Tightening A Pup’s Leach

Tightening A Pup’s Leach

DAMIR
Damir Zurlo headed for the Shrinking Shack outside of Hogsmeade. He had finally gotten some time off from Charitee's Cafe on Diagon Alley and he had to come here because of family business. He should never have let it be known he was going anywhere near this little backwoods town. He should probably have never let it be known he was going to have time off. Sometimes his Clan figured his only job in life was to do as they asked. Damir hoped his nephew was on time. The little brat thought life was just one big party when you are 15 years old. He had been allowed to attend Hogwarts for one reason and that was so his grandfather, who was the MacIntosh Clan Enforcer would have eyes and ears among the children. His latest assignment was to make friends with Ellery Friedmann, a boy his own age and see if he could get the kid to help with spying on the school. Ellery was smart, resourceful and his sister was a member of a group called the Core, which from what Damir could figure out was a group of kids intent of making things go smoothly at the school. They were ultra well behaved, kind, sweet, helpful and sickening.

Damir pushed the door of the falling down shack open causing a screech which could physically hurt your ears. When he walked down a small dark dusty hallway he found himself in what was once the kitchen, straight out of the early 1800's. He looked around and called, "Liam, you better be in this place somewhere."

LIAM

Liam was worried as he entered the secret entrance to Shrieking Shack, His Uncle Damir had sent an Owl saying he wanted to chat at their usual place, which meant this dirty shack. His back still hurt from the last time his Uncle and him chatted. Liam shook his head as he reminded himself that he had been responsible for the discipline. He had asked his Uncle why he could not ask for Grace Malloy's hand or at least the possibility of asking her out on a date. His Uncle had beat him hard, making sure none of the marks would show unless he had his shirt or pants off in front of others. The only one he really had to worry about seeing his injuries was his best friend Ellery. The boy was his roommate and confidante, although Liam couldn't tell him everything, at least not yet.

His interest in the MacStone girl was at least okayed by the Clan Leader Matthew but she only seemed to have eyes for Luke. The boy was downright possessive of her. Didn't mean he wasn't going to try if he got a chance. Apparently Star MacStone's father had made it clear, she had to see others until some date in the future before he would agree to let the Luke and Star date. Liam had made himself available at times to be close if she needed anything, knowing Luke could not even be alone with her.

Liam still knew that the last few owls seemed to want him to take an interest in the Andreas girl. Liam cringed as he knew that girl's boyfriend was Landon Russo. He said in a whisper, "No way am I messing with Landon's girl. Don't my family understand I would have not only Landon to deal with but Jackson wants that girl as well? Not getting in the middle of that possible triangle."He shook his head as he reached the back door of the shack. It would lead into the kitchen.

After a few minutes, he open another door saying cocky, "Uncle Damir. what brings you to my backyard?"

DAMIR

Damir grabbed the back of the boys neck, pulled him through the door and shoved him up against the nearest wall. He used his foot to close the door. Holding his forearm over the boys chest to hold him still he just stared into the young man's eyes and was elated to see the fear which was there. "You trying to be flippant with me boy? The last time we were together I thought I taught you to be more respectful." Damir roughly patted Liam's check. "Now no one has had a report from you in over two weeks. Since it is a big school with a lot of little brats like you, it seems to me there should have been something to report. You find someone else to hug and squeeze besides the Malloy chick? Why don't you bring that cute piece of fluff, MacStone here for a meeting. I think I would really like to get to know her better." Damir liked the young girls he took an interest in to be afraid and even fight his advances. It added spice to the chase. "How's your friend Ellery doing? Are you two best friends yet?" Damir patted Liam's cheek again and waited.

Liam was yanked so fast he had no way to avoid his uncle. "Uncle is in a foul mood.", Liam thought praying this chat would not end with another beating. He should have remembered that his uncle took these reporting chats way to seriously.

He tried to answer Damir about his attitude, "Of course not Uncle. I was just trying to insure our covers. I have one professor watching me pretty close. I was pretty sure I lost him but Marco Spellman seems determined to ruin mine and Grace's fun." Professor Spellman had been watching him ever since he had kiss the naive Star. Liam had been sure he had a tail but saw nobody behind him except the Headmistress' son Mika. He grinned as he remembered losing the menace.

Damir held back his fist and punched his nephew in the stomach, then moved his forearm up until it was just below the boys windpipe. "I thought we had thoroughly discussed your possible involvement with the Malloy girl. I want Star MacStone on your arm, and I want it to happen before the next time we talk. If she has a boyfriend, then figure out a way to discredit him and get her. Now, tell me some good news about Ellery."

(OOC: This has been a combined post by Barbie and Jane. We hope you are enjoying the thread.)

LIAM

Liam cringed and put his head back against the wall. His stomach felt like it was on fire and he knew if he fought his Uncle would just keep damaging his body. He knew he didn't have a chance with Star unless he could get her and Luke to get caught together. Star's father had forbidden Star and Luke from dating for six months. They were not allowed to be close unless there was an adult thirty-five years or older between them. If he could get them in a compromising situation or if he could convince Star that she needed to pretend to date him, to through her father off track, then he would be able to convince his Uncle he had the girl. They were two very large if's though. As he was about to answer only to hear a voice of the very boy his Uncle had just talked about.

Luke had followed Liam, which appeared to be his all consuming hobby at the moment. The boy wanted his Star and he wasn't going to get her. When he saw Liam, enter the secret passage to the kitchen area of the Shrieking Shack he cringed, but he knew he had to follow. He hated but also feared this place. His mind flashed back to being thrown like a ragdoll yoyo against the walls and ceiling by Shadow. He heard voices up ahead. He heard his Star's name and the stranger wanted Liam to bring her to him. That was not going to happen. He drew his wand and headed though the door.. "Discrediting me will never happen! Now release Liam as I am taking him straight to..." He didn't get to finish.

DAMIR

Damir had dealt with children before who depended on magic to be able to fight. Still holding Liam against the wall, he swung out his other arm and knocked the wand out of the would be assailants hand. Shoving Liam to the floor he said, "Stay" then swung a left-cross at the boys head. He held back a little because he didn't want to knock him out, just stun him so he could get him under control. As the boy went to the floor on his knees, Damir pushed him down, pulled his arms behind him and used the boys own shirt to tie his hands behind his back. Pulling the boy up by his hair he threw him against the wall so he was sitting with his back against the wood. He also reached over, grabbed Liam who had not risen from the floor and roughly set him beside the new boy. "What is your name?"

Luke fought his bonds but he was tied tight. With all the bravado he could add to his voice he said, "None of your business!" He had to get this guy worried and so said the one thing he wished he had truly done. "I don't know who you are but you better release us before my time to check in is up!" Trying to sit up a little straighter, he glance at Liam who was just sitting there staring between him and the man standing over them. Luke had to get this guy to think that he had let people at the school know what he was doing. "I mean it. If we are not back in the school in fifteen minutes this shack will be crawling with Aurors. So you better release us Now!" Luke said still upset with himself for getting caught yet again in this shack.

