that lined the pathway were overgrown and discolored. The building's paint job was so neglected and weather-worn Natalia couldn't tell what color it had once been.

Natalia paused on the steps, and looked up at the second and third story windows. Thick curtains shielded whatever secrets lay inside, and she wondered if those secrets were better left buried. Her arms prickled with chills, and she knew that it wasn't just the cool air (or her lack of a jacket; dammit, if she didn't always forget something). Did she really want to go inside? Did she really want to do this?

Laughter bubbled up from behind her.

Natalia turned to see a couple coming up the pathway. The young woman hung from her date's arm, and by her gait Natalia could tell that she was tipsy. The guy she was with made eye contact with Natalia as they brushed past her to the door. He paused in the threshold, and gestured for Natalia to go ahead.

"Please," he said, deep-voiced.

Natalia hesitated.

His eyes pierced through Natalia, pale and bright; they were obviously contacts, meant to make him look spooky, like a vampire. The color was prominent against his sickly, pale skin, and his stylishly disheveled brown hair. Natalia found his style very reminiscent of Robin's, and wondered if all douche-bags dressed the same?