(Tuesday)

Punk was walking up the front steps of a church he didn't recognize. He didn't know why he was there. He looked down at himself and saw he was dressed in a black suit. He saw others entering the church also dressed in black and realized he was at a funeral…but he couldn't remember anyone he knew dying recently.

He walked in the church and saw several people milling around but he didn't recognize any of them. He walked into the sanctuary and saw several people gathered around the casket, he was unable to see who had passed away. Flowers lined the front of the church.

"Excuse me?" he saw a man sitting in a pew.

"Such a tragedy. None of this expected this." He said.

"I'm sorry for your loss." Punk said.

"Thank you. Things will never be the same." The man said.

Punk realized the gentleman was too upset to talk. He walked further into the church and saw several police officers sitting in two pews. He walked to the front, nearing the casket. He looked over to the side and saw a large framed picture of Evalena with Rocky. He hurried over and took a closer look, sure he was seeing things.

He stood in front of the picture and clearly saw Evalena kneeling down with Rocky. He saw several smaller pictures on a table next to the large picture. He looked at them….Evalena in her majorette uniform and baton as part of the Pride of Southland band, Evalena at her college graduation standing with a man in a gray suit, Evalena at a formal event wearing a green dress.

Dread and panic filled him and he rushed over to the coffin to see for himself. He pushed several people out of the way and looked down…..and there was Evalena. She was dressed in jeans and a Tennessee Volunteers jersey with a number 10 on it. She looked like she was sleeping and in her hands lying on her waist. He felt himself starting to shake. He felt like he was gonna vomit.

"She looks very natural doesn't she?" a man appeared beside him.

"She…oh my god…" Punk reached over to take her hand.

"Easy, easy son…..were you a friend of Sissy's?" he asked.

"Sissy?" Punk asked.

"I nicknamed her that when she was a baby. She was named after my grandmother. I don't know what I am gonna do without her." He said.

"You're her father?" Punk asked.

"Yes. I am Glen. How did you know her?" he asked.

"Oh…I'm Phil. I was a friend of hers." Punk answered. "I am so sorry for your loss. She was a wonderful woman."

"Thank you. She would appreciate you being here." Glen said. "This is so sudden."

Punk looked back down at Evalena. "Where is Rocky?"

"I have him. You know that dog stayed right with her after she died. When I found her, he was lying right next to her and never moved until the funeral home arrived. He must've been with her for hours before I got there." Glen said.

Punk squeezed her hand and then let go. He turned around and saw Tom standing in the back of the church. Punk couldn't understand why he would be there.

"You know it's ironic." Glen said suddenly startling Punk.

"What is?" Punk asked.

"My baby watched wrestling with me for 30 years. And I just read today in the paper that one of the wrestlers died the same day as she did." Glen said. "I like to think she got to walk in the gates of heaven with him."

"Wrestler? Which one?" Punk asked.

"I don't remember his real name…his professional name was CM Punk." Glen answered.

Punk sat straight up in bed. He realized he was sweating. He looked around and saw Evalena asleep beside him, the clock beside his bed read 3AM. He got out of bed and walked into the bathroom. He splashed some cool water on his face and took a calming breath. He didn't know what to think. Was it a nightmare and nothing else?

"Punk? You okay?" he heard Evalena ask.

"Yeah, I just had a strange dream." He called back.

"A nightmare?" she asked.

"Something like that." He walked back in the bedroom.

"You wanna talk about it?" she sat up.

"How did you get your name?" Punk sat down on the bed.

"What? What does that have to do with anything?" Evalena asked.

"I had a dream…you were in it and….just tell me." He said.

"I was named after my great-grandmother. My father's grandmother's name was Evalena." She said. Punk paled. "Punk, what is wrong?"

"What is your father's name?" Punk asked.

"Huh? Punk what is going on?"

Punk gripped her shoulders. "Is your father's name Glen?"

"Yeah, how did you know?" Evalena asked.

"I dreamed it. I dreamed you were named after your father's grandmother, your dad's name was Glen and he nicknamed you Sissy." Punk said.

