"Deadly Nightshade."
By Taryn 'Taz' Kenmuir

Chapter 1 :How it all began


"Something is seriously wrong ,D.N, and I'm expecting you to find out what it is and solve it." The Boss had an incurable tendency to get straight to the point real quick. I was standing in front of his desk in his fancy office. "Yes Boss." I truly hated acting like a robot just to get a paycheck, but it was usally a big paycheck. "I mean the best match in the history of wrestling turns into a real slugfest and just as I'm warming to it the cameras all fail!" He waved his arms as if it's going to help me see his point. Yawn. But he's just warming up. "And, if it wasn't bad enough no one, and I mean no one, has heard anything since. It's been a whole week, what in hells name is going on D.N?" "I don't know Boss." Christ, my legs were falling asleep. I watched him sitting there in his huge leather chair looking as though he was born into it, though I didn't think the makers ever meant for someone as grossly fat as him to sit in it. "I want you to go to Death Valley and find at least one wrestler there who can tell you what happened." "Death Valley, Boss?" Nice name I wonder, why hadn't I visited before? I practically sneered the sentence though. Oops, glad he didn't notice. "Yes, people have been sending word that since that show something has been going on there. They've been leaving en masse ever since." And he thought I was going in looking for God knows what? I don't think so. "Boss?" Best break it to him gently. Not. "You're going and no buts about it D.N. You're are best agent, everyone else would either sh*t themselves or spend the whole time swooning over the guy." There were two things on my mind then: 1 I hate the nickname everyone in my position gets and 2 What guy? "And cut the Boss cr*p, you know I hate it."
"Yes, Sir." I wasn't going without a fight...

It was a bad decision. His face started going red, just like when people started crawling up his backside. He looked like he was grinding his teeth. I make lots of oops'. "Don't think p*ssing me off is going to get you out of this. Pack your bags and be ready to leave at 8.30 tonight. I'll send a car to your place, you'll be taken to the stateline and then you're on your own. Good luck, you'll need it." Now that made me feel great about this. Thanks Boss. "One thing, who am I looking for anyway?" I thought that might help my search a little. His laugh didn't put me at ease. "You should have watched the wrestling, it would be obvious if you had. I want you to find someone called the 'Undertaker'." His serious tone was worse than the laugh, for the first time in my memory I was scared. Oh boy. I had do something about this. "Boss, aren't the wrestlers just people in costumes?" "Not any more D.N." Great....

Chapter 2 : Meeting face to face

Question: How do you sleep in a car that is bumping along and who's interior could be used as an oven? Answer: You don't, or in this case I don't. As soon I get back I'm going to quit. My stereo's batteries ran out miles ago and now I'm listening to the increasingly indecipherable radio...Just when I think I'm going to scream the car slows. I look out the windscreen. Thank God! The stateline is just ahead. As we stop right in front of it, the radio is pure static. I don't care any more. We get out and my obviously nervous driver helps me take my bags out of the trunk. All seem fine despite the heat and the bumpy ride, that's a relief. "Good luck."
"I wish people would stop saying that."
"Sorry, thought it might help."
"Don't worry about it, something tells me I need it." He nods and quickly gets back in the car and drives away. Fast, B*stard. I look toward my destination. All the people have left long before I arrived. I start walking...

