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00:00Three days before my wedding, my fiancé gave me a paper wedding dress.
00:05I knew a paper wedding dress was a ritual prop.
00:08Whoever wore it would swap souls with the dead.
00:12The living would die. The dead would come back.
00:16Who did my fiancé want to bring back?
00:19There was an old tale in town.
00:21If a bride married in a paper wedding dress, she could deceive the Grim Reaper.
00:26She would swap places with a corpse bride who wore the same dress.
00:30The corpse would return to life.
00:33Three days before my wedding, I found a paper wedding dress.
00:37It was among the gifts from my fiancé, Wendell Hickman.
00:41It was tailored precisely to my measurements.
00:44A tag was pinned to it.
00:45Bearing my full name and date of birth, a chill ran down my spine.
00:49Who was Wendrick trying to bring back by sacracing me?
00:52While I was still frozen in fear, I heard my father's voice from the study next door.
00:57The life-swapping ritual has started.
01:01Darla is coming home.
01:05I crept to the door and looked through the crack.
01:08Wendell was holding a memorial portrait.
01:11It was Darlene Hawley, my late stepsister.
01:15Wendell's eyes brimmed with undisguised affection.
01:19I had never seen him look at me like that.
01:22Darla, he whispered, his voice full of longing.
01:27I have endured three years of pretending.
01:30Pretending to be Veronica's loving boyfriend.
01:32You have no idea how disgusted it felt every time I was near her.
01:35On our wedding day, she will take your place as the corpse bride.
01:39She will be trapped in hell forever.
01:41On the altar table beside him sat white candles, a human skull, and rune stones, all arranged for Darlene's return.
01:51Watching the scene, I rubbed the engagement ring on my finger.
01:55Icy dread spread through my veins.
01:57You have got everything ready.
01:59I murmured under my breath.
02:02But Wendell, there is something I never told you.
02:06As I turned to leave, my foot struck something on the floor.
02:09The sharp, brittle sound shattered the silence.
02:13All three of them inside the study froze.
02:16Who is there?
02:17Wendell called out, his voice sharp.
02:20My heart hammered against my ribs.
02:23I quickly knocked on the door.
02:27Del?
02:28Have you seen Dad and Betsy?
02:31Dinner is ready.
02:32They emerged together moments later.
02:35Each wore a different expression.
02:38But all three of them fixed their gazes on me.
02:41The devastating truth nearly crushed me.
02:44My family had never loved me.
02:46My fiancé had never loved me either.
02:49But I could not afford to fall apart yet.
02:52I forced myself to breathe.
02:54I forced myself to stay calm.
02:58I touched my cheek and put on a smile.
03:02What is it?
03:02I asked.
03:03Is there something on my face?
03:06Why are you all staring at me?
03:08My dad, Stephen Hawley, relaxed.
03:11My stepmom, Betsy Lowe, relaxed too.
03:14Dad smiled softly.
03:16We are just finding it hard to let go.
03:19Knowing you are about to get married.
03:21Then Wendell crouched down to Ooks me.
03:24Like he always did.
03:25His voice was doting, full of false tenderness.
03:28It just rained.
03:30You do not want to get your shoes wet.
03:33Come on.
03:34Let me carry you to the dining room.
03:38At dinner, Wendell constantly refilled my plate.
03:43Dad and Betsy exchanged knowing smiles.
03:47The scene looked so harmonious.
03:49Other relatives watched with envy.
03:51You are so lucky, Vera.
03:54Someone exclaimed.
03:55I kept smiling.
03:57But inside, I was drowning in fear and heartbreak.
04:03No one knew the truth.
04:05Ever since I had seen that paper wedding dress,
04:08I could see things no one else could.
04:10Everything Wendell gave me was made of paper.
04:13The food.
04:14The clothes.
04:15Even the daily recessities.
04:17Everything.
04:18After I finally forced down the paper food on my plate,
04:22Wendell frowned at my rain-damped clothes.
04:26Vera, let me walk you back to your room so you can change.
04:29The wedding is in three days.
04:31We cannot have you catching a cold.
04:33Wendell and I had been in love for three years.
04:36He had friend over the smallest sniffle.
04:40To spare him from unnecessary worry,
04:42I had never turned down his care.
04:44Now, my throat tightened.
04:46I could not tell whether it was fear or despair choking me.
04:50I let him guide me back without resistance.
04:53The courtyard was piled high with wedding gifts.
04:56But I did not dare look at them.
04:58All of it was paper.
05:00The jewelry.
05:01The property deeds.
05:03Everything.
05:04That dress had given me the ability to see through the illusion.
05:08Back in my room, I started to undress with shaky hands.
05:12Wendell suddenly wrapped his arms around me from behind.
05:16He chuckled.
05:17He glanced at the paper wedding dress hanging nearby.
05:20Vera, babe.
05:22He whispered in my ear.
05:23Since you are already undressing,
05:25why not try on the wedding dress?
05:27I cannot wait to see my beautiful bride.
05:30Three months earlier,
05:32Wendell had flown to Italy to personally select the silk.
05:35He had stayed up night after night,
05:37overseeing every stitch of the embroidery.
05:39I had once believed it was proof of his love.
05:42I had counted the days until I could finally wear it.
05:46But now I knew the truth.
05:48The real dress was hanging in the study.
05:51What I held in my hands was just a paper replica.
05:54To survive, I did not dare to expose him.
05:57I lowered my head to hide the bitterness in my eyes.
06:00My voice trembled slightly.
06:02The dress is so complicated.
06:05What if I stain it?
06:07I think I should save it for the wedding day.
06:10Wendell chuckled again.
06:12You think it is too much trouble?
06:15I will help you.
06:16He reached out, but I quickly dodged,
06:18feigning shyness.
06:19I can manage.
06:21Then I slipped in the walk-in closet.
06:23Just then, a strange creaking noise came from the door.
06:28An eerie wind lifted the gazy curtains.
06:31I turned around.
06:32The paper wedding grass clenched in my arms,
06:35and I froze.
06:37Darlene was walking across the room.
06:39The same Darlene who had died three years ago.
06:43Her bloodless face was twisted with fury.
06:46Her eyes brimmed with venom
06:48as she glared at me from behind the curtains.
06:50A flicker of excitement flashed in Wendell's eyes.
06:53A look I had never seen before.
06:56He stepped forward, sounding anxious.
06:59Darla,
07:00your body is not fully formed yet.
07:02Why did you leave the study?
07:04Her red lips parted.
07:05Her tone was aggrieved.
07:07You think I am interrupting your moment with Veronica, don't you?
07:13Fine, I will go.
07:16Wendell quickly pulled her into his arms.
07:19Babe, I am just worried Veronica might see you.
07:22Only then did Darlene stuck out her tongue playfully.
07:27She smiled, a mischievous glint in her eyes.
07:30Every time you came here, we made out right in front of her.
07:34And she never noticed, did she?
07:36There is nothing to worry about, Del.
07:40Raw desire flooded Wendell's deep eyes.
07:43I stood rooted in place.
07:45I watched Mr. Hickman and Darlene Hawley's bodies
07:49tangled together on the bed.
07:52My heart was shattering into pieces.
07:57People used to say Wendell would not touch me
08:00because he cherished me.
08:03Because he wanted to wait until marriage.
08:06And I had believed that.
08:08But only now did I realize the truth.
08:11When he was with his true love,
08:13he could not hold back his physical impulse at all.
08:16By morning, when I woke up,
08:19Darlene was already gone.
08:20Wendell was about to head back to prepare for the wedding.
08:23As he stepped away,
08:25he looked back every few paces.
08:29Facending reluctance.
08:31Mr. Hickman,
08:32did Vera put a spell on you?
08:34You are completely smitten.
08:36Only I knew the truth.
08:38He was not looking at me.
08:40He was looking past me,
08:42toward the study where Darlene waited.
08:44I tried to escape.
