Sometimes, we wish our lives would have taken a different turn at some important event. We imagine that it would have been so much better then - perfect, even. Unfortunately, we can't really explore such option and even if we could, most of time it would be a mere illusion. Some pain can never be fully avoided, but sometimes happiness you gain instead might be worth it. This is story about 'what if' of two families in a small town of Farefield where things go bump not only at night...



Set in AU, this will most likely never shift towards events of actual role play and is created to focus on life of Nguyen and Fletcher families, played by me and Hidden Cupcake.

She was floating down a bright hallway. Exactly floating, not walking. There was no sense of making steps, she didn't feel body moving, just saw walls moving by. But maybe she was standing? After all, there were no marks on walls, not even doors or lamps - it was just bright, as if surroundings itself gave off the light. Still, she was sure she was moving onward and that what she had to reach was important. Suddenly, light started to flicker and shadows spread around. In these games of light and darkness, she could make out faces... Herself, Carnelian, Nate, their parents... Also faces she had never seen.

Inside her 'body', anxiety grew, but not a worried kind, more like - she was growing excited and walls with faces flickering on them moved by faster. She was rushing towards end of corridor now. Ah, there they were - the doors of heavy, dark material, not quite stone, not quite wood, as if the two had grafted together somehow. And there was no lock. But she knew how to open them, just few feet more and--

"Onyx! This is last time I am calling you!" shattered corridor and last thing she saw was door, last thing standing firm and unbreakable, as way to unlock it floated away from her mind. Onyx groaned and opened eyes. "I'll be down in five," she called out and sat up. When her mom said she was calling for last time, it meant she wouldn't attempt to keep Onyx's plate warm anymore, which wasn't all that bad, but then she would have missed whole breakfast time and everyone would go about their daily routine in a few. And today, that wasn't something she wanted. First breakfast with Carn at table in such a long time!

With nearly record speed, girl got dressed and brushed hair, then ran downstairs, skipping every other step and flew into kitchen. "Mom. Dad. Grandma. Bro." Kiss on cheek followed each word - and extra big hug for her brother which he returned. Morganite Glykeria Nguyen-Hall, called simply Morgan by nearly everyone, scoffed lightly at her daughter, but placed full plate in front of her and Onyx dug in - she loved to eat and no one cooked as good as her mama.

In this family line, even women carried on their surname and passed it down to children. It was one of the rules their husbands had to bear with (same as having children called after stones). Well, if two witches of powerful lines got married their surname would be joined in their offspring papers, or one converted to titles of sorts. But Owen Hall wasn't a witch, although he was fully aware of the force that his wife, mother-in-law and even children could tap into - and also that they rather frequently did so. And despite that he hadn't taken up his wife's surname, city knew him as 'Mr. Nguyen'. They were merged together, one big, strong, unbreakable family. After all, that was one point of carrying on surname - as a 'stamp' of recognition of sorts. Witches' family name carried power, in many ways. Sometimes it could be blessing, other times cause trouble.

But today, Onyx felt happy and blessed to be part of this happy family. The dream had faded from her memory, although it itched at back of her mind and later she would return to think about it later. For now, food and chatting was far more important. Soon, Owen got up, ruffled his kids' hair, kissed wife and left for work. Morgan left soon after, leaving two siblings and their grandmother at the table. Carn had finished eating a while ago and began cleaning up, as they continued to chatter about his university. Of course, Onyx couldn't stop teasing him about still not having girlfriend, at which he shrugged that being single wasn't so bad - as she would know. Girl huffed at this, but quieted up. Her own lack of relationships wasn't what she wanted to have pointed out.

She was actually supposed to start college this fall herself, but hadn't quite decided if she wanted it yet, although she had already taken a year break between school. Staying home and taking online courses seemed a fine option, though, although her family tried to encourage her to enroll somewhere. Well, there was still time to think about it... Not much, however.

