Here's the third and final revised chapter for When I died.

Again a thank you to my Bata Dark Underworld for editing the chapter you are such a big help and inspiration :D

A big thanks for all the people who followed, reviewed and favorited this story. You guys keep me going in wanting to write.

Chapter 3

I was standing in front of my new bedroom door, staring at it. My mind spun slightly. I realized that there was something building up within me, and that it was taking all of my willpower for it not to break loose.

Jacques smiled at me encouragingly, but it didn't help. I tried not to think because I could feel cracks beginning to form in the wall that was holding every tumultuous emotion that would completely consume me if I let it.

I can't believe I'm really dead, and am now an apprentice to a perverted power mad poltergeist. I know I've done some questionable things in my life, but come on, this was a little harsh of a punishment even for me! I screamed out to the universe, not expecting to get any sort of reply.

The hallway was oddly silent until I heard a gasp come from Ginger. This gasp wrenched me from the turmoil of my thoughts that were trying to overwhelm me, and snapped me back into focus. I turned around to face them and saw they were all staring at me. Ginger, Jacques and Monster's mouths were all open wide, shock evident on their face. Betelgeuse was smirking eyes full of curiosity and something else I could not quite put my finger on.

"What?" I asked my voice sounding slightly annoyed.

Ginger stepped forward concern radiating off her. "Uh, Sweetie your hair ..its changed colors."

"Huh?" I asked stupidly pulling my bangs in front of my face. Sure enough they were now a cherry soda red. The color it had been when I had apparently died, the violet and pink were a memory of what it used to be before I had it redone. "Oh yeah, the other colors were what it used to be." I blew my hair out my face and looked away.

Jacques looked a little more collected when he cleared his throat "Well, any-who. lets start getting your room together, shall we?"

Betelgeuse snorted and grumbled something under his breath that sounded like 'let's get this fucking over with'. But it was hard to say if I had heard him right.

"Now this may sound strange, Mon Ami, but we need some of your blood for the first part."

Freezing at this last part I looked at him wide-eyed and stammered, "Wh-what?!"

"B-l-o-o-d. What fucking part of this are you not getting?" Betelgeuse asked, anger lacing each word he spoke.

My eyes narrowed angrily, displacing the sharp flash of fear that had flowed through me when Jacques mentioned blood. I rounded on Betelgeuse, my lips pulled into a sickly-sweet smile. "Oh, I don't know, maybe the part where I have to be cut or poked to get the fucking blood!" I snarled.

When I said this Betelgeuse's eyes narrowed even more at me, and he stepped forward, invading my personal space. The scent of damp, musk and earth assaulted my nose. The smell wasn't unpleasant, but it made something inside me realize that the man in front of me was very male and dangerous in more ways than one. We glared at each other, neither of us backing down.

"What are you scared of? You're already dead!" He said with fists clutched at his sides. "So suck it up and hold out your dam hand, it's only a little prick."

Momentarily distracted I smiled sweetly. "I bet you say that to all the girls."

Ginger snickered and Betelgeuse blinked as if it took him a moment for my insult to register. I could tell the moment my insult struck home, because if looks could kill, I'd be dead...again. He gnashed his teeth together, his green eyes darkening with anger, a vein popping out in the center of his forehead. Every line of his body tensed promising retribution.

I quickly lifted up my hand as if warding off a blow. Betelgeuse quickly grabbed my hand in a grip of iron. I winced as he squeezed my wrist tightly enough that I swear I could feel my bones grinding together.

Suddenly he yanked my forward and towards the door. I stepped back digging my heel into the carpet fighting every step of the way. I had no idea what was going through Betelgeuse's head, but whatever it was, I knew I was not getting away unscathed and I did not want to give the bastard the satisfaction of being able to punish me in whatever way he saw fit.

Stopping about an inch from the door he proceeds to try and pry my hand open. I resisted, not trusting why he wanted my hand open. We struggled for a few minutes, Betelgeuse unable to pry open my hand. "SCREW THIS SHIT!" he suddenly snarled and grabbed me around the waist with one hand, pulling me close, leaning in and claiming my reluctant mouth in a kiss that shook me to my very core. He tasted better than I thought he would, tasting oddly spicy and leafy, like a flavored cigar. Realizing that I was kissing Betelgeuse and enjoying it sent a spike of fear and revulsion rolling through me. I opened my hand, pressing it against his chest and pushing him away. He didn't move. I might as well have been trying to push at a brick wall for all my struggles did. I bit down on his lower lip, the sharp tang of blood filling my mouth as he pulled away.

I looked up at him. He gave me a satisfied smile, licking the blood from his lower lip. "I figured you'd like it rough," he purred as my mouth fell open in shock.

He pulled up my hand, the cold blade of a knife cleanly slicing through the palm of my hand. Blood welled to the surface as I stared at my hand in shock. Before I had a chance to react or scream in pain, Betelgeuse slammed my hand against the door.

"YOU ASSHOLE!" I screamed at him, teeth grinding together in pain.