Damir only chuckled. He reached down and grabbed Liam's hair and yanked hard. The grown he received told him the boy hurting enough to answer any of his questions. Leaning close to his nephew, retaining the punishing pull on his hair, he asked, "Who is this boy and is he telling me the truth?" Damir knew Liam knew better than to lie to him or not tell him everything. The boy knew he could get to him anytime he wanted to and no one would care how much damage he did, especially since he was really good at hiding where the damage was.

Liam shook his head knowing it would make the pain worse as he said, "He is probably wishing he had. May I introduce Seth Lucas Wright known better as Luke. The thorn in my side and the very boy you have told me to discredit. The boy who asked Starling's father to formally date her. He might have told other Core but the only adults he would have trusted to bring with him is Brennan Dawson or Marco Spellman. Since he came in and not them, I am almost positive no one knows he is here!"

Damir threw Liam's head hard against the wall and stood back up, rubbing his chin. Squatting down beside Luke, being careful the boy could not get to him with his feet, he said with a menacing chuckle to his voice, "So you are the one who seems to be causing me multiple problems. You see I want Liam here," he motioned toward his nephew, "to start dating the girl you appear to be interested in. She is going to be great someday for the small pieces of information I have been able to dig up on her. You also know and are trusted by a few people I wish to find out information about, one Marco Spellman, Brennan Dawson your cousin, Seth Wright who you are named after and your brother is starting to concern me also since he has decided to settle down and take an interest in the world. I think maybe we can come to a deal so you can report to Liam with some information. Liam knows how to get in touch with me." Damir reached out and tapped Luke's cheek with enough energy to cause pain, but not enough where a mark would last more than a little bit.

(OOC: This has been a combined post by Barbie and Jane. We hope you are enjoying the thread.)

LUKE

Luke gritted his teeth and glared at the man. He was getting the feeling Liam was into whatever was happening and had not just found himself in the wrong place at the wrong time. He was willingly taking part either from fear of the man in front of them or from the power of the situation in some way. Luke furiously responded, "I am not telling you anything! If anything you have confirmed that Liam is a spy and I am going to have great pleasure in seeing him expelled and maybe criminal charges filed against him!"

Liam shook off the pain in his head as he heard Luke threaten to have him expelled and possibly charged with a crime. "You even try to have me expelled or brought up on charges and I will personally insure your precious Star disappears soon after! Or maybe I will let her stay at the school, make it appear as if you have broken her father's edict and then step in to console her. It shouldn't be too hard to make her father think I am the greatest match he could find for her. Then," Liam chuckled, while wiggling straighter against the wall, so he could look in Luke' eyes, "I will take her somewhere she can be trained how to act when she is in my presence. You fool if you think a mere boy is going to threaten me! I am a member of a group which makes you little wizards look like second class fairies."

Luke inwardly cringed as he remembered what Shadow had put his cousin Bren through. It made him physically sick to think Star would be under the control of anyone. There was a chance Liam was telling the truth, and if so he had to do what he could to protect her and others. Right now he had to get out of where he was and have time to figure out what to do and if there was anyone he could talk to.

(OOC: Liam is an admin character so I have added him in this post.)

DAMIR

Damir saw the moment Luke had decided to cooperate at least for the moment. He knew the boy would need further encouragement to continue to do what was requested on him after he left the building. He grabbed Luke's hair and pulled the boys head up so he could be sure to look into his eyes. Putting his face closer he said, "It seems maybe you have figured out that doing as I say will save you a lot of heartache and maybe make it so your personal concerns are not interfered with. I will set down the rule and you will follow them. Rule one: If Liam is talking with your precious Starling you will not say anything or do anything. He is actually going to take her to Hogsmeade at least four times in the next couple of months." Damir looked over to Liam, as the boy nodded. "You are not going to interfere with this. As long as I do not get a report that you tried to stop it or interfere in any other way, then she will be safe, otherwise, I personally will visit with her in the privacy of my own home."

"Rule two: If Liam asks you to find out some information about a person, object or time period you will do your very best to get the information to him quickly. I of course will decide if it is quick enough. I have a very short attention span, Luke and time seems to fly by quickly to me. What you consider to be only a few hours can seem like days to me, so do not hesitate in your quests." Damir shook looks head back and forth. "Rule three: If I decide I would like to talk, you will meet me here at the Shack or anywhere else in this town to talk with me. You will come as soon as possible and remember my time does not flow like yours does." Damir reached out with his other hand and gave Luke two hard slaps on his face. "Remember Seth Lucas Wright you will not tell anyone of our meetings or of Liam's involvement. The very first person I will go after is Star, and I guarantee you I can get to her before anyone can hide her. Right now she is on her way here, because I called to her and made her think she felt she had to get here quickly. I will then go after your brother. Don't defy me Luke, it won't be worth it."

Damir threw Luke's head hard against the wall and stood up. After appearing to be in thought for a few moments he reached down and grabbed Luke by the shoulders and stood him facing the wall, pushing him tight against it with his forearm. Leaning in close he whispered, "Maybe you would like a small demonstration of what how I deliver punishment when people don't do as I say. Think of what you precious Star would feel if I did this," Damir reached down and painfully yanked Luke's bound arms upward on his back then he reached in his pocket and pulled out a small pen knife. He held the knife close to Luke's cheek making sure his eyes caught the glint off the blade. Slowly Damir rubbed the side of the knife down Luke's cheek, then lowered in and mad a small slice in Luke's lower back. Reaching back in his pocket he pulled out a small salt shaker and liberally sprinkled salt onto the wound.

LUKE

Luke screamed and tried to breathe through the pain in his back. He had to keep this guy away from his Star. Plus he had been through worse remembering Shadow. "You won't touch Star! I have survived worse. I am giving you nothing!" He was at least not almost dead like he was last year. Luke was inwardly fearful as he had given in to Shadow and still carried the scars from that encounter. Luke was worried if he gave in once what was to stop him from doing so again. He also knew Liam was a member of Force and they were no light weights.

Damir looked around the dust covered room and finally found an old wooden chair. He pulled the chair over in front of Luke's outstretched legs. Walking up to the boy he kicked his legs wide open, took out his wand and said, "Fermata" locking Luke's legs in place and preventing him from pulling them back together. Sitting down he leaned his elbows on his knees and played with his pen knife, flipping it end over end in the air. "So my young friend, when I was much younger we played a game of Mumble Pegs. The object was to get as close to the target as possible without hitting it. The exercise helped refine my skill of knife throwing, which I have won awards at over time. The problem is, the weight on this little pen knife is different and I am not sure how accurate I still am with it." Damir sneared. "But I think we will find out." With no warning Damir flipped the knife and it stuck in the floor, an inch away from Luke's right thigh."Humm .... wasn't quit aiming for there but I promise to keep trying." Damir laughed at the horror on both boys faces. He always landed the knife where he wanted it, exactly where he wanted it, but he wasn't going to tell the boys that. Magically he recalled the knife back into his hand.

