《Wonderland: Origin Arc [Script]》 1.1 - Hit and Run [It opens up at night, on the pavement next to a road just outside of a forest. It¡¯s raining and the sky is blocked by the trees to keep it dark. A girl is walking along the street at night texting on her phone, mumbling to herself. She¡¯s wearing a black hoodie and jeans, with a white shirt underneath it. She¡¯s looking at the floor, not paying attention to the cars driving past and the surroundings. Behind her, the text messages start to appear once it¡¯s received. It says the name of the texter above and the messages below it with occasional bad grammar and spelling mistakes. In this case, the name is ¡°Sissel¡±. After each message, there¡¯s a few seconds delay before the next is received.] Sissel: [text only] Do you wanna talk tomorrow? It is late Tracey: [text only] Its fine, I can talk a bit longer XD Sissel: [text only] Better worded, I¡¯m very tired XD Tracey: [text only] Okay then XD Sissel: [text only] So¡­ are we talking tomorrow? [Tracey pockets her phone just as she receives the text, not noticing it. She keeps walking, getting closer to the turn in the road. As she¡¯s walking, she hears a rustling next to her. She glances very nonchalantly, not seeing anything when she looks. She keeps walking, then hears another rustle which she disregards. After a few seconds, a branch snaps which causes her to stop and quickly turn.] Tracey: Hello? [No response. She sighs and moves slightly closer to the forest. There¡¯s a slow panning shot through the forest to show it, completely dark and nearly impossible to see anything. You can however see two individuals hidden in the shadows. One is shorter than the other, but both have rather pronounced rabbit-like ears at the top of their heads. Tracey pushes through the bushes slightly.] Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon. Tracey: [annoyed] Right, I can see you! Who is that, is that Leigh? Chelsea? This is NOT funny, guys! [Tracey moves and starts walking down the pavement again, a car going by. She sighs, mumbling to herself before hearing another rustling. She turns towards the noise, seeing the figures again. She groans and throws a stick at them.] Tracey: [annoyed] This is not funny! Leave me alone! [Tracey starts to walk again, taking out her phone to start texting Sissel. She starts typing, which appears behind her. The shot shows her facing the camera, with one of the figures coming out and following her in the background.] Sissel: [text only] Still there? Tracey: [text only] Yea, we can talk tomorrow. Sorry it took me a while, I th [Tracey is abruptly stopped as the man runs up behind her and tries to grab her. They barely miss and Tracey immediately starts running with her phone in her hand. She keeps running down the street as the road starts to get busier with traffic. She keeps running, looking back at the figure although it isn¡¯t seen by the audience. They continue running as a car is audibly coming closer while the space between her and the man is closing. As she makes it towards the end of the road, a gloved hand shoots out from the forest beside her. She screams and turns to bash the arm away. She hits the arm but starts to fall over into the road on her back. As she falls, a car drives towards her and her head ends up lining up with the headlight. The phone gets flung which is followed to the impact. The car can be heard braking before causing an impact. The phone receives another message which is only seen on the phone.] Sissel: [text only] Hey...text me if you¡¯re okay. It¡¯s late, I wouldn¡¯t want you to get hurt. [Opening.] 1.2 - College [It opens two months later with a shot of a framed photograph that contains Tracey with Sissel, who has long hair and wears glasses along with a red hoodie, both at the beach. The shot passes over the top of a guitar and moves over towards the alarm which reads 11:11. A hand places on it and switches it off. The camera pans out to show a woman in about her mid-30¡¯s wearing a black hoodie and jeans with a black ponytail. She has her phone to her side. She¡¯s looking at a bed currently with Sissel laying on it and not moving, facing away from her. She sighs.] Velma: [sad] You¡¯re gonna be late again. [He doesn¡¯t say anything or move.] Velma: [sad] I¡¯ve called College for you. I told them you¡¯ll be there for your catch up so¡­ we have time to talk. [There is more silence. She groans and starts to leave.] Velma: Just¡­ just be out of bed soon. Please. [Velma closes the door and the room remains quiet for a few seconds. It moves to outside where Velma texts someone on her phone labeled ¡°Olivia C¡±. The text being typed out is shown behind her.] Velma: [text only] He¡¯ll be there soon, keep an I for me [She sends the text and pockets the phone. Through an overhead shot, it shows the message get carried across the town and into a college. The message travels along the corridors and eventually stops in a corridor. Camera focuses on two specific people firstly a ginger girl wearing a black t-shirt and a short brown haired boy wearing a white button shirt and a black jumper. They¡¯re both walking down the corridor, but a phone vibration is heard. The girl takes the phone out and sees the message.] Olivia: [text only] Okay, thank you. [She pockets her phone, Vince turning and looking at her.] Vince: What is it? Olivia: Sissel¡¯s mum. He¡¯ll be in later. Vince: [relieved] Oh, that¡¯s good¡­ that¡¯s good. [Vince looks down at the floor as they walk to a lift, Liv pressing a button.] Liv: You okay, Vince? [Vince looks at Liv, thinking.] Vince: [hesitantly] I dunno¡­ it¡¯s just that we¡¯ve all been talking and¡­ we don¡¯t think we should bring him back into the group. [The doors open and Vince enters, Liv look offended.] Liv: [surprised] What? [Cuts to downstairs, the two leaving the lift and walking through a group of people.] Vince: [loud] I¡¯m not saying that I agree with them, I just¡­ I see where they¡¯re coming from! Liv: [loud, offended] We are not kicking him out of the Mad Tea Party! Vince: [loud] Come on, Liv, you can¡¯t be like that! Liv: [loud, offended] What do you mean? Come on, he¡¯s your cousin, you should stand up for him! [Vince turns in the corridor to face Liv, visually upset. Behind them, there¡¯s an African man who notices the two and begins walking over. He¡¯s wearing a white shirt and black jeans, while texting on his phone.] Vince: [loud, offended] That¡¯s why I don¡¯t get rid of him! I¡¯m just saying that it make sense! Liv: [loud, offended] His girlfriend is dead, we can¡¯t just abandon him! Especially not you! This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author''s work. Vince: [loud, offended] He¡¯s my cousin, I am not abandoning him! [The African man arrives, not noticed by either.] Gary: [confused] Who are we abandoning? [Vince and Liv jump, moving slightly back. Once they realise who it is, they calm down.] Vince: [calmer] Hey Gary. Liv: [annoyed] Why are we abandoning Sissel? [Gary has a sharp inhale, turning to Vince.] Gary: [quietly] She found out then. Liv: [angry] What, you were gonna keep this from me?! Vince: I¡¯m just gonna¡­ [Vince started moving back down the corridors, Liv chasing after him. Gary sighed and walked off behind the two. It then cut into a classroom, lined with chairs and with a projector at the end. A male and female are sat in the room. The male is wearing a beige button up shirt and ripped jeans with scruffy black hair. The girl is wearing a blue shirt with a jacket over it, having long blonde hair. There is a slight commotion outside before Gary enters, quickly followed by Liv and Vince.] Gary: Hey, so Liv knows. Chelsea: Crap. Leigh: [sarcastic] Yay. [Chelsea and Leigh stand up.] Liv: [angry] Both of you, we are not doing this. Are we clear on that? [Liv turns, facing Vince and Gary. As she talks, she looks between them.] Liv: [angry] Especially not now! Okay, we have¡­ we have just started college and he¡¯s going to be alone and still mourning so we can just abandon him after all of this! Okay? Leigh: [calmly] With all due respect- Liv: [angry] No, shut up! You don¡¯t¡­ this was your idea, wasn¡¯t it? Chelsea: Liv, calm down. Leigh: [calmly, slightly louder] With all due respect- Liv: [angry] Leigh, how do you think Sissel is going to react to you kicking him out? Leigh: [angry] You don¡¯t have a place to say! [The others in the background look at each other, Liv and Leigh staring at each other.] Vince: [concerned] Um¡­ Chelsea, how about we give them some space? Chelsea: [concerned] Yeah, good idea¡­ [Chelsea quickly moves around and the three leave, Gary being pulled out by Chelsea after staying. Liv and Leigh are alone in the room.] Liv: [annoyed] What do you mean ¡°I don¡¯t have a place to say¡±? Leigh: [annoyed] Because it was your mess in the first place to do all this. If it wasn¡¯t for you, we wouldn¡¯t be in this shit, would we? Liv: [annoyed] What, so¡­ so now it¡¯s my fault? I¡¯m just meant to take the blame. Leigh: [calming down] You just... look, none of us want to do this but Vince¡¯s cousin has never been comfortable here, he¡¯s told you that. If he stays around, it¡¯ll just remind him of Tracey. [Leigh raises one finger.] Leigh: So one day. That¡¯s all, then he can find his own place with people he deserves and not who he¡¯s uncomfortable around. [Leigh lowers his finger, heading out of the room.] Leigh: The Mad Tea Party¡¯s last hurrah, send off for Sissel and Tracey! Got it? [Liv sighs, then nods. Leigh opens the door.] Leigh: Good, then I¡¯ll see you after hours. [Leigh leaves, the door thudding behind him. Liv is visibly upset and annoyed as he leaves.] 1.3 - Vandalism [Transitions to the afternoon with students leaving the college. There¡¯s a large crowd outside the front leaving and talking. Focus then moves onto Sissel, now out of bed and wearing a zipped up red hoodie with jeans, keeping his head down and walking into the college. He pushes through a crowd, makes it into the building and walks through the rather empty space. There are a few scattered chairs and tables without people around them, Sissel passing past them without taking notice. He continues through a few corridors, the chatter of people in the background. Eventually it cuts to him opening a door into a blue classroom, the edges lined with computers and desks with a projector on the roof. There is a teacher in there, male in his mid-40¡¯s with dark brown hair, receding hairline. He¡¯s wearing a faint yellow button up shirt with a blue striped tie and black dress trousers. He¡¯s on his computer, hooked up to the projector, showing a powerpoint. He glances over his shoulder and sees Sissel, then looks back at his computer.] Goldberg: Cecil Mastin? [Sissel nods.] Goldberg: Sit down. [Sissel moves onto a computer next to the door, turning it on. Goldberg glances over again.] Goldberg: Username is your surname, then first initial capitalized. Password is just password, you can change that. [Sissel logs in with MastinC. Computer boots up to Mac. Goldberg finishes on a powerpoint slide and gets up, going over to Sissel. He gets out a pen and paper, scribbling some numbers down.] Goldberg: I¡¯ve got an arrangement with somebody so¡­ I won¡¯t be able to stay around today. There will be another student with you, little ahead, so they should help you catch up. All the infos in the powerpoint, have a look at that if you¡¯re stuck. If you need me, for any reason¡­ [Goldberg pockets his pen and pushes the paper in front of Sissel, having a phone number.] Goldberg: Call that. Okay? [Sissel nods.] Goldberg: You¡­ don¡¯t talk much, do you? [Sissel shrugs, Goldberg gives a sigh.] Goldberg: Fair enough¡­ see you tomorrow, in class preferably. [Goldberg starts to leave. The door opens before he gets there, with an unseen individual in the way while the camera focuses on Sissel¡¯s face.] Goldberg: [quietly] He¡¯s all yours. [The person enters the room as Goldberg closes the door behind him. The character moves behind Sissel¡¯s chair and puts his hands on it, huffing.] Vince: What are we gonna do with you then? [Sissel gives a confused look, turning slowly. Vince backs away from the chair slightly, smiling. Sissel gives a smirk, standing up himself.] Vince: Just¡­ just for a heads up, from what I heard out there, you aren¡¯t doing that selective mute shit, are ya? Because nothing against it, but that is gonna piss me off a bit. [Sissel shakes his head.] Sissel: [slowly] No, I¡¯m just¡­ sorry, I didn¡¯t know you were on my course. Vince: You¡¯re my