1Author’s Note: My first shot at horror. Yeah I know it is a little unrealistic, but I am a fantasy writer and can not be expected to adapt to every single of my teacher’s format. I have no idea what I received on this paper yet, so I have no idea my teachers ideas on it. So tell me what you think.

Bloody Tears

Maiden Lily, Massachusetts was an odd town. It had not been named for any English Town, but for the unique flower that only grew in this reclusive valley. They were large, snow with lilies, that had a sky blue center and midnight black edges. They grew 3 to a stem and in a group of 7. Another fact about the town, it was not founded by Puritans, but by a now dead form of Paganism.

The Puritans had never thought of settling in the valley. The thought of the colorful flowers as evil that not even the Savages would settle near. They did not seem to understand that the reason noone lived on the land was for the fact that no animals lived nearby so there was no source of meat. The Pagans escaping both Europe and the Puritans came to the valley. Their religion worshiped the 3 Gods of Nature and the 7 Goddess of Virtue. The flowers showed both of those in this valley. And since meat was not a staple in their diet (The Gods of Nature strictly forbade the killing of animals for sacrifice and eating), the valley was heaven. They gave the odd lilies the name of Maiden Lilies, for they had the same colorations of the pale skinned, blue haired, dark haired women of the village.

For the first 20 years or so, the people thrived. They held all their rituals and had great harvest and festivals. But as many who do not remember their roots, the new generations went further and further from their religion and within 50 years of the founding, none of the Pagan beliefs were practiced.

It was then when the killings started.

Women working in the gardens late at night slaughtered. Their bodies left rotting missing of all their blood and organs. Young girls playing to close to the edge of the forest missing rib cages and limbs. But the favorite victim seem to be the teenaged girls, who died in scores, leaving only their hair and eyes behind next to a pile of bones. The people were beyond frighten. They had no idea what to think, until one day a note written in blood appeared on the door of the elected leader of the village. It says that every 7 years, 3 young maidens of the age 16, with black hair, blue eyes, and fair skin where to be sacrificed to the demon in the woods. They were to weave their own white gowns from silk that would be placed at the maiden’s father’s door the full moon before their deaths, which would happen on the new moon. For 21 years this was practiced.

On the day of the new moon, 3 young maidens came to the clearing that the demon would visit them in. Their names were Jane, Ana, and Eliza. They huddled together for warmth near the dusk of the day. The girls were beyond frighten. They would die that night, never having fully lived. The dresses offered little protection against the howling winds of an approaching storm. Jane and Ana whimpered in pure misery, and Eliza stayed oddly quiet. Jane and Ana were cousins and had known each other all their lives, but Eliza was a perfect stranger to them, having lived at the edge of the village and never coming into town. The girls remained like this for a few more minutes until they heard a cry.

“Help me,” whimpered a soft high voice. The girls turned to see a small girl with pale skin, blue eyes, and black hair in a gown similar to theirs, but sleeveless. “I can’t find my sisters.” Jane and Ana couldn’t move, but Eliza held out her arm to the young child.

“Child come here,” she said in a gentle voice. “Were are your parents?” She asked gravely coinsured for the wee child.

“They are dead,” she said. “But I have 3 sisters, but they left this morning and have not come back. I am worried. My name is Vivian, and my sisters look just like us.” She began to cry and let out a shrill scream.

“Be quiet whelp,” hissed Ana in fury. “Leave this place before you are feed to a demon like us, if you value your life!” This odd child looked at them and stopped her blubbering. A snap of a twig in the woods turned the 3 young women’s attention to it, thinking it was the demon, until Jane let out a agony filled scream. Ana and Eliza turned back to see that Jane was now missing the middle of her chest, where her heart was suppose to be. She fell to the ground with a dull thump and Vivian was behind them, taking a bite out of the missing organ.

