When Hell Comes (#wattys2017)

Chapter III - Awakened

*AN: Hi guys, please don't forget to vote if you feel that the chapters are deserving. I know I got you all very excited in Chapter II and then nothing much happened... Don't worry. You will soon know everything.*

Stacey awoke on the floor next to her bed. She was confused for a second - not knowing how she got there. She sat up in haste. Her face was itching, and when she put a finger to her eye - it came away wet. Then she remembered the night terror she had had... That must be why Katey had screamed. Stacey was awakened when she fell from her bed... Katey couldn't yet touch or harm her in the real, physical world - thus she had to wait until Stacey was asleep. Only then would Katey be able to touch her and harm her if she so wished.

Stacey felt relief flood her tired body. She was awake... She would be fitted for her wedding gown today, and possibly have to buy a new gown for the engagement party as well. Stacey lay her head down on the floor again. She had tried to convince herself that it was 'only a bad dream', but from her years and years of experience with Katey - she knew better. She decided to do some investigating on this matter - determined to find the origin from which Katey appeared.

She wouldn't stop until she knew how to rid herself of Katey once and for all... She feared that if she didn't do it soon, she might be in quite a bit of danger - or worse! Her parents could be in danger. Maybe even Rowan himself was endangered by Katey... It seemed as if Katey had stated her claim to Rowan, and Stacey feared that if Katey realized that she couldn't have him - she might harm him so that no one else could, either...

Stacey wanted to warn Rowan - very much, but no one besides her could see Katey. They would doubt her sanity - Rowan would doubt her sanity too. They might have her hospitalized again... Maybe Rowan would retract his proposal then as well.

No. This was a risk Stacey KNEW she couldn't take! She would have to get to the bottom of this herself, before Rowan or her parents were harmed. And since Stacey couldn't explain the situation to them or warn them at all of the danger lurking just - barely - in the shadows, she would have to hope that her efforts to save them would be enough...

Emily knocked on her door right then. "Miss! We need to dress you - else you might be late for your appointment!!!" Emily happily announced at her door. She scrambled in haste to get up and cover herself in bed before calling to Emily that she may enter - calmly, Stacey hoped. But even if she sounded anything EXCEPT calm, Emily didn't notice. If she did she had probably mistaken Stacey's panic for excitement - which, of course, she then attributed to the upcoming events.

Emily laced her corset with expert hands, and while she did so, Stacey leaned against her vanity to steady herself. Right in that moment her mother entered without even knocking and took over from Emily with a friendly dismissal "Thank you, Emily! I shall take over from here. Anastacia will need to be in perfect form for today, and seeing as she had let loose and gained a pound or two, I would prefer her laced in tighter."

To this, Stacey answered with an exasperated sigh before shrieking "Mama! What a horrible thing to say... Rowan didn't complain about the 'extra pound or two', and I'm quite sure if he had been bothered by it, he would've wanted to wait until after winter to be wed - "

The rest of Stacey's argument was cut off by a forceful sigh as her mother yanked at the ribbons of her corset. "Mama, I... I can't... Breathe..." she pleaded, to which her mother answered 'Oh! Stop being so dramatic. You have room enough for air - no harm will be done..."

Stacey started feeling faint immediately, and was thrilled when her mother left the room and called for Emily to help her into her gown and do her hair. Emily took one look at her and immediately loosened the ribbons of her corset. Stacey inhaled a deep breath and thanked Emily, who smiled in return. Emily again started with her excited chatter, and Stacey joined in...