The Undertaker's Brides

There are those who say that laughter is the best cure for whatever ails you; however, laughter had nothing to do with the scene that was soon to unfold just outside The Parlor's doors. If it weren't for the dreams and other uncanny coincidences that the Brides had been learning to deal with lately, none of them would have believed how easily the whole order of events fell into place.

*******

The room was positively brimming with the sounds of laughter as everyone howled at the uncharacteristic gracelessness of Bubby's latest performance. Many of The Brides were wiping smudges of makeup from around their eyes, and Kane and The Taker were actually looking at each other with expressions other than disgust. Even Storm, with all her bruises, had a small smile on her face. Nikki looked over at Kaliegh to see if she had sat back up yet.

"Do you always fall off your chair when something strikes you as funny, Kal?" she smirked. Kaliegh just flapped a hand at her and continued to shake with silent laughter from her spot on the floor. Nikki gave her shoulder a playful shove and turned to look at Judy, whose grin was wide enough to light up the whole room. Kiri was smiling at everybody, looking extremely pleased that everyone was at The Parlor - Cyn was off in the corner whispering with Kiowa, who had what can only be described as a purely appreciative smirk on her face. Storm was watching the two brothers contentedly; Jean's secretive smile gave Nikki the impression that she was thinking of a new bit of witticism for the Brides' FAQ. Chuckling and shaking her head, Nikki turned, only to be trapped by a blindingly intense green gaze. She fell into his eyes willingly.

The spell was broken all too soon when she noticed the shadowy figure outside the window.

*********

Turning away from the gathering, Nikki opened the window and pulled the screen inside, placing it quietly on the floor by her feet. She leaned out as far as she could and looked first left, then right, but there was no sign of the intruder she had glimpsed a few minutes earlier.

"What's wrong, Nikki?" Kaliegh came up behind her and stuck her head out into the night. She looked around, then shrugged and turned back to the room. "I can't see a damn thing out there. Why don't you tell us what you saw?"

"I'm not really sure," Nikki replied quietly. She looked over at the Taker and noticed that his eyes had narrowed to near slits. Although he didn't say anything, she knew that he had seen the figure, too. Or maybe he had seen the intruder through her eyes - given all the strange intuitive powers that had so recently taken place between The Lord of Darkness and his Brides, no idea was impossible. "But I can tell you that there is someone out there that we didn't invite to this little party. And whoever it is, something tells me that we're not going to like what they're up to."

"I have a pretty good idea who it might be," Storm murmured. "When Kane busted in to the room where Bearer was hitting me, he told me we were coming here as he was carrying me out." She stopped for a moment to look at Kane, her eyes filled with gratitude and the simple warmth of being near someone she cared about. "Bearer may be the epitome of evil - we all know what he's done to ensure that Kane and Taker keep away each other. But as much as I hate to admit it, he's not stupid. Even if Kane hadn't told me that we were going to find the Brides, I'm sure that Bearer would have checked out that possibility, anyway. I was wondering if he'd heard what we were saying. Now I think I may have the answer."

"So we know who it could be," Judy said. "The question is, what do we do about it?" She grinned mischievously at the others, hoping that one of them would come up with a kick-ass plan to once again stop Bearer in his tracks.

"Well, there IS one thing we have on our side," Nikki stated quietly. "And that's the fact that the little pig doesn't know he was spotted skulking around out there. I vote for either one of two scenarios. Plan A, we lynch mob him-"

"AwRIGHT!" Judy yelled enthusiastically. "I LIKE Plan A! Let's fry his ass!"

"Or," Nikki continued wryly, speaking loudly to be heard over the laughter, "Plan B - we sneak up on him and then beat the daylights out of him. He would expect Taker or Kane to rush to our defense, so he wouldn't be the least bit surprised to see either of them. But he'd NEVER think that any of the Brides were brave enough to go after him."

"She's right. Since when do men - all right, MOST men, anyway," Storm conceded, casting an apologetic glance at Kane and his brother, "-stop to think that a woman might just be angry enough to fight back?"

