Essence Of Evil

Viscious Attacks

The Next Day

Morning came, and the first to wake up was Odette. A look of worry appears on her face when she doesn't see Derek next to her. "Oh no. Paul, wake up!" She cried. Paul wakes up after hearing his name being called. "What's wrong, Odette?" He asked. "Derek's gone! I think Athalia got him!" Said Odette. "How do you know?" Asked Paul. "I just know it! What if she comes for you or me next?!" Odette asked worriedly. "I think she already did." Paul said.

Odette's look of fear becomes a confused one. "What do you mean?" She asked. "You got a little something on your neck." Said Paul. "Huh?" Said Odette. She rubs her neck, but when she looks at her hand, she sees a smudge of blood. "Oh dear." Paul said. "I'm... bleeding! How did this happen?!" Odette asked worriedly.

The sound of muffled screaming gets their attention. "Wait here, I'll go check it out." Said Paul. "Be careful, Paul, it might be Athalia!" Said Odette. Paul goes to investigate where the muffled screams came from. There wasn't anyone in the living room, so he checks the bathroom. When Paul looks in the shower, his eyes widen when he finds who's in it.

"Derek?!" Paul said in shock. Derek tries to say something, but it was hard to understand him with the duct tape on his mouth. Paul rips it off like a band aid. "Ow!! Would you be careful?!" Asked Derek in an annoyed tone. "Sorry! But how did you get in there?" Asked Paul. "How should I know? I was asleep!" Derek said. "Fair point, but you're not gonna like what I'm about to tell you." Paul said.

Knowing what's coming, a worried expression appears on Derek's face. "It's Odette, isn't it?" He asked. "Well..." Said Paul. "Did Athalia get her?!" Asked Derek worriedly. "She hasn't been captured, but her neck is bleeding!" Paul said. "What?!" Derek said in shock. "We don't know how it happened, being as we were sleeping! Which quite frankly, I'm surprised we slept through all the chaos." Said Paul. "That makes two of us. Anyway, can you get me down from here?" Asked Derek.

Paul nods then tries helping his co-brother in-law out of the handcuffs, but Athalia appears behind them. "I wouldn't do that." She said. The boys glare at the wicked woman. "Athalia! Did you do this?!" Paul asked angrily. "I'll deal with you later." Said Athalia. She throws Paul out of the bathroom with her powers.

"Why are you only attacking Paul, Odette, and me? What did we ever do to you?" Derek asked. "Oh, King Derek, always wanting to save the day. Did you ever stop to think there are people in this world who don't need saving?" Athalia asked. "First off, anyone in danger deserves to be saved. Second, you never answered my questions." Said Derek. "If you must know, you three are thorns in my side! Furthermore, you're more of a weakling than that wretched McCartney!" Yelled Athalia.

Derek struggles to free himself from the cuffs. "When I get out of this, I'll finish you off myself!" He said. "Oh really? How do you propose to break out of your chains if I got rid of the key?" Athalia asked. "You... it was you who locked me up here?!" Derek asked in shock. "Yes, and I'm also the one who bit your wife's lovely neck." Said Athalia. "That's why Paul told me she was bleeding!" Said Derek.

Athalia conjures up a chainsaw with her magic. "Her death may be slow and painless, but yours will be quick and painful." She said with a smirk. "Get that thing away from me!" Derek said. "Why don't you make me?" Athalia asked.

Though he can't move his arms, Derek manages to kick the chainsaw out of Athalia's hand. With it being created by magic, it dissolves into smoke when it hits the ground. "You asked for it." Said Derek. "Two can play at that game!" Said Athalia.

Noticing Paul's sword, the evil woman picks it up and drives it through Derek's gut. His head droops as he quickly succumbs to the wound right away.

Meanwhile

Paul stands back up after being knocked out for what felt like forever. He notices Odette come out of the bedroom, but she collapses within a second. Paul rushes to his sister in-law and cradles her in his arms.

"Odette, what's wrong?" Asked Paul. "I don't feel good. I think the thing on my neck is getting worse." Odette said. "Oh dear." Paul said. "Did you find Derek?" Asked Odette. "I did, but Athalia threw me out of the room before I could help him." Said Paul. "I'm guessing he's in the bathroom?" Odette asked. "Uh-huh, and handcuffed to the shower rack." Paul said.

Odette gasps. "Why did she do that?" She asked. "She's crazy, that's for sure. But if we don't stop her soon, she'll be in control of Amanda forever." Said Paul. "I just hope the Russos found some clues." Said Odette. "Me too. Right now, let's get you back in bed." Paul said. He scoops Odette into his arms and carries her to the spare bed. "Thank you." She said.

Paul kisses his sister in-law on her forehead before letting her rest some more, only to be face to face with Athalia again. She smirks at the Beatle bassist. "Did you think I've forgotten you?" Athalia asked. "I wish you did! It's bad enough that you attacked my in-laws!" Said Paul angrily. "Living room, you and me, now!" Said Athalia.

The two walk to the living room as commanded so they don't disturb Odette. "You never answered my question from earlier. Did you handcuff Derek in the bathroom?" Paul asked. "Yes, and gagged his mouth shut so he wouldn't react." Athalia said. "What about the bleeding marks on Odette's neck?" Asked Paul. "Those are bite marks." Said Athalia.

Paul gasps. "How did you...? It's not like you're a vampire or anything!" He cried. "You're right, I'm not. Vampires do one thing I didn't do, and that's drink blood." Athalia said. "Okay, no offense, but you're taking this way too far! I miss my wife, and I want you out of her body right this minute!" Paul yelled.

"You dare threaten me?!" Asked Athalia angrily. Csintalan appears behind her. "Sorry I took so long, my dark princess. I was trying to decide what you should do with this one right here." He said. "I await your request, dearest." Athalia said. Csintalan leans close to her ear. "Slay the weak Beatle." He said through a whisper. "With pleasure." Said Athalia.

Csintalan watches with an evil smile as Athalia slowly approaches Paul, who puts on a brave face instead of being scared. "I didn't wanna do this, but you left me no choice." He said. Remembering his training with the Justice League, Paul starts throwing punches at Athalia, who blocks each and every attack that comes at her as she throws a few of her own.

"Is that the best you can do?" Athalia asked. "Don't think just 'cause you're a girl I'm gonna take it easy on you!" Yelled Paul. "Is that so?" Asked Athalia. She uses her magic to stop Paul just as he's about to throw another punch. "Oh no." He said. "Oh yes." Athalia said with a smirk.

With one powerful thrust of her hands, the gothic princess throws Paul out the window, glass shattering as a result.