At this point, her grandma inquired what the two planned to do for the day and sighed softly when Onyx stated: "Meeting up with Nate, of course." Garnet Anemone Nguyen never really grew to like that Fletcher family, there was something off about them, at least Vincent, but her son-in-law was good friends with him and the young ones - inseparable. The boys were around the same age and Onyx always tagged along her brother, so trio always ended up making some trouble together, although Carn always made sure it wasn't too bad. Besides, after that incident, Fletcher kid kind of did need friends. Losing mother is never easy.

So, she didn't object - there was no point to - and decided to work in garden. Meanwhile, Onyx had finished eating and put her dishes away. Another half an hour and she was calling Nate, asking if he wanted to hang out for the day, since Carn was home and if yes, they'd be picking him up in a short while. Well, there was little chance that he would refuse and if he did... They'd come anyway, wanting to find out just what was more important than them. In a playful manner, of course. But Onyx could be rather persistent.

Nathaniel Fletcher, known to everyone as Nate, lay on his bed and stared at the ceiling. His eyes darted about counting the cracks, the dings, and the paint chips for the millionth time, his fingers patting against his exposed belly to the rhythm his clock on the wall gave out. He had woken up hours ago, jerked awake by a nightmare that elicited a terrible churning in his stomach, forcing a trip to the restroom to expel what he had in his stomach. The taste of raw meat sat heavy on his tongue ever since.

He turned his head when the clock chimed 6 times, telling him he had been up for 6 and a half hours now with only 3 of fitful sleep. He sighed, lifting a hand and rubbing at his tired eyes. He sat up, swinging himself off his bed.

He shook his shoulders once and made his way out into the upstairs hallway. This house in which he grew up was well-decorated; dark wooden furniture in almost every room, animals stuffed and mounted by his father, wallpaper and paint that was tended to with care and replaced at the first sign of true age. The upstairs hallway had paper of a deep red, the wooden floor stained a red color to bring wall and floor together. In the dark it just reminded Nate of a hungry throat ready to swallow him down.

He flicked the light on, casting everything in the orange glow of artificial light, before he headed down the hallway and into the guest bathroom. He flicked on the light, placed his towel on the counter, and turned on the shower hot and full blast.

Barely 20 minutes later he was stepping into a steam filled room and scrubbing his towel over his sable hair. He wrapped the baby blue fabric around his waist before wiping a clear patch into the mirror, debating internally if he should bother shaving today. He sighed before he decided against it. Shaving required a concentration that sleep provided and he had none of that at the moment.

He was back in his room and dressed five minutes after that, making his way downstairs as the smell of cooking bacon hit his nose. Nate was smiling before he even stepped into kitchen. His father always seemed to know when he had a nightmare. Bacon was always on the breakfast menu when he had a rough night. It never failed to calm him down and make things right.

Vincent Fletcher smiled as his son came into the kitchen, placing the last bit of freshly cooked bacon onto his son's plate next to the waffle he had cooked earlier. He didn't say anything, just placed the skillet back on the stove to cool and sat down, drizzling syrup over his own waffle and eating.

The two ate in silence like most mornings. There really never was much to be said in the mornings. At least nothing that wouldn't kill the quietly happy mood they had going.

Besides there was nothing Vincent could say. He knew why his son screamed in the night, why he vomited up half-digested food into his toilet bowl and stayed up for hours afterward. And the fact the retching and screams still filled his home in the night to this day saddened him greatly. But it was a price he was willing to live with.

The entirety of their breakfast was spent in comfortable silence, broken only by Nate standing to clean his and his father's plates in the sink. He turned off the tap when a buzzing near the back door hit his ears, causing a smile to spread over his face. A small, knowing smile spread over Vincent's face and he stood, leaving the kitchen and giving him the room.

It was Onyx, calling to ask him if he wanted to hang out with her and Carn today. He agreed, nodding despite the fact he knew she couldn't see him. To be honest he was escited to see his childhood friend again. Carn had left for college, leaving Nate and Carn's own little sister in this creepy town on their own. Nate would have gone off to college himself, but decided against it for the time. He didn't feel ready for it.

He hung up and then moved to the coffee machine, taking a single mug and a travel mug, pouring himself and his father some coffee from the finished batch. Chances were his father had already had his cup, but it would probably be good to pour the aging man another.