"Did I tell you about my nickname?"

"I don't think so." Punk ran a hand through his hair. "What the fuck is going on?"

"Tell me what you dreamed." Evalena took his hand in both of hers, trying to calm him down.

"I was at a funeral, I didn't know for who until I got to the front of the church. There was a large picture of you and small framed ones too. One of you in college, your college graduation standing with your dad…and some formal event where you were wearing a green dress." He said.

"The Mayor's Ball." Evalena said. "I wore green to the Mayor's Ball in the spring."

"How did I dream this stuff? I don't know any of this. You never told me." Punk asked.

"What else did you dream?"

"It was your funeral. I talked to your dad….and then I saw Tom. And just as I saw Tom your dad said that….I had died too." Punk said.

"Punk…I am scared." Evalena said.

"I dunno what to think. There is no way I could've known that stuff to dream about it. And damn just the sight of you lying in that coffin in your number 10 jersey." Punk said.

"A Tennessee jersey with number 10?" Evalena asked.

"Yeah…why?"

"Punk…..I own that jersey. When I was in college Erik Ainge was our quarterback…he was number 10." Evalena said.

"Fuck…I don't like this." Punk said.

"But….I had all the nightmares and weird stuff happening to me. Why is this happening to you now?" Evalena asked.

"I dunno. But I am starting to think maybe there really is something unexplainable around here." Punk said.

"What do you think we should do?" Evalena asked.

"I am not sure. Are you sure you never told me any of that stuff?" Punk asked.

"I haven't thought of the Mayor's Ball since May." Evalena said.

"You stay with me. I don't want you alone. And tomorrow we will figure out what to do. I don't wanna over react and I definitely want to know what the fuck is going on." Punk said.

Evalena nodded. "You gonna be okay to sleep?"

"Are you?"

"I dunno…but we should probably try to rest." She said.

"Yeah…..you're right." He pulled the sheet up.

"Punk…are you scared?" she asked as she lay back down.

"Not sure….definitely uneasy and wanting answers." He said.

She looked over at him. "We'll figure it out. You know me and a mystery…I have to know."

(Morning)

Punk started drifting awake feeling something pressed against him. He opened one eye and saw Evalena had rolled against him in her sleep, her arm resting on his chest. He didn't want to disturb her, but also didn't want her to wake up and find him with morning wood. Hoping she was a sound sleeper, he gently moved her arm off his chest. She sighed softly and snuggled tighter against him, making him moan slightly. He slowly slid away from her and breathed a sigh of relief when she didn't wake up.

Punk quietly walked to the bathroom and shut the door. He looked in the mirror and saw he looked tired. He knew he needed to shower and get ready for the day. He wasn't sure what was going on, but he wanted answers. Maybe Evalena's curiosity was wearing off on him.

Punk quickly took a shower. He still couldn't shake feeling uneasy about his dream last night. There was no way he could've known the stuff in his dream. And he felt sick every time he thought of Evalena in that coffin.

He dried himself off, pulling on a pair of jeans. He opened the door and saw Evalena was still asleep. He walked over to the bed and sat on the edge.

"Evalena…I think you should wake up." He gently shook her shoulder.

Evalena mumbled and curled further into her pillow.

"Come on Miss Rocky Top…time to get up." Punk chuckled.

"Hmmmmpppphh." She groaned and rolled away from him.

He chuckled and leaned down next to her. "Miss Cole there is a Mr. Manning here to see you."

"It better be Peyton because Eli is a crybaby." Evalena said.

Punk stretched out, propping his head on his hand and staring at her back.

"I thought you would jump out of bed running to see Peyton." Punk chuckled.

"Nah, he is married. But if she ever dumps him, I am on a plane to Denver!" Evalena chuckled.

"You want breakfast? We could go somewhere." Punk said.

"Nothing too heavy." Evalena rolled over onto her back. "What do you think we should do to find out what Tom is up to?"

"I was thinking maybe we should head back to the crossroads, see what we can find. Maybe he has thrown other things away." Punk said.

