Heart Shaped Box

Marie Laveau goes toe to toe with the ghosts of the Infamous Murder House after being paid to rid the house of its inhabitants. As she's waging war, she unwittingly catches the eye of a murderous ghost with an enigmatic past. (Marie/Tate multi-chapter, slight Violet/Tate)

Prequel

Rain pours down the window pane. The atmosphere is dark and dreary, bathing the room with a grayish glow, despite the warm fire crackling in the background. A woman sits on a sofa, sipping wine and stretching her toes. She stares out the window, sighing as the rain makes a nice rhythm for her ears.

A couple sits before her, on their hands and knees, looking up to her as if in mercy.

"We need your help," they said in unison.

Madeline and Evan Quinto are a newlywed couple, flown in from Alabama to start a new life in Los Angeles. They happen to find a beautiful home in LA and, foolishly, purchase it without further research. It would be forgiven, if the house they purchased wasn't the infamous Murder House.

The couple found out about the Murder House's name and perks after walking in for a walk-through and had escaped with nearly their lives. Their story would end right there, if they hadn't been so foolish.

They decided to take the house. The appeal of the ghosts has made the Murder House a phenomenon among Los Angeles patrons. To live in the house would create fame for anyone to live there. Obsessed with fame, the Quintos decide to live in the house, by exorcising the ghosts.

Did they try a priest, a practiced exorcist, or even a ghost hunter?

No, they instead chose Marie Laveau, Voodoo Queen of New Orleans. A witch with exorcism not on her resume.

She should kill them for their stupidity.

But instead, she takes the offer but with a hefty price. Voodoo equipment don't come cheap after all.

Fifty thousand dollars. Cash.

A heavy price for their ignorance and quest for fame.

She smiles a cruel smile as she counts her money in front of them. Their uncomfortable faces is all the satisfaction she needs.

"Alright. I'll do it."

As she eyes the gates of the Murder House, it looks so familiar to her. Had she been here before? Suddenly, she feels a strange pull. Like someone, or something wants her here. The pull gets stronger, more urgent. When she reaches the front door, her breath catches in her throat. A suffocating energy surrounds her, bathing her in electricity. She whips her head around when she notices the wind blowing, the leaves swirling around her. This house wants her here. She digs into her pocket for the keys and enters the door.

A unseen force watches Marie enter, and he smiles.

She finally came back to him.

He'd been waiting for her for so long.

AN: This is a follow-up to A Cure for Insanity. I feel a need to feature this fandom. Why not be different? Let me know what you think!