text: That's the spirit! I knew you had it in you!
  
  Okay so you're feeling uncharacteristically motivated today, that's a start, but where exactly you're going to begin is another question.
  
  Getting a job might be the way to go, but you have no idea what you might be qualified for. You could go to a family member for help or your old friend the internet as usual.
  > ask your Uncle Ed
  It might be morbid curiosity that's causing you to ask Uncle Ed. He obviously is getting money from somewhere, but you and everyone else can only guess how. It's most likely illegal no doubt.
  
  As you approach the door to the garage, you have a feeling of dread overcome you, but you press on anyway.
  
  Upon opening the door you see Ed's van and various other things that would be in a garage. Everything looks normal. Of course you haven't actually inspected the little apartment space that exists above the garage where Ed actually sleeps.
  
  You make your way up the steps only to find Ed isn't there. His place isn't exactly as you imagined it. It's clean! Everything is neatly packed away. In fact he appears to be the neatest person in the house.
  
  His bed is neatly made and doesn't appear to be slept in, which is odd since his van is here, unless he made it already and went out during the day without his van. Of course that would be out of character behavior for him as you know him to be a night owl.
  
  You shrug your shoulders and decide to wait for him. Waiting for you though doesn't include just sitting, you start to snoop around. Without thinking anything of it you open up his large freezer... 
  
  Inside are heads and other body parts. Frozen blood paints the inside of the freezer. You scream in shock and fall backwards.
  
  "So, now you know, what many in this family have probably already whispered about for years. Knew I shouldn't have slept in the van last night."
  
  You turn your head and see Uncle Ed standing by the stairway. His clothing is caked with dried blood and he has a knife in hand.
  
  "Oh... uh... Uncle Ed... um... " you sputter, you're too terrified to even scream out, though Ed gives you some quick instructions on that line of thinking.
  
  "Suzy, before you say anything else. Keep in mind that I kill pretty things like you on a regular basis. If you scream, I'll do it again, family or not and that would be very regrettable. Besides I doubt if anyone would come running anyway."
  
  Ed's threat is completely calm which makes it all the scarier. You just sit down and quietly watch him as he approaches.
  
  "What're you going to do to me?" you ask trying not to think about his possible answers.
  "Do? Well... there's a lot of things I WOULD do to you if you weren't my niece. You're just about everything I look for in a girl. Nice, pretty, young. You're even a virgin aren't you? Yeah you are. You know how appealing that is in this age of whores who are only suitable for rape and annihilation?" your uncle says licking his knife in front of your face before stepping back.
  
  "Oh yes, I WOULD have lots of fun with you. However you're family, and I always had a lot of respect for my sister. God rest her soul. And from what I know of you, you're about the only one who followed her value system, which means you respected her too. So you're safe for now... but... "
  "But?"
  "Well, call me paranoid, but it would really be foolish of me to just let you go after knowing my secret now wouldn't it?"
  "But you already said everyone in the family thinks you're a serial killer anyway... "
  
  Ed gets perturbed and holds his knife up.
  
  "Now stop right there. That's the point. They THINK that. They don't know for sure though, and I thought I was doing a good job of keeping them all away too. (Sigh) But I'm not really worried about you telling any of them, I'm more concerned with you going to the police after you leave here. Then I have to move, and then I'd have to come back and do something bad to you when you least expect it. So what could you do that could convince me?"
  "My word?"
  
  Ed starts to laugh.
  
  "Ha ha ha ha! You're serious? My you are a unique one. God I wish you weren't family... but anyway no I'm afraid that won't do. While I'm sure you may very well be telling the truth, your moralistic view point and conscience may get the better of you one day and then where would I be. No, I need something else from you. Something that will bond us in a more meaningful way."
  
  You start to panic and what he might be implying and you start to cover yourself with your arms and cross your legs. Again he laughs.
  
