Mind Games

I was quiet most of the day at school except when we had our last pep rally of the year and I had to cheer. Even after that, I remained quiet.

"Rachel are you feeling alright?" my friend Josh asked me. "You really don't look like yourself today."

I sighed, "I'm fine, just had a strange nightmare last night."

"Oh really what about?" he asked, moving from him seat to sit next to me.

I sighed, "You wouldn't believe me if I told you."

"Try me." He said.

I looked out of the window, "Well…lately my brother has been telling me about some guy named the Undertaker and…I had a dream that he attacked me in my house."

"Oh wow, sounds scary."

"But that's not the scary part." I said.

He chuckled, "What could be scarier than that Rachel?"

I turned in my seat and lifted the top of my uniform so he could see the scratch.

"Holy shit…how did you do that?" he asked.

I put it back down and then told him, "I don't know…but that's the exact area where he cut me in my dream. It wasn't there before I fell asleep either."

He nodded, "Wow. You don't think he's really after you do you?"

I shrugged, "I don't know. From what Rey says he doesn't even know that I exist."

Josh sighed, "Then maybe there isn't anything to be worried about."

"But Josh…if this man really attacked me in my sleep then there is a lot to worry about here."

Josh sighed, "You've got a point but are you certain that cut wasn't there before you fell asleep?"

"Very certain. I would have felt it burn in the shower."

"True. Well do you want me to come over tonight? I don't mind staying with you."

I smiled at him, "That would be awesome actually."

"Sweet, well I'll go home first and then I'll be over ok?" he asked.

I nodded, "Thanks Josh, you're a great friend."

"No problem."

When I got off the bus and headed towards my gate I couldn't help but look around for that black hearse. I didn't see anything so I punched in the numbers to the gate and let myself in. Just as I closed the gate, I saw it coming up the street. I quickly turned and ran into the house, locking the doors quickly. I then peeked out of the window and saw that it was one of the hearses from our local funeral home. I sighed to myself and then went upstairs to change my clothes. When I came back downstairs, I hit the play button on our answering machine so I could see if Rey called.

"Message one: "Hey sis it's Rey. I know you're still at school but I wanted to let you know that La Familia has decided that it would be ok for you to come to Smackdown next month. I'll explain more when I get home."

I smiled slightly, not too certain if I even wanted to go now. I was still scared after that dream I had and there was no way I was going to let this freak scare me even more.

"Message two: "Hey Rachel it's Serena, call me later when Smackdown is over Ok? Bye"

I figured that was the end of all the messages so I was about to leave the living room…when I heard some strange chanting on the last message. It was the same chant those hooded freaks were chanting in my dream. I quickly ran to the answering machine and hit the delete button. I was about to cry hoping that someone was just playing a trick on me. I took a few deep breaths and then went to the kitchen to get some juice.

Later on, Josh showed up, just in time to watch Smackdown.

"Man I can't believe Rey is really your brother. Is it tough being his sibling?" he asked.

I shrugged, "Sometimes, but I try not to let little things bother me."

"Well that's good." He said as he turned up the TV.

Smackdown was starting and I couldn't help but feel like I was meant to watch tonight's show. I sat down on the couch next to Josh who patted my back.

"Don't worry Rachel. I'm here for you." He said.

I nodded and then watched the show, not sure what to expect. When it first started, there were lots of fireworks and a sweet theme song playing.

"Ladies and gentleman welcome to Friday Night Smackdown!" said the guys at the commentary position. "Things have been pretty hectic here on Smackdown lately haven't they Tazz?"

"Oh yes sir, La Familia has been ducking and dodging the Undertaker for weeks now, who knows what Taker's next move will be?" said this heavyset guy named Tazz.

Just then, my aunt's music sounded and she appeared with the rest of the gang behind her. My brother stayed right next to her looking confident as always, Edge and his goonies were behind her and Chavo was on her other side. She looked awful as usual in her black shirt, red top and black jacket. I couldn't even believe she was in a wheelchair…the bitch should have been walking so she could lose a few pounds.