08:47But every time I reached the main gate,
08:50I would somehow end up right back where I started.
08:53When I was little,
08:54the elders told stories about this.
08:57Once the life-swapping ritual began,
09:00the circle was sealed.
09:02The only way out was to see it through.
09:05And then find another way.
09:07In other words,
09:09I had to wait.
09:11Only after the ceremony ended.
09:13Only after Wendell and Darlene got married,
09:16could I make my move and escape.
09:21Soon, it was the wedding day.
09:23Early that morning,
09:24the air was thick with fog.
09:26Guests who arrived early
09:27smiled and chatted.
09:29They said by noon the sun would be bright.
09:31It was perfect wedding weather.
09:33Meanwhile,
09:34I sat in my room,
09:36dressed in my wedding gown.
09:37The veil was draped over my face.
09:39An eerie song
09:40drifted through the heavy mist.
09:43Corpse bride on the fourth chime.
09:46The living's end.
09:48The dead's new prime.
09:49I was shaking.
09:51I was supported on either side
09:53to the living room.
09:54I had to serve tea to Dad and Betsy.
09:57One last time,
09:59before leaving to marry.
10:01They wiped away tears.
10:03They said how hard it was
10:05to let me go.
10:06Long before my own mother passed,
10:09Dad had already been keeping
10:10Darlene and Betsy on the side.
10:13Watching the scene,
10:15the guests sighed with emotion.
10:17You can call Betsy a homewrecker.
10:19Someone said,
10:20But ever since her daughter Darlene died,
10:22she has loved Veronica
10:23with her whole heart.
10:24I know, right?
10:25Another guest chimed in.
10:27She is genuinely good to Veronica.
10:31Even though they are not blood related.
10:35Was Betsy genuinely good to me?
10:37I thought of the voodoo doll
10:40a few days earlier.
10:42I had dug it up under the tree
10:44in the courtyard.
10:46It had my name and birthday
10:48carved into it.
10:49The doll was covered in cuts
10:51and silver pins.
10:52The pins were Betsy's.
10:53The cuts were left by Dad.
10:55They could not stand
10:56to see me alive and carefree.
10:58Not while their own daughter
11:00lay cold and restless
11:02in the ground.
11:03Holding the tea I offered,
11:05Dad and Betsy choked up.
11:06They told me to build
11:07a life with Wendell.
11:08They hoped to see me
11:09happy forever.
11:10I smiled,
11:11but I did not nod.
11:13After all,
11:14they were not saying it to me.
11:15They were saying it to Darlene.
11:17Darlene stood behind me
11:19in her own
11:19corpsely wedding dress.
11:22When Wendell entered,
11:23his gaze kept drifting around me.
11:26It never settled on my face.
11:28He even walked straight
11:30toward Darlene at first.
11:32Only after Dad
11:34cleared his throat softly
11:35did he reluctantly
11:37took my hand.
11:39No one else
11:39could see the truth.
11:41His other hand
11:42was tightly interwaved
11:44with Darlene's.
11:46As we were getting
11:47into the car,
11:48Wendell said,
11:50Vera,
11:51where I am from,
11:53the bride rides
11:54in the front.
11:55The excuse was so flimby,
11:57I almost laughed.
12:00But I went along with it.
12:02I slipped into the passenger seat.
12:04I just wanted this over with.
12:06The thought of sitting in the back
12:08made my stomach churn,
12:10watching the two of them,
12:12one living,
12:13one dead,
12:15all over each other.
12:16At the church,
12:18Wendell spoke his vows,
12:19but his eyes kept looking
12:21past my shoulder.
12:22It was Darlene.
12:25She really completed
12:27the ceremony with him.
12:29Just as the priest
12:31was about to pronounce
12:32us husband and wife,
12:34Wendell suddenly said,
12:36Wait.
12:40He gestured to an empty seat
12:42beside his parents.
12:44Vila,
12:45according to my family's tradition,
12:47you must bow and serve tea
12:49to this empty seat.
12:52For the union
12:53to be complete.
12:57The confused guests
12:58murmured among themselves.
13:00But the seat is empty.
13:01Someone said,
13:02Who is Miss Hockley
13:03bowing to?
13:05Beneath my veil,
13:06my face went pale.
13:09Even though I knew
13:10it was all a lie.
13:11Even though I knew
13:12Wendell had never loved me.
13:15A sharp pain
13:16still cut through me.
13:19I realized then
13:20what Wendell was trying to do.
13:23He was trying to bind me
13:25to the Hickman family forever.
13:28No one else
13:29could see the truth.
13:31Darlene,
13:32who had just exchanged
13:33vows with him,
13:34was now seated
13:34in that very chair.
13:37She was waiting
13:38for my bow
13:38with a triumphant smile.
13:40If I went through with it,
13:41I would not just
13:42be acknowledging her.
13:43I would be accepting
13:44a role like a bond servant
13:46from the old stories.
13:47A corpse-ly subordinate.
13:51Even in death,
13:52I would be at her mercy.
13:55I stood frozen,
13:57fear tightening my voice.
14:00Del,
14:01that is not a custom
14:02where I am from.
14:03If this bow is required,
14:05then maybe I cannot
14:06go through with this.
14:08The church broke
14:10into hushed arguments.
14:12Guests urged Wendell
14:14not to force
14:14such a sudden,
14:15strange demand
14:16on his bride.
14:17But what scared me most
14:18were the small,
14:20shadowy poltergeists
14:21gathered around Wendell.
14:22They chattered excitedly.
14:24If Veronica will not bow,
14:28we will break her legs.
14:30Better yet,
14:31let us possess her.
14:33Then we can make her bow
14:35as long as we want.
14:37They started looking me over,
14:40pointing and plodding.
14:42Beneath my gown,
14:43my hands clenched
14:44into fists.
14:45I fought to keep my body
14:47from shaking.
14:49Just as despair
14:50began to take hold,
14:51I saw Wendell
14:53shoot a cold,
14:54warning look
14:55at the poltergeists.
14:58Shut up!
15:00I am using Veronica
15:01to bring Darla back.
15:03But that does not mean
15:05you get to hurt her.
15:06Seeing it was the critical moment
15:08for the ritual,
15:09Wendy could delay no longer.
15:11He sent a silent message
15:12to calm Darlene,
15:14who was fuming.
15:17Darla,
15:18bringing you back
15:19is what matters.
15:22She can bow
15:23and acknowledge you later.
15:24That can wait.
15:26Darlene circled me
15:27a few times.
15:28She dropped me
15:29a vicious glare.
15:31Then she floated off
15:32toward the wedding home.
15:35The Hickman's villa
15:37sat at the top
15:38of the mountain.
15:39Besides the main villa
15:40up front,
15:42there were two smaller ones
15:43in the back.
15:45Ours
15:46was the one
15:47farthest behind.
15:48I had picked it myself,
15:50drawn to the quiet,
15:52secluded spot.
15:53I thought it would be
15:54a peaceful place to live.
15:56Now,
15:57I stepped on dry twigs.
15:58I stared wide-eyed
15:59through my veil.
16:00I looked at the run-down
16:02building in the distance.
16:04Calling it a villa
16:05was not right.
16:06It was a long,
16:07abandoned cemetery.
16:08The guests stayed
16:10in the front courtyard.
16:11Dad and Betsy
16:12walked with me
16:13to the wedding home.
16:14They held my arms
16:16on either side,
16:17not wanting any surprise.
16:19The poltergeists
16:20hopped along,
16:22cheering excitedly.
16:23A new bride
16:24for the demon king!
16:26I stopped abruptly.
16:28The demon king?
16:30So Wendell
16:31was not just
16:32swapping me
16:32with Darlene.
16:34He was marrying me
16:35off to a demon.
16:39Up ahead,
16:41Wendell turned,
16:42his smile gentle.
16:44Vera?
16:46What is wrong?
16:48Seeing that fake,
16:49gentle smile
16:50on his face,
16:51I was suddenly
16:52overwhelmed
16:53with exhaustion.
