This Charming Man (Read 5,453 times)

[Kpatch]

Good chapter Andre. Boy, Nicholas is cold cold cold. Shawn isn't a big fan of Carly's either. Then again, neither am I. Loved the "ding dong." I wonder what's going to happen to Hope.

[ghoulgirl]

Just had a chance to finally catch up! Thanks for the great chapters Andre! I love this story. Ending with Carly dead? One can hope! LOL

Love having stories with ShawnD and Belle! Thanks

[addictedtodool]

I knew it! Coffin. Nicky is so not original now is he? So he thinks they BOTH belong in Hell? Maybe Melanie can get him to spare her mom? I'll bet Nighttime Hope is ticked that Nicholas messed up her plans. So he plans to lay this on Carly huh? Will daytime Hope save her? Ah, the drama!!!!!

[André DiMera]

Chapter 12

COFFIN
Carly is banging on the coffin and screaming at the top of her voice.
CARLY: Let me out of here!!! Please!!! Let me out of here!!! Oh, god, please, get me out of here!!!
With a click, the radio-like device turns back on.
VIVIAN (VO): There's no point in shouting, Carly. I'm the only one who can hear you. Just me and my dear great-nephew Nicholas.
CARLY: Vivian!!! Give Nicholas the phone!!!
VIVIAN (VO): Oh, so you wish to talk to your captor directly, do you? Well, all right. Here he is.
NICHOLAS (VO): Yes, mother? How may I help you?
CARLY: Nicholas!!! Let me out of here!!! Please, I'm begging you!!! Please, Nicholas, let me out of here!!!
NICHOLAS (VO): There's no point in shouting, mother. As Aunt Viv has already told you, she and I are the only ones who can hear you, and we're not going to let you out. Conserve what oxygen you have left. I'd say it's down to 12 hours now. Besides, don't you want to hear about the funeral?
CARLY: Funeral?
NICHOLAS (VO): Oh, yes. It was very sad....

ST. LUKE'S CHURCH - FLASHBACK
We see Nicholas, Melanie, Daniel, Vivian, and Hope standing by a coffin. Melanie is crying, and Nchilas is holding her.
MELANIE (crying): Nikki...Nikki, what are we gonna do?
NICHOLAS: Ssh. It's okay, my dear sister. It'll be okay.
MELANIE (crying): But what are we going to do, Nikki? She was our mother. And now...she's...
NICHOLAS: I know. I know. It's very sad. But, you know, these things happen. It'll be all right, though, darling. We'll just have to move on.
MELANIE: But I just started getting to know her. I barely even knew her. I don't know if I can move on. Not after all this...
Nicholas holds Melanie closer and kisses her on the forehead.
NICHOLAS: You can. We all can. The ending is where we start from.

COFFIN
NICHOLAS (VO): Seeing Melanie cry like that, it just broke my heart.
CARLY: You...monster!!!
Nicholas chuckles maniacally.

OUTSIDE BO & HOPE'S HOUSE
We see Nighttime Hope walk out of the house she used to share with Bo.
NIGHTTIME HOPE: Blast! I won't be able to get rid of him until after she goes to bed. But, I waited to get rid of Bo. I can wait for this, too.
Billie walks up.
BILLIE: You can wait for what?

[addictedtodool]

Oh my who is she getting rid of this time? Who does she hate as much as Bo? Hello Billie? Billie's back? Not fair to leave us like that Andre...

[ghoulgirl]

Hurry up tomorrow! Can't wait to read the next installment. Thanks Andre!

[André DiMera]

Chapter 13

COFFIN
NICHOLAS (VO): 6 hours left to go, now. Did I ever tell you how your darling Bo Brady died? I killed him. Well, technically, Hope killed him. Those sleeping pills that Hope was taking, they were Ivan's design. Ivan was the doctor she was getting them from. Once she took them, she was completely under my control. The muggings? She committed them while under my influence. Bo's murder? Committed while under my influence again. But then, of course, her alternate persona, or as I like to call her, Nighttime Hope, started getting dangerous ideas. She started becoming concerned with Female Empowerment and all that lot. That's when we gave her a male accomplice. You remember Dr. Baker, yes? Well, he was Gus in disguise. And they were such good disguises, too. But then Gus had to go and get a spine on us. So, I had him killed. That's why you haven't seen him around in such a long time. Of course, with Gus gone, Nighttime Hope started to get those dangerous ideas again. That one comment she made at the funeral...

ST. LUKE'S CHURCH - FLASHBACK
Nighttime Hope puts a flower on top of Carly's casket.
NIGHTTIME HOPE: I swear to you, my sister, I will avenge you. The man who did this to you will not live much longer if I have anything to say about it.
Nicholas steps up next to Nighttime Hope.
NICHOLAS: What exactly is that supposed to mean?
NIGHTTIME HOPE: I know that it was a man who killed your mother, Nicholas. This has a man's fingerprints all over it. And when I find the man who did this to your mother, I will do things to him that will make what I did to Bo seem like childs play.