I've been walking for hours now. Well that is to say I think I have, my watch stopped shortly after I crossed the state line. No wonder they weren't going to risk a car, I know I won't have, it might have exploded...What is that? It looks like a house, a damn big house and a damn dark one at that. Well, this is it then. There's a gravel driveway, as I walk up it I can see a hearse parked in front of the house. Cute. I'm starting to think someone has one sick sense of humour. At least the hearse isn't occupied, it if had been I'd be back to the state line faster than that driver had left it. I knock the heavy doorknocker and prepare to run if Lurch answers. The door easily swings open and even as I look I realise that no one opened it. Sh*t, this is definitely worse than I thought. I walk into the thankfully cool hallway and look around. I whistle apprecatively, there are pure white candles everywhere. You know the ones that they had in old Phantom of the Opera movies and stuff like that? They're just like that. I've never seen anything like it before, especially the brick fireplace. This 'Undertaker' must have poor circulation, *snigger* or if what I got told is true it's because he's the Lord of Darkness. Ha! That almost got me laughing in the Boss' face. That would would have cost me! I smile. That was just hilarious, my Boss the nastiest guy I know starts telling me about the 'Undertaker'. He's the "Phenom", whatever that is, and is the scariest and nastiest guy in the WWF...And if that wasn't bad enough his brother, called Kane of all things, hates him and wants to beat him brains in. There's more but I would end up on the floor laughing if I thought about it again. Well back to the present, I'm supposed to go look for the owner of this place.

"Who are you?" Holy! I turn and standing in front of me is some guy in a suit who could rival my Boss in the weight stakes. "Well? Answer me!" His voice is loud and he screeches like a banshee. "I'm D.N, who the hell are you?" No one orders me around, except my Boss. "I'm Paul Bearer and you're going to be dead meat if you don't leave before UT gets back." Oh no, I got told about him, the long time manager of ...UT. I think I'll stick to that. Hmm...UT. "Well I aint leaving cause I'm supposed to find UT." "You? Find him?" He seems a little too surprised, the fact he starts laughing doesn't help. This will have to be dealt with. I reach over, gently grasp his colllar and lift. "No one laughs at D.N, understand?" My bags rattle gently, but thats nothing to worry about. He seems to understand, he nods rapidly and I ease his back down. "H...How did you do that?" "I've practiced with weights heavier than you." No lie, I could lift a weight heavier than two of him using one hand. I'd probably die after but that's beside the point. "Hmm...Indeed, so why do you want to find UT?" I have to laugh. "I don't want to find him, I have to." "He'll be back soon, I suggest you sit until he returns though." Politness doesn't suit him, I think he's up to somthing. He walks toward the fireplace and sits in a nearby chair. I follow and place my bags nearby before sitting down. I continue my inspection of the house, though the candles stop anything being visible after a short distance. "Why do you have to find UT?" Full of questions as well as lard. "People don't like it when their favourite program 'disappears'" "Oh...well don't expect it to return anytime soon, or at all." "Well why is that?" "That is none of your concern." Whoa! That has to be him, and indeed turning in the chair I see a tall dark figure with his hands on his hips watching us. Even in such dim light I can see clearly that his green eyes are blazing. "Oh, Undertaker I didn't think you'd be back so soon" It's worse than I thought, he's crawling up his backside now. Paul slides out of his chair in order to face UT. It's hard when you're a great deal shorter than him, though. "Apparently." Not a man of many words it seems. "She says that she's come here to find you." "Now why would anyone want to do that?" He turns toward me. Showtime. I stand and turn to face him. Sh*t the guy's tall. "I was sent to find you, find out what has happened and find out how to return things to normal." I aint gonna start no cr*p. "Well you've found me, I think you know some of what has happened and there is no way to return anything to normal." Great. "Hmm, 'some of what happened', so there's more to this than what half the world saw?" He laughs softly and raises his eyebrow. Eww, one of them is pierced. "Yes, but you're not going to find out what it is." O.K, I am really getting sick of being underestimated. I turn and bend down in front of my longest and thinnest bag. I quickly unzip it and remove my most treasured possession, my sword. I stand and strap it to my side. "I am Deadly Nightshade and you have just p*ssed me off." I turn and unsheath the blade. Paul looks at it in terror and runs into the darkness. UT seems unworried. We watch one another in silence. I don't want to do this, but I know I need to make my point, but before I react he encircles my throat with his right hand and as a strange sensation spreads through my skull I black-out. Oh sh*t.