"They don't." All heads swiveled in Kane's direction as he quietly uttered his statement. It was the first time that anyone besides Storm and Paul Bearer had actually heard him speak. "And I hope you don't get upset with me for saying this, Storm, honey, but even if you could manage to outsmart him, I'd be too worried about you to let you go through with this. I thought I knew him, but now I can see that I was wrong. I don't even know what he's capable of." He pulled Storm into his arms and gently ran a hand over her bruised face.

Cyn laughed harshly and shook her head in disagreement. She fixed her gaze first on Kane, then on her beloved Bubby, smiling like a predator. "That may be true, hon - none of us know what he's going to do next. But at this point, I think he's gotten all us Brides HIGHLY P.O'ed. And you know how the expression goes..."

"HELL HATH NO FURY LIKE A WOMAN SCORNED!!!" The Brides all shouted in unison.

"So what do ya say, ladies? Are we gonna teach that tub o' blubber a lesson?!?"

"YES!!!" came the resounding reply.

"Okay, my fellow Brides, I need your input here," Everyone's attention turned towards The Mistress as she slipped effortlessly into the role of platoon leaderess. "I was thinking that this is what we could do..."

*******

Paul Bearer ran his sweat-drenched hanky over his three dripping chins and surveyed his handiwork proudly. 'So they think that they can escape the fate of Paul Bearer, do they?' he thought smugly. 'We'll just see how brave my son is when that little bitch of his is screaming and burning like a Yule log. And The Undertaker and his Brides of Decay! My, won't he be furious! At last, I'll get to see fear on his face! Fear as he and his Brides meet their Master! They thought that Paul Bearer was simple! Was STUPID! Well, well, well, Dead Man! We'll just SEE who's destined to Rest...In...Peace!'

He laughed silently, his bulbous form jiggling grotesquely with mirth. Any remaining breath whooshed out of his straining windpipe as he struggled to pick up the nearly empty gascan at his feet. Blinking away the stars that danced in front of his eyes as a result of his effort, he upended the gascan and splashed the last of the gasoline on the door of The Parlor.

He had just struck the match when he was shoved from behind. He cursed The Undertaker as his feet flew out from under him.

********

Storm took a great deal of pleasure in being the one to knock Tubby to the ground. She had been very pleasantly surprised when the other women had encouraged her to seek her own revenge for the beating she had suffered through. 'Undertaker is so lucky that his Brides are all such great people,' she thought. 'And I'm so damn glad that I met them, because it looks like we're all going to be very good friends.'

"You!" Bearer snarled up at her. "I never would have thought you would have the GUTS to stand up to me! It wasn't enough that you turned my son away from me. No, no...you had to go and try to murder his father, too!"

"Shut...up!" Storm hissed. "One more word out of you, and you'll be picking your teeth out of your fat ass!"

"Ooooooh, noooooo...Do you think I'm scared of your little threats, you bitch? Bring on the whole rabid Pack of the Dead Man's whores! I'll deliver you ALL to the Gates of Hell!" With a maniacal grin on his florid face, he reached into his suit pocket for the instrument of their destruction.

"Looking for these?" Kaliegh stepped out of the shadows and held up the pack of matches that had fallen from his coat when he hit the sidewalk. "Sorry, Piggy, but your deviousness is at an end. You should have known better than to tangle with The Brides."

Bearer searched his pockets frantically. Not finding the matches where he knew he had put them, he kicked at Kaliegh's knees. She stared back at him coldly, but not before her own foot had connected with his privates. He howled in pain.

"You'll pay for that!" he shrieked.

"Will she, now?" Nikki rounded the corner of The Parlor, Kiri, Cyn, and the rest of The Brides on all sides of her. "Looks to me like YOU'RE the one that's paying now, Lard Ass."

"You shut your filthy mouth, harlot. Didn't your mother ever teach you a woman's place!?" Bearer sneered up at Nikki and got to his feet, still cupping his groin as he straightened his suit jacket with his other hand. "Or were you spending too much time on your knees learning about the joys of darkness?"