"Man what is her deal man?" Josh asked. "Your aunt needs to be walking."

I laughed, "I was just thinking the same thing Josh…"

We watched as they helped her into the ring and then surrounded her in a semi-circle. Edge got her a microphone and she started speaking with that loud screechy voice of hers.

"Excuse me!" she yelled and the crowd booed her in response. "I am out here to speak directly to the Undertaker…you see…he's been threatening me and La Familia for far too long and I believe I have a solution to this problem. So Undertaker, will you please come out here so we can talk."

"Is she high? The Undertaker is not a talking person…" Josh said.

I tensed a little in my seat as I waited for The Undertaker to appear. The lights suddenly went off making the screen completely dark. When the lights came back on, The Undertaker was standing in the ring, looking directly at my aunt. She looked at him completely scared out of her mind while the others stepped closer to her.

He looked just as scary on TV as he did in my dream. That long black hair rested just below his shoulders as he stared at my aunt coldly.

"Um…Undertaker…I just thought that maybe you could take an apology from me and my family for all the trouble we caused….I mean…I'll do anything…anything to get this matter out of the way."

Undertaker's eyes narrowed at her and then a chilling smirk formed on his face. "Vicky…you and I know I'm not exactly the forgiving type…but I am willing to make a bargain with all of you."

She smiled as relief took over her body. "Ok..so what exactly do you want?"

He chuckled, "That's simple…I want one soul from your family…just one."

Vicky's eyes widened, "But, I thought-"

"-I said I wanted one soul from your family that could mean anyone…" he said. "Here's the catch…if you don't deliver someone to me by next week…You'll all Rest…In…Peace."

I felt a cold chill go up my spine as his music sounded and he left the ring. I couldn't help but feel real nervous at how he sounded….it was almost as if he knew what my aunt was going to do. Later on that night, they showed Vicky and the others in the back talking about what the Undertaker said.

"What are we going to do Vicky? We all have kids, wives, and other people in our lives we can't let him take." Edge said.

Vicky sighed, "I understand that…look I've got this under control. I already know who I can give up. "

They all looked at each other, "Who?"

She sighed, "It's someone I know he already has an interest in ok…don't look at me like that Edge!"

"What do you mean by you already know who he wants?" Edge snapped. "He already got me in hell in the cell!"

She shook her head, "It's not you! Look, I know he has an interest in someone because he's already told me who it is. He was in my house last week and he brought a photo of someone with him…just promise me none of you will be angry with me next week."

They all looked at each other. "Fine."

"Wait a sec…isn't next week's show in my hometown? It's the start of next month right?" Rey asked.

I looked at my calendar in my phone and my face lit up. "Holy crap, the show is next week! What in the hell was I thinking?" I said.

"Yes it is why?" Vicky asked.

Rey sighed, "I'm supposed to be bringing Rachel with me next week…you aren't planning on using her are you?"

"Of course not. I mean I don't get along with her but I would never give her over to the Undertaker." My aunt said. "look just trust me on this guys ok?"

They all nodded and then it went to commercial.

"Wow, I wonder who the Undertaker has an interest in." Josh said.

I sighed, "Probably me."

"Why do you say that? He doesn't even know you." He said.

"Yea but what about that dream I had." I said.

Josh turned himself towards me, "It was just a dream Rachel. Besides, you may have scratched yourself by accident in your sleep."

I sighed and turned away from him.

"look, the Undertaker is just a man Rachel…a character on a show." He said.

I nodded and then sighed, "You know what…you're right. Maybe I'm just over reacting."

He nodded, "That's the spirit now why don't we turn this off and get some sleep."

I reached on the table for the remote and shut off the television set. "Alright let me show you to the guest room."

