YOU THINK YOU KNOW ME?

BY: CATHERINE SEMERJIAN

                                                  

It was a typical Monday night for the Brood. Christian and Shane each successfully defended their titles and Edge and Gangrel had defeated L.O.D in tag team competition. Now the Gothic warriors were striding down the hallway to their adjoining hotel rooms. They were following their usual custom of dropping their gear off in the rooms and going clubbing for the night. The second Gangrel walked into the room; he jerked as though someone had hit him with a branding iron. "We need another hotel." The vampire declared grimly, walking back into the hall. Shane looked at Edge questioningly. "Vampire thing," the Enigma explained. "Vampires can sense supernatural activity more acutely than humans can." The younger man had been around Edge too long to doubt him. The European champion followed him out of the room. Christian was the last one to leave. Just as he was closing the door, the young man jolted. The Gothic Warrior let his breathing get back to normal before meeting the others.

Christian sat in the nightclub, smirking. The whole night seemed to have come alive in just a few short hours. The Intercontinental champion caught a woman glancing in his direction. He rewarded her interest with a grin that could have stopped traffic. The positive reaction gave her enough courage to introduce herself as Rose. After talking quietly for nearly fifteen minutes, she and Christian headed out the back way. Edge, who was nearby supervising the scene, frowned. It wasn't like his brother to leave with a woman on the first date. He usually made arrangements to meet her later. "This lady must be something special." Edge muttered to himself, stepping away from his self imposed post to go and enjoy himself. Christian's demeanour changed dramatically the moment he stepped out of the bar. He became aloof, never looking Rose in the eye or acknowledging her attempts at communication. The young woman for her part couldn't keep her hands off him. She slowed him down every minute to kiss or grope him.

Disgusting, Christian thought to himself. You can't even wait till we get there. On the other hand, neither can I. Christian spun Rose around and kissed her forcefully. He felt her hands stroking up and down his back. Christian's hands remained rigidly at his side, a stark contrast to the passion he was kissing her with. Rose gasped for air, what a catch. She couldn't wait to get him back to her place. It's time, the young man thought with a smile. Without warning, Christian gripped Rose's shoulder. She gasped at the suddenness of the movement. He was really starting to hurt her. Just as she was about to complain, the blonde captured her mouth again. So, this was how he liked to play, she didn't have a problem with this kind of party. Rose tried to scream when the hand on her shoulder started to burn. She never did. Christian let the body fall to the ground casually. "Good night, sweet princess." He added over his shoulder. The Intercontinental champion walked back into the tavern with nonchalance. Edge walked up to him and asked him about Rose.

"She was boring." Christian stated emotionlessly. "I decided to come back." The Enigma nodded, it had happened to him more than once. This was definitely weird. It was around three a.m. and Christian showed no signs of slowing down. He had already danced with all the girls in here at least three times. Shane McMahon walked up to Edge, there were dark circles under his eyes. "When are we getting out of here? I'm exhausted." "Ask Christian," the Enigma replied. His little brother was usually in the car before Gangrel had finished asking him if he was ready to leave. Tonight he had exhausted even Shane's natural exuberance. Christian was just about to start round number four when Gangrel walked up to him. They exchanged words before Christian followed him out the door, looking annoyed. "It's about time." Edge and Shane said in unison. As the Brood entered their hotel room, Kid walked scampered up to them. Kid was a stray German Shepherd who had taken a liking to the Brood upon first seeing them three hours ago. They had given him the nickname because of his huge size. The dog was over a hundred pounds, but extremely friendly. "We just got here and you made a new friend."

Shane commented, accepting a wet kiss from the pooch. Edge pet the dog with a smile. Christian turned to face the dog, his hand outstretched. Kid sniffed it for a moment, then growled deep in his throat. The Intercontinental champion barely snatched his hand away in time from having it bitten off. Edge's smile faded. He had never seen any dog react badly to his brother. Christian just seemed to have a way with animals. Christian was the last to enter the room. Kid was still there, growling at him. The Intercontinental champion gnashed his teeth and let out a low growl of his own. The Gothic warrior smiled in satisfaction as the Shepherd scurried away, wailing fearfully. Edge was reading the paper the next night, skimming through the headlines to find anything interesting. After a moment, the Enigma went back two pages.

Cause of Death Unknown in Mysterious Murder Early this morning the body of twenty year old Rose Xavier was found dead in the alleyway of an abandoned building. The local coroner hasn't been able to find a cause of death. The only visible sign of damage was a burn on her left shoulder. The Enigma folded the paper up, not wanting to read anymore. Though he hadn't learned her name, Edge recognized the face of the girl who had left with Christian last night. Edge showed the paper to Gangrel and Shane when he saw them and explained the situation. "That's weird." The vampire murmured. "Does Christian know?" "Do I know what?" The gothic fighters spun around in unison as the person in question addressed them. "Speak of the Devil." Shane said brightly. Christian smirked. "The girl you were out with last night was killed." Edge told him grimly, waiting for his reaction. Christian took the paper and went to the appropriate page. After skimming the first few lines, he set the article down. "I guess someone found her as boring as I did, Eh?"