“I am very hungry, my sister have forgotten to feed me,” she said. Ana and Eliza screamed. Vivian’s face contorted until it looked like the devil from a story book. She had inch long fangs, and beady snake like eyes, with a permeant look of bad humor on her face. Ana froze in shock and the demon swiftly removed her head with her newly formed claws and lapped up the blood like a hungry kitten would with milk. She then turned to Eliza, who took off with a run. Eliza dodged tree limbs and roots that seem to appear suddenly as to block her path, as if the demon controlled the woods its self. She hid behind a large tree and caught her breath. She knew she could not out run this creature, but she had to try and rid the world of it, even if it cost her, her own life. She removed from her sleeve a dagger and held it steady. When the demon came to kill her, she would stab it.

The demon gave her only of few minute repose before it came to her. She hid the dagger behind her back, and the demon laughed and circled her.

“You girl are quite a treasure,” the demon said in a voice that seem to be spoken by 3 man at the same time. “No one has ever gotten this far from me before. I shall enjoy feasting on you.” And came in slowly for a bite of her neck. Eliza quickly removed the dagger from behind her and stabbed the demon in the heart before it was even close enough for the fangs to glaze her skin. The demon let out a moan of agony and fell to it’s knees.

“I knew you were clever,” said the demon. “But mark my words, your village will see me again, and I will kill your family, no matter what.” And with that a heavy wind came, turning the demon into dust, and spreading it to the sky. Eliza caught her breath and went home to tell her people the good news. The people rejoiced for the dead demon and made merry for many nights. The only one not happy was Eliza, who could not forget the demons last words. But in time the warning faded a bit and she fell in love with a young man that she married and had a daughter named Sarah with. But it was a known fact that for the rest of her life after Sarah’s birth that she never took her daughter out at night and every new moon, she would lock and block all her doors, windows, and any opening in her house. But nothing happen to Eliza and her daughter or her daughter’s daughter and many daughters until the year of 2004, in the town of Maiden Lily, where the demon’s warning begin to become real again.

Detective David Stone was a young man in his mid 20's. He was very handsome with his blonde hair, green eyes, and impressive build and height of 6'2". He had wanted to be a body builder in his younger days back in his home town of Chicago. But with the death of his father, a homicide detective, he had changed his mind. He wanted to become an officer back home, but his windowed mother begged him not to. So to appease her and follow in his father’s footsteps, he moved to the safe town of Maiden Lily, Mass.

He was one of the only 2 homicide detectives here. His partner was a pretty hazel eyed brunette that kept him in line named Tory. She had grown up in Salem, but had moved here later on and was currently engaged to the manger of the biggest hotel in Maiden Flower.

Maiden Flower had never had a murder since the so called legendary demon killings in the mid 1700's, that was now only children’s ghost tales. David thought the legend was a lot of crazy talk that the people invented to make their town more famous then the ones that had witches. The only thing famous from Maiden Lily, were the Maiden Lilies, that could only be grown here. Each garden boasted at least 1 of the seven group clusters if not more. Even David’s pitiful lawn had one, although it was usually in a state of dying, like a wounded solider on a battle field.

David had his head on his desk, this bright Monday morning, hearing the hubbub of the station about the usual things such as drunken teenagers, petty thieves, and one of the local loons predicting the end of the world. David drifted out of this to the smell of his strong cup of coffee and the faint drifting of Maiden Lilies through an open window. He remained like this until Tory tapped his shoulder and startled him.

“For a homicide detective you sure are jumpy,” she laughed.

“Doesn’t being a homicide detective involve actually murders?” he asked. She again laughed.

“David, I actually like going to work in the morning and knowing that some innocent person wasn’t killed last night in my town, and so do a lot of people here.” she said. He sighed. He couldn’t argue with her on the peace issue, but he felt so useless, and wanted to actually go out and earn his badge and meager pay-check. Tory, set on the edge of his desk reading the local Newspaper, “The Maiden Lily Buds”.

“Looks like Cassidy Collins found the Green’s priceless Picasso,” said Tory reading the headline and showing him a colored picture of Cassidy with her long black hair braided, her blues shimmering in success and her pale skin matching the white wall paper behind, with the richest man in town holding up the painting.

