ForevaXena's FanFic . . .

Knocking On Forbidden Doors

by Jordan Falconer

Disclaimer: Xena, Gabrielle etc belong to MCA/Universal and Ren Pics, and anyone else who has an interest in Xena Warrior Princess, not me.

Copyright © 2001: The characters in here belong to me. All rights reserved. No part or whole of this work may be copied or used in any shape, form, or manner whatsoever without the author's express written consent. If you want to use them, all you have to do is ask … nicely.

Violence disclaimer: Yes, there is violence, so if you’re sensitive to that sort of thing, perhaps you’d like to move on. Also contains references to abuse and a ‘bit creepy’ alert. It’s a much darker tale than normal but worth it!

Love/Sex warning: This story depicts a love/sexual relationship between two consenting adult women. If you are under 18 years of age or if this type of story is illegal in the state or country in which you live - move along, move along, nothing for you here ...

PART TEN

Desmond spotted Roger lying in a puddle on the floor. “What are you doing here Roger? We agreed to stay away from this place.”

Langdale turned to look at the others. He smiled briefly, an ugly sight. “Emerick, there you are! Why aren’t you in hell where I put you? And you, lovely Elizabeth. Did you enjoy the loving attentions of a real man?” Robert Overton had unmasked when he had first seen Elizabeth Emerick, shucking off his host Langdale with almost contemptuous ease. He grinned as the old memories of he and his friends playing with his wife and her whore until they were bored resurfaced.

Arthur quietly restrained Lyle when he took a step forward. His voice was a soft murmur. “No, Emerick. Not yet. It is not yet time.” Arthur himself had to restrain the urge to hurl Overton across the room. It was only because of Elizabeth’s promise of justice that he did not do so.

“You and your friends forced her to watch. You will pay for that Robert.” Inwardly Elizabeth quailed. The memory of trying to crawl out of that room and hiding from Robert were burned into her mind. The guilt of knowing that Sarah endured the same punishment but to a lesser extent was eating her inside. Although she wanted nothing more than to be with Sarah, she knew Sarah could not possibly have forgiven her for what had happened. Sarah had been destroyed after that evening and Elizabeth had been forced to watch her wither and die thanks solely to Robert Overton.

Robert Overton laughed loudly and rudely. “You certainly didn’t last long enough for my liking. You had the audacity to be dead when we went back for thirds.” They had tired of her reasonably quickly and engaged in a variation of hide and seek. The deal was simple: hide effectively from them and they would spare Sarah. Of course that had never happened. He smiled at the memory; it had been a good evening’s entertainment.

“You took me away from Sarah and that I will never forgive you for.” For the first time, Elizabeth’s eyes flashed in anger, and Lyle and Arthur each quietly put a restraining hand on her. Robert’s insulting, infuriating laughter continued. Elizabeth disliked him in life, but that had blossomed to full blown hatred after her death when they had turned on Sarah. The beautiful Sarah who had tended the garden; who had wandered with her lover all over the land; who had kissed her again and again until both were breathless. They had loved each other completely and belonged together. Sarah had once upon a time been so sweet and kind, so beautiful; they had taken that away from her and Elizabeth had been forced to watch.

Overton leaned forward. “I cheated the devil and I won.”

“That yet remains to be seen.” Everyone glanced at the door, where a dirty, small old man stood. If Kate had been around, she would instantly have recognized the ‘town crier’ – Bruce. Elizabeth also recognized him; he had been speaking to her for some time. The cries of ‘he’s coming’ and to unmask had been for her alone; a signal to gather together the people that had been scattered by time.

In the distance, a clock struck the hour.

Gone was the vacant, semi senile old town drunk. His physical appearance was the same, but the intelligence that glittered in his clear eyes spoke of a depth of knowledge that was horrible and all encompassing.

“Look what’s going on here?” Mark Desmond and the entire Dupont clan had been ignored up until now, and Brian, Gerri and Anne winced when he spoke. They had hoped to fade into the background in the hope that they could escape later. They were terrified and did not wish to remain and witness the final act of an old, almost forgotten drama.