  "Oh no, not that my little Suzy. As much as I might like to, that's just not something for me to place on the table. Besides it wouldn't make me inclined to trust you anymore than I do now. Tell me Suzy, what do you know of the Morningstars?"
  "The Morningstars? You mean the family that lives in that compound up the street? Not much."
  "Hmm, I thought as much. They are a strange lot, I'm surprised nobody has complained about them given their blatantly cultish ways."
  "Well people on this block tend to keep to themselves."
  "Hm, true. One reason why I like living here. It's perfect really. But there's really only room for one of us."
  "What do you mean?"
  "Isn't it obvious dear girl? The Morningstars ARE cultists. Not sure what they worship, but I know damn well in involves human sacrifice. I've kept an eye on them ever since I noticed a few of their number taking in young girls." Ed says while starring at your body. "These girls are never seen again."
  "Uh, how do you know all this?"
  "Because sometimes my work overlaps with theirs and I know my prey. And they're encroaching on it. I don't think they're really aware of me yet, but I think they've been getting suspicious."
  "Okay so what does all this have to do with me?"
  "Right, straight to the point. Well whether you want to be or not, our families are going to embark in a good old fashioned feud. And you're going to be bait."
  "What?"
  "You heard me. Now as far as I can tell the Patriarch of that family and his eldest son are in absolute control. I figure if you can help me take out those two, that family will fall into chaos and it will be a simple matter of picking off their more incompetent members at leisure."
  "So what am I supposed to do exactly?"
  "Heh... yeah I guess you might very well be clueless in this sort of thing. Look Suzy, I know you're a good girl... but within every good girl lies a filthy dirty whore. A whore that wants to be fucked and desecrated... "
  
  Uncle Ed seems to be somewhere else for a moment, but he tries to quickly get back on track.
  
  "... uh anyway. YOU need to get in touch with the whore that is within you. You need to flirt, seduce and beguile those two in such a way that will allow me to get them. I really don't think you'll have that much of a problem though."
  
  You take a deep breath and realize you have little choice, but to agree at this point.
  
  "Okay. I'll do it."
  "Good girl. I knew I could count on you. I'll be in contact with you soon."
  "Alright, I... "
  
  Uncle Ed grabs your arm as you try to leave.
  
  "Remember, we're in this together now. Don't do anything foolish. I really wouldn't want to have to hurt you."
  
  With that final warning, he lets you go.
  
  Completely unnerved and creeped out, you run back to the basement and pace the floor wondering what you should do next.
  > obey Uncle Ed
  Ed's got you so scared that you don't dare disobey him. For the next few days you spend your time in the basement as usual hoping that he forgets about you. You barely sleep and you're on edge constantly expecting him to come in to get you. You get sick many times.
  
  Exhausted from fear you eventually give in and fall into a deep sleep... 
  
  "Wake up Suzy. It's time." You hear Ed's unpleasant voice say.
  
  As much as you've been dreading this moment, you oddly don't feel quite as sick anymore.
  
  "I'm sorry you had to go through what you did. I figured that would happen so that's why I let it run its course. I think you're sufficiently drained of emotion to the point where you'll be able to pull this off without the chance of hysterics now. I hope you don't mind me dropping in like this... hmm nice little hide away you got here... very dark and isolated... nice."
  
  Uncle Ed continues his inspection of your "domain" as you slowly get up. You know he's getting a kick out of this. You intruded on his "domain" and now he's returning the favor.
  
  "Uncle Ed?"
  "Hmm?"
  "I gotta get dressed."
  "Oh. Please don't let me stop you. In fact I brought you some more appropriate clothing. Wear this."
  
  Your uncle throws you some clothing at you. It's a mini skirt and tight top and basically clothing your sister Donna would wear.
  
  "I took the liberty of getting you some more appropriate clothing. I'm pretty sure I got all the bloodstains out."
  
  You look at this "hookerwear" in disbelief.
  
  "You expect me to wear this stuff?"
  "I'm afraid it'll be necessary for you to better lure Bobby and Pa Morningstar. They like to hang out by the park. That's where we're going. Put those on, because while you may have the morals of a saint, you have the body of a harlot...  within every virgin lies a fucking slut... whore... "
  
  Ed is successfully making you feel scared again. When he realizes what he's doing he apologizes.
  
  "... I'm sorry Suzy. I get in another place sometimes. I guess you'll want some privacy. I'll wait outside."
  
