Barkis hurried through the empty streets of the Land of the Dead, carrying his rather large and heavy satchel of supplies and potions, fearful of being caught yet still smiling to himself. After a week of hiding patiently and secretly watching the occupants of the Land of the Dead search frantically for him, he had finally decided it was time to come out and execute the next phase of his plan.

So in the dead of night (figuratively speaking), Barkis had crept out of his hiding place and had made his way to Elder Guttenberg's, or whatever his name was, lair.

Once there, it hadn't taken much for Barkis to get the old skeleton to hand over the supplies Barkis would need to carry out his dastardly deeds. One threat of crushing him into nothing but dust and the feeble bag of bones had complied with Barkis' every command.

Now, as he raced through the streets and alleys, Barkis knew that it would be a very short while before everyone in town knew he had been at the old skeleton's tower, if they didn't know already. He had to find a secluded spot to perform the spell to get to the Land of the Living, and he needed to find one fast.

Barkis ran and ran for what seemed like hours to him before he reached a dark alley between two buildings that seemed to have been abandoned for centuries. He ducked into the alley and headed for the very end. Once there, he dropped to his knees and set up for his spell.

Barkis could feel his palms begin to perspire as he completed the set up and prepared to recite the spell. He knew it called for exact precision if he wanted the spell to be permanent. If not, Barkis would be sucked back involuntarily to the Land of the Dead.

And we can't have that, Barkis thought. He took a deep breath and closed his eyes.

"Lassen Sie mich Überkreuzung," he began to chant slowly. "Lassen Sie mich Überkreuzung!"

At the pronunciation of the last word, Barkis could feel a strange, strong force surround him and the earth seemingly spin about him. He continued to chant the spell until the feeling disappeared as quickly as it came and everything stood perfectly still. He slowly opened his eyes and gasped when he saw he was surrounded by trees and moonlight. The Land of the Living…

"It worked," Barkis whispered. "I'm here." He jumped up from his kneeling position and began doing uncharacteristic spins about the clearing he was standing in, bathing in the moonlight that he hadn't seen in so long.

Suddenly he realized what he was doing and abruptly stopped himself. He cleared his throat in embarrassment and straightened his cravat. He had to get a hold of himself and take in his surroundings.

One quick sweep of the place and Barkis immediately recognized where he was. He was in that clearing in the woods just outside of town, the same clearing where he did away with his favorite victim, Emily. Though very coincidental, it seemed somewhat…fitting for him to arrive there.

Barkis turned around and gathered the rest of his supplies. By the look of the sky, it would be daylight soon. He had to find the residence of the newlyweds before daybreak or it would put a delay in his revenge plans, something that he simply couldn't stand, not even if that delay was only a second.

Today's the day, Barkis thought with ever-mounting excitement as he trudged through the snow towards town. Today, everything they have that's rightfully mine will belong to me once and for all.

Victor stretched lazily in his bed like a cat. He knew it wouldn't be long before the maid would come in and urge him to get up, but he couldn't help but revel in his few minutes of leisure before starting the day.

Victor turned over on his side and came within inches of his wife's face. He smiled as the familiar feelings he always felt when he looked at her rise within him. Oh, did he love her so…

As he thought these thoughts, Victor got the irrepressible urge to kiss her. He tried to fight it for fear of disturbing her, but he just couldn't help it. She looked so peaceful and lovely as she slept.

Not able to resist any longer, Victor slowly leaned in toward her and softly kissed her rosy lips. He hoped it wasn't enough to wake her, but alas, it was. Victoria stirred slightly and her eyes fluttered opened. She smiled when she caught sight of him.

"Is it time to get up," she asked him sleepily.

"Not just yet darling," Victor responded with a smile as he scooted closer to her. "I'm sorry to wake you."

"It's alright, dear," Victoria replied as she closed the distance between them and wrapped Victor's arms around her. She closed her eyes again and soon her breathing began to slow. Victor smiled in amusement.

"Victoria," he called softly.

"Hmmm," Victoria replied, only half-awake.

"Are you sleeping," he asked.

"No darling, I'm just resting my eyes," she answered, still with her eyes closed.

"You are to sleeping," Victor said with a chuckle.

"Am not," Victoria replied defensively, yet still with her eyes closed.

