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The girls, Undertaker, and Kane came bursting through the door. Rip was still shouting curses at the top of her lungs, as the others tried to calm her down. "I've spent a long time planning this, I don't need immaturity to foil this weekend!" She spouted, as Athena and Iris tried to get her to quiet down. They were also angry for the near fright and embarrassment of witnessing the first act. "Rip, it's ok. It was just a bad trick. Mary might have done it to get back at Sonje for scaring her." Athena said in a low calming voice. "Yeah, she had all day to plan it, Rip. We're all here, and safe, now." Iris added, as she placed her hand on Rip's shoulder.
"What's all the ruckus?" Sonje said, as she came from the next room. Taker gave her a sudden look, and he smiled wickedly at himself, "Well it seems some one is playing Halloween with us." He put his hands on his hips and walked near the stairs. Just before he stepped on the first step, he looked up, and noticed a shadowy form hiding at the top. He slowly walked up, as the form disappeared deeper into the shadows. Taker walked around the corner and down the hall to Kane's and his room. He saw his cell phone, in tiny pieces, on the hard wood floor. He made no sound, only licked his teeth, and scratched his jaw. "I'm sorry." a soft voice whispered from behind him. Taker turned around and looked at the shy, young thing, in a black velvet dress, standing at the door. Chris hid her pale face with her dark curly hair, as she feared to look at him. Taker slowly walked over to her, put his large hand on her shoulder, and then slid his fingers up in the thickness of her locks. He tilted her head back, forcing her to look at him, and smiled, sweetly. He bent down, and pressed his cheek to hers, as his lips found her ear. "It's quite all right, my darlin'." He spoke so softly, that it made Chris's heart melt, and her knees knock. She closed her eyes, hoping not to faint, until she felt his presence leave her side. When she opened her eyes, she saw him scoop up the cell phone, and drop it's pieces into a trash pail.
Rip grabbed a soda from the fredg, and scooped up some popcorn, from the counter. She shoved the white fluff into her mouth, and chomped down until she felt better. "You going to be okay, now?" Kane asked, as he strolled into the kitchen. "Yeah, I suppose." She mumbled. "You got a temper on you, don't you?" He asked, as he took a hand full of popcorn. "Not really. Only when I?m frustrated." She smiled, as she walked out of the room. She almost dumped into Lisa, as she went, and said her pardons. Lisa gave a laugh in her direction, and looked Kane's way. "How you doin'?" Kane asked, as the young blond approached him. "I'm fine. I feel like I just got back from a haunted house, but I'm okay." Lisa said, then added, "You?" Kane nodded his head, "Yeah, I loved going to haunted houses, when I was young. But what just happened, WAS plain mean." He offered Lisa some popcorn, and she popped a few in her mouth. They made small talk as the other girls tried to calm down from the fright, and anger, they had experienced.
"And you found what?" Sonje asked, as Prudhoe told what had happened on the search. "Oh, it was some dummy you set up of Halloween. Where ever Mary is, she must be laughing her pants off." Prudhoe said, as she rolled her eyes. "I can imagine." Sonje said, as she gave Rip a look, from across the room. "Rip, why don't you lay down" You look tired, so tired." "I'm fine." Rip mumbled, as she ate her popcorn. "Well," Angel said, "I don't know about you, but I think we should all go to bed. It's been a long day, and I'm bushed from all the excitement." She stood up, and looked at the other girls, who decided to fallow her lead. "I don't know if I can sleep, now." Evie said, as she shadowed Angel to the stairs, "That gave me such a fright, and knowing Taker and Kane are hear, I don't think I could get to sleep, even if I wanted to." Angel's laughter echoed through the house, as Evie and her went to their room.
"I think I'm going to check on Agatha and Gabrielle, before I get ready for bed." Athena said, as she rubbed Rip's back, and smiled, "You going to be okay, Rip?" Rip nodded, and looked over the girls, "Where's Joanne?" "Oh, um.. I think she went to bed." Sonje said, as she stood up, "She went to check on Gabie, and I guess she decided to hit the hay, herself." "Oh, well if she and Gabie are already asleep, then I won't bother them." Athena said, and went to Agatha's and her door. Laruna watched her, as she stood by the fire. She noticed Athena tried to open the bedroom door. "Locked?" She asked, as she was the puzzlement on Athena's face. "Yes, and I'm rooming with her." She gave a giggle, "Now, what?" Laruna turned to Prudhoe, and said, "We have an extra bed, in our room. And I think I brought an extra night gown you can sleep in." "Yes, Athena, do sleep with us. It would bring back so much fond memories of having sleep overs." Prudhoe said, grinning, and taking Athena into her arms. Athena agreed, and the three girls headed off to their room.