cousin! Someone has to keep an eye on ya. [Vince smiles, then holds his arms out.] Vince: Come on big man. [Sissel moves over and they give each other a hug. Vince pats Sissel on the back, then the hug breaks.] Sissel: It¡¯s kinda weird not being the one to offer the hugs. Vince: Nah, it¡¯s fine, you¡¯ll get back into it. Sissel: [scoffing] That¡¯d be nice. [Vince smiles.] Vince: Two months, we were all away from each other. Because of what happened. That is a lot of time to make up for. Sissel: Well¡­ I¡¯ll talk to the rest of the Tea Party at some point later then. Vince: No need, they¡¯re just outside. Sissel: [surprised] W-why? It¡¯s- Vince: To catch up! Make up for it! Come on¡­ Tracey wouldn¡¯t want you like this. [Sissel gives a sigh, looking down.] Sissel: Well¡­ you¡¯re not wrong. But I do need to catch up. Vince: We can do it after, it¡¯s fine. I¡¯ve got the stuff at home, I can¡­ I can tutor you. [Sissel looks up, thinking.] Sissel: If you¡¯re sure then¡­ let¡¯s go. [Sissel rather quickly moves out the door, Vince smiling and following after. It cuts as they both get outside, the rest of the group there. The area is large, surrounded by classrooms but with a staircase into a car park. Chelsea pops a party popper and Gary readjusts a large bag on his back. Liv is slightly away from the rest of the group, staying away from ] Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings. All, bar Liv: Surprise. [Sissel gives a wave and a half-hearted smile.] Sissel: Hiya. [Gary quickly moves to the side, dropping the bag on the floor.] Gary: Right, let¡¯s cut the crap and get to it. We got¡­ Chelsea, time. Chelsea: 5:05pm. Good to see ya again. [Chelsea gives Sissel a handshake.] Leigh: Same dude, good to see you. [Leigh leans over, Sissel gives him a handshake.] Gary: 5:05, we¡¯ve got until six o¡¯clock so let¡¯s get to it. [Gary opens up the bag as everyone else comes around it. Liv comes up behind Sissel and puts a hand on his shoulder. He turns for a moment, then disregards her. Gary starts to rummage through the bag.] Gary: I grabbed a few things for us to play with during our little catch-up like, um¡­ Sissel, heads up. [Gary chucks up a Chocolate Orange, which Sissel catches. He gets back into the bag, starting to empty its contents.] Gary: [unpacking] That. We¡¯ve also got¡­ twelve cans of purple spray paint¡­ two cans of pink spray paint, five rubber cat masks, a tub with a pork and egg sandwich¡­ um¡­ oh, and a fluffy blanket. Leigh: [confused] Seriously? Gary: Yeah, what¡¯s wrong with that? It¡¯s cold, I wanted a blanket. [Gary opens the tub and takes out the sandwich, eating it.] Chelsea: [confused] Anyway¡­ um, Leigh, got the plan? Leigh: Oh yeah! [Leigh runs up and grabs a can of purple spray paint, standing in front of the group and holding it triumphantly in the air.] Leigh: Okay, let¡¯s just make this quick. We¡¯re here now, this place is gonna know it. At the most, we¡¯ve got three years here so let¡¯s make sure we leave our mark. [He turns around and points over to a doorway that leads to a corridor.] Leigh: Down that way and along a couple of corridors, there is a staircase. On that staircase, there is a lovely picture that I can¡¯t tell for the life of me what it actually is or means. [He turns back to the group, shaking the can.] Leigh: We¡¯re gonna spray paint the Cheshire Cat on top of it. Sissel: [concerned] I-isn¡¯t that vandalism? And also a crime? Leigh: Yep. Sissel: [concerned] And¡­ and we¡¯re just gonna go through with that? [Chelsea moves over, patting him on the shoulder.] Chelsea: It¡¯s okay, we won¡¯t get caught or anything. We¡¯ll have masks and you will be look out. [Sissel looks over and sees Gary handing out the masks, coloured purple. Everyone is grabbing cans, with Liv being very hesitant to.] Sissel: Well¡­ that¡¯ll be a bit better. Chelsea: If anyone comes, you put up your hood and give the signal. Then we run. If you get caught, then we find a way to shift the blame. [Liv looks over.] Liv: [sarcastic] When did you become a criminal mastermind? [Chelsea puts a finger to her lips and shushes Liv.] Chelsea: [quietly] Be honest, you wanna do this with us? [Sissel thinks for a moment. He then nods.] Sissel: [quietly] Okay. [Chelsea pats him on the back. She moves away and past the group, as Gary picks up the bag. Leigh passes her a mask, which she quickly puts on her head.] Chelsea: We all ready? Let¡¯s move! Go team! [The group, all wearing masks on top of their heads and carrying cans, follow Chelsea. Sissel hesitates a bit, but then comes to follow them. There¡¯s a clutter behind him, which causes him to quickly turn around. He looks behind him and sees nothing, looking confused, as the group head through the doorway. Vince holds the door, looking back at Sissel.] Vince: Cecil, you coming? [Sissel nods, turning back and going through the doorway. Vince lets him pass then closes the door behind them. As the door closes, a shot through the window shows a character appear. They¡¯re tall and abnormally skinny, appearing vaguely anorexic. They¡¯re wearing a white button shirt with red splashes on it, with black trousers and shoes. The sleeves of the shirt are rolled up, his hands covered by white leather gloves. The face is covered by a polygonal mask, resembling a rabbit with large prominent ears.] 1.4 - Watcher [The group ran down a corridor, going through a doorway. Sissel was about to pass through, when Vince turns and stops him. He puts a hand on Sissel¡¯s chest.] Vince: You stay out here, we¡¯ll get to work. If you see or hear anything, come through and tell us. [Sissel nods.] Vince: Seriously¡­ good to have you back again. Sissel: Thanks. [Vince goes through the door, closing it behind him. Sissel leans against the wall, sighing and looking around for people. It cuts to the group, Vince running up to them. He has a smile that quickly fades away as he groans behind the group.] Vince: [annoyed] God, I¡¯m such an arsehole! Liv: [sighing] Your words, not mine. [Gary turns around, walking backwards. He points at Liv.] Gary: Shut. Vince, what¡¯s wrong? Vince: I just¡­ come on, we¡¯re being all nice and supportive when it¡¯s now like ¡°Hey, by the way, we¡¯re kicking you out of that club your girlfriend made!¡± [They make it to the end of the corridor, Chelsea stepping in the way.] Chelsea: Okay, let¡¯s just make this clear, one! We are NOT just kicking him out! If wants to, he can stay, we just all agree bar Olivia that it¡¯d be better for him not to stay around. Two! As her best friend, I know that Tracey would ask for us to look after him! Right? [The group are all silent, looking between each other.] Chelsea: Oh come on, you guys were agreeing with me earlier. Leigh: No, I still do. Gary: Same. Liv: [annoyed] I don¡¯t. It still feels wrong. Leigh: [antagonistic] Well no one asked you, did they? Chelsea: [quietly] Leigh- [Gary quickly moves between them, Vince putting a hand on Liv¡¯s shoulder to keep her back.] Gary: Okay, can we- can we not¡­ do this? Please? Not while we¡¯re, y¡¯know, commiting a crime? Vince: Yeah, save the infighting for later. [Leigh looks to Chelsea, who nods to him. He sighs.] Leigh: Yeah, let¡¯s¡­ let¡¯s just get this over with. [Leigh turns and leaves with Chelsea, following them as Gary and Vince tries to calm down Liv. They make it in front of the painting, putting the masks on and leaning next to it. Their voices are slightly muffled by the masks, but still clear enough to be understood.] Leigh: I¡¯m being too hard, aren¡¯t I? Chelsea: No¡­ you¡¯re like the rest of us. We¡¯re¡­ we¡¯re coping, y¡¯know? Differently? Hell, if it wasn¡¯t for Sissel then Olivia would be taking it hardest. Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original. Leigh: I thought she was just being a bitch. Chelsea: Hey! Still our friend. Leigh: Come on, you really think we¡¯re all just ¡°happy wittle fweinds¡± now she¡¯s dead? [Leigh sighs.] Leigh: She glued us together, that was pretty obvious. It¡¯s a matter of time before we¡¯re all dropping off the face of the earth. Chelsea: Fucking hell, you had a bad day? [Leigh glances over.] Leigh: I¡¯m just¡­ looking at this realistically. Chelsea: You like me, right? Leigh: Wha- yes! Obviously, what kind of question is that? Chelsea: Just checking. [Chelsea looked over at Leigh.] Chelsea: You¡¯ll have me. Even if we all start turning on each other, you¡¯ll always have me. [Leigh chuckles, looking down.] Leigh: That is¡­ very sweet of you, thank you. [Chelsea starts shaking her can of spray paint. Leigh looks down.] Leigh: [embarrassed] Um¡­ hey, I¡­ I was wondering if y- [Gary, Vince and Liv enter the room, Liv still putting her mask on. Gary is now carrying a ladder with him.] Gary: Right, are we ready? Leigh: [embarrassed] Um¡­ Chelsea: Yeah, we¡¯re ready! Gary: Great! [Leigh moves back as Gary places the ladder down in that place, starting to climb up and getting to the top.] Gary: Chelsea, spray me. [Chelsea sprays some purple onto his leg. He slaps her hand and snatches the can.] Gary: [agitated] You knew what I meant! [Gary shook it again, chuckling.] Gary: Ladies and gentlemen¡­ show time! [He starts spraying, covering the view. It then cuts back to Sissel waiting outside the room, scratching his wrist. He looks down the corridor through the window, not seeing anything. He looks back forward, sighing and looking around. There¡¯s a loud thud outside that catches his attention.] Sissel: [quietly, worried] Oh shit, oh no¡­ [Sissel looked back at the door, moving away towards where the noise came from down another corridor. As he moves away, the door he was guarding very slowly open by itself. The scene follows along the corridor and turns into the doorway, peering through at the group as they work at a half finished image of pink and purple. Through the reflection of the window can be seen a closer look at the White Rabbit mask with an eye peering through it.] 1.5 - Hostage [Sissel walks down a corridor, away from the doorway. He¡¯s looking around, clearly worried, peering into doors along the corridor for other people. He groans, leaning against a wall.] Sissel: What¡­? [Sissel starts backing into the door to the next corridor, checking around so he isn¡¯t followed.] Sissel: [confused] What is going- [As Sissel goes through the door, he¡¯s grabbed from behind by a man. He covers the mouth as Sissel tries to scream. He wraps another arm around his throat, choking him out.] Benny: [panicking] Kill him! Kill him! Kill him! Evan: Will you shut up?! [Sissel looks up at the people, unable to get a good view of them. After a few more seconds, Evan throws him away into a wall. Sissel hits the wall and falls onto the ground in pain. He rolls over to see Evan and Benny. They¡¯re both wearing black and white striped jumpers, with red hats on. Evan is ginger with curly hair and a cut underneath his left eye, looking generally annoyed, while Benny is short haired blonde a little bit shorter than Evan and very panicked. Evan comes over and kicks him into the stomach, making Sissel cough and curl up in pain. Evan is twitching in his panic.] Benny: [panicking] Oh¡­. no¡­. Evan: [angry] Great, we got the wrong guy. Perfect. Benny, mirror check! [Benny quickly pulls a mirror up and looks around in it.] Benny: [panicking] Nothing¡­ there¡¯s nothing, he¡¯s not here! [Evan groans, punching a wall repeatedly.] Evan: [angry] Great, just¡­ GOD FUCKING DAMN IT! [Evan puts his hand through the wall on the last punch, sighing and dragging it out. The arm is bleeding badly, but he just pulls his sleeve further down over it.] Benny: Evan- Evan: Shut up, I¡¯m fine. [Sissel starts trying to get to stand up.] Sissel: [confused] W¡­ what i- Evan: [angry] I said shut up! [Evan moves over and kicks Sissel in the stomach again, making him fall onto the floor and yells in pain. It then cuts to the group as they¡¯re doing the spray painting, Liv turning around towards the door. The graffiti image shows a design of a large cat head with a large smile, along with pink stripes and a top hat on the head.] A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation. Liv: [confused] What was that? [Leigh looks at Liv confused.] Leigh: What¡¯s what? Liv: There was a¡­ a scream, or something. Gary: You¡¯re hearing things, Liv, just ignore it. [Vince drops the can on the ladder steps.] Vince: Um¡­ Sissel¡¯s alone out there. Chelsea: And? Vince: And Liv just heard a scream. [The group look between each other, each coming to a similar realization.] Gary: [panicking] Oh shit. [Gary jumps down from