A hall…

Dark red,

The color of blood,

Eleven doors,

Five on each side,

One at the end…

There are two paintings on the walls,

One of a man,

Dark,

Brooding,

On of a woman,

A red dress,

Beautiful,

Young,

Troubled looking…

Both paintings seem to glare at each other across the hall,

As if they were siblings amidst a fight,

Or a married couple,

Looking to murder the other…

They seem to glare at you as you pass…

And the light flickers…

And whispers echo ominously here and there…

Stains cover the carpet,

Cover the walls,

Cover the paintings,

Cover the doors,

Red stains,

Seeming to be blood,

Blood splattered,

Many years ago.

chapter 4

SASHE,

ALONE,

ENTERING HALL OF BLOOD,

Sashe only stood there a moment, outside the bathroom door, before making up her mind to find the way out of this strange place, and to get as far away from that horrible bathroom as possible. The hallway she was in was full of doors, and it held only two paintings, she ignored it all and headed down the hall, thinking that the door must be this way. As soon as she passes the two paintings the lights above her flicker very slightly, then stop. What the hell was that? She glances at one of the paintings, one of a frightening looking man, she throws herself away from it in horror when she see's that it is glaring murderously right at her. Holly fucking hell! Forget this shit! She sprinted out of the hall and straight for the door.

EXITS HALL OF BLOOD,

CHARACTER HEADED TO : THE SILENT BANISTER

end chapter, next chapter : in haven hall

chapter 8

4, SASHE,

6, DANIEL,

ALONE,

BOTH ENTER HALL OF BLOOD,

Sashe led him past two paintings facing each other, one of a woman wearing a red dress. The other was of a man that was menacing to the extreme, the painting of him was all dark and sinister. The two paintings seemed to be glaring at each other across the hall. Daniel paused to look at the two, find it very odd. Sashe didn't even bother to stop, in fact she seemed to speed up to get past the paintings faster, as if she didn't want to get caught in between them.

The lights flickered as soon as he stopped, he looked at up at them, expecting them to go out or something, but they didn't. He glanced back at the paintings, only to jump out of his skin. Both of them were glaring right at him! What the fuck!? They-they were looking at each other! How can-what is this!? Startled beyond all reason, he moved quickly past them, convinced that he was just seeing things. He moved to stand by Sashe, who was standing between the first two doors facing each other, waiting for him.

"Did you just see that?" he asked wide eyed.

"See what," Sashe asked in a worried voice. Don't talk about the paintings. Don't look at them. Don't try to get me to look at them. I've already been there. I NOT going near them, you can't make me!

end chapter, next chapter : in the hall of blood

chapter 9

5, SASHE,

7, DANIEL,

ALONE,

Sashe opened the first door on the right, it was bed room. Daniel leaned around her to see. But it was empty.

"There's no one in here," Daniel pointed out. He reached across the hall and opened another door, another bedroom, also empty. They slowly made their way down the hall, checking all the doors, but so far, all were empty.

"What is that smell?" Daniel said, scrunching up his nose outside the bathroom. He reached for the doorknob, but Sashe stopped him just in time.

"I wouldn't go in there if I were you, it's disgusting. That's the place I woke up in, I don't ever want to go into that bathroom again." "I'll take your word for it." Wait…woke up? She woke up not remembering anything also? What is going on here?

"Come look at this, this is weird," Sashe said, standing outside a door she just opened. Daniel walked over to see what it is.

EXITS HALL OF BLOOD,

CHARACTERS HEADED TO: THE PANIC ROOM

end chapter, next chapter: in the panic room

chapter 12

8, SASHE,

10, DANIEL,

ALONE,

ENTERS HALL OF BLOOD,

They both stood panting and hunched over in the hall. Hearts racing.

"What the fuck was that!?" Sashe panted.

"I don't know, but I'm getting the hell out of here," Daniel said, straightening up when he caught his breath. As soon as his heart stopped racing he went to the very next door and wrenched it open, when he found it empty he went to the next, and the next, and the next. Until he reached the door at the end and threw it open also, only to find stairs leading down behind it, obviously not the way out. He growled in the back of his throat in frustration and ran his hand through his hair. Making up his mind, he made his way back to one of the doors he opened and started to make his way through it.

"Wait," Sashe caught his arm, "take me with you, I don't want to be left alone, especially after that."