The other members of the Brood couldn't believe Christian's utter callousness. Though he was usually the quietest, Christian always conveyed strong emotions, especially in such a situation. "So what's the plan for tonight?" The Intercontinental champ asked with a dazzling grin. "Actually, I was planning on staying in," Shane told him casually. "Last night really wore me out." "Fine with me." Christian replied gamely. He promptly ignored Shane for the rest of the conversation. "Edge?" "I'm staying in too." The Enigma replied. Gangrel signaled that he was just going to feed and then he was staying in as well. Christian's expression darkened. "Fine, I'll head out on my own." He moved towards the door, snatching a leather jacket from the coat-rack. "That's my jacket," Edge pointed out. His younger brother gave him a derisive grin, shrugging one shoulder. "Yeah, but it looks better on me."

He slammed the door before the Enigma could reply. Two nights, two deaths. This time Lisa Foreman was found outside an abandoned building, no witnesses, and no cause of death, same burn on the left shoulder. The media started panicking about a serial killer on the loose. Christian hadn't come in till around five a.m. that night, way passed the time they usually left a club. When asked about his lateness, the I-C champ shrugged, his attitude blasé. "You know I meant to come back, but I just kept finding more interesting things to do." Shane, who had overheard the conversation, walked up to them with troubled eyes. He told them that Heat was going to be a short drive away this week. Two days later, the Brood was getting ready for their match on Heat. Edge and Christian would be facing Ken Shamrock and Test. Neither team would have any company this evening. They were scheduled for the main event this evening, and even so, Christian took a long time to get ready.

Edge knocked on his brother's door for the sixth time in five minutes. "Hurry up." He muttered angrily. "We're on any minute." "All right, all right." The younger brother shot back, stepping through the open doorway. Edge gaped openly. Gone was Christian's usual ring attire. He now wore a shimmering silver shirt and straight black tights which managed to outline every single muscle in his legs. "Take a picture," the younger brother offered. "This is my good side anyway." "Let's go then," Edge managed to get out. "They're waiting for us." Edge and Christian received a huge ovation from the Canadian fans. Once they got down to the ring, Shamrock and Test attacked them before the bell. After a moment, it was Test and Edge in the ring. Sparing a moment to glance at his brother, The Enigma saw Christian tormenting the audience with a sexy smile, he was all but posing for their increasing amount of pictures. The women in the crowd approved Christian's new tights wholeheartedly, their wolf whistles and cheers were proof of the fact. Edge tagged his brother into the ring.

Christian battered Test with animalistic ferocity, never giving him a chance to recover his bearings. Sadistic brawling and aerial maneuvers that were nothing short of suicidal were keeping the corporate insurance policy reeling. After a while, the Intercontinental champion grew bored with his adversary, sitting on the ropes indifferently as Test recovered enough to tag in the World's most Dangerous Man. Christian tagged Edge back into the match nearly ten minutes later. He wasn't tired and Shamrock was in no condition to be hurting him. Christian just wanted to get some more pictures taken of him. Finally satisfying that urge, the Intercontinental champion tagged back into the match. As it turns out, Shamrock was just playing possum, surprising Christian with a belly-to- belly-suplex before slapping on the ankle lock. Christian didn't even make a move to get to the ropes, or tap out. He sat there placidly, confusing everyone. He looked to be unconscious, but he was far from it. In fact, Shamrock could have sworn the guy was laughing at him.

Edge's concern for his brother was evident on his face. Christian wasn't moving, only shaking his head calmly when the ref asked him if he gave up. After a minute long eternity, Christian sprang to life, swinging his body around and catching Shamrock in the face with his free foot. The move knocked World's most Dangerous Man out of commission. Bored with the match, Christian pinned Shamrock for the victory. It wasn't your conventional pin; Christian just placed a foot on Shamrock's chest, grinning evilly. "Awesome match, Eh?" Christian declared, simultaneously snatching his title out of Gangrel's hands. He polished it arduously with a nearby towel. "Yeah," Shane agreed, tossing Edge a curious look. "How the hell did you manage to stay in the ankle lock for so long?" Christian shrugged, never looking up from his task. "I didn't feel like tapping out, hurts the wrists, you know." The second Shane had Christian distracted enough, Gangrel leaned close to Edge. "Something's wrong." He declared. "You just figured this out?" Edge replied sarcastically.