Vincent had parked himself in the front sitting room, sifting through a book almost lazily. He lifted his head when Nate placed the mug on the end table at his side.

"I'm gonna hang with Carn and Onyx today, OK Pops?" he said, watching as his father took a light sip of the steaming cup of straight black coffee. Nate mirrored Vincent's smile when the elder nodded. "Thanks Pops."

Now it was just a matter of waiting the little while it would take for Onyx and her brother to make their way into the middle of the creepy old woods that everyone told everyone never to enter to pick him up.

As they exited cozy, but old cottage that would have been rather cramped for the whole Nguyen-Hill family, if not a bit bigger than it looked on inside and that little garden house that their grandma occupied with all her occult things in its basement, young girl hummed softly a cheerful tune. Summer usually associated with sun, warmth, green colors and flowers, but none of that wholly applied to Farefield. Sky was still overcast and the one major improvement was that rain wasn't so cold. But these two were used to and even if they didn't love it, this was their home and they were bound here in various ways.

"I am driving," Carnelian stated simply, but in a tone that didn't allow much arguing. It didn't mean Onyx wouldn't try, however. "Oh, come onn...!" she whined softly when her brother opened old Bronco's doors for her. "You can endanger your life with your driving skills when I am not home," he explained and she sighed, climbing in backseat. From there, she could pester both driver and Nate, when he would sit down in front seat. "I am not that bad at driving, you know," Onyx grumbled, but didn't really mind him driving, as it gave aforementioned freedom to pester others in car from behind.

It was half an hour drive to Fletcher house, even though they were the closest neighbors. Their homes were one of the few that were really out of the city and no one in their right mind that knew town's reputation would buy them, even if they were up for sale. When Carn stopped at the large, old home, he either blew the horn with two short presses and then longer one, if he wasn't out yet, or just opened doors widely.

"It's good to see you, Nate," he said, greeting his childhood friend with their old handshake. "Sorry I didn't write emails as often in last month, exams and projects got me really busy. I felt that my brain would sizzle less if I just put it on pan," he added. "Hah, you and overwhelmed brains. Can't believe it. Besides, that's what you get for finishing your project so late," Onyx butted in, grinning widely. He only playfully glared at her sideways, but was not offended.

"So, what we gonna do? Drop by Bloodlake camp and snoop around? I think our old treehouse and camp spot underneath is still there." They hadn't been there for nearly a year, lot of things could change in that time, especially in Farefield and especially on edge of Whispering Woods, but it was worth checking out. "Library time? Pester someone at dinner or shop? Orrr... Cemetery?" Their options weren't very vast or grand, but that had rarely bothered them before. Of course, as you become teenager and then adult, looking up old horror stories about your own town in library's archives loses some charm - and gains some other. "There's always Fair, too, although I wouldn't want to drop by there until I hear this year's death toll."

"Just some recently moved in maintenance guy who jumped off Ferris wheel... Considering he moved here, he was kind of crazy or suicidal to begin with..." Onyx said thoughtfully, but still shuddered slightly.

Nate jumped at the sharp blare of a car horn, standing and making his way out the door after a quick goodbye to Vincent. The elder just watched calmly as his son left, calling a quiet warning about staying out too late before the door closed. Nate grunted an affirmative.

He smiled widely, clasping Carn's hand and giving it a firm shake. "It's good to see you too," he said, taking a quick sip of his coffee. "It's alright. You'll just have to buy me a beer to make up for it." He laughed a little bit at the duo's bickering.

He leaned against their Bronco as the listed off suggestions, tilting his head. "I hear more campers have gone missing from the campsite, so I don't think they're letting cars in," he mentioned offhandedly, sipping at his coffee.

His shoulders stiffened at the mention of the Fair, of the man who took his life but he didn't know why - you were dancing with him, smiling and laughing as the King below played his fiddle for you both - it's nothing new - the two of you hanging precariously at the edge of a swinging chair a hundred feet off the ground but you did not fall, protected and balanced by some strange magic - people die there all the time - the two of you spinning and laughing, he's wrapped in the reverie he is lost to the fun and he does not feel your hands on his chest as you push and break the spell on his feet and he tumbles - the rides were so old - and you laugh as he screams and his body crashes to the concrete, splattering oily guts and shattered bone across the ground and you are down with him moments later, smiling and laughing as the King with his crown of branching antlers continues to play and his Children dance with you both their muddy little feet not leaving footprints as they should they were so filthy - that place really needed to be shut down.

