Take One Step Forward, Take Two Steps Back [entries|friends|calendar] Bethany Richards aka Beth [ userinfo | greatestjournal userinfo ] [ calendar | greatestjournal calendar ]

All Good Things [05 Nov 2006|09:34pm] [ mood | stressed ] Note: Occurs after Hardest Thing ------ Non Journal Entry ------ It was strange, the further you moved away from danger, the closer it seemed to get. Bethany thought she had done the right thing by getting away before it had descended upon her from the shadows of the night but it would seem that with all things, you had to expect the unexpected. The night air was punctuated with the sounds of struggle, harsh breathing, splashes of crimson highlighted the midnight black canvas upon which a battle was painted. One body fell, another followed, and with a breathless groan of pain the Slayer they hunted collided with a nearby wall. Her lip was split, her skin glistening with sweat and her body cut and battered beyond what a normal person could repair but she remained upright and just as ferocious as the day she’d been born. She was outnumbered ten to one but that was better than fifteen to one, believe it or not. Growling in the back of her throat, she pushed away from the wall and sliced open a throat with the razor sharp edge of her blade and ducked beneath a heavy swing. Her swift movement across the ground was stopped abruptly by the knife in the side; a soft gasp and a short fall had her face down against sodden tarmac. Bethany had little time to react before there was a rough hand in her blonde hair and her head was jerked back, throat movements ceased the moment a blade was pressed along the elegant arch. “We got you now, pretty Slayer.” In the next instant, Bethany’s face was slammed back into the ground, her world faded to black and she knew nothing more. Test My Patience

Hardest Thing [04 Nov 2006|03:20am] [ mood | rushed ] ( Handwritten letter to Darian ) ( Handwritten letter to Victoria ) Test My Patience

FUBAR [19 Oct 2006|05:42pm] [ mood | restless ] ------ Non Journal Entry ------ She was in over her head. Bethany knew this and also knew the value of going to ground to gather your strength to strike when they least expected it. She’d picked a fine time to discover her deeply hidden moral fibre - that much was obvious. The Slayer had counted several demon families of varying importance and knew that whilst she had many contacts they had a great deal more. Little girl had been left in Ralphael’s care along with Bethany’s properties with the assurance that all things would be taken care until she returned because this was no time for pride. There were goodbyes to be said and God she hated those but she had to or die like some pathetic human being – something she would never be or even allow. Bethany Richards was better than that. Test My Patience

Dead Of Night [13 Sep 2006|12:11am] [ mood | working ] Shadow was to the Slayer that cloth was to skin, a layer to hide beneath, a layer to warp and use to her own devices and a means to an end. She’d already killed two guards and hopped the fence and was making her way across the lawn. The security systems had been long mapped out and planned against and Bethany was moving with all the elegant confidence and grace she had become infamous for. The outside of the house wasn’t what worried her, it was what was inside the house that did. It might have appeared normal to the naked eye but Bethany had been made aware of certain security measures that went far beyond the realm of normal. Magical incantations and charms specifically designed to ward off intruders and keep all those with demonic blood out. Fortunately Bethany was a woman that came prepared and was therefore ready to tackle them. ( Job Done ) Test My Patience

Reunion [11 Sep 2006|10:53am] [ mood | blank ] Another busy night at Heaven's Peak, it was exactly how Bethany liked business to be. The more people that flocked to her club the better her sales and the healthier her bank account. Her other club, still in progress had yet to be named but it would seem she was uninspired. She wasn't the sort to rush anything; she'd open it when the time was right. She was dressed in a deep midnight blue and she was barely visible beneath the dark lights except for the occasional strobe of blistering white. Nodding to her security she moved along the top landing and the click of her heels was barely visible above the pounding music. Nails scraped along the railing, tapping on the odd occasion before stilling as Bethany regarded the lower floor and she watched the participants of the dance floor. Tristan had 'acquired' a Harley and made his way to Bethany's club, Heaven's Peak. Vampires and motorcycles were not always wise partners, but it had been the first vehicle he could find. Actually, it was the first meal he could find that came with a shiny ride. He parked the bike in a slot near the building and approached the door. A different man guarded the door then Tristan remembered. He moved to enter and the man blocked his way. What the hell? "Hey! What's the deal." The guard's eyes narrowed and he basically told Tristan that he couldn't enter. "What do you mean I can't come in?" Tristan roared. Sure, his last conversation with Bethany wasn't as friendly as the past, but he didn't think it had gone that badly. "Listen, please, just tell Bethany it's Tristan. I...I need to talk to her. Tell her it's important." The guard nodded at another man and he went inside in search of the Boss. ( Shift ) Bethany just regarded Tristan, it was hard to imagine that she had felt what she had for the vampire. Time really was a healer. "When the time is right," She remarked with a nod. Two vampires with two debts. Not a bad thing to have when you lived the life that Bethany lived. Tristan stood and followed Ralphael. The expression on his face relaxed when he turned his thoughts inward. Things had a way of going his way eventually, he thought. He controlled his own destiny. The cards were not in his favor at the moment, but that would change. A shower, clean clothes, and a meal, and he'd feel better. Yeah, he thought...Tristan was back. He'd killed one Slayer here. Maybe he should just kill them all. That would show them not to mess with him anymore. Bethany may have him by the cojones at the moment, but it wouldn't always be that way. He'd pay her the debt he owed her, and then he'd be free. If she didn't want to be friends, or even business partners anymore, that would be just fine with him. Bethany watched Tristan's departure and then rested into her chair to return to business. Tristan was back and whilst they'd always had an amicable partnership in the past, behaviour and months had turned her particular mood in regards to the vampire sour and there would be clear instructions to watch him. The Slayer was nothing if not careful and precise. Betrayal always came at a high cost for those that committed it and mercy was not within her vocabulary Test My Patience