the ladder and starts running. The group then each quickly run after and follow them. It cuts back to Benny and Evan, looking at each other and panicking.] Evan: [angry] Right¡­ right¡­ okay, we need a plan, right? So¡­ so let¡¯s just¡­ [Evan walks back over to Sissel and grabs him by the hair. He pulls Sissel up, pulling a gun out of his jumper and immediately pushing it into Sissel¡¯s head.] Evan: [deranged] Just take him¡­ and make a trade, okay? Okay Benny? [Benny breaths for a second, staring at Sissel.] Evan: [shouting, deranged] Benny! Benny: [terrified] O-okay then¡­ Evan: [deranged] Right¡­ move then. Move Benny. [Benny starts to look around the corridor, seeing an open window.] Evan: [slowly, deranged] Benny, don¡¯t make me point this at you. [Benny starts to move to the window, climbing quickly through it. Evan pushes Sissel forward.] Evan: [slowly, deranged] Now you too. [Sissel quickly moves to the window, eventually climbing through it and moving after Benny. Evan follows after him and stops, smiling to himself. He points the gun at the window, with Sissel quickly ducking, then fires at it. He climbs over and cuts his hand on the window frame. He points the gun back at Sissel and he starts to move again. As Sissel moves to catch up with Benny, Evan frantically tries to grab a piece of shattered glass from the floor. He cuts his hand while getting one, but grips onto it. He looks through it with one hand, following along behind the others with the gun pointed at them.] 1.6 - Origin [The group run into the room that Benny, Evan and Sissel just entered, Vince and Gary leading. They see the shattered window and run up to it, Vince running much faster.] Vince: [panicking] Oh no¡­ Cecil! [He runs up to the window and looks out of it, looking in the direction that the three just left from.] Vince: [panicking, shouting] Cecil! [Vince jumps through.] Leigh: [panicked] Vince! Chelsea: [panicked] Wait! [Leigh and Chelsea jump after him, followed by Gary and Liv. It cuts back to Sissel being forced down the pathway and towards a car park.] Evan: [deranged] Ready, Benny? Benny: [panicking] I don¡¯t know, I just- Evan: [shouting, deranged] I said are you ready Benny? [Benny glances back at Evan, shaking.] Sissel: [panicking, faux-calm] W-what are ready for? Who the hell are you two? [Evan moves closer, pushing the gun into the back of Sissel¡¯s head. Sissel closes his eyes, breathing heavier and more panicked.] Evan: [deranged] We had a friend looking out for us, but he¡¯s decided to turn his back on my friend. I don¡¯t like that very much. Now ask another question and I will [shouting] blow out your fucking skull! [Evan moves slightly closer, whispering into Sissel¡¯s ear.] Evan: [whispering] Are we clear? Vince: [shouting] Get away from him! [Evan turns slightly and sees the group running up to him. He quickly grabs Sissel by the throat and points the gun into the side of his head. Benny turns around and is shocked, while the group all stop in their tracks in shock.] Vince: [quietly] Oh no. Liv: [quietly] Jesus Christ¡­ Benny: [panicking] Evan, don¡¯t! Evan: [panicking] Shut up, just shut up! [shouting] Shut up! Nobody get closer or I¡¯ll shoot him. Leigh: [commanding, faux-calm] Hey, hey! Calm down! Okay, calm down, look at me! [Leigh steps slightly closer.] Chelsea: [panicking] Leigh, don¡¯t. [Leigh turns to look at her, nodding slowly. He looks back at Evan.] Evan: [deranged] Don¡¯t you dare move. Leigh: [faux-calm] Okay. [Leigh stops walking towards Evan, with about five meters of space between them.] Leigh: [faux-calm] I won¡¯t. Okay¡­ what¡¯s your name? Evan: [deranged] D¡­ do you- Leigh: [faux-calm, demanding] What is your name? [Evan breathes heavily, hitting himself in the head with the gun and groaning.] Evan: [deranged] E-Evan. Evan Tweedle. Leigh: [faux-calm] Okay Evan Tweedle, okay Evan¡­ my name¡¯s Leigh Fisher. Okay? Everyone else here, Vincent Cosgrove, Olivia Hart, Chelsea Queen, Gary Gray and¡­ the man currently in your hands¡­ Cecil Mastin. Still with me? [Evan nods, breathing getting more panicked. Leigh takes a few steps closer.] Leigh: [faux-calm] Why do you need the gun, Evan? Evan: [deranged, quiet] I said don¡¯t move. [Leigh moves within arm¡¯s length.] Leigh: [faux-calm] Just tell me why you need the gun and we¡¯ll be fine. [Evan points the gun at Leigh.] Evan: [deranged, shouting] I said don¡¯t move! Benny: [panicking] Evan, please! [A shot of Benny sees some dark purple colour travelling up his neck, looking like it was lighting up at points.] Leigh: [faux-calm] Evan Tweedle¡­ I¡¯m sorry about whatever got you into this¡­ whatever happened to get you here, to threaten my friend¡­ but quite kindly, a friend of ours died recently and I¡¯d really rather not lose another, okay? So just tell me where you got the gun. Evan: [deranged] I¡­ my dad is a cop- was a cop. I ran, took his keys, broke in and grabbed the gun. It¡¯s easy with half the stuff people like me can do. Leigh: [faux-calm] So¡­ you¡¯re a very special kind of person, aren¡¯t you? Evan: [deranged, quietly] He¡¯s gonna kill my friend¡­ and me¡­ just because of one stupid day, we¡¯re gonna die¡­ [Leigh glances up towards Benny, then back at Evan.] Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site. Leigh: [faux-calm] I¡­ presume this ¡°he¡± you¡¯re talking about¡­ is the man behind your friend? [Evan immediately drops into complete panic, dropping Sissel and turning around. He points the gun up in Benny¡¯s direction, who ducks down. There isn¡¯t any other person there. Sissel quickly runs as Leigh grabs Evan from behind, keeping his arm outstretched.] Chelsea: [panicked] Leigh! [Gary and Liv grabs Chelsea, holding her back.] Leigh: [shouting] Go, just go! Now! [A gunshot goes off as Evan tries to fight back. Leigh bites deep into Evan¡¯s neck, breaking the skin and making Evan scream in pain. He drops the gun and Leigh quickly throws Evan to the side. He grabs the gun and runs towards the group.] Leigh: [shouting, panicked] Run! [The group all quickly run away from them. Evan gets up, gripping his neck.] Evan: [deranged, shouting] No! No, get back here! [Evan starts to run after the group as Benny starts to shake madly. He collapses to the ground, crying, as the colour spreads up further on his body. Evan keeps running after the group, as they turn round the corner they came. As they run past the corridors, Vince falls to the ground. Evan quickly launches himself at Vince, but Vince manages to run out of the way and Evan lands face first onto the floor. He gets up, his nose broken and bleeding. He grabs Vince¡¯s leg, stopping him from being able to get up. Vince turns, looking at a panicked Evan.] Evan: [deranged, out of breath] Please¡­ I don¡¯t want to d- [Evan gets cut off as a figure suddenly appears around him, gripping his neck. Evan let''s go, gripping onto the hand instead. The figure looks as if they¡¯re made of shards of reflective glass, quickly forming closer to create the clear image of the White Rabbit. A close up shows that the back of the mask reveals brown hair and a tie stuffed into his pocket. Vince looks scared, then up at the mask of the White Rabbit. His voice is heavily distorted.] White Rabbit: Run. [Vince quickly gets up and runs, Evan panicking.] Evan: [shouting, panicking] No! No, please! Please! No! [Vince catches up with the group, the shouts of Evan abruptly stopping. They all run out from the school as a large stormcloud rolls in. They all get into a circle, looking at each other. They all yell at each other, overlapping each other. Gary is looking up, focused on the sky.] Chelsea: [panicking] Are you okay? Are you hurt, either of you? Are we all okay? Are you sure nothing is wrong? Leigh: [panicking] I¡¯m fine, I¡¯m fine. Who the fuck were they? What is going on? Vince: [panicking] What the hell was that? Who the hell was that? He fucking appeared out of nowhere! Sissel: [panicking] You- You could have died back there! He had a gun to your head! We both could have died! Liv: [panicking] What is wrong with you?! That is the dumbest thing you could of done! Why did you go up to a guy with a gun! Gary: [quietly, panicking] Guys¡­? Guys¡­ hey, guys! Look! Hey! [Gary claps his hands quickly, getting everyone¡¯s attention as they go silent. He points into the sky.] Gary: [panicking] What the hell is up with the sky? [The group all look slowly up into the sky and see a large dark purple cloud forming in the sky. It¡¯s building large and spreading across the sky as far as they can see. There¡¯s little pulses of light travelling throughout the stormcloud, loud echoes of thunder inside of them. There appears to be some build up of the pulses above them.] Sissel: [quietly] Oh shit¡­ [A large lightning bolt suddenly shoots down and hits directly into each member, each being blasted back by the force. They all fly off, Liv going through a window and Vince crashing the back of his head into a car which sets the alarm off. Each of them remain unconscious, laying on the ground as it can audibly be heard that more lightning strikes are occuring around the area.] 1.7 - Informed Discovery [It¡¯s now dark, night time. The violent storm cloud above has dissipated. The group are now conscious, sat outside the front of College on the edge of the road. Leigh and Chelsea are next to each other, very close. Gary is next to them, wrapped in his blanket. Liv is tapping the back of her phone. Vince and Sissel are next to each other, Vince looking concerned for Sissel. They¡¯re all silent.] Vince: [confused] So¡­ anyone want to talk about what happened? Leigh: [strong] Nope. Chelsea: [confused] I¡¯m good. Gary: [shaking] I¡¯m fine. [Liv shakes her head.] Vince: [confused] Okay¡­ okay then. [Sissel gets up, looking at the floor.] Sissel: [panicking] Um¡­ tell you what, I¡¯m just¡­ I¡¯m gonna go home. Can we¡­ pretend that today never happened please? [The group look between themselves and make a silent agreement.] Sissel: [panicking] Okay then¡­ see you tomorrow. [Sissel quickly turns from the group and starts walking down the street. Gary and Vince get up.] Gary: [paranoid] I¡¯m gonna go too, long day. Vince: Want help with¡­? [Gary looks to the bag, picking it up.] Gary: It¡¯s fine, no worries mate. [Vince gives a thumbs up.] Vince: I¡¯ll just go with you then. [Gary nods. He looks back to the group, bowing.] Gary: See you guys. [Gary and Vince walk away. Liv very silently gets up and walks down the street, giving no effort in a slight wave to Leigh and Chelsea. Leigh looks over to Chelsea.] Leigh: You gonna be okay? Chelsea: [chuckling, scared] After that? [Chelsea gives a faux-smile, that slowly fades.] Chelsea: [scared] The one time we up our game from pranks and tricks, we get struck by lightning and with a gun pointed at us. [Chelsea is visibly scared, so Leigh pulls her in and gives her a hug.] Leigh: Okay¡­ okay, come on. [Leigh gets up, helping to bring Chelsea to her feet.] Leigh: I¡¯ll walk you home, okay? Chelsea: [scared] Okay... [The two walk away from the college. It then cuts to Sissel again, on his phone with Velma and rummaging through his keys.] Velma: [worried] Are you safe? Did it come close to you? Sissel: Mum, I¡¯m fine, it was just lightning. Velma: [worried] It was all over Chesterfield! It hit the hedge for the neighbours, whole thing set on fire! Sissel: Mum, I¡¯m not on fire! Calm down! Velma: [worried] I¡¯m allowed to worry about you. Sissel: I know¡­ um¡­ [Sissel manages to get a key with a purple cat ornament attached to it.] Sissel: I- I¡¯m gonna be a bit late home, I just need to go somewhere. Velma: [worried] What? Where? Sissel: Just¡­ just to a friend¡¯s, look, I¡¯ll call you later. Love you. [Velma objects as he hangs up, pocketing the phone. He eventually makes it outside a clearly abandoned house with a purple door, the windows smashed and boarded along with a few holes in the roof. He steps up to the house, using the key to unlock the door and heading inside, closing it behind him. He moves into the building and enters the living room. It¡¯s dark with only a round table visible, along with a candle on the centre. He feels around the table, managing to get a lighter and flicking it on. He pulls the candle over and starts to light it. He carries it around the room, lighting candles stuck into the walls around it. He turns to the next room, seeing a light is already on. He looks confused, walking towards it and entering the room. Inside there is only a black tattered sofa, a map and a single lamp. Sissel stares over, confused.] You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story. Chelsea: Wanna know something? [It cuts to show Chelsea on the sofa, although she looks different. She¡¯s now wearing a brown blazer and white shirt with red splotches, slight cut on her cheek. She¡¯s smiling, flicking through a phone.] Sissel: [confused] How did- Chelsea: When Tracey made the club, she did it because she wanted to pull a few pranks back at school. Get popular. I helped her out because, well, I was more popular than she was. So one day, during break, we get a ton of sticky notes and start plastering the headteacher¡¯s car in them. Sissel: [confused] But- Chelsea: [forceful] Sissel, talking. [Chelsea sits up, looking at Sissel.] Chelsea: So we¡¯re covering this car, right, and she is loving it. Not a care in the world. But then¡­ big surprise, turns out that somebody caught us doing it. You did, actually. So of course, we run off because we don¡¯t wanna get caught, right? We move and hide behind the bins around the back for the rest of the day, silent. Then she turns to me, wanna know what she said? [Chelsea smiles and hands over the phone, showing a picture of Tracey smiling in a school uniform, leaning into some bins.] Chelsea: She said¡­ ¡°Tell you what, he didn¡¯t look half bad.