Bruce – often referred to by those of a religious inclination as Peter - turned to stare at Mark; it was time to show this mortal who he was. Mark promptly went white as a sheet and stepped back. “How did you know about that?”

Peter said nothing, but continued to stare at Mark.

Mark took another step back and bumped into the tall figure of Brian Dupont who caught him smoothly and pushed him back forward. Brian’s entire face was a mask of dismay. As the events had unfolded, he had become less and less inclined to assist his father Roger in more wrong doing against Kate. Surely they would all see that he had not really done anything bad? All he had ever done was put in the extra phone line and driven his sister out to Kate’s place when asked.

Mark Desmond lost control of his bladder and began weeping in fear as Roger looked on in contempt. “You fucking cry baby.”

“Mr Dupont.” Peter’s voice was mild. “I must ask you for silence until we are ready for you.”

Roger opened his mouth to retort, but no sound emerged. Anne clutched her husband’s hand in shock and fingered her crucifix, waves of terror of the old drunk in front of her and a longing for her crucifix almost overpowering. Her faith in the Lord was complete. Whatever nasty, unwholesome business was transpiring here had nothing to do with them, and Jesus would surely His children. They had nothing to do with this.

Gerri felt none of her mother’s confidence as she tried to stifle the memories of dressing up in old clothes and wandering through the garden. Whenever Kate spotted her, she ran like hell and had never been caught. That, however, looked like it had radically changed. She could only hope their father found some way to extract them from their current predicament.

As Peter moved further into the foyer and on to the large, open parlour beyond, bodies unwillingly, jerkily followed him. Elizabeth, Lyle and Arthur quietly trailed the horrified group, moving to stand in a small, quiet corner.

Elizabeth abruptly felt the beginning twinges of anxiety and fear. All she had ever wanted was to return to Sarah, nothing more. She had an inkling of what was about to transpire, and did not wish it upon her worst enemy.

Unwillingly, Gerri, Brian, Anne, Roger, Mark and Robert Overton were roughly pulled into a circle around Peter.

When they were done, Peter spoke again. “Elizabeth Emerick step forward and take your place.” Elizabeth left her father’s comforting embrace and went through the circle to stand beside Peter. “Elizabeth Emerick, you have asked for judgement against Robert Overton. It has been done. Lyle Emerick, come forward.”

It was not the complete truth; Elizabeth had only ever prayed to be allowed to rejoin Sarah. She had never asked for judgement, only justice. The feelings of hatred for Robert had passed after Sarah’s death, aching, savage grief at not being able to be with Sarah changing into an all consuming pain at the prospect of never seeing her again.

Lyle moved into the circle to stand beside Elizabeth. Peter spoke again. “Lyle Emerick, you were murdered by Robert Overton when his crime was uncovered. Justice will be served for that action also. Arthur Merrifield, come forward.”

Arthur went to stand beside Peter. Peter continued speaking, powerful voice calm and implacable. “Arthur Merrifield, your daughter’s lover was murdered by Robert Overton and your daughter suffered unmercifully at his hands. Justice will be served for that crime. Robert Overton, come forward.”

The circle broke as Robert was dragged forward, and unseen hands dragged him to his knees. Peter looked at him unmercifully. “Robert Overton, you have been judged. Sentence will be carried out immediately.” Peter looked up and walked all around the circle, pitiless eyes trained on each of the quaking people left forming the circle. “Elizabeth Emerick has asked for judgement for each of you on Katherine Dupont’s behalf, and it is done. You interfered with the justice to be done for Elizabeth Emerick, stole from a young woman, Kate Dupont, and killed her. Sentence will be carried out.” Peter moved back to the centre of the circle, and looked at Lyle, Arthur and Elizabeth in turn. “Get to your knees and bow your heads. Do not look up for any reason.”