"Awwwhhh, you're breaking my heart, Babes," he said and pressed my hand more securely against the door and sliding it across the wooden surface.

I stopped my next colorful sentence and looked at the door in wonder when I saw my blood make a weird type of symbol beneath my hand, and for a second I heard a loud boom almost like thunder coming from behind the door, which vibrated for a moment before stilling.

Suddenly the door beneath my hand shook hard enough that I was sure it was about to be blown off its hinges. I could feel the power behind the door begin to leach into my flesh and shake my bones. A hiss came from over my shoulder, closer to my ear than I felt comfortable with as Betelgeuse wrapped his arm around my shoulders and across my chest, pulling me against his chest. I looked up, fear causing my heart to pound painfully in my chest. The look on Betelgeuse's face was not reassuring. The skin around his eyes had tightened, his lips pursed, attention more focused than she ever thought he was would be capable of. I looked back at the door again, a shudder running through me when I felt something pass from me to the door. Everything suddenly stopped. The hallway was filled with a heavy silence.

Monster then spoke up breaking the silence. "WOOO-WEE that sure was a ride."

Ginger murmured 'Damn' under her breath as I felt something touch my arm.

I looked over to see Jacques looking at me with concern. "Are you alright, Mon Ami?" He asked.

I nodded slowly, trying to think of something to say that would sound as if I was perfectly normal and that this experience hadn't shaken me down to my very core. I took a deep breath trying to grab at some emotion that would allow me to hold onto my sanity. I felt the press of Betelgeuse's arm across the top of my chest and I focused upon him, I gathered up the shredded remains of my anger and focused it all upon the man who held me in an oddly protective hold. I didn't want to be protected, and I didn't want anything to do with the bastard.

"I will be." I said, finding my voice, proud that it didn't shake and held the distinctive edge of anger. "If this asshole will leave me the hell alone." I bit out.

I stumbled as Betelgeuse released me, giving me a shove into the door.

Quickly turning, I glared at him cradling my sore hand.

"Wah, wah, stop being a pussy." Betelgeuse said while making a face.

"Screw you," I said Betelgeuse's face falling into a lascivious smile.

"If you're offering-" He began, stepping closer.

I then surprised all of us-even myself-by stomping on his foot with my own.

His eyes widened in shock and I smirked to myself. Way to go, me. Show this asswhole who's boss! I crowed to myself in my head.

Betelgeuse stood there and for some god forsaken reason, smiled at me. Sweet honey and ice tea what the hell was wrong with this guy? I asked myself.

Lightning quick he closed the distance between us and slammed me against the door, pinning me so that I was unable to move. Leaning forward his mouth next to my ear he whispered, "Don't tempt me." He leaned back and stared into my eyes, possibly gloating, or searching for something, I wasn't sure. All I knew was that I couldn't think straight when he was pressed up against me like he was. Confusion, fear, and for some reason hurt blossomed within me, setting me adrift with no purchase and no anchor to hold me in place.

I focused on Betelgeuse, and his eyes. He was confusing me. His mood swings were lighting fast and ran the gamut from amusement, to anger to lust to focused and back.

I looked away first, drawing myself up I constructed a wall, pushing all of my tumultuous thoughts and emotions behind it. I breathed a small sigh of relief when he moved away, and ignored the tiny part of me that wished he was still pressed against me.

Jacques put his hand out and I took it. "Shall we enter your room now?" he asked, his hand gentle.

Nodding in agreement I turned and grabbed the door knob, twisting it and pushing open the door to reveal the room beyond.

It's so beautifulI thought to myself standing for a moment as I surveyed everything in front of me before I was pushed aside by Betelgeuse. I stumbled slightly but righted myself as I ignored him and turned in a full circle. Blood red and dark purple stripes covered my walls. But most of the walls were covered with what I thought of as my world. Every character I had ever created, drawn or thought of was there; scenes, faces, maps, everything.

The floor was a dark, rich oak, a multicolored rug warming the surface and adding texture. The ceiling was painted with night and day. The stars sparkled, and clouds drifted slowly by. A glimpse into the outside world rendered with what could only be magic.

Everything was alive and it embraced me. The oak frame was draped with a red silk coverlet. A desk sat next to the bed littered with every writing utensil I could ever dream of, and a few I couldn't. A radio was off to the side on top of a hand carved oak dresser.

But the best part had to be a small area in the corner where the wood floor should have been, but was instead soil. In the small garden, miniature plants of every kind dotted covered the soil. However there was one full sized rose shrub with the blackest roses I had ever seen. The black rose seemed to swallow every ounce of light that came in from the medium sized window above it. Smiling, I then noticed something , a flash of green caught my attention. I held out my hand, a Luna Moth landing on it. I could not help but gasp in delight, stroking the fine hairs on it. After a few moments it flew away to settle in the garden somewhere.

"Most extraordinary Mon Ami." Jacques said with his arm now upon my shoulder. I nodded in agreement and excitement.

"It's beautiful, Sweetie. There is a lot of magic in here. It's like I can touch it." Ginger said breathlessly.

"Darn tooting!" Monster bellowed.