Creative [30 Aug 2006|01:19pm] [ mood | working ] ------ Non Journal Entry ------ The Slayer had spent a few day since her meeting with Devora preparing for the job she’d been hired to do. You could never accuse Bethany of not being creative; she had researched the family and learned that they were rich enough to afford certain artistic creations. Picasso, Monet, all the greats and thankfully with her background Bethany knew a lot more than most people thought. Wine, art, and good dining. Bethany did partake in the finer things in life after all. She was an expert in her field and was using that particular skill to aid her now. She’d already spoken to the father and had expressed an interest in a particularly sought after piece of Picasso and had managed to convince him to allow her to view it before making an offer. She wasn’t a woman to put money down without seeing the prize. Bethany would be slipping through the thick heavy gates in a day’s time and this would allow her the chance to learn the mansion inside and out. It would also gift her with the time she needed to observe and learn the people behind the family name. Both things would be vital when she made her move. It was strange how fast time sped away and how work absorbed the woman until everything else just sort of flittered away. All except for the longing, yes …it was longing, for Darian. She knew that given their workaholic natures that he wouldn’t hold her absence against her but she felt she’d been absent enough. Ralpahel could handle everything for the night, she felt like seeing Darian. Perhaps even surprise him, the Dealmaker who made it his prerogative to know everything. Yes tonight was a night for all things forgotten in favour of business and money. Test My Patience

Hiccup [20 Jul 2006|10:54pm] [ mood | frustrated ] ------ Non Journal Entry ------ Bethany was coated in sweat, practically dripping actually. She’d spent the entire day inside of her new club with the baking heat of the Nevada desert and with an air conditioning unit that didn’t work. The Slayer was clad in nearly nothing at all; just a simple black tank and a pair of hot pants which were more than capable of wrapping certain curves that Bethany had no shame in showing. “What do you mean you won’t have it fixed before Monday?” She asked, voice clipped and strained. Tension was palpable in every movement of throat muscles. The engineer shifted, looked uncomfortable and scratched at the back of his neck. “Old wiring in the building, it’s gonna take a couple days so Monday is the best I can do.” Brown eyes darkened and entire posture tightened almost as if she was ready to rip this man’s head off his pathetic excuse for a body. “You will have it fixed by Friday if you value your reputation in this town, is that understood?” Her voice held a threat, an unspoken warning that if he did not get the air conditioning working before Monday Bethany would tear his business apart. She’d probably smile whilst doing it as well. He swallowed, hard and long, you’d have to be blind to miss the rise and fall of that overly pronounced Adam’s apple. “I get ya,” He supplied with a hurried nod before he was practically scrambling to get away from the blonde. Bethany growled after him, frustration bubbling beneath the surface and cheeks inflamed with heat and absolute annoyance at the ineptitude of those around her. She needed a drink. Test My Patience

Getting There [02 Jun 2006|12:07am] [ mood | working ] ------ Non Journal Entry ------ “What do you think?” Bethany folded her arms across her chest as she stepped deeper into the recently vacated building that had once housed a casino, “It’s perfect.” Ralphael took a few measured steps, “You really sure this is what you want? Another thing to worry about? Yet more paperwork?” She shot Ralphael a smile, “There’s no other way than up.” She had always been ruthless and had always desired power and one more business meant a bigger stake in Vegas and a better chance of spreading her reputation. He chuckled softly and shook his head, “I’ll get our people in, start the renovations and it should be up and running within a couple weeks.” Bethany nodded her head and turned her head, blonde hair sweeping right and left as she did. “Yeah, this is going to be great.” Whenever she set her mind to anything she accomplished it and now would be no different. Her arms fell away and were tucked back behind her back as her slow swaggering stride took her through the length of the building and down a flight of stairs. Yes, this would be great, she was sure of that. Test My Patience

