The Twelve Labors of Barkis
By: Wilona Riva
Author's Note: This is going to be a two part chapter as I've still got writer's block on this story. Part One's credit goes out to deyinel for having Barkis sort out Elder Gutknecht's books. Part Two will be out when I can find the cure for writer's block in the medicine cabinet.
Disclaimer: I do not own The Corpse Bride.
Chapter Four: Books and Barkis Don't Mix
Barkis stared at the volumes of dusty, moldy old tomes that littered the floor, walls, and ceiling of Elder Gutknecht's study. "You have got to be kidding, right?" he groaned questioningly at the skeleton with the long beard. "You want me to organize all these books by lunch time; I can't even read!" he whined.
"It's really simple," Elder Gutknecht said, flinging a book at random, at Barkis. "This is a picture book of symbols I use to organize each book. Each tome has maybe two or three symbols at the most. Match the pictures in the book to the tome and place it on the shelf it's supposed to be on. And whatever you do, do not open the book with the raven on the cover," he said ominously. He bent down and stared Barkis in the face. "Or you will find what's behind the crimson door," pointing to a dark blood-red door which had a mysterious dark puddle underneath its frame.
Barkis shuddered. "No, sir!" he exclaimed, clutching the ratty picture book to his chest. "I'll get right to it!"
"Good, my boy," Elder Gutknecht said closing the door behind him.
"What am I going to do?" Barkis wailed at the empty cavernous room.
Outside on the cliff Elder Gutknecht looked down at the Maggot, Mrs. Widow, and Emily. "Go get him. He's all yours."
The three had the most evil grins on their faces anyone had ever seen. Elder Gutknecht grinned back at them. This was going to be fun.