He got up and followed me to the guestroom where he crashed for the night. I got in the shower soon after that and then went to my bedroom to turn in for the night. As I was brushing my hair, I glanced out the corner or my eye and saw something sitting on my windowsill. I slowly got up and approached my window, for a closer look. To my surprise it was a crow holding a black rose in it's feet. I opened up my window and it flew in, dropped the rose on my bed and then flew out. I then shut my window and locked it before looking over my shoulder at the rose.

I approached it slowly and closely examined it. Though it was black, I found it very beautiful and enticing to stare at. I sat down on my bed and then sniffed it, drawing the sweet smell into my nose. Just as I sniffed it, I felt very lightheaded and very tired. I yawned loudly and then laid back on my pillows, falling into a deep sleep.

The minute I closed my eyes, I was in yet another dream only this time I was strapped to a hospital bed wearing a hospital gown and laying in a room all alone. It was dark around me so I really couldn't tell exactly where I was.

"Hello? Is someone there?" I asked.

It was quiet for a moment and then I heard those hooded guys chanting again. I looked around not seeing anyone. I pulled at my restraints but I couldn't get them free.

"Help! Someone please get me out of here!" I screamed. "He's coming for me! Please!"

Suddenly I saw a door in the corner of the room open up and a tall man wearing all black stepped in. I gasped knowing exactly who it was. He turned his head in my direction as he slowly shut the door and began to approach me. I screamed at the top of my lungs.

"Oscar! He's here! Please get me out of here!"

He laughed deeply, his voice bounced off the walls making it sound that much more intimidating. I turned my head in the other direction once he reached my left side of the bed.

"Go away!" I yelled. "You can't have my soul!"

He laughed again and then reached out and gently touched my face. "Oh sweet Rachel…it's not just your soul I crave."

I groaned as he moved his hand from my face, down between my breast, and to my thigh.

"Get your hands off of me!" I screamed.

"Your family screwed with the wrong guy Rachel…and because of it…" he moved his hand up my thigh, making my body quiver. "…I want more than just your soul."

"Please stop…" I said as my heart began to pound.

His hand continued up my leg until he reached my special area. When I realized how close he was to it, I squeezed my legs together trapping his hand between my thighs.

He chuckled, "Nice…very nice…you're beautiful, young…and most of all…pure."

I started crying, "Please don't hurt me."

"Oh I don't want to hurt you Rachel…I just want to make that family of yours pay…"

I suddenly felt him disappear, along with my restraints. I sat up and quickly hopped out of bed and ran to the door, only to find it locked. I then saw another door and ran for it, finding a bathroom inside.

I locked the door and then ran and hid in the shower. It was quiet for a few moments until I heard him laugh right in front of me. Suddenly, the shower curtain was pulled back and he stood looking down at me with that same scythe. I backed into the corner and screamed just as he swung it at me, cutting off a small chunk of my hair. He laughed and then turned on the water….which woke me up.

I was shocked when I woke up to Josh standing over me in the bathroom. I was crouched in the corner and the shower was pouring cold water all over me.

"Rachel…are you ok?" he asked.

I looked up at him, "How did I get in here?"

He looked at me completely baffled, "You came in here yourself. I heard you screaming so I came to check on you. I saw you run from your bedroom and come in here…you were spazing out…" he said as he turned off the water and handed me a towel.

I sighed and then started crying as I stood up to get out of the tub. "I had another nightmare Josh."

He sighed, "Did that dream involve you losing a small chunk of hair?"

I froze and looked into the mirror. It was true, I was now missing a small chuck of hair on one side of my head. It stopped just in the middle of my cheek forming a slight bang.

"Yea…the Undertaker cut my hair in the dream." I said.

Josh looked at me in horror. "Oh wow…you were telling the truth."

"Of course I was! Oh Josh I can't go to Smackdown next week. It's too dangerous."

He nodded, "I agree."

"When my brother gets home I'll just let him know that I'll be staying home that day." I said.

I hoped that Rey listened to me about it, otherwise I was as good as gone…