The Haunting

Title: Exchanging "Hellos"/The Lions
Author: Cielag
Type: The Haunting
Genre: Suspense
Disclaimer: I do not own any characters from The Haunting nor am I affiliated with the movie, the producers, the directors, the actors/actresses, etc. I am not making any money off my stories so don't have a meltdown!
A/N: Excerpts of The Haunting combined neatly with the addition of one new character and a brand new plot twist that is unique to this movie alone.

Luke Sanderson leisurely wandered through the elaborate circular entrance of Hill House. Gazing at the intricate designs on the doorposts, Luke started towards an enormous twelve-foot high, black metal door. Luke bypassed walls decorated in curving, plant-like symbols from the Art Nouveau era, his curious blue eyes passing the designs with seemingly little care but definite interest.

Just then, a mysterious figure that had been stalking Luke in the shadows suddenly reached out and grabbed his shoulders, giving a horrendous bellow that echoed through the halls.

Luke gave a yell and slammed against the metal door in fright. The door gave way and Luke tumbled into the new room, landing on his back. Wondering who would play such a horrible trick on him, Luke glanced anxiously at the empty doorway.

Dr. Marrow appeared first in the doorway. Luke wondered if the professor would have scared him. But then, why would the professor want to scare him? After all, Luke was one of Dr. Marrow's subjects now. If Dr. Marrow was doing an experiment on insomnia, why would Dr. Marrow inflict fear in his subjects. Luke discounted Dr. Marrow from any possibility.

Next to the professor two females appeared, Theo and Eleanor. Eleanor seemed the homely woman type with her conservative olive colored jacket and blue jeans. Not much to look at and not very impressive.

Luke thought the Spanish female, Theo, was extremely attractive. Her eyebrows arched nice and thinly over her perfect tawny complexion. Luke starred at the burgundy fur lining Theo's silky-red sweater, immediately thinking of Theo being a rich aristocrat. Never-the-less though, Luke thought, Theo was especially enticing and a piece of art herself.

Dr. Marrow helped Luke to his feet and patted him on the back. The professor said, "I see you've met Vixie." Dr. Marrow stepped to the side, allowing a darkly dressed female to step forward. Vixie's jet black hair, bronze complexion, narrow eyes and eyebrows suggested Middle Eastern background.

Dr. Marrow put his hands on Vixie's shoulder and proudly said, "Vixie's one of my brightest students. She's here as a volunteer in the research."

Luke didn't wonder if Vixie was the type to sneak up behind him and grab him. Vixie held a certain captivating smile that kept Luke from gazing anywhere but into her rich, hazel eyes. Certainly this especially attractive female wouldn't dream of scaring people! More or less him! Perhaps the homely looking Eleanor would, Luke thought to himself.

Dr. Marrow continued, "Vixie specializes in ancient art and is quite absorbed in Ancient Egypt."

Theo remarked, "She also seems to be pretty good in scaring people."

Vixie gave a soft laugh, shrugging her shoulders and tossing her short straight black hair. "So far I'm on a record for being able to scare every single one of you."

Luke felt betrayed by Vixie. "How can such a lovely face hide treachery?" Luke wondered to himself. He began to suspect that underneath that innocent smile, deception and trickery hid underneath. Luke felt himself barley able to welcome Vixie kindly without having sarcasm spilling out with it.

Vixie smiled respectfully back at Luke and gave a wink at Theo. Dr. Marrow cleared his throat, clasped his hands together and worked up a casual smile. "Already tensions are running high. Fear might be an easy thing to work out of Luke," Dr. Marrow thought pleasantly to himself. He congratulated himself for bringing Vixie along on the experiment. Her scaring talents and her peculiar interests could serve to his advantage in producing the right symptoms of fear. To the group, Dr. Marrow casually announced, "Dinner will be in an hour so I suggest that you all get settled in and maybe get to know each other more."

Eleanor left towards the bedrooms while Dr. Marrow headed to the study. Theo walked over to Vixie and put her arm around Vixie and said, "Yes, I think we should get to know each other more, what do you say Vixie?"

Vixie smiled courteously at Theo, replying, "Sure, why not? After all, how are we supposed to do this research if we don't know each other?"

Vixie glanced at Luke, resting her eyes in his blue eyes.

"You're such a good sport there, uh,"

"Luke."

Nodding with a small smile, Vixie continued, "You're such a good sport Luke. Most people would of cussed me out for doing that to them."

Theo immediately replied, "I would never do such a thing to you!"

"I know; you didn't," Vixie stated. "I was just saying that most people would of." She added with a laugh, "Most people have."

Luke stared at Vixie in amazement. Vixie hadn't even apologized to him for scaring him so why was she acting as if he had already forgiven her? But then, as Luke gazed at Vixie in contempt, he again felt drawn to her. Luke gazed into the female's eyes and found himself lost for words. Her warm smile had taken away the previous dislike Luke had felt. He also felt slightly threatened by Vixie. Her ancestral beauty and bewitching gaze for the moment ensnared him.

Taking a deep breath, Luke began walking past the two females towards his room, thinking, "This weekend is shaping up to be most interesting!"

--------------------------->

Vixie wandered into the spacious room beyond the giant, black metal doors and saw Luke resting in the sofa opposite of the fireplace. A smile spread across Vixie's lips as she thought of a great opportunity to scare the living tar out of him.

Quietly and carefully Vixie made her way towards the sofa. As she neared the couch, the lion figures on top of the fireplace mantel caught her attention. The angry roaring lions seemed to be looking directly at her, through her, and into her soul. Vixie stepped back as the fiery eyes pierced her flesh.