Debbie had joined her sister and Kane, in the kitchen, as Iris and Ariana headed off to their room. Sonje watched the girls scatter to their places, as Rip stared off into space. She gave a smile, as she walked toward the her angered friend, "Rip, I know you'd laugh at this later. Where's the necklace I gave you?" Rip popped out of her world, and showed Sonje she was wearing the Aussie's gift. Sonje's smile widened, as she took Rip's arm, and lead her off to their bedroom. "You need sleep."
Rip and Sonje found Chris, already in their room, and sitting of her bed. She had a numbing expression of her face, the same as Rip had, and hardly noticed the two young ladies enter. "You both look like you need sleep." Sonje said, cheerfully, as she helped turn Rip's covers down. A clock's bell rang, waking both Chris and Rip from their numbness. "What time is it?" Chris whispered. Sonje looked at the clock, "It's 10:00 o'clock. Time for sleep." "No, there's something I have to do." Rip said, in a low voice. "It can wait til morning, Rip, I'm sure." Sonje said as she tried to help Rip take off her jacket.
A low thunder sound outside the girls window, as Chris tried to think of what happened that day. "Storm." She quietly breathed. "Yes, it going to storm tonight, Chris. But we'll be fine." Sonje said, almost getting Rips jacket off. "No, Storm. We forgot to pick up Storm." Chris looked up at her two friends, as she stood up. "What time were we supposed to meet her at the train station?" Rip thought for a moment, then answered, ?9:45. Well if that don?t suck. How could I have forgotten her?" Rip put her jacket back on. "We need to call the station, and see if she there." "We can't, Rip, the phone doesn't work." Chris replied, as she grabbed her coat. "You just can't leave now! You're both exhausted. Let me go." Sonje said, as she went for her jacket. "No Sonje, you don't know your way around these roads. Stay here and take after the others. Or go to bed, we won't be gone for long." Rip said, as she and Chris left the room. Sonje frowned for a moment, then smiled as she followed them down stairs. "Don't worry, I'll see that everyone is tucked in. You girls drive safe, now, eh?" "Yes, we will."
Debbie, Lisa, and Kane came from the kitchen. "Where you going, now?" Debbie asked. "We have to pick up Storm from the train station. We're late." Chris said, as she followed Rip out the door. "Oh, can we tag along. I'm so wired, I can't sleep." Lisa said, as she and her sister went out the door. "I'd like to go as well." Kane said, "I don't think I could sleep right now, and I'd love to surprise Storm when we get there." Rip fumbled for her keys. "Fine, you can keep me awake, while I drive." With that the for girls, and Kane climbed into the van, and took off, down the driveway. Sonje watched them leave, as Taker came in from the shadows. "Where are they going?" He asked, as he stood near her. Sonje gave her last wave to the van, and turned to see Taker's charming face staring back at her. "They have to pick up another one." She replied, then walked back into the cabin.
"I can't believe we forgot her." Rip said, as she drove down the wet road. "Well, we didn't forget her, we're just late in picking her up." Chris told her, as she made sure her seat belt was on and secure. "Slow down, Rip, your going to fast!" Debbie laughed, as she bounced in her seat. "Sorry." Rip said, as she slowed down. "I'm sure Storm knows we're coming." Kane said, while looking out the windshield, "You got your lights on?" Rip looked down and turned her lights on. "Thanks." "Maybe someone else should drive, Rip. You're kinda scary." Lisa giggled, only in jest. Rip suddenly put her foot on the brake, and the van slid to a stop. Everyone jerked forward, and settled back into their seats. All was quiet, as Rip turned to look at everyone in the van. Frightened eyes blinked back as her, as she gave a large breathy sigh, and began to drive off, down the road.
