Chapter 21
After showering and changing into black jeans with long sleeved lavender top, Brooklynn made her way downstairs, hair pulled up in a ponytail holder. She didn't answer Undertaker because, honestly, Brooklynn didn't know what she was going to do when that time came.
"I don't trust him."
"I do because it is Mark, in a way, only in the darkness."
"I still don't trust him, Brook. Be careful, don't die for a man that doesn't love you."
"I can't help who I fall in love with and I'm not giving up on him...ever. Now come on, we have to get to the bridge and cross both you and Kyle over."
"Can we trust him?" Melina asked from behind, aware Brooklynn had been talking to her sister. She hoped, at least; the possibility of Brooklynn talking to nothing at all would have been the single grain of rice that tipped the scale.
"And did he say what we're doing tonight at the bridge?"
"Yes, we can trust him. It's Mark, with the intensity turned up full blast." Brooklynn turned around to face her, feeling Julia place a hand on her shoulder, nodding. "I plan on crossing both my sister and Kyle over tonight...by any means necessary." She slipped her boots on, the jeans tucked in them, going to the middle of her calf. They were black leather and good for hiking; she pulled on a black hooded sweatshirt to finish the look off. "It's time to rally up everyone." She walked past them, leading the way downstairs, her stomach tightening.
"Did she just say rally up?"
"Yeah, she did."
Giggling, Trish followed Melina out of the room.
"He left already." Steve informed them when Brooklynn and the girls came down, him and Glenn more than ready to go while John helped Mickie pack her 'bag'.
Somehow, Brooklynn wasn't surprised, pushing the pain aside. "Come on, we have to get to the bridge."
He would be there, she was sure of it. She walked out of the door toward her Ford Focus, Julia following, slipping in the passenger seat. She waited for Mickie, Trish and Melina to slip inside, the guys following in Steve's truck, knowing two cars would be more than enough. Without any music, anyone speaking, Brooklynn turned the ignition and peeled out of there, heading toward the bridge.
"Do you think Kyle will be there?"
"I can only hope."
"Am I the only one who feels like this is suicide?"
"John?"
"Yeah, bro?"
"Shut the fuck up."
The girls all knew better than to talk at this point, each of them dreading what was coming, yet knowing it had to be done. Each of them also wishing Beth and Randy hadn't left as every hand on deck would have made it seem like they actually had a chance at survival. They arrived at the bridge 20 minutes later, the sun slowly descending on the horizon and Brooklynn looked up at the bridge, exiting her vehicle. It would take some time to get up to the top. Shouldering a bag, Brooklynn took a deep breath, smiling at her sister and began the journey. The others did too, just as they always did, and Brooklynn suddenly missed Randy more than words could say. Pushing him in the back of her mind, Brooklynn kept climbing and instead turned her thoughts to Mark, the love of her life.
"Kyle, I know you're here. We know you're here. I want to help you, please. I have Julia with me, please reveal yourself." Brooklynn spoke softly, loud enough for the spirit to hear.
Taker listened to her, aware the others were joining them and stared down at the water, one hand wrapped around one of the remaining cables. "He's here." He said evenly, not looking back. "Mickie?"
"I see red again, besides you...you're an ugly shade of green with black."
Taker snorted, shooting her a dark look before turning to stare at Brooklynn.
"Kyle please come out, come to me. I love you..." Julia called desperately.
Brooklynn kept quiet as they kept going toward the bridge, the hill somewhat steep, not turning her head back to stare at Taker. She had to cross these two over before they even thought about going after Nemesis, breathing heavily from how fast she moved. It took an hour before they were all standing on the bridge and Brooklynn looked around, the wind blowing around them.
"Keep trying, Julia."
"Kyle please, I can't crossover without you!" Julia walked over to look over the bridge, tears cascading down her pale cheeks. "Don't leave me now..."
A brush of her cheek made Julia's eyes close and she turned around as his icy blue orbs locked on hers. Kyle had finally revealed himself. "I would never leave you, Julia."
Brooklynn sighed a huge breath of relief, feeling a weight lift from her shoulders. "Finally..."
Taker could feel the change in the atmosphere, finally heading up towards the bridge, not minding the steep climb as his long legs quickly carried him up the hill. Kyle had come and Brooklynn would be crossing them over, something he had seen many times before...when he was neutral. He did not want nor need to see it right now as it would probably be a distraction he didn't need. Halting long enough to light a cigarette, Taker inhaled deeply and looked down at the tiny black beads wrapped around his hand.
"I can't crossover."
"Why not?" Julia whispered, cupping his face with her soft, ghostly hand. "Kyle..."
"I did a terrible thing, Jules. I can't crossover because I'll be punished if I do..."
"Who told you that?" Brooklynn demanded softly, stepping toward them, eyes full of kindness, knowing she couldn't be angry with him for joining Nemesis. "Where is Nemesis, Kyle?"
Kyle lowered his eyes, closing them painfully shut. "He told me you were Julia and I believed him...I believed everything...I left him after I heard Julia calling out to me, when I saw her find you..."
"You have to tell me where Nemesis is. He's going to hurt you and Julia, if we don't stop him."