Tsk Tsk [24 May 2006|12:04am] [ mood | working ] Payment was long overdue; patience had long since been tested but a phone call this morning had assured the Slayer that if she were to visit the club then payment would be made. Bethany had agreed but a life of experience with all those things that lurked in shadow had gifted her with an uncanny ability to sense when there was a rat and this entire thing felt wrong. The Slayer would be stepping away from the safety of her club and delving into the very darkest hellholes that Vegas had to offer which meant she was going prepared. Her outfit was form fitting black leather and throwing knives wrapped an ample thigh whilst Sai rested around her other thigh, weapons were then hidden beneath a long coat that wrapped her form and presented an innocent exterior. To look at her you wouldn’t think her deadly but delve beneath the surface and all preconceived notions would be proven wrong. Blonde hair fell in a singular plait along the length of her back and her eyes were subtly brought out of her face by a streak of black eyeliner. She looked every part the Vixen she was meant to be for this meeting. Earlier in the evening she had requested Grace’s presence in her office and it was coming around to that time. If the vampire agreed then Bethany had backup but if not then Bethany had total confidence in her own abilities to stay alive and walk out of that place like she owned it. Grace had just come off of breaking up a fight in the men's room when she got the message. Two guys with haircuts out of an eighties porno movie had apparently been trying to score with the same girl when they ran across each other in the john and started trading punches. The first one didn't put up much of a struggle, so the vampire just tossed him out, but the second one was stupid enough to break a empty beer bottle over her head, and that made her mad enough to break one of his arms and his jaw before throwing him out through the doors and onto the sidewalk. "Don't bring him in here anymore," she told his friend, then stalked back inside. "Stupid bastard..." She was just picking the last of the glass out of her hair when Wayne, another bouncer, said that Bethany wanted to see her, so she made her way to the Slayer's office and knocked on the door before opening it and poking her head into the room. "You asked for me?" ( Services ) Bethany smirked as she took the bag of cash and she then began out of the back, pausing only to step over the security guards that they had disabled earlier on. She passed a look over the men rolling around on the ground and gave a small disapproving snort, “Come on the night’s still young.” The door was held open for Grace until the Slayer delved deep into the bar itself. "Now I'm hungry," the vampire griped, but she almost smiled when she said it. "If I eat somebody on the way back, will you mind? I wouldn't wanna save it until we're back at work, getting rid of the evidence is kind of difficult when I'm on shift." Yeah, this whole job thing was working out just fine. And maybe she and Jack would run across each other in a nice, dark alley some night. She could finish that little piece of business on her own time. Test My Patience

Expansion [21 Apr 2006|07:27pm] [ mood | working ] ( Voicemail For Victoria ) “Ready to talk Bethany?” The man asks as he looks towards the Slayer that has recently hung up her phone. Bethany cocks an eyebrow and then puts on a dazzling breathtaking smile as she angles her body back towards the businessman. “Always.” “Are you sure you wish to branch out?” He questions gravely and does so with many years of experience beneath his belt. Bethany smiles and laces her fingers together, “Without a shadow of doubt in my mind.” A nod is given as he angles the paper towards her, “Property for sale.” Test My Patience

Gifts [16 Apr 2006|09:55pm] [ mood | thoughtful ] ------ Non Journal Entry ------ An expensive suit made from the finest materials and by one of the most famous designers that the world had ever known had been ordered along with a fine pair of silver cufflinks and dark silk tie. The measurements were just right; familiarity had gifted Bethany with the ability to order it without so much as stretching a tape across Darian’s chest or legs. Shoes however were things he might have to provide by himself. She had yet to learn his shoe size but all in good time. Along with the suit, a wide selection of food had been stored in a hamper basket. Perhaps she was unable to solve his problems or help to a great degree given the nature of his problem but she could still aid his passage from demon to human. A voicemail left on his phone suggested that he looked outside of his door at around noon; all items would be place there at that time. Bethany was giving him space, the room to breathe but was still reminding him that she was there and a part of his life, even if it was vastly different. To be in Bethany’s good books was to be graced with a generosity that was both startling and surprising but to be in her bad books was another matter entirely. Hopefully Darian would do as suggested and peek outside of his door at noon. Test My Patience