Luke saw the knife coming down and tried to move his now wooden legs out of the way. He realized his legs were staying exactly where this man wanted them .Inwardly it flashed him back to how helpless he felt when after he had given Shadow the medallion, the man had taken Bren as he laid against a wall helpless to stop it. Outwardly he turned his head to hide the tear in his eye from the memory as he said, "Is there a point or something you are trying to get at with this game, Mister; Oh I am sorry I never caught your name! I am still not telling you anything or helping your lackey!" Luke hide his fear behind his cockiness.

Damir bounced the knife a couple more times in his hand. He glanced over at Liam, who cringed. "I wouldn't move boy or you might find this knife somewhere you don't want it." Too prove his point he threw the knife and it caught in the colar of Liam's shirt, a fraction of an inch from the skin of his throat. Calling the knife back, he laughed, "See, now stay still or you might dirupt my concentration and I am sure your classmate would not want that to happen." Damir turned his full attention back to Luke. " I haven't asked you to do anything during our little practice session, yet. I am just seeing if I can still throw this small weapon with any accuracy." He let the knife again fly. This time it caught in Luke's pants leg, farther up his thigh. "I just can't seem to hit where I am airing at with you Luke, but hang in there I will keep trying. Now if I was going to ask you to possibly do something for me and use this game as an incentive, I think I would want you to agree to at least one of the Rules I mentioned before. Do you need me to restate them?" Damir again threw the knife and this time having it land directly in the center of Luke's spread legs, but very close to the point of the "V" being formed by the stationary legs. "Ahh ... now that was a little better, closer to the target."

Luke still had his head looking away as he said, "And if my answer is no! As I said I have been in worse situations. So why should I give you anything? Especially when I have no way of even thinking of you except as a possible bully but no real threat." He knew this kind of attitude is what had infuriated Shadow. Luke inwardly cringed as he realized that this was the way he handled the fear that otherwise would engulf him.

(OOC: This has been a combined post by Barbie and Jane. We hope you are enjoying the thread.)

DAMIR

Damir through the knife again, this time it landed in the wall an inch from Luke's nose. "Look at me boy when I talk to you." He called the knife back as Luke slowly turned his face toward him. A single tear had left a trail down the boys right cheek. "Very good," Damir continued as he bounced the knife in his hand. He needed to maybe change tactics a bit with this young man. Liam was easy the boy was scared of his own shadow and would do anything for a reward. Luke wasn't really looking for anything, at least not a material item. "You know Luke we don't have to continue this way. Eventually I am going to get mad or frustrated enough to let the knife sink into you." Damir reached around his back and pulled out the twelve inch bowie knife he kept sheathed there. He threw it and it stuck in the same spot as the penknife had just been, in the wall about four inches from Luke's turned head. "Or maybe I will start using that knife." Damir chuckled when he glanced at Liam and saw the boy had gone white. Luke had only turned his eyes to the knife and then quickly back to him. The boy had courage.

"I know there is no material item you want or need. Your family has everything it could possibly want. I also know you are not looking for great power. The only power you desire is the power to keep your family and friends safe. Well boy what if I can show you the unlimited power to protect them. You know you cannot control the Dark Wizarding power, with what you know now, but what if you knew more of how the dark power worked. Then you can use the knowledge to protect thoes you care for." Damir had never seen anyone who learned the true nature of the Dark Magics be able to stay away from them once they fell into their pull. The power just kept pulling you deeper and deeper. "I am willing to teach you boy, in exchange for just a few tidbits of information or maybe a minor deed or two, nothing dangerous to any of those you know." Damir held back the chuckle. Luke would help him and not realized the full extent of what he was doing. "What do you say boy? Pain or power?"

LUKE

Luke thought about how weak he had felt against the tormentor of his leader Tia. He felt the betrayal of his older brother Will. Where had his older brother been when Luke had faced the murderer of his parents. Instead it had been Bren would had suffered at the hands of Shadow. It had been Bren who had made a deal to protect Ashley and him. His emotions showed on his face as he heard Liam say, "Luke, you almost died at the hands of Shadow. For what, so he could teach the Princess another lesson? You really think those protectors of Tia's have really protected her or any of you?"

Luke glared at Liam as he said furious, "Tia was stubborn back then. Nobody but us Core knew about the threats. I did not tell about the meeting or they would have tried to stop it. You need to keep your nose out of Core business Liam! You are Force! I am Core!" Inside he was battling with the truth of Liam's words. The Caretakers had asked for the Core to trust them but only a few like Bren and Tarik were looking at the Core members as wizards already battling a war ...."We never Wanted to Fight!" He was tired of his nightmares but Luke was still unsure if this guy was just toying with him like Shadow. Luke shook his head as he thought, "Or can he really teach me enough to insure that Shadow and the followers of The Dark One never hurt my friends or family again?" Luke inwardly shook as again his inner voice reminded of his promise to his father. His family values and beliefs were all he had left. Luke shook his head but his cockiness was gone.

DAMIR

"I would be willing to wager you are thinking of what your family will think if you start to study and use some of the dark arts. They have convinced you that the only way to win the battle the wizarding world is starting to get a glimps of is to always fight fair. Tell my Luke how do you fight fair when your opponent is using every dirty trick in the book. Wouldn't you want to know thoes tricks so that you can figure out how to counter them and keep your family safe? What's going to happen to Star when the dark side convinces her she needs to understand what I am trying to teach you. Will she be strong enough to not give into the power which they will use to consume her very soul? How will she be used? She is very pretty and I can tell you of at least three who would love to have her on their arm, and play with her anyway they see fit. They don't always like to play alone, Luke. Don't you want to know how to make them all believe you already have her in your power and are on their side so they don't have to use her?" Damir continued to stare at the boy. He was coming around, slowly, but Damir was sure he was his.

Damir called back his bowie knife and replaced it in its sheath. "I can show you the power to be stronger than.... Shadow. You will be able to eventually control him if you study with me hard and complete the small tasks I assign you. You need to show me you want to be more powerful then you enemies."

LUKE

Luke was unsure what to think anymore. The man was talking a lot like Cole. He smiled at the thought that Frank Cole had snuck the Core onto his island several times over the last year. He voiced his thoughts, "The Core has been training and I trust Mr. Cole a whole lot more than I trust a man that won't even trust me with his name!" Luke's anger came from all the secrets he had learned that were still kept from Tia and The Core. He was angry with himself for not having protected Bren, his twin and now Luke felt like he was losing Star. He also wondered why Cole was letting them train but his cousin Brennan was not trusting the man, Bren referred to as The Fixer.

He knew he had angered the man and so braced himself for the pain he was sure was coming. "If you are that powerful then why does the name Cole bring fear to your eyes?" Luke said not really sure if what he saw was fear or hatred. He used his hand near his back pocket to try and use the signal coin. Luke hoped that Tia had given Frank Cole one of the Core coin.

Liam said as he pointed to what Luke was doing, "He is reaching for one of the Core's special coins. If he does, all the Core will be here along with a few of the adults. They are picky about who gets a coin." Liam cringed as he feared his uncle and he had once again not told Damir about something that was important. He had truly only now remember the coins that the members of Core had. He had tried through Ellery to obtain one but found out Ellery's sister coin only worked for Emily and not Ellery as well.