Nikki didn't bother to answer him. She was much too busy flying at him in a black-eyed murderous rage. Grabbing Bearer's fat-ringed neck, she plowed her right fist directly into his fleshy left eye; then she grabbed his oily head and shoved it face first into the brick wall. She was preparing to choke the life out of him when Judy and Kiowa pulled her back. Shaking her head to clear it of the blood-red haze that had washed over her vision, she noticed that The Undertaker was standing in front of his wheezing former manager.

"Bearer," he said.

Judy thought back on the events of the last few days and sighed. Bearer had been caught red-handed trying to start another fire. Kane and Taker calling a truce if not declaring an out and out peace, And poor Storm! Getting the crap beat out of her by that slimy worm, Bearer. But Kane was there for Storm. He obviously cared a great deal for Storm, treating her as though she were made of bone china. He gently bathed her face with cool cloths to help reduce the swelling. If Kane could have gotten hold of Bearer, he would choke the life out of him.

Judy stared out the window, smoking. In a few hours, the sun would be coming up. She couldn't help but feel apprehensive over the way things turned out. Bearer managed to get away. Somehow he was able to ignite the gas he'd poured out all around the parlor. Lucky for Kiri they had been able to put it out with only slight damage to the structure. But during the confusion, Bearer escaped! Kane and Taker went back to the house looking for him, but he was not there.He had cleared out! They returned to the Brides with the bad news. Storm covered her face with her hands and cried.Kane wrapped his arms around her and held her, giving what comfort he could. Jean, Kaliegh, Kiowa, Kiri and the others were equally devastated.

Judy alone suspected the truth. While everyone stood around discussing what to do next, Judy walked out to the porch, and lit a cigarette. Staring out into the night, she didn't hear him approach. Sensing his presense, she turned troubled eyes up to his.

"What's troubling you?" He asked softly. Reaching out a long fingered hand, he tucked a stray curl behind her ear. At his touch, her cheek grew warm and a delicious dusky rose shade.

"I feel something is wrong. I think I know where he is, but I'm not sure. Taker I have to tell you, He kept a journal detailing how he started the fire that took your parents life. And I'm afraid for you, You and Kane." she added quickly, blushing even more by what she had almost revealed to this Lord of Darkness.

"Don't do anything stupid, Judy. You mean too much to me!" The bruising pressure of his grip, brought a gasp of pain from her parted lips. Releasing her immediately, Taker stood there, hands on hips, waiting for her reply.

"I'm not going to do anything." But she turned her face away so he wouldn't see the truth in her eyes.

"Judy! I'm warning you! Don't put yourself in danger. He's not worth risking your life for. Bearer is desperate. He'll do anything. Promise me you'll stay away form out there, till Kane and I have a chance to check it out!"

He was SCOWLING at her! Chewing the inside of his lip and sniffing. These "nervous ticks" showed the depth of his concern. Unable to meet his eyes, fingers crossed behind her back, she promised. Glancing up at him, he was looking at her suspiciously, not quite trusting her.

"I have to go! It's been a long day and I'm tired. Tell the others I'll talk to them later!" Grabbing hold of his hand, she stood on tiptoe, and kissed him on the cheek.

Startled by her actions, all he could do was look at her. Her eyes looked deeply into his. She let all her feelings for this man show in the look she gave him. Taken back by her look, Taker could only stand there and watch as she ran to her car and drove away.

She didn't go directly home. She drove around for awhile before finally coming to a decision. Once made, Judy quickly drove out to the isolated house before she lost her nerve. She had to get that journal! Entering the creepy old house, Judy felt like a thousand pairs of eyes were on her. She sensed Bearer's presence. Hopefully he was still in thee secret room hidden by the massive bookcase along the far wall.

