Chapter 19
Six months passed since Grace found out that Mark and Glen were alive. She hadn't spoken a word to her father, refusing to do so, but had been spending a lot of time with Glen and Steve. Her blue eyed savior. She smiled, wearing an Austin 3:16 t-shirt with blue jeans, her hair pulled up as she sewed Mideon's forehead silently. The Brood, Edge and Christian, had turned their backs on the Ministry of Darkness and clocked both Mideon and Viscera in the head with chairs, busting them open.
Grace hadn't spoken to Mark since that night in the parking lot, her saying goodbye cementing she wanted nothing more to do with him. Her and Steve were close, but in a brother/sister sort of way, deciding they were better off as good friends. She didn't mind. She didn't need or want a relationship with how crazy her job was.
"Larry, more sutures please." She said politely, smiling when he handed them over, and continued her task at hand.
"So Vis, just WHY did they turn on you?" Larry asked conversationally, watching as the big man's blonde Mohawk was stained crimson from his own blood. Head wounds always bled the most, even if they weren't that bad.
"'Taker lashed Christian." He grunted, not flinching as his head was numbed.
"He what?"
Viscera just nodded, not saying another word.
"He whipped him for disobeying him." Mideon stated heatedly, not wincing when Grace, of all people, began stapling his head since the wound was too large to hold regular stitches.
"Nice." Grace grunted, shaking her head, and finished up before slapping a white bandage on his head. "You're done." She stated, having already informed him he had a concussion.
Grace honestly didn't care what Mark did, though it made her feel good to know people didn't take his abuse lightly. Edge and Christian had took a stand against him, just like she had. Grace whipped her white gloves off and threw them away before washing her hands while Larry finished up with Viscera.
"Wait-" Larry called after them, a morbid sense of curiosity eating at him. He inhaled deeply when they both turned to stare at him. "Why did he do it?"
Viscera exchanged looks with Mideon who just shrugged and glanced at Grace, his eyes not revealing anything. "Because...he mentioned her." The way he said 'her' left little doubt as to who he meant. Viscera turned back and walked out the door, Mideon following him soundlessly.
Her eyebrows furrowed together, seeing the look on Larry's face, and let out the breath she'd been holding in. 'Why would he care if someone mentioned me?' She thought, shaking herself mentally, not wanting to think about it. "I'm fine Larry." She assured him with a smile, beginning to clean up her area. Suddenly, she didn't like Edge and Christian anymore. "Larry, I'm gonna go grab a water from the cafeteria, want anything?" When he shook his head to give her an answer, Grace nodded before walking out, already having her dollar in hand and jogged to the cafeteria.
'Taker was sitting in the corner of the cafeteria with Paul, listening attentively as the older man murmured under his breath, his green eyes on his plate of untouched food. His head shot upright all of a sudden, focusing on Grace. Paul's head whipped around to see what had suddenly gotten the Phenom's attention, his breath catching in his throat when he seen his beloved daughter, who didn't want anything to do with him.
"Gracie!" Trish squealed as she left her chair, hugging the woman around the neck, both of them had become fast friends over the past six months. "Look what Andrew got me!" She showed off the diamond studded bracelet, her brown eyes lighting up. "Isn't it gorgeous?"
"It definitely suits you." Grace smiled in return, though she was distracted and Trish could automatically tell.
"What's wrong sweetheart?"
"Nothing, I'm fine." Grace didn't want to think about it. "Beautiful bracelet, hon." She watched as Trish shrugged before bouncing away, shaking her head. 'I said goodbye to him now go away!' She thought, pushing what Viscera said in the back of her mind before going to get her water.
He wasn't aware he had even gotten to his feet until he felt Paul's pudgy hand clamp on his wrist, looking down mildly startled.
"You said you would leave her alone." Paul said pointedly, pulling until the big man sat down. He inwardly sighed when 'Taker held his head in his hands.
