Jar of hearts.

What happen in that room with the beautiful woman with the skin of alabaster the eyes as black as night and hair of raven along with the tall shadowy figure that seem to be the imperfect part of her would be lost to my mind until the time opportune for them.

I woke up in bed secure under the sheets with my body feeling thoroughly ravished. I tried to sit upright but a pain like pricks of needle shot through my abdomen my hand rush to grip myself there and my eyes follow as I did so only to see on my wrist not the pearls this time but a delicate bracelet a perfect match to that of the one the old Scarlett Ruin wore in the diner at Drakesville.

I tentatively reach to touch it and trace the markings as I did so I heard a an erie chant of an unintelligent whisper that seem to rush forth in a wild and eccentric overflow just as mysterious as the markings. I drew my hand away as the words rushing in my ear seem to be draw me towards something I was sure I was not in no means want to be apart of but still I made no effort to remove the bracelet.

I look to the window and saw that night had fallen and the candles were lit but somehow I was not surprise to see that once again the house about me having things done when I was to be the only one here. I was begin to accept that I best accept the bizzare and go with the flow.

As I got from the bed I saw that the camcorder was place on the bedside table and was pointed at me as if someone was recording me as I sleep. I reach for it and saw that a red light was flashing. The battery was dieing and from the look of things this house had no electricity, or did it?

I knew this house was not haunted, there was no such things as ghost or undead or spirits or whatever the paranormal bull shit they wanted me to believe exist here. I did not for a minute think all I saw had a thing to do with hauntings of a possessed house. Houses cannot be possesed.

I reach for the camcorder and as I grip it I heard a shuffling behind me. I twisted from my position to look in the direction but all I saw was my room door standing slightly adjar and Layla standing there with a playful smile on her face.

I rush from the bed and pause as a wave of nausea gripped me sending me staggering but with quick gulps of air I breathe in deep and followed the retreating figure my eyes seemingly playing tricks on me.

Why would Layla be here? In all rationality I was beginning to wonder why the hell was I even here. I tried to remain upright as I made after her or who I thought to be her. As she slip into the room at the end of the hall way that lead down into the kitchen I heard childish giggles behind me.

I stop suddenly and slowly turn towards the giggles but the sudden halt sent a bout of nausea rising like bile in the pit of my queasy stomach and it was then that I realize my body felt like it have been ravaged by some deranged being...if only I knew.

I closed my eyes and reach for a nearby table to offer me some support as I tried not to crumble to the floor. The contact of my hand against the ceramic urn that sat upon its surface wobbled, I stared as it did a little spin that seem like a seductive dance.

I knew it all happen in a matter of seconds but it seem as if it was minutes instead that it took to crash to the floor with a resounding shatter that drive the search for Layla, the teasing giggles and the need to faint from my weary mind.

I stared in horror at the contents that spill from the broken urn and sat on the floor amongst the jagged pieces. I clench my fist as if trying to will my hands not to reach for the freakish sight on the floor.

Were those hearts?!

I look from it as I tried not to gag at the stench and the sight of the mutulated organs still matted with blood and whatever blue black sand like matter they had been place in the now broken jar.

One heart stood out amongst the others. That heart was a fresh heart a clear recent addition, it was not something I was happy to see or even know.

Why would a fresh heart be here in a vase with other hearts that seem black and leathery and caving in on itself with what seem to be maggots roaming about in estacy?

I made a shakey step towards it and realize then that I had the camcorder clutched in my other hand. It was as if realizing this brought me back to reality.

I felt a surge of anger vibrate through my body pushing away my earlier emotions and my usual reaction to anything that render me helpless or yes scared erupted from me in anger frustration .

I pointed it at the contents on the floor then at my face as I spoke. "You asshole!" This was for Adolph. "Could you be less of a butthole? Well if you think you're going to send me high tailing from here with your stupid gimmicks you're wrong that five mil is mine you sick twisted creep!"

I pointed at the hearts again ready to further verbalize my intolerance for these demented games. As I did so I realize that I was not alone. It was not the fleeting image of Layla or the child with the creepy childish giggles but instead a shadowy figure hidden in the darken door way of the room which I had dreamt about at the Maze Inn.

I felt a cold that seem to seep all breath from my lungs as I stared at the door way trying to make out if it was Adolph trying to scare me further. I knew whatever it was and I said whatever because the fear that grip me was too real to make it the rich simpleton trying to trick me out of my money.

"What are you?" I heard myself asking.

We stood there me in bone shaking cold and erie silence until it spoke in a voice that I knew did not belong to it. It was the cultured tones befitting that of a gentleman that would no doubt in many years prior to this in the era that this house represented would probably be the owner.

"I am many things."

I wish it had not said that. I blink as I tried to fight the fear that seem to remain steadfast.

"Who the fuck are you?!" I screamed at him.

I heard a sound behind me and I turn to see the little girl from down stairs walking by me. This time I did step back in horror as she reach for the fresh heart and stared at me as she did so.

She was no longer the innocent little girl with the thick ringlets of shiney hair, clean pure creamy skin, pretty dress with lace frills, shiney black shoes and white socks with matching lace who had wanted to play with what did not belong to her because of childhood mischief.

No this was not a beautiful Scarlet but a wild stench filled carcass of black liquid like soot draining from her ears, nose and mouth. Her hair was now hanging in clumps of uncombed chunks.

I only knew it was her because of her dress. Her feet were bear and dirty just like her little hands with thier stubby fingers that now held the heart. I watch as she sniff it and her body shiver in what I deem as delight.

She was now caressing it loving, tracing its valves and outline before she snap her head back to me her body creaking like an old house.

I did not know why I thought the sound to be like an old house creaking or as I look down at her I knew that she was very much The House, the real Scarlett Ruins.

I clutch my chest in pain as she bit down into the organ she held and rip it with rotten black teeth. I felt all life seep from my body as I crumple to the floor the figure at the door now standing by a once again beautiful little Scarlet.

I tried to keep my eyes open but I lost all will as I slip into a deep darkness with the figure by the door saying in a now creepy other worldy voice,

"I am restoration."