A FAMILY RENUNION

NARRATOR'S POV

        A single old crone stood on the top of a tree- her long gray hair and black robe flowing along with the strong wind. She remained still, cold eyes fixed in the manor before her, and lips curved in a deep frown. She has too much work- unnecessary work that could have been avoided, if only her sisters just killed Kristy Hunter in the beginning then she wouldn't be here.

Lights flickered in the house, while maids hurried back and fort in the kitchen and the dining hall- dinner will start soon and the food must be served quickly because nothing good will come from making their Master Stone wait.

Everyone is so busy preparing the meal that, they didn't notice a glass vile laying in the corner of the kitchen- the empty container shines dimly in the fire of the stove. Its content had been mixed with the water and the food and soon its effects will take their toll.

        Malory sat in her room, in her hand is a candle- its fire blazing just like the one in her heart. She did it, she did what Amber had told her to do and now the only task left is to place the candle on her window sill.

She took a moment of hesitation, thinking about what she did. Earlier this afternoon- she slipped into the kitchen which is usually empty after tea time. In her hand she held the vile that Amber gave her and immediately pour its content into the water, then the resting dough of the bread, and in the slowly heating soup- already being prepared for dinner. After emptying the vile she left the kitchen without any trace of her being inside at all.

Taking a deep breath she walked over to the window and placed the candle, only for a pair of red eyes see them- with a smile filled with malice, Amber claimed her victory.

"Miss, dinner is ready" a maid called out from outside the bedroom door.

"I will follow suit" she replied before glancing over the window- one last time, before heading to the dining hall.

In the dark shadows of the night, two people are climbing a willow tree- carefully and silently, they crawled over and entered the familiar room.

Amber extinguished the fire of the lit candle- her stepsister left by the window, allowing the darkness to take over the room.

"Robbie, Are sure you're ready?" she asked her company.

"Yes, this is something I will never regret" he replied- a knife in his hand. This is the moment they had been waiting for, to make Marcus Stone pay for his crimes.

"We have to make this quick, alright" she stated as she opened the door.

The duo exited the room, and as the door closed a spark appeared in the empty bed- slowly, it created an ember that burned everything that it touches.

The devil smile to herself.

Robbie thought they will kill Marcus- just Marcus and no one else.

However, sometimes 'accidents do happen'.

What a truly unfortunately even, the servants are 'paralyzed' by the poison and a fire started out of 'nowhere'.

        The light flickered in the dining hall, dozens of candles are brightly lit within the gloomy atmosphere. A long table surrounded by expensive-looking chairs curved with elaborate decorations, while the table is cover with a white linen cloth- on top is a vase of fresh flowers. Silverwares are placed in a precise and sophisticated manner- that one would think that it's too much. However, that is just how the Stones live: sophisticated, wasteful, and expensive- just like any other wealth snobs do.

And at this point, the dinner had started, silently everyone is having their soup- aside from Malory that is. She knew what is in the soup, therefore she refuses to take any. This didn't go unnoticed of course but nobody bothered to say anything.

Malory watched as Marcus enjoyed his soup- a spoon after another he goes, oh if he only knew she thought.

Taking the spoon, she stirred the contents of her bowl.

Sighing deeply she wondered, where are they? Did they not see the sign?

Out of nowhere, a servant fell on the ground- mouth foaming and the body seemed to shake slightly.

Everyone stood from their seats- eyes wide from shock, they have no idea what happened. But know that the servant is on the verge of death.

"Mary?! Mary?!" the mother shouted as she desperately shook her young daughter.

"She not breathing! Marcus!" panicking she was uncertain what to do.

Malory stood in her place as if rooted on the floor- her legs trembled, the chaos in her surrounding is too much for her to take. Soon enough she collapsed, her bottom slumped on the floor. Is this supposed to happen? Where the hell is Amber?!

"Malory! What did you do?!" Marcus walked over her, his feet sounds heavy- like those of a giant.

The brute man held her by the arm, "What did you?!" he asked once more, how come he knew- she thought.

With tears in her eyes, Malory shook her head no, "I didn't do anything! It was Amber! She's the one who planned everything!"

The mere sound of his dead daughter's name in his ears brought his blood to a boil. How dare this wretch to mention and even blame Amber.

Ranged Marcus pulled Malory by such force, the girl thought her arm will be ripped off.

"How dare you?!" he screamed in her face as he threw her on the ground.

"Enough Father" a calm voice was heard from the open door of the dining hall, there stood a girl who died years ago. A small smile on her lips and a joyous twinkle in her eyes.

"You wound me, Father. How come you didn't invite me to dinner?" Amber placed a hand heart as if she was actually hurt, but her sarcasm is evident on her face.

"No… you're dead. I saw the body myself" Marcus remained in his place, unable to accept the truth of the matter.

The woman chuckled upon seeing her father's expression- his face showing disbelief, shock, and anger.

"No! This can't be! What kind of sick trick is this?!" Marcus scouted once more, he never believed in demons nor witches, and hell- not even in God… because, in his world, there is only money, power, and connections and never ending greed. But here she is the daughter that he buried a very long time ago stands before him- alive and well as if she never died in the first place.

"Why can't you just accept that I've alive Father?" the young woman spoke- mocking her father's disbelief.

"Love has brought me back father and has revenge has kept me alive" she said darkly, eyes reflecting the very depths of hell.

"Now it's the time that you pay for your crimes, retribution is on call" she continued.

Marcus remained silent, he never thought that this day would come. No, he never even believe that this day is possible- not even in his worst nightmares.

He feels sick in the stomach, was it from seeing Amber? Was it due to the fact that Mary- his youngest daughter, is most likely dead? Or is it because of the unacceptable truth that this is actually happening? Right before his eyes.

All of a sudden, Marcus coughed uncontrollably.

Covering his mouth with his left hand, he tried to suppress the coughing but as he pulled his hand away- blood had stained his palms.

"Hemlock is such a useful plant, don't you agree father?" Amber stated with a grim look on her face.

"Let's begin" she added, before Robbie revealed himself for Marcus to see- a knife in hand, he's ready to collect the payment for his debt.