Working Days [11 Apr 2006|03:03pm] [ mood | pissed off ] ------ Non Journal Entry ------ “Give me the gun,” was the clear instruction given by the blonde. Ralphael’s eyes shifted to her and questioned her. “I said, give me the gun.” Bethany replied as she folded her arms across her chest and she wrapped her fingers around tensely held arms. Ralphael complied; he moved towards her and held the gun out to her. Slender fingers took a hold of the butt and eyes glanced to the young man that had been apprehended earlier by Ralphael and security and that was now cowering in the corner. “What made you think you could come into my club with a weapon? And what kind of stupidity honestly made you think you could get away with it?” The young man mumbled some kind of response but frankly Bethany didn’t care enough to listen. She had been looking for an excuse to vent for a while, this guy just happened to be in the wrong place at just the right time. The gun was lifted, the trigger curled around and then a sharp twitch had the trigger being pulled and soon torturous screams were filling the walls and serenading the blonde Slayer. Click clack of high heels brought her weight over to where the young man was sat hunched over clutching at his knee as blood poured out from the wound inflicted upon him by Bethany. Touch of cool metal found the gun being pressed against and into the side of his skull. “Remember this moment because in this moment I could have killed you, pulled the trigger and made the pathetic excuse you have for a life go bye bye.” The gun was pulled away and then turned through lethal hands, “But I won’t because my business thrives on word of mouth and you’re going to tell them all about this now aren’t you?” The answer was a sequence of quick enthusiastic nods and then a breathless, “Yes.” Lips curled and Bethany moved a hand to pat against the side of the young man’s face, “Good boy.” The gun found itself being taken apart piece by piece, Bethany’s preferred weapons of choice were ones with sharp blades but she was well versed in all kinds of weaponry. The pieces were flung toward Ralphael and Bethany rose away from the ground to her feet, “Get him out of my sight.” Security moved forward, wrapped the younger man around the arms and dragged him from the room and ejected him out of the doors. Someone would find him or he’d find someone, either way, people would learn the lesson that all needed to learn. Weapons were not welcomed in Heaven’s Peak. Bethany Richards’ presence vanished from sight, disappeared behind the door that swung closed and Ralphael was left holding the dismembered pieces of a gun. Such was life. Test My Patience

Musings [08 Apr 2006|12:32pm] [ mood | uncomfortable ] ------ Non Journal Entry ------ Bethany stands atop of her crystal palace, fingers steepled together and chin placed upon the sharp tips. The floor beneath her heeled feet is thudding, vibrating with life and yet she feels nothing. Her mind is lost in speculative thought; passion is long forgotten in favour of analytical musings. She sees nothing beyond the pulse that moves in time to the beat, she can hear it and see it. Bodies are as one; sweat glistens and pools in the navels of bellies and across the length of the floor. People are ignorant creatures; they see nothing beyond the length of their own noses. It works in her favour when she wants it to. Silk moulds and shimmers as she moves; every step is measured and well practised. Bethany moves with grace and confidence, she’s a strong woman and she’s unafraid. Sex and violence, two things she knows better than most and oozes from almost every pore. Heads turn as the woman in red silk steps through the pulsating mass of bodies, she ignores them in favour of seeking the bar. A drink, she needs a drink. Help kiss away the worry lines and the furrows she knows have formed in her brow from concern over Darian and the clear liquid will also ease away anxiety about everyone else she knows. Disconnect. A word familiar and almost alien at the same time, perfect for a description of how Bethany’s feeling right now. Social world has spun and dipped until it’s no longer what it had been once. Business is as always steady and solid ground, she likes that it rarely pulls the rug out from under her feet. Ralphael gestures and Bethany swallows away the Martini and steps away from the bar, speaking of business, there’s much to be done. Test My Patience