Without question, the three did as they were asked. Elizabeth felt nothing but sorrow. It was true; looking deep inside the mind she inhabited the door to the room stood wide open, the room within empty. Kate had left – she really was dead. They had murdered her.

They had but a second or two to wait. Dimly, in the distance, Elizabeth began to sense a howling wind. The noise increased in volume and violence until all present were engulfed by the sounds of a million screaming souls in torment. Terrified, Elizabeth, Lyle and Arthur were rooted to the spot, hoping that whatever it was would never notice them.

Robert screamed and lunged for the edge of the circle trying to break it to escape. The voices sighed, whispering to each other, shushing each other as footsteps could be heard entering through the kitchen, coming down the hallway. A moribund wind blew in its path, and all shuddered as the air caressed them with questing, calculating fingers.

“Ah, Robert.” It was a young man’s voice, a deep, melodious baritone, grotesquely jovial. “It has been a long time! We had a small bargain and I believe you’ve been trying to avoid me. Now it’s time for you to hold up your end of the bargain and pay.”

Shivering, Elizabeth kept her eyes tightly shut, aimed at the floor. There were screams of terror and the sudden stench of waste as Robert lost control of his bowels. “Nooooo.” Robert’s voice was a low, sobbing moan.

“Yes. He’s coming.” The divine judge’s voice was firm, and there was a yelp. There was the sound of a sudden whoosh of air as a body was pulled from the center of the circle. The voices gibbered and giggled; shushing each other before the catcalls could get out of hand.

“Who else do we have here, hmm?” The young man’s voice was horribly curious and alert.

“These robbed from their neighbor, killed her and left her to rot.”

“Sounds like they should be with me, then.” The young man giggled as the entire chorus of voices howled with laughter. “May I take them now?” The anticipation and eagerness in that tone was a vile experience.

The temperature in the room had dropped and Elizabeth shivered violently, leaning eagerly into her father’s warmth as he reached for her and pulled her in closer.

Anne Dupont recovered her voice and gave and all mighty scream. “The Lord is my Shepherd! I call on Jesus! I call on the Lord God Himself!”

“Shut up you cunt.” Roger’s voice was a snarl. Couldn’t the woman see they were in the deepest shit they could ever be in? There were no more bargains, no more deals to be made. All secrets had been laid bare.

“Now, now, manners.” The voice tinkled in amusement, and although Elizabeth could not hear it, she could feel the owner studying its fingernails. “Listen, my dear.” The voice became smooth and colder than ice. “You turned from your God and broke His commandments. You would not be here looking at me at all if His face was still turned towards you. I really, really, really hate people like you. I have an extra special place for you all. Call on your God all you like, but He will not listen. Judgement has been made, has it not?”

Elizabeth could feel Lyle shudder just as she felt Peter’s smile. “Oh, yes.” The Lord’s disciple crossed his arms. “I have indeed made my judgement.”

Anne Dupont’s horrified scream was ear piercing as she truly comprehended at a gut level who had been masquerading as the town drunk.

The young man’s voice joined with the plethora of other voices as they all roared in laughter, thin voices mocking her screams. There was the gradual thud of bodies to the wooden floor as the voices faded quietly away, taking the Duponts and Mark Desmond with them.

Gradually, the temperature in the room returned to normal, and the town crier touched each of them on the shoulder. “You may open your eyes.”

One by one, Lyle, Elizabeth and Arthur opened their eyes and looked around, shocked. They knelt in a room of fallen bodies, eyes wide open and staring in horrified surprise. Lyle shuddered and pulled a weeping Elizabeth in close. Robert Overton had at last gone for good, so healing could truly begin. She had long recovered from the wrongs that had been done to her, but she was still separated from Sarah, and that did not look likely to change any time in the near future.

Lyle looked directly at Peter. “What of justice for my daughter?”

Peter smiled, a gentle beatific smile. He waved and arm. “It is here.”

A soft yellow glow began to light up the room; gradually gaining in strength as the room began to warm slightly.

