The Guardians- The Chair

Being a reporter is my cover, my articles have always gravitated towards the weird and freaky, Recently the organization I work for  has come across a story that even I think my freakish side might not be able to handle. Its called "The Chair". a wooden frame with a rope and board chair attached. The purpose of this chair. To bring out your most hidden and forbidden sexual desires. The chair owner has one rule. You can not stop once you start if you do you will never be allowed back. The chair and frame are reported to be over 800 years old and have had over a million users.

We have heard this chair has put dictators in power and caused catastrophes the world over. The organization I work for is determined to stop it all all costs. Billions of lives are at stake and we take protecting the world seriously. We are known only as the guardians and we protect those needing protection.

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I went to my boss asking permission to go after this story. He read my preliminary report and about spit out his coffee.

"Abigail are you sure you want to go after this story its risky to put it mildly?"

"Oh come on Joe you know Sex sells plus if the rumors are true its its own portable red room. We could blow playboy out of the water with a sexipade article like this."

Joe started chuckling and stamped my board cover, APPROVED. I went to pin it to the wall and Joe yelled out, "Abigail be careful on this one will you."

I gave him a mock salute and started my research.

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As I started the research for this chair I noticed one big similartity between all the stories. All the reported users nver spoke of it.  It was almost as if this chair was its own Willy WOnkas secret factory and it only turned out happy satisfied clients who never spoke of it. I wrote my introduction article as this was supposed to be a series once it was published. I gave Joe my completed opening article with a hand sketch of what this chair was supposed to look like. Joe started reading the introduction and whistled very loud.

"Damn Abigail you are gonna have every sex starved woman wanting to locate this chair."

"Well Joe thats kinda the point. I am hoping the true owner of the chair might reach out and offer a visual. Maybe allow some pictures to confirm it exists."

" SO whats your next step then?"

" I found a bunch of lore on this chair and the origins. They all point to one particuar store. So my next article will be on the orgins but mayb when you run the introduction article we might have someone reach out to us."

"Okay them Abs. I am approving this to be front page on the Entertainment section. Your hunches have never been wring before lets see if it this intro gets you a real life introduction. I am adding a by line on the article that if anyone has any information to send to your email. WHich will be the spoof email we have set up for you for information."

"Okay Joe sounds good, Lets see if we can get down and dirty with this article."

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Lets just say that there are a lot of lonely men and woman who reached out about the chair. All with their own questions and wants. I went back to Joe and asked if we could start a chat board on the news papers website for this particular series. After I had the chat room set up for this article series i sent replies back to the people who had comments or questions. Best thing is people had to enail in with questions or desires to join the room. Joes assistant Mary and I sent the replies back once a day. When she would leave for the night I would stay on and spend a hour or so doing replies with the invite link.

Thats when i received my first interesting email.

Dear Abigail,

I am shocked that a reporter is interested in doing a story on my chair. I would like to advise you to stop before you jump down this Rabbit Hole. However, if you need to follow this path I will be watching your articles.

Sincerly Yours,

Ben

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After i read Bens letter I was doing research on the chair and its stories associated with it.  I received an email as I was ready to leave the office for the day.

Dear Abigail,

You do not know me but I am begging you if you hear from the owner of the chair, do not believe a word he says. The stories you hear about the chair being for erotic purposes are only partially true. This chair is cursed and one can find one of three outcomes.

1. There will be a heightened sexual pleasure, however, not from normal means, and after time will be filled with anguish and regret from those means.

2. You will be haunted and see all your nightmares.

3. You will die.

The owner of the chair has covered up the damage that chair has caused as well as its many guardians before him.  The guardians of the chair will do everything in their power to protect the chair as their own life is tethered to it. They must have people use the chair or they will die horrible deaths. Please be careful about how you proceed.

Amelia Former Guardian

I sat back in my chair and whistled. This chair story has taken an unexpected turn. I red over the email a few times and decided to do a bit of research on the people who have written me the letters. As it seems Ben is the main guardian I thought about how to respond to him. However, Amelia seemed to be the path that I wanted to follow first. I sent the following email to Amelia.

Dear Amelia,

I thank you for reaching out to me about the story of the chair. If you would be willing I would like to have a meeting with you to go over the information that you provided. Traveling would be no concern and I would like to see what knowledge I would gather from you. 

Thank You,

Abigail

After I sent the email I headed home to my apartment. Walking up the stairs to my apartment I was so lost in my thoughts that I almost did not notice a woman standing in front of my door. I stopped and she said, "I know you probbly were awaiting a replay but since I did my research I figured I would just stop by especially since I lie just a few blocks away."

I took a breath and said, "Amelia?"