David groaned. If their was a worse down side to working in Maiden Lily then not having any work, it was Cassidy Collins. Cassidy was a 22 year old native to the town. She was highly respected for being the only living direct decedent of the famous Eliza Morgan, who slew the demon. She now worked as a free-lance psychic and did better business then the Police Department.

“Has anyone ever thought of that maybe she was behind the theft of all these objects,” he said. He held as much belief in Cassidy’s abilities as he did in her ancestor’s legend.

“Look, Cassidy is the most respected person in this whole town, it is better that you don’t accuse her of such things,” said Tory, who happen to occasionally lunch with Cassidy on her off days. She found Cassidy to be quite nice, pleasant, and intelligent. She also had a feeling that Cassidy was smitten with her partner. She had often subtlety hinted to David that he might date Cassidy, but if she went up a step she would have to hit him over the head with a baseball bat and drag him to a restaurant. David had dated every single girl in town, including Tory herself, except Cassidy, whose name was taboo to David.

“She is respected for a supposedly demon slaying ancestor of hers!” he shouted at Tory. She rolled her eyes and shook her head. Some guys really need to get a life, she thought. She turned and noticed the police chief coming toward them with a glum look on his face.

“David, Tory, be in my office in 5 minutes. I have very serious manners to discuss with you both,” he then turned and walked back to his office.

David and Tory went to his office, open the door and went inside. David thought for certain that the town had finally decided that homicide detectives were useless and unneeded and can them, but by the look on the police chief’s face, something bigger was up.

“For the first time in over 200 hundred years,” he said with his face down. “A murder has happened in Maiden Lily.” He shook his head in disbelieve and looked at his officers. Tory looked shocked beyond words.

“You mean to tell me that a murder has happen in this town!” David said. “I thought it would be against the laws of physics!”

“David,” said the chief. “Now is not the time to develop your sense of humor! I need you to get down to 37 Rose Street and interview the victims husband who found her body! And I want you gone now!” David and Tory left his office and went to Tory’s car, a 1998 white Toyota. David’s car was an old beat up blue 1980 Caverler that had seen better days and looked like it had been used as a tank during Desert Storm. They drove the 5 miles to the address in complete silence except for the gentle sound of the radio on an oldies station. David had attempted to change it to one that he listen to, but had his hand was softly slapped by Tory.

“Don’t change it, it calms me.” she said, not looking from the road.

“How in the heck does “Respect” calm anyone!” said David grumpily.

“It just does,” she said in a bit of a hiss, “ and it is much better then that junk you refer to as music.”

“Excuse me for not considering anything pass 1982 as noting but pure garbage.” spit David with a bit of fury. Tory constantly insulted everything from the way he dress to what he ate to what barber shop he visited. Tory claimed it was to make him better then just the town playboy who had dated nearly every girl his age in the Town, except for one. Upon that reminder every time he would start growling and stomp off for a few hours. He did not plan to ever date Miss Cassidy Collins. They arrived at 37 Rose St. and went to the door. They knocked and it was answered by a frazzled looking man holding a 2 year old boy in his arms and hiding a 5 year old girl behind him.

“Mr. Jones,” said Tory, “I am Detective Tory Smith and this is my partner Detective David Stone. We are here to investigate the death of your wife, Connie Parker-Jones.” David looked at her in surprise, as to how she knew it all already, but notices that she held a vanilla folder he had not seen before in her hand, and had it open to a picture of a 30 something women.

“Yes I am Ken Jones,” he said. “And these are my kids Dawn and Steven.” he said gesturing toward the kids. “Dawn why don’t you take Steven back to his bedroom and play with him while Daddy talks to the nice police people,” he said with a fake smile to the little girl, who nodded in return.

“Are they going to get the monster that ate Mommy?” she asked, as her eyes welled up with tears.

“Yes honey,” he sighed as the little girl took her brother and went down the hall.

“Monster?” questioned Tory.

