Aunt Millie

Emma

Emma couldn't stop the tears from falling as she continued to hold Gisa tightly. Gisa hadn't stopped sobbing since she'd read it. Ron and Jamison stood off to the side. Jamison blew out a breath, Ron wiping tears from his own eyes.

"She went too far this time," Gisa said through sobs wracking her frame. "She— She didn't," Emma's gut roiled as she watched Gisa slide out of her embrace to the floor on her knees. She let her head flop into her hands. Emma didn't know what was making herself cry more, the news that had just arrived or Gisa, huddled on the floor sobbing as if her heart itself had broken. It very well might have…

Emma moved to put a hand on Gisa, but Jamison grabbed her sleeve and shook his head. It pained her but… Jamison was right. This wasn't time for her to interfere. Emma shook her head, pressing her lips into a thin line, silent tears falling. Ron took a step towards her, pulling her into an embrace. Jamison placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. He didn't say anything, but from the uneven pattern, she could tell it was unnerving him too.

"He's gone. He's gone…" Gisa whispered, her arms sliding to surround herself as if it could help. She turned to meet Emma's eyes. She'd never seen them so wide, so full of sorrow so full of… fear. She could barely seem to choke words out. The words that came from her mouth next ripped Emma's heart, "Emma he's gone. What do I do?" her sobbing interrupted her, "He was… he was everything to me, how am I supposed to go on? How am I… how am I supposed to live Emma? He was always there…" She leaned back against her bed, "I never told him I loved him."

When the letter came, Gisa had refused to open it without the others there. The name on the envelope was Aunt Mallie… Emma had scoffed at Audenzitios's dumb pen name. But if she'd signed her real name, they would have read the letter first for security purposes.

"You're sure it is Audenzitios's letter?" Emma asked as the two waited for the boys to show up.

"Look at the writing," Gisa said, tracing a finger along the magnificent cursive script, "She always had the most elaborate handwriting. I hate it."

And when they'd finally opened it…

"Dear Gisa," Gisa began. Her hands were uncharacteristically shaky. Emma was about to ask, when she felt it. The creature in her head began to laugh. Deeply. Darkly.

"Gisa?"

Gisa shook her head, her eyes wide, beginning again, "I have to say, I am quite disappointed in your actions thus far. I made my instructions quite clear, but here I am, still no results. Unfortunately for you, that means I must come up with another form of motivation since a near death experience didn't work."

Gisa looked up at Emma. Emma's stomach knotted, "It's been a long time in coming, not only for you. So, I set up something clever. If you were anything like me, you'd appreciate it. Though, if you were anything like me, we'd already have this barrier down."

Gisa let loose a long breath, "Get to the point mother…" she whispered. "Though I know this won't be a happy moment now, someday you'll appreciate it. I—"

Gisa's eyes hit the words before she read them aloud. "No! No!" she screamed out loud, "Mother no! This can't be right, no, no!" she dropped the letter, backing up, tripping over a stray shoe, falling square on her back. She didn't even cry out in pain, "Oh gods no!"

Emma felt tears in her own eyes. There was no way… she picked up the letter. "I killed—" her hands flew to her mouth, the letter floating to the ground. She whirled around to Gisa, hitting the floor on her knees beside her, grabbing Gisa's clammy hands, "Gisa, hey, look at me."

Gisa didn't answer, staring at the ceiling. An anguished scream rang from her throat. Emma began to cry, lifting Gisa's torso, guiding her to sit beside her on the bed. "Gisa, look at me!" she shouted through tears. Gisa didn't respond. Emma sighed heavily through her tears.

I killed Camden.

Emma hadn't stopped to read the rest before jumping to Gisa's side. Her heart pounded, her gut twisted. Something in her heart began to crack as she watched Gisa sob helplessly in her embrace. "She has to be lying. She has to be!"

Ron lifted the letter, looking to Emma. She nodded, biting her lip.

He scanned the letter, one hand moving to cover his mouth. She watched Jamison shake his head, balling his hands into fists.

By the time Gisa's tears had run dry, Emma had managed to finish reading the letter. "Are you sure you want to hear the rest Gisa? It isn't pretty…" Emma shivered.

"Let me know. I want to know every little thing she recorded." Gisa's eyes were flat, dark circles appearing suddenly. Emma could feel the dark power rippling through the room. Rumbling soundlessly. She shivered.

Emma shot a nervous look to the boys before sighing heavily. "I killed—" a deep breath, "I killed Camden. I hope you're beginning to learn a lesson about selfishness. He was such a dumb little puppy when it came to you. His words during those days when I tortured them were always about you. He held up quite well. I didn't ask him any questions, I offered him a bargain, but when it comes to you… he'll always choose you. He came to kill me, you know, for you. Some stupid revenge plan. He thought you were dead. The look on his face was one that I have not seen in many days when I told him of your recovery. I couldn't tell if it hurt him more that his vengeance failed, or if it was all for naught. I made it so easy for him to try his little plot. I practically let him into the house, led him to that wonderful room you and Emma know so well,"

Emma let out a shaky breath in remembrance. Gisa tensed at her side, "I began by smashing his kneecap. He had wonderful pain tolerance. What a strong man. You know, I would have liked him more were it not for his simpering ideals. You should have been here to see how long he held out each day before passing out. It was impressive. Much longer than the other fools I had you both accompany me to watch"

Emma tried not to grit her teeth. She could practically hear the laughter haunting the words. She could remember the times she'd been forced to watch Audenzitios rip into someone. Torture was a hobby for her. Physically and emotionally. She knew exactly how much this would destroy Gisa. She knew exactly where to hit.

Jamison swallowed hard, "She made you two watch her—"

"Yes," Emma said softly, Gisa's grip tightening in Emma's.

Emma closed her eyes, wishing away the bloody thoughts before continuing "I have many more ways to make you do what I want, Gisa. Don't delay. Camden won't be your only loss. Though you are an only child as you have come to find out, remember, in spirit…"

Emma tried to bite back her fear as she ended the letter, "In spirit, you are not. I would hate to make you an only child there as well. Much love to you, Aunt Millie."

Gisa didn't say anything, instead hugging Emma as hard as she could. Ron, and surprisingly Jamison walked over to join the embrace. They stayed for a while and through the pain, Emma felt her own heart start to crumble a little.

Gisa pulled away first.

"Gisa…?"

She walked towards the door and slammed it behind her. Emma crossed the distance in two strides, flinging the door open. "Gisa wait."

"Leave me the hell alone Emma if you know what's good for you." Emma recoiled, but didn't argue as flames sparked on Gisa's hands, such a deep purple they could have rivaled midnight for its darkness.

"Okay," Emma croaked, the tears drying on her face turning frigid as Gisa waved her hand, sending a bone chilling breeze that pushed the door closed in Emma's face.