Smiling she said, "You are correct. Why don't we head inside to talk and save the people their sensibilities."

I moved forward and unlocked the door and said, "I think that would be best. Why don't we head into the kitchen. Just give me a moment you are not allergic to cats are you?"

"No," she said looking around, "You have a cat?"

Laughing I said, "Kitten but she is a holy terror so I have to lock her in the laundry room while I am gone as she likes to get into everything. The first day I came home after letting her have free reign and my toilet paper was strewn better than a frat party and my flowers were a dug up in almost all my potted plants."

Smiling she said, "Well release the beast."

I walked over to the laundry room and opened the door. No running kitten like normal, "JJ where are you sweetie you can come out now."

I listened and her a small meow I looked up and found her sitting on the top shelf of the linen shelves. "What are you doing up there? Better yet how did you get up there on your own?"

I reached out and lifted her down and let her take off around the house. Looking at Amelia I said, "I have no clue how she got up there."

Amelia smiled and reached out to pick up JJ. Looking at me she said, "She reminds me of my very own Calliope. She is a kitten though she probably climbed the corners all the way up and couldn't figure out how to get down. What a precious thing you are sweetie."

Putting JJ down she looked up at me and said, "So your aware this article has marked you. Ben takes his responsibility for the chair quite seriously and if you try to turn over to many rocks he may pay you a visit."

Smiling at Amelia I said, "I understand and I assure you I will be careful I am not a meek and mild young lady I grew up in a world of taking care of myself. If he tries to come after me he will be surprised. You said though the chair is cursed as well, would you mind telling me some cases and me writing them down?"

Amelia nodded and I grabbed my notepad off the counter, "As I emailed to you there are 3 big side effects of the chair and you never know what will happen. 1. There will be a heightened sexual pleasure, however, not from normal means, and after time will be filled with anguish and regret from those means. 2. You will be haunted and see all your nightmares. 3. You will die or someone you love will die. You see the chair is not only meant for sex it's also a tool to get what you want in life. Just by sitting in this chair all your desires will come true."

Looking up I asked, "Amelia did you use the chair?"

Amelia sighed and said, "When I was the guardian I had seen both sides of what came with the chair and I did avoid it for the longest time. But I was weak and my greatest desire was to become a mother. I did use the chair one fateful evening. We used the chair in hopes that I would get pregnant.  I did become pregnant but with the good, there is the bad. I was about 4 months pregnant and the police arrived at my door. My darling Ben was killed in a traffic crash. I know what you are thinking, The crash could have happened to anyone. But I firmly believe that it was the curse of the chair. I was devastated and my mother had to come stay with me till I gave birth to my beautiful Violet. My want to have a baby outweighed the bad of the chair. Now don't get me wrong Ben wanted a baby as bad as I did, I raised Violet in love and light, and when there was an opportunity to hand over the reigns of being the guardian I did. As I am a former Guardian when a new Ben come forward for the chair I had to see what he was like. He is nothing like my sweet husband. That's why I had to speak with you. Abigail, I would be very wary of him and whatever he says to you."

Nodding I said, "Yeah I am starting to pick up on that. Would you like something to drink? I have a pot of coffee started but I can make tea instead?"

"Oh no coffee is great," She said.

"So what other information can you provide when it comes to the chair,' I asked.

"I can tell you that many important and famous people have sat in that chair. The secrecy of that chair is because of how many people it has always given a hand up to," She said. "So if you are going to do an article on the chair you need to make sure you give an explicit warning. When I was guardian I had seen the chaos this chair caused. Now I can also give you a few stories from my day with the Chaos it caused. My dear I hope your ready to jot notes down because I am going to blow your mind."

I nodded talking a sip of my coffee, "Do you think Ben will come after me due to the information your going to provide?"

Amelia looked serious and said, "He could possibly contact you or corner you. It is up to you on how you would like to proceed."

Chuckling I said, "Well he will have a fight if he tries to corner me."

Amelia held her cup and started to tell the story, "So your aware I will not give you the real name. But this man we will call Marty. Marty was the kindest man but he had an issue with drinking. He had heard rumors about the chair and thought that maybe he could stop drinking with the chairs help. So one night him and a lady friend used the chair. He did stop drinking and became a better man. Marty became a better worker, made a ton of money and found a wonderful woman that he married. I will be honest we thought that maybe the bad that normally would happen wouldn't. Then one day Marty kissed his wife and son and went to work. A while later an explosion rocked the neighborhood. Marty's house exploded, but miracle upon miracle his son was found in the yard alive. Unfortunately his wife was not so fortunate she had run inside to get something and died in the explosion. The chair had finally taken its due."