16:54I pulled out
16:55the small notebook
16:56I had cherished
16:57for years.
16:58It was filled
16:59with 999 things
17:01Wendell had done
17:01for me.
17:03Elaborate breakfasts
17:04every day,
17:05giving me his only
17:06oxygen tank
17:07while scuba diving.
17:09I lifted my veil
17:10and held the notebook
17:12out to him
17:12with a smile.
17:14Wendell,
17:15I believe you loved me
17:16once,
17:17but let us
17:18call off
17:18this marriage.
17:20The moment
17:21I said it,
17:22Dad and Betsy
17:23tensed up.
17:26Wendell's eyes
17:27turned dangerous.
17:28His voice
17:29went cold.
17:30Why,
17:31Vera?
17:32I bit my lip.
17:34My hands
17:35gripped the hem
17:36of my dress.
17:37I said nothing.
17:38Around us,
17:39one of the poltergeists
17:40suddenly shouted,
17:43Something is off!
17:45She just looked
17:46right at me!
17:47Wendell,
17:48she knows!
17:49Wendell bent down
17:50to meet my eyes.
17:52His gaze
17:53was scrutinizing now.
17:56Vera,
17:57did you see
17:58something you
17:59should not have?
18:01Or hear something
18:02you were not
18:03supposed to?
18:07I said
18:08straightforwardly,
18:09Del,
18:09just tell me.
18:11Is it true
18:12that if I walk
18:13into that villa,
18:14I will be torn
18:15to pieces?
18:15Wendell froze.
18:17He snapped his head
18:18toward the cemetery.
18:19He let out
18:20a harsh laugh.
18:21So you really
18:22did see them?
18:23He dropped
18:23all pretend.
18:24Then he turned
18:25and roared
18:26at the poltergeists.
18:28Who attracted
18:29seven demons here?
18:31I said
18:32Vera only
18:33has to marry
18:34one!
18:35After cursing
18:36them out,
18:36he turned back
18:37to coax me.
18:38His voice
18:39softened.
18:39Vera,
18:40do not be
18:40scared.
18:41I only wanted
18:42one demon here
18:43to trick
18:43the Grimmy
18:43Reaper's agents.
18:44After all,
18:45you do have
18:45to marry
18:45a demon
18:46on behalf
18:46of Darla.
18:47But I will
18:48only let it
18:48have you
18:49for one night.
18:50Once Darla
18:50is back,
18:51I will send
18:51it away,
18:51okay?
18:52But now
18:53there are
18:53seven of them.
18:54To avoid
18:55any problems,
18:56I am afraid
18:57you will have
18:57to spend
18:57the night
18:58with them.
18:59Rest assured,
19:00I will not
19:01think any less
19:02of you after.
19:02I stared
19:03at him
19:03with tears
19:04in my eyes.
19:05My heart
19:06broke
19:06completely.
19:09All I could
19:10do was
19:11clutch the
19:11edge of
19:12his suit
19:12jacket.
19:13I whispered,
19:14Wendell,
19:15please let
19:16me go.
19:18There is
19:19actually something
19:20I never told you.
19:21He cut me off
19:22with a cold
19:22laugh.
19:24A secret?
19:25What secret?
19:27Do not try
19:28to trick me.
19:30I am not
19:31letting you
19:32go.
19:33Inside,
19:33I was
19:34confused.
19:35Wendell and
19:36I had met
19:36first.
19:37When did
19:38he fall
19:38for Darlene?
19:40Dad and
19:41Aunt Betsy
19:42Lowe
19:42suddenly
19:43stepped
19:43forward.
19:45They
19:46grabbed me
19:47again.
19:47Veronica,
19:48give it
19:48up.
19:50Neither
19:50of us,
19:51and not
19:52Wendell,
19:52is letting
19:53this chance
19:53slip away.
19:54I looked
19:55up and
19:55asked,
19:56why?
19:58I truly
19:59believed I
19:59had never
19:59made things
20:00hard for
20:00Betsy or
20:01Darlie.
20:02A flash
20:03of hardness
20:04crossed at
20:04Betsy's eyes.
20:06She spoke
20:07slowly.
20:07Darla died,
20:09saving Wendell.
20:10And the
20:11heart and
20:11kidney Stephen
20:12and I got
20:13three years
20:13ago,
20:15they came
20:16from Darla.
20:19So,
20:20Veronica,
20:21you have
20:22to die.
20:23My eyes
20:24widened in
20:25shock.
20:26I stared
20:27at the
20:27three of
20:27them.
20:28Wendell did
20:29not want
20:29to look
20:29at me
20:29anymore.
20:30He raised
20:31a hand
20:32and signaled
20:32to the
20:33polterfights.
20:34Take
20:35Veronica.
20:36Bring her
20:36to the
20:37bedroom.
20:38She does
20:39not come
20:39out until
20:39dawn.
20:40That
20:40night,
20:41I spent
20:41the night
20:42with seven
20:42demons.
20:43It was
20:44long and
20:45full of
20:45pain.
20:48By
20:49morning,
20:50the life
20:50swapping
20:50ritual was
20:51complete.
20:52Wendell
20:53looked refreshed
20:53and satisfied.
20:54he brought
20:55Darlene to
20:56the rundown
20:56hut to
20:57see me.
20:58Darlene's
20:59eyes lit
20:59up with
21:00satisfaction
21:00when she
21:01saw me.
21:02I was
21:03covered in
21:04blood and
21:04grime.
21:05She reached
21:06out to
21:07help me
21:07up.
21:08Vera,
21:09you must
21:09have
21:09suffered.
21:11From
21:12now on,
21:12Del and
21:13I will
21:13take good
21:13care of
21:14you.
21:17When
21:17Wendell saw
21:18my exposed
21:19skin and
21:19the marks
21:20on it,
21:20a flicker
21:21of pain
21:22passed
21:22through his
21:23eyes.
21:24he pulled
21:25me tightly
21:25into his
21:26arms.
21:27Vera,
21:29from now
21:30on,
21:31you will
21:32be stuck
21:32in the
21:32borderlands
21:33between
21:33life and
21:34death,
21:35never
21:35crossing
21:35over.
21:39But being
21:39a corpse
21:40bridled is
21:40not all
21:41bad.
21:42At least
21:43you can
21:43stay by
21:44my side.
21:46I let
21:47out a
21:47cold
21:47laugh.
21:48A corpse
21:49bride?
21:50Are you
21:51talking about
21:51me,
21:51Wendell?
21:55you lied
21:56to me
21:56for three
21:57years just
21:58to turn
21:58me into
21:58a corpse
21:59bride and
22:01trade me
22:01for Darlene.
22:03But the
22:04truth is,
22:04I have
22:06been keeping
22:06a secret
22:06from you
22:07too.
22:10Wendell
22:10scooped me
22:11up from
22:11the ground.
22:12His
22:13expression
22:13was gentle.
22:15The ritual
22:15is over.
22:17Darla
22:18is back.
22:20Vera,
22:21I am
22:21sorry I
22:22lied to
22:22you,
22:24but you
22:24do not
22:24have to
22:25make things
22:25up just
22:25to upset
22:26me.
22:27Staring
22:27at his
22:28face,
22:28I raised
22:28a blood
22:29stained
22:29finger.
22:30I pressed
22:30it against
22:31his chest.
22:32My lips
22:32curled into
22:33a grim
22:33smile.
22:34I have
22:35not even
22:35said it
22:36yet.
22:37How do
22:38you know
22:38I am
22:38lying?
22:40Darlene,
22:40standing
22:41beside us,
22:42tried to
22:43cut in.
22:44Wendell
22:45raised a
22:45hand to
22:46stop her.
22:48Darla,
22:49we owe
22:50Vera this
22:50much.
22:52Let her
22:53say it
22:53so that
22:54she can
22:54get it
22:54off her
22:54chest.