DAMIR

Damir shot up out of his seat and pushed the boy over with a hard shove. He ripped the back pants pocket free and found the small coin which looked like any other galleon but it's edges were rippled instead of smooth. "So boy you still are not convinced I know better than you do what should be done." Damir reached down and pulled Luke back to a sitting position and slammed him against the wall. "Your precious Star was standing at the entrance to here, five minutes ago and I was nice enough to send her the false impression you had returned to the school. Maybe I should call her back and let you see what it would mean if she was pulled into the darkness with no escape. Maybe I will take her to the Clan home and have her bitten and turned. Would you like that?"

Damir grabbed Luke's hair and repeatedly slammed his head into the wall. Not hard enough to make him black out or even hard enough to cause any damage, but the boy would have a headache for a while. "You want her to be chosen and become someone's pet knowing you could change the outcome, knowing you can learn what is necessary to keep her and the rest of them safe."

Damir dropped Luke's head forward and squatted down in front of him. "I know this man Cole you speak of. I know him well. If he is training you that is a good thing, you need to keep up the training he can give you. He supplies the brawn and I will supply the ability to use the brawn and to use your brain." Damir, roughly slapped Luke upside the head with his open hand three times. "I do not fear the man, because we have never gotten along enough to have that fear established. Cole did something once, which is not part of what I am trying to teach you, which made me seriously question his magical abilities and ethics. So learn how to fight from him and tell me how he teaches you then I will be able to compliment his teachings which will make you stronger still." Damir got up and sat back in the seat he was in before, resting his elbows on his knees. "You still have not answered me boy. Are we going to continue with the pain and maybe bring your Star into the mix so I can show you how easy it is to turn the girl? All it takes is one small bite and she will be on her knees for me or anyone I tell her to, begging to do what they say. Or are you going to act wisely and let me show you how to ensure she will be safe." Damir leaned in a little closer and just above a whisper said, "Let me show you the power you need and crave Luke. Let me make it so you are stronger than your enemies."

LUKE

Luke heard the word bitten and cringed. "Werewolves or Vampires, either that pendulum swung meant the spells Big Trouble!", Luke thought for the first time actually fearing for his life. He desperately tried to think through the headache that now threaten to cloud his mind. He knew and had met both Gabriel and Nathalie. He knew the power both could use. He also knew that both used to hunt the very things that turned them.

He finally understood Liam's fear as neither of them were a match for the man that now had the very coin that could bring his friends into a lot more trouble than Shadow had ever been. He smiled weakly cause he saw the coin had not been activated. The coins were blood locked and that meant only he could activate it. The young Ravenclaw said, "You're not turning Star into a child of the night or moon! I know two that would stop you. I will think on what you are offering but I think I will turn you down at this point." He needed to tell Rosa so that Gabriel and Nathalie could have a chat with Liam.

He did wonder what Frank Cole's connection was to vampires or werewolves. From the look Liam was giving, Luke had a feeling that the man was again not liking what Luke had said. He hoped he lived long enough to warn his friends about this new threat. He tried to strengthen his resolve to not become a Dark Wizard.

DAMIR

Damir chuckled. "If I want Star as my pet I will have her. Once twenty-four hours has passed she will never be able to be turned back. You want that Luke? You want to watch as she eats off one of her friends without the ability to stop?" Damir placed his elbows on his knees. "I always thought you were one of the smart ones. Here I am offering you the ability to protect the ones you love and care for, protect them with the skill far beyond any of the other's have at your pathetic school. I am willing to teach you how to use all the power you could possibly want, in exchange for just your abilities as a messenger and a few bits of information." Damir sat back in his chair and stared at the boy for a few moments. "Luke how would you like to be able to go to Knockturn alley and find out information? I could make it so you were accepted there. You could find information which would help your friends. You might have to do a couple small deeds to make everyone think you were on their side, but I can give you the abilities to spy on your enemies." Damir knew when the boy was accepted in the Dark Wizarding Alley he would eventually be drawn to the power there. He could also use the information the boy was able to glean from the area.

"Luke, you know I can force the issue of you joining me, but instead I am trying to give you the ability to continue to think for yourself in the world. It would only take me a minute to have someone join us who could turn you. Turn you so that you would require the blood of others just to survive. Turn you so that you would be willing to capture and feast off others. Anyone trusting you would be available to you to draw nourishment off of. I would show you have how to take what you need over and over. The person or persons would never die, they would always be available for your bite. I could set it up so females would come to you just to be able to have children to keep your human lauder growing. Tell my Luke which way do you want your world to turn. Do you want to be in charge of how you get information or do you want me to make it so I am totally in charge of how and from whom you get information?"

LIAM

Liam shook his head because Luke still mistakenly thought he had a choice. "Luke, neither of us have a choice when my Uncle acts like this. He is just playing with you. He wants you as a pawn and now you coming here gives him the chance to push in that direction. If you refuse to behave he will just punish you or force you to watch others die using your wand. Luke, he can make you witness the torture of those you care about any time he chooses. I know I have been there." Liam said as he shivered. "Think I am his only spy? We all don't know each other's names, but we all know everyone else exists." Liam knew he had told Luke too much. He prepared for the punishment he saw in his Uncle's eyes.

Luke stubbornly shook his head as he answered, looking the man in the eyes, "I am not your pet and I will never be your pet. Though you have me now, I have every intention of warning your victims. I won't be used to turn others. Gabriel and Nathalie will stop you." Luke was desperately trying to add bravado to his voice and sound stronger then he really felt. He realized that Liam was trying to help by explaining that Luke was in for more of the man's dark side but he had to stay strong. He had to fight until he figured out how to get away or until someone found them.

(OOC: Liam is an admin character and Luke is my character.)

DAMIR

Slowly Damir stood, put his hand in his pocket and took the two steps to bring him next to Luke. Squatting down he grabbed Luke's hair, yanked his head to the side and hit his neck with the syringe from his pocket. He released Luke's hair and just squatted watching the boy. The only thing in the needle was a small amount of relaxant laced with a minimal amount of mind altering drug. Luke was going to be very suggestive to his suggestions for about the next ten minutes, then the drug would dissipate, but it would be too late to save Luke from his fate. It was the only way he could hypnotize the boy, who had a mental capacity to know when information was not quite right. Damir had to get deep into his subconscious. As the boy's eyes dilated he said, "Now Luke look at me." Luke turned his eyes and met Damir's. "You are going to listen to my voice and my voice only. No one else's voice is important to you. My voice is the only thing which can bring you peace and let you relax. Listen to my voice and believe what I tell you. It is the only truth." Damir did not allow Luke's eyes to break the contact. He reached out and pressed a finger onto each side of Luke's face at his temples. "My voice is the only truth Luke. You will do what I tell you without hesitation. You want to make me happy with you. You want to make what I tell you be the truth." Damir pressed hard. Luke's eyes dilated. The blue pupils were black as coal. "You want me as your Master. You want to please me. You know your life and happiness depends on my happiness." Damir took his thumbs and opened Luke's eyelids more, then he nodded. "Who is your Master Luke? Who will you obey without question?"