Tiptoeing past that room, Judy silently made her way to Bearer's private study. This she knew was where he kept the journal hidden. As she approached the room, she saw the door was ajar, but no light was on. Breathing a sigh of relief, Judy inched the door open and quietly stepped inside. Instinct lead her to the huge desk facing the back window.

Sliding open the middle drawer, it appeared empty, but for some reason didn't look quiet right then it dawned on her! Taking the letter opener, Judy stuck the tip into the "bottom", pried it up slightly till it came loose all the way. A false bottom. She knew it, and inside was the journal! Quickly, she grabbed the book intent on getting the Hell out of here. She did not hear the door swing open.

"I thought I heard a thief. You can put that back". His menacing eyes took in the book she held in her hands.

Judy was unable to speak or move, so scared was she, at being caught by this murderer. Slowly, turning to face him, she watched as he locked the door behind him, effectively blocking off the only means of escape. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw the window facing the front. If she could get out and climb down the drain pipe, maybe she could get away. Her car was out there, keys in her pocket. Carefully, slowly she inched her way toward the window as Bearer came closer and closer.

"Oh yes! The window! It's locked! You can't get out that way either." He said smugly, all three chins jiggling. A dark and sinister look covered his features. "You're Judy aren't you!"

She refused to answer, or to look away from this man. Still inching her way over to the window. "I can't let you leave with my journal." He said threateningly.

The only light in the room came from the full moon shining brightly, just outside the window. Judy felt the ledge bump against the backs of her thighs and instinctively reached back with her hand. The window wass locked and try as she might, could not open it. She had sat the journal down on the arm of a chair while she tried to raise the window and had taken her eyes off Bearer for just a second. The fatman saw his chance and took it. As fat as he is, Bearer was fast on his feet. Judy turned around in time to see the fat man in full charge and closing fast. Going on pure instinct, she dove across the chair, hitting the floor rather hard. The journal landed right beside her. Suddenly, the world was alive with the sound of breaking glass and a hideous scream that seemed to go on for ever.

Peeking over the top of the chair, Judy saw she was alone in the room. The window was distroyed. Walking gingerly to the window, ready to run if the need arose, Judy gasped in shock, when she saw the fatman laying on the ground below, not moving. Suddenly, she had to get out of there. Snatching up the journal, Judy ran across the room and threw the thumb blot. Jerking the door open Judy ran down the hall and took the steps two at a time, suddenly very anxious to get out of there.

As she approached the door, she dug into her pocket for the car keys. Holding the journal and keys in one hand, she snatched open the front door and was half way to her car, at a dead run, when she glanced over to where Bearer's body was laying. Only it wasn't there! Suddenly more scared than she had ever been in her life, Judy flew to her car, glancing in the back before getting in and locking the door behind her.

With trembling hands, she managed to get the car started and drove as though the Hounds of Hell were after her. She flew to the parlor hoping against hope they were all still there! Luckily they were, though Jean and Kiowa were in the midst of saying good-night.

Everyone was startled by the wild look in her eyes as she told her tale, but no one interupted. Finally, as she told how Bearer's body had disappeared, Kane moaned and Taker showed no reaction at all. Judy began to shake in delayed response to what she had been through. Looking up at the Taker, she handed him the journal, with hands that trembled violently. His eyes never left hers as he took the journal from her.

"Thank-you. But you shouldn't have put yourself in jepardity Kane and I were going out there to look for this book." His gaze grew warm, even though it angered him that she broke her promise to him.

"Anything for you." She whispered softly. His gaze warm as always, showed his gratitude for her actions tonight, and was there a hint of a promise for something more?

Slowly, he bestowed one of his rare smiles upon her, making her heart beat a little faster. She smiled back at this most handsome of men. This LORD OF DARKNESS!............

Kiri watched from the partial cover of her burned rosebushes as Judy had left earlier. She¢d debated going after her to stop her or at least to go with her, but decided that Judy must feel this was something she had to do. Emphasis on the she. When the car had pulled away, Kiri returned to inspecting the damage Paul¢s little Bride bon fire has caused. Her roses were gone, the bushes would be hard to save too. The wall ... it had seen better days, but was still intact if not pretty. Grumbling to herself about wanton destruction seeming to follow the *boys,* she re-entered the Parlor to try to get the people quieted and off to bed.

