Chapter Two: At Death's Door

When death comes knocking at our doors, as you might know, it is hard at first to let the unfortunate news set in. You find it impossible to believe what you are hearing, or that you are even hearing it all. When someone says to you, "Your husband is dead," it is most likely that you will stop and be silent, not knowing what to say or do or even what to think. You say to yourself that cannot be real. You pause and stay quiet for what seems like forever…

And then your cry.

That is exactly what happened to Victoria Van Dort the moment she stepped from her daughter's nursery into the hallway, minding her own business, simply wondering where her husband was by know and when he would return. She certainly did not ask for Emil to tap her on shoulder right then, no set emotion on his face, and tell her the unfortunate news. She would have rather been left alone in the library reading a book. But that is what he did. He tapped Victoria lightly on the shoulder and said, very dully, "Madam…I'm afraid I some terrible news indeed. Your husband is dead."

She stared at him long and hard, the rose color leaving her cheeks, eyes wider than saucers. No thoughts fill her head. No thoughts whatsoever drifted into her mind as she said, "What?" with the queerest look on her face. She turned fully around, facing Emil curiously, wondering if she had hard him right. Her husband was what? Dead? Of course not…Victor was out for a walk. He would be home any moment now…she knew it. At any moment she would see him walk through the doors, shivering and smiling, holding a huge bouquet of flowers in his hands.

"I said, Madam," muttered Emil, "'Your husband is dead.' I'm terribly sorry, Mrs. Van Dort."

He did not look sorry, that was for sure. He looked as blank and snub as he ever had; and, more importantly, not concerned for Victor at all. Victoria's eyes closed and without caring a single tear fell down her cheek and landed gently on her lips. She tasted the salty flavor and opened her eyes again, as more tears began to fall. Now she felt lost and confused…what on earth was going on, and why had Emil of all people learn of her husband's death before she had? Before she knew it, her tiny body was racked with sobs and she was wailing like an infant, in front of Emil and the other servants, as well as her mother and father.

Lord and Lady Everglot had just entered the room, unbeknownst to Victoria, and were clicking their tongues at their daughter's childish behavior. Lady Everglot whacked her back with a gray and white fan and hissed, "Victoria Everglot, stop this foolishness at once! You are over twenty years old!" But she could not stop, no matter how hard she tried…her body was shaking. She did not care that her mother had not called her by her married name, but her birth name instead. She simply did not care that she was in front of a room full of older people. All she cared about was Victor.

Victor Van Dort was confused. He was confused because he was in a strange room, surrounded by strange people (or, at least, their shadows) and did not know why he was there. He was confused because, although the room was strange and the people unfamiliar, he did recognize of all things a voice…a woman was speaking to him, her voice with a thick British accent and yet still as soft and gentle as a woman's voice should be. He could feel her presence in the room; it was cold, dark and mysterious…but at the same time it was extremely romantic. He felt an icy hand touch his own…

And then suddenly he remembered.

It was obvious to him after that that he was dead. He simply knew he was. He knew that he was no longer breathing, and that no longer did he have to put up with those common factors of life that he hated so much. Because he was dead. And because he was dead, he was also free. If his heart had been working it would have pounding…he was among the non-living!

"New arrival! New arrival!" he heard someone scream, enthusiastically.

He was pulled up gingerly by the same cold hand that had touched his, and then suddenly everyone in the room, who Victor had now recognized as the people of the Land of the Dead, gasped.

Victor and the Corpse Bride had been reunited at last.