22:55Darlene
22:56went pale,
22:57but she
22:58did not
22:58speak again.
23:00Seeing the
23:00panic flashing
23:01in her
23:02eyes,
23:03I sneered.
23:04Wendell,
23:06before I
23:06tell you
23:07that secret,
23:07I need to
23:08clear one
23:08thing up.
23:09Three
23:10years ago,
23:11I saved
23:12you in
23:12that car
23:13accident.
23:15Not
23:15Darlene.
23:17I walked
23:18him through
23:18everything about
23:19how I
23:19saved him,
23:21but he
23:21just chuckled
23:22and shook
23:23his head.
23:23He
23:23sounded
23:24helpless.
23:26Okay,
23:26okay,
23:26it was
23:27you,
23:28alright?
23:29Are you
23:29satisfied
23:29now?
23:30Darla is
23:31generous.
23:32She will
23:32not mind
23:33whatever you
23:33say.
23:34Say what
23:35you need
23:35to say.
23:37Now,
23:38are you
23:39ready to
23:39share this
23:40big secret
23:40of yours?
23:42My
23:43heart
23:43sank.
23:45Wendell
23:45did not
23:46believe for
23:46a second
23:47that I
23:47had saved
23:48him.
23:49I lowered
23:50my gaze.
23:51I wondered
23:52if it was
23:52even worth
23:53risking my
23:53life to
23:54tell him
23:54the truth.
23:55Seeing me
23:56go quiet,
23:57Darlene
23:58took a
23:58step back.
24:01She
24:01looked
24:02frightened.
24:03Del,
24:04not you
24:04see?
24:07Veronica
24:07is trying
24:08to turn
24:08us against
24:09each other.
24:11She
24:11wants to
24:11trick you
24:12into
24:12swapping
24:13me
24:13back.
24:15Maybe
24:15there is
24:16not
24:16any
24:16secret
24:16at
24:17all.
24:18Promise
24:19me
24:19you
24:19will
24:19not
24:19believe
24:20her,
24:20okay?
24:21Wendell
24:22nodded.
24:23He
24:24locked me
24:24in the
24:24second
24:25small
24:25villa.
24:26Vera,
24:27from
24:27today
24:27on,
24:28this
24:28is
24:29your
24:29home.
24:30When
24:31you
24:31are
24:31feeling
24:31better,
24:32come
24:32to
24:32the
24:33main
24:33villa
24:33and
24:33bow
24:34to
24:34Darla.
24:35With
24:35us
24:35protecting
24:36you,
24:36the
24:37Grim
24:37Reaper
24:37will
24:37not
24:37find
24:38you.
24:41I
24:42sat
24:42numbly
24:43in a
24:43chair.
24:44I
24:44stared
24:45out
24:45the
24:45window.
24:47I
24:47was
24:47unwilling
24:48to
24:48speak.
24:50What
24:50Wendell
24:51did not
24:51know was
24:52that from
24:52the moment
24:52I stepped
24:53inside,
24:54I had
24:55been looking
24:55for a way
24:56out.
24:56but the
24:57front door
24:58was
24:58deadbolted
24:59shut.
25:01The air
25:02outside had
25:03thickened
25:03into a
25:04toxic
25:04haze,
25:05a barrier
25:06I could
25:06not
25:07cross.
25:08There
25:09was still
25:09no
25:09escape.
25:13Around
25:14midnight,
25:14a sharp
25:15scream tore
25:15through the
25:16main
25:16villa.
25:17It
25:17was
25:17Darlene.
25:20Help!
25:21Veronica
25:22is attacking
25:23me!
25:27Her
25:28hatred
25:28is like
25:28a knife
25:29in my
25:29mind.
25:31It
25:32is
25:33killing
25:33me!
25:35With a
25:36loud bang,
25:37Wendell
25:38kicked the
25:38door open.
25:39Dad and
25:40Betsy
25:41followed
25:41behind him.
25:43A
25:43middle-aged
25:44man was
25:44with him.
25:45He
25:46seemed like
25:46an
25:46exorcist.
25:48Dad
25:48pointed a
25:49trembling
25:49finger at
25:50me and
25:50roared,
25:50You
25:51monster!
25:55Darla
25:55is your
25:56sister!
25:57Are you
25:57trying to
25:58kill her?
26:01Still in
26:02my wedding
26:02dress,
26:03I tilted
26:03my head.
26:05I studied
26:06the crimson
26:07stain on
26:08my fingertips.
26:09A cold
26:10smile curled
26:11on my
26:11lips.
26:13Kill
26:14her?
26:15She is
26:15already a
26:16corpse.
26:17How do
26:18you kill
26:18what is
26:19already
26:19dead?
26:21Betsy's
26:21face
26:22twisted
26:22with
26:23rage.
26:24I had
26:24no doubt
26:25she would
26:25strangle
26:26me right
26:26then if
26:27she
26:27could.
26:29Darla
26:30is human
26:31now.
26:32Wendell
26:33moved
26:33soughtly
26:34to block
26:34Betsy.
26:35He
26:35frowned
26:36at me.
26:37Vera,
26:38I get
26:39it.
26:40The
26:41newly
26:41departed
26:42often
26:42carry
26:43deep
26:43resentment.
26:44I
26:45brought
26:45an
26:45exorcist
26:46to help
26:46cleanse
26:47the
26:47darkness
26:47clinging
26:47to you.
26:51I
26:52turned
26:52and
26:53looked
26:53at
26:53the
26:53poltergeist
26:54disguised
26:54as the
26:55exorcist.
26:56Wendell,
26:57this
26:58so-called
26:58exorcist
26:59is one
26:59of the
27:00poltergeists
27:00around
27:01Darlene
27:01in
27:02disguise.
27:05Can't
27:06you tell?
27:06He
27:07frowned
27:08in
27:08displeasure.
27:09You
27:09have
27:09gone
27:10too
27:10far,
27:10Veronica.
27:11First
27:12you
27:12claim
27:12you
27:12saved
27:13my
27:13life.
27:13Now
27:14you
27:14say
27:14Darla
27:15sent
27:15a
27:15poltergeist
27:16to
27:16hurt
27:16you?
27:17Your
27:17soul
27:17is
27:18poisoned.
27:18You
27:19really
27:20do
27:20need
27:20cleansing.
27:21Then
27:21he
27:21nodded
27:22to
27:22the
27:22poltergeist
27:23in
27:23disguise.
27:24The
27:24poltergeist
27:25put on
27:25a
27:26show.
27:27Chanting
27:27curses
27:28meant
27:28to
27:28cause
27:29pain.
27:31Performing
27:32rituals
27:32designed
27:33to injure
27:33from the
27:34inside.
27:35I
27:35lowered
27:35my
27:36eyes.
27:36A
27:37faint
27:37smile
27:37touched
27:37my
27:38lips.
27:38Then
27:39I
27:39played
27:39along.
27:40I
27:40dropped
27:40to
27:41the
27:41floor.
27:41I
27:42wreathedled
27:42like
27:42I
27:42was
27:43in
27:43agony.
27:45Only
27:46when I
27:46fell
27:46unconscious.
27:48did
27:49Wendell
27:49carried
27:50me
27:50to
27:50a
27:50bed
27:50on
27:51the
27:51second
27:51floor.
27:54When
27:54no
27:54one
27:55was
27:55looking,
27:55he
27:56leaned
27:56down.
27:58He
27:59pressed
27:59a
27:59slow,
28:00relingering
28:01kiss
28:01against
28:01my
28:01lips.
28:06After
28:07he
28:07left,
28:08Darlene
28:08slipped
28:08into
28:09the
28:09room.
28:11She
28:11raised
28:12her
28:12hand,
28:13ready
28:14to
28:14smite
28:14me
28:14with
28:15a
28:15spell-charged
28:15palm.
28:16You
28:17bitch!
28:19How
28:20dare
28:20you
28:20try
28:21to
28:21seduce
28:22Del!