Immediately Daniel felt like saying no. He felt frustrated and angry, angry that he had to be in this place, where the rooms tried to crush you to death. And he felt angry that he couldn't remember anything. Her large green eyes looked into his pleadingly.

"Fine, you can come, but as soon as I'm out of here I'm getting as far away from this place as I can, and I'm gonna find out why the hell I can't remember anything."

"Sashe," she said.

"What?"

"My name, its Sashe."

"Daniel." With that established he stepped through the door, with Sashe staying close behind him.

EXITS HALL OF BLOOD,

CHARACTERS HEADED TO: THE KITCHEN

end chapter, next chapter: in the kitchen

chapter 31

-

ATIRIN,

ALONE,

ENTERS HALL OF BLOOD,

As soon as he opened the door something big and black dove out of a doorway and shot down the hall straight at him. It came so fast that he had barely enough time to react at all. The only thing that he could register was that it was a wolf. He tried to raise his sword, to defend himself as it came at him, but he didn't even have enough time for there. The wolf reached him, but it didn't attack. Instead it shot past him, and into the cellar. He stood there momentarily, completely confused by what had just happened. Why is there a wolf in here?

Pushing it aside, he walked down the red hall, trying to ignore the painful tingling up and down his spine as it grew even more powerful yet. Whatever it was that was happening to him would have to wait, he needed to find a way out of this place first. He thought he heard voices, people talking in one of the rooms, but he couldn't be sure. Several door stood open, several closed, he decided to start with the one the wolf had come from. With his raised sword, drew near the room. It was a kitchen, and at this angle it looked empty, but he didn't trust that it was. Cautiously he stepped into the room.

EXITS HALL OF BLOOD,

CHARACTER HEADED TO: THE KITCHEN

end chapter, next chapter: in the kitchen

RP 1

CHAPTER 1

DANICO

WAKES UP IN HALL OF BLOOD

Danico opened his eyes and sat up, taking in his surroundings curiously. He yawned and wondered if he had accidentaly ended up in a child's nightmare trying to step through a few wardrobes. Yet this place seemed much to dark and sinister for a child's imagination. He stood up, frowning at the red stains that covered almost every surface, it looked like an entire barrel of wine had exploded in the hall.

He stepped forward, watching the two portraits glaring at each other menacingly until he passed them and their gaze suddenly turned on him. He pulled at at the tip of his glove for a moment before suddenly bowing to each portrait in turn. He padded on quickly, hating the flickering light that was making it hard for him to see. Danico's eyes were well for night and day, but the unstable lighting made it hard to focus. He hesitated in front of a few doors for a moment before entering the kitchen. If he didn't find a few servants who could explain what this place was he would at least find some food. Who knew how long he would be stuck here... Judging by the malevolent atmosphere of the place it might be a while.

EXITS HALL OF BLOOD

ON HIS WAY TO THE KITCHEN

RP 1

Chapter three

ENTERS THE HALL OF BLOOD

Although my favorite form is jaguar form, being human has so many positive sides to it. This hall, for an example, feels like it would skin me alive if I had hair standing up all over my body. This place is beyond creepy, and I feel a little nauseas just smelling the iron-like smell of the old splattered blood. It is utterly revolting.

Someone has been here, I could feel the warmth on the surface beneath me, and can sense the tension in the air. It was somewhat familiar, as if I have been here before.

The portraits' eyes moved from the kitchen door to my moving figure, glaring, as if they got trapped in that damn frame because of me. Medieval people can be so dramatic.

Even though I am not downright human, and surely not in need of food every single day, I do have my private moments. There must be a bathroom here somewhere, right?

The smell only got worse as I moved down the bloody hallway, and more portraits turned to stare at my face. I was beginning to feel haunted.

There were several doors, but the bathroom I spotted quite quickly. It was the smell that greeted me.

EXITS THE HALL OF BLOOD

HEADING TO: THE BATHROOM

END OF CHAPTER THREE

RP 1

CHAPTER 5

DANICO

ENTERS HALL OF BLOOD

Danico quickly crossed the hall and knocked on the door he had seen the person dissapear into and then he waited, pulling at one of his gloves' finger tips, hoping that the person would answer soon so that he could get out of the malignant atmosphere of the bloodstained hall.