Elizabeth closed her eyes, sighing, soul tensed in anticipation. She had waited for this moment so long. Her shoulders sagged as her father gently released her and stood aside. She was afraid to look up; did Sarah still love her? It had been so long and she must have found better in the place she had been. It would take Elizabeth a lifetime to heal her broken heart, but eventually she would be whole again.

She felt a body close to her and a gentle finger under her chin, pulling her face up.

Sighing, she drank in features she had not seen for so long: the long, black hair hanging unfettered against smooth shoulders, smooth skin, fine cheekbones and the most magnificent sapphire eyes, brimming with tears, shining bright with love. “Elizabeth?” The soft voice, hesitant, hitched and trembled.

“Sarah.” Elizabeth reached up a shaky hand to touch the face of the woman she had once, and still, loved more than anything else in creation.

Sarah ducked her head and gracefully brushed Elizabeth’s lips. Her arms slipped around Elizabeth and pulled her in close. They pulled back and gazed at each other again.

“I’ve missed you so much.” Elizabeth’s voice was filled with longing, and of their own accord her hands pulled Sarah’s head down for a deep, lingering kiss.

Lyle and Arthur looked on, smiling gently. Both sides had long ago abandoned prejudice when they had seen the depth of love Sarah and Elizabeth felt for one another. Regretfully, Lyle spoke. “Sarah, Elizabeth, I think it’s time for us to go.” He shot a questioning look at the crier.

Peter smiled. “Yes, it is.”

Sarah and Elizabeth kissed again and the glow increased.

There was a pounding on the front door, and screams of, “Corbin! For God’s sake Corbin, what’s going on in there?”

The glow increased to an almost painful intensity then gradually began to die away. When it did, the entire room was full of fallen bodies.

Suddenly the door flew open, and Matt rushed in. He scanned the area quickly, and saw the collapsed people in the parlor.