28:23But
28:24the
28:24next
28:24moment,
28:25her
28:25eyes
28:26went
28:26wide
28:26with
28:27shock.
28:27She
28:28did
28:28not
28:28dare
28:29move
28:29at
28:29all.
28:30A
28:30raven
28:30with
28:31golden
28:31eyes
28:31shot
28:32through
28:32the
28:32window.
28:33It
28:34blocked
28:34the
28:34strike
28:35meant
28:35for
28:35me.
28:37Darlene
28:37stumbled
28:38back.
28:39Her
28:39eyes
28:39were
28:40wide
28:40with
28:40disbelief.
28:41A
28:42raven?
28:43Is
28:43there
28:44a
28:44witch
28:44here?
28:44Her
28:45attempt
28:46to
28:46kill
28:46me
28:46had
28:47failed.
28:47With
28:48the
28:48raven
28:48guarding
28:49me,
28:49she
28:50did
28:50not
28:50dare
28:50try
28:50again.
28:52She
28:52ran
28:53off
28:53in a
28:53hurry.
28:55After
28:55she
28:56was
28:56gone,
28:56I
28:57slowly
28:57sat
28:57up.
28:59I
28:59cupped
29:00the
29:00raven
29:00in
29:00my
29:00hand.
29:02I
29:02stroked
29:02her
29:02gently.
29:04Jane,
29:04you
29:05made
29:05it
29:05back.
29:08Jean
29:08vibrated
29:09with
29:09excitement.
29:10Vera!
29:11That
29:12paper
29:12wedding
29:13dress
29:13really
29:13did
29:14unlock
29:14your
29:14witch
29:15powers.
29:16Too
29:17bad
29:17we
29:18cannot
29:18touch
29:19Darlene
29:19yet.
29:22But
29:23those
29:23seven
29:23demons
29:24you
29:24left
29:24for
29:25me?
29:25They
29:26were
29:26a
29:26feast!
29:27She
29:27fluffed
29:28her
29:28chest
29:28feathers,
29:29glowing
29:29with
29:30satisfaction.
29:31But
29:31my
29:32mood
29:32was
29:32still
29:32heavy.
29:33Noticing,
29:34Jananne
29:35hopped
29:35onto
29:36my
29:36shoulder.
29:37She
29:37rubbed
29:38her
29:38head
29:38against
29:39my
29:39cheek.
29:40She
29:40tried
29:40to
29:40comfort
29:41me.
29:41Don't
29:42stress,
29:43Vera.
29:43If
29:44telling
29:44your
29:44secret
29:44paints
29:45a
29:45target
29:45on
29:46your
29:46back,
29:46I
29:47will
29:47protect
29:47you.
29:48It
29:49had
29:49been
29:49so
29:49long
29:50since
29:50anyone
29:50cared
29:51about
29:51me
29:51like
29:51that.
29:52I
29:53was
29:53just
29:53about
29:53to
29:54pull
29:54Jananne
29:54into
29:54a
29:55grateful
29:55hug.
29:56She
29:57suddenly
29:57went
29:57still.
29:58She
29:59listened
29:59intently
30:00for a
30:00long
30:00moment.
30:02Finally,
30:02she
30:03spoke.
30:04Her
30:04tone
30:04was
30:05serious.
30:06Vera,
30:07that
30:07wretched
30:08Darlene
30:08just
30:09went
30:09to
30:09stir
30:09up
30:09Wendrell's
30:10parents.
30:12She
30:12is
30:13setting
30:13them
30:13up
30:14to
30:14kill
30:14you.
30:16I
30:16brushed
30:16the
30:16dirt
30:17off
30:17my
30:17wedding
30:17dress.
30:20I
30:21headed
30:21downstairs.
30:25Jean,
30:27the proof
30:28you have
30:28been
30:28gathering
30:28these
30:29past
30:29few
30:29days.
30:30It
30:31is
30:31ready,
30:31right?
30:32Let
30:33us
30:33show
30:33it
30:33to
30:33the
30:33guests.
30:36When
30:37Wendell's
30:37parents
30:37arrived,
30:38they took
30:39one look
30:39at me
30:39sitting
30:40on the
30:40sofa.
30:41They
30:41started
30:42trembling
30:42in fear.
30:44Gripping
30:44across,
30:45they gathered
30:46their
30:46courage.
30:47Veronica,
30:48don't
30:48hurt
30:49Del!
30:50If you
30:51want
30:51revenge,
30:52take it
30:53out on
30:53us.
30:54Let
30:55him
30:55go.
30:55I
30:56just
30:56smiled.
30:57I
30:57pointed
30:58at the
30:58TV
30:58screen.
31:00Craig,
31:01Carmen,
31:03wait
31:03till
31:03you
31:03watch
31:04this.
31:06It
31:06showed
31:07the
31:07whole
31:07scene
31:08of
31:08me
31:08saving
31:08Wendell
31:09three
31:09years
31:09earlier.
31:10When
31:11it
31:11ended,
31:11they
31:12slumped
31:12to
31:12the
31:12floor.
31:15Veronica,
31:15you
31:16weren't
31:16lying?
31:17You're
31:18the
31:18one
31:18who
31:18saved
31:18Del?
31:20Why
31:20didn't
31:21you
31:21ever
31:21tell
31:21him?
31:22My
31:22smile
31:22turned
31:23bitter.
31:23I
31:24couldn't.
31:24If
31:25I
31:25had
31:25spoken
31:26the
31:26secret,
31:26my
31:27life
31:27would
31:27have
31:27been
31:28over.
31:28Craig
31:28was
31:29the
31:29first
31:29to
31:29snap
31:30out
31:30of
31:30it.
31:31He
31:31pulled
31:31Carmen
31:32to
31:32her
31:32feet.
31:33He
31:33rushed
31:33for
31:34the
31:34door.
31:34We
31:34have
31:34to
31:34find
31:35Del!
31:36We
31:36have
31:36to
31:36tell
31:36him
31:37Bernonica
31:37saved
31:37his
31:37life!
31:39He
31:39has
31:39been
31:40thanking
31:40the
31:41wrong
31:41person!
31:42Arm
31:43in
31:43arm,
31:43they
31:43ran
31:44out.
31:44Watching
31:45them
31:45go,
31:46I
31:46felt
31:46a
31:46dull
31:46ache
31:47in
31:47my
31:47chest.
31:48Jean,
31:49still
31:49on
31:50my
31:50shoulder,
31:50rubbed
31:51her
31:51head
31:51against
31:51my
31:51chin.
31:53Vera,
31:53you
31:53kept
31:54them
31:54safe
31:54for
31:54three
31:55years.
31:55Don't
31:56feel
31:56guilty.
31:57Their
31:57time
31:58was
31:58just
31:58up.
32:00A
32:01thick,
32:02unnatural
32:02fog
32:03swirled
32:04around
32:04the
32:04main
32:04villa.
32:06In
32:07their
32:07panic,
32:08Craig
32:08and
32:09Carmen
32:09came
32:09almost
32:10within
32:10sight
32:10of
32:11Wendok.
32:12But
32:13Wendok
32:13did
32:13not
32:14see.
32:15Just
32:16a dozen
32:16meters
32:17away,
32:18Darlene
32:18shangled
32:19them to
32:19death,
32:20right in
32:21front of
32:21him.
32:21While
32:22Darlene
32:22was
32:23busy,
32:23Janie
32:24and I
32:24found
32:24the
32:24exit,
32:25we
32:25slipped
32:26out
32:26of
32:26the
32:26Hickman's
32:27villa.
32:28The
32:28moment
32:29we
32:29left,
32:30the
32:30furious
32:30Darlene
32:31put
32:31her
32:31act
32:32into
32:32motion.
32:33She
32:34cut
32:34her
32:34own
32:34arm.
32:35She
32:36collapsed
32:36to
32:36the
32:37ground,
32:37covered
32:38in
32:38blood.
