�Keep�moving�� A Lost Soul growled.
JC resumed trudging up the spiraling stone stairwell. He paused for a few moments, hoping to stall time. The dagger pressed into his back. �I�said�keep�moving��
JC was being forcibly dragged up one of the tall towers surrounding the mansion. Trepidation weighed his legs with each step.
Where am I going? Will it be really awful? Why is the Lost Soul so silent?
***
500 steps and 10 agonizing minutes later, JC shivered in front of a heavy wooden door leading to the top of the tower. The Lost Soul pulled out a key ring, unlocking the door with a golden key embroidered by rubies. He felt the beast jerk his arm as he was escorted into the mysterious domain.
Visions of torture or misery had previously filled his mind.
What he saw was not what he�d expected.
A large round table sat in the middle of the circular room, accompanied by 9 chairs and a throne. The sight of the throne chilled JC. A silver chair carved to the similarities of a serpent. Two red ruby eyes glimmered dangerously back at him. It�s staring at me.
That must be the Master�s chair.
Yet, after his less-than-pleasant encounter in the dungeon, the Master began murmuring, �You�ll never escape,� then teleported himself upstairs. Where did he go? Who is he stalking? Why?
Black, blue, purple, and red candles glowed off the chains and shackles the Lost Soul secured JC with before the prisoner was sat on a chair by the window. �Have�fun�� It giggled, slowly exiting the tower chamber.
JC jumped when the door closed. It�s so cold.
He�d have screamed or caused a racket, except the duct tape hindered any mouth movement.
20 minutes passed, and JC wondered about a lot of things during that still period.
Does anybody wonder why we�re missing? Are our families worried? Are the fans angry? What�s happened to the tour? Is Johnny upset?
Only one other feeling sealed his depression. I feel so alone. Alone.
Suddenly, he heard them. Footsteps pounding up the stone steps. The door flew open. JC�s heart plummeted to his stomach.
4 Lost Souls calmly took their seats at the table.
Sparrow, another woman, a timid child, and two men entered. The 2 men, dressed in maroon colored ceremonial robes, sat to the left of the serpent throne. Sparrow and the young woman were clad in flowy, long-sleeved purple dresses. They seated themselves to the right of the throne.
The child, a beautiful little girl, obediently shuffled to the window and plopped down beside JC.
�Do not speak to the innocent,� the young woman commanded. The girl nodded. �Yes mother,� she replied softly.
JC studied the small girl�s mother.
Undoubtedly the most beautiful female he ever gawked at. Her shiny honey-colored hair fell at the waist. High cheekbones. Creamy olive skin. Full red lips. Long eyelashes accenting big almond shaped eyes, clear aqua blue. Nice curves and a slender body.
The girl cried. One of the Lost Souls banged its fist. �Quiet�your�kid�� Immediately the crying stopped.
Sparrow stood. �It appears a visitor will be joining our meeting. Look upon JC Chasez.� JC hated the expressions on their faces. One looked hungry. One looked wild. One looked mad. One looked amused.
The child smiled wanly. �Hello.� Her mother frowned. �Chrystalis!� Chrystalis covered her head with her arms. �No! Please don�t punish me! I promise to be good!�
Sparrow motioned for Chrystalis�s mother and the 2 men to arise. �Tonight is the dawning hour of �the Process� in which Lance�s body shall belong to the Master.�
JC nearly fell out of his chair. WHAT?! NOOOOOOO!!!
The short stocky male laughed. �Did we surprise you?�
Chrystalis�s mother whispered to Sparrow. Sparrow nodded and motioned for everybody to sit. The woman remained standing. Her gaze fixated upon JC. �Do you know who I am?� she sneered. JC shook his head.
�Hmm. This bit of trivia should prove to be quite interesting for you at that. As you know, the oldest Lost Souls originated from Whispers. I�m the exception.�
Her eyes shined mischievously. �My name is Nalani Bass.