¡± Sissel: [confused] I¡­ why are you- Chelsea: Sissel, we¡¯re all in danger. I¡¯ve seen it, we¡¯re going to die if we aren¡¯t careful. Because of you. [Sissel sits down on the sofa, looking at Chelsea worried.] Sissel: [worried, confused] What¡­ what did I do? [Chelsea turns to him.] Chelsea: First of all¡­ you¡¯ll need a bit of a run down for what¡¯s going to happen today. The Storm hit? Sissel: [confused] Y-yes, you were just there. Chelsea: I was, about two weeks ago. Sissel: [confused] What? Chelsea: [forceful] Just¡­ listen. [It cuts to Leigh, outside Chelsea¡¯s house. She goes in, nodding.] Chelsea: [shaking] Thank you. Leigh: Anytime. If you need me, just give me a call. Chelsea: [shaking] I will. I can promise that. [Leigh leaves, Chelsea closing the door. He starts to walk away from her house, shaking himself and sighing.] Leigh: [panicked] Jesus¡­ bad day¡­ [He gets his keys out, fumbling with them. As he¡¯s walking, he suddenly trips and loses the keys from his grip as they fall into a gutter.] Leigh: Oh¡­ crap. [Leigh crouches down to the gutter, looking down into it. It cuts back to Sissel in the room, pacing. Chelsea is following him with her eyes.] Sissel: [confused, panicking] I don¡¯t¡­ sorry, that just¡­ it doesn¡¯t make sense! What you¡¯re saying is just- just- Chelsea: Pseudoscience. Gary called it that. ¡°Like something out of a comic book¡±. Sissel: [confused, yelling] Yes, but it doesn¡¯t make sense! We were struck by lightning, n-n-not magic or- Chelsea: Sissel, I need you to trust me. Sissel: [yelling] Why?! Why should I believe anything you¡¯re telling me?! Chelsea: [yelling] Because if you do then we can save her! [Sissel stops, staring at her silently.] Chelsea: [groaning] Oh of course, that got your attention. 1.8 - Active Discovery [It cuts back to Leigh¡¯s situation, his keys at the bottom of a grated gutter that he can¡¯t reach. He groans, sitting up.] Leigh: [annoyed] Oh, for¡­ [He sighs and leans down, pushing his hand into the grate. He manages to get his fingers through, but can¡¯t manage much further. He is about a hands length away from the keys when he tries. He pulls his hand out, groaning.] Leigh: [annoyed] Oh, come on¡­ [He reached into it again, but grabs the grate and tries to pull it up. He pulls it with one hand, getting no changes. He moves and grabs it with both hands.] Leigh: [strained] Come on¡­ maximum effort¡­ [He pulls it and eventually it breaks off, falling onto his back and accidentally throwing it into the air. The grate goes up into the air, as Leigh watches it. It then starts to come back down, towards his face.] Leigh: [scared] Wow! [Leigh puts his arms up to defend himself as it comes down hurtling towards him. He closes his eyes and recoils. No collision occurs. He frowns confused, opening his eyes and looking up. He moves his arms away and sees the grate dangling in midair attached to nothing.] Leigh: [confused, scared] What- [A door opening can be heard to Leigh¡¯s left, which Leigh looks towards. When he does, the grate suddenly flies over in that direction which causes him to recoil. It goes through two cars back windows and sets off their alarms. He quickly panics as this happens and runs in the opposite direction, hiding behind the cars in order to not be seen. It then cuts to Liv walking through a park. She¡¯s still silent, arms crossed and looking at the floor. She¡¯s walking by the side of a pond and hears a cat howling. She looks up and sees a dark black cat with one blue and one purple eye by the side of the pond, laying on the ground with a gash on it¡¯s arm. Liv quickly moves over, crouching down next to it.] Liv: [worried] Oh god! Oh¡­ oh, you poor thing. [She takes up it¡¯s arm, stroking the cats back.] Liv: [worried] Don¡¯t worry, kitty, you¡¯ll be okay. [She starts to pull out her phone, starting to dial. She looks back down at the cat, stroking it¡¯s head as it groans and meows.] Liv: [worried] Ssshh¡­ it¡¯s okay¡­ [As she¡¯s stroking, she looks at the wound again and sees that it¡¯s slowly fading, healing itself. She looks at it confused.] Liv: [confused] What the hell? [She starts to get up, but immediately falls onto the ground with a cry of pain. She gets down, hissing and holding onto her left leg. The cat slowly gets up as the wound completely fades, moving over to Liv. She pulls up her trouser leg to reveal a long gash along her leg. She looks at it in shock, then looking back at the cat. It nuzzles up to her and purrs.] The author''s tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. Liv: [confused] Did¡­ did you do that? [The cat continues to nuzzle into her, while she pulls down her trouser leg and sits confused on the ground. It then cuts over to Gary and Vince, walking down the street.] Gary: [confused] Y¡­ you¡¯re telling me that some guy dressed as a rabbit¡­ just teleported in front of you and saved your life? Vince: [manic, excited] Yeah, like¡­ like a ghost! Like he just appeared and saved my life, it was some proper comic book shit! [Gary is looking at the ground in thought, Vince looking excited at him.] Vince: [worried] You¡­ don¡¯t believe me, do you? Gary: [confused] Well¡­ I¡¯d say no, if your cousin hadn¡¯t just been held at gunpoint followed by us all getting struck by lightning. Vince: [excited, reserved] Oh, good¡­ good, y¡¯know. I mean, not all this other shit that¡¯s going on, I mean that you actually believe me. Gary: Wha- course I do! A friend of Leigh is a friend of me. Vince: Thanks¡­ I¡¯ve been meaning to ask, how do you even know Leigh? [Gary looks to Vince, shrugging.] Gary: Well¡­ we both played a lot of sports. Got a bit of a rivalry going. He had football and basketball, I had stuff like javelins and ultimate frisbee. Vince: [excited] Ultimate Frisbee? [Gary nods, as the two start to make it through into a carpark.] Vince: [excited] That better be a real game. Gary: It is, I- Goldberg: [distant] No, you listen. No, you listen! [The two look up and see Mr Goldberg standing at the boot of a car on the phone. The boot is open, with a large black bag in the back. Vince sees the bag immediately.] Gary: Hey, is that your tutor? Vince: [quietly] Get down. [Vince pulls Gary down into a crouch, the two quickly running to cover behind a car.] Gary: [whispering] Why are we- Vince: [whispering] Shut up. Listen. [The two barely look over the edge of the car, looking at Goldberg.] Goldberg: [angry] Listen to me, you¡­ I don¡¯t care why you came here, I want you gone. By tomorrow night. If you¡¯re not, I¡¯m gonna come for you and I swear I¡¯m going to rip your head off your body and through it into the river! [Vince and Gary look at each other in surprise.] Goldberg: [angry] What you don¡¯t believe me? Don¡¯t believe me- no, you shut up! If I so much as see you back on campus then you¡­ [Goldberg sighs.] Goldberg: [angry, faux-calm] You¡¯ll never see the kid again. [Goldberg hangs up the phone, throwing it into the back of the car. He gets into the car as the two properly duck underneath the car, Goldberg driving and leaving the building. Gary turns to Vince, breathing heavily.] Gary: So¡­ about that whole ¡°leaving this behind us¡± thing... 1.9 - Meeting After [It¡¯s the next morning, 7:30. Liv is walking along through a nearly empty town with the black cat still following after her. She¡¯s now wearing a red shirt and purple hoodie with black jeans and shoes. She¡¯s hobbling slightly from her wound and looking down at the cat, purring loudly.] Liv: You¡­ you¡¯re just going to keep following aren¡¯t you? [The cat rubs against her other leg, making her stop.] Liv: Can you at least be a little bit quieter? [Her phone starts to buzz. She pulls it out, seeing the name and answering.] Liv: Hey, Sissel, how are you holding up? Sissel: Fine enough¡­ where are you now? Liv: Um¡­ town, just heading to College- Sissel: Sod it off. Liv: Excuse me? Sissel: I need you to come to the old house. Liv: [confused] Seriously? I¡¯ve said before, that place is a death trap. Sissel: It¡¯s not caved in yet, also the group need you in. Liv: [confused] What? Why? Why there, not just at College? Sissel: [shouting] Look, I am not arguing with you! Can you just come over and bring the sodding cat?! [Sissel hangs up before Liv can ask another question, leaving her staring at her phone in confusion.] Liv: [confused] Um¡­ hey fuzzball, you fancy a longer walk? [The cat purrs in agreement and she starts walking again, looking around. It transitions to her making it to the rundown house with the purple door, wide open. She walks though and looks around.] Liv: [loud] Hello? Vince: [distant] In here! [Liv moves into the room and finds the table surrounded by the group. Sissel is wearing the same clothes from yesterday, looking as if he hasn¡¯t slept. Leigh is wearing a shirt with a picture from Sweeney Todd on it. Chelsea is wearing a white shirt with blue stripes downwards on it. Vince is wearing a brown hoodie over his clothes. Gary has a white shirt with a yellow tie design on it with the bag from yesterday on his back. Liv immediately moves focus onto Sissel.] Liv: Um¡­ have you slept? Sissel: No. Come join please. [Liv comes over to the the table, the cat jumping up. She groans and picks up the cat, putting it back down.] Liv: Come on, buddy. Leigh: When did you get a cat? Liv: He just¡­ he hurt his leg, he¡¯s been following me ever since. Sissel: Is that why you were limping? [Liv looks at Sissel, confused.] Liv: [confused] Sorry, what? Sissel: You healed the cat, but you got the wound on your leg now. That¡¯s how it works. [Liv looks between the rest of the group, looking between each other in confusion.] Liv: [confused, worried] Um¡­ Sissel- [The cat jumps back up onto the table. Sissel reaches over and starts to pet the cat.] Sissel: Oh, hello Cheshire¡­ Chelsea: Cheshire? Leigh: Did you name the cat after the club? Liv: We are not keeping the cat, it is going back to its owners when I find them! [Sissel looks to the group.] Vince: Cecil, you might as well tell them what happened. [Leigh, Chelsea and Liv look between each other.] Sissel: Right¡­ right, okay then¡­ [Sissel stops petting Cheshire, looking to the three.] Sissel: I know that you have superpowers. [They look between each other again, now with Vince and Gary included.] Gary: [confused] That is not even... close to what we were thinking of, sorry, what the fuck are you on about? [Sissel looks to Gary and Vince for a second to speak, then stops himself. He looks back at the group.] Sissel: Um¡­ okay, I¡¯ll prove it them. This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon. [Sissel takes off the shoe and quickly comes up, throwing it at Leigh. Leigh holds up his hands in a panic, making it stop quickly in front of his face. Gary¡¯s jaw drops in surprise, the rest of the group looking at it. The shoe very quickly drops to the floor, Leigh panicking.] Leigh: [panicking] Okay, I don¡¯t know why that¡¯s happening! Sissel: If it helps, she can heal people. [Sissel points to Liv, very shocked.] Liv: [shocked] Um¡­ okay, sure, it is, but I thought that was the cat. Sissel: No, that¡¯s you. Chelsea told me in the future. [Vince punches the table, getting attention.] Vince: [confused, annoyed] Cecil, mate¡­ I love you, you know that, so pardon