[hr][center][h1][color=306754]Lana Arlene Ryder[/color][/h1]
[img]https://i1049.photobucket.com/albums/s385/x-Wolfy/tumblr_p2poy1BZ1O1uwl6nzo3_540.gif[/img]
[hr]Date: 2nd August 2017
Location: Lana’s Apartment
Time: 02:30 AM
[hr]

It had been a rough night, even without losing Ty, it was pretty hectic. Lana had done her best to keep herself together in front of Al, but after they finally went their separate ways and she was sitting along in her apartment, her resolve finally broke. 

She spent a good hour or so crying, then she took a few shots of whatever alcohol she could find stored away in her cupboards, until finally she found herself laying on her bed -at who knows what hour in the morning- staring at the ceiling and reminiscing over the night before.

It was during her reminiscing that she remembered the cube Salem had given her. Lana rushed to her feet and began frantically searching through her apartment, looking everywhere she could think of for the cube. Suddenly the sound of a small thud was heard. Looking down she would find the cube on the ground by her foot. It had fallen out of the pocket of her jacket, where she had quickly stashed it to keep it hidden from Al. Who knows how he would react to her having the cube, especially if it came from Salem. The woman obviously had a reason for giving it to her, and she was rather curious to find out what that was.

Lana cautiously reached down to pick the cube up and raise it to eye level so she could inspect it closely. She knew what it was, she had heard of them before, but she had no idea how to actually activate the darn thing. The cube would suddenly activate, emitting a bright, blind light. When the light finally faded, Lana would find herself in a different place.

[i]The cube had transported her to Dark Shadow HQ 6 years ago. The place was alot cleaner than it was currently. The walls were littered with TV screens displaying various pieces of information. The place was busier too, at least 25 people hunched all over the place doing work. It actually looked like a professional operation. Sitting in his chair was a younger Aloysius, aged just 18. His face looked softer, more confident. Fire burned in his eyes, but the malice in his eyes now, were nowhere to be seen. He looked, happy. Genuinely happy.

“Where are we with Guild infiltration?” He asked to one of his advisers, who was sitting in what was now Ty's chair.

“We are making progress. Salem has started to make it difficult. Her father had started delegating security issues to her. While her father is quite open, Salem takes a more… hard-line approach to members. She snuffed out Rogers” the advisor slid a photo across to Aloysius, depicting a dead woman, burn marks running up her face and chest.

“Clearly the work of Salem” Aloysius spoke aloud, tapping his finger on the photo “This is why we need to stop the Guild. People like Salem think they can bulky us into submission. We just want freedom from the Guild, freedom to make our own choice regarding NonMagi.” Everyone smiled and Aloysius dismissed them. Turning around he waved to a green haired woman at the other side of the room. He hair was a bright neon green, mixed in with some of her natural black. The woman smiled and waved back. She began to walk towards the barracks. 

The cube would start to move Lana to follow her, even though it was clear that it wasn't supposed to happen. As she strayed further from Aloysius’ location the memory would begin to resist. It was a lot harder to take footsteps forward, almost as if some invisible force was trying to push them back. The edges of the room started to become more pixelated as well, it seemed as if the memory was trying hard to force everything back to normal.

The green haired woman had retreated around the corner and into one of the barrack units, which in today’s time was sealed off. Aloysius had warned everyone not to go in there. Looking around, the room was just like the rest of the barracks. It was actually quite a comfortable room. The green haired woman had been accompanied by two other males, both of which were huddled very close to her, they were talking in hushed tones, trying not to attract attention.

“So when do we strike?” One of the males asked, a smirk growing on the woman’s lips from the question.

“Soon, Possibly as early as next week” She replied the second male now said his piece.

“And you are sure Aloysius doesn’t know what is going on?” Clearly they were plotting something nasty

“Of course not…” The woman spoke out, flicking some of her hair behind her shoulders. “Aloysius is too weak. He just wants to step out from the Guilds shadow. But we are stronger than them. We should be incharge of the Guild. They should be kissing our feet” Both males gave a small but quiet cheer in approval. “Now go round up the rest of the captains and the Lieutenants, work out who will join us and who will oppose us so we know who we should deal with first” Both the males would nod, bowing slightly before leaving the room.

The female looked rather pleased with herself. Clearly she seemed to think her plan was working. Before she could bask in her own genius, a small chirpy ringtone could be heard from her pocket.  She pulled out her phone and answered it. It wasn’t possible to hear what the other person saying, but they could hear the green haired woman’s responses.

“Yes, everything is in place… They don’t suspect the thing.” Her words were hurried, panicked. As if the call had caught her off guard. “Yes Miss De SIlva, I know. Please don’t worry. The plan is working well…” Her demeanor changed. More confident, more...sadistic,  a smirk tugging at her lips. “Aloysius is wrapped around my little finger. A little bit of charm and cleavage, and we are pretty much dating. He doesn’t suspect that I am about to stab him in the back, kill him and take control. I already have several high ranking members onboard” A laugh could be heard from the otherside of the phone, a loud laugh, clearly they were happy with what they were being told. “Once i have control i will do as you planned, i will lead the remaining Dark Shadow senior members into the trap, and there will be nothing left”

The woman was about to speak when she was cut off from a voice behind her, standing at the door stood Aloysius. She quickly closed her phone, turning around and smiling at Aloysius. “Hey Becky, I got a question” Aloysius would ask as he walked into the room.

“Sure baby. What is up?” She sat on the bed and padded the space next to her to invite Aloysius to sit down, an offer he took her up on, parking his backside next to her. 

“I am so worried. You know about my plan to attack the Guild. Do you think it will work? I am worried about Salem. As her father is winding down, she is starting to take power. And she takes a far more hardline approach to dealing with us. Under her father, we have been able to hide and grow. But I can feel her breathing down my neck” Aloysius voice was unsure, fully of shakes. The confident man they knew today, clearly didn’t exist now.

“Do you want my advice?” She asked, rubbing his shoulder with her hand. “Attack the Guild and kill her father. The loss will hurt her so much that she will stop being effective. Running the Guild will occupy her so much she won’t be able to hunt us down” Aloysius would take a deep breath, composing himself.

“Thanks Becky… What would i do without you by my side?” They leaned into kiss each other when the memory faded, pulling Lana back into the present.[/i]

Lana walked over to her bed and fell down onto of it, keeping the cube clutched tightly in her hand. Her mind was racing and conflicted, she didn't know what to think after what she had just seen. Al had once been so innocent and naive, and then he changed and became bitter and angry and untrusting, it made her heart ache. She could hardly blame him for the person he had become, having someone you loved betray you like Rebecca had done to him was sure to fuck you up in one way or another. No one deserved that, not even Al. 

[color=#306754]"That...bitch..."[/color] It was unclear, even to herself, whether she was referring to Salem or Rebecca with that, either way, she harbored no good feelings for either of them. She understood now why Aloysius hated the guild leader so much, and why he had reacted the way he had to Salem's mention of Rebecca, along with her surprise appearance at the auction. That, on top of dealing with Ty's death, was probably devastating for the poor guy.

After laying on her stomach for awhile, Lana rolled onto her back and held the cube up so she could see it. [color=#306754]"Well Salem, I'm not sure what exactly you wanted to show me with this, but I'm certain it's not what I've just seen. Either way, things are definitely different now."[/color][/center]