Mutual Enemy [17 Mar 2006|11:02pm] [ mood | pleased ] The one constant, life never stopped and people never stopped. Maybe some died, others quit but most continued to live. Some to the fullest, others not. It usually depended on their personality, lifestyle and chosen drug of choice. Bethany Richards' drug of choice? Free will and the exploitation of those weaker or dumber than herself. Exploitation could really come in many forms. You could use cheap workers to get the labour done on time or you could supply a club full of people with so much debauchery that they failed to see what was going on right beneath their noses. Things like people vanishing from the floor. Bethany had clients to feed after all. Ralphael had been sending her worried glances all night, she hadn't spoken about her ordeal and didn't intend to. Some things were better left unsaid and she believed in moving on with life as quickly as possible. Her attire was suited to her personality once again; black silk and blood red tank top. Dangerous heel swung back and forth aimlessly as she twitched her foot and poured over the information in front of her. The constant thud of bass was reassuring beneath her feet and translated into the *tap tap tap* sound of her nails echoing off the flat surface of her desk. Vampires, like people, tended to get into patterns, even if they didn't require nearly so much money to just keep on surviving. The intelligent ones, especially those who liked challenges, however, usually had more focused objectives to keep tabs on. Then there were those like Katherine, who were fully capable of doing a lot of things, but simply preferred taking a break, every once in a while, to enjoy themselves in the pleasures of flesh or similarly mindless entertainment. She wasn't interested in politics - too much work and it was the guys behind the proverbial throne who tended to get the real rewards, in any case. No, she was more of an opportunist, taking her fill however she pleased and setting herself little entertaining tasks to screw up the lives of the great and the powerful, whenever she got bored enough to find it a refreshingly entertaining possibility. Then there were times like these, when the actions of another demanded some sort of explanation. Whether Katherine might have survived without her assistance was unknown. What mattered, was that in the process of inflicting violence upon others, the vampiress had caught alight and set on flames. Age tended to be the deciding factor and she had a few moments longer than newly turned examples of her kind, before body would be reduced to ash and she would scream out of existence entirely. Bethany had seen her plight and cracked open a water source sufficiently for the brunette to be doused in soothing liquid, putting out the fire and making sure that she would kill another day. And that stuck in her craw... Not quite being able to figure out the why of it. Not really knowing why the girl did it. A Slayer, apparently, but one who she already knew was a lot darker than most. So, why did she even care? Why not just look out for number one and to hell with everyone else? "Uh, tell her it's Katherine..." The vampiress didn't often take the 'official channels' route, but she was here to seek answers, not force out a bloody confession and, besides, had come to look upon the nightclub proprietor as something of a potential source of income, should she require anybody to be murderously dealt with. "We had a little business a while back. Remind her about the tank - she'll remember." ( Why Did You Do It? ) ( Heard About You ) Bethany folded her hands together and propped her angular chin atop of them. "Best of luck." This little interlude had broken up her rather dull day and she had something of a mission. It never went astray especially when the prize could be such fun. The door opened and Ralphael stepped into the office and seemed to hold the door open for Katherine. "Yeah," the vampire fare welled with a semblance of vague 'salute' given with a couple of fingers touching forehead in a half-hearted wave. "You, too." A Slayer she could see eye to eye with... Well, there was always a first time. Test My Patience

Together Again [01 Mar 2006|01:10am] [ mood | okay ] I’m back on my feet - shaky feet - but my feet nonetheless. Victoria was the perfect friend; she picked me up and brushed me off. Something I’m grateful for as she’s done it before and she did it again without hesitation. You would think that blood would be easy to get out but it’s hard to rub away especially when it’s dried and caked itself onto your skin. It’s funny how hard it is to be rid of it when it’s been on your skin for so long, never thought it would bother me as much as it did. I know the burn will scar as will some of the lacerations but I suppose that this time these are scars that I’ll be proud to wear. They speak of survival; the strongest prevailed over the weak. Ralphael did well in my absence but there were never any doubts. He knows the business like the back of his hand after all. I’ve covered my tracks, taken care of the messier details and done away with what remains of the bodies. Proper burials be damned, they don’t deserve it and I have better ways to spend my money. Clothes were burned, knives cleaned and carefully put together appearance right back to where it should be. It’s time life went back to normal, whatever normal is. Test My Patience

Finality [19 Feb 2006|06:15pm] [ mood | uncomfortable ] ------ Non Journal Entry ------ Never thought it would come to this. All three of them dead by my hand, pretty heads lined up in a row with a heart between them. Blood staining the ground and marring every inch of skin and clothing. Hair used to be blonde but it’s a murky shade of brown, dirt has long since been ground into strands and I know my skull is cut. Cut deep, so deep, my blood has poured down my neck until it’s worked through my collar and the material is sticky. I never used to shake but I’m trembling and it feels like I might be falling apart. It was supposed to feel good, all of this was supposed to be over when they died but the memories - they’re not letting go. Lines upon lines of injury stretch across me, it’s the burn that hurts the most and it’s the fever that will eventually send me over the edge. The urge to pick at encrusted scab is difficult to resist but I know I must or it’ll never heal. Tears gather in my eyes, I don’t even know why I’m crying. Maybe it’s because I did what needed to be done and it should have felt good but it doesn’t. Maybe it’s because I’m tired of people turning and I’m tired of being the one to put them in their place. Or maybe it’s none of those things and it’s just excess emotion. Hours have gone, seconds stretch into minutes and I know I should move. I should pick myself up and flee before news of this spreads and the authority is brought in. What will they find? One head minus its body, a heart without the chest that held it and a body so battered it’s hard to tell one feature from another. We used to be friends, we used to care for one another but it all changed the moment my wrists were slit and my blood was pouring out. It’s all changed and they’re all dead like they should be. I’ve no illusions, I’m no better than them but there is one thing I’m better at – surviving. It’s hard to move but if I push down with both my palms I can force my legs to straighten and I can bring myself up. I know I’m a mess, I can feel every inch of skin and the bruises are throbbing. It’ll take me a while to heal and some of it will scar but I ought to be used to those by now. Plan was foiled, women dead and I’m alive. Seems I got exactly what it was I was looking for. Suppose I should feel happier than I do but I think I’ll get there in the end, once everything’s stopped hurting. Put one foot in front of the other and slink into shadow, hope my blood doesn’t give me away. Get somewhere safe, get to someone that can be trusted. It’s over, it’s done with. Test My Patience