Dizziness overcame Vixie as she recoiled even more. Gripping her udjat depicting the eye of the moon god, Horus, Vixie tried to calm down, letting her ancient belief guide her. Opening her eyes and finding herself safe from the spirits within the lions, a deep sigh of relief escaped her lips. Vixie reached up to her forehead and placed the palm of her hand on her forehead, whispering to herself, "I sense Anathor's presence here. But what is my purpose here?"

The lions' eyes began glowing red. A thunderous roar erupted from within the chimney and the lions began moving. The lions' massive jaws opened and shut, displaying sets of razor sharp teeth. One of the metal balls the lions had between their paws rolled to the center of the mantel.

Vixie cupped her hands over her mouth, stifling a scream. She gazed down at the sofa and saw Luke still sound asleep. Vixie couldn't let Luke lie in the midst of an ancient family battle. He didn't belong in the center of the family conflict

Vixie raced to the sofa and began shaking Luke, frantically calling, "Luke! Luke! Wake up Luke!"

Luke jumped from his relaxed state into automatic pandemonium. His eyes opened and rested in Vixie's frantic face. Angry from being woken up, Luke growled, "Geez! What is up with you and scaring me? I was having a really good nap too!"

Vixie babbled apologetically, "I'm sorry I really am! But you've got to get out of here!"

Vixie glanced back at the fireplace mantel. The lions had ceased their roaring but were now looking for a spot to climb down off the mantel. Anathor's ghost was coming and there was no way out. Vixie had to get Luke out of there!

"Come on," Vixie said, pulling Luke to his feet. "We've got to go!"

Luke felt himself being dragged towards the black doors leading out of the living room. He demanded, trying to loosen himself from Vixie's tight grip, "What is wrong? Where are we going?"

"This house," Vixie told him, gazing fearfully back at the fireplace, "is reeking in Underworld stench!"

"What are you talking about?" Luke inquired, finally breaking free from Vixie's hold.

Vixie pointed towards the fireplace, "The lions are moving! Anathor's presence is in here!"

"What?" Luke laughed, turning towards the fireplace. He saw the two lions sitting perfectly on top of the mantel with a metal ball under each of their right paws. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary to him. He laughed, "I know they can appear to be scary at times but I assure you that they're not going to hurt you."

"Do you honestly believe that?"

Luke stared at Vixie. Her question wasn't sharp or sour noted; it was more of an honest, worried question. He wanted to answer "Yes" but now he wondered if Vixie was telling a tale. Luke replied gently, "I think you just need to relax and stop letting your imagination get carried away."

Vixie shook her head and turned towards the door. She disliked how Luke didn't take her word seriously. "But then again," she thought, "I have so far scared him twice since we've met. That could explain his mistrust."

The giant doors opened and Dr. Marrow with Eleanor, Theo, and another lady entered the room. Vixie took two steps back and tried to hide the fear that shone in her eyes.

Dr. Marrow immediately caught Vixie's unnatural fearfulness and went to her. Softly, Dr. Marrow kindly inquired, "Are you okay Vixie?"

"No," Vixie replied. She knew what she had seen. The lions were moving and roaring. But she knew Dr. Marrow would not believe her. In fact, Dr. Marrow would lose confidence in her ability to scare the subjects and then she would be sent home. Vixie was just beginning to like it there.

"Then why are you trembling?" Dr. Marrow persisted.

Vixie just shook her head and shrugged.

Theo pushed past the professor and put an arm around Vixie's shoulders, exclaiming, "I heard Luke yelling at you!" Theo gave Vixie a hug, "You poor thing!"

"I was not!" Luke exclaimed.

"He wasn't," Vixie told Theo.

Eleanor spoke up, "But I heard him too!"

"As did I," Dr. Marrow said. He approached Luke, giving him a disappointed frown, "I was hoping that all of you would get along. But it seems that we have one or two people who are just not getting along. Should I call the research off?"

Three answers were for staying. Vixie remained silent as the sudden though of leaving crossed her mind. The place was spooky beyond all reason. Never mind the elaborate Gothic and Art Nouveau architecture and designs ranging from Egyptian all the way to Baroque style. An over done palace of ancient history. This place was haunting!

Dr. Marrow questioned to Vixie, "What about you Vixie? Do you want to continue participating in this research?"

"Yes," Vixie weakly agreed. She tried to meet Luke's eyes to tell him that she was sorry that he got in trouble but he looked away from her.

"Well then," Dr. Marrow smiled. "Let's head over to the study and I'll explain exactly what the research is and what you'll be doing."

Vixie felt horrible about everyone thinking that Luke had been yelling at her and now were appearing to shun him away. Even more upsetting were the ominous lion figures still gleaming from the fireplace. Vixie finally settled next to Theo and even let her put her arm around her.

Vixie looked to Luke and for a second Luke turned and gazed back at her. But his eyes weren't friendly. His eyes were an angry storm at sea, full of betrayal and mistrust for Vixie. Sighing, Vixie turned to listen to Dr. Marrow.

Luke was angry at Vixie for first, startling him while he was sleeping; making up nonsense about lions, and then for getting him in trouble. Luke did not like Vixie at all but the same Cleopatra feeling kept him from disliking Vixie all together.

Silently Luke wondered to himself, "What is it with that chick? It's a wonder why she cannot sleep at night!" Another thought crossed his mind. "What if she's telling the truth and the lions were indeed moving?" Already Luke had heard strange noises and he had had a dream about lions prior to Vixie waking him up. Maybe there was some sort of truth behind what Vixie had told them.

Luke gazed up at the lions on top of the mantel. He wasn't an art fan but he knew how well-crafted the lions were and admired the way they were sculpted. Just then the left lion's eyes glowed red. => => =>




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