  Uncle Ed goes upstairs to wait and you try to psyche yourself up for this ordeal. You look at the clothing and put it on which makes you feel really vulnerable. Your legs are exposed, your stomach isn't covered. You feel almost naked.
  
  When you exit the house it's twilight. You didn't realize you slept so long. Ed motions you over to his van where he beeps his horn. You feel like a hooker going to be picked up. You don't say a word when you get in the van.
  
  "Ah yes, you almost look the part now. But let's do one more thing." Ed says and then pulls something out of his jacket. It's lipstick.
  
  Uncle Ed gets close to apply it on you. Again you don't say anything. It doesn't take long, and then he shows you what you look like in a mirror. He's done a good job. Probably better than you could have considering you've never worn any make up of any kind. It would appear that Uncle Ed's done this before.
  
  "Wish I had some eye liner, but we don't have time for all that. Your eyes are pretty enough without it though. You're a very lucky girl to be blessed with such natural beauty." Ed says as he starts up the van.
  
  The drive to the park is uneventful. When you get near there, Ed stops the van to brief you.
  
  "Alright, I don't want to get too close yet, but the father and son duo should be sitting at a picnic table over near that lightly wooded area way over there. I've been keeping up with their routines a bit, so they should be there. Now that area is a little secluded, but not enough, I need you to actually lure them into the woods. I'll take care of the rest. After we do this, me and you will be even and I'll be able to trust you completely."
  "What if I can't lure them into the woods? What if they try to kill me?"
  "They won't try to kill you. They don't do it that way. And I have faith that you'll be able to lure them. No man can resist a whore... "
  
  Sensing your uncle is going to his dark place again, you cut the conversation short.
  
  "Okay, I'm leaving... " you say quickly getting out of the van and nearly running off. You're so glad to be out of his presence.
  
  You look around the park which is still fairly populated at this time, though most of the families are going home now. You're drawing some looks from several teenage guys though. You get a lot of comments as well. You aren't used to it so now you're afraid of getting assaulted by some horny teenagers. But like most teenage guys, they do a lot of barking, but don't actually do anything.
  
  Eventually you reach the area your uncle was talking about. You see a young man sitting at a table by himself, you know that's Bobby having seen him a few time before in the neighborhood. No sign of his father though. No sign of your uncle either, but you sense he's somewhere nearby.
  
  As you approach Bobby you see that he must be preoccupied because he isn't even looking up. It's like he's deep in thought.
  
  Searching your memory of how you've seen it done in movies and TV, you try your best to be seductive.
  
  "Hello." Is all you can think of.
  
  Bobby looks up.
  
  "Erm, hello? Do I know you?"
  "You might. I'm Suzy. I live down the street from you."
  "Oh yeah... I haven't seen you for quite awhile."
  "Well, I'm around, I just don't get out much."
  "Hm. So what brings you out here?"
  "Oh sometimes I like to take walks by myself. You know clear my head from family troubles."
  "Well I can understand all about family trouble, let me tell you. But I've never seen you here before. I come here quite a bit and I can honestly say I would remember you walking around." Bobby says looking you up and down referring to your state of dress.
  
  You get a little shy, and try to think of an excuse.
  
  "Oh this get up? Well, I don't usually dress like this, these are my sister's clothes. I lost a bet with her. It's a bit complicated."
  "Ah, say no more. Family again. (Sigh)"
  
  That's the second time Bobby's mentioned family in a distracted manner again, so you decide to follow up on it before he presses you for more information.
  
  "Is there something wrong?" you ask as you sit down.
  
  Bobby looks hesitant to tell you at first, but when you smile at him from across the table, he lets down whatever guard he might've had up.
  