32:39Her
32:39face
32:40was
32:40a
32:40mask
32:40of
32:41terror.
32:42Veronica
32:43killed
32:44Craig
32:44and
32:45Carmen!
32:45Wendok
32:46stared,
32:47stunned.
32:47Darla?
32:48What
32:49are you
32:49talking
32:49about?
32:50Darlene
32:51laid
32:51out
32:51her
32:52prepared
32:52story.
32:53She
32:54blamed
32:54me
32:54for
32:54the
32:55murders.
32:56Wendell
32:57began to
32:57shake so
32:58badly that
32:59he could
32:59barely
33:00stand.
33:02When he
33:03saw how
33:03miserable his
33:04parents had
33:05died,
33:06he let
33:07out a
33:07roar of
33:07agony and
33:08fury.
33:12his
33:12eyes
33:13turned
33:13bloodshot.
33:15The
33:16others
33:16stared in
33:17shock at
33:17Darlene.
33:18She
33:19was alive
33:19and well
33:20in front
33:21of them,
33:22even
33:22though she
33:23had been
33:23dead for
33:24three
33:24years.
33:26Isn't
33:27that the
33:27Hawley
33:27family's
33:28dead
33:28daughter?
33:29She's
33:29alive?
33:32Where's
33:32Veronica?
33:34Why
33:34would she
33:35kill
33:35Craig and
33:35Carmen?
33:39Wendell
33:40locked
33:40himself in
33:41his room
33:41all night.
33:42At dawn,
33:43he walked
33:44out.
33:45Strouble
33:46shadowed
33:46his jaw.
33:47He made
33:48an announcement.
33:50Veronica
33:50killed my
33:51parents.
33:53I'm done
33:54hiding her
33:55real identity
33:56for her.
33:58The truth
33:59is,
34:00Veronica
34:00has been
34:01dead a
34:01long time.
34:04She's an
34:04evil spirit.
34:05If any
34:06of you
34:06know
34:06capable
34:07corpse
34:08busters,
34:08send them
34:09my way.
34:10I'll pay
34:12whatever it
34:13takes.
34:13Word spread
34:14fast.
34:15Soon,
34:16the Hickman's
34:17villa was
34:17swarming
34:18with talents.
34:19They laid
34:20magic circles
34:21and set
34:22traps.
34:23They were
34:24waiting for
34:24me to show
34:25myself,
34:26so they
34:27could capture
34:28me and
34:28hand me
34:29over to
34:29Wendell
34:31for him
34:32to torture
34:32me.
34:35Meanwhile,
34:36in a small
34:37forgotten
34:37chapel,
34:38I was
34:38desperately
34:39trying to
34:39claw off
34:40the wedding
34:40dress
34:40feuded to
34:41my skin.
34:42Janine pecked
34:43at my sleeve
34:43with her
34:44beak,
34:44letting out
34:45a low,
34:46raspy
34:46caw.
34:47What is
34:48this thing?
34:48It won't
34:49budge.
34:51A stone
34:52statue in
34:53the corner
34:53shifted.
34:55Its eyes
34:56cracked open
34:57with a
34:57scoff.
34:59The
35:00marriage
35:00wasn't
35:00consummated.
35:02You
35:02didn't
35:03actually
35:04marry
35:04him.
35:06Of
35:07course,
35:07the
35:07dress
35:08won't
35:08come
35:08off.
35:10Jean
35:10and I
35:11looked
35:11up,
35:12surprised.
35:13Larry,
35:14you
35:15finally
35:15showed
35:16up!
35:16I
35:17said,
35:18Larry,
35:18a senior
35:19from the
35:20same
35:20forgotten
35:20mystical
35:21tradition,
35:22snotted.
35:23Oh,
35:24so you
35:24remember
35:25me,
35:25Veronica?
35:28I'm
35:29honored
35:29you
35:30came
35:30here
35:30instead
35:31of
35:31crawling
35:31back
35:31to
35:31your
35:32precious
35:32Wendell.
35:34Jean
35:35flew
35:35onto
35:35the
35:36pedestal.
35:37Of
35:38course
35:38she
35:39remembers
35:39you.
35:40Witch
35:41blood
35:41runs
35:42in
35:42her
35:42veins.
35:43She
35:44sees
35:44Wendell
35:45for what
35:45he is
35:46now.
35:47She
35:47knows
35:47we're
35:48the
35:48ones
35:48who
35:48really
35:49care
35:49for
35:49her.
35:51Pissed
35:52off,
35:52Larry
35:53let out
35:53a sharp
35:54laugh.
35:56Stop
35:57defending
36:00she
36:00caused
36:01her
36:01own
36:01mess
36:01by
36:01saving
36:02the
36:02wrong
36:02man.
36:04That's
36:04why
36:05she's
36:05hiding
36:05in
36:05a
36:05ruined
36:06chapel
36:06looking
36:06for
36:07a
36:07way
36:07out.
36:08Am
36:08I
36:08wrong?
36:09Embarrassed,
36:10I hung
36:10my head.
36:12My
36:12cheeks
36:12were
36:13burning.
36:14Even
36:14as he
36:15mocked
36:15me,
36:16Larry
36:16offered
36:16a
36:16solution.
36:17If
36:17you
36:17want
36:18that
36:18dress
36:18off,
36:18you'll
36:18have
36:19to
36:19marry
36:19Dominic
36:19Keenan,
36:20the
36:21sickly
36:21heir
36:21of
36:21the
36:21Keenan
36:22family.
36:23Of
36:24course,
36:24if
36:24you
36:24think
36:24that's
36:25beneath
36:25you,
36:25forget
36:26I
36:26said
36:26anything.
36:28I
36:29shook
36:29my
36:29head
36:29quickly.
36:30I
36:31don't.
36:32Only
36:33then did
36:33his
36:33tone
36:34soften
36:34a
36:34bit.
36:35Dominic
36:36has
36:36a
36:36unique
36:36fate.
36:38Marry
36:38him,
36:39and
36:40he'll
36:40keep
36:40you
36:40safe
36:41for
36:41the
36:41rest
36:41of
36:41your
36:41life.
36:42So
36:43even
36:43if
36:43you
36:43tell
36:44your
36:44secret
36:44after
36:45that,
36:45no
36:46one
36:46will
36:46dare
36:46come
36:47after
36:47you.
36:47Maybe
36:48it
36:48was
36:48my
36:48imagination.
36:49I
36:50thought
36:50I
36:50saw
36:50a
36:51faint
36:51blush
36:51of
36:52stone
36:52dust
36:52rise
36:53on
36:53Larry's
36:53cheek.
36:56I
36:56nodded
36:57eagerly.
36:58I
36:58agreed
36:59right
36:59away.
37:01We
37:02arrived
37:02at the
37:02Kenan's
37:03home.
37:04I
37:04thought
37:05things
37:05wouldn't
37:05be
37:05easy
37:06after
37:06that.
37:08But
37:08the
37:09moment
37:09we
37:09reached
37:09the
37:09gate
37:10and
37:10saw
37:10Dominic
37:10in
37:10person,
37:11at
37:12Jan's
37:12eyes
37:12went
37:12wide
37:13with
37:13shock.
37:14Larry?
37:18Larry
37:19was
37:20actually
37:20Dominic?
37:21My
37:21cheeks
37:22flushed
37:22crimson.
37:24I
37:25wanted
37:25the
37:25floor
37:25to
37:25swallow
37:26me
37:26whole.
37:27Dominic
37:28brought
37:28a
37:28fist
37:28to
37:28his
37:28lips
37:29and
37:29cleared
37:29his
37:29throat.
37:30He
37:30explained,
37:31My
37:31fate
37:31is
37:31unique,
37:32so
37:32sometimes
37:33I
37:33cultivate
37:34by
37:35attaching
37:35my
37:35spirit
37:36to
37:36a
37:36stone
37:37statue.