Chapter 3: The Fear Hurts


Oww. My head hurts, greatly. I think I made another oops. I don't where I am but I know I am in deep trouble. I can feel softness beneath my hands, that helps, it means either I'm dead or somewhere in the house...I don't think I'm dead though because even in hell your head wouldn't hurt from a blow you received before you died. Oh boy, I know what that means. I turn onto my side and cautiously open my eyes. Wall, thats good, that means that the door is elsewhere. I look around and I can see those candles in a variety of holders, all black. Suddenly I hear the door open so I quickly close my eyes and pretend to be asleep, fast asleep. Footsteps approach and they stop near the bed. A hand then grasps my shoulder and turns me back onto my back. Oww. A hand then reaches behind my head and another behind my knees. Hey! I open my eyes as I'm being lifted and I stare at a red mask covered in black slashes. I guess this is Kane. I quickly grab his shoulders and push myself up out of him arms. This surprises him and his arms drop. That always happens. Before he can grab me I drop and run past him towards the open door. I emerge in a long hallway but I see the drop that indicates the staircase. I run towards it and I run down the stairs. I jump past the last stairs and glance around quickly. Sh*t! I can't see anyone! I run into the darkness and through long corridors. I take turns at random, but soon I hear voices. I run toward them knowing Kane is still at my heels. I finally burst through a door and I fall to the floor tired and scared.

"What the hell is going on!?" Paul Bearer, for once I'm glad to hear that banshee screech of a voice.
"K..Kane."
"What!? Here!?" He seems quite terrorstricken. I hear Kane's footsteps and I look up to see him stop in the doorway.
"Kane." UT 's voice, free from the terror apparent in Paul's voice. Kane's head moves slightly, like he's clearing his throat. "Brother." Whoa! His voice is deep but also scratchy like something is seriously wrong with his throat.
"Why are you here?" Kane turns and looks straight at me. Help me. "Her."
"What about me?" Kane tilts his head as if surprised by the fact I spoke, I know I am. He turns and looks past me, his head tilts again. I turn I see that he is staring at Paul. Good luck, buddy. "Get lost, Paul."
"What!?" UT glares at him and he slides past Kane on his through the doorway. Kane steps forward as Paul closes the door. "Well?"
"Do you know who she is?"
"Yes, why?"
"She is dangerous, brother." UT laughs.
"I know what you're talking about, but I don't think you or I need to worry about that too much." What's that supposed to mean? I'll show him. If I didn't need to know what he does know I'd sheath my sword in his stomach. I slowly stand and I look up at Kane. Here we go... "How would you know if I was dangerous or not?"
"Your presence." Hmm. Talk about cryptic. "Well, just because my presence shows me to be dangerous doesn't mean I would be a danger to anyone here."Ha! Beat that. Just to annoy him I crossed my arms. He stands quietly and he seems to be meditating. Yeah right. He nods, turns and opening the door, walks away. Thank God that's over. As his footsteps fade I turn back to UT. He is watching his brother walk away. "UT?" He turns and looks at me. "Yes?"
"What in hell's name just happened?" He throws back his head and laughs. He quickly regains his composure and shrugs. "Don't ask me, it seemed to be between you and Kane." Great, just state the obvious why don't you?
"Well, why don't you tell me about you and Kane and then maybe I can work it out." Yeah right. "We can talk back by the fireplace." He nods and walks away. Finally!

