Victor stood with his mouth agape from shock for a second more before finding himself again and running over to Emily's side.

"Emily! How…I…I mean we…that is, Victoria and I…we saw you….and you were…." Victor rambled with child-like excitement. Emily giggled at his display.

"Hello Victor," she greeted him with a smile, her eyes dancing with amusement.

"Emily, we saw you disappear that night. How is it possible that you are here right now," Victor asked.

"Well, that's kind of a long story," Emily replied. She was about to continue when from out of nowhere, Bonejangles spoke up from his usual stance leaning against the wall by the piano.

"And what a story it is," he said. Emily rolled her eyes.

"BJ…" she called, trying to get his attention, but he continued as if he hadn't heard her.

"A story about romance…"

"BJ…"

"Passion…"

"BJ…."

"And a murder most…"

"BJ," Emily exclaimed, finally catching his attention. Bonejangles jumped a bit and looked over at her questioningly.

"Not that story," she explained. Bonejangles looked around sheepishly.

"Oh," he said. "Sorry, doll face." And with that, he resumed his position against the wall, tipped his hat over his eye, and seemed to fall asleep. Emily shook her head and turned her attention back to Victor.

"As I was saying, it's a little hard to explain," she told him.

"Please do try," Victor pleaded with her. "I would love to here it."

"Well…" Emily began, trying to find the right words. But before she could, Mrs. Plum suddenly interrupted her.

"Well, the rest of you don't just stand there! Give the three of them some space! All of you get back to…whatever it is you do! Shoo," she announced to the corpses that had gathered intently around the trio. She then began milling around and urging them off to their respective places. Once the three of them were alone finally alone, Mrs. Plum smiled.

"There you are, dears! Some privacy," she announced proudly.

"Thank you, Mrs. Plum," Emily said kindly. Mrs. Plum patted her lovingly on the arm.

"If any of you need me, I'll be in the kitchen," she informed them. And with that, she scuttled off. In the midst of all that, Emily was finally able to find the right way to begin her narrative.

"Do you know what this place is, Victor," she began. Victor furrowed his brows and thought before answering.

"No," he admitted.

"Well, the Land of the Dead is really just…well, a place of waiting, so to speak," she explained. "Everyone here is just a temporary resident, either of their own device or for a higher purpose. Some wait here for the people they left behind when they passed, others are searching for something they lost, and others were just put here for a higher purpose."

Victor could feel his spirits fall as Emily continued to explain. Since that fateful night the dead walked the earth, the only thing that had kept him from feeling incredibly guilty for backing out on their wedding was the knowledge that he was able to set her free. Now that he discovered she wasn't at all free, those feelings threatened to appear.

"Does that mean I didn't set you free," he had to ask, not able to prevent some pain from slipping into his voice. Emily looked upon him with concerned filled eyes, obviously catching his slip.

"Oh, no, no, no, Victor! Please, do not view it that way. You very much did set me free," she assured him.

"But then why are you still here," Victor challenged, now thoroughly confused.

"Oh Victor, I thought you knew," she replied, but from the look on his face, it was obvious he didn't. Emily walked over to him and took his hand.

"Victor, before you…well, proposed to me in the woods, or so to speak," Emily glanced over somewhat awkwardly at Victoria, but she seemed undaunted by the comment, so Emily continued. "I wasn't here in the Land of the Dead. I had been there, right where you had found me, lying in the dark for many years, waiting for someone like you to come free me."

"You were," Victor asked, astonished by that discovery.

"Yes," she replied, sadness casting over her expression for a second, but it just as quickly disappeared, and she continued. "You freed me from that darkness, Victor. But I just wasn't ready to crossover yet."

"Why ever not," he questioned. Emily shrugged.

"I wasn't quite sure, not until you came along. Victor, not all of us know why we were held back here. We just accept that our purpose will be revealed in due time. Now, I see that my purpose it to help you and Victoria; to prevent Barkis from claiming another innocent life."

"So you will help us then," Victor inquired.

"So long as Barkis is around, I will be around to help stop him," Emily assured him. Victor smiled with gratitude.

"Thank you," he said with the up most sincerity. "I'm so glad you're here."

"So am I," Emily admitted fondly. Both held each others gaze for a second, until Emily noticed Victoria staring at them with a look of uncertainty on her face. She quickly broke eye contact from Victor and immediately let go of his hand.

"Well," she said, addressing them both this time, "before we can come up with any sort of plan of action, I think it would be best if you two stayed here for a day or two. I doubt Barkis would like to return to here after achieving access to the Land of the Living. Therefore, you should be safe."

"That sounds like a fine idea," Victor agreed as he glanced over at Victoria.

"Is that alright with you, darling," he asked her, hoping she would agree. Victoria smiled graciously.

"Well, we did tell the servants we might not return for several days, so yes, I guess it would be the best thing to do," she agreed. Victor smiled in relief and took her hand.

"Good," he replied. "Then it's settled!"

"Come then," Emily said. "I will show you where you can sleep. Unless you would rather stay here for a while..." Victor looked at Victoria questioningly, indicating that the decision was entirely up to her.

"Well, I am rather tired," she confessed.

"Yes, we did leave rather late at night," Victor agreed. "I think it be best if we got some sleep first. Then we can start fresh tomorrow."

"Very well then," Emily said. "Right this way." And with that, she turned around and began ascending the stairs that led out of the pub. Victor and Victoria followed closely behind.

"I'm glad you decided to stay, Victoria," Victor confessed to her in a whisper as they followed Emily to their sleeping quarters. "You'll be safer here, I know you will." He took her hand and kissed it lightly. Victoria smiled.

"With you and Emily around, I'm sure I will be," she replied. "I'm sure I will be."

Hey people! Sorry it took me so long to post up this chapter. I actually started it days ago, but I couldn't find the interest to finish it. Bad thing to say about my own story, I know, but I just hate writing the chapters where I have to explain everything. It always seems so dull to me. Oh well, I hope beyond hope that you all feel differently about reading it! Anyway, thanks for taking the time to read it and reviews are greatly appreciated! Adios!