The Undertaker was his persona, the only name those around him called him, the only name they knew him as. It was a burden at times, but he loved it. At least he had until that fatal day when everything he held close just slipped through his fingers into the abyss that was his life.

Three Days ago...

The sun was setting in the Austin skyline as Mark Calaway pulled into his driveway in his rental car. He was only in Austin for a few days before he had to go the airport and fly away from his home once more for his career. It was heart wrenching most of the time, but he had adjusted slightly. The only thing that kept him going now was the idea of seeing his wife's beautiful face or hearing the soft laughter of his children in the background. It was a cheesy thought, especially for one that was supposed to be so far into the dark, but Mark knew his persona was completely different from the real him and that's how he preferred it.

Killing the engine, Mark gathered his bag from the passenger seat and climbed out of the car, stretching slightly. The drive wasn't one that was easy on his old bones but it was a drive he had to make whenever he got the chance. He locked the car and headed to the front door, digging in his pocket for the keys he had pulled from his bag earlier. He fumbled with the key before unlocking the front door. It was quiet as he shut the door, and walked further into the house. Sara knew he was coming home today so why wouldn't she be here?

Mark walked into the kitchen and put his bag down on the counter, spotting a piece of paper. A note. He picked it up and read over the words, his breath taken away with every single word.

Mark,

I know you were planning to come today, and I know I should have told you this face to face but I don't think I could bring myself to do that. I miss seeing you and the girls do as well. I can't put myself through the constant torture of watching you on TV getting hurt or worse. I'm sorry Mark, I really am but I can't take this anymore.

I've taken the girls and we're going to be living with my parents until I can afford a house on my own. I'm sorry but I had to do this.

Sara

Silence rang through the house as Mark read the letter over again and again, the words echoing in his head. He could almost hear her voice as she wrote them. The paper shook in his hands as he held it before letting it fall to the counter. He couldn't believe it. She had left him without a word, without any sign that something was going wrong. Mark turned and left the kitchen without a word, walking to his bedroom in a sort of trance. He sat upon the bed, head in his hands and stayed there as time passed, forgetting about everything else.

Present day....

Glenn Jacobs drove along the road heading for one destination, one that he hadn't been to in a long time. He stared at the road silently, his mind working over details. Mark as far as Glenn knew, was supposed to have met him at the airport at 8 so they could be ready for their flight at 10. Glenn had waited until 9:30 before realizing something was wrong. He had fought inwardly with himself over whether or not he should leave without Mark but realized that's not something a proper friend would do so he left the airport, not caring that no one else knew where he was going.

Pulling into the driveway, Glenn looked over at the rental car next to his as he killed the engine. It was definitely Mark's car. Glenn wondered what could possibly have happened. He knew Mark wouldn't ever jeopardize work unless something important had happened. Worried about his friend, Glenn hurried towards the front door and walked in, noting the stillness of the house. Usually it was filled with laughter but this time it wasn't.

Glenn walked into the kitchen, spotting Mark's bag on the counter. He walked over and hadn't noticed the note until he stepped up next to the bag. Picking up the note, Glenn read over the words, sighing gently at the end. So that's why Mark hadn't come. Glenn turned and looked around, not sure where Mark would have gone. He had to be here somewhere though he realized. He headed towards the back of the house where the bedroom was, checking most of the rooms as he went. As he neared the bedroom though, he heard a soft noise, almost like a sniffle. He frowned lightly as he stepped into the door frame.

There, sitting on the bed with his head in his hands, was Mark. Glenn walked over silently and sat next to Mark, wrapping his arm around his shoulders and letting the older man cry against him. No words were spoken, there was no need. The Deadman was, for once, acting like a human.

« Last Edit: Oct 20, 2009, 6:42pm by Candy »