Nate didn't realized he had stopped breathing until his head swam and he inhaled sharply through his nose. His head was suddenly pounding and he blamed it on the lack of sleep he got last night. He took a long gulp of his coffee, letting the still hot liquid to sear his tongue and burn down his throat in a sharp wake up call.

"We can try the Lake if you guys want, or just go to town...I'm really up for anything today," he eventually chimed in, smiling at the two of them softly. He placed his travel mug on the hood of Bronco and gripped the metal. He didn't want them to see his hands shaking.

((Yeah...that got a bit weird didn't it?))

Both Nguyens waved at Vincent in friendly manner when he came out, before all their attention was back on Nate. "Deal," he laughed, glad that nothing seemed to have changed between them in this year he had been absent. Granted, Nate himself looked... changed. Slightly. A bit more exhausted. It didn't only show physically, the whole energy around him could be read as so. And that something neither he nor Onyx could describe seemed to have grown larger. No wonder the girl had expressed worried for their childhood friend.

Well, maybe now that he was here, they would get to root of it, eventually. As they drove out on main road, Carnelian looked sideways and saw that Nate was staring ahead stiffly, but with unseeing eyes, as if his gaze was set on something neither of them could see. Onyx leaned forward, so she could have a better look at Nate's face - apparently, she had noticed this as well. But moments later, he recovered. As always.

"You've not been sleeping well again?" girl inquired with a frown, but didn't point out that his hands were trembling slightly, even as he tried to calm them with holding firmly. It really would be just a low blow. So, Carn shifted conversation back to their destination theme again. "Then lake it is. And after that, our home, as mom baked some amazing cupcakes last night, you just have to have them."

"It's not like not being allowed somewhere ever stopped us before anyway..." Onyx said mischievously and then sat back in seat. Radio played some cheerful melody as old car moved towards camp and lake. Even if they couldn't enter camp itself, road to lake led by it.

Apparently, some accident had happened there not long ago, as there was police cordon around parking lot at camp and siblings frowned at the sight, Onyx sighed. About 20 minutes later, they pulled up in spot behind thicker tree group nearby lake. Girl was out first, making Carn frown that she didn't let him open doors for her and settled down in withering grass, searching for small pebbles to skip across reddish water.

Carnelian sat down next to her, taking in familiar, creepy sight. "So, tell me what else have I missed. Onyx told me a lot, but even she can't manage to chat up a half year large gap. Have you decided to attend college this fall or going to keep my indecisive sis company this year, too? Honestly, it's not such a bad thing. College is kind of overwhelming, especially after this town."

Vincent stood on his porch, watching the three he watched grow with a light smile. He watched them as they disappeared, staring into the woods even after they were long gone. He didn't seem to blink once until he turned and marched back into the house.

Nate turned his head slightly, glancing at each of them before he turned his eyes back to the road. "Yeah...nightmares," he mumbled, turning his brown eyes with the one blue speck away from the both, taking the time to study the dash as they drove. And he said no more on the matter, pinching the inside of his bottom lip lightly between his teeth.

He smiled lightly and turned his attention back to them at the mention of cupcakes, his shoulders slumping in silent gratitude for dropping the subject of his sleeping schedule. He tilted his head as the music played, eyes sliding closed and just letting it sooth his too tense shoulders.

He opened them as they approached the roped off campground, eyes darting around everything he could before Carn pulled them away down the road to the lake. Then they parked and he opened his door and stretched. He took in the smell of water and trees and relaxed visibly as he took his coffee with him and he sat next to his two best friends.

"You didn't miss much really. Pops took me hunting for the first time in years, I think half our graduating class finally moved out, the guy who owns the bakery on Main is still creepy as hell, and I'm pretty sure Old Lady Margery was replaced or something because all her cats went missing and there're are flies buzzing around her windows all the time now," he said, taking another gulp of his coffee before turning back to Carn.