Chapter 4: The Old Times


"...So you see everyone knows wrestling is just acting but they don't really know which way round it really is."
"So...Everyone was and is really who we saw on T.V?" He nods, I was hoping he wouldn't. This means...Oh boy. "Why did you all agree to it?"
"Everyone had a different reason. Money, mostly."
"So you all waited until you could..."
"Until we could fight back and do something about it." This is all very ominous, but at least it explains most of what I know. Except...
"What about the families?"
"Actors. All paid to be our wifes, husbands and kids." I shake my head, this is ridiculous.
"I need to go, will you be alright on your own?"
"Yeah, I'm the dangerous one, remember?" He shakes his head, why? No time to ask, a moment later he strides into the darkness. I'm all alone again, it's like when I was younger...I crack my knuckles, it's an old habit I can't get rid of. The chair I'm sitting in is near the fireplace and I watch the flames. UT told me all he knew. *sigh*. I feel guilty, real guilty. I remember when both my parents were still alive, I was probably only 5 years old, my father gave me my first sword. He had a swordmaker me knew make it just for me. It had been beautiful, the blade was sharp and even, the hilt was dark and shaped to fit my tiny hand. I look at my hands now and I can see how they've changed. My nails are long and rounded, they used to be bitten and dirty. I also have many extra lines and scars caused by the years of training I've been through, I remember that my hands had once been smooth and soft-skinned. I need to relax, it's been a long day and thinking of old times isn't going to change anything. I think having a bath will help... Ahh...boiling hot water and bubbles are the best thing if you want to relax. Surprisingly there is running water in this odd-looking place, but I have to put up with a weird looking bathtub, it has feet. No matter, I just want to relax. I had put my hair up so now I can sink into the water without worrying about how long it's going to take to dry. Long hair may look nice but it can be a pain. The room smells of strawberries and whatever else is in my bubble bath. I close my eyes and remember when I was 7...I had trained everyday since I had gotten my sword. I was turning 8 that year and I knew that after my birthday my father would have me sent to the best school for us there was. I was in the middle of my practice when one of father's old friends came to see him.

"How's business, buddy?"
"You should know, the day I stop sending you bodies is the day business is bad." They always laughed at that. My father's friend always wore a suit, it didn't stop him looking grossly fat. That day he wasn't alone, today he had a tall boy watching my father from behind his legs. I had never seen him with a kid before. I didn't know he had any, but my father did. "Hey, Paul, is that your boy? He looks pretty big already."
"Yeah, he doesn't like staying at home when I'm not around anymore. You think he'd get on with your girl?" Both my father and Paul had looked at me then and Paul had pushed the boy toward me gently. "It's alright kid, she doesn't bite."
"Can you prove it?" They laughed again and the boy walked toward me. His face was covered by a pressure mask, I could see his arm was the same, his hair was free though. I didn't think it suited him, so I went to a nearby cupboard that my father stored old equipment in. "What's she doing?" I could hear my father's soft laugh, reserved for family jokes.
"It's my nik-nak cupboard." Even as he said it I found what I was looking for, the nik-nak cupboard also held old uniforms. I returned with my prize held tightly in one hand, it would be a perfect fit...I motioned for him to bend down a little as he was taller than me. I gently placed it on his face and fastened it behind his ears and under his chin. When he straightened he fixed it and turned back. "Christ! That's one ugly mask, give it back boy." My father laughed again when he refused.
"Let him keep it, he likes it." I smiled, I wasn't going to let him hand it back anyway. Paul didn't look happy. My father noticed.
"Don't worry about, no one was going to wear it anyway, she doesn't like it." I was supposed to wear a mask when I went to the school and later when I worked, but it would never be that one.
"Alright, I need to go but I'll see you again soon." Then he and the boy left, the boy now clutching the mask in one hand... I think I'll take a short nap.