"Hey honey." Steve greeted from behind Grace, smirking when she jumped. "Now that wasn't very nice." He teased.
"Steve Austin, how many times do I have to tell you not to sneak up on me?" She chastised playfully, having dropped her water, smiling back at him. She watched as he went to retrieve it, that smile leaving her face when her amber eyes locked on green, swallowing hard before pulling her gaze away from him. She couldn't get what he had done out of her mind to save her life as Steve handed her the water back and kissed his cheek. "Thanks. Listen I have to go. Larry is probably going to have a heart attack if I don't get back soon." She joked, not believing how overprotective the man was. He had become a father figure to her. "See ya later." She walked out, raking a hand through her hair.
Steve watched her go with an almost puzzled frown, his head turning in the direction she had been looking in, definitely frowning when he seen 'Taker watching her walk out of the room. When 'Taker met his gaze, he shook his head threateningly, storming out as well.
Paul groaned when 'Taker stood up, hearing the growl that was building in his chest before actually coming from his lips. "Leave it! You know what happens when you get mad." He reminded gently, but sternly.
Guilt changed his entire body posture nodding, but left the room anyway.
The rest of the night Grace was fairly quiet, joking with some of the Superstars, but all in all she was in her own zone. Larry kept asking her if she was fine and she kept answering him with a yes. The man needed to stop worrying about her, he was going to end up driving her insane. When it was time to leave, after their final wrestler, Grace walked out and headed to her car. They were in Houston, Texas, and she had somewhere to go. Putting the car in reverse, Grace peeled out of there and headed for the highway, the warm wind whipping through her hair as she leaned her elbow on it.
An hour later, Grace arrived at the destination and stepped out of the car, closing the door quietly behind her and stepped over the yellow tape, tears forming in her eyes. The dark spot where the funeral home once stood was all that was left, but she came back to visit every year on the night it happened, which was tonight. She closed her eyes, feeling the raindrops from the sky falling and pretty soon it began pouring.
'Taker was already there, wearing a black overcoat, his hands stuffed in the pockets, head hanging down. He stood right in the middle of the wreckage, staring down into what had been the basement. His long black hair was drenched, so was the rest of him, thanks to the rain but he didn't even notice. He hadn't even heard her car. After seeing her in the cafeteria, he had left, needing to get away and of course, had come here, which had been a horrible idea.
Through the rain, Grace saw who it was, not expecting him to be there. She blinked the tears out of her eyes and hesitantly walked over to bend down, taking the dirt and let it slide through her fingers, closing her eyes before standing, their eyes locking. "I didn't know you'd be here." Was the first words out of her mouth, her blood red hair clad to her head and face, the rain mixing with her tears, the jeans and shirt clinging to her body like a second skin. She seen the pain in his eyes and slowly walked over until she was standing right in front of him. "I come here every year on this night to pay my respects." She said quietly, not wanting him to think she had followed him because she hadn't. "I'm sorry." She whispered and began walking away.
His hand was on her wrist before she could even completely turn from him, pulling her back against his body, his green eyes boring into hers. "Grace..." 'Taker whispered the pain in his eyes all too readable, something even he could not mask as he stared down at her. Slowly letting go of her, knowing he had just scared her most likely, 'Taker raked a hand through his soaked hair. He stepped away from her.
He hadn't scared her, shocked yes, but there was no fear in her eyes. "Mark." She murmured, taking his hand, causing him to turn around to face her again. The amount of pain in his eyes broke her heart as Grace lifted her hand up, caressing his face with her hand, her thumb moving back and forth lightly on his cheek. She started crying and wrapped her arms around his neck, hugging him tightly to her, trembling from both the rain and the amount of emotion that was flowing through her at the moment. "You will always be Mark to me, no matter what." She whispered in his ear, feeling his arms wrap around her, and held him close, knowing he needed the comfort more than anything at the moment and so did she.