"I've thought about it. Been talking to someone at Washington State about maybe looking into them. His name's Louis he's a nice guy you'd like him. Though to be honest I'm not sure. Don't think I'd be good for it ya know?" He laughed at the last comment, but he didn't seem to put real mirth into it. It was almost cynical. "Anyway...how was college? Meet anyone interesting? Anyone I should worry about?" He nudged his friend in the ribs, smiling playfully.

((Sorry this is uninteresting I am kind of in a rush right now I'll do better next time.))

Carn didn't have to look back to see that worried look pass through Onyx's eyes when Nate admitted about being troubled by nightmares. Again. They seemed to get worse and worse as years went by. He never really went to discuss it in great details and they didn't pester him about it, but maybe... Maybe it was time to start doing it. After all, dreams and even nightmares were something that came from subconscious. They didn't just appear in head out of nowhere, even if their causes and meanings were completely different than what the dream displayed.

Still, that all would have to come later. Not on first day, or even week, of returning home. It was not easy to be here, however it was even harder to be away from Farefield. Funny that such a creepy place could actually matter to someone, but it sure as heck mattered to Carn. Onyx, too. Maybe it was their blood that tied them here, maybe simple sentiment for childhood they had spent here and their friend. Could as well be it all together in one huge mix.

Onyx was toying with pebbles as Nate spoke, enjoying closest to serenity Farefield could offer. Everything was as it should be - them three, circle of sun behind layer of gray clouds staring down like a blind eye, and freedom. In a sense. At last question she giggled: "He is as single as ever! Still can't get over his sweetheart from Arizona" He scoffed, then shrugged a little awkwardly. "So what? We can row the single boat onward, the sights aren't half-bad from it," he bit at her gently and girl rolled her eyes, but at least quieted up. Honestly, at times he wondered (but didn't mind) why his sister was still single. Nate was an oddball, in awesome way, and never made many close bonds, so for him it was more natural to be alone. For a while, he had kind of worried, kind of expected for the two of them to hook up. Either thankfully or unfortunately, that had not happened. Not that there was no chance for it in future.

"So, how did hunting go? And honestly... I think you'd do great in college, if you only found what you really wanted to study. Maybe fresh, not-Farefield air would do you some good, too, although I... Missed this place. Crazy me, huh? Must be charm of you two." He laughed and watched as Onyx skipped stones across lake. That always bothered him a little, as if some tentacle could come up and grab her for disturbing its rest, but as that had never happened, he had told himself not to be paranoid. Or just plain crazy.

"I wouldn't be surprised Lady has went on, she has to be as old as city itself. Will be strange not to see her going around and calling all strays, however... Now, tell me about this Louis guy. Has he been telling you horror stories of college or just about the pretty ladies?"

Nate snorted at the mention of Carn's old girlfriend, taking another long gulp of his coffee. He didn't know what to think of her really. Never really got to know her. Granted he can't really recall ever actually meeting her, but that could be waved off as simply forgetting or not paying enough attention. "Couldn't stay away, eh? Good don't know where I'd be without you."

He lazily watched Onyx skip the pebbles, letting the sounds of the splashing and the leaves rustling in the wind fill his mind for the silent pause they shared. He closed his eyes for a second, smiling. Then another sound hit his ears, low and droning and incessant. It sounded like flies.

His eyes snapped open and he turned his head, looking out into the trees behind him. But the sound was gone and neither of his friends had reacted to it. He let out an annoyed huff before looking away.

"Hunting went alright...I got a buck. Not the best, but he was big," he hummed, sipping at his coffee and going over the memory in his head. For once the thought of blood and organs in his hands wasn't so bad. Not with his father right there reminding him how to clean it right.

He shrugged at the mention of his college plans, looking away. "I don't know...maybe. I don't know if she did die though...I swear I see her around town sometimes. She just...stares. Not at anything in particular she just....I don't know." He shook his head, sniffing slightly. It was always hard to tell what was real and what wasn't.