  "It's my Dad. He's so demanding. I come from a very large family and just because I'm the oldest son I have all this extra responsibility! I'm expected to keep all my siblings in line, I'm supposed to take over when Dad's gone. I'm supposed to do all this shit and it's always been that way all my life and it sucks! Tiamat forbid that I get to do some stuff by myself."
  "Uh... Tiamat?" you question, but Bobby doesn't stop his rant to explain that oddity.
  "My Dad still treats me like a little kid sometimes. I have to go with him to do all these important things and he takes every opportunity to point out all my shortcomings, without listening to any of my ideas! We were supposed to do something to today and instead of doing it, we spent the whole day arguing. He stormed off and told me I better get my shit together by the time he comes back. In fact he left not too long after you showed up. If he saw me talking to you, he'd probably accuse me of not paying attention to my so called duties."
  "Is your dad still here, where did he go?"
  "Yeah, I wouldn't be fortunate enough for him to leave me alone that long. He went to go cool off in those woods over there... "
  
  Your heart begins to race quicker at that thought. If Pa Morningstar went into the woods then he might've already run into Uncle Ed. Things on your part are probably going to be a lot easier now.
  
  Part of you wants warn Bobby though since you sort of sympathize with him on some level.
  > warn Bobby
  You can't go through with this. You know your life is going to be in danger and that Pa Morningstar may very well already be dead, but you can't actively be involved in killing anyone directly or indirectly.
  
  Your demeanor changes from one of feigned cheerfulness, to one of scared candor. You even take Bobby's hand which shocks him a little.
  
  "Bobby, you opened up to me, so I'm going to open up to you. We need to go into that woods right now, because your dad might be in serious trouble."
  "What?! What're you talking about?"
  "There's no time to explain, but my uncle is going to kill him!" you exclaim and get up trying to pull Bobby with you.
  
  Bobby starts to move, but insists that you tell him in more detail of what is going on. You do in a very condensed fashion which causes him to pause.
  
  "So wait, you're working with your uncle to kill me and my dad in the woods? And now you want ME to go in there?"
  "NO! I was bullied into helping my uncle, but I couldn't do it that's why I'm warning you now, so that you can save your dad!"
  
  Bobby stops completely.
  "Why would I do that?"
  "What? Come on it may already be too late!"
  "So what if it is? Look Suzy, you don't know my dad like I do. The guy has barely any fucking redeeming qualities and those he does have he barely shows most of the time. Fuck him."
  "B... but he's your father!"
  "What of it? Just because someone is related to you don't mean anything if they're complete assholes to you and treat you like shit your whole life. Hell he hasn't even been the worst to me. He's been a fucking abusive tyrant to my whole family. I'm sure all of them at some point have thought about killing him themselves. Shit, I know I have."
  
  You certainly didn't expect this reaction. You don't know what to do now, you start to cry.
  
  "Now what's wrong with you?" Bobby asks.
  "I wish I could be that brave, but I'm so scared. Now that you know what's going on you can avoid your fate. But I'm still in danger. My Uncle Ed is gonna (Sob!) kill me!"
  "Hey... Shhh... Hey... don't cry. Don't cry. Look you are brave. I mean it took courage to tip me off didn't it? You went against your uncle's threats and took a chance that I wouldn't flip out and kill you myself right?"
  "(Sniff) I guess so."
  "Look... your uncle is still expecting me right?"
  "Probably."
  "Well let's wait a minute or two, then I'll go in the woods and I'll take care of your uncle Ed."
  
  At this point Bobby lifts open his jacket and quickly displays a large knife of his own. It's rather ornate from what little you see of it. "I'm prepared." He says
  
  He spends the next few minutes calming you down, but then begins to mumble some sort of prayers. You can't make out most of them, but they certainly don't sound Christian and you hear the name Tiamat a lot.
  
  After he finishes he turns to you and smiles.
  
  "Okay I'm going into the woods. YOU wait here. Now one of two things will happen. Either I'll come out and your uncle will be dead. Or your uncle will come out and I'll be dead, and you can still take credit for luring me into the woods. Just tell him you told me to make up with my dad or something. He should buy that, and you'll be still be safe."
  "What about your dad?" you ask.
  "My dad? He's probably dead. If he was still alive he would've came out by now. Obviously Tiamat had forsaken him, if he was taken down by the likes of your uncle."
  
  Bobby makes his way into the woods.
  
  You wait at the table for awhile in the darkness. There isn't a soul around. You continue to look into the woods waiting for someone to step out. Bobby, Uncle Ed, Pa Morningstar, anyone... 
  