COFFIN
NICHOLAS (VO): ...I'm a bit concerned about that. No bother. I'll just have to cover my tracks. It shouldn't be too hard, seeing as the only people who knew about it are you, me, and Aunt Vivian. And, we're not going to tell anyone, are we?
Nicholas chuckles maniacally.

OUTSIDE BO & HOPE'S HOUSE
BILLIE: You can wait for what, Hope?
NIGHTTIME HOPE: I think you might have misheard me, Billie. What I said was I can't wait for all of this garbage with the muggings to be over. I was just saying to myself that, hopefully, the Salem P.D. will find out who did this so that I can finally get some closure for Bo's death.
BILLIE: Oh, okay. That makes sense.
NIGHTTIME HOPE: So, what are you doing here at this time of night?
BILLIE: I came to say my goodbyes.
NIGHTTIME HOPE: Goodbyes? What do you mean?
BILLIE: I got a new job while I was in England. And, unfortunately, I've been on-call for this whole weekend and my boss just called and told me that I had to get back by tomorrow. So, I found the closest flight out of here, and I'm going to get on it soon.
NIGHTTIME HOPE: What about Chelsea? Is she going with you?
BILLIE: No, actually, Chelsea and Max are staying with Caroline for a while.
NIGHTTIME HOPE: I see. Well, it was good to see you, Billie. It's too bad you couldn't stay longer.
BILLIE: Thanks. It was good to see you, too.
Billie and Nighttime Hope hugged.
BILLIE: Well, see you later.
NIGHTTIME HOPE: See you.
Billie walked of. But as she did, she thought how weird it was that Hope was actually being genuinely nice to her. Sure, it had been a long time since she and Bo had been together, but Hope had never been that nice to her before. But, she shrugged it off and got onto her plane.

[ghoulgirl]

Looking forward to more! I hope that Nighttime Hope succeeds!
Thanks for another great chapter Andre!

[addictedtodool]

She did the same thing with Carly. Hey, Chelsea and Max stay! Yay! AT least Max can hide the bodies!

[fluffysmom]

Great story. I am looking forward to reading more.

[André DiMera]

Chapter 14

COFFIN
CARLY (running short on breath): Nicholas...please...stop...
NICHOLAS (VO): Now why would I do that, mother? This is my favorite show. Besides, you've only got a few minutes left to live. Of course I would need to come and say goodbye to my dear mother.
CARLY (with even less breath than before): Nicholas...please...
NICHOLAS (VO): Ssh. Hush now. Just lay back. Close your eyes. Go towards the light, mother. The light is good. The light will save you.
CARLY (running out of breath): No...
NICHOLAS (VO): You remember a few days ago when I told you that I wasn't my father? When I told you that he and I were two different people? Well, I was right. We are two different people. He only thought about killing you. I actually did kill you. Turns out, I did him proud, doesn't it? I fulfilled his greatest mission. I have now, officially, rid the world of Carly Manning.
CARLY (now breathing very deeply): Nicholas...
NICHOLAS (VO): How do you picture death, mother? As something to be feared? I've always pictured it as more of a relief. At least you'll be getting out of this awful place.
There is silence in the coffin for a moment.
NICHOLAS (VO): You know, maybe I shouldn't be doing this. After all, isn't losing Bo and watching your daughter be drawn in by her evil half-brother enough pain? Maybe I should let you...
Carly thought she heard a hint of remorse in Nicholas' voice for a moment. But whatever remorse there had been there quickly vanished with his next few words.
NICHOLAS (VO): No. I made my decision. I must see it through to the end.
CARLY (with her dying breath): Nicholas...
As Carly dies, she hears Nicholas' last message to her.
NICHOLAS (VO): Goodbye, mother. I'll take good care of Melanie for you. Goodbye.
Carly dies. Nicholas' cold laugh is heard.

ALAMAIN MANSION
Since his return to Salem, Nicholas found an old abandoned mansion. He restored it to it's former glory. We see Nicholas sitting in the newly restored Alamain Mansion, sipping a glass of wine. It is the middle of the night. He has a flashback of events that occurred almost a year ago, back when Lawrence was still alive...

ALAMAIN INDUSTRIES (EUROPEAN OFFICE) - FLASHBACK
NICHOLAS: What exactly are you saying, father?
LAWRENCE: I'm saying that I might not have much time left. Your mother has started taking risks. Trying to get in contact with people in Salem. That meddling Beauregard Brady and that child of hers.
NICHOLAS: Well, what would you like me to do about that?
LAWRENCE: I want you to promise that if anything happens to me, you will take over my place. Not only in Alamain Industries, but in getting rid of Carly.
Nicholas gets down on one knee in front of Lawrence.
NICHOLAS: I promise you, father. If anything happens to you, if that woman does anything to harm you...no mercy will be shown in the disposal of Dr. Carly Manning-Alamain. In fact, I shall do you one better than that. I will make Carly suffer. She will watch her darling Bo Brady die a painful death. And then she will die a very slow, very painful death of her own. This much I promise you, father: if that horrible woman kills you, or even threatens to kill you, her suffering shall multiply a hundred-fold.