37:40As
37:41for
37:41our
37:41marriage,
37:42don't
37:42overthink
37:42it.
37:44With
37:45my
37:45health
37:45the
37:45way
37:45it
37:45is,
37:45I
37:46made
37:46peace
37:46with
37:46being
37:46alone
37:47forever.
37:51I
37:53bowed
37:53and
37:54thanked
37:54him
37:54sincerely.
37:56That
37:56very
37:57night,
37:57we
37:57made
37:58it
37:58official.
37:59And
38:00he
38:00was
38:00right.
38:01After
38:02we
38:02exchanged
38:03our
38:03vows,
38:04the
38:04wedding
38:05dress
38:05fell
38:05away
38:06on
38:06its
38:06own.
38:06I
38:07was
38:07so
38:07happy
38:08that
38:08entire
38:08night.
38:11But
38:11early
38:12the
38:12next
38:12morning,
38:13at
38:13Jane
38:13squeezed
38:14through
38:14the
38:14gap
38:14between
38:15the
38:15door
38:15and
38:15frame
38:16in
38:16a
38:16panic.
38:19Mrs.
38:19Keenan,
38:20bad
38:20news!
38:21Still
38:22getting
38:22used
38:22to
38:22the
38:22new
38:23title,
38:23I
38:24smiled
38:24awkwardly.
38:25She
38:26seemed
38:26to be
38:27adjusting
38:27faster
38:28than
38:28I
38:28was.
38:30Catching
38:31her breath,
38:31she
38:32went
38:32on.
38:32Stephen
38:33took
38:33your
38:33mother's
38:34urn
38:34from
38:34the
38:34Holly's
38:35home.
38:36He
38:37told
38:37Wendell
38:38that
38:38if
38:38you
38:38don't
38:39show
38:39up,
38:39he'll
38:40destroy
38:41it!
38:42It
38:42was
38:43inevitable.
38:43I
38:44said a
38:44quick
38:44goodbye
38:44to
38:45Dominic
38:45and
38:45left
38:45the
38:45Keenan's
38:46home.
38:47Just
38:48as
38:48I'd
38:48expected.
38:50To
38:51avenge
38:51his
38:51parents'
38:52awful
38:52deaths,
38:53Wendell
38:53had
38:53laid
38:54an
38:54airtight
38:54trap
38:55meant
38:55just
38:56for
38:56me.
38:57The
38:58moment
38:58I
38:58stepped
38:59into
38:59the
38:59main
38:59hall,
39:00every
39:00corpse
39:01buster
39:01in
39:01the
39:01room
39:02raised
39:02their
39:03weapons.
39:04The
39:05air
39:05was
39:07one
39:07of
39:07them
39:08not.
39:09Whatever
39:09you
39:09are,
39:10you're
39:11not
39:11leaving
39:11today.
39:14Wendell
39:14watched
39:15me from
39:15across
39:16the
39:16room.
39:17Pain
39:17and
39:17hate
39:18were
39:18mixed
39:18in
39:19his
39:19eyes.
39:20Veronica,
39:22why
39:22did
39:22you
39:22kill
39:23my
39:23parents?
39:24All
39:25I
39:25did
39:25was
39:25find
39:25another
39:26way
39:26to
39:26keep
39:26you
39:27with
39:27me.
39:28What
39:29was
39:29so
39:29wrong
39:29with
39:30that?
39:31Beside
39:31him,
39:32Darlene
39:32stirred
39:33the
39:33pot.
39:34Del,
39:34have
39:35the
39:35corpse
39:35busters
39:35finish
39:36her!
39:37for
39:38Craig
39:38and
39:39Carmen!
39:42Dad and
39:43Betsy
39:43echoed
39:43her.
39:44You're a
39:45corpse
39:45now,
39:45Veronica.
39:48To stop
39:49you from
39:49hurting
39:49anyone else,
39:50you need
39:51to be put
39:51to rest
39:52for good.
39:54For a
39:55split
39:55second,
39:56Wendell
39:57looked torn.
39:58Then,
39:58thinking of
39:59his parents,
39:59his expression
40:00hardened,
40:01he said
40:02to the
40:02corpse
40:02to the
40:02busters.
40:04I looked
40:04around at the
40:05circle of so-called
40:06masters and
40:08almost laughed.
40:09You've been here for
40:10days.
40:11Haven't any of you felt
40:13something off?
40:14Not even a little?
40:15The corpse
40:16busters, poised to
40:17strike, exchanged
40:18uneasy glances.
40:19Dad put on a
40:21heartbroken face.
40:22You wicked
40:23girl!
40:24You're already
40:25dead!
40:26Don't try to
40:27stall!
40:27Just accept
40:28your fate!
40:30He even wiped
40:31away a fake
40:31tear.
40:32Wendell sneered.
40:34Your time
40:35ends here
40:36today,
40:36Veronica.
40:37No one
40:38seemed to
40:38notice the
40:39flash of
40:39panic on
40:40Darlene's
40:41face.
40:42She shouted,
40:44her voice
40:44tight with
40:45anxiety.
40:46Del!
40:46Now!
40:49Before it's
40:50too late!
40:52Hearing her,
40:52the corpse
40:53busters lunged
40:54at me,
40:55chanting.
40:56Janine shot
40:56from my pocket.
40:58In a few
40:59quick moves,
41:00she frozen
41:00every single
41:01one of them
41:02where they
41:02stood.
41:05I turned
41:06a cold gaze
41:07on a shocked
41:08Wendell.
41:10Then on
41:11Dad,
41:11who was
41:12shielding
41:12Darlene
41:13behind him.
41:15You really
41:16think the
41:16life-swapping
41:17ritual worked?
41:18That I'm a
41:19corpse now?
41:20You talented
41:21corpse busters
41:22should be
41:22ashamed.
41:24You can't
41:25even tell
41:26who's alive
41:26and who's
41:27dead.
41:29I gave a
41:30slight wave
41:30of my hand.
41:31I used a
41:32trick Dominic
41:32had taught
41:33me.
41:33The lights
41:34in the vast
41:35living room
41:35dimmed.
41:36The frozen
41:37corpse busters
41:38eyes widened
41:39in sudden,
41:41dawning
41:41horror.
41:42How can
41:43this be?
41:44No,
41:45it's
41:46impossible.
41:47Furious,
41:49Wendell
41:49demanded to
41:49know what
41:50I'd done
41:50to them.
41:51I smiled.
41:52I was
41:53finally ready
41:54to speak
41:54the truth
41:55I'd buried
41:55for years.
41:57Wendell,
41:57the life-swapping
41:59ritual is
41:59real,
42:01but I
42:01used it
42:02three years
42:02ago.
42:04You are
42:05the corpse
42:05groom I
42:06brought back.
42:07You died
42:08in that
42:08crash.
42:12I cut
42:13a paper
42:13figure
42:14and
42:14staged
42:14the
42:15ritual
42:15to
42:15trick
42:15the
42:16Grim Reaper.
42:18I pulled
42:19you back,
42:20Dad,
42:21Betsy.
42:21You were
42:22both badly
42:22hurt too,
42:23like Craig
42:24and Carmen.
42:25I used
42:26a witch's
42:26art,
42:27substituting
42:28goat hearts
42:28and kidneys.
42:30That's the
42:31only reason
42:31you're still
42:31alive.
42:32I did
42:33everything I
42:34could to
42:34bring you
42:34all back,
42:35and in
42:36return,
42:37you want
42:38to destroy
42:38me.
42:42Jackson
42:43came the
42:43most desperate
42:44move of
42:45all,
42:45forced Jesse
42:46to terminate
42:47the pregnancy
42:47and even
42:48had someone
42:49deliver the
42:50medical record
42:50to me.
42:51Stained at
42:51the corners
42:52with fresh
42:53blood,
42:53I was
42:54disgusted.