It was a briefly pleasant moment that had to end, especially when Betelgeuse was involved. Jacques' was suddenly pulled away, leaving his skeletal arm still hanging around my shoulder.

"Get out." Betelgeuse snarled harshly, tossing Jacques his arm back and pointing towards the door with an insistent finger.

The occupants of the room looked between Betelgeuse and myself, and without another word, quickly retreated from my room, closing the door with a firm click behind them.

I stared at the closed door, flabbergasted. A song slowly drifted through my mind as I watched Betelgeuse slowly stalk around my room.

With your feet in the air
And your head on the ground
Try this trick
Spin it
Yeah

His fingers skimmed across every surface, touching every small detail, his face shuttered, closed, emotions hidden. Finally he came to a stop in front of me again.

He glanced down at me, the heavy weight of his emotions caused me to take a step back, followed by another. The back of my knees hit the edge of my bed, and suddenly I found myself falling back onto the silky, soft surface. He hovered above me, the same look on his face that he had just before he had kissed me outside the door, just after I had stepped on his foot; intense, dark and ...hungry. It was a look that had my heart pounding in fear as adrenaline pumped its way through my body.

Your head will collapse
But there's nothing in
But you ask yourself
Where is my mind?
Where is my mind?
Where is my mind?

Leaning down his weight covering my own, he kissed me, again. There was something different about this kiss though, No less intense, but perhaps a little more angry, a little more aggressive.

Before Betelgeuse had kissed me outside the door I had only been kissed once before, and it had SUCKED. And although the one outside the door had been better than my first kiss, this one felt as if the ice from his lips leached into my own, before the intense cold burned a trail of heat across my body, pooling low in my stomach.

He suddenly pulled away, my eyes which had drifted closed shot open, staring into his emerald green ones.

"Welcome home." he murmured softly, his voice hoarse. He slowly backed away from me and was off the bed before I could comprehend what was going on. He walked across the room to the door, passing beneath the moonlight that now filled the window and was reflected upon the ceiling. He stopped at the door, his hand hovering over the handle a moment before he turned it, exiting the room, closing the door behind him as if nothing had happened.

I was swimming in the Caribbean
Animals were hiding behind the rocks
Except a little fish, but they told me
He swears he was trying to talk to me, to me

I stared at the door for a moment, suddenly feeling so lost and alone, a single tear sliding almost unnoticed down my cold cheek. Reality slammed into me, nearly driving the air from my lungs as I realized that my entire world, everything I had ever known and loved, was now gone. I still didn't know how and why I was here and to top it all off, I had felt as if a piece of me had left when he had...when he had stopped kissing me.

Where is my mind?
Where is my mind?
Where is my mind?

More tears followed the first, my mind a tumultuous torrent off too many questions and emotions. I was so confused; so very, very confused.

My vision blurred as I rolled onto my belly, grabbing the pillow from my bed and clutching it to my chest as if it were a life line. The wall I had built within my mind to make it through the past several moments crumbled beneath the wave of confused emotions that consumed me. I quietly sobbed into my pillow, my sobs lessening as exhaustion pulled me into sleep.

Way out in the water
See it swimming
Where is my mind?

Betelgeuse

Words stuck in my throat at all that I did and could do. I heard her start to cry, not too loud, like she was trying to hide it. I snorted once in laughter, a crooked smile pulling at one corner of my mouth. Damn she was so fucking stubborn.I thought to myself.

I could see it in her...something that I couldn't quite figure out, like a puzzle of some sort that would not be easily solved. Man, where the fuck is my mind?

All I could do was think of her, and I was pretty sure that she felt the same damn way.

I straightened, pushing myself away from the door. I snapped my fingers and a lit cigarette appeared between my fingers. Taking a puff I smiled and put my hands behind my head. Maybe I know where my mind was, but it couldn't hurt to ask again. Where is my mind? Snickering to myself I walked away, leaving her to be alone for the evening. Tomorrow would come soon enough, which meant training; god awful chore that it was.

My snicker turned into a laugh before it became a joyful cackle of anticipation. Funny how some things can turn out.I mused.

Way out in the water
See it swimming
Where is my mind?
Where is my mind?
Where is my mind?

Both

Where is my mind?

With your feet the air
And your head on the ground
Try this trick
Spin it
Yeah

Your head will collapse
But there's nothing in
But you ask yourself
Where is my mind?
Where is my mind?
Where is my mind?

Way out in the water (where is my mind?)
See it swimming
Where is my mind? (Where is my mind?)

Where is my mind?
Where is my mind?
Where is my mind? (way out in the water)
See it swimming
Where is my mind?
Where is my mind?

With your feet in the air
And your head on the ground
Yeah

Where Is My Mind?

Yoav( Browning)

I also had How To Destroy Angels - Is Your Love Strong Enough? going through my head just now when I redid this chapter and read it. Hmmm I wonder what that means. Thanks again DarkUnderworld for the sexiness lol. And trust me there won't be a lot of chapters like this with the a song in it. I just had this song stuck in my head when I was writeing it.