ALAMAIN MANSION
Back in the present, Melanie walks in wearing a dressing gown.
NICHOLAS: Oh, hello, Melanie.
MELANIE: Hey, Nikki.
NICHOLAS: How are you?
MELANIE: Okay. Apart from...well, you know.
NICHOLAS: Yes, I understand.
Nicholas gets up and hugs Melanie.
NICHOLAS: Don't worry. Everything will be all right. If you need anything, I'll be here for you.
MELANIE: Thanks. Well, I'm kinda tired. I think I'm gonna head off to bed now.
NICHOLAS: I'll be up in a few minutes. I have a few matters to attend to first.
MELANIE: Okay. Goodnight, Nikki.
NICHOLAS: Goodnight, Melanie.
Melanie walks upstairs. Lawrence's Ghost appears.
LAWRENCE'S GHOST: Well done, son. You might not have gotten rid of Melanie, but you have definitely avenged me by killing Carly. I'm very proud of you.
NICHOLAS: Thank you, father.
Lawrence's Ghost vanishes.
NICHOLAS: Thank you.
Nicholas salutes with his wine glass, then drains the glass.

[Kpatch]

Wow, that is just so creepy, in the classic style of a horror novel. Almost leaves me speechless! Great story Andre.

[ghoulgirl]

Loved it! Thanks for another great instllment! Is there more or is this the real end for Carly??

[André DiMera]

Chapter 15

BRADY PUB
Before getting on her plane, Billie made one last stop. She stopped at the Brady Pub, where Max and Chelsea were staying.
CHELSEA: Mom, what are you doing here at this time of night?
BILLIE: I came to say goodbye. I got a call from work and they need me back as soon as possible.
Chelsea and Billie hugged.
CHELSEA: I'm gonna miss you!
BILLIE: Oh, I'll miss you, too, sweetie. Max?
MAX: Yes, Ms. Reed?
BILLIE: You take good care of my baby girl.
MAX: Don't worry, I will.
BILLIE: Chelsea, before I go, there's just one more thing I wanted to talk to you about.
CHELSEA: Okay. What's up?
BILLIE: I want you to watch out for Hope. I just got back from the house she and Bo used to live in together, and she was acting kind of weird.
CHELSEA: Weird in what way?
BILLIE: She just didn't seem like her normal self. So, just keep an eye on her.
CHELSEA: Do you think something is up with her?
BILLIE: I don't know. But, I'm gonna find out.
Billie looks at her watch.
BILLIE: Oh, I'm really sorry, honey, but I need to go catch my plane! I'll see you later!
Billie and Chelsea hugged again and Billie ran off to catch her plane.
CHELSEA: Bye, mom!

COFFIN
The built-in radio in the coffin shuts off, but Nicholas' laughter still continues. However, it changes from Nicholas' cold laugh, to Lawrence's cold laugh.

WHITE ROOM
Carly is transported to a room that is entirely white. She is dressed in white robes. She is a ghost. Lawrence's Ghost, also dressed in all white, walks up to her.
LAWRENCE'S GHOST: Hello, Carly. It's good to see you. How does that old poem go? “Now, weary traveller, rest your head. For just like me, you're utterly dead”.
CARLY'S GHOST: Lawrence. Where am I? What is this place? Is it Heaven or Hell?
LAWRENCE'S GHOST: Oh, it could be either one. But, I'll let you figure that out for yourself. Seeing as I'm here, which place do you think that this is?
CARLY'S GHOST: I need to get out of here!
The Ghost of Carly Manning starts running. However, the room of white seems to be never-ending. Lawrence's Ghost chuckles, darkly. His suit has changed from white to blood red, as have Carly's robes.
LAWRENCE'S GHOST: You can run as far and as fast as you like, but you'll never escape, Carly.
Lawrence's Ghost teleports so that it is in front of Carly's Ghost.
CARLY'S GHOST: What do you mean?
Lawrence's Ghost puts his arms around Carly's Ghost.
LAWRENCE'S GHOST: Relax, Carly. This place is programmed to receive. You can check-out any time you like. But you can never leave. But don't worry, my darling. You'll never want to leave this place again. After all, you have me here with you. What more could you possibly want?
Lawrence's Ghost kisses Carly's Ghost's forehead. Then, he chuckles manicially. The scene fades to black, while Lawrence's dark laughter echoes louder and louder all the time.

THE END

Look for "BETTER THAN REVENGE" to start this coming Monday. Previews will be shown tomorrow (Saturday)

[Kpatch]

Wow, it really was a horror story in the tradition of old time horror stories. Glad I couldn't "watch" it because it would give me nightmares.

Funny, I was thinking "Hotel California" when Carly was running and running and getting nowhere. Spending all of eternity with Lawrence would truly be hell.

Masterful storytelling Andre, from the simplicity of a budding relationship between Adam and Melanie, who turned out to be siblings, to the horror of Nicholas murdering his mother and "Hope" murdering Bo. Well done my friend.