RP 1

CHAPTER 7

DANICO

As the door swung open Danico was almost overpowered by the stench that wafted through the open door. Even worse than the appaling smell was the snarling face that greeted him.

In a panic he did the only thing he could to rid himself of these two annoyances at once so that he could get over the shock and think about how to adress the problem. He jerked the door shut and held the knob tightly so that it couldn't be turned from the inside. It was only a few seconds later that something occured to him:

Why was it an jaguar and not an person that had greeted me?

RP 1

Chapter 9

Before I could even fully recognize the person who I realized I did not want to recognize, he shut the freaking door in my face. I yelped and jumped back, still wanting to puke every time I inhaled in and around this hell-like bathroom.

My mind clicked into place and I decided to shift.

"Open up, please!" I shrieked in my high-pitched human voice, banging against the door. I was terrified of being locked in here.

And of course that was the moment I had to empty my stomach up against the door so that it splattered back into my face.

EWWW

RP 1

CHAPTER 10

DANICO

"Hello!" someone called. "Can anybody get me out of this closet, please? Hello!"

Danico let go of the doorknob and spun around in surprise. He'd recognize that voice anywhere. He frowned. The owner of that particular voice shouldn't be anywhere near this place, whatever this place was.

There was an vigorous knocking from up the wall and Danico started towards it a little suspiciously, the house seems to have already started to play tricks on him. With any luck the jaguar would stay in the bathroom, although he couldn't imagine any creature staying in there for long... But the voice was a more important matter. He stopped in front of the door the knocking had come from and asked:

"Nea, is that you?"

"Yes! Danico! Do you have something to do with this? Where have you been? Why did you leave? How come-"

Somewhere at the back of his mind Danico realized that there was another shouting voice back at the bathroom but Nea's leafy rustle had his complete attention. The memories! How long has it been since then? Five, six years maybe?

"Hush! Tell me something that only we would now..." Danico asked, his hand already on the door knob. The rapid rustle of questions were telling enough.

There was silence from the closet for a few moments before the girl whispered:

"When I was eight I almost died because of them but something happened and one of the creatures-"

"That's enough. I'll let you out."

Danico opened the door and waited for Nea to step outside.

RP 1

CHAPTER 12

DANICO

NEA

NEA ENTERS THE HALL OF BLOOD

"Good grief! What on earth are you doing here? Oh really, this is just perfect..." Danico exclaimed, turning around so that he was facing away from Elizabeth. "Don't you have any sense of human decency?" He asked.

Nea looked at Elizabeth curiously, moving towards her almost automatically.

"How strange." She said, circling her quickly. "Danico, you never told me that humans don't have-"

"Nea! Get away from her. She's dangerous!" Danico warned before he peeked into the closet in search of anything that Elizabeth could wear . This situation was really getting out of hand...

"She doesn't look like she wants to hurt me... Hello, my name is Nea!" She said, her eyes focused on Elizabeth's ears.

RP 1

Chapter 13

ELIZABETH enters HALL OF BLOOD

I flashed Nea a sad smile, "Elizabeth."

I did not reach my hand out, instead I just nodded politely. Curiously I stepped to a door across the hallway.

"Danico, dear, there should be a room somewhere here with pretty dresses. We should rather search there for something for me to wear. You know how I love ball gowns."

As I said this, I didn't look at him. If I was going to want to act this out perfectly, I'll have to appear hurt.

RP 1

CHAPTER 14

DANICO

NEA

"It's good to meet you Elizabeth." Nea said genuinely, before Danico pulled her closer by the arm.

"Stay away from her Nea!" He hissed softly. "I don't trust her at all. She's dangerous and has reason enough to hate me." His voice was almost inaudible by the end of the sentence.

Nea pulled away from Danico's grip a little annoyed. "You don't really trust anybody and most people don't like you no matter what you've done. She looks nice enough to me. I'm not a little ten year old anymore, Danico, if you haven't noticed."

Then Danico did realize that fact for the first time and his brows went down in a scowl.

"Elizabeth, if you ever call me dear again I will wait till you turn into a jaguar and skin you alive. Then I will use your hairy hide as an extremely vulgar welcome mat. And I don't care whether you wear a ball gown or the scum growing in that putrid bathroom as long as you cover yourself."

RP 1

Chapter 16

ELIZABETH,

I defensively stepped back at his bitter voice, but thought quickly.

