*      *      *  Carol's POV  *      *      *

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Early the next morning I awoke to find my phone buzzing on my bedside table. Lazily, I reached over to it, turning on the screen and becoming momentarily blinded by the light. I rubbed my eyes back into focus and stared at the new message my phone had recieved.

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Message recieved: 8:07am

From: Private Number

Nice work Carol,

You now have in your posession the box, the 3 names and file 347. I told you this would be your last task, however new complications have presented themeselves. Marcus Fields believes you are responsible for the murder of Sarah and has evidence against you. So on that note, I am prepared to offer you a deal. Kill Marcus Fields and I'll give you $20,000 for your troubles. Have a think about it. You have 3 days to complete this task or my offer will terminate.

-F

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I couldn't stop staring in disbelief at the message. He wanted me to kill someone? There was no way in hell that I would ever kill someone! Stephanie seemed to sense my panic as she started to awaken in my subconcious.

Honestly Caroline, you need to grow some balls. You panic over every little thing.

"Shut up Stephanie, I have good reason to panic! Mark has evidence against us!"

Well if your so worried about it then let me take back control so you can calm down.

"Ha. Right. Nice try Steph."

Can't blame a girl for trying. But seriously, just do what the note says..

"You must be joking."

... Here me out. If what F is saying is true, then we don't really have a lot of options right now. Either we sit here and wait to be arrested or we take him out, destroy the evidence and get an easy $20,000 out of it. Sounds like a good deal to me.

"I don't know what to say to that. I mean you do have a point... a very disgusting point... but I could never kill anyone."

Which is why I'll do it.

"Ha. Let you take control? Never again."

Fine then. We will do nothing and be sent to jail. See if I care.

"Fine I will!"

Good.

"Good!"

*       *       *       *

The next two days went by like a blur. I did nothing at all and stayed in my appartment, all the while pondering what the message had asked me to do. If only I had the guts.... then maybe I could do it.... but maybe it would be better if she did it... so I wouldnt feel so guilty for the rest of my life knowing I killed a man... but I couldn't really trust her could I? I mean.... she gives me no reason to trust her... but she was smart and quick at getting the file... maybe she would be quick at this too... but what if she took over completely and didn't give me my body back?... then what would I do? What would happen to Peter?... My head was becoming more overwhelming with more thoughts by the second, giving me headaches and worrying me even more about the bad consequences that could come out of it. There was more bad than good consequences. But I guess when it comes down to it... I didn't really have a choice. I knew what must be done. Marcus Fields must die.

Of corse I wasn't entirely happy with the thought of consenting to let Stephanie do this to another human being, who was only doing this job, but this had to be done. There was no way around this. It was either jail or freedom. When this was all over, everything would go back to normal.... surely it would. I let Stephanie back into my thoughts.

Well, look who it is. Decided to accept my services after all?

"Mhm, no need to be smug about it. But there is one ground rule."

Let me guess, give you back our body when its done?

"Exactly."

In that case, I have a proposal. I will follow this ground rule IF you give me more freedom to use this body on a regular basis.

"How regular are we talking?"

4 full days each week.

"Your joking right?"

'Fraid not.

I could feel her smiling and could feel the confidence that was radiating from her essence. She knew I'd agree, one way or another. I hated feeling so desperate and utterly helpless.

"Fine. But I'm choosing which days."

Fine by me. So have we got a deal partner?

"Yes."

I knew I'd regret this and I knew she'd find a way to use this against me somehow, in a different way.

It will be done tomorrow.

"Alright" I said quietly, trying to ignore the imaginary scene forming in my head.

Stephanie (me, MY body), standing over Marcus, covered in his blood and smiling sinisterly down at him as he begged for his life. Stephanie showing no mercy and finishing him off for good. 

The screams of pain.

Darkness splattered with blood.

Stephanies face turning into that of the devil.

Just the thought was enough to cause insanity...

Stephanie took over.