42:55Around
42:55that time,
42:57Jordan
42:57started grooming
42:58me as the
42:58next successor
42:59of the
43:00Fletcher
43:00group,
43:01and the
43:01first challenge
43:02I set for
43:02myself was
43:04to bring
43:04down the
43:04Stainberg
43:05group.
43:06After a
43:07series of
43:07calculated
43:08strikes,
43:09their stock
43:09plummeted.
43:11I seized
43:11the opportunity
43:12and bought
43:13up shares
43:14at rock
43:14bottom
43:15prices,
43:16completely
43:17catching
43:17Jackson
43:18off guard.
43:19Backed
43:19into a
43:20corner and
43:20on the
43:21verge of
43:21bankruptcy,
43:22Jackson
43:23finally
43:23caved.
43:24He agreed
43:25to the
43:25divorce after
43:26the Friday
43:27market
43:27closed.
43:28We were
43:29finally,
43:30officially
43:30divorced.
43:33The
43:33corpse
43:34buster
43:34swallowed
43:35hard
43:35before
43:35going
43:36on.
43:47And
43:48she'd face
43:48punishment
43:48for it.
43:49Mr.
43:50Hickman,
43:50it's true.
43:51You,
43:52Mr.
43:52and Mrs.
43:53Hawley,
43:54you've been
43:54dead all
43:55along.
44:00I arched
44:01an eyebrow.
44:02Maybe I'd
44:03underestimated
44:04those corpse
44:04busters.
44:05A few of
44:06them actually
44:07knew what
44:08they were
44:08talking about.
44:10Still
44:10struggling to
44:11believe it,
44:12Wendell grabbed
44:12Darlane's arm.
44:13Darla,
44:14look at me!
44:17Am I dead?
44:20Darlane fell
44:21silent.
44:22Just then,
44:24a familiar
44:24voice spoke
44:25up for me.
44:26Del,
44:27Vera is
44:28telling the
44:29truth.
44:29Craig and
44:30Carmen stood
44:31there.
44:31The Grim
44:32Reaper was
44:33beside them.
44:34Seeing them,
44:35Wendell,
44:35Dad,
44:36and Betsy
44:36went weak.
44:37They sank
44:38to the floor.
44:39Betsy shot
44:39Dad a look.
44:40He nodded.
44:41He clutched
44:42my arm,
44:42a desperate
44:43hope lighting
44:43his eyes.
44:44Vera,
44:45I'm sorry.
44:46I was wrong
44:47about you.
44:48I don't want
44:48to die yet.
44:49Please,
44:50think of
44:51something.
44:52Let me live
44:53for decades
44:53more.
44:55I pulled
44:56my hand
44:56away.
44:57I gave
44:58a faint
44:58smile.
44:59There's
44:59nothing I
45:00can do
45:00now.
45:01The moment
45:02you decided
45:02to trade
45:03me for
45:03Darlene,
45:04I couldn't
45:04keep the
45:04secret any
45:05longer.
45:06You,
45:07Betsy,
45:08and Darlene,
45:09you're the
45:09perfect family
45:10of three,
45:11aren't you?
45:11You can be
45:12together again
45:13in hell.
45:14Dad and
45:15Betsy were
45:16seized by
45:16the Grim
45:17Reaper.
45:19Their
45:20heart-ranking
45:20screams faded
45:21quickly into
45:22nothing.
45:24Meanwhile,
45:26Wendell stared
45:26in shock at
45:27his parents.
45:28His eyes
45:28turned red.
45:29Mom,
45:30Dad,
45:33you're
45:34back.
45:36Craig and
45:37Carmen took
45:38his hands.
45:39Then they
45:40turned to
45:41glare at
45:41Darlene,
45:42furious.
45:43Del,
45:44you fool!
45:45You shouldn't
45:45have saved
45:46Darlene,
45:46she killed
45:47us!
45:48What a
45:49shame.
45:50Vera did
45:51everything to
45:52protect us
45:52for three
45:53years,
45:53and you
45:54hurt her
45:55for this
45:55wretch's
45:56sake.
45:57Face the
45:57truth,
45:58Del.
45:58Wendell clenched
45:59his fists.
46:00He looked
46:01up,
46:02his eyes
46:03fixed on
46:03me.
46:04After a
46:05long moment,
46:06two tears
46:07rolled from
46:08beneath his
46:08closed lidds.
46:09When he
46:10opened them
46:11again,
46:11he seemed
46:12to have
46:12come to
46:13terms with
46:13it.
46:14He walked
46:15slowly toward
46:16me.
46:17Then he
46:17dropped to
46:17his knees.
46:18He looked
46:19up with a
46:19plea in
46:20his eyes.
46:21Vera,
46:21I'm sorry.
46:23This was
46:24my fault.
46:26I hurt
46:26you.
46:28I can't
46:29even imagine
46:30how much
46:30it broke
46:30you when
46:32you found
46:32out I was
46:33going to
46:33trade you
46:33for
46:34Darlene.
46:35Vera,
46:36is it
46:36true?
46:37Will you
46:38be in
46:38danger now
46:39that the
46:39truth is
46:39out?
46:40Don't
46:41worry.
46:43This
46:44time,
46:44I'll be
46:45the one
46:45to protect
46:46you.
46:47I asked
46:48him what
46:48he meant
46:48to do,
46:49but he
46:50only smiled
46:50without
46:51answering.
46:52As he
46:52got to
46:53his feet,
46:54he moved
46:54as if to
46:55kiss me
46:55like he
46:56used to.
46:56I showed
46:57him the
46:57wedding ring
46:58on my
46:58finger.
47:01You have
47:01someone to
47:02protect me
47:02now.
47:03Stay
47:03away,
47:04Wendell.
47:05A
47:06complicated
47:06mix of
47:06feelings
47:07flashed
47:07through
47:08his
47:08eyes
47:08when
47:08he
47:08saw
47:08the
47:09ring.
47:10Finally,
47:11he bent
47:11down.
47:12He pressed
47:13a trembling
47:13kiss to
47:14my shadow
47:14on the
47:14floor.
47:16The
47:16gesture
47:17was full
47:17of affection
47:18and lingering
47:18regret.
47:19I'm
47:19sorry.
47:22Now,
47:23Darlene,
47:24Craig,
47:24and Carmen
47:25had all
47:25been taken
47:26by the
47:26At Grim
47:27Reaper.
47:28Only
47:28Wendell
47:28remained.
47:29Just
47:30before he
47:30was taken,
47:31he began
47:31to chant.
47:32The
47:33onlookers
47:33gasped.
47:34Lonel
47:35are your
47:35finder.
47:36A
47:36replacement
47:37spell.
47:41How does
47:42he know
47:42that?
47:43He's taking
47:44on Miss
47:44Veronica's
47:45punishment.
47:47Janine,
47:48perched on
47:48my shoulder,
47:49let out a
47:50soft,
47:50playful
47:51caw.
47:52Larry ran
47:53into Wendell
47:54once by chance
47:54and taught
47:55him that
47:55spell.
47:57Said it
47:58might come
47:58in handy
47:58someday.
48:00So that
48:01was it?
48:02The spell
48:02took effect
48:03immediately.
48:04Starting
48:04from his
48:04feet,
48:05flames
48:06crept upward
48:06until they
48:07engulfed him
48:08completely.
48:09When they
48:09reached his
48:09neck,
48:10fighting through
48:11the soul-deep
48:11pain,
48:12he asked
48:13me with a
48:13strained
48:14smile,
48:15Vera,
48:15if there's
48:16a next
48:16life,
48:18will you
48:18give me a
48:19chance to
48:19make it
48:19up to
48:20you?
48:20Until
48:21the fire
48:21burned him
48:22to ash,
48:23I never
48:23gave an
48:24answer.
48:29When
48:30something
48:30was over,
48:31it was
48:32over.
48:33With
48:34love
48:34gone,
48:35was a
48:36promise for
48:37another life
48:37really
48:38necessary?
48:39I never
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