Iris tossed and turned, but she couldn't fall asleep. She grumbled and finally gave up, as she climbed out of bed. She found her way to the kitchen, and made herself a cup of hot cocoa. The storm raged on, as she sat and sipped her warm mixture. The lights flickered and the thunder clapped outside. Restless, Iris found herself nosing around the kitchen, until she found some candles and matches in the pantry. She took a few candles, found some aluminum foil, and wrapped the bottoms of the candles with a few sheets. She also found some candle stick holders, and fixed the foil wrapped candles in side each holder. "Hi." Taker whispered, as he walked into the kitchen. Iris looked up at him and smile, "Hello, I hope I did wake you." "Oh, no, Iris. I wasn't sleeping." Taker told her, as he studied her craft. "That's a good idea." He told her, as he nodded his head. "What? This? Yes, might be good if the storm takes out our power." Iris replied with a blushful smile. "Yes, it might be." He replied, as he stood ever so close to her. Taker fondled one of the long white candles with his long strong fingers, as he gazed into Iris' eyes. Iris cleared her throat and turned, wide eyed, away from him. "Well, I think I might take some of these candles and matches to some of the others." She said, as took a few of the candles. "I'll help you." Taker told her, as he took the rest, along with the matches.
They knocked on doors, and if anyone answered, Taker and Iris gave them a candle, or two, and a book of matches. They talked as they went, fan and fighter, until two candles remained in their grasp. "Well, I guess that's that." Iris smiled. "Yeah, guess these two are for us." Taker replied, as he briefly took his candle and placed it on the sire of his nose. Iris smiled, "Well, I think I'll head back to bed, and try to get some sleep, now." They said their good nights, and went their separate ways.
Iris quietly walked down the creaky stairs, and turned off the lights. She was about to go to her room, when she heard something scraping out side. At first, she shook it off as being a fallen branch, but when she opened her bedroom door, she heard the scratching louder and more frequent. She closed her door and went to the front of the cabin. Her curiosity made her want to see what it was. She slowly turned the knob, of the front door, as the rain showered hard outside. She opened the door, and peered out. She looked to her left, then to her right. Nothing was there, not even a branch. Iris huffed a disappointment, and closed the door. She was about to go back to her bedroom door, when she heard it again. This time, she opened the front door and stepped outside, on to the deck. The door creaked and slammed shut, which made her jump. She turned around and tried to open the door, but it wouldn't budge. Iris huffed and knocked, but no one came to her aid. Soon, she heard the scraping noise, again, and slowly walked to the banister. She leaned over, slightly, and looked down. When she couldn't see anything, but the rain and bushes, she leaned over further. Suddenly, something rose quickly up and grabbed her around the throat. Iris gave a struggle, but with one tug, she was soon thrown over the banister.
The only sound hear, was her candle falling to the floor and breaking in two.
Storm paced the train station floor, as the rain fell in gushes on the roof. She looked at her watch, then the train station clock. Both told 10:45. "Where could she be?" Storm asked, as she counted her bags one more time. Storm was surprised for Rip's tardiness, since she was very punctual from the beginning. "The rain must have slowed her down." She thought to herself, as she sat on a bench. Suddenly, a door swung open, as wind, rain, and leaves flew in the room. Quickly, Rip, Chris, Debbie, and Lisa followed the leaves inside. "Oh, thank goddess you're safe. I was getting so worried!" Storm said, as she jumped up and rushed to the girls. "Well, we sort of forgot you." Chris told her, "We had a bit of a scare." Storm blinked at Chris' words, "What kind of scare?" "Oh, just a childish prank." Rip said, picking a leaf out of her ponytail. "Okay enough chatting," Debbie piped up, as she took Storm's suit case, "We have a surprise waiting for you outside." Lisa took a small bag, and winked at Storm, "A very big surprise." Storm gave Rip a look, and giggled at the girls as they headed out the door.
The rain poured down them as the women headed to the van. They quickly turned the corner of the building, while Storm was guessing what the surprise was. "ARRHHA!", a giant of a man jumped out and put her in a huge bear hug. Storm screamed, but realized it was Kane, "You big lug! You nearly scared me to death!" They laughed, as they hugged and kissed their greetings. "Well, you like him?" Rip asked as she opened an umbrella. "Oh yeah, I like him, think I'll keep him for a while." Storm answered, as she ran under the umbrella with Rip. One by one, Rip helped keep her passengers dry until they were all in the van and ready to go back to the cabin.