  Eventually someone does and it's Bobby. He looks a little roughed up and there are bloodstains on his clothes. You can only guess that it wasn't an easy kill.
  
  "Sheesh, that was intense. Your uncle might've killed me, if I hadn't known he was lurking around. I think what caused him to go off his game plan was when I mentioned you told me that he was waiting. I think he wanted to yell at that point, because his calm killer demeanor turned into white hot rage. Still he never made a grand outburst, he just mumbled something about ripping you apart after he was done with me. Well we better get out of here. You need a ride home?"
  
  You back off a little bit. As much as you didn't want to be involved in Bobby's murder, you're not entirely trusting of him. You know for certain that he and his family are indeed cultists that sacrifice people to this Tiamat he's mentioned a few times.
  
  "Uh... not that I don't appreciate the offer, but maybe I should walk home."
  "Walk? In that outfit and through this area? You'd be safer with me. I'm not going to do anything to you."
  "How do I know you aren't going to sacrifice me to Tiamat?"
  "... well I suppose you don't. However, all I can say is that I'm in a better mood than I was, and that's thanks mostly to you. I can now run the compound the way I want to and communicate to Tiamat directly as the new high priest. Plus you did warn me of your uncle and possibly saved my life. So I'd say you're safe. I mean it's not like you're going to blab about any of this right?"
  
  Bobby is smiling. He's even a little playful, but you get the very real feeling he is warning you.
  
  "No, no of course I won't."
  "Good! I'm glad that's settled then. Come on let's go."
  
  You follow Bobby to his car and sit quietly. Bobby turns on the radio and begins humming happily to the heavy metal music playing. Halfway home he speaks to you directly.
  
  "So, you wanna go out sometime?" he asks.
  "What?!" you say in total surprise.
  "Do you wanna go out? I mean it seems like we got some stuff in common. And before all this went down it seemed like there was a spark there. At least I felt a little something. It's why I told you about my dad, which was a major place of trust on my part given that you were a virtual stranger."
  "Yeah, I suppose so."
  "As you might guess my family isn't much for outsiders. None of us gets out all that much. I was one of the luckier ones, being the eldest son and all, but I still had strict guidelines. Fucking your sister alleviates the tension so to speak, but really it doesn't allow for a good future bloodline. Well that's the way I see it anyway. So, how about it?"
  "Well, I dunno. I don't get out much either. Though that's by choice, not because anyone made me."
  "Hah. Sounds like you were your own prisoner. Come on, let's go out. It'll be good for the both of us, you can tell me all about your obviously fucked up family on the date."
  "I wouldn't even know where to start." You laugh.
  "See that's the spirit! If it helps you don't have to dress like that either." Bobby points at your clothing.
  "I don't normally wear this sort of thing."
  "Yeah, I sort of figured that. You didn't seem comfortable in it from the moment I saw you. Hell, if I had to guess. You're still a virgin."
  
  You're amazed at Bobby's insight.
  
  "Is it THAT obvious? My Uncle Ed knew too when he roped me into this."
  "Well it's probably more obvious to us predatory types even if we don't know that much about the person. Darkness is often drawn to purity. Don't worry though; Tiamat doesn't have a predisposition toward virgin blood. You're still safe."
  "Well lucky me."
  
  Bobby stops in front of your house. You didn't realize you were already so close to home.
  
  "Here you are. See, nice and safe. So... do you want to go out sometime?"
  
  You look at Bobby and its crazy that after all that's happened tonight, you do feel a certain spark between you.
  
  "Okay what the hell. Come pick me up whenever you're able I suppose. You know where I live and I never go anywhere so I'll be here."
  "Alright then, but first... "
  
  Bobby quickly leans over and steals a quick kiss from you before you get out of the car.
  
  Your first kiss. You always wondered if it would happen. You feel completely giggly. He smiles in satisfaction.
  
  "See you soon!" he says and drives home. You head back to the basement nearly walking on air. A good thing came out of all this and you fall asleep with no problems for the first time in the past few days.
  
  The wonderful dreams you have that night you know are just glimpse into the reality that is sure to come.