Chapter 5: Truth Be Told


Chapter 5 : Truth be told I can always relax in warm bath water. I close my eyes and send myself 'wandering'. It's what my father called feeling the different minds that share one thing, the gift of unnatural power. I can feel them all clearly, they're like beacons and I simply wander, looking at their most important thoughts...Greed, lust, envy, revenge...Hmm. This much I know about my ability, few actually have it and if you do, the stronger it is the younger you die. Well, at least I can say I am an exception to the rule...for now. I continue and soon I reach the edges of my abilities, I relax and coast, enjoying...Hey! I suddenly jolt back and turn, near the door of the room is...Kane. I slide into the bubbles. "Do you mind in the slightest?" He shakes his head slowly. I slide further into the bubbles. Help me. He seems to find this funny.
"Did you tell him?" I feign innocence. Man, it's been a long time. "Tell who what?"
"You know what I'm talking about." Shamefully I do. I sigh, I was hoping he would have forgotten.
"No, I didn't tell him, and I hope it'll stay that way."
"Why?"
"It has nothing to do with him."
"Why do you say that?" 'Cause I'm lying, maybe?...Nah.
"It's just that's how I feel."
"He has a right to know, not only about your abilities but about..." I quickly interrupt..
"That, no one need know about, O.K?" It's not a good thing to talk about. I can see him tilt his head but I don't care how much it confuses him, it still confuses me. "Why not?" I shift in the water, it's starting to grow cold, but that's not the only reason.
"Throw me that towel, would you?" I'd like very much to avoid answering the question. He turns, grabs the towel and throws it. "Now you got two choices, one if you think about it, either turn 'round or leave." I like my privacy very much. He nods and quickly leaves, thank God for that! I jump out and wrap the large towel around me. I loosen my long hair, I need to comb it before I can tie it up again. I pad out of the bathroom and into the bedroom. Kane is sitting on the bed, staring at the floor, he doesn't seen to realise that I'm here. Theres a mirror facing the bed on a chest of drawers, I walk towards it and pick up the brush I placed near the mirror earlier. As I start brushing my hair I watch Kane using the mirror, I quickly stop as my hair is in giant knots. Sh*t! I'll take forever to get them out! "Why didn't you answer the question?" Yikes! My heart is lodged in my throat, is he trying to give me a heart attack!? As I look in the mirror again I can clearly see him watching me. He sees me watching him, his head tilts slightly. *sigh*
"If all you guys learn what I supposedly did I'll be dead meat." "It isn't a crime to watch wrestling." Just get straight to the point why don't you?
"Yeah but some deranged ex-wrestler might decide that I could return you all to...whatever." I shrug, I don't know what to call it. He gazes at the floor, but he quickly flicks his head up again. What now? "Deranged? No..." He stands and quickly leaves. Something's wrong. I quickly plait my still damp hair and dress in my 'working' clothes. I leave and dash down the stairs. Kane is already talking to UT, I need to know what's wrong, I start walking forward. "Stop." UT locks eyes with me for a single moment but he quickly returns his attention to Kane. He's frowning deeply, why doesn't anyone tell me anything? UT looks up at me, still frowning. "Hmm, and you didn't think this was important enough to tell me."
"If I knew what you were talking about, I might give you a straight answer." That's what you get for accusing me. "You caused the change in us?" Oh, that. Oops. I smooth my hair, I need time to think. The look on UT's face tells me I'm not going to get it. "O.K. I ,for the first time in my life, decide to watch grown men in funny costumes pretend to beat each other up. And, by coincidence, they all freak out and disappear, it doesn't mean I caused it. Possibly." I'm clutching straws now. "You know that we 'see' you as well as you 'see' us." Might explain some things. I nod, I don't like giving too much away. "You are in danger." No kidding.
"I can find out where the most dangerous ones are and make sure they never get too close." Easy trick, first one I learned. "Do you know who Mankind is?"
"Yea, he's the ugly one that pulls out his hair." Kane turns and tilts his head. I've had to listen to my workmates talk about wrestling since I joined. I ain't gonna tell him that though. Well, the sooner I do this the sooner I can relax. "O.K, here goes nothing." I close my eyes and let my mind drift out my body, if you force it it might back-fire you. I feel the minds gently and look for the right one, hmm, I think I found it. I probe deeper to get a signature memory...Blinding light, my mind is suddenly pushed back and the shock shuts it down. I need to do something! I feel my body slacken, I can't hold myself up. So this is back-fire, ouch...



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