"Does anyone know the chairs true origin?" I asked. "I have done articles on dark magic and to be honest that's what it sounds like."

Amelia gave me a look and said, "I will be honest that is not something I ever thought of."

"I wouldn't have thought of it either but while I did the article the people I interviewed for the article emphasized, Dark Magic is something that is a revolving door if you receive something will be taken," I said. "But unless we have a history of the chair and its origins I can only guess."

"Let me see if I can get any information on the chair," Amelia said, "I have some books at home I can look through."

"Amelia please do not go above and beyond," I said. "If Ben is as connected as you say he is I want you to remain safe."

Amelia patted my hand and said, "I am just as responsible for things that happened as he is. I promise you Amelia I will be safe."

She stood up and said, "You may use the stories but please change the names and I will sign a release if you need me to."

I pulled out a release and she signed it. I walked her to the door and she said, "I will call you soon my dear be safe."

After she left I sat on the couch with JJ curled in my lap when my phone rang. It was a unknown number so I let it go to voicemail. When it rang a second time JJ looked at it and hissed. I picked it up and said, "Ben I assume you are calling as I had a visit from a former guardian?"

"You knew it was me on the line? How?" He said.

I sighed and said, "Intuition."

"Well intuition aside," He said. "We need to meet and talk. You need to stop your article."

"Why?" I asked. 

"Because I said so," He started.

"Ben the last person who said that to me was my parents," I said. "No I will not. Also a word of warning leave Amelia alone. If i find out you did anything to harm her my article will not only be about that chair but about you the guardian is that clear?"

"Do you think you should threaten someone who knows powerful people?" He said.

"Well Ben if you looked into me you would realize that I am not a typical player," I said. "Also if anything happens to me Amelia, Her daughter or my cat I have back up plans in place that this will go global. Are we clear on that fact?"

"Global?" He said. "What do you mean Global."

"Time sensitive interface that has to be logged into by biometrics and if not done in a certain time frame will send out emails and trigger package deliveries as well as downloads to reporters, Authorities and news outlets all over the globe." I said. "Not including government agencies that you are not even aware of. So do you want to play fuck around and find out?"

"I have a funny suspicion of what that chair really is already after two stories and believe me when I say shame on the chair and its guardian," I said. "You should make sure no one ever lays eyes on it again."

Ben said, "Not make money off of it are you kidding me?"

"Have you ever used it?" I asked.

"No," He said.

"Then what are you afraid of Ben," I said. "You are afraid of the consequences. Listen I am hungry and tired. My bed is calling my name if you do not want to give me any more information."

"Goodnight Abigail," He said and disconnected the line.

I shivered as he ended the call deciding I would have to take measures to be on my guard with him. I stood up and went to make some dinner and my phone rang again, "Ben listen your being annoying right now."

"How did you know it was me?" He asked.

Sighing I said, "Ben I am not a normal person. My secrets are buried deeper than the emperors in Egypt. I am not just a reporter that is just a job I do on top of what I am. No one knows who or what I am and do besides me. Now if you ever send someone to follow me they will have an immediate urge to get coffee or ice cream and will forget about little ole me."

"You think so?" He said. "What if I told you my guy is sitting in front of your apartment right now?"

Looking out the window I laughed. "You mean your guy in the blue track suit drinking a coffee and plowing through a box of crispy creme donuts. Send someone else next time I do not want them to get fat or diabetes."

"What are you?" He demanded.

"Temper temper Ben," I said. I heard my computer bing and I looked at the email saying, we are tracking him but we want to see him. Go get food and tell him where your going. "You know what Ben I want to size you up. I am going to Mackie's on 5th street. If you want to size up the person who could expose you I will be there. Besides I want to put a face to the voice."

I disconnected the line and replied to the email, You got it. Mackie's is where I am heading now.

I stood up and put JJ in my room making sure the windows were locked. Grabbing my bag I headed to Mackie's. When I got there the hostess sat me back in the corner booth and I glanced over the menu. When she brought my drink I asked her to give me a bit because I was having trouble deciding what I wanted to eat and she said she would check on me in a few minutes. When she returned I asked what her favorites were and she said she loves the vegetable alfredo and the chicken parm. I said yes to both and added on a large house salad, mozzerella sticks and fried calamari. She laughed and said, "Okay doll I will get that all in for you and will bring your starters out soon with bread."

"Thank you," I said. "I get like this when I am hungry. Also do me a favor add a tiramisu and chocolate cake for desert. But box them and I will be eating them at home while watching netflix."

She laughed as she walked away. When she brought out my salad, starters and bread I started to eat when I heard, "At least you have taste in good food."