Conclusion [18 Feb 2006|10:07pm] [ mood | stressed ] ------ Non Journal Entry ------ If your past is really what makes you who you are then Bethany had been doomed before she had even started. Over privileged parents that saw having a child as the ultimate accessory to their granderous lifestyle. Practical reality had soon stripped the glitter from the dream. Babies cried, demanded attention and expected to be loved. How could two people so self involved love anyone or anything but themselves? Love became gifts, monetary compensation for absentee parents. The finest clothes, the most expensive schools and the most extravagant parties. Bethany’s parents were stupid with their money, didn’t seem to appreciate it as they should. The girl was an exception, she possessed a love for money but she wielded it with care. Her friends had always had more money than sense, they had been happy to take the substitute in place of parents. Cash was love, love was cash. Unlike the rest of her peers Bethany was not content with towing the line. She wanted to step over it and shake her parents’ foundations to the ground. Like most hateful embittered teenagers Bethany found refuge in chaos. She drank, she partied, she took drugs and she indulged in sexual escapades that would turn most people’s hair white. Debauchery gave way to vocal and blatant insolence. The good name and reputation of her family was dragged through the mud and her parents decided it had to stop. Therapy had been the first step on a very long road to what her parents thought was recovery. It failed and her parents thought it best for Bethany if she was sent away. They flew her halfway across the world where they wouldn’t have to deal with her and all they had built was safe from harm. Like most of her life up until this point, Bethany became the sole disturber of the peace and exasperation ran riot in the boarding school. Expulsion was not far from the foreseeable future. It was during a long detention that Bethany first met Melanie. The other girl had snuck off campus to visit with a man twice her age and had been caught upon her return. Initially neither girl took much notice of the other but as time passed and the detentions repeated, they began to talk and exchanged names. They shared interests, the most common being the hatred for their parents. Bethany soon became familiar with Julianne and Janette and the four became as thick as thieves and their combined intellects led them to places that some would later regret. Boredom and frustration began the delusions and sheer force of will saw those delusions through. Bethany’s uniqueness had become topic for conversation and Melanie having been usurped by Bethany thought to use it to her gain whilst dragging the others down with her. Months passed, information was gathered and a ritual was found. It used blood and bestowed power onto those that cast it. Great deliberation was given to the idea and eventually it was decided that it was in fact the action they wanted to take. The actual events surrounding when and how are murky at best, Bethany remembers snippets but nothing more and nothing less. Severe trauma and blood loss had left blanks where memory should have been. There had been a fire, Julianne had died and Bethany had been considered depressed and suicidal. Bethany recovered but for the rest of the term, she didn’t see or even speak to the other girls. Promises had gone unfulfilled and anger along with resentment had replaced good feeling. Janette and Melanie were as dead to her as Julianne. It was in her nineteenth year that Bethany gained her freedom and it was the last the school would ever see of her. Parents died and new life had been forged, Bethany had become a woman. Perhaps she had been doomed from the start but Bethany Richards was who she was and there would be no changing her and there would be no mercy for those that threatened her. Her former friends had blacklisted themselves the moment they used and abused her and Bethany believed in her own form of justice. Julianne and Janette had already paid the price which left Melanie, the real mastermind behind all of this. The best was always left for last. Days and nights had gone into finding the Witch and it was with a well delivered kick and a roll of head and heart across the floor that Bethany announced her presence. The next few hours would be vital, only one would survive and both would fight as hard as they possibly could. Melanie was weakened and Bethany was tired, it would seem the two had a level playing field but dirty fighting was expected. It was time to settle a feud started years ago. Test My Patience