"Yes, Danico, after you destroyed my only chance to a normal, happy, human life." my voice broke on the last word, and my eyes felt wet. I've been keeping this in for such a long time, no way it's gonna stay there anymore now.

I didn't look at Danico, instead I listened to a retarded-sounding voice (well it sounded like that to me) coming from within the bathroom. It was like it was echoing, almost a ghostly sound.

I stared at the door expectantly, and shifted into a white lion.

RP 1

CHAPTER 17

DANICO

NEA

" Do you think I care a whit about your life after all the trouble you've caused me? Do you have any idea how much trouble it was to find someone to-"

Nea's ears pricked up the same moment Danico stopped talking and they listened to the ghostly voice coming from the wall as Elizabeth changed into a white lion.

Danico sighed. With his luck the thing would be that headless chicken of Elizabeth's

CHRISTINE ENTERS THE HALL OF BLOOD

CHAPTER 18

RP1

The soul's evil laugh must have been the first thing to reach your ears. A laugh so cruel, even Satan might have shied away from it. The detached soul came floating through the bathroom door, a smirk evident on her face. She briefly stopped to sniff her fingers again, before lifting her head and doing the same to the air around her.

"Close, very close," she mused. Indeed the prey was very close, but how close the ghost didn't know.

'I need a killing tool,' she thought.

A knife?

Yes.

She must find one quickly. The soul turned around, all the while laughing a sickening tone.

"Come out and play little pre-" The soul stopped midsentence. At first she saw Danico and Nea, then it occurred to her that a white fur creature was on the ground as well.

"Well… That was quick?

RP 1

CHAPTER 19

DANICO

NEA

Danico sighed in relief. It was just a ghost. He could deal with an insane disembodied spirit. If only shapeshifters were that easy... he thought, looking at the white lion.

"Can I help you, madam? You seem to be looking for something." He examined the stains on the ghost's dress. Humph. She must be one of the violent sort. I might as well give her my full introduction, then. "I'm Danico, a murderer, a thief and a master puppeteer. I'm sure it would have been a pleasure to meet to meet you in life..." But definitely not now, as you are in death, he added as an afterthought. Was she hit by lightning? That would definitely explain away the hair.

Nea looked at Danico strangely.

"Danico, who are you talking to?" She asked, wondering what Danico was seeing that she definitely wasn't. "I heard from over there right now, but that's it." She pointed towards the kitchen. She wasn't surprised at Danico's conversation. She'd spent too many years with him for that. Everyone had their own oddities, but his, admittedly were worse than most.

RP 1

Chapter Twenty

ELIZABETH

It was like a killed-in-a-car-crash, physically-unstable version of Alice. The one from wonderland.

I briefly wondered if it was the Jabberwocky's blood on her dress, although then it would've been blue...

I finally relaxed and eased my cat-like bum so I may sit on the ground and start clawing the unrealistically soft and oh-so-clawy carpet. I liked the jaguar nails better though, they give much more satisfaction.

I purred as a bored yawn escaped through my razor-sharp teeth and I smiled at the Alice-like figure.

RP 1

CHAPTER 21

DANICO

NEA

Danico watched Elizabeth claw the carpet in horror. How stupid could that... that cat be? He threw an anxious glance back at the portraits on the wall. If it were possible they seemed even more ominous than before.

Stupid, stupid cat! He thought, digging the heel of a very hard boot into a white tail with more than a little pleasure.

Meanwhile Nea grew pale, realizing for the first time that the walls and floor were covered in what seemed like dried blood and the atmosphere of the place was horrible... It was the most unfriendly place she had ever felt, she'd have to be careful here. She shivered, turning around to see the eyes of the two portraits focused on her.

RP 1

Chapter Twenty-Two

ELIZABETH

I viciously snarled at Danico's foot as I felt the crunch in my tail. I could just as well give him a nip where it would hurt the most for a guy!

I quickly shifted into a jaguar so that I could be a little more bouncy. Lions are so stiff.

Glaring at Danico, I moved underneath Nea's hand which was hanging next to her body.

RP 1

CHAPTER 23

DANICO NEA

Nea was startled out of her almost trancelike fear by something exquisitely soft under her hand. She looked down and saw a beautiful black jaguar there. She knelt down, stroking the animal's sleek black fur admiringly.