Arianna rolled over in her sleep. Her eye lids instinctively opened, as lighting flashed outside her window. She sat directly up and noticed Iris not in her bed. "Iris?" She whispered, but heard no answer. "Iris, you in the bathroom?" She asked, slightly louder, but still heard no answer. She tried to turn on the lamp, next to her bed, but it refused to turn on. She grabbed her house coat, and went to the door. She stepped out into the dark hallway, which only was lit when the lighting flashed. She tip-toed across the room, and tapped on the door in front of her. "Angel, Evie, you up?" Arianna asked. There was a mumbling sounds inside the room, then the door opened. "Hey, Arianna," Angel said, as she rubbed her eyes and yawned, "She stepped in and gave us a couple of candles, and matches a while ago. Why?" "Well, the lightening woke me up, and I see she wasn't sleeping in her bed. And when I called her, she didn?t answer." Arianna explained, as Angel let her in to her room. "Do you think we should go looking for her?" Evie asked, as she lit the candles. "I think I'd like that, Evie." Arianna replied, and the three left to find their missing friend.
They searched the house, quietly, but found no trace of her. They called out her name, in whispers, but heard no reply. They soon found themselves heading to the basement. "I hate basements," Evie whispered, "People die in horror movies, in basements." A shiver went up and down Angel?s spine, "Evie, please don't make me scared more than I all ready am." "Sorry." Evie said, as they waited for Arianna to open the door. A cool breeze came from the bottom of the basement, as the door creaked open. Arianna started down first, followed by Evie, and then Angel. "It's cold could hear, and me with no shoes on." Arianna mumbled as she tried to keep her candle from going out. She took one last step, and felt water an inch deep, "Eww, it's flooding!" She said as she steps off the last step. The other girls reluctantly fallowed her. "I don't think Iris would be down here," Evie says as her slippers quickly get soaked, "let's go back."
We looked everywhere else, maybe she got lost, looking for a power generator?" Angel said, as she shined her candle around the place. The basement seemed to leek from the stone walls, and must be from the hard rain. "Well, we're here now, let's split up and look." Arianna said, then added, "This place is huge." Without saying a word, Angel went to the right, Arianna went to her left, as Evie was left in the dark. "Maybe this isn't such a good idea girls. I'm with out light." The other two, must have not heard her, as their candles disappeared in the darkness. "Angel? Arianna?" Evie squeaked. "I got extra matches." She coaxed. Soon, a cold hand reached for hers, and with great shock, Evie passed out cold, without a sound.
Arianna whispered for Iris, as she guided herself through water and cobwebs. Just when she was about the take in a stressful sigh, and found herself choking on a bug and web. She coughed until she gagged and through up her supper. "Ahh great." She said, as she wiped her mouth. Before she turned to go on with her search, her candle flickered and went out. "Well, drat!" She huffed. "Angel, Evie, my candle went out!" She called, as she turned around. Thunder crashed outside, but the basement staid dark. "Uh, Hello?" She called out, not wanting to move. A match sparked behind her, and lit her candle, almost scaring the whits out of her. "Please, give me some warning," she said, as she turned around. But instead of seeing Angel, or Evie, she saw nothing. "Ha Ha, very funny." She said, as she moved her candle around her to see. No one stood any where near her, but she heard a quiet cackle coming from the shadows. "Hello?" Arianna said in confusion. "Na das, sa to ba ses." A voice answered her. "Um.. okay?" Arianna said, and headed off in a run. Though she thought she was running near the stairs, she miscalculated, and hit one of the basement's stone walls.
Angel gulped, as she ventured on her side of the basement. "Iris, if you down here, give me a yell." She said, peeking around a corner. With every step, the water became deeper, until it was up to her knees. "This place must be built on a tilt." Angel talked to herself, as she carefully waded through the water. She shivered, as she regretted coming down stairs. She griped the candle stick holder, and looked around. Painfully, wax dripped on her fingers, and caused her to drop the stick. "Shoot!" She said, as she took her book of matches into her mouth, and began to feel for the candle. The rain fell harder and thunder grew louder, as Angel strained to find her only source of light. Suddenly, her ice cold hand smacked against the stone wall, causing her to curse out. As she tried to stand something pushed her head into the water, where she thrashed about...