Looking up I matched the face to the voice. I will give the devil his due Ben is handsome and fuckable. Even if he is the guardian of what can cause chaos around the world. "Hello Ben."

"May I," He asked 

"Well I will give you points for manners," I said. "Of course please sit."

The waitress came over and asked Ben if he would be ordering. He said, "Yes if you could I would like a glass of white wine and then for a starter the meatballs and mozzarella, and for my main the lasagna."

"Thank you sir," She turned to me and asked, "Miss would you like us to have your mains comes out when your guests does."

Smiling I said, "That will be fine thank you."

She walked away and returned with Bens drink and more bread. As she left Ben asked, "Mains?"

"I couldn't decide hence the reason I have so much and desert ready to go home with me," I said. "You interrupted me when I was going to cook myself something at home."

A chill went up my spine as I sat up and looked past Ben. Flagging my waitress over I said quietly, "Miss do you have security?"

"Yes we do," She said looking at Ben. "Is everything alright?"

"The table with the young couple," I said. "He is being aggressive to her. I have seen her flinch more than a person should. If she needs a angel shot get it done. I will cover her meal if needed."

The guy at the table saw me looking at them and gave me a look and I said to Ben, "Stay here."

Walking over to the table the guy looked at me and said, "Get lost bitch."

I smiled at the girl and said, "I thought it was you. I am so sorry to interrupt you but I have not seen you in ages."

The guy stood up and said, "I said get lost bitch she is here with me and I want to get to know her."

Turning to him I said, "Well sweetie I was just saying hello to an acquaintance. Mind your manners."

The waitress came up and pulled the girl away as a bouncer came up behind him. He said, "Hey come back here you owe me for dinner. I expect payment when I take bitches out."

The bouncer put his hand on the guys shoulder and said, "You paid your bill you are now leaving without her. Do I need to escort you or are you leaving on your own."

He turned and said, "You are the one who stopped this. You whore."

He went to swing at me and I caught his fist and twisted it around his back. Leaning over I said, "I would not have gotten up if I didn't see you try to put something in her drink. I grabbed the vial out of his pocket and tossed it to the bouncer."

Two men from a nearby table walked over flashing their badges and one said, "We can't have one day without some idiot trying something while we are out on a date with our gals. Miss thank you for your observation we have it from here."

The waitress came back with Bens starter and drink and said, "Miss the young lady sends her thanks. When you walked over we had a cab driver already on stand by he came and drove her home. The bouncer has her information and is forwarding it to the police. She said she met him on a dating site and he told her once they started dating he expected her to put out. How disgusting."

"I agree," I said. "Thank you again."

Ben looked at me and said, "You caught that punch."

"It was a weak punch," I said. "My Grandma could fight better than he could."

He chuckled and said, "Well you did a good deed. He was lucky it was you and not me."

"He was lucky we were in public," I said. "I was going to have you watch my stuff if he got her out of the building."

"Well here is to you catching on to him being a asshole. The girl was lucky because of you," He said raising his glass.

I lifted my glass. Looking at him I asked, "Why do you let people use the chair for evil?"

He sighed and said, "Money."

"So your opposed to people like that who try to take advantage of woman," I said. "But not morally opposed to people killing millions of innocent people?"

He looked at me and said, "No."

Smirking I said, "I think your full of shit. But its okay soon the chair and you will be off the market."

He gave me a look and said, "How do you come to that conclusion?"

"Because," I said. "I am going to destroy your organization and take the chair."

The waitress came up and asked, "Is there anything else I can get for you?"

"Boxes for me when you get a moment," I said. "Have the kitchen box my meals and if you could add extra bread and butter. Its been a very long day. Also may I have my check as well?"

The waitress nodded and went to get boxes and came back with two bags full of food. She put my salad and starters into containers. When I paid the bill she said, "The chef added a surprise or three for helping that young lady. All your deserts, mains and bread are in the bags."

I handed her a bundle of cash and said, "Keep the change."

Standing up I looked at Ben and said, "You still have time to do the right thing. Think about what I said and have a good night."

Putting on my jacket I grabbed the bags and headed home. When I got home I let JJ out of my room and sat on the couch with all my food watching TV and eating. After I relaxed a bit I put everything away and went to bed.

I woke up the following morning and looked at my phone with a text from Ben that read, "You do not know everything. If you knew the truth you would run scared."

I grabbed my laptop and opened it. The picture of me and JJ was on the screen and I clicked JJ nose to bring up my real jobs website. After doing a secure login I sent a message about Ben. 

Abigail- Main  Ben-Chairs Owner Joe-Editor Amelia-Former Guardian of the chair(Violet Amelias daughter)