"It has something to do with that hotel." The vampire clarified. "The haunted one?" The Enigma whispered. "You're right, he's been acting weird ever since then." Gangrel nodded. "I've been doing some reading about those murders. Ancient demons drain their victims' souls by the same method." "How do we help him?" Edge asked, tossing Shane a glance, which told him to keep Christian distracted a little while longer. "We have to destroy the portal where the demon is sending the energy." Gangrel told him. "It's somewhere in the hotel room, but I didn't get a good look as to where. We have to keep Christian away from there if at all possible. The closer he gets the more powerful he becomes." "What about Shane?" Edge asked in concern. "He shouldn't be left alone with Christian if he's that dangerous." "He can take care of himself." Gangrel stated. "I've taught a few black magic tricks that should keep him safe." "Shane, Christian!" Edge called out as Gangrel walked out the door. "We have to head out for a little while. We'll be back in about an hour."

"I'll come with you." Christian made no effort to hide the malice in his smile. "We'll be back before you know it." Edge retorted. "I've got an idea I need to talk to you about anyway." Shane chimed in. Christian glowered at him but said nothing. The Intercontinental champion didn't a hear a word Shane had to say. "Let's go after Edge and Gangrel." Christian managed to toss a mischievous note into his voice. "Let's not," Shane replied quickly. He didn't know what was going on, but Edge wanted him to keep Christian here. Christian waved two fingers in front of Shane's face, effectively putting him into a trance. "Take me to Gangrel and my brother." The younger McMahon nodded dazedly, walking towards their other car. Oh, this is just too easy. An entity that could hardly be recognized as Christian anymore thought. Edge and Gangrel got to the hotel room in record time. They just told the in keeper that Gangrel had left a suitcase in the room.

The vampire gasped in shock. What Edge's human eyes couldn't see, Gangrel's vampire ones saw all to easily. What looked to the normal person like a window was actually a swirling portal of colours. It's origin was a place which no one believed in, but everyone feared. "We have to destroy that window." Gangrel declared, picking up a chair and preparing to bash the offending portal. Edge stood ready to back him up. "I don't think so." Christian's voice rang out from the doorway. His tone was unrecognizable. He flashed them a disturbing smile. "Where's Shane?" The Enigma demanded, not letting his horror show. His brother smiled, tossing some of blonde hair out of his eyes. "Shane's in the car and he won't come out till I tell him to. Unless of course, I decide to tell him to jump off the nearest bridge. All depends on my mood." Gangrel was unafraid, he ran towards the window, hefting the chair high over his head. Christian laughed off the attempt, sending a bolt of energy coursing through his hand to strike the vampire. "Vampires today," the entity muttered. "Are not what they used to be, it's sad really."

What Christian didn't know was that his efforts to subdue Gangrel had inadvertently caused him to loose his control over Shane McMahon. The younger McMahon for his part, leaped out of the car to help Edge and Gangrel. Christian was still in the doorway which gave him ample opportunity to sense Shane's arrival. Before the European champion had even made his way through the door, Christian had him by the forearm, draining his energy before he could even scream. Edge gripped the chair in his hands and launched it at his brother. The object hit Christian in the elbow, forcing him to release his grip on Shane. The European champion's eyes rolled back into his head and he collapsed to the ground. "It is so rude to interrupt someone's meal." Christian scolded, sending another bolt of energy at his brother. Edge dodged the blast, covering his eyes as a nearby coffee table exploded into splinters. Quicker than an eye-blink, Christian was beside the Enigma, his eyes glowing black. "I'm leaving now." He stated abruptly. "Try to follow me and I kill your brother." Just as Christian was leaving, Edge grabbed his shoulder.

Christian started gasping for air, his eyes bulging. "Edge," he managed to get out. "Help me, please. I can't--" The Enigma caught his brother as he fell to the ground. Christian's eyes were closed. Edge barely noticed Gangrel approaching as he tentatively put a hand to his brother's neck. There was no pulse. Christian was dead. Edge stumbled away from the sight, his eyes brimming with tears. Just as a scream of despair was about to erupt from him, Christian sat up, smiling sickly. "Now that we understand each other, I'll just be heading out now. Oh, and if you do follow me … well let's just say what you saw will be far more permanent." "You can't have my brother." Edge growled as tears of fury spilled down his face. Christian chuckled wickedly. "Kid, I've already got him." "In that case, you've got no chance in hell of keeping him." Everyone had forgotten about Shane McMahon, who was now sporting a hand shaped burn on his arm. "Edge?" The questioning voice was so soft, so childlike, so incredibly vulnerable. Christian knew, even in sleep, that Edge would always protect him. Everything was fine if his big brother was around. "Yes, Christian?" Edge replied in soothing tone. "…m tired." More childlike than ever, and barely audible. Gangrel smoothed some Christian's hair back paternally, but didn't dare interrupt the exchange. "Go to sleep, Christian." Edge cooed, rocking his brother slightly. "I'm here. Just go to sleep, I'll be here when you wake up. I won't let anyone hurt you again." Edge felt his little brother's nod against his skin. The Enigma leaned his head gently atop his brother's, a quiet reassurance to both of them that everything was going to be fine. Nothing else mattered right now. Not hell, not demons, not even Gangrel and Shane. The only thing that mattered now was one brother taking care of another.

THE END