Subj: Dark Light -- 18
Date: 5/8/99
From: Flashman
Chapter 18-Beth's Decision
As she watched the sunset from the window of her house Beth Raines had a clear head. She hadn't drunk any of the wine she had purchased that morning from the grocery store. She wasn't going to give Harley any satisfaction.
Things had become clearer to Beth during the course of the day. She had to quit being a victim, a pin cushion for all the needles being directed at her. She had to take charge of her life and not be dependant upon someone else whether that someone was her mother or her ex-husband, Phillip.
Beth had made up her mind to accept Annie's offer. She would become immortal. One of the Undead, as Annie had put it. The hardest part about accepting Annie's offer concerned Lizzie. She didn't know when and if she would ever see Lizzie again. She hoped someday to be able to sit down with Lizzie and explain her reasons. She hoped that Lizzie would understand. Maybe Lizzie would want to join her as one of the Undead. Then Beth and Lizzie could be together for all eternity.
As the sun went down beyond the horizon, Beth knew Annie would be arriving soon. Soon, Annie would make her immortal. She would once again be Cinderella at the ball and God help any wicked step-sister who stood in her way. She didn't know precisely how she would live her new life. She trusted that Annie and Barnabas Collins would show her the ropes and help her adjust. Beth ony hoped that the process wouldn't be too painful. She couldn't stand physical pain.
Beth saw a bat outside her window. She knew instinctively that it was Annie. She thought about the coffin that had been delivered to her house earlier in the day. She had stated to the delivery men that someone had probably sent it over as a joke. No bother, she would accept delivery and use the coffin as a trunk to store her valuables. She had signed for the coffin and had it placed in her attic because her house contained no basement.
Beth opened her front door and the bat flew inside. It then shape-shifted into Annie's human form. The time had arrived. Beth was ready to inform Annie of her decision.
"I've decided to accept your offer, Annie. I want to be like you. One of the Undead," she announced.
Annie smiled. The smile Josh Lewis had once said was golden. She had been certain that Beth would accept. Now Annie would have another ally. Another soldier in the revenge operation she was conducting against the people in Springfield who had so grievously wronged her. Only Beth wouldn't be a stooge like Alan, Cassie, and Fran. She would be a full-fledged partner. One of the Undead like Annie herself.
"I knew that's what you would say, Beth," said Annie.
"It's not going to be painful, is it Annie?" asked Beth.
"No Beth. It will be like going to sleep. I'm going to drain quite a bit of blood from your body. You'll probably be out for several hours. When you awake you'll be like me. One of the Undead," answered Annie.
Annie continued, "Did you get the coffin I had Alan send over this morning?"
"Yes, it's in my attic now."
"Good. I'll place you there after I've finished draining your blood. Make sure you enter the coffin before sunrise or else you'll be destroyed and we wouldn't want that to happen. I'll send a woman named Fran Ridgkins over here to watch you in the morning. She'll be your protector until I can get someone else," said Annie.
"All right."
"One more thing, Beth. Alan heard through one of his spies that Reva has hired Harley to investigate Barnabas. I want you, when you rise, to go over and check on Harley. See what she's found out."
Harley Cooper. That name again. It made Beth's skin crawl.
"What do you want me to do with Harley?" asked Beth.
"Whatever you thing necessary. You've got to start using some initiative once you're one of the Undead, Beth," responded Annie.
"All right. I'll do whatever I happen to think is necessary," said Beth.
"Good. Good," replied Annie. "Now I'll begin. Just relax, Beth. This won't hurt a bit. Soon, you'll be one of us."
Annie bared her fangs and bit into Beth's neck. Beth stayed conscious for a few seconds but soon passed out. When Annie had finished drawing blood from Beth's body she picked it up and carried it to the attic. She placed Beth in the coffin that had been delivered earlier. She stared over Beth's inert body.
"You're a beautiful woman, Beth. Very beautiful. And you'll be this way always. Just as you are now. Someday, you may hate me for doing this to you, for making you like me. I hope not. You turned out to be the only friend I ever had in this rotten town. The only one who ever cared. You'll never know how much your visit to me in prison that day meant. And to think we only knew each other for a short while. That's why I did it, Beth. That's why I made you one of the Undead. To thank you. That, and to keep you from being destroyed the way I was. I hope you won't end up hating me and that we can remain friends."
For the first time since she became one of the Undead, Annie Dutton began to cry.