Tear [15 Feb 2006|11:42pm] [ mood | predatory ] ------ Non Journal Entry ------ Trophies were an expected token when one slayed their enemies and bathed in their blood. Bethany never usually took trophies, she never felt like she needed them to validate herself and the victory she had achieved but with Janette and Julianne, it was a different matter. A head and a heart provided her with everything she needed to twist the proverbial knife and slice through the link. Her body bore every sign of battle, blood and injury littered skin and eyes were dark and wide. Clothes were ripped and fingernails laden with dirt and skin thick with sweat. Trails of salt had cut through the grime and thin slithers of ivory clashed with crimson and black. “I have what you need,” She spoke, her voice low and trembling with repressed rage that would later find an outlet. It was important to channel the emotion the right way or the entire world would turn red and anyone that looked at her funny would be found dead the next morning. The blind woman turned a blank stare to the woman that had paid a considerable amount for her services. She had become known as a woman capable of a great many things in spite of not having the sight that most took for value. Bethany had sought her out because of what she could do and she had all the requested items and God help Melanie. “Give them to me,” The blind woman instructed as her hands stretched outwards towards the power she could feel emanating from Bethany. Bethany did as instructed, she handed over both head and heart and silently respected the woman for how she handled both items with very little regard. Like the head and heart were ordinary day to day objects rather than important parts of people that had once been alive. Hands traced through blood and encircled the heart and it was almost as if life was infused back into the rapidly greying tissue. The other hand wrapped tendrils of hair until the hair was taut and pressed as closely to skin as it was ever going to get. “I see it now, the link of which you spoke.” The blind woman mused beneath her breath as her reach went beyond what she held in her hands. “I can break it, snap it in two. It’s already weakened with their deaths but I can sever the final connection.” There was barely a flicker of expression as the blonde planted both hands on the table and inclined her weight forward. “Break it.” There was a nod of the head and the woman seemed to be lost in the action. Words were spoken, energy was transferred and passed through the ether of life and sent rippling along a link formed by time. Somewhere in the depths of Las Vegas, a woman was screaming in agony as every single nerve ending was lit on fire and her core was ripped apart from the inside out. The connection between blind woman and Melanie was brief but Melanie’s pain would be endless whilst the woman had not been touched, simply drained by the encounter. “It’s done,” She remarked very simply as her head tilted back towards the Slayer and her unfathomable gaze settled on Bethany’s features. “Good,” Bethany returned with the smallest of smug smiles. No judgement had been passed on Bethany; it was not the woman’s place. She had been paid to do a job and a job she had done but she couldn’t stop herself from passing along a small piece of advice. “Be sure that this is how you want this to end.” Bethany pulled both head and heart back towards her but stopped as the woman spoke. Her expression flickered for a few moments until it hardened and she replied, “They started this and I intend on finishing it.” Her tone was as cold as ice and her eyes seemed to gleam. Very little time was spared as Bethany turned and saw herself out. The door slammed shut after her and the sun burned her eyes until her head was turned away and her body was enveloped in shade. The light had no place with her. Test My Patience

Two Down [12 Feb 2006|05:13am] [ mood | pissed off ] ------ Non Journal Entry ------ They’ve been doing this for three hours and neither one has the upper hand. Janette’s dead, neck snapped like a twig. Seems she made the mistake of getting in the way and Julianne couldn’t keep herself in check but that’s no surprise. She’s always been excessive. Drink and drugs were her poisons of choice but now its power and she’s not giving it up. Not without a fight. Sweat has long since dampened hair to skin and chests are heaving. Powers and strength waning; it’s now a simple of tenacity and determination. It’s never clear who strikes who first but it always connects and there’s a sound that echoes from the walls and it’s enough to make a person want to grind their teeth together. Pale skin is streaked with red, the shade varies depending on where the blood came from and how excessive the bleeding. There’s no love loss between the two. Julianne knows that Melanie wants Bethany alive until the letting of her blood can take place but Bethany has no reason to want Julianne alive. It’s survival of the fittest after all. Melanie wants blood and Bethany intends on giving it but it won’t be hers. She’s bled enough for Melanie’s cause and it’s about time blood was repaid in blood. Grunts are formed and die before they pass from her lips as her fist connects heavily with Julianne’s nose until a sharp hiss of pain is inspired by the startling burn that runs the length of her right arm. She’s playing dirty, using her gifts against Bethany. The burn stings and Bethany knows it’ll take forever to heal but somehow that’s okay because this is it, the moment she has been waiting for this whole time. Julianne’s guard falls, Bethany’s hand snakes through the gap and grabs a fistful of hair. Ignoring the cracked skin and the blood seeping from the jagged lines, Bethany uses that one arm to slam Julianne into the nearest wall. With her pinned, the Slayer is able to find previously broken bones and break them all over again in the exact same places as her lover. Funny how she was able to go right to them and snap them, very funny. “If you think this hurts, you don’t know the meaning of pain.” Bethany whispers into an ear that can’t turn away because Slayer strength is holding body and head in place. Julianne’s speaking in tongues, trying to conjure strength from the damned souls beneath their feet but a sharp yank to the tongue within her mouth renders her incapable of speech and pushes blood from the depths of her throat. A pink length of anatomy dangles from crimson dipped fingertips and it’s soon discarded to the side as Bethany no longer has use for it and Julianne sure as hell doesn’t. A simple driving force thrusts Julianne’s forehead into the wall until a few telltale cracks can be seen forming across the wall. Blood leaks from around injury delivered to the witch’s forehead and Bethany ignores her own to toss Julianne aside. By now, Bethany’s a walking mass of injury but the adrenaline is keeping her on her feet and anger along with emotions that she doesn’t care to name have kept her moving forward. When she’s done here, there is only one left and that one will be the one that Bethany savours. Set of fingers tangle in Julianne’s hair again and drag her head around so the witch can meet the eyes of the killer that Bethany had always promised to be. “You should have stayed out of Vegas, Julianne.” The bright flash of a blade descended upon the woman and severed any ties she might have had to the living world. Julianne had died once before, death shouldn’t be unknown to her but this time she was damned to live in purgatory. Soul neither meant for heaven nor hell, trapped between the two worlds and tortured for all eternity. A woman couldn’t go to a peaceful end missing her head after all. Test My Patience