Glen watched the two, in street clothes now that consisted of black jeans and a long sleeved gray top, his mask covering his face. His eyes narrowed as he watched, waiting for 'Taker to pull the switch and hurl Grace to the basement, breaking her body in half.
He looked up from her shoulder, green eyes locking on his brother and had tucked Grace behind him in an instant, no longer looking weak, but almost evil, the strength radiating off of him unmistakable. "Come to pay your respects also?" He taunted.
Grace looked through Mark's arm, seeing Glen, and immediately stepped out as the younger brother walked up. "Glen." She whispered, walking over and hugged him tightly, staring into his mismatched blue eyes. "Please no fighting." She pleaded quietly, seeing him nod once, and smiled before looking back at Mark. "He's not here to fight you. Nobody wants to fight, Mark." She softly said, standing between both of them now. This was just like the old days when she would have to pull Mark away from Glen to protect him. Now it was the other way around, Glen was trying to protect her.
"Why are you here?" Glen demanded, protectively pulling Grace back against him, an arm firmly around her waist as he stared at his brother.
"I can't come pay my respects to our parents?" His tone was soft, a warning.
"Given that you killed them? No."
"Glen, stop it." She whispered softly, shaking her head, knowing that was only going to lead into a fight. "Please, you're brothers. Stop fighting. Don't fight where your parents died."
She broke away from Glen and walked past both of them, so many memories flowing over her as she stared at the huge landscape they used to live on. The sandbox was still there, though it was weathered beyond repair and most of the sand was gone. She sighed softly, wrapping her arms around herself, and let it carry her away for a brief moment.
They weren't even paying any attention to her anymore, locked in their stare down. Green eyes meeting mismatched blues, both pairs sparking with anger.
"You have no right being here." Glen said quietly, but firmly.
"Probably not. Shame you didn't die with them, at least you wouldn't have to wear that horrible mask. Honestly Glenie, you should thank me for burning your ass, the mask makes you more interesting."
Her eyebrows furrowed together as Grace turned around, staring at both brothers. "How did it happen?" She asked quietly, seeing them turn to face her. "How did the fire start Mark?" Grace stared into his green eyes, walking over, holding her hand up to Glen when he went toward her. "What happened that night? Was it an accident or did you do it intentionally?"
"Intentionally." 'Taker said, shrugging and stuffed his hands into his coat pockets, tossing his hair from his face, his eyes returned to their usual acid green color. "Glenie and I were down in the basement, he decided he wanted to be BRAVE and try what you had, touching a body. While he was whining in a corner, trying not to puke, I decided to REALLY show him the meaning of fear."
"He set the morgue on fire." Glen whispered, his eyes wide as he relived that memory.
Grace slowly stepped away from him, tears streaming down her face now, and covered her mouth with her hand. She never thought Marcus could do something that...that heinous, remembering that day. Her father had dragged her home, not letting her stay for dinner like Marcus wanted.
"After I left." She whispered, covering her mouth with her hand. "It's my fault." Both brothers felt their eyes widen at her words. "I-If I would've stayed for supper that night like you wanted me too, you wouldn't have taken Glen down there. Oh my god..." She whispered painfully, suddenly screaming. "I FUCKING HATE MY FATHER! I HATE HIM!"
"For what? Doing what all good daddies do? Take their precious princesses home and tuck them to bed?" He spat, smirking when Glen growled. "You couldn't have stopped me Grace, nobody could have. Glen wanted to be a big boy, well...he paid the price. Take off your mask, BROTHER, show her your ugly face!" He laughed and didn't stop, even as Glen tackled him.
"No!" Grace shouted, not believing they were fighting at the place where their parents died.
She shook her head and knew she couldn't break them up, sitting down on the grass on her knees, and buried her face in her hands. She just wanted to come pay her respects and this was what happened. Deep down, she knew she could've stopped Marcus. She always did when he would do something cruel to Glen. That's how it was. She began rocking back and forth, sobbing harshly while they rolled around in the dirt, fighting each other.