Evil laughter resonated around them, the atmosphere growing cold and dark very quickly. "My dear, sweet Brooklynn Jade..." He appeared before her, eyes flashing. "I told you the gates of hell would open and it's been done. Thank you precious, you saved me a hell of a time from turning Mark into what I NEED him to be."
"W-What..? What are you talking about?" Tears burned her amber eyes, watching as everyone began backing away. "He will destroy you."
"Oh really now?" Nemesis chuckled darkly, walking past her toward Kyle, reaching his hand out. "You must persuade her to join us, my son. It is the only way you two can truly be together."
"No! Don't listen to him!"
"What's going on?"
"I don't know... I can't cast a circle around her." Mickie said through gritted teeth, her arms outstretched and it wasn't for lack of trying. "Nemesis must be there; my circle is only protecting us. That's-"
"My kind of magic."
"Took you long enough!" Glenn growled from his place on the ground, holding his head tightly between his hands.
"Kyle, you know what I've told you. I've given you everything I said I was going too. Julia is here, just as I said."
"Y-You told me she was INSIDE Brooklynn..."
Nemesis waved him off dismissively. "A little white lie never hurt anyone. I was buying time to try to find her for you." His voice was a soothing caress, standing right behind Kyle, eyes glowing down at Julia. "Join us my dear and you will see things beyond the afterlife. The light is bad for you."
"Julia, don't listen to him!" Brooklynn pleaded, trying to get near her sister, but Nemesis was preventing her from doing so. "Julia, please..."
"You interfering little bitch!" Nemesis waved his hand, causing Brooklynn's body to lift from the bridge, the others being held back by his power. Even Undertaker was having a hard time getting through as he slowly floated her toward the edge. "Now, do I have to kill your sister or will you come to me willingly, Julia?"
"No! No please don't do this! I-I'll do whatever you want, just please don't hurt my sister!"
Nemesis laughed coldly, nodding. "Join me then and she will be spared."
When he saw Brooklynn being floated towards the edge of the bridge, Taker knew Nemesis was right behind the shimmery black orb that seemed to be encasing them. And keeping him out. No more, not when she was about to die. Only Mickie was able to fully appreciate what she was seeing. While she couldn't see the spirits, she COULD see the black aura. Then the acid green that began eating through it as Taker's anger increased, knowing it was because he couldn't reach Brooklynn. The orb suddenly burst, causing Brooklynn to fall and she barely caught the ledge with a scream.
"BROOKLYNN!"
"No!" Mickie was trying to get through, but Nemesis was too powerful, knowing Taker was the only one who could get to her.
"Nemesis, don't do this..." Kyle pleaded, immediately dropping his head when his Master glared at him. "Julia, she will die if Mark can't get to her in time. You have to come with us."
"But my sister..."
Brooklynn was trying like hell to hold on, tears streaming down her cheeks and felt her hands slowly beginning to slip from the edge. "JULIA, DON'T DO IT!" If she was dying on this bridge, Brooklynn wanted to die knowing her sister crossed over into the light with Kyle. "DON'T WORRY ABOUT ME! CROSSOVER!"
"Would it kill you to be a little selfish from time to time?" Taker demanded, his hands suddenly gripping her wrists as he pulled her back up over the ledge, wrapping one arm firmly around her waist. "Don't answer that." He snorted, his head turning to stare at the distinct lights he could see. "There's 5, why are there 5 spirits here, Lynn?"
"I-I don't know..."
"Oh my god..."
Brooklynn began to physically tremble, hearing Nemesis laughing even louder, the sound sending tremors throughout her body. "It can't be..."
"Hello, my darling." Vanessa Meyers sneered, eyes narrowed, her husband, Charlie, standing right beside her.
"N-No...NO!" Julia started backing away from the four spirits, eyes widened, shaking her head repeatedly. "No, y-you're dead!"
"M-Mom? Dad?"
"What the fuck..."
"AHAHAHAHAHAAHA! Oh, you are too damn good to fool, Brooklynn Jade! That's right! I took your parents after they committed suicide over the guilt they felt for killing poor, innocent Julia." Nemesis walked over, wrapping one arm around each of their waists. "They belong to me now and, soon, Julia will join them."
"No...No this isn't happening...H-How could you..."
"JULIA!" Kyle bellowed, running after her as they both disappeared.
That was a first. Taker tried to remember the last time he had actually seen a ghost run away and shook his head. "Lynn, if we destroy him, we destroy his hold and THEN you can worry about crossing everyone over."
"MY LINES ARE DISAPPEARING!" Melina shrieked from her place behind the acid orb that was now very plainly visible.
"Of course they are, gypsy bitch..." Taker snorted, shaking his head. "This isn't going to work, nobody but me is prepared and you're about to-"
Suddenly, they all watched wide-eyed as Taker and Brooklynn went flying backward off the bridge and into the cold waters below. The water felt like pure ice surrounding her body as Brooklynn crashed into it, the pain overwhelming, taking her last breath before being completely consumed.
"BROOKLYNN!"
"What a true waste of time." Vanessa flipped her brown hair over her shoulder, rolling her eyes.