Plots And Plans [08 Feb 2006|06:55pm] [ mood | accomplished ] ------ Non Journal Entry ------ A hot and sticky trickle of liquid woke her from her forced slumber. Heavy pained breaths escaped a tied and bound mouth; Slayer had gone to work and had done so with all the cruelty and efficiency that could be expected of her. She tried to move her wrists but found them tied and blood flow was restricted and she was pretty sure she was light headed. "You're awake," A dulcet voice spoke from a nearby shadow. Janette didn't need to see the face to know who was talking to her; she merely implored the figure with her eyes and tried to make her see that none of this had been her idea. How many days had Bethany woken to find those same eyes looking back at her? Too many to count and far too many not worth remembrance. "You might not have instigated this but you went along with it, Janette. That makes you just as bad if not worse than the both of them put together." The blonde stepped out from within the shadow and took long strides towards the restrained witch. She had known better than to leave Janette either her hands or mouth. "I suppose you're wondering why you're here and why you're not dead," Bethany remarked with a thoughtful expression as she paused beside a small table. The tips of her fingers glided across the surface to unlatch clasps. "You have two uses," She flipped the lid open and extracted a long thin blade, "You'll bring Julianne to me and use that precious gift of yours to help guard me against her attacks and I might let you live." Bethany laid the blade across her forearm and walked to the chair that Janette was tied to and then brought the tip along Janette's cheek. The touch wasn't gentle and caused tears to well in Janette's eyes. She had always been weak and would always be weak. Couldn't think or act for herself, it was sad really. Eventually the blade cut away the gag but before Janette had a chance to mouth the words she needed, Bethany's hand was there and was pressing down to suffocate words and silence thoughts she knew she didn't want to hear. "How much is your life worth to you Janette? Do you really wish to throw it away on Julianne and Melanie?" Her head inclined to the right and she regarded the other woman from beneath long eyelashes that gave her an alluring look. "What have they ever done for you?" Janette was the chink in the armour and Bethany specialised in seeking out weakness and using them to her advantage. "I mean sure you have these powers but do you remember who helped you obtain it?" She drew back enough so that Janette could see her entire face and see the answer that was very black and white. Janette simply closed her eyes and made herself look away from the woman she had known as Anna. The hand across her mouth was finally removed so she was able to reply. "I remember, Anna." She inhaled a calming breath and tried to ignore the fire that seemed to be stirring in the back of her skull. "Julianne, Melanie and I are no longer friends. I betrayed her when Darian came looking for answers." Bethany tsked beneath her breath as she paced back and forth in front of Janette, "And how long will that last?" "Forever if I have my way," She returned with a pointed look at Bethany. "So I suppose asking you to help me wouldn't be that far a stretch for you?" Bethany mused thoughtfully as she looked Janette over and saw her handiwork in every bruise and every cut. Janette shook her head, "No, it wouldn't." Once again, her hands twisted against her restraints, "But if I help you, what happens to me?" Bethany leaned in real close until there was an inch of space seperating the two, "You'll just have to wait and see." She now smirked and each eye gleamed with malevolent intent, "And remember if you double cross me, I'll make sure your last moments are slow and torturous." The blade flipped through fingers until it sliced apart the bindings and set Janette free before she was violently yanked to her feet and pulled along behind Bethany. "We have work to do." Test My Patience

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