“Dawn believes the monster under her bed killed Connie last night.” He said looking at the wall, which held a family portrait of Connie and him, with a younger looking Dawn, holding a young baby, who they assumed was Steven.

They set down on the couch, while Ken set in a nearby arm chair. He took a deep breath of air and gave the story of Connie’s murder.

“She was in the garden,” he began. “She always is right after dinner till dusk. She was planting some more Maiden Lilies. They had always been her favorite. It was getting late, and it was pretty dark. I didn’t worry. She sometimes was out later looking at her handy work in the moonlight. But then I heard a panic scream and ran out. I thought that she had seen a snake, she has always been skittished of them. So I flipped on the porch light and ran after her. I didn’t see her in the garden, so I went further, closer to the woods, and I saw her.” He broke down and sobbed at this point. Tory try to comfort him, and David read the folder he had taken from Tory. He found a very interesting note.

“It says here that you never called hospital, just the police department,” said David. “How do you know she was dead?” Ken just looked at him with blank eyes.

“Once you see the body, you will know why,” said Ken. He went out the back door, and was followed by Tory and David. He lead them past the garden that held many beautiful flowers and herbs, and many Maiden Lilies. They walked another 10 ft or so, until they were behind a large tree. Upon the view, Ken turned away, David shielded his eyes, and Tory ran a few feet and threw up.

Connie Jones had been a very pretty woman in life. She had shoulder length black hair, green eyes, a good build, and a most charming smile. The mangle corpse on the ground was far from Connie. It was a bloody mess. The head had been amputated from the body, with by the looks, of it a dull knife. Her heart had been pulled straight from the cavity in the chest, along with her lungs. Her intestines had been uncurled from her body and wrapped around her legs and arms.

“Who ever killed her had no respect for the act of mercy,” said a voice like the twinkling of a bell, that held much sadness and pity in it. “First her intestines were removed, then her lungs, and heart. After she was dead, someone removed her head. They did it all in a matter of a few seconds. Seem impossible, but you have your proof here.”

David turned to see a young women he easily remembered. Cassidy Collins. She wore her thigh length hair in a braid. She wore tight blue jeans with a flair at the bottom and a button up white blouse that exposed her lithe stomach. Her normally cheerful face was streaked with tears and sorrow.

“What in blazes are you doing here!” nearly screamed David. Cassidy looked at him momentarily, but Ken answered.

“I called her this morning,” he said. “She was Connie’s cousin and I thought her abilities could be of great use to you.”

“We have no use of a voodoo witch here,” David seethed out. It was one thing to help with robberies, but with murders, this was out of little Miss Cleo’s level.

“I mean no offense by being here Detective Stone,” she said looking at him again. “I merely wish to aid you to find my cousin’s killer as quickly as possible.” Tory by now had rejoined the group. She seemed not at all surprised to see Cassidy present, but nodded at her.

“We appreciate it Miss Collins,” she said, before David could say anything.

“No thanks are necessary Detective Smith,” she said. “I am doing my part for the community.”

“Then go back to rescuing lost dogs and leave the real work to us professionals,” said David in hush tones. Tory was on her last nerve and smacked him outside the head. “Ow,” he said rubbing his sore spot.

“You talk to Miss Collins, while I go and get the camera to take pictures of the scene,” said Tory. David, unwillingly took Cassidy and walked away from Connie’s body. Tory walked off toward the front of the house, followed by Ken.

“So Miss Collins,” he began. “Besides the obvious, what do you think happen here?” He didn’t know why he was doing this. He didn’t hate Cassidy personally, but he didn’t particularly like her. He had no faith in the craft of fortune telling and mocked those who did.

“Besides what I have already told you,” she said. “Only that I feel a dark presence around this entire area. Who ever killed her wanted to make it look like an instant death, rather then a slow torture.”

“How in the world did then torture her to death in less then a minute?” asked David.

“Find that answer Detective and soon behind will be the murder,” said Cassidy in a low voice.