Damir returned to his chair and glanced at the other boy. He had never had any problem with Liam, because the boy didn't like pain, so it was easy to have him know he would hurt if he didn't comply. Damir turned back to Luke and saw as the drug slowly wore off. Luke's eyes were slowly returning to the color of a summer sky. He placed his hands on his knees and waited another moment then repeated, "Who is you Master Luke? Who will you obey without question?"

LUKE

Luke tried to just not speak but he felt the man's control. This man had him and it was only a matter of time. "Please..." He prayed the drug was not addictive. He felt the words come. He said as he tried to still stop, "You! You are my master. I will obey." Luke felt sick to his stomach as the words came out. One part of his brain kept trying to push forward and stop him from talking, but another part was getting stronger, the part that kept telling him he had no choice but to do exactly what the man in front of him said he had to do or think. Luke tried to fight the man's control. He had a feeling that this was not going to be a onetime thing. Luke looked at Liam before saying, "How long are you going to..." Luke stopped as he was unsure what exactly the man had done.

Liam looked over at Luke who was still tied and leaning against the wall beside him. He shook his head as he said, "I doubt either of us will be leaving the Shack for at least..." He stopped as he knew Luke's brainwashing had only began. His uncle was a master and by the time Luke left the Shack, the Ravenclaw would be Uncle's. The Mind Trap World would force Luke into whatever Damir wanted Luke to believe. He wondered how long before Luke would be locked into his mind and at the soul mercy of Damir.

He turned to the man he feared above all others and asked, "When do you punish me for trying to warn Luke of your playing with him? I know soon you will have his true self locked away. I know from experience that you plan on breaking his true self while Luke does anything you want. Uncle. Please..."

DAMIR

Damir only chuckled as he stood up. Walking to stand in front of his nephew, he kicked the boy in the thighs several time. "What you want to feel the pain, nephew? You want to know that I care enough about you to make you do what I say? You jealous of someone maybe becoming more important then you are and making it so I have no need of you anymore? Don't worry boy, I still need you to pull the ones we have discussed into my realm." Damir took the two steps sideways to put him in front of Luke. He released the boys legs from the spell's effects. Reaching in his pocket he pulled out another syringe, leaned down, grabbed Luke's hair and slammed the needle into the boys neck. It was going to take another couple of doses to make sure the boy craved the drugs. The drug was designed to dissipate after about fifteen minutes, but the mental effects would always be there. Luke's body would be constantly convincing his mind he needed another shot. Eventually Luke would start to come looking for him to get another fix. That would be when Damir would know the boy was his. Until then he would play a bit."On your knees in front of me pet. Show me that you know who you serve now."

When Luke slowly made it to his knees he asked, "Tell me who you love Luke. Who do you want to protect the most." Damir knew the answer but he wanted the girls face in the boys mind because... When Luke whispered, "Star," Damir nodded and smiled. "If you do what I tell you she will be safe. If not then..." Damir placed his hand on top of the boys head and Luke jumped and cried out. Star was standing against a wall, surrounded by three very large men, all holding knives. She was terrified. Luke saw himself walk up and stand between two of the men, smile and nod. One man stepped forward and sliced Star's forearm with a three in gash then stepped back. Another stepped forward and backhanded her three times. She cried out, but she didn't move from the wall. Luke noticed cuffs around her wrists and ankles. She couldn't move. Luke screamed.

Luke looked up at the man in front of him and pleaded. "Please no Master. I am yours. Leave her alone, please... I will obey you in all things."

"Good boy." Damir threw a knife into the floor of the shack. "Pick up the knife and cut Liam's forearm as you just saw Star's being cut." Damir turned to Liam and said, "Hold out your arm boy or I will make this worse."

Liam held out his arm which was shaking badly. He knew he could not resist. He fought not to faint. If he did he knew his Uncle would just revive him and continue. Luke moved toward Liam's arm and with the point, sliced it opened. Damir leaned down and whispered in Luke's ear. "Feel the power you weld, boy. Liam is in your power, where you have wanted him since you found he was working with me. You control him. Feel it in you bones." Damir silently used a spell to seal the slit in Liam's arm. The pain would remain, but in an hour no one would be able to even know it had happened.

"Luke look at me." Damir held out another syringe. "What do you want me to do with this boy? Do you want me to shoot it into the ground or into your body where it will make you strong and able to do what you need to do?" Damir chuckled as Luke turned his head and offered his neck. "Very good," Damir whispered as he again administered the drug to Luke. That was the third shot. From this point on, Luke would not be able to fight the craving his body would tell him he had for the drug. "What are you going to do Luke? How are you going to show me that you desire to be part of my world and have the power to protect yours?"

(OOC: I have been given permission to say what Luke and Liam did in this post.)

LUKE

Liam held his arm. The actually cut was fading fast. In a few moments it wouldn't even exist. The spot burned though as if the knife was still there. The pain would last longer. He cringed as he asked, "And Luke's true self? What kind of nightmarish world have you trapped him in?" Liam had seen what the drug could do first hand. His Uncle did not have to use it on him to get him to do his bidding. Liam was afraid of pain and his Uncle knew it. His Uncle had told him though that he wanted him to know what the effects were. The drug made your brain create a world where pain was kept at bay only if you did what you were told to do by the one who administered the drug and was there when it took effect, in this case his Uncle. It was an experimental drug used at the Clan home quite effectively. Liam had seen people do horrible things to each other, only to be able to get more of the drug. It made you feel powerful and made you crave the power over other people. The drug pulled on your need to be the best at whatever you were asked to do. Since Luke had the drive to be good at what he tried, whether it was his lessons, sports or just having people like him, that craving would be turned into a need to be the best at what Liam's Uncle requested. Luke would try and fight the worst of the request but in the end the need to be the best and please his Uncle would win out.

Luke heard a very faint voice, the words barely understandable. "Look for the flaws. You don't need that drug. Stop think of Star." Luke's whole body shook as he tried to clear his head."What does Liam mean? What if I say no to anymore...." His own body answered him. He dropped to his knees."What are you doing to me?"

DAMIR

Damir reached down and picked pulled back on the boys head by his hair. "I am showing you a new world Luke, where you are all powerful. You are the Prince, an all powerful prince. People will want to do what you say or you will have them punished. You can protect anyone you want. Your world is a safe place for others. You can bring them into your world and protect them." Damir chuckled. If this worked out like he hoped eventually he would be able to pull more of the young people under his power. He had a good supply of the drugs so that was no problem. "You must keep the secret though Luke. Your friends will not understand you are trying to protect them. They will try and stop you. They will get hurt and you will not be able to help them."

Damir again placed a finger on either side of Luke's head, pressing firmly. He whispered, "Look around you boy. It is peaceful where you are. There are no problems. Ah here comes your beautiful Star. She is so happy to see you. She knows you only want the best for her. Her smile is just for you. Your friends are right behind her and they are all happy. See them as they laugh and enjoy each other company. But there is a problem, because see someone I told you to make sure never found out about our agreement. Notice how the world around you is turning dark. Star is crying because she thinks you are not going to be with her. Your friends are starting to get frightened, all because you didn't do what I have asked. It is your fault. How can you change this picture Luke? How can you make it sunny and happy again?"