"It's not over, they are not dead. Come on, we have to find Julia and Kyle." Nemesis snapped his fingers, the dark aura disappearing.
"NO! WE HAVE TO HELP THEM!"
Luckily for her, he wasn't unconscious. Taker was freezing his backside off and in sheer agony, but very conscious and pissed off. Trying to ignore the feel of stabbing pain attacking his entire body, he forced his eyes open, unable to see anything but darkness…at first.
"Look!" John pointed, leaning over the bridge. "He's got her!"
"Oh thank you, Jesus..." Steve exhaled shakily, kissing the top of Trish's head as she sobbed on his chest.
Mickie dropped to her knees, burying her face in her hands, feeling John hold her from behind as she sobbed with sheer relief.
"Oh thank you, thank you so much..." Trish whispered, clutching Steve for dear life, wanting to rush down to make sure Brooklynn was still alive.
Brooklynn lay limp in Taker's arms, hair wet and matted to her head and face, the ponytail having busted so her hair was fanned out all over...but she wasn't breathing. Taker immediately set her down on the ground and began performing CPR, breathing air back into her body. It took three heart-stopping times before water shot out of her mouth, causing Brooklynn to gasp for air, eyes flying open. Taker instantly pulled her upright, allowing her to breathe easier and let out silent thanks of his own, one hand gently cupping the back of her head. He wasn't surprised in the slightest when John and Mickie came running down the hill, after recovering from the initial shock, mildly amused when Cena went tumbling head over heels.
"She's fine." He said gravely, tossing his own drenched hair back over his shoulders. "For now, she needs to be taken to bed."
"So do you."
"I will be fine."
When her vision became clear, after coughing for what seemed like hours, shivering, Brooklynn looked up and immediately wrapped her around tightly around Taker's neck, not able to speak. She couldn't believe what happened, still in shock that her parents hadn't crossed over, that they were with Nemesis. Brooklynn felt her body leave the ground, burying her face in Taker's neck, clinging to him for dear life. She was just glad he was safe, knowing he was angry at her for what happened, even though it wasn't her fault.
"Do you want me to take her?"
Taker walked right past them all as Brooklynn closed her eyes, breathing in his scent, even through the smell of the water.
"Hey, can I drive his motorcycle?" John asked, groaning when Mickie slapped him right upside his head.
"No." Glenn caught the keys when they came flying at him. "I've got it."
They could all pile in Brooklynn's car because they sure as hell weren't riding with him in Steve's truck. Taker didn't do her car, it was too small; experience had taught him that. Once in the truck. he got the heat going, rubbing her hands between his.
"Are you going to make it?" He demanded, anger lacing his tone.
She nodded, lips slowly turning back to normal, her pale complexion beginning to form roses in her cheeks. Brooklynn couldn't speak, no matter how hard she tried. It was almost as if the collision with the water had stopped her voice box from working. Tears slid down her face, warming it even more as relief flooded through her that he was all right. Brooklynn felt him press her hands to his chest, which was also cold, though warmer than her body at the moment. If she warmed too fast too quickly, her heart would stop beating, so they had to be careful. Growling, Taker forcefully pushed her hands away. He was relieved she was all right as well, but irate she hadn't planned this out more carefully.
He had given her three days and she had done NOTHING!
"We're going to the house and you are going straight to bed." He ordered, through gritted teeth and revved the engine.
"He's gonna blow my truck up..."
"W-Why are y-you angry w-with me?" Brooklynn hated chattering, trying to force it back to speak clearly, though it took several tries. "I didn't know my parents didn't cross over. I didn't know they joined Nemesis; I can't plan everything ahead of time. I'm not like you." She turned to stare out the window, wishing to have Mark back – her Mark. She missed him and felt dead, even though she had died for a few seconds only moments ago.
"You ALWAYS prepare for the unexpected with this job, Lynn! Have years of experience taught you NOTHING?" He demanded tersely, cranking the heat all the way up and reached across the seat for her hands, holding them over the heater. "Your parents haven't crossed over?" That finally registered, though it did make sense. Considering they had butchered their own daughter, their souls were very likely forfeited at this point anyway.
"How was I supposed to fucking prepare to see my parents after all this time?!" She shouted back at him, pulling her hands away, not shoving him because she didn't want to get into an accident. "Don't touch me!" Brooklynn ordered gravely, scooting as far away from him as she possibly could, wrapping her arms around herself to try to warm up. "I was prepared as I was going to get, I don't know what more you want from me! I can only do so much, I'M NOT YOU!" Her anger and fire prevented her from going hypothermic, already knowing she would gain a bad cold from this.
Taker wouldn't waste his time arguing with her. She had an excuse for everything. There was no room for error in their line of work, at all. They always expected the worse and prepared for the unexpected, it was a simple aspect of the job. He didn't say a word for the rest of the drive, the truck finally rumbling to a halt in the drive and didn't move, just stared out the windshield.
"What now, Lynn?" He asked finally, breaking the silence.
"I don't know. Maybe we've finally met our match." Brooklynn stepped out of the truck, slamming the door, needing to get away from him for a little while. He made her blood boil and run cold all at once.
What were they supposed to do now?