Tory and David spent an hour investigating the crime scene. But nothing turned up. No murder weapon, no finger prints, not even the rest of her body. The only thing extra noted was by Cassidy, who commented that the majority of her blood was not in the ground as it should have been.

Tory and David questioned all the neighbors about Connie. But they all got the same answer. She was a 30 year old school teacher married to a 32 year old car insurance agent. She had 2 kids and was liked by all. No one had a grudge against her, no one had a motive.

David, Tory, and Cassidy met near 4 that evening at a local café that was empty. No one was out on this evening. News traveled fast in a small town, and now every one knew that Connie Jones had been murdered and all were off the streets, except for the 3. David was sipping a strong coffee along with Tory, while Cassidy had herbal tea.

“I think her husband did it,” said David. “His story sounds fishy. Was too shocked to alert the police till morning. He was an insurance man, probably wanted the money or something.”

“David,” said Cassidy in her calm even tone, “He sold car insurance. He knows as much about life insurance as a cardiologist knows about teeth.” She had long ago moved on from the formal Detective and unto first name, as had David.

“Still waited till morning to call anyone!” said David, stressing his point.

“David, I was the first one there,” said Cassidy. “He told you he called me, but it was Dawn who did with the speed dial. I contacted the police upon my arrival. He was frozen in a state of shock at her side.”

“Why didn’t he tell us that then!” David had a very short temper, and after having to deal with Cassidy all day, it was at it’s end.

“David,” she said looking him straight in the face. “He did it to protect me. It is common knowledge in Maiden Lily of your dislike of me and thought if you found out I was the caller that I would be the accused.”

“I still don’t believe he was frozen by her side all night,” said David, huffily.

“Have you ever lost someone dear to you David,” she asked, bringing her cup up to her mouth for a long sip.

“You’re the psychic,” he said, “you tell me.” She touched his hand for a moment and closed her eyes in deep concentration that could have been mistaken for pain.

“Yes,” she said. “Someone very close. His death changed your set path to a new road.” David looked for a minute in shock. How could she know about his dad’s death. Then again, she was friends with Tory, so of course it could have been mentioned once in passing. “If a death could change a future, why not lead to a state of shock?”

“Sometimes you have to see what is obvious,” said David.

“I belief that is the time you must look deeper,” replied Cassidy.

“Well,” answered Tory, who had remained silent through David and Cassidy’s entire conversation. “I believe we should head home and turn in, we have a lot to do tomorrow.” She put a few dollars on the table and left. Cassidy and David remained for a second. David then removed his wallet and laid a few dollars on the table. He started walking toward the station where his car was parked.

“Wait,” said Cassidy. “Are you walking all the way home?”

“Nah,” said David. “Just to the station, I left my car there this morning.”

“Let me drive you there,” said Cassidy.

“I don’t want to be any trouble,” said David.

“No trouble at all,” said Cassidy, “In fact, I insist!” He could not argue with a woman on most subjects, and allowed her to lead him to the nearby commuter parking lot and up to a 1960 Ford Thunderbird.

“Woah baby,” he said. “Were did you get a ride like this!”

“It was my father’s,” she said with a hint of sadness, “He died of a sudden heart attack when I was 12. My mother had died in a car crash a few years earlier while she was visiting some friends in Detroit. I moved in with Connie after his death, we have been very close since then.”

David looked as Cassidy began to cry a little. He understood the pain it was to loose a parent. But he had never been good at comforting people and could not help a crying girl.

“Look,” he said. “I really don’t need a ride. I can just walk. It is only 5 blocks away.”

“David,” she said, drying up her tears. “There is a murderer on the loose, you don’t need to get yourself killed.” David gave into her reasoning.

The rode to the station in silence. Once they got there, David attempted to start his car, to have it stall, then die with every try. Cassidy gave him a ride home to his single story house on the edge on town. It wasn’t much. 2 bedroom, 1 bathroom, a kitchen, living room, and dinning area, but a single man did not need much. He asked Cassidy to stay the night, since it was late and the threat of a murderer out there would not allow him to let her leave that night.