"I thought maybe we should check the third floor. I hear a lot of movement up there at odd times." She said.

"That is a good idea." He agreed.

She looked at him with wide eyes. "Do you think we will be safe?"

He reached over and touched her shoulder. "I promise, I won't let anything hurt you."

She nodded. "I trust you."

Punk moved his fingers up to trace her cheekbone and down her jaw. Evalena nuzzled into his hand, moving her hand up to hold his wrist. Punk leaned over and gently pressed his lips against hers. He didn't apply any pressure, not wanting to push her, just moved his lips over hers. She responded, kissing him back. He could feel her gently tracing circles on his forearm.

Rocky growled and then barked causing Evalena and Punk to pull apart. They looked over and saw Rocky growling at barking at the door. Then there was a knock at the door.

"Housekeeping." Martha Beauchene called out.

"We'll be out in 10 minutes." Evalena called. She turned to Punk. "We better get moving."

Punk nodded as she climbed out of bed.

(10:30AM)

Punk and Evalena had managed to sneak away from the inn, checking to be sure that none of the Beauchene's saw them leaving. Evalena had brought Rocky with them. She was afraid what might happen to him if left alone at the inn.

"Even if we find stuff here, we won't know what it is." Punk said.

"We can always take it to one of the voodoo shops in town and ask if they know what it is. They figured out what that money thing was." She said.

"That is a good idea." Punk said. "You really are good at this investigating thing."

Evalena smiled at him as they came upon the crossroads. They didn't see anything lying in the open.

"Guess we should try looking in some of the weeds." Evalena said.

"Find some long sticks to help us look through the weeds." Punk said looking for some long branches. "Who knows what snakes and creatures are hiding in these weeds."

Punk handed Evalena a large branch and they both began looking through the weeds to see if they could find anything.

"I am not finding anything." Punk said after a few minutes.

"Me either." Evalena said. "Then again, if Tom suspects that we think he is up to something he may have returned and collected anything left behind."

"If he is really into all this mumbo jumbo, do you think he could be hurting people…like murder?" Punk asked.

Evalena looked at him. "Well…..I have encountered criminals that were into black magic and such…most of them sacrificed animals. Devil worshippers too. Dogs, cats, chickens, goats."

"Any that ever killed people?" Punk asked. "Didn't you once mention something about a case in Mexico?"

"Yes, I didn't actually work on that case as it happened in the late1980s, but I have studied it." Evalena said.

"So what happened?" Punk asked.

"Adolfo Constanzo was a drug dealing mixed up with some kind of religion I can't remember the name of…but it was dark, sacrifices and such. He had a cult following and to protect his drug shipments he would offer sacrifices, often human. He got away with it for at least two years…maybe longer. But in 1989, he made the mistake of kidnapping and murdering an American college student on spring break in Mexico…Mark Kilroy was his name...anyway, when US authorities started putting big pressure on Mexican authorities to find Kilroy….Constanzo's activities were discovered and brought to light. At least 14 other people had been sacrificed….maybe as many as 25." She said.

"That is fucked up." Punk said.

"But I think looking here is a lost cause. We should try getting to the third floor of the inn. I wanna know what is up there." Evalena said.

"We need to be sure Tom doesn't find out." Punk said.

"One of us should be a lookout or keep him distracted." She said.

"Yeah, let's head back to the inn." Punk said.

They started back towards the inn, following the path they came on. Rocky walked close to them.

"Evalena, would you like to go out tonight?" Punk asked.

"For dinner?"

"Or a movie? Or dancing? Or whatever you like to do on dates." Punk said.

"A date?" she looked at him.

"Yeah, I mean as long as we don't find a dead body or something…I thought it would be nice to go out tonight." Punk smiled.

"I dunno….I mean…Punk I think you are a great guy, but…me? You are a celebrity around all kinds of ladies….you could have any one you wanted." She said.

Punk stopped walking and grabbed Evalena's hand. "Don't be intimidated by that. You shouldn't be. I think you're great."

"I thought you thought I was a loon." She chuckled.