what I¡¯m about to say¡­ can you talk outside of fucking sense please? [Sissel nods, very quickly] Sissel: [slight panic] Okay, um¡­ thinking, um¡­ okay, so turns out that lightning storm gave us superpowers apart from me and Gary, for some reason. [Gary perks up, frowning.] Sissel: [slight panic] Chelsea travelled back in time and told me that, Leigh is basically a psychic, Liv can heal people by touching them and she didn¡¯t tell me what Vince can do. Vince: [surprised] Wait¡­ wait, I have one? Gary: [annoyed] Wait, I DON¡¯T have one? Chelsea: [surprised] I can time travel? [Liv and Leigh look at each other. Sissel covers his ears.] Sissel: [shouting] Please stop yelling at me, I have had a very stressful day! [Leigh looks at Gary, nodding to him. Gary notices.] Gary: Um¡­ how about we talk about our thing then? [Gary looks to Vince who nods.] Gary: So¡­ turns out that Goldberg may have possibly murdered that¡­ um¡­ Leigh: [shocked] Tweedle. Evan Tweedle? Gary: Yeah! Um¡­ me and Vince saw him¡­ ditching the body in his trunk. [Sissel moves slightly closer to Vince and Gary.] Gary: And based on what happened yesterday¡­ I think it¡¯s best that we try and deal with the whole ¡°murderous teacher¡± shtick that he¡¯s got going at the moment. [The group look between each other again, surprised.] Sissel: I also have a separate thing that I need help with¡­ please. Leigh: I-I don¡¯t know if- [Vince hits the table again.] Vince: [annoyed] Oh¡­ come on! We have superpowers, actual superpowers, that we have just seen! What, we¡¯re not going to use them? Use them to stop a killer? I mean Cecil a bow and arrow and give Gary some cleavage, we¡¯re basically the Avengers! Leigh: [shouting] I had a gun pointed at me yesterday, I¡¯d prefer not to do that again! Vince: [angry, loud] And if they fire the gun, then you can stop the bullet! Leigh: [shouting] I don¡¯t even know how! You expect me to start catching bullets now? Chelsea: [shouting] Stop it! [Attention turns to Chelsea. Sissel very slowly moves the hands away from his head.] Sissel: [worried] Um... Chelsea: I¡¯m in. I mean¡­ if what Sissel and you two are saying is true, which I can believe since he just did THAT, then I guess I don¡¯t have a choice. Liv: Yeah¡­ yeah, so am I. I mean¡­ as long as I don¡¯t get the cat killed¡­ please tell me that doesn¡¯t happen. Sissel: Chelsea didn¡¯t tell me anything bad happened to Cheshire. Liv: Good¡­ good¡­ [Attention moves over to Leigh, looking between the rest of the group. He sighs.] Leigh: [annoyed] If I get a gun pointed at me again, I¡¯m gonna scream. Fine! What is the plan? [Gary grabs the bag, unzipping it and pulling out a map. He unrolls the map and shows an overhead view of the college.] Gary: Right¡­ here¡¯s the plan then... 1.10 - The Plan [It shows the group leaving the building, in slow motion, while the characters voices are played overhead.] Gary: First of all, we all need to leave and spread out, get something that we could use to fend for ourselves. [Cuts to shots of members getting weapons. Leigh goes home and grabs a hammer out of a cupboard. Chelsea picks up a walking stick from a living room, then leaves. A shot with Liv shows her getting a wrench out of her garage, the cat still following her around. A shot of Gary in his room shows him picking up a katana, slowly unsheathing it. Vince has a shot of him looking around a kitchen, thinking. He looks over at the kettle and stares for a moment, grabbing it and running.] Sissel: I¡¯ll just grab mine when we get to College. I lost something that I need to get during the storm anyway. [There¡¯s a quick shot of Sissel looking around underneath cars in the parking lot outside the College.] Gary: Whatever suits you. Speaking of, I¡¯ve already got our disguises sorted. Leigh: What are they? [A shot of Leigh opening the bag up to reveal the cat masks is shown.] Gary: What else would they be? Liv: He has a point. [Another shot of the group walking towards the college is prepared.] Sissel: Actually! Um¡­ one of those two, I think his name was Benny, he needed to check through a mirror. So¡­ [Specific shot of Vince walking, pulling out his phone and spinning in a circle to look at the reflection.] Sissel: Couldn¡¯t hurt to keep something reflection-wise. Liv: We¡¯re gonna spin around in circles looking through mirrors? Sissel: If you want to. Liv: [hesitantly] Fair enough then. [Cuts to a shot of Vince, Gary and Leigh meeting just before reaching the College.] Gary: Once we¡¯re all together, I¡¯m thinking two teams. Me, Vince and Leigh are gonna need to go and find this Benny guy if we can, see if we can get him on our side. Leigh: We should ask him about these powers, see if he knows anything. Gary: Good idea. [Cuts to show Liv and Chelsea meeting in the street, heading towards College.] Sissel: I¡¯m gonna need to bring Chelsea with me for my plan. Liv: I¡¯ll go with you. Sissel: [hesitant] Um¡­ you don¡¯t have to- Liv: It¡¯s fine. Teams of three, keep it safe. Chelsea: Three and a cat. [The shot pans down to show Cheshire walking with the two. The cut finally moves to show Sissel still looking underneath a car and trying to grab something.] Sissel: I¡¯ll explain everything when we get there. Anything else? Gary: Shouldn¡¯t be. Meet there towards the end of College, attract less attention. Chelsea: Yeah, I doubt we¡¯re gonna get too much attention anyway. [The shot shows Sissel finally pull out from underneath the car the gun from before. He quickly sits up, covering it from people looking by. He slowly starts to try disassembling the gun, succeeding and putting the pieces into his pockets. He looks behind him once it¡¯s done and gets up, seeing the two teams coming together. Outside the front of college is reasonably crowded, people leaving. He runs over and immediately starts to pet Cheshire again, who purrs.] Sissel: Hey buddy¡­ [Chelsea and Liv stare at Gary and Vince.] Gary: [confused] What? [Chelsea points at him.] Chelsea: [confused] Is that a sword? Gary: Oh, no, it¡¯s just¡­ well, it¡¯s a fake sword. ¡°Recreational¡±. This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it. Liv: Can we try not to get people killed? Please? [Vince groaned.] Vince: I think I¡¯ve got that sorted with the kettle. Leigh: You can do a lot with a kettle. Vince: [sarcastic] Sure I can. [Leigh looks between them all.] Leigh: So¡­ we¡¯re gonna find Benny and try not to die¡­ You do Sissel¡¯s plan and don¡¯t die. Okay? [The group all nod at each other and break into two groups. Sissel leads Liv, Chelsea and Cheshire away while Leigh takes Vince and Gary off into the College again. Gary ends up looking around the many people and repeating about how he¡¯s carrying a fake sword while Vince catches up with Leigh.] Vince: So¡­ how you holding up? Leigh: [thinking, slowly] I have superpowers apparently Vincent, it¡¯s very new information. Vince: Yeah, but¡­ y¡¯know, what do you think of it? I mean this is like stuff out of a comic book, I don¡¯t even know what mine is yet! Surprised your girlfriend didn¡¯t- [Leigh looks to Vince confused.] Leigh: [confused] Sorry, what did you say? Vince: Chelsea! I¡¯m surprised she didn¡¯t say. Leigh: [confused] Right, um¡­ yeah, she¡¯s not my girlfriend. Vince: Oh¡­ okay then. [The two continue walking in silence for a couple of seconds.] Vince: Why not? Leigh: [groaning] Okay¡­ let me guess, you¡¯ve got relationship advice for me? Vince: Hell no, I just¡­ y¡¯know¡­ curious¡­ Leigh: I tried to ask her out yesterday but then your cousin became a hostage and I nearly got shot and we were struck by lightning- Vince: I feel like you aren¡¯t going to let that go. Leigh: That is going to stay with me until the day that I die. Vince: [slowly] Fair enough. [Cuts to outside with Sissel leading the other two away. They both look very confused.] Liv: Um¡­ where actually are we going? Sissel: Where do you think? [Liv and Chelsea look between each other.] Liv: [silently] Do you wanna¡­ Chelsea: [silently] Sure¡­ [Chelsea hops forward very quickly next to Sissel.] Chelsea: This is about Tracey, isn¡¯t it? Sissel: Yes. Chelsea: You want us to go back in time to save her. Sissel: While I have a chance to, yes I do. [Chelsea nods, understandingly.] Chelsea: Um¡­ now I don¡¯t mean to¡­ be mean, but¡­ wouldn¡¯t that kinda change a lot of history if we do that? Sissel: What, you¡¯re telling me we shouldn¡¯t? Chelsea: [worried] Hell no, I loved Tracey but¡­ I don¡¯t know if we know what we¡¯re doing. Sissel: [firm] I know what I¡¯m doing, I¡¯m saving her. I need you for this. Chelsea: [worried] And if we bring her back then what if she ends up in that Storm? Okay, what¡¯ll happen to her then? [Sissel stays silent for a moment.] Sissel: [shaking] I just¡­ she doesn¡¯t deserve this. I need to do something to at least try¡­ [Chelsea moves Sissel a bit further away so Liv can¡¯t hear.] Chelsea: [quietly] Look¡­ look, I¡¯ll help you get back then but that¡¯s it. Whatever you¡¯re going to do, it is your choice. Okay? Sissel: [shaking] Okay. Chelsea: [quietly] If you want, I can tell Liv to go. [Sissel sighs, seeming immediately annoyed.] Sissel: Sod it, bring her with us. Chelsea: Are you sure? Sissel: She already killed her once. Now she can save her. [Sissel starts to walk slightly faster, moving ahead of the group. Chelsea sighs as Liv catches up with Chelsea.] Liv: How is he? Chelsea: He still hates you. Liv: [upset] Oh¡­ okay then. 1.11 - Screen [Leigh, Vince and Gary very quietly try to move through the College towards a lift, managing to make it in without being seen. As they get in, Gary sighs and hops in place a bit.] Gary: Okay, I¡¯ll be honest, I am regretting the fake sword now. Leigh: That¡¯s your own fault, it wouldn¡¯t even do anything. Gary: Better than a kettle, isn¡¯t it? [Vince turns, chuckling at Gary and pointing the kettle at him.] Vince: [faux-threatening] Don¡¯t make me use this on you. [Gary puts his hands up in joking fear.] Leigh: Seriously, if it¡¯s that bad then just leave the sword here. Gary: [surprised] Are you sure? Leigh: Yeah, I¡¯m sure. It¡¯s not real. [Gary shrugs, putting the fake sword down in the corner of the lift. The doors open onto the top floor, having lined up with windows and a dark blue carpet.] Vince: [determined] Right, let¡¯s move. [Vince exits, Leigh and Gary then following after them. They look around, seeing no one in the corridors.] Leigh: [quietly] Where do we go then? Gary: [quietly] I¡¯m thinking find Goldberg¡¯s office. See what he¡¯s got, maybe has a clue. [Vince looks around and sees a doorway, heading towards it.] Vince: [quietly] That way. Anything specific? Leigh: [quietly] Maybe just a clue to where Benny is. Gary: [quietly] Y¡¯know, if Benny was being chased by a killer then it¡¯s probably best that we don¡¯t go getting in the way of that. [Vince opens the door and sees nobody, heading deeper in with the group two following. There are a few doorways number from 1-10, then 11-20, then 20+.] Leigh: [quietly] I just wanna make sure he¡¯s okay, I believe I¡¯ve brought up the gun thing quite a lot already. Vince: [quietly] Too much, honestly. Leigh: [quietly] Noted, but still! Vince: [quietly] Hey, nothing wrong with it, just saying that it wouldn¡¯t help you to stop every now and then. Leigh: [quietly] Okay, noted! [They go up to the door labeled ¡°20+¡± and go through quietly. There¡¯s a longer corridor again that they quietly walk down. They quickly make it to door ¡°23¡± with the name Richard Goldberg written on a plaque on it. Gary knocks on the door and the other two look at him, bewildered.] Gary: [confused] What? Leigh: [quietly, yelling] What are you doing? Gary: [defensive] I¡¯m checking if he¡¯s in there! Vince: [quietly, yelling] You wanna blow our cover immediately?! Gary: [defensive, quietly, yelling] I was just checking if he¡¯s in there! He clearly isn¡¯t, he would of opened the door by now! Okay? [Gary slowly opens the door and pushes it open.] Gary: [quietly] There you go! [Vince goes first, looking around. Leigh gestures for Gary to go first.] Gary: Cheers chicken. [Gary enters, Leigh entering behind and looking at him confused.] Leigh: [confused] What? Gary: [agitated] Oh, don¡¯t start! [The office has a single desk with a laptop on it. The room is brown, with a single window behind it. There is a bookcase at the side involving guides on writing and film design. The desk is wooden and old fashioned, with a seat across from it for a student to sit and a spinning chair for him to sit. Gary is about to close the door, but then hesitates while he does. He turns to the group.] Gary: Someone should stay outside. Keep an eye out in case Goldberg comes up. Vince: Oh, I will. [Vince hops over to the door, closing it behind him as she leaves.] Gary: Right¡­ since we got kettle-boy out the room, what should we do? Leigh: Um¡­ hmm¡­ [Leigh looks around the room, then points at the laptop and chair.] Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences. Leigh: I¡¯ll check the laptop, you look through the books and see if he¡¯s hiding anything. [Leigh goes over to the laptop and starts looking, Gary looking back at him in annoyance.] Gary: Why do I have to look at the books? Leigh: Because I¡¯m already on the laptop. [Gary sighs and starts to look through the books, grumbling to himself. Leigh turns on the laptop and waits for a few seconds. It eventually loads up onto the screen saver, with an image of himself next to Benny and Evan standing in a group outside of Big Ben, also visible in the picture. There are three other men there, one of them is wearing a purple suit with a cat mask in his hand, along with his eyes noticeably with a green and brown colour to them. The other is wearing a green blazer with a white letter in the breast pocket, they also have on a black top hat with a green bow around it. The third is wearing a brown long coat with a bow tie around his neck. Goldberg is wearing a blue coat trench coat that covers up most of his body and is smoking in the image. There is a blonde woman in the background who is barely noticeable, only seeing a ponytail and freckles as defining traits. All the new men have short brown hair and no facial hair. Leigh stares at this screen, humming. Gary notices.] Gary: Found something? [Leigh pulls out his phone, going to the camera.] Leigh: Yeah, I think so¡­ Look at this. [Leigh takes a picture of the screen as Gary comes over. Gary looks at it and frowns in confusion.] Gary: Well¡­ that¡¯s a neat picture¡­ I guess- Leigh: Gary, it¡¯s a team! [Leigh points at Evan and Benny.] Leigh: These two were here yesterday, maybe they were being chased by someone in this picture¡­ Gary: Okay¡­ hey, who¡¯s that? Leigh: [annoyed] Gary, there are a lot of people in this picture. Gary: That one! In the back! [Gary points at the blonde in the back, before a very quick knocking on the door is heard. It cuts outside to see Vince knocking on the door as Goldberg is walking down the corridor. He sees Vince and perks up.] Goldberg: Vincent! What are you doing here, it¡¯s after hours? Vince: [hesitant] Um¡­ I¡­ wanted help¡­ with Sissel and... [He very slowly raises the kettle.] Vince: [hesitant] Coffee? [Goldberg chuckles awkwardly.] Goldberg: [confused] Um¡­ I can help you get some coffee if you want. I just need to grab something from my office. [Vince inhales slowly then nods.] Goldberg: [confused] Okay¡­ are you okay? [Vince nods.] Goldberg: [confused, concerned] Okay then¡­ just wait here, give me the kettle, I¡¯ll deal with the coffee. [Vince hands Goldberg the coffee and very slowly moves out the way of the door. Goldberg enters the room and finds it empty, the laptop closed. A shot shows him move over and grab his laptop, with Gary and Leigh hiding underneath the leg space to the desk. Goldberg leaves the room and closes the door, the two falling onto the ground and panicking quietly. Outside, Goldberg looks to Vince.] Goldberg: I¡¯ll be back in a bit, you just wait here, okay? Vince: [slowly] Yep, completely fine, don¡¯t worry about it. I¡¯ll be here. [Goldberg slowly nods, then leaves with the kettle. After he¡¯s gone, Leigh and Gary exit from the office.] Leigh: [quietly] Okay, may not be worth it, let¡¯s just go and get moving! Gary: [quietly] We got stuff anyway. Vince: [quietly] What about my kettle? [Leigh starts walking off, Gary pushing forward Vince.] Gary: [quietly] Fuck the kettle, just get moving! [Gary moves next to Vince, grabs his hand, then moves in front while pulling him along.] 1.12 - Chase [Leigh, Vince and Gary move quickly out of the teacher¡¯s offices, closing the doors behind them.] Leigh: So we found this screensaver on his computer. It had him on it with a whole ton of other people including Evan Tweedle and this Benny guy, one sec I¡¯ll show you. [Gary hits the button to the lift while Leigh rummages for his phone. The lift quickly gets closer to their floor.] Leigh: I¡¯m thinking, maybe they were part of some team? But something broke the team up a bit and so, while Evan and Benny were here, he had to get rid of them. [The lift reaches the top, Gary looking through the window and freezing.] Leigh: Problem is, if that is true- Vince: [concerned] Then we could be facing a team. Gary: [panicking] Um¡­ Guys? [They all look to the lift doors as they open, revealing the White Rabbit inside with a knife. They all quickly panic as he lunges forward with it. They move out of the way and run into the lift, hitting the button to close the doors. The Rabbit turns to attack again, but Gary kicks him in the stomach as he enters which causes the Rabbit to bend over, before Leigh then knees him in the face and knocks him out the lift. As he falls, the doors close.] Vince: [panicking] Hit a button! Hit a button! [Leigh scrambles to the numbered floors and hits the bottom floor, the lift beginning to move down. They all stand still, backing into the back of the lift.] Gary: [panicking] So¡­ what the fuck do we do now? Leigh: [panicking] I don¡¯t know, good job with the kick though. Gary: [panicking] Nice hit with the knee. [The two fist bump as Vince rubs his head, thinking.] Vince: [panicking] Um¡­ question, can either of you outrun the lift using the stairs? Leigh: [chuckling] Barely. Gary: [scoffing] Easily. [Leigh glares at Gary in a competitive way.] Vince: [panicking] Well¡­ taking that middle ground¡­ we need to find a place to hide and fast because if we don¡¯t then I¡¯m sure he¡¯s going to come down and kill us in this lift. [The group look between each other, trying to think.] This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report. Gary: Um¡­ what are the chances he would look in the girls toilet? [Leigh and Vince look at him, frowning in surprise.] Gary: [defensive] Look, I¡¯m trying to keep us alive here! You think the guys gonna be such a prick to go into the girls toilets? Leigh: He¡¯s a murderer, how should we know?! [Gary sighs.] Vince: I mean¡­ worth a shot, right? [Cuts just outside as the lift pings, the doors slowly sliding open and the three of them falling out of the lift and breaking into a sprint down the corridors. They run past a corridor as the White Rabbit turns and sprints down. The group see him and run faster away into the corridor. Before the Rabbit makes it downstairs, Vince pulls the group back out of the corridor. They go through a doorway into the girls toilets. Once they¡¯re in, they¡¯re in a room with three sinks and toilet stalls.] Leigh: [quietly] We¡¯re seriously hiding in a toilet? Gary: [quietly] Shut up, everybody in a stall! [Gary runs into a stall, then followed by Vince. Leigh looks at the doors and thinks.] Vince: [quietly, shouting] Leigh, come on! [Leigh holds his hands out and the other doors slowly close, locking. Gary then runs into the stall and closes it, locking it. They all stand on top of the toilet and cover each others mouths (Gary over Leigh, Vince over Gary, Leigh over Vince). They hear the door slowly open and someone comes in that they can¡¯t see. They walk very slowly across the toilets, knocking on the furthest door. The three tighten their grips on each other, as the person then knocks on the door next to them. They slowly move over and knock the door that they¡¯re hiding behind, Gary closing his eyes in panic. The person knocks one more time, with the group managing to remain silent. There¡¯s a sigh as the person leaves the room, the door closing behind them. They wait for a few seconds.] Gary: [muffled] Should we- [Vince shushes Gary, all of them going silent again.] Leigh: [muffled, quiet] I hope the others are doing better than hiding in the girls toilets. [Vince nods slowly, still looking panicked.] 1.13 - Special Blend [Sissel opens the door to a house, moving immediately into a living room. The house has a red wallpaper, with two brown sofas on both sides of the room, one near the door and one away from it. There is a television attached onto the wall and a fireplace underneath it. Sissel moves over to the sofa furthest away from the door and sits down. Chelsea instead goes to the sofa nearest the door. Liv comes towards the sofa Sissel is sat on, but he points for her to move to next to Chelsea, which she does.] Chelsea: So¡­ what¡¯s the plan, champ? Sissel: [forceful] Save her. Chelsea: We need more than that! [Sissel looks to Liv, sighing.] Sissel: Liv, when was the party? [Liv looks up at Sissel, to Chelsea, then back to Sissel.] Liv: [worried] Um¡­ I don¡¯t- Sissel: [annoyed] You know exactly when, I know you do, so just tell me when your stupid fucking party was! Chelsea: [defensive] Hey, Sissel! Sissel: I need to know the time! If I don¡¯t know the time then we can¡¯t go back and save her! Chelsea: [defensive] Yelling is not going to help! [Sissel looks at the floor, taking a breath.] Sissel: [annoyed] Look¡­ look, I just¡­ I need to go back and save her, so give me the time that your stupid party started and we¡¯ll go back. Liv: [worried] Sissel, I¡­ I really don¡¯t know. I don¡¯t remember. [Sissel scratches his head, closing his eyes and groaning.] Liv: [worried] Sissel, please, can you believe me? Sissel: [angry, faux-calm] No¡­ no, of course I can¡¯t, why could I? Y¡¯know, not like you got her killed in the first place. Chelsea: [angry, forceful] Stop it. Sissel: [angry, faux-calm] Your stupid idea for a party, invite around. Apart from me, obviously, not like you wanted me here in the first place. Chelsea: [angry, forceful] Sissel, I said stop! Sissel: [angry, faux-calm] But it¡¯s fine, because if she hadn¡¯t gone to your stupid party then she wouldn¡¯t have gone home later and she wouldn¡¯t be dead. So basically, if you think about it, you killed her. [Chelsea gets up, walks over to Sissel and punches him in the face, knocking him to the side.] Chelsea: [angry] You need to learn when to fucking stop! [Liv is looking at the scene in surprise, not really able to comment properly.] Chelsea: [angry] It is not her fault! You cannot keep blaming her for Tracey¡¯s death just because of one stupid party! And if you keep doing this, then¡­ [Chelsea looks back at Liv, thinking, then back at Sissel.] Chelsea: [angry] I will go back in time and stop you being born. So leave her alone! Got it? [Sissel looks up at Chelsea, his nose bleeding badly from the punch. He looks at Liv, still angry, and nods.] Chelsea: [angry, calmer] Right¡­ good¡­ [Chelsea turns to Liv, shaking her own hand from the punch.] Chelsea: [angry, calmer] Olivia¡­ it was the 17th of June¡­ give me the rough hour and we¡¯ll try to stop her before it happens, okay? [Liv nods, looking down and thinking.] Liv: [panicked] Um¡­ I think¡­ last text she sent me was at about nine? [Sissel starts fumbling for his phone.] Sissel: [stammering] No, we¡­ we were talking when she was coming back home. Last text was at¡­ [Sissel gets his phone out and gets to the messages.] Sissel: [stammering] Half ten. Ish. Just about. [Chelsea nods.] Chelsea: [annoyed] Right¡­ now Sissel, don¡¯t upset me again¡­ do you know how I can time travel? [Sissel rubs the blood from his nose, still bleeding, getting up.] Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site. Sissel: [stammering] Follow me. [Sissel leads them into the kitchen, the sides being cluttered and the oven being a dark green dusty wreck. Sissel moves over to the kettle, pushing a few things out the way before turning it on to boil. He opens a cupboard and gets coffee out of it, using his foot to open a draw on the other end of the room. He puts the coffee on the side, getting a cup from the same cupboard and doing the same. He then opens a draw in front of him, getting out a teaspoon. He pours in some coffee, then adds the half-boiled water. He stirs it quickly with the spoon and moves over to the open draw, filled with batteries, cigarette lighters and takeaway menus. He rummages and grabs out a battery, dropping it in the drink. He turns to Chelsea and hands her the drink. She stares at him in disgust.] Chelsea: [disgusted] Yeah¡­ no, that¡¯s disgusting, I¡¯m not drinking that. Sissel: [annoyed] If we are going to save Tracey¡­ think of the time and date¡­ and drink the fucking coffee. [Chelsea stares at the cup and sighs, taking the cup from Sissel. He places a shoulder on Chelsea¡¯s shoulder as does Liv. She drinks it and immediately her face contorts into a frown. She swallows, putting the coffee down and coughing.] Chelsea: [disgusted] Jesus, Sissel, that was disgus- [Rather suddenly the three are surrounded in this pink aura that collapses on them, making them disappear in a moment. It then cuts to a night-time setting, outside of a house with the lights on. There¡¯s unintelligible shouting and music inside, with a small gust of wind blowing through. Suddenly a small vacuum occurs, sucking the wind in. After a couple of seconds, the pink aura appears again and explodes outwards which causes the three to appear again.] Chelsea: [disgusted] -ting. [confused] Um¡­ [The three look around the area in surprise, Chelsea taking deep breaths as she recognizes the situation. Chelsea looks up to the moon and dark sky.] Chelsea: [shocked] Oh my god, I can actually time travel. [Sissel sees the door, pointing.] Sissel: That¡¯s your house. [Liv turns, standing next to Sissel.] Liv: Yes it is. Sissel: Right¡­ nobody follow me. Meeting yourself, paradoxes and¡­ stuff. Liv: Oh, I don¡¯t want to. [Sissel and Liv look at each other, then back at the door.] Sissel: [annoyed] You can go back now if you want. I¡¯ll wait. Liv: Don¡¯t be an idiot. Sissel: [annoyed] I¡¯m pretty good at that. Liv: No, you¡¯re¡­ we¡¯ll talk about this later, okay? [Sissel looks at Liv and nods.] Sissel: [upset] Sorry. Liv: Not now. [Liv pats him on the shoulder, stepping back to Chelsea who is still looking around and looking over her surroundings. Sissel slowly walks up to the door, taking deep breaths. He knocks on the door twice, then waits. He wipes blood from his nose again, waiting another five seconds. He then knocks another two times. He looks back at Liv and Chelsea, then back at the door. He looks back.] Sissel: [shouting] Hey, why is nobody opening the door? Liv: Um¡­ music too loud? Chelsea: Yeah, I don¡¯t remember anyone coming in anyway. [Sissel nods, coming back over and hitting his head.] Sissel: Um¡­ oh god, um¡­ wait out here, in case she comes out. I¡¯ll head to her house, maybe she hasn¡¯t even left yet. [Sissel starts to run off down the street, the other two nodding to him. Chelsea moves onto the wall of the house near the door, sitting down by it.] Chelsea: You coming? [Liv looks over and nods, then moves over next to her.] 1.14 - Off [Liv and Chelsea are sat outside the door, staring forward. The noises from inside are getting progressively louder, some laughing and some audio from people playing games can be heard.] Chelsea: It isn¡¯t your fault, you know? Liv: [upset] Well¡­ [Liv looks over to Chelsea and shrugs.] Liv: [upset] Does it matter? Chelsea: Well¡­ yeah, it does, quite a bit I would think. Liv: [upset] Well not if that¡¯s what he thinks. Hell, I know that it isn¡¯t just him¡­ [Chelsea looks over at Liv.] Chelsea: [confused] What do you mean? [Liv sighs.] Liv: Leigh blames me. Chelsea: [defensive] Oh, he does not blame you! He¡¯s still recovering, just¡­ just trying to get an answer, y¡¯know? [Liv looks to Chelsea.] Liv: [confused] No? [Chelsea sighs, looking around and thinking.] Chelsea: [thinking] Um¡­ okay, gimme some time¡­ Liv: It¡¯s fine. Y¡¯know, I¡¯ll¡­ I¡¯ll live, I guess. Chelsea: Yes you are. [Liv stares at Chelsea who gets a small smile on her face.] Liv: Proud of yourself? Chelsea: [chuckling] Yep. [Chelsea continues to chuckle, Liv laying against the wall. After a few seconds, she starts to chuckle.] Liv: [chuckling] Okay, I kinda like that. [Chelsea smiles.] Chelsea: Good. You¡¯re so much better when you aren¡¯t being miserable. [Liv nods a bit.] Liv: [worried] Um¡­ be honest with me. Chelsea: Always. Liv: [worried] If I hadn¡¯t thrown this party, do you think that Tracey would be alive? [Chelsea stops herself from talking.] Chelsea: [worried] Um¡­ I¡¯ll be honest, you seem like you¡¯re already set on an answer. Liv: [upset] Just a little bit. [Chelsea budges a little bit closer to Liv.] Chelsea: Look, it¡¯s not your fault! It¡¯s as much your fault as it is mine, which it is not! Liv: [upset] I know! I know, just¡­ it¡¯s the stupid party. I started the party, meaning that Tracey came. If she hadn¡¯t come then she wouldn¡¯t be in that situation and she wouldn¡¯t be dead. [Chelsea nods, thinking.] Chelsea: Yes, but¡­ BUT she might have still gone that way even if you hadn¡¯t thrown that party! Or maybe something else would¡¯ve- know what, I don¡¯t wanna think about it. But you get what I¡¯m saying. [Liv nods back, looking up.] Chelsea: [worried, annoyed] Okay, what else is bothering you? Liv: [confused] What? Chelsea: [worried, annoyed] Well I¡¯m not gonna act like I¡¯m some sorta master of psychology, but you are still looking¡­ mopey. Liv: [confused] Mopey? Chelsea: [worried] Well I don¡¯t wanna say miserable again! Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original. Liv: [defensive] I¡¯m fine, really. Just¡­ christ, do you know what time it is? [Chelsea shrugs.] Chelsea: Can¡¯t check, phones still tied up with the present day so¡­ [Liv nods, sighing. It cuts to Sissel running down the street. He turns through a corner and runs to a number 14 house. He stumbles up and quickly knocks on the door, hitting it seven times. Sissel stops and shakes himself a bit. He wipes blood off his nose again.] Sissel: [quietly] Calm¡­ calm¡­ S-stop being like this¡­ [Sissel takes one deep breath as the door opens, immediately drawing his attention to the woman in the doorway. She¡¯s in her 50¡¯s, with a red flowery shirt on and trousers. Her hair is short light brown and she wears glasses. Upon opening the door she sees Sissel and looks at him in confusion.] Woman: [confused] Hello? Sissel: [panicking] Hi. Sorry, um¡­ Tracey, I¡¯m a friend of Tracey¡¯s, is she in? Woman: [confused] Well no, she¡¯s at a party. Are you okay? Sissel: [panicking] Fine! Yeah, um¡­ hey, what time is it? Woman: [confused] Just let me check¡­ [The woman pulls herself into the building, Sissel taking a few deep breaths. It cuts to Liv and Chelsea again as a man walks by. He¡¯s wearing a black hoodie and beanie, covering his hair. Chelsea waves over at him.] Chelsea: [loud] Excuse me, mate? [The man turns to them.] Chelsea: [loud] Got the time? [The man nods, checking a watch on his wrist.] Man: [loud] 10:28. [Liv immediately pulls herself to her feet, panicking. Chelsea does the same, looking at Liv.] Chelsea: [panicking] Um... Liv: [panicking] We need to get Sissel. [Liv runs off in the direction that Sissel went, Chelsea tailing behind her. She turns back to the man, incredibly confused.] Chelsea: [shouting] Thank you! [Cuts back to the woman at the door, now coming back and finding Sissel, trying to remain calm.] Woman: [confused] Nearly half past. [Sissel¡¯s face drops, breathing speeding up slightly.] Sissel: [panicked, stuttering] Half-half nine, right? Woman: [confused] No, about ten. [Sissel nods slowly, breathing getting more intense. He starts backing away slightly.] Woman: [worried] Are you okay? Are you on something? Sissel: [panicking] Well I¡¯m barely gonna sleep for two months, so that¡¯s getting to me a touch. Thank you. Stay safe. [Sissel starts running down the street again. He looks towards the direction he came, where Liv and Chelsea are, and stops.] Sissel: [panicking] There¡¯s no time¡­ there¡¯s no time. [Sissel turns and looks towards a road surrounded by trees. He takes another deep breath and starts sprinting in that direction.] 1.15 - Goodbye [Sissel runs along the dark road from the first scene, frantically sprinting and panicking with his breathing being sporadic. His nose isn¡¯t bleeding as badly anymore, but he still has it dripping onto his face. He is clearly very tired, barely able to keep running. He eventually collapses onto the ground, on his hands and knees. He¡¯s breathing heavily, verge of tears, then head butts the floor and screams.] Sissel: [angry] Come on! [He sits up, gripping his head and taking deep breaths. He gets up onto his feet as Chelsea and Liv come up running behind him.] Chelsea: [panicking] Sissel! [The two come up to him, Chelsea and Liv placing their hands on his shoulders and helping him to his feet. Chelsea lets go, although Liv shakes for a second. Her forehead and nose starts to bleed, while Sissel returns to looking fine with his breathing back to normal. Liv backs up a bit, panting.] Liv: [panting, panicking] Why¡­ did you fucking¡­ head butt the floor?! Sissel: [panicking] There¡¯s no time, we¡¯re out of time! Come on! [Sissel starts to run again, Chelsea looking at him then Liv. Liv waves her off, now on the ground.] Liv: [panting, panicking] I¡¯ll catch¡­ catch up. [Chelsea breaks into a sprint after Sissel, a few meters away. Sissel continues running, looking at the floor. He hits himself in the head again, looking back up as he runs. He tries to run faster, but trips on his footing and stumbles. He falls onto his knees and skids, making him groan in pain. He picks himself up and pushes forward. He sees, in the distance, a shadow of a person. He stops for a moment, squinting to try and make him out. Behind him runs Chelsea, grabbing him and pushing.] Chelsea: [panicking] What are you doing, move! [She runs, carrying Sissel by the hand in that direction. They both move further as the car drives by, Chelsea looking and staring at it in disbelief. Sissel continues running and pulls Chelsea along until he sees Tracey on the ground. He sprints towards her, moving into the road.] Sissel: [panicking] Tracey! [He kneels down next to her, holding her. She¡¯s unconscious and bleeding badly at the neck. He holds the wound, trying to keep pressure down.] Sissel: [panicking] Oh god¡­ Jesus fuck¡­ [He looks back to see Liv now pulling along Chelsea, both in shock after seeing the body.] Chelsea: [disbelief] Oh my God. Sissel: [panicking] Come on! [Liv quickly moves over as Chelsea stares. She looks to her side and sees the shadowy figure up close, now visibly seen to be someone in the White Rabbit mask. They stare back at Chelsea, then look over to Tracey.] Sissel: [panicking] Fucking¡­ what do we do? Liv: [panicking] I don¡¯t know. Sissel: [panicking] Well we need to fucking do something! [Chelsea runs over and kneels next to Liv.] Chelsea: [panicking, disbelief] Um¡­ Christ, um¡­ Liv, hold the pressure down. We¡¯ll try and calm her. [Chelsea pulls out her phone and checks the signal, finding it non-existent. Sissel moves his hands away as Liv moves hers onto Tracey¡¯s neck.] Chelsea: [panicking] Shit¡­ no signal. Sissel: [panicking] What? Chelsea: [panicking] There¡¯s no signal, I can¡¯t get an ambulance. Sissel: [panicking] Well we can¡¯t just leave her here! Chelsea: [panicking, shouting] I¡¯m trying, okay? Tracey: [weak] What¡­ [The two look down at Tracey, her eyes barely open and her neck back in place.] Tracey: [weak] What¡¯s happening¡­ [Chelsea looks up at Liv, a very small cut on her neck that is growing. She is very slowly shaking, now turning to look at Chelsea.] Liv: [strained] I¡¯m not holding this forever, you gotta say something now. [Chelsea and Sissel look at each other, still panicking.] Tracey: [weak] I can¡¯t see¡­ [Sissel moves down, looking at Tracey and panicking.] Sissel: [faux-calm] Tracey? Tracey, it¡¯s me, it¡¯s Sissel. [Tracey turns her head slightly.] Tracey: [weak] But¡­ we were just talking¡­ Sissel: [faux-calm] I know, I know, I¡¯ve just come to help you. [Chelsea moves down next to Sissel.] Chelsea: [faux-calm] Me too, and Liv. We¡¯re all here for you Tracey. [Tracey smiles slightly, Liv pulling away and grabbing her neck in pain. Tracey gasps for a second, the three panicking. Liv takes a deep breath and moves down.] If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. Chelsea: [panicking] Tracey, are you still there? Tracey: [weak, panicking] Yeah, I¡­ [Sissel looks like he¡¯s starting to cry, taking deep breaths.] Sissel: [panicking, faux-calm] Hey, don¡¯t worry, we¡¯re gonna get some help. Tracey: [weak, panicking] Am I dying? Sissel: [panicking, faux-calm] No, no¡­ you¡¯re gonna be fine, you¡¯re gonna be fine. Tracey: [weak] Sissel¡­ don¡¯t lie to me... [Sissel looks at Chelsea and Liv. Chelsea nods to him.] Sissel: [panicking] I¡­ yes, I¡¯m sorry, I¡¯m sorry. Tracey: [weak] Don¡¯t be, don¡¯t¡­ Chelsea: [panicking, faux-calm] Okay, Tracey? Listen to me, okay? We¡¯re gonna stay with you, but we can¡¯t keep you like this