After she had retired to the guest room, he took a long hot shower and went to his own room. He slept that night in restlessness, for every time he closed his eyes he would see Connie’s body. And from the whimpers next door, so did Cassidy.

Sadly, Connie was not the only murder that week. 3 other girls had died. 27 year old Martha Rogers had her head and limbs removed from her body and arranged in a pentagram. 45 year old Prudence Mitchell had her torso removed from her legs and eye lids ripped out. But the worst one happen to 7 year old Lisa Miller, who had been cut from her lower abdomen to her chest and was missing every vital organ and every drop of blood.

David could not believe this gruesome murders of these woman. Tory’s stomach after seeing Martha’s mangled body, had required David to do the majority of the investigation. He began to forget his displeasure with Cassidy and rely on her help in the matters. His car was broken down so he rode every where with her. And since both did not want to stay alone, they remained in David’s house, even though Cassidy’s was more spacious and posh.

Detectives from nearby town came after the 2nd murder. Nothing was found. All the victims were well liked by all. No one had reason to kill them. Actually besides the barbaric killing method, no connection was found between the killings. Connie had died in her back yard. Martha leaving the office that night. Prudence stepping out from a local restaurant for a smoke. And Lisa in her bed. Actually a looked over fact had been pointed out by Cassidy. All the killings had happen near a Maiden Lily.

For the first time in Maiden Lily’s history, people avoided the flowers. Noone would even go close enough to catch a waft of them in the breeze. Also traffic out of town was horrible. Nearly every business had temporary shut down and people were leaving Maiden Lily. Few remained. The victim’s family, some bigger business owner, the police, and what Cassidy referred to as the old family’s, whose ancestors have been here since the founding of the town.

It was a few days later that David and Cassidy found another murder connection. All the victims came from old families, all direct descendants from the founders.

The big city detectives were even more stumped then David and Cassidy. No one had any idea who could be doing this, and all were afraid.

It was a week after Lisa’s funeral, and no more murders had been reported. Cassidy and David were at the station waiting for Tory, who was surprisingly late.

“This is so unlike her,” mumbled David, to Cassidy. He had attempted to call her house and received no answer on her phone or her cell phone.

“Yes, I have always known Tory to be very prompt,” said Cassidy. “But as her wedding is up and coming, maybe she is visiting her beau.”

“Yeah, I think I know Ben’s number,” said David, dialing the number to the local Ramada Inn. “Hello can I speak to your manger Ben Cooper? Yes Ben, it is David, Tory’s partner. Have you seen her today?” Pause. “Not since last night?” Pause. “Was she feeling well?” Pause. “I just couldn’t get a hold of her.” Pause. “Yeah, I will call you when I know something. Bye.” David hung up the phone with a frown.

“I am guessing he is as clueless as we are?” said Cassidy.

“Yeah Cass,” said David. “ I know her address, mind if we run by her house to check on her?”

“Not at all David,” said Cassidy, reaching in her pocket for her car keys. They went to Cassidy’s car and drove to Tory’s. Cassidy allowed David to play what ever he wished on the radio, unlike Tory, but today he didn’t even bother to turn it on. He was too nervous. Tory never had overslept for as long as he had known her. They arrived at her house 20 minutes later and knocked on her door. No answer. They knocked again. Still no answer. David got out his spare key to her house and open the door.

“Tory?” asked David as he entered her sparkling clean house. He began to look in the living room and kitchen and Cassidy went upstairs, softly calling her name. He was looking in her office when he heard a sharp scream from the upstairs. He ran as quick as he could upstairs, to see Cassidy holding her hand over her mouth, her face in shock. David looked in and collapsed at the sight.

Tory’s nude body laid in the middle of the floor, completely devoid of blood. Her heart, lungs, liver, stomach, and kidneys had been removed and laid on china plates in a semi circle around her. The bath tub was filled with cold soapy water and a wreath of Maiden Lilies laid upon her chest.

