The Devil or...

When she saw him he was like night itself. His skin was black and his hair dark purple, his eyes which were filled with fear were round golden orbs like Man in Moon on a cold August night. His face was strong like a man who, when he was alive, had a hard life. His muscular arms showed in his t-shirt, kind of tightly pulling the fabric. His legs were strong as well and his ripped pants made them look even stronger. He was very handsome and he could handle the Nightmares based on strength alone but his fear made her question if his will power was strong enough.

Tragedy had traveled for a whole day to reach Missouri walking. She went there because it was one of the most famous slave states and she needed someone who could handle hard labor but also have the back bone to match. From what she knew, most of it she learned after death since no one she knew could afford a slave (other than the James' but they were not the kind to 'own' anyone), slaves were some of the strongest, bravest, and kindest people. She knew Manny would have made at least one of the slaves a spirit so she went to a place she knew they had it rough. She had found this man hiding in an ally way looking at every female face that passed; he was looking for someone, a woman. His eyes filled with more pain and sorrow every time a woman with white skin and long black hair passed. If they had blue eyes it was even worse.

Tragedy knew she had to help him even if he didn't help her in return. So she walked up to him and started a conversation, he of course saw a bloody woman walking over to him cloaked in red and black with spiky hair and demon brown/red eyes. She had to admit when she thought about it she did look like the description of the devil, only when she was little the devil was known to be a man, now no one 'knew' anything. She wanted to laugh at how she could make a grown man cower but she decided not to mock him.

"I won't hurt you. I am Tragedy; I take care of peoples' inner desires. I can see you are looking for someone, what was her name?" Tragedy used her softest, calmest voice and he relaxed.

"Katherine Elizabeth," he said then added, "Ma'am." Tragedy flinched at the formality, she wanted to say something but she didn't know what so she turned up her ankle. The man flinched at the sight of the black and red burn that still sat on her delicate ankle, "you were a slave?" he sighed looking at his hands almost ashamed he had assumed her to be a lady.

"No, I was just poor so my mother sold me. I was no one of importance. I am now Tragedy and that is all that matters, I have a new family and I was hoping you would join us," She looked at his face and saw the doubt, "I will help you find your love if she is like us. You won't find Katherine Elizabeth here; she would be dead by now."

His eyes burned as tears fell, "I know, she died in my arms."

Tragedy froze, he wasn't looking for her, he was remembering her. She quickly adjusted herself and spoke, "look, I know you are hurting but you cannot do this to yourself. I am trying to find someone to help me look after some mares. If you are interested you can come with me. If not you are welcome to help me look for someone."

A wicked smiled crossed his face as she said 'mares' and he held out his hand to shake hers, "So, what's my last name, Sis?"

She was taken off guard by the quick change in him but Tragedy just smiled and took his hand, "Black."

As they traveled back using the tunnels they got to know each other. She learned that his name had been Daniel and that he was a stable boy when he was alive. She also learned that he and his love died holding each other in a tight embrace after being shot for running away. Then she heard the most shocking part, his love was his master's daughter. He learned that he would now be working with the Boogeyman, taking care of Nightmares, and that the woman he spoke to was in fact the so called 'Angel of Death.'

They made it back to the lair Easter Sunday, two days after she had left. She was shocked to see the tunnels littered with broken Easter Eggs. She ran around looking at the differences in the lair, the lights on the globe were almost out and the humming birds sat on the sides of the cages unable to fly anymore. Her Nightmares had dwindled down slightly but she could see they were being built back up. Tragedy showed Daniel to a room she now made the Nightmare room where he could keep the Nightmares out of the way. He laughed, "I am the Tooth-Fairy of bad dreams. Hey, Jeannie," he had taken up to calling her that once he found out it was her real name, "why don't I call myself Bad Dream? It is a cool name and that is pretty much what I am," he said motioning to his black arm. Tragedy just laughed and waved goodbye to him she had to find Pitch and make sure he was alright. He called after her, "just think about it. Alright, Sis?"