"Victoria, you are aware that we will have to get up soon, aren't you," he asked.

"Yes I am."

"Then why are you still sleeping?"

"I'm not sleeping."

"Then why are you're eyes closed?"

"I told you, they're resting. I'm just resting with them." At this, Victor couldn't help but laugh.

"Darling, open your eyes and get up," Victor told her.

"Five more minutes, darling," she replied. Victor rolled his eyes and leaned in towards her. He began applying gentle yet consistent kisses on various parts of her face. He kept it up until Victoria couldn't help but smile and open your eyes.

"Alright darling, I'm awake," she said with a loving smile.

"Are you sure," Victor asked playfully.

"Well…" Victoria replied with a coy smile. She then leaned in and gave Victor a peck on the lips. Victor responded whole-heartedly and soon he was lost in the warmth of her kiss.

Just then Mary, one of the new servants they hired, walked into the bedroom, catching Victor and Victoria by surprise. They quickly separated and sat up in their bed.

"I'm sorry, Mr. and Mrs. Van Dort," Mary apologized, trying to conceal a smile that threatened her lips. "I, uh, was just coming in to make sure you were up."

"It's-it's perfectly alright, Mary," Victor replied, clearing his throat in embarrassment and smiling sheepishly. "We were just about to get up."

An awkward moment of silence passed as the three just stared at each other.

"We'll be down for breakfast shortly," Victor finally said. Mary nodded, no longer able to hold in the smile. She couldn't help but giggle slightly as she exited the room.

Victor could feel his cheeks turn slightly pink as he turned and looked at Victoria, whose eyes were dancing with amusement.

"Well," Victor said, "I think we should get up now." He threw back the covers and headed for the washroom that connected to their bedroom. As he closed the door behind him, he could have sworn he could hear laughing coming from his bedroom. He opened the door slightly and looked at Victoria, who was still sitting in bed.

"Were you just laughing, my dear," he asked.

"Of course not, darling," she replied, her voice breaking slightly in laughter. Victor smiled knowingly.

"Get up," he urged her with a laugh. Victoria nodded, not bothering to hide her laughter any longer. Victor closed the door and shook his head good-naturedly. So far it had started out to be a very interesting day.

About an hour later, Victor and Victoria were dressed and just finished with breakfast. Victor headed for the foyer to gather his coat and hat, with Victoria close behind him.

"Have a good day at work, darling," Victoria told him as she helped him on with his coat.

"I'll try, dear," Victor responded playfully as he placed his hat on top of his hat. He leaned in and gave Victoria a quick kiss.

"I love you," he told her as he turned and opened the door.

"I love you too, dear," she responded as she watched him walk out the door and down the steps toward the carriage. "Do hurry home!"

"Always, my love," he replied back as he climbed into the carriage. He waved goodbye to her until she was no longer in sight. He then turned around and faced forward, not able to help but think about what a charmed life he led. Victor had a feeling that it was going to be a wonderful day.

Barkis watched with a sick feeling in the pit of his stomach as the love-sick couple bid each other loving farewells. Even though the alley he was hiding in was too far away for him to hear what they were saying, he could imagine what foolishly romantic words they were exchanging. It disgusted him.

His spirits lifted, however, as he watched the ninny ride away in his carriage, leaving his young wife all alone. Barkis figured it was the perfect time for him to execute the last phase of his plan: complete revenge. He smiled a conniving smiled and reveled in the moment a bit before slowly creeping out of his concealed area and making his way towards the Van Dort resident.

He was about fifty feet away from the door when all of a sudden, an elderly woman came out the door and began to sweep the front steps. Barkis frantically ducked behind a nearby bush and crouched motionlessly until the woman returned inside. He straightened himself up and quickly returned to the alley he had been hiding in.

Curses, Barkis thought angrily, the fools must have hired a staff of servants. Barkis realized there was no way he could enter the house undiscovered with servants scurrying about. He would have to wait until later in the evening when most servants retired to their rooms.

Barkis let out sort of a growl out of frustration as he tried to make himself comfortable in the dark alley. He sighed and tried to calm himself down, figuring that if he had waited this long, he could certainly wait a couple more hours.

It won't be long now, he kept repeating in his head. It won't be long now…