forever, you know that. [Tracey tries to nod, which causes Liv to lose her hand. She grabs her own neck in pain, only putting one hand back on Tracey. The cut on her neck is only slightly larger.] Tracey: [weak] Can¡­ can you let me go? Sissel: [upset] W-what do you mean? What do you mean? Tracey: [weak] If I¡¯m gonna go¡­ Sissel: [upset] No, not yet. Okay, not yet, please. Chelsea: [panicking, upset] Sissel, we can¡¯t. We¡¯re killing Liv. Sissel: [upset] I¡­ I can¡¯t just let her die. We got this far, I can¡¯t¡­ Tracey: [weak] Sissel¡­ [Sissel looks down at Tracey.] Sissel: [upset] I¡¯m sorry, I can¡¯t- Tracey: [weak] Deep breaths¡­ [Sissel takes a few deep breaths, his breathing shaking.] Sissel: [upset] I was so close... Tracey: [weak] It¡¯s fine¡­ you did what you could¡­ just let me go¡­ Sissel: [upset, voice shaking] I don¡¯t want you to... Tracey: [weak] Please¡­ I¡¯m okay¡­ Let Chelsea¡­ [Sissel gets up slowly, slowly moving back.] Sissel: [voice shaking] I¡­ I lo¡­ Tracey: [weak] Me too. [Sissel moves away more, crying heavier. Chelsea looks at her.] Chelsea: [panicking] What should I do now? Tracey: [weak] Keep an eye on him for me¡­ he seems upset¡­ [Chelsea chuckles a bit, still visibly sad.] Tracey: [weak] Okay¡­ let me go now¡­ [Liv pulls away, screaming in pain as she falls back and grips her own neck. Tracey starts gasping and closes her eyes, quickly slowing down. Chelsea stays next to her, holding onto Tracey¡¯s hand.] Chelsea: [faux-calm] Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯m here. We¡¯re all here. We love you Tracey, so don¡¯t worry, we¡¯re gonna stay with you. [Tracey eventually starts to stop moving. Her breathing gets very slow and sporadic until eventually stopping. Liv sits up, looking at Tracey¡¯s body. Sissel is looking away. Chelsea swallows some air, wiping her face.] Chelsea: [upset] Never wanted to see that. [Sissel turns to face them, seeing the silhouette of the White Rabbit in the background. His face goes from distress to anger, breathing heavily.] Sissel: [angry, quiet] You could have saved her. [The Rabbit looks at him, staring. Their voice is distorted, but sounds different and more high pitch.] Rabbit: [remorse] I did what I could. [The Rabbit becomes consumed in the reflective form, before eventually falling apart into glass on the floor. Sissel looks down at Chelsea, taking deep breaths and visibly upset. He walks up to the trees at the side of the road, punching one and screaming. He headbutts the tree twice, bleeding again, and grabs it. He rests his head on it and starts crying, bleeding onto the tree. Chelsea gets up and moves over to Sissel.] Chelsea: Sissel, we have to go. [Chelsea pulls at Sissel. He resists a bit, holding the tree.] Chelsea: Sissel, come on. [Sissel doesn¡¯t let go of the tree. Chelsea moves next to him and holds him.] Chelsea: [quietly] Sissel, the car. I saw who was driving it, okay? We need to go back. [Sissel turns to Chelsea, mixed between upset and angry.] Sissel: [slowly, angry] Who¡­ was driving the car? [Chelsea swallows air again.] Chelsea: [quietly] Sissel- [Sissel grabs onto her arm, getting angrier.] Sissel: [Angry] Who was driving the car? [Chelsea takes a deep breath, looking to Liv as she gets back onto her feet properly.] Chelsea: [slowly] Goldberg. It was Goldberg. [Sissel slowly nods, Chelsea making eye contact with him. He keeps nodding and punches the tree again, screaming one more time.] 1.16 - Sissels Plan [Shows Leigh, Gary and Vince in the bathroom stall, still staying quiet and now holding themselves by the walls. Gary is asleep while Vince and Leigh look very paranoid. Vince pats Leigh¡¯s leg.] Leigh: [quietly] What? Vince: [quietly] Hear anything? Leigh: [quietly] No. You? Vince: [quietly] No. Think he¡¯s gone. Leigh: [quietly] Well we¡¯ve been here for three hours, so I would hope so. [Vince nods in agreement.] Leigh: [quietly] Maybe we should go check on- [The main door starts to open and the two shut up, Leigh covering Vince and Gary¡¯s mouth. Gary slowly wakes up, very confused by the hand over his mouth.] Gary: [muffled] Um- [Vince slaps him, to which Gary stares at him in surprise. Gary stays quiet as a quiet bundle of footsteps start to come towards the door. A shadow starts to move across slowly and then stops in front of their door. They all freeze, holding their breath. A cat paw moves underneath the door and the three scream, before Cheshire walks in underneath and meows at them. They all start to take a sigh of relief, Vince moving down and petting Cheshire.] Vince: [quietly] There you go, you stupid cat. Did you see anything? Gary: [groggy] Please tell me you¡¯re not talking to the twatting cat- [Leigh shushes Gary, who slaps him away as he gets up.] Gary: [groggy] Fuck off! He¡¯s clearly not fucking here, just¡­ fucking¡­ fuck, man. [Gary moves up and unlocks the door, leaving. Vince looks at Leigh in disbelief.] Vince: Seriously? Leigh: [quietly] Hey, I didn¡¯t tell him to! [Vince gets up, beckoning Cheshire to follow him. Leigh sighs and gets up, following after Vince. They all exit the toilets, Vince jogging over to Gary as Leigh walks over.] Gary: Okay, so, since I¡¯m the one that¡¯s basically having all the good ideas, I¡¯ve decided to take charge. Vince: [laughing] Hell no. Gary: Yeah, I wasn¡¯t giving you a choice in this. [Gary smiles smugly at Vince, then looks back forward.] Gary: So since the cat is over here, I would presume that it¡¯s following Liv and her group so the first matter- Leigh: Is finding them. [Gary turns to Leigh, frowning.] Gary: [upset] Hey, it¡¯s my turn! [The wind blows past them, growing intense. Vince notices, looking around.] Vince: [worried] Um¡­ why is it so- [There is a burst of wind that gains the group''s attention as Chelsea, Liv and Sissel collapse onto the ground.] Gary: [surprised] Told you. Leigh: [worried] Chelsea! Vince: [worried] Sissel! [The two run over, Gary eventually joining them. Leigh goes over to Chelsea and helps her up, while Gary goes to Liv. Vince tries to help Sissel but he pushes him away.] Leigh: [worried] Are you okay? Chelsea: [upset] I¡­ I¡¯m fine, I¡­ yeah. Gary: [surprised] What the fuck happened to you? Liv: [upset, strained] I can confirm¡­ I have a superpower. Leigh: [worried] Okay, Sissel? You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author. [They look at Sissel, who¡¯s staring at the ground. Vince moves to hold Sissel¡¯s shoulder.] Vince: [remorseful] I¡¯m sorry. [Sissel slowly picks himself up and takes a breath.] Sissel: [forceful] I¡¯m done. I¡¯m fucking done. [Sissel turns and walks out of the corridor, taking a left and moving out of sight. Vince looks down at the group.] Leigh: Just leave him. We gotta give him space after this. Vince: [worried] I can¡¯t just leave him, what if he gets hurt? Liv: [upset] Vincent... [Liv gets up, straining herself in pain.] Liv: [upset] He needs this. We all do. [Leigh helps Chelsea to her feet. Vince leans slightly closer to Liv.] Vince: [quietly] She¡¯s not coming back, is she? [Liv looks at him, Cheshire coming and brushing against her leg, purring. She shakes her head.] Leigh: Okay¡­ well then we can go with the next best thing. Chelsea: What¡¯s that? Leigh: Well, quick update, we¡¯ve identified the White Rabbit. Liv: [excited, strained] That¡¯s great, Chelsea saw Tracey¡¯s killer apparently. Gary: Wait, seriously? [Chelsea nods, stretching a bit and calming down.] Leigh: Well, great! Then we can deal with that person and Goldberg, since he¡¯s our Rabbit. [Chelsea grows surprised, looking at Liv who is in equal shock.] Liv: [surprised] That¡¯s impossible. Gary: Is it? I mean, we found him having previously associated with the¡­ boys¡­ and that is a good enough reason- we fucking jumped a shark to that conclusion, didn¡¯t we? Leigh: [concerned] Why is that impossible? Chelsea: [surprised] Because I saw the Rabbit when we found Tracey¡­ and I saw Goldberg driving the car. [The group look between each other, all in a mix of surprise and worry. It cuts to Sissel, trying to stop himself crying again, as he enters the computer room from earlier. He closes the door behind him and leans on it for a moment, hitting himself in the head.] Sissel: [shaking] Come on¡­ fuck, come on¡­! [He head butts the door and scrambles through his pockets. He eventually pulls out his phone, the pieces of the gun and Goldberg¡¯s phone number. He fumbles with the phone as he dials the number, chucking the phone onto the desk on speaker. He starts to slowly piece the gun together with shaking hands as Goldberg answers.] Goldberg: Richard Goldberg, who is that? Sissel: [shaking] Um¡­ C-Cecil¡­ Cecil Mastin. Goldberg: [worried] Cecil? You okay? Something wrong? Sissel: [shaking] I¡­ I n-need you to come in¡­ into College. Goldberg: [worried] A-are you sure? It¡¯s nearly eight o¡¯clock. In fact, why? Are you at College? [Sissel fails to put a piece in properly, which leads to him throwing it across the room in frustration.] Sissel: [shaking, loud] Please come, it¡¯s an emergency! Goldberg: [worried] Okay, um¡­ gimme ten minutes, just where are you? [Sissel looks over at the pieces of the gun, breathing heavily.] Goldberg: [worried] Cecil? Are you still there, Cecil? 1.17 - The Wrong Man [Goldberg arrives at the classroom, immediately entering. He¡¯s in casual wear, wearing a purple shirt and dark blue hoodie with glasses on. He enters and finds the room to be empty. He turns and closes the door, then gets a gun shakily pushed up against the back of his head. He takes some deep breaths.] Sissel: [forceful] Sit. [Goldberg grabs a chair slowly and moves down into the seat. The gun slowly moves away from him, to which he turns around and sees Sissel. He¡¯s visibly angry, trying to hold back. He sits down across from Goldberg and keeps the gun nonchalantly pointed at him.] Sissel: [angry, faux-calm] So¡­ you killed my girlfriend. [Goldberg sighs, scratching an itch on the side of his face.] Goldberg: [remorseful] Do you think I knew she was- Sissel: [angry, faux-calm] I don¡¯t care if you knew, I care that you did it. Didn¡¯t stop, didn¡¯t think, you just kept on going. Goldberg: [remorseful, defensive] That is not true. Sissel: [angry, faux-calm] Really? Because I was there. I saw your car drive off away from her body. Goldberg: [remorseful, defensive] You didn¡¯t see me trying to save her then? Standing next to her for ten minutes, unconscious, trying to stop the bleeding? Sissel: [angry] You should have taken her to a hospital! Goldberg: [remorseful] No, I couldn¡¯t do that. Sissel: [angry] Why not? [Goldberg sighs, looking at the floor. Sissel sits up straight, gun still barely pointed, and chuckles angrily.] Sissel: [angry, smug] Never mind, I¡¯m being stupid. Of course you couldn¡¯t. [Goldberg looks at Sissel, confused. Sissel leans forward, placing the gun in his lap and pointed straight at Goldberg.] Sissel: [angry, smug] A killer walking into a place like that, they¡¯d snatch you in a second. Although you could probably get away with it, I still don¡¯t know how you ended up in two places at once. Unless that¡¯s another thing you can do. Goldberg: [confused] What are you talking about? [Sissel moves the gun up, pointing it at Goldberg¡¯s head.] Sissel: [angry, smug] You¡¯re the White Rabbit. [Goldberg¡¯s face drops.] Sissel: [angry, smug] You have superpowers. You came here to kill those guys before that Storm hit and gave more people superpowers but you failed. Because they got people like me. Goldberg: [worried] It did what? [Sissel smiles.] Sissel: [angry, smug] I don¡¯t even know what I am yet, all I know is that I¡¯m going to win. [Goldberg backs away slightly, incredibly worried.] Goldberg: [worried] The White Rabbit is here? [Sissel looks at him, confused, then shakes it off.] Sissel: [confused, angry] Well yes, that¡¯s¡­ I don¡¯t know what you¡¯re- [Goldberg quickly stands, moving to the door. Sissel stands with him, pointing the gun directly at Goldberg. However he doesn¡¯t seem to care, as he looks at the window to see him.] Goldberg: [panicked, muttering] Fuck¡­ God, fucking¡­ fuck! [Goldberg turns back, seeing Sissel with the gun. Goldberg looks at him, serious.] Goldberg: [forceful] If that goes off, I¡¯m going to be very upset. Sissel: [angry, panicking] I¡­ that¡¯s the thing, I don¡¯t know what I¡¯m going to do still. Goldberg: [confused] Why did you bring me here then? Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings. [Sissel sighs, shaking slightly.] Sissel: She couldn¡¯t fight what happened to her. I can make