LUKE

Liam was truly afraid for his best friend Ellery. The look his uncle had given left no room for doubt. Liam was going to learn who he should be loyal to. The thing was Liam would be made to wait until his uncle decided to carry out the punishment. He looked at Luke and sadly nodded his head. The boy was on his own unless Liam wanted Ellery to suffer as well. Liam would suffer either way but as long as he did not anger his uncle further, Liam would suffer alone. He knew that the Clan had never forgotten Jonathan's betrayal. His grandfather Markus had orders to make both Jonathan and Lance Kildare suffer for it. "I can never forget that they had us all watch Scotty, Jonathan's brother be given to the feeders. I can't make that mistake."

Luke inwardly shook as he said, "I don't want to be a prince. My elder brother William is my father's heir and my twin Ash will be our mother's. Sure Star is an Egyptian Princess but only Tia..." He stopped cause the Core had sworn to protect their leader's secret. He watched and then screamed when thanks to Fixer, he saw his friends go from happy to screaming. Luke glared at Fixer as he said, "You are suppose to be our friend. I foolishly thought we could trust you but the Caretakers are right! You only wanted to use us to get the box..." Luke panicked as nobody was suppose to know about Tia being the Guardian of Menka's Treasure. He told the girls to get behind him and the other older boys of Core. His mind hurt but he had to keep the Magi council safe.

DAMIR
With a quick backhand swipe, Damir delivered a stinging slap to Liam. "I have not given you permission to even be part of this. Bow before me." Liam got on his knees, leaned forward and put his forehead on the wooden floor. He put his hands behind his back and clasped his fingers together. The pain from the floor would get worse, but he knew not to move. "You will stay that way boy until I think you have learned your place. When we are done I will let you prove to me that you are still loyal and can be trusted to do what I say immediately." Damir was not sure what he would have the boy do, but there were several individuals who could use a lesson and he would allow the boy to give those lessons.

Damir held Luke's head back and looked into his eyes. "Use the magic within you Luke. Save your friends. You are the only one who can do it. Don't be afraid. I have given you the ability to save them. Use the ability." Damir had to get Luke to use the Dark Magic a few times, even if the use was only in his head. "Why don't you save them. Hear their screams. Show them and me how strong you are. Say the words which will make them happy again." Damir released Luke's head but still held the eye contact. He pushed one finger up against Luke's temple and pushed. The pain it would cause would make the scenario he had running in the boys head, speed up. "Do it now Luke. Use the power."

(OOC: I have been given permission to say what Liam has done in this post.)


LUKE
Luke pulled the special wand that proved he had been chosen to protect Tia and her cousin. Even though all of this was happening in his mind, it was so real. He was still worried about what the man helping had heard, because he knew he was rambling. The pain was getting worse but right at the moment Luke was only interested in proving to the other Core that he could fix his error, he could save them and make them happy again. He pointed his wand at Fixer and let the wand choose Fixer's fate. Nothing happened and that scared Luke. Fixer stood there staring at him. Out loud Luke said, "I don't understand this wand only purpose is the protect the Magi council. It is linked like the others to Tia's guardian wand." Luke screamed as his body craved another dose of medicine. "Master Please."

"Interesting," Damir thought to himself as he reached down and removed the wand from the hiding place, Luke had revealed in his mindtrap. Looking at it closely he knew it had been made by someone with the crafting abilities far beyond anyone he knew. He was going to have to find out who made it and see if he could get one. Damir pointed the wand at a chair and tried to make the chair move. It wouldn't. The boys interesting comment about how it was linked to Tia's guardian wand made him pause for a moment. If he could figure out how to get the boy to use it using the dark magic's then he would have a chance of adding the other wands abilities to his own. He couldn't do that at the moment though, because he was positive it would alert others to what was happening to the boy. The boy was going to be answering a lot of questions. But first he had to get the boy following his directions.

"Put the wand away, Luke. It will do you no good. You have the ability with my help to use wandless magic. Don't worry about Fixer, you have to use the special magic to put a bubble around your friends, then he will not be able to touch them. Do it Luke. When it is done I will give you what you crave. Pull on the power I am allowing you to have." Damir took another needle out of his pocket and showed it to the boy, who was half way between reality and his mindtrap. "Do. It. Now. Boy."

Luke was still unsure as the wand should have worked. "If Fixer was truly a threat to Tia, my special ability would have..." The pain was too great he needed the medicine. He saw the needle and hoped the bubble would protect his friends. He thought hard as the pain grew. The bubble started to surround his friends only for his special wand to glow. "Something is not right. My wand is targeting the bubble." Luke was doubled over in pain as he said, "You almost had me target my friends but my special wand shows me the truth"

Luke was worried though as he reeled in extreme pain. The man that Liam served would have had him if his mind had not called on special wand. He prayed he could hold out but deep down he knew the man was learning things that was none of his business. Luke was not even sure how long he had been in his mind but he felt his cousin Bren. He hoped that Bren and the man with him was not just another mindtrap."

(OOC: This is a combined post between Barbie and Jane, we hope you are enjoying the thread.)

DAMIR

Damir placed the wand in his lined jacket pocket. It was magically lined with the ability to block all magic from escaping it's confines. He rubbed his chin. What else would make the boy break? Who else was he close too? Damir smiled as he placed his hand on top of the boys head. "I think I hear one of your friends coming this way. I'm going to let them in and see if they can help convince you that you need to listen and learn from me, because I only have your best interests at heart, Luke." Damir sent Luke back into the Mindtrap world and had him see Brennan, walking into the room, giving himself up in the hopes of freeing Luke.

"Ah, it is Brennan. On your knees Hit Wizard. You have come to beg for the life of this boy. I think you will have to show me how much you want him to be released." With that Damir put his hand around the knelling wizards neck and started to squeeze. Brennan tried to pull his hands away but Damir kept a punishing grip on the man's wind pipe. He looked at Luke and was please the boy was fighting to not use the dark magic. "Luke all you have to do is use the magic on my hand and it will release its hold. If you don't, Brennan will soon be unconscious and I will revive him and then use my whip on him. What are you going to do, Luke? Are you going to allow the pain to continue on your friend?"

LUKE (251 words)

Luke watched Brennan slowly drop to his knees as his eyes slide from him to Liam and back to the man in front of them. Luke was scared and had no idea what to do to save Brennan. He had to stay strong because that was what the Core did. They didn't give into the Dark Magic, but maybe if he just used it once it wouldn't matter. He did know one thing that might work in their favor. Brennan would probably not have come alone.The Hit Wizard had learned through his time under the Shadows fist, to let others know what was happening where there was a chance of danger. Luke looked at the Dark Wizard and though gritted teeth he said, "Release him!" knowing it was not going to happen. "Arianna and Richard had made sure Brennan never forgot what Shadow put Brennan and me through. Brennan admitted he had been foolish not to have told at least Richard Greene. Luke would never make the same mistake twice" Luke was not sure if he said the words out loud or they were just in his head. He needed the medicine in the syringe being held inches from his neck. Luke tried to pull enough anger up to the top of his emotions to blank out the craving running fast through his blood. Instead his body curled up feeling like he was being torn apart from the inside out. "Please! I can't think straight without the medicine. "

DAMIR
Damir took his hand away from Luke's head and allowed the boy to come back to the real world. When he let go of the boy's hair his head dropped to his chest. "You want the medicine I can give you Luke. You want to feel the power it gives you, but you are not giving any reason to let you feel better. Maybe you don't feel bad enough yet."