"No, I admit for a while I didn't know what to think of you, but now that….I have seen this weird shit myself…..I do think something is weird going on and I understand why you were upset." Punk said.

Evalena gave a small smile.

"I think you're great. You have been amazing to hang out with since I got here." Punk said.

"I would love to go out tonight." She smiled.

Punk smiled. "So if everything turns out okay, maybe we can head out around 6pm?" Punk asked.

"Sounds good." She kissed his cheek. "But first we're getting into that third floor if I have to get you to kick down a door."

They made their way back to the inn, seeing no one as they made their way across the back yard. They saw that the pool had been drained.

"They must be getting the pool cleaned up." Evalena whispered.

"Let's hurry before someone comes around." Punk said.

They hurried inside the inn and hurried up to the second floor.

"You go on up to the third floor and see what you can find. I'll stay here and keep a look out for Tom." Punk whispered.

"But…."

"You go; if Tom comes along I can keep him distracted or at least knock him out." Punk said.

"Keep Rocky with you. If Tom comes around his barking will let me know I need to get out of there." Evalena said.

"Good idea, just hurry." Punk said.

Evalena quietly crept up the stairs. She didn't see anyone. She noticed the third floor looked like the other two floors of rooms. She noticed one door marked 'Supply closet'. She wondered why the second floor didn't have a supply closet. She tried the knob and found it locked.

She hurried back down the stairs.

"What did you find?" Punk asked.

"I wanna get in their supply closet…seems out of place but it is locked." Evalena said.

"If I break through the lock they will know we were in there." Punk said.

"We need to get in that room." Evalena said.

"I can pick a lock if I have tools." Punk said.

"Wait a second." Evalena hurried to her room and returned in a few minutes. "Here, I never go anywhere without my multi-tool. I keep it in my purse."

"You're really something." Punk smiled.

"Then come on. Rocky…Stay!" Evalena commanded and Rocky sat down. "He'll alert us."

Punk and Evalena hurried up the stairs leaving Rocky to stand guard. She pointed the supply closet out to Punk. Punk knelt down and started working on the lock. Evalena kept her ear out for Rocky or any noise.

"Got it." Punk whispered and opened the door.

Punk and Evalena stepped inside and were stunned.

"What is this?" Punk whispered.

"I dunno. Looks like an altar or something. But why have one here and in the woods too?" she whispered.

There was a large table in the middle of the room with a mounted alligator head in the middle. There were multiple candles around the room of vary colors. There were several daggers lying on the table. There was a separate table with containers of herbs, oils, powders and incense. There were several dolls lying around the room as well.

"Okay, the Beauchene's are definitely up to something. Problem is I dunno what." Punk looked around.

Evalena pulled out her cell phone. "I am taking pictures of this. Someone will be able to tell us what some of this stuff is."

Evalena clicked off a few pictures, stopping when she noticed a wall of satanic pictures and symbols. Rocky began barking. Punk and Evalena hurried out of the room and locked the door back behind them. They hurried down the stairs and saw Rocky barking at Tom Beauchene.

"Rocky! There you are!" Evalena started. "We have been looking everywhere for you."

"Is there a problem?" Tom raised his eyebrows at them.

"Rocky got away from us and we were looking for him." Punk played along with her cover story.

"I am glad you found him." Tom said. "And by the way, we are having the pool cleaned. It should be open by the end of the week."

"That is good to know. Come on Evalena." Punk put his arm around Evalena, clearly glaring at Tom.

They walked down the hall and into Punk's room. Punk locked the door.

"That was smart thinking with that cover story." Punk said.

"Do you think we should stay at another place? Like go to a different hotel or Bed and breakfast or something?" Evalena asked.

"I dunno. I think we are okay for now. But I want to find out what that shit upstairs is." Punk said.

"Okay….but one more strange occurrence and I am out of here." Evalena said.

"Well forget about that for now. We have a date tonight." Punk smiled. "What would you like to do?"

"Something fun. I don't care what. You can plan it." She smiled.

Author's Note- Thank you to those who favorite this story and are following it! You rock! Love the reviews too!