*To sleep!* She hissed when a few of the Brides had eyed ¡Taker suggestively. Strangely, her own attraction seemed to have faded once she met him. She watched the other women looking at him with so much need in their eyes and felt herself withdraw. She sighed recognizing her own habit and made herself useful cleaning up after everyone and trying to ignore the growing feeling of something being very wrong. Thankfully Cyn was there for her ... as always ... and helped with the final clean up.

*****

Judy had returned with the book and then had retreated away from everyone. Kiri noticed when the Undertaker had gone after her and knew Judy would be okay. She began aggressively shooing people off to bed ... and giving up on trying to get them to sleep. As she drove Storm and Kane out, she saw a look in Storm¢s eyes. Was it ... concern? Kiri shook her head. What did this woman suspect?

It didn¢t matter, she convinced herself and finished driving them out. The woman¢s hand had brushed Kiri¢s cheek as Kane had drawn her away from the noisy Mistress. The touch was one of worry and understanding. Kiri blinked back tears and continued her noisy efforts to get people off to their rooms. The last two people to be driven off to a room were the Undertaker and Judy who Kiri resisted disturbing as long as possible. When she finally pulled open the patio doors she blushed and turned around and retreated back into the room with a choked apology. Judy was sitting on the patio railing and was thoroughly lost in the tender kiss the Undertaker had been giving her. Even Kiri¢s opening of the doors, gasp and retreat hadn¢t disturbed them. Leaving them alone to whatever activity they¢d fall into, Kiri left the dining area and retreated to her Parlor ... her private Parlor.

Even the Undertaker and Kane would think twice before coming in here. Her personal space was clearly marked off with glyphs and totems and statues of the old gods and goddesses. Crosses mixed with the other symbols and a delicate Star of David hung to catch the moonlight (or sunlight) perfectly. This was her shelter in the worst storm. As she locked the heavy double doors behind her, she looked into the room and noticed sadly that she¢d neglected her chambers during the crisis. A thin coat of dust covered things, graying the perfect cherry-rose wood beneath it. She closed her eyes and let out a soft tired breath. If she planned on taking care of Paul before he hurt someone else, she¢d have to be prepared. With a groan, she set about cleaning.

*****

She left her Parlor once after she¢d finished cleaning. She¢d found two forms laying on her couch in the darken living room. The Undertaker¢s long body scarcely fit the couch, but Judy nestled quietly a top him. She was draped over his chest. Her head rested below his bearded chin, twin smiles of happiness graced their sleeping faces. She only took a moment to cover them with a thin blanket as she smiled herself, happy that Judy had found some happiness after all of this. She slipped out and went to her own room. A short time later, cleaned and polished, she went room to room checking on her guests ... my friends ... and only after she was sure they were safe ... and asleep ... How did Storm wind up in THAT position? Kiri went out to the dog kennel and unlocked the high cage surrounding it.

*Go. Search and protect the grounds. No one comes in. No one leaves. If you see a fat, mean man ... don¢t bite him ... go wake up the two men in the main house. Go!* The dogs raced off into the night. Their black and brown bodies disappearing into the night effortlessly. Satisfied that things were as safe as possible, she returned to her lair. She went over to the softly padded couch and laid down.

*Time to get to work.* She whispered and closed her eyes and went through a familiar ritual. The room seemed the drift down away from her. Then she realized she¢d slipped into the stage ... neither a dream nor death ... and left the safety of her lair for the house. A final check on her friends and the two men who¢s lives had been destroyed by Paul Bearer ... she left and followed the voice in her heart and soul telling her where she needed to be ... where they were ... and where Paul Bearer would soon be ...

*Showdown, daddy.*

Book Five of The Undertaker's Brides

© 1998 by The Brides of Darkness

**This story cannot be used in any way without written permission