Damir kicked Liam and told him, "Get up and stand by the table." The boy rose slowly, his eyes filled with fear. He stood by the table and waited, his eyes darting between Luke and Damir. Damir chuckled. The boy knew he was about to take part in the breaking of Luke and he also knew it was not going to be without pain to himself.

Damir turned back to Luke and said, "Get up." When Luke had risen on shaky legs, Damir back handed him, caught him so before he fell and then backhanded him again with the other hand. Before Luke could fall to his knees, Damir turned him around and held him against the wall. "You have a choice boy. Take the pain yourself or use the magic I have given to you and shove Liam against the far wall." Damir punched Luke in the back, being careful not to hit his kidneys. He punched him a second time and spun him around so he was still up against the wall. Slapping Luke a couple times with an open hand, hard enough to sting, he added, "Pain, or use the magic and get the medicine, which will it be boy?"


LUKE


Luke was in so much pain but he could not see Bren. What had the man done with him Luke feared the worst. "Where is my cousin? What have you done with him?" Luke pleaded unsure what to do. He needed the medicine to stop the pain as well as the shakes that felt like his body was being torn apart. He looked at Liam knowing this was the boy who wanted his Star. Luke thought about his friends the Core and their beliefs and values. "They will not know.", Luke thought as he considered hurting the boy before him. "I can't! I will know! It is not our way?", Luke shook his head but thought he had said nothing.

Luke tried to pull away from the man as he said, "I will give you nothing. Release them as I will not play your game!" Luke deep down was so unsure. He had almost used a side of his magic that went against his beliefs. "How much longer can I keep fighting? Is this what Shadow and Zia put Bren through? I am just a kid who could not even stand up to Shadow. Can I really keep from betraying my friends? Can I really stand strong and give this monster nothing?" Luke was terrified he was losing. He wonder as he looked for a window just how long he had been held and what else this man had planned. Was the man going to take him somewhere like Shadow had Brennan, Luke felt that the worst was yet to come.

DAMIR

Damir did not hesitate. He backhanded Luke again and then gave him a solid punch to his stomach, then back handed him again. "I am holding your precious cousin hostage. He will be released when you have learned the lessons I am teaching you. You want the pain to continue Luke when it would be so easy to stop it. Use the magic and send Liam against the back wall. The boy has betrayed you. He wants your Star, your destiny. He will take her and use her. He is mine so that means I will have a chance to use her anyway I wish too. She is a pretty little thing. Use the magic and I will not bring her too me and make her my pet. Use the magic and give Liam a reason to fear you." Damir held up the syringe again. He made sure Luke saw him slowly move it so it was within centimeters of his neck.

Putting his face close to the boys he said, "You cannot win Luke, you know you cannot. The only way you have of saving your friends from coming to me one after the other, is to use the Dark Magic and send Liam across the room." Damir reached down and grabbed the boys wrist, raising his hand toward Liam, who was barely standing on shaky legs. "I will make the pain go away and you and I will come to quick terms. I don't want much from you Luke. Just an occasional favor. Is your friends freedoms worth you holding out. I will start with the youngest and work my way up. Who would that be Luke? Who will call me Master and do exactly what I tell them to do to the world, to each other, to themselves? Are you listening to me boy?" Damir back handed Luke again, never letting him fall to the floor from where he was plastered against the wall by his arm.

LUKE


Luke understood fully this man's threat. He was scared especially for the youngest ones. He needed to protect them. He pleaded, "Please they are kids. They would not stand a chance against you..." He looked at Liam as he asked, "If I do this? You back off my family and friends! Whatever you are holding over Star's Father, It disappears!" He had a bad feeling from the look Liam gave him that the man was not the kind to be told what to do. His head was spinning as his eyes went to the needle being held not far from his face. He wondered if he had just pushed the man too far.

He would hurt Liam cause the consequences of not using the Dark Magic and pushing the guy meant Mika and Silvia would eventually be brought to this maniac. The Ravenclaw knew deep down that the man had won. Luke was only wanting to do this on his terms to insure that his family and friends would never again be used as a hold over him. He would hurt the boy that wanted to take Star away from him but he would never again help this man. "And the first chance I get, I will insure that the Caretakers bring this maniac down!", Luke thought praying the man did not realize that Luke planned on setting him up by going straight to the Caretakers

DAMIR
Damir did not let up on the arm pushing Luke to the wall. He looked into the boys eyes. He had to give the boy credit for guts. "The younger the person who comes to me the better it is for them and for me. The youngest members of the Core are bright and I will show them power. I will convince them I am their only hope for getting to their enemies. I will show them a world where power, gets you anything you want. The boys will be strong and the girls will learn their place in this would. They will help to increase the chosen ones. I make no promises about what I will do, other than I will give you more medicine. Depending on how good a boy you are," a statement Damir strengthened with no so light taps on Luke's cheek, "will make me decide about the others. If you don't do what I have said, what I told you will definitely happen. If you do what I am asking and continue to be good and follow my directions then there is a very good chance your friends and family will not have to even meet me."

Damir strengthened his grip on Luke's wrist and held the hand steady toward where the shaking Liam was standing. "Now. Use the power I have given you. Throw Liam against the back wall. Show me the power which I know you crave to be able to help your friends. Let me give you the medicine which will make your world better and brighter. The Dark Magic's will be part of the power you can use to fight your enemies. The safety of your friends depends on you, Luke. Use the power. Use. The. Power. Now."


LUKE
Luke knew he had not done what was demanded of him in such a long time. The Ravenclaw knew it was with good reason as wandless magic had terrified him and Ashley. He understood that this time he had no choice. He looked at the man and then closed his eyes for a brief second. As the power went out he sadly shook his head. The feeling of strength and power, flowed through his system making him feel like the whole world was perfect and he was strong and invincible. It made his body tingle. When Luke looked at Liam, the boy was laying on the floor not moving. Luke watched and noticed the rise and fall of Liam's chest. He hadn't killed the Gryffindor but it had been a close call. The Dark Magic was strong and he knew he didn't have control over it.

"I did as you asked. Now give me the medicine and I will leave." The Ravenclaw just wanting to get back to the school. Luke knew though if he had killed the boy he would have had no choice but to make this man pay. The fifteen year old pointed his hand at the man that held him. Luke only knew that he needed to get free and get help for Liam and to do that it meant telling the Caretakers. He just prayed he lived long enough. He felt the jab of the needle in his neck and he dropped to his knees with the relief from the pain. Again he tried to raise his hand to give the man a taste of his own demands, but found his hands pined behind him and his head pulled back by his hair.