He blinked at the mention of Louis, a slight blush dusting his cheeks. He looked away, making it seem as though he was casually studying the grass next to him. "Oh...yeah the ladies. He didn't mention much about ladies, but campus life is apparently...active," he mumbled, running his fingers over the grass, as if trying to appear uninterested. It was a mistake to mention Louis. He sincerely hoped that Carn wouldn't question him further. He hoped even more that his friends hadn't seen him blush.

Carn's brow slightly creased when his friend went on to talk about old Margary. That sounded suspiciously like a ghost sighting. How come his grandma hadn't noticed any of it all? Or his parents, especially mother? Onyx... Well, she was an airhead, lost in her books, and her specialty was all things related to active magic, not passive one. She might have easily missed it. Well, he'd surely have a talk with them, without exposing source of this information. Nate didn't need more trouble than he already had. "Don't think much on it, I'll make sure my grandma checks in on her soon," he assured the other man.

Well, but he didn't miss that blush on Nate's cheeks and how he suddenly fumbled around and away from the question. Hm. That could explain a thing or two... Not that it really mattered. He wouldn't be relieved or disappointed even if the assumptions were wrong. "Well, Washington state's long way off from here, but if he ever would like to come and visit, I'd like to meet him," he casually said, playing with few strands of grass.

At least Onyx had missed this, too, or else Nate wouldn't be getting off this easily. Talking about 'the devil', girl had gotten bored of throwing pebbles since no one joined her and she plopped down in front of the two. "Is it time for cupcakes yet?" she inquired, making Carn laugh. There wasn't a time his sister couldn't eat some more. How she managed to avoid becoming a little ball of fat rolling 'round was quite beyond his comprehension. "Well, I wouldn't want to starve Onyx, so how about those cupcakes back at our place?" he asked, teasing tone at 'starve'.

Nate nodded when Carn suggested his grandmother check up on her, smiling slightly when the subject of Louis was dropped. Only to have his chest tighten again when Carn suggested Louis visit. He immediately ripped grass from where his fingers were curled into the green blades and tossed them at his friend's face.

He stood up immediately after, brushing the dirt and grass from his rump. He turned when Onyx began to ask about the cupcakes, chuckling himself a little bit. "So...your place then?" he asked, turning back to Carn and smiling.

He waited for his friends to make their way to the truck before he followed, trailing behind them. He stopped for a moment when his foot bumped a rock, drawing his eyes downward. He smiled, bending and picking it up, weighing it in his hand. It was the perfect size and weight.

He turned and, with a quick snap of his arm, chucked the rock into the blood red lake with a loud plop. He smiled widely, but it faded as he blinked, staring across the expanse of red water toward the very far edge. He narrowed his eyes, searching the shoreline. But whatever caught his attention was no longer there. Or it wasn't there in the first place.

He shrugged before turning back and hopping into the front seat of the the truck. As they drove away, something too tall with too long limbs moved jerkily from its position and flitted through the woods.

~~~*~*~*~~~

He was a patient man. He had always been patient. His son's panic attacks after the death of his wife and grandmother, the resulting investigation by covens far out of touch with his own, covens that, despite their prodding and unashamed drooling over his son like rabid mongrels, he welcomed into his home with a smile and a cup of tea; they all required a vast amount of patience. He even tolerated Garnet's snooping and gentle prods with as much grace and hospitality as he could muster. He had allowed himself some annoyance there, however. He was a grieving widower after all. She could grant him that slack, suspicions or no.

And he was glad for his patience. It paid off. He had a plethora of beautiful bones to deal with, a bounty of blood, plenty of smooth skin to work and tan, and a wonderful array of meats to fill his pantry.

He smiled down at set up, finally moving his standing magnifying glass to a position where it was easier to see the smaller bones he would be working with for the next few hours. He grabbed a little chisel and began to carefully carve into the tiny bone, drilling holes at the very tips to articulate them when he was finished. They needed to be for the magic to set right.

A child's hand held magic in it. It would do the magic no good to be torn apart in such a way.

((Wanted to do something moderately creepy with Vincent because he needs to be creepy more. Playing around with human bones is creepy right?))