I have to escape...

Were sadly, not Meredith's first thoughts upon meeting that man. She was only a dumb fourteen year old, and at that time her world revolved around a single piece of butterscotch. The things she'd do for a candy she didn't want now, wished she hadn't wanted then.

"TRICK-OR-TREAT, SMELL MY FEET, GIVE ME SOMETHING GOOD TO EAT!" Was the saying on Halloween. Meri thrust forward her blue jack-o-lantern bucket, dawning an innocent smile on her face with cheery, bright blue eyes that matched her Cinderella costume. She once believed in going to the ball, riding in a carriage that smelled of fresh pumpkin with a handsome coach who was once a scrawny cat.

The old lady grinned from ear to ear, and when she did, her bulging chin rose to reveal a flabby neck that wasn't there before, cheeks puffing around eyes that were barely slits. Deep creases and folds aligned her baggy face; one wretched, black pimple with a single hair attached, jutted out from the woman's forehead. "Well, aren't you a little too old for trick-or-treating?" She claimed, voice shaky and lips trembling as she spoke.

Meredith shrugged, watching the woman slowly take a single piece of dark chocolate from her grocery bag and plop it into her bucket. The single thud of one piece rung in her ears. Probably stale anyways. "Thanks..." she murmured, treading off to let other kids get theirs. The lady could've at least given her a handful, but by the end of the night that wouldn't matter anymore. After all, she vowed to go to a part of town that was forbidden, and her friends-despite knowing-swore secrecy.

She bet they'd have tons of scrumptious candies to share with a princess. Just think: giant chocolate candy bars, humongous jaw breakers that take a month to finish, and the sweet, savory, delicacy known as butterscotch! She hummed and skipped the whole way there, bucket bouncing vigorously on one hip.

♥                             ♥                              ♥

At last, she made it, doubling over to catch her breath as quickly as she had lost it. Radiant lights shone from every angle of the neighborhood, every corner of the street was rich in warm, glowing colors that reminded her of summer. Its gleam bounced off windows, houses, mailboxes, passing strangers, and cars that swerved to avoid trick-or-treaters.

Meredith beamed, pulling out a half torn, wrinkled up map from her pocket that provided an eagle's eye view of the whole neighborhood. She uncapped her red marker, trying hard not to breath in the malodorous scent of it's ink on the paper. She circled every destination, planning to visit the houses to the very back first, that's where the good candy was. Up Greenbury street and to the west was a line of rich mansions, no doubt handing out candy by the bulk.

With a twinkle in her eyes and a strategy set in mind, she was off down the street, shoving through people and even sneaking a few treats out of kid's buckets.

After several good opportunities and a few excellent houses her bucket was already half full, and she cursed herself for not bringing along a pillowcase like mother reminded. Her wondering gaze looked to the left, eyes meeting with a house she'd almost missed. One completely shrouded in the shadows of tall trees with fat trunks. She sauntered over, feet dragging through seemingly damp grass, untouched by the darkness. It was all a big trick to get her screaming and running away like some little girl.

She planted both feet firmly onto a scratchy mat that screamed, WELCOME. Not scary at all. The place only served to look creepy with its black shutters drawn so tight, gothic style decor, ebony colored door, droopy tree limbs that looked like hands with long, slender fingers scratching at the roof from way up high and the area was deep in a secluded forest apart from the rest of the neighborhood. Strangely, even after a few quick raps on the door, no one answered. Maybe the place was deserted and the family who moved out forgot their WELCOME mat.

She swiveled on her heels, taking just a step before she was ankle deep in warm light that stretched out in front of her, a dark body figure in the middle and a tall monster merging with it from behind. It gripped her forearm with surprisingly cold, clammy hands. Then a male's voice, full-throated and sounding devoid of emotion, resonated deep within her ears. "You don't want candy?"

She spun around, arm still caught in his beastly grip. She couldn't find his face, the light that spilled out from both sides of the tall, manly figure blinded her. Instead of running, fighting, or calling for help, she nodded tediously, narrowing her eyes to block some of the brightness. "Yes," she said, "I do want candy. Oh, um, TRICK OR TRE-"

"Enough with that deafening chant!" He boomed, raising a hand up to fiercely dig at one ear along the left side.  Meri grew quiet, feeling like a four year old caught with her hand in the cookie jar. She averted her eyes, no one had ever yelled at her like that for a long time and it almost brought her to tears until he spoke once again. "I suppose I could spare a few pieces for you, what's your favorite?"

"B-butterscotch." Meredith stammered, casting her gaze backwards.

The man hesitated a few seconds before opening his mouth. "There's some in the kitchen, come with me and you can grab as much as you'd like." His grip slipping from her arm.

"Ok." She mumbled, following along behind him.

Those were her last words before entering her prison for years and years to come. Meri, being young and innocent, was oblivious to the terrible dangers that lurked everywhere in the corners of the world.  She'd seen what no little girl should have ever seen. Been through what no little girl should have ever gone through. Heart now awaited her time to be free, for her body to give up, or for Master to finally pierce her heart.

Good girls should never be locked away.

My time will come.

((Another part will be far from this time. It takes quite some time for these chapters to develop, they don't just run on magic, but mind juice. And that stuff's getting low. :) ))