"Thank you." Nea said, comforted by the warm presence of Elizabeth's strong, lithe body, though she was starting to tremble a little. We've got to get out of here as soon as possible, it feels like something bad can happen here any minute... I wonder where the front door is? At least I have Danico. With him we should get out all right.

Christine in the hall of blood.

Rp1

Chapter 24

The soul had some vague idea that she wasn't very intimidating to these victims. They seemed so relaxed and preoccupied with other things. A sudden raging fit overpowered the soul, but she tried to suppress it for a while.

She failed.

Hissing-rather obvious-through her teeth, Christine suggested;

"Let's play a little cat and mouse game, huh?" Suddenly she disappeared, leaving her cold, echoing voice behind.

"Tag, I'm it…"

CHRITINE LEAVES HALL OF BLOOD

DESTINATION: SOMEWHERE…

RP 1

CHAPTER 25

DANICO

NEA

Danico watched the ghost dissapear apprehensively, wondering when she'd show up again. This was yet another complication in an already complicated situation. For a moment he allowed himself a good deal of frustration, but then his cold, black heart almost stood still as he saw Nea's face near the large, powerful jaws and sharp teeth of the jaguar Elizabeth. The angry jaguar who's tail he had just crushed and who might be bent on a little revenge...

"Nea! Don't!" By the time he finished those two words he had already pulled her away from Elizabeth and they stood a few feet away, Nea giving him a look that clearly said, "You're hopeless." It was then that he realized just how paranoid he was acting... It must be this bloody house, he thought, embarrasment burning through him... And Elizabeth, she must be getting on my nerves.

RP 1

Chapter Twenty-Six

ELIZABETH

I rolled my eyes at how pathetic he was acting. It's not I'm going to kill her or something. Besides, I like people stroking me, it makes my fur go all furry.

The ghost was very amusing, I had hoped it'll stay a little longer. With a scream like that we must've really terrified the old girl.

I decided to have a staring competition with one of the portraits, I was getting bored, really.

RP 1

CHAPTER 27

DANICO

NEA

"We should search the house... We need to know what we're facing and how to get out... Elizabeth, you do the first floor, throw open every door, see if we're truly alone in here. Nea and I are going to do the top floors." His hands were still on Nea's shoulders and she kept quiet, temporarily silenced by the expression on his face.

"Let's go." He said, his hands falling to his sides before he started off.

"Bye, Kitty! Be careful." Nea warned Elizabeth before setting off after Danico.

EXITS THE HALL OF BLOOD

ABOUT TO ENTER THE SILENT BANISTER

RP 1

Chapter Twenty-Nine

ELIZABETH

I yawned as I stared after them. Everything I find now, will be my secret. I giggled evilly and treaded down the hallway.

The hall doesn't seem to scare me anymore, although, these freaking portraits. I wish I could jump at them and rip their heads off. Their expressions are really starting to annoy me.

I decided to start with the door left of the stairs, but a sound caught my attention. A crying voice, coming from my right. A woman? Yes, and she sounded heart-broken.

Curiosity led me to the door and I entered the room.

RP 1

Chapter 33

ELIZABETH

I sat down against the blood smeared wall, catching my breath. My heart raced and my head was swirling in a thousand directions. My hair wouldn't relax, and my muscles were tighter than ever.

That was two rooms, two rooms! Already I felt so lonely and scared I could die, but I would never, ever admit that to anyone. Especially not the certain person who had left me alone on this stupid floor in the first place. I may be able to shape shift into anything, but I am still a woman! What is that guy thinking?!

I felt like crying, like just breaking down right here, right now and die. Stupid, stupid, stupid men!

I recovered after a few minutes of sobbing, or let's say mewling...

I stood up and said out loud to myself: "I'll finish every freaking room, I'll tell him every freaking detail, I'll make him feel so bad!"

I hissed at the stupid portraits while entering the next room.

NEXT CHAPTER BY ME: THE GALLERY

NEXT CHAPTER BY TheNightmareRomeo: POSSIBLY THE BALLROOM

RP 1

Chapter 43

ELIZABETH

I yawned as I clawed the carpet. I felt so good. Maybe I should catch a nap right here, just get a little rest before the next darn room.

I stopped immediately as a sound grabbed my attention. The door at the end of the hall silently creaked open.

I braced myself.

NEXT CHAPTER: THE HALL OF BLOOD

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