Currently, he had Glen on the edge of the hole that led to a drop guaranteed to break bones, especially considering the ruined debris waiting to catch anyone who fell and hurt them. Laughing evilly as Glen slipped, the only thing preventing him from falling completely was 'Taker's hand. "Give me one good reason why I shouldn't drop you."
"I'll give you two. Mom and Dad." Glen whispered.
"Mark, don't!" Grace shouted, rushing over to them, placing her hand on Glen's wrist, fear coursing through her eyes. "Please, don't do this. He's your brother, the only family you have left!" She seen the cruel and cold look in his green eyes, shaking her head back and forth frantically. "I love him, I love you both, please don't do this..." She couldn't stop crying, soaked to the bone from how much rain had fallen and swallowed hard, her amber eyes pleading and begging him to not hurt Glen again. "Please, don't hurt him again...don't do this, Mark."
Glen's eyes widened at the look on his brother's face, mentally preparing himself for pain.
Every incident where Grace had interfered on Kane's behalf was currently replaying itself, hearing her earlier words 'If I would've stayed for supper that night, you wouldn't have taken Glen down there' echoing in his mind. Shooting her a dirty look, he let go.
Glen somehow managed to land on his feet, groaning as he was jarred and dropped to his knees, exhaling loudly.
"GLEN!" She shrieked out, hearing his grunt, and sighed with relief, knowing he was alright. She couldn't believe Mark had let him go, shaking her head. "Hold on! I'll find a way to get you out!" The rain was pouring even harder now as Grace stood up, shoving Mark to the side, frantically trying to find something and rushed over as she started pulling a piece of molded wood. "FUCK!" She cried out, getting a splinter in her hand. She had to find a way to help Glen. She had to get him out of there.
'Taker watched in amusement as Grace ran around like a chicken with its head chopped off, arching an eyebrow when she screamed fuck. He walked around to the other side, watching Kane curiously. He made a face as his brother tried climbing an old, rotten beam, watching it split and Kane stumbled backwards. "Come on Glenie, you can do it!" He taunted.
"SHUT UP! SHUT UP RIGHT NOW MARCUS WILLIAM CALAWAY!" Grace screamed at him, holding onto the beam as much as she could, and grabbed Glen's hand as it split, dragging her toward the hole. With all of the strength in her body, Grace dug down deep as she gritted her teeth and managed to pull him up to where he could do the rest himself, stumbling back before landing on her back, the breath having left her body temporarily. She couldn't move, every limb in her body on fire from how much strength she used, coughing as she curled up in a tight ball, though she noticed Glen had made it. "Glen..." She whispered out, completely exhausted, feeling every part of her numb and knew it would take several minutes before she could stand.
"I'm here." Glen whispered, needing to regain full function of his body before moving from his place beside her. Out of the corner of his eye he could see 'Taker watching them from a half crouch position, slowly getting to his feet. He looked down at Grace then back to 'Taker, blinking to find him walking away. "I got you." He murmured, bending down to scoop her up in his arms, feeling her trembling and knew it had to be a mixture of both the rain and what had just happened.
Grace wrapped her arms loosely around his neck, her face burying in his neck, sobbing silently as her body shook in his arms. "Are you alright?" She whispered, hearing him grunt to let her know he was, and nodded as she sniffled. Her entire body was wracked with pain, but she had kept her promise. She had saved Glen and knew now more than ever that if she had been here that night her father didn't let her stay for dinner, none of this would've happened. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry." She whispered out heartbrokenly before the darkness engulfed her, passing completely out.
"Don't be sorry." He whispered, knowing she couldn't hear him.
Sighing, Glen carried her to his car, always keeping an eye out for his brother just in case. He gently laid her out in the backseat, wishing he could make her understand. She might think she could have stopped Mark that night, but...He raked a hand through his hair, sliding into the driver's seat. Mark had dropped him tonight for a reason. To prove that she couldn't stop him from anything.