DAMIR

Damir nodded and grinned. "Very well done my boy. We do seem to have a misunderstanding though. You appear to be under the assumption that doing what I asked one time was going to get you out of here. That is not going to happen, because you need to use the Dark Magic a few more times before it will be ingrained in your system. Also one other little problem is your reasoning you are going to be able to go and tell adults about our little arrangement. That won't be happening." Damir pulled his head back farther and got closer to the boys face. "You see my boy, you tell anyone, anyone at all... you hint to anyone what we are agreeing on and I will pick up three of the Core and turn them over to the man and women at the Clan home. They will be used in ways you would not even want to consider are possible. The boys will become slaves and
forced to work days without sleep for men who think nothing of using the whip. The girls will become slaves for men and women who have nothing better to do all day then come up with ways to misuse others. There is also a medical experimental program on the island that is always looking for humans who have not been turned. I hope I am making myself clear. Would you like proof I can get to them or are you going to take my word for it. If anyone finds out about me, even if you have kept quiet, I will carry out this promise. Now on your feet. I want you to use your dark magic and burn the chair near Liam. If you do it right, he should not be harmed so concentrate." Damir pulled Luke to his feet and pointed the boy to a chair not far from Liam's feet. Damir would not let his pet get hurt but he was not going to let Luke know that.

LUKE
Luke was furious that the man was once again threatening his friends. The only thought running through his head was to protect his friends. Luke turned quickly and tried to point his hand at the man who had grabbed his hatred and fear, as he said, "You are not touching my friends!" Luke found himself on his knees, his hand painfully retched up behind his back. What felt like a claw was pulling on his hair and forcing his head back so he was looking into an evil set of eyes over his head. He was scared and knew he had just messed up. The sick feeling that the was about to feel the wrath of the mad man churned in his stomach. As a smile slowly slid across the mans face, Luke was feeling sick to his stomach.

Damir saw by the stance the boy had taken that he was going to try something. He didn't even let Luke get past a couple of inches in his attempt to turn around before he slammed him to his knees on the hard wooden floor, pulled the extended hand down and them bent it high on Luke's back. The verbal yelp from the kid gave him satisfaction. Grabbing Luke's hair near the front he pulled his head back so he was looking up at Damir. Damir leaned down and got to within inches of the boys face. "You are never going to learn are you boy. This is my world you are in now. This is the world you need to survive in. If you want to do if in constant pain then I can make that happen." Damir pulled up on Luke's arm another inch. "I could break your arm, repair it and break it again. You ever had a broken arm, Luke? I can see in your eyes you haven't. They hurt. I can actually break any part of your body and repair it so no one would know."

Damir let a smile slide across his face. "So young wizard are you going to follow my directions?"

Damir's head snapped toward the hallway off the kitchen area when he heard a sound. Someone was coming through the passage which lead to the old tree near the school. He didn't have much time. Letting go of the boys hair, he placed his hand over Luke's mouth and pulled him back so he was off balance. "Feel this boy and remember I can do it to anyone, anytime I want too, even your precious Star. It would be nice to get my hands on her body." With that Damir, let go of Luke's arm and placed his hand on the boys chest, sending out a searing pain which he knew would travel along Luke's nerve endings, encompassing his whole body. Damir then through Luke to the floor, still withering. Looking at Liam he said, "Keep your mouth shut or I will make the only sound coming out of it pure pain." He turned, concentrated on who might be coming in and realized it was Derek, the Elf who was becoming a pain. The Elf did not know his place in the world and had become part of several groups Damir was fighting against. The last thought he had as he apparated out, was the Elf would learn his lesson someday and with any luck it would be at Damir's hands.

LIAM

Liam had watched as Luke fought becoming Damir's puppet. He had never known anyone who had been able to fight this long and win. His uncle had left before completing his mission. Liam wondered what would happen to his Uncle if this turning had been ordered by the Clan. There was a sense of satisfaction when he realized the punishment would not be pretty. His Uncle got everything he deserved. Unfortunately, the next time he saw him, it was likely Liam would feel some of the wrath from what happened to his Uncle. This thought made Liam cringe. Somehow he was going to have to try and stay away from the man until most of the anger wore off, which was not likely on both counts.

He had been shocked when he heard Luke say that he would never allow his uncle near Star. He knew he stood no chance against Damir. He gave an inward smile as he realized that at least one of the Core had. The fleeting thought that maybe one day he could be free floated through his mind and disappeared just as quickly.

Liam saw the door across the room open and he scooted as fast as he could to the far wall. Pulling his legs up to his chest he hoped whoever was coming in was a friend, or at least someone who would believe him. His Uncle would make sure Luke did not remember him and would not remember what he wanted from him. If he had it figured out, all of this would become a sleeping nightmare to Luke, like so many of his had become. His Uncle had learned the technique of turning real life occurrences into sleep nightmares and used it all the time. Liam had reached the point of acceptance and would just get up, clean the sweat off his body, change the sheets if they needed to be changed and try and go back to sleep. With any luck he would not have more than one nightmare a night. His roommates had gotten used to them.

DARIK

Darik quickly but quietly walked along the passage from the tree to the kitchen area of the Shrieking Shack. He would have apparated in but he wasn't sure what was going on and didn't want to force whoever was causing Luke to be in pain to get worse before he got there. Whoever it was, was good at blocking, because it was only during one of Darik's few quiet moments that Luke's anguish had come through in his thoughts.

Darik cringed when he kicked the small rock he had missed. It wasn't a loud sound. It would have been loud enough if the person on the other end of the tunnel was gifted in his hearing abilities. He started going faster. Luke's pain was getting worse. Just as he reached the door blocking the opening to the kitchen, Darik felt the enmity who torturing Luke, disappear. He felt the slight touch to his brain, so he knew the man had known it was him coming. Shoving through the door, Darik found Luke withering on the floor and Liam cowered against a far wall. He looked around and saw foot prints in the dust, showing someone else had been there. It was a man and by the size of his boot print a large man.

Kneeling down beside Luke who was panting heavily and twitching, Darik placed two fingers on the boys temple and pressed lightly. Within moments, Luke's jerking movement halted. His breath was slowly leveling out. Darik removed his fingers and smiled as the boy looked up at him, fear still the major emotion in his eyes. "It's going to be alright Luke. I'm not leaving." Darik looked over to Liam who was still pressed against the far wall. The boys legs were pulled up to his chest and his arms were wrapped around them. Liam had his head partially turned away and fear was also there in his eyes. "Why are you two here? What happened?" he asked himself knowing it was going to be a while before he got answers. The first thing he needed to do was get the boys back to the school and checked out. Then he would let Brennan or one of the teachers find out the answers. Dr. Lance would be there also.

Darik motioned for Liam to come closer. When the boy had reluctantly scooted close, Darik put a hand on each of the boys and apparated to the Hospital Wing of the school.

CLOSED

(OOC: Followed by Hospital Wing > Luke's Fright)


(OOC: This has been a combined post by Barbie and Jane. We hope you are enjoying the thread.)