Struggling to control his bile, he scrabbled from person to person, checking bodies. “Oh fuck.” He sat back on his haunches, wondering how the hell to the police how he happened to chance onto a house full of dead people.

~~~

EPILOGUE –  ONE MONTH LATER

Alison opened her eyes hesitantly around her thumping headache. She was lying flat on her back, and idly wondered what had happened, and where the hell she was.

Slowly the antiseptic, sterile smell filled her nostrils. Combined with the smooth sheets, slightly hard pillow and cool air conditioning, she knew she was in a hospital.

Hospital? How had she gotten there?

The knowledge came back to her in a flood and she sighed. She remembered being on the phone to Corbin, then colliding with the town crier, who had quietly entered the house and taken her, bringing Lyle Emerick out of his hiding place deep in her subconscious with too much force.

Lyle had apologized, and explained that he had been called by the town crier to stand with Elizabeth. Elizabeth had been trapped in the house for more than a century, trying to find a way to escape, looking for her lover Sarah Overton. A young woman was finally in the house, and Elizabeth had managed to talk to her, but it had only been through dreams and memory. The young woman – Kate – had accidentally stumbled onto details of Elizabeth’s murder and had been living in it ever since. Kate had finally faded away, despite Elizabeth trying to disentangle their consciousness, and now Elizabeth had wandered far from home. He had spent almost the entire time since they’d first laid eyes on Kate, trying to push Alison into helping her.

It was time for judgment, and they all had to meet at the appointed time. Could Alison somehow help him?

That had turned out to be unnecessary. Corbin Daly had stepped in and returned to the house with Elizabeth, and Lyle had taken over completely.

For the past week, Alison had been in a coma, sometimes dreadfully awake and aware, listening to her father’s anxious questions of how she, Kate and Corbin had come to be the only three living people in a house full of corpses. Corbin was still in a coma; and how did they get Katherine Dupont out of the hospital? How on earth had she died? Why wouldn’t Matt talk to them? Why had he disappeared?

But Katherine Dupont was really dead. A single tear slipped from a shining blue eye, sliding almost unnoticed down a smooth cheek.

“Are you Alison Mitchell?” A soft, feminine voice came from beside her, and Alison opened her eyes, turning to look at the speaker. Gentle surprise surrounded her as she looked deep into a pair of kind, emerald green eyes, windblown blonde hair and soft smile.

Alison’s voice was almost a whisper. “Yes, I’m Alison Mitchell. You can’t be Kate Dupont?”

Kate smiled gently. “Yes, I am.”

“But I though you were dead?”

Kate laughed quietly. “I was. Elizabeth and Sarah asked me to come back. They said I was needed, and that I shouldn’t let go. They - ” there was a vague hand wave “ - let me do it, so here I am. As far as everyone else is concerned, I came out of catatonia a couple of days ago. I was never schizophrenic. Elizabeth explained to me that Gerri was feeding me hallucinogenics and they all were playing mean practical jokes on me, and she was sort of forced to take over after I collapsed.” Kate’s eyes clouded over when she spoke of her family. Clearly she had some things to work through, but that was for a later, more private, time.

Suddenly Kate found herself cradled in long arms as the psychologist enfolded her into a gentle embrace. “It’s OK. Do you want to talk about it?”

Tears quickly sprang to the emerald eyes, and Kate wiped at them impatiently as the blue eyed woman eyed her anxiously. “What they did to me really hurts and I’m going to take a little time to get over it. I can’t talk about it yet.”

Alison backed off slightly, nodding. “I understand. If you ever do want to talk about it I’m here.”

Kate’s gentle eyes locked with Alison’s and they smiled at one another. “Thanks.” Kate’s arms tightened around Alison and more tears came until finally Kate managed to gain some control over herself and began to realize she was being comforted by a virtual stranger, albeit a close, almost well known one.

Alison felt her stiffen and pulled back slightly, trying to lighten up the intensity of the too private moment for Kate. She decided a shift of topic would be best, so she cleared her throat slightly.

“The police have let you go?”

Kate nodded. “For the moment.”

Alison nodded and Kate settled herself comfortably on the edge of Alison’s bed, gently taking the post grad’s hand. “I can’t say thank you enough for helping me.”

Alison cleared her throat and blushed, returning Kate’s soft squeeze. “I don’t think I can take credit for that. I think that was mostly Lyle looking out for Elizabeth and trying to bring her home.”

“Lyle Emerick couldn’t have done a thing without you and you know it.” Kate looked down at the pale, beautiful features of Alison Mitchell. Shockingly beautiful sapphire eyes peered at Kate uncertainly, then Alison’s lips curved into a crooked grin.

“Well, actually … you’re the first person I’ve really helped. I’m only just starting out as a real psychologist.” There was a pause as Alison shifted to a more comfortable position. “What happened to Matt?”

“Matt and I had yet another one of the same old arguments. He’s gone – I broke it off again, this time for good.” There was a pause as Kate shook her head, then stole another glance at the mesmerizing blue eyes. “This real person thanks you from the bottom of her heart for not leaving her trapped inside her own head. Don’t suppose you’d come to dinner with me sometime as a sort of thanks, would you?” Kate looked away for a moment, almost afraid of a rejection from Alison.

Alison reached out and touched Kate’s arm, smiling gently, resuming the eye contact. “It’s okay about Matt.” She smile became a grin. “On the subject of food, love to Kate, love to. Now I just gotta spring myself from this bloody awful place …”

Kate joined Alison in a gentle laugh.

There was comfortable silence for a moment after the laughter faded away, and then Kate smiled gently. “Okay, where would you like to go, and don’t say my place?”

~~~

In the middle of nowhere stood a house, considered beautiful by some, the portal to hell by others. It was nestled in a ruined garden, ground soured for a century after a horrible crime had been committed, but now slowly coming back to life.

In direct defiance of nature, a large rosebush grew rampant deep in its confines, and two lovers smiled as a single red flower blossomed into full, sweet smelling bloom.

They were together again.

Justice had been done at last.

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