“But she doesn’t fit the pattern,” he said. “Her family isn’t from around here.” His voice was completely void of emotions, like if a monster had appeared from the deep and stolen his soul.

Cassidy through tears and moans answered him. “She lived here when she was younger,” said Cassidy. “She moved to Salem when she was 2. She is from an old family.”

Tory’s funeral was in 3 days. Her parents, brother, cousins, friends, Ben, David, and Cassidy were present. Ben had his head in his lap and couldn’t look at anyone. David although far from being alright, attempted to comfort a weeping Cassidy. Funerals always reminded him of his Dad’s death. How empty he felt with the person wrenched from his heart. The preacher went on with his speech about how Tory Anna Smith was a good and noble person who had tragically been ripped from the world before she had a chance to even have the life she dreamed of. A husband, 2 children, and a dog all living together in the country. But now it was too late. The preacher then called Ben’s name to speak. He gave a short, heart-ripping speech about how Tory was the love of his life and irreplaceable. David was then asked to speak.

“I have been her partner for over 3 years,” said David. “She was always the best officer I knew. She was caring, sweet, and understanding of everyone. If it wasn’t for her I would have missed out on life. I will miss her always and shall never forget her.”

After the funeral, Cassidy and David went back to his place. Cassidy sat on the couch and continued crying. David again attempted to soothe her.

“Cass,” he said, calling her by the nickname he invented. “We can’t help her now, but only we can stop it from happening again.” She nodded her head.

“I know David,” she said, wiping her eyes out, “It is just that...” She never had a chance to finish. David gave her a gentle kiss, and then deepen it. She returned it and put her arms around his neck, kissing him back.

“Shh,” he said. “We will figure this out, Cass. Don’t you worry.” They then retired to his bedroom for the night.

David awoke hours later, with Cassidy next to him. He sat up and looked at her. She was sleeping peacefully for the first time since the start of this string of murders, as was he. To think, before this he could not even stand Cassidy, but now, he can’t see how he could live without her. She mumbled in her sleep, and he bent over to pull her hair away, when she suddenly jerked awake.

“David,” she said in a panic voice, turning to see him. “I know where the murderer is!” David looked at her bewildered.

“Cass, what in heck are you talking about?” he replied to her outburst.

“The murderer!” she reinstated. “In my dreams, I saw a house in the woods and we were walking toward it. It is were the murderer is!”

“Cass,” he said. “I don’t understand.”

“David,” she said. “Last night you claimed you loved me. Just trust me on this. We find the house, we solve the case.” She looked like there was more to the story, but David didn’t question her further. With a chaste kiss on the lips, they got up and prepared.

By the time they got in the woods, it was past 10 in the morning. David followed Cassidy without a word. She had dressed oddly for a hike. She was wearing a white silk top and pants. They walked for a few more hours, and as David was about to question Cassidy, a house came into view. It was very old and nearly fallen apart. Maiden Lilies grew all around it, in great abundance. David doubted if the entire town had more lilies then this one spot. They entered the house.

It was a one room cabin. 4 beds, 3 trundle beds and one large baby crib were in a state of disrepair. A large stove stood in the middle of the room, but what amazed him was at the other end. A large alter, like one in a church, remained and looked brand knew. Near it was a large glass barrel, which showed black silk worms making pure white silk. He was stunned. Is this were the murderer was? He was about to tell Cassidy they were leaving and calling for back up when she crossed the room to the alter. He reached for his cell phone, to notice it was missing.

“Cass,” he said. “I think we need to leave.” But she didn’t pay attention to him. She reached in a crack between the alter and pulled out a black book, with odd writing on it. David crossed the room and touched her shoulders. “Cass, did you hear me? We have to go now.”

“I did,” she said in a sad calm voice. “But this will explain everything.” She said pointing to the book. “It is written in Axlex, the language of the Pagan founders holy text. It says, The Sins of the Priestesses.”

“Cass, we don’t have time. If the murderer lives here we don’t know when he will be...” but Cassidy put a finger to his lip.

“Please just let me read this to you,” she asked. David remained silent. She sat near the alter and open the book and he sat beside her. “We are the last remaining priestesses of our people. We are triplet sisters named Alanna, Orla, and Cara. We are identical from our dark hair, to our blue eyes, to our fair skin, to our 16 years of age. We weave our sacred gowns from the silk of the dark worms. We were also blessed with a younger sister, Vivian For many years our rich practices have flourished in the new world, but at last, our people have forgotten their ways. We must appease our Gods and Goddesses by offering them our most prize possession, Vivian. We burn her with our hold incense and flowers to appease the deities. But they are not pleased with us, for they have sent our sister back. She had grown hungry for some unknown food these past few days. We know what she craves. As her nails grow longer along with her teeth, we know what she desires. Us. We know she will kill us for displeasing our Gods and Goddesses, but we hope she spares the people for our blunder. We hope she dies with us.” Cassidy closed the book and looked at David.

“Cass what does this explain?” he asked puzzled.

“The origins of the demon.” she said, closing her eyes.

“Demon?” he questioned.

“The one my ancestor killed,” said Cassidy. “She has come back to finish her prophecy.”

“Prophecy?”

“Yes,” said the new voice of a little girl. “I must kill all of Eliza’s children. The must all perish. Only you remain little Cassidy. Only you to keep me company.”

“Kid, what are you doing out here,” said David. But the little girl didn’t look the same anymore, neither did the sky. It had been clear only minutes ago, and now it was pitch dark. And the girl had grown claws and fangs. David was startled and reached for his gun, to notice that Cassidy held it.

“Demon,” she said aiming the gun toward her stomach. “I know what you want. You want someone to join you in hell. And to end your life, I will.” She then took the gun and before David could stop her, shot herself in the stomach. The demon let out a horrible scream and turned back into a normal girl.

“I only wanted someone to love me,” she said before she caught on fire and vanished. David turned back to the dying Cassidy.

“Cassidy, why?” he asked.

“It had to be me,” she said in her dying breath. “My ancestors blood had to willingly be spilled to stop the demon. That was what my dream told me. I am sorry for lying David. I just wanted to end it.”

“Cassidy, I love you so much,” he said. She smiled.

“As do I,” she said and closed her eyes, while David cried over her.

By the time Cassidy was buried, David and the preacher were the only ones remaining in the town. David had been transferred to a position in New York, and would be leaving soon. He stood before Cassidy’s grave which read: ‘Cassidy Elizabeth Collins. 1982-2004. Loved by all who met her and died to prove she loved them back.’ David had penned it himself. Maiden Lilies had grown automatically over her grave. They differed though. In the white area they had grown a pattern of tear shapes in the color blood had appeared. Blood for what Cassidy gave, and tears for what was given to her.

“Bye Cass,” he said with a smile. “I will always love you. We will be together again one day.” With that he left.

David died that day in a car wreck. He was buried next to Cassidy and the same Bloody Tear Maiden Lilies grew on his grave.

Times passed and seasons came and went. People eventually moved back to Maiden Lily to live. 40 years to the day, a man stood in front of Cassidy’s and David’s graves. His name was Daniel Simpson. He was tall, well built, and had green eyes with blond hair, and 34 years of age. He stood looking at the graves, as if he had been here before. He had just moved to town. He was a homicide detective and was transferred from Chicago to Maiden Lily along with his wife and daughter. Speaking of which, he could see them approaching now.

“Daniel,” said his wife Claudia Cooper-Simpson. “What are you doing up here.” Her long black hair was in a braid. Her pale skin contrasted with her deep red shirt and black jeans. Her blue eyes danced with joy.

“Nothing,” he said. “Just feel like we have been here before.” Claudia smiled and touched his shoulder. Their daughter, the exact image of her mother, pulled her farther’s hand.

“Daddy,” she said. “Can we go home now.”

“Of course Vivian,” he said. “Of course.” With that they went home, while the bloody tears on the flowers disappeared, for finally Cassidy and David were together.