Dark Wishes

Chapter 1 : Courtesy Call

AN : Hi, how are you folks ? Fair warning just in case : there will probably be a long time between updates since I have school, I am a lazy potato and I couldn't write on time for a deadline to save my life (ah yes, I can already see a bright future ahead of us) so if months pass without an update (and if you even notice that, meaning that you actually read what this nutjob is writing) it's normal. Now, in the letter the Beldam may seem OOC if you have seen the movie or even read the book. I just wanted to try and depict her as a creature that is incapable of loving in the pure sense of the term. I kinda see her being all loving with her child, like she was with Coraline, until she would contradict or disobey her in any way. So I'd imagine she wanted to avoid the risk by controlling every aspect of her life and maintaining her in a state of almost worship toward her Mother and not letting her realize that there are (good) things outside of their "home" (more like a prison really). I would also easily picture her as kinda obsessive towards her child, because they are alone and because she obviously has a thing for children (what with luring them in and "caring" for them before stealing their souls) and would be falsely loving, but with a deadly poisonous edge always lurking just beneath the surface. To be honest with you, I myself don't really know how the characters in this story are. For the borrowed ones, I hope I am not making them too OOC. For the originals, I don't know their personnalities yet and it is probably going to change and evolve with the story (hopefully). Alright, now, I am not going to make a disclaimer every time, just know that I only own the idea and the characters of Mallory and the five others. I'm just borrowing the rest and playing with 'em.

The wind was blowing gently on her face, she noted absently as she came to her senses. And just like that she knew that something was wrong. Wind ? Not normal. There wasn't such a thing as "wind" in her Mother's world (though she knew what it was). Mallory slowly opened her eyes, only to discover a dark  forest lighted only by the full moon, shining like silver in the black starless sky. Alright. So she wasn't home. But where was she, then ? She didn't remember anything past her last evening, which had been a rather  normal one. And here she was, in a strange place with no memories that might help her know how exactly she got here. She heard a rustling sound behind her and whipped her head around, only to see a dark figure standing a few feet away from her. She was about to speak but the stranger beat her to it :

"Good evening Mallory."

Wait. How did they know her name ? How did they know her at all ? She couldn't make out any particular features, as the stranger was wearing a long black hooded cloak. Were they the one who had brought her here - wherever "here" was - ? She didn't get to ask though, the unknown person - hopefully - spoke again :

"You must be wondering who I am and where you are. You needn't worry for now. I am what you could call... an ally to your cause. But you must be very confused. Allow me to enlighten you."

This being said, the man - the voice was a deep, masculine one, with some twisted sing song-like edge to it - walked towards her. Mallory stared at him with a hard glare, but made no move to step back, refusing to even seem intimidated by the unknown man. He simply handed her a piece of parchment - where did he take it out from ? - rolled and closed by a red wax seal decorated by a single elegantly-written letter : R. Hesitantly taking the rolled parchment, Mallory broke the seal. An unfamiliar, tingling and warm sensation grazed the tip of her fingers then, lightly startling her. The cloaked man just stood at her side, watching her every move, and though she couldn't see his face, she could feel his preying eyes on her. Not letting it unnerve her, she unrolled the parchment and read it with a frown, the writing oddly familiar.

"Mallory,

You must be so confused, in this strange world. But do not worry ; Mother is watching you even from afar. You are not alone. A man will give you this letter ; he is to be referred to as Mr R. He will accompany you in this world and help you. You have been sent here for a reason, my little spider, and even though everything must seem so confusing at the moment, it will all become clear soon enough. And however uncertain the future may seem, remember that I am always with you, waiting for your return, and that I trust you.

I love you my sweet pumpkin,

Your Mother"

Mallory read the message five times before looking up to glare at the hooded man, who was still staring at her. She needed a few seconds to sort out her thoughts. She didn't really understand.

"I... don't really understand" she said hesitantly. Good, at least she had said it. That was progress.

"It's perfectly normal, child" said the man, "I guess it must be very confusing and sudden for you. But maybe we should have this conversation elsewhere ? Given, the humans aren't exactly... observant, but one can never know what to expect from those here... My estate is near, I think it would be better for you to stay there than in a human tavern, for example. Besides, you do not have any human currency" he added, seeing her skeptical face. "And there are some people you should meet".

"Who ?"

"Some... other peculiar children, if I may. Like yourself."

"Peculiar children ? How am I peculiar in any way ?"

"Well, this isn't mine to tell. Wouldn't want to be boring. We have to keep the audience guessing"

"What ?" Alright, she didn't understand a word of what he had just said. This man was not only confusing, he was also very concerning. There was no way she was going anywhere with him. Her Mother had taught her well ; don't trust strangers, don't trust anyone. Though her Mother had left her under his responsability...

"Nothing, nothing, do not pay too close attention, I have many antics, little one" snickered said strange man.

"All right" she sighed, "where is your... estate ?"

"Right this way" replied the man before heading towards the woods.

Mallory stood where she was for a few seconds, weighing the pros and the cons of following a stranger home. This situation was unexpected, to say the least, and very off-putting. There was so much secrecy around everything, she didn't understand anything at all and she hated it. Knowledge granted power and independence. How was she supposed to at least balance the forces to full equality between this man and her if he kept everything secret from her and she had no way to learn anything ? Unless following him on the off chance that he was sincere counted as her opportunity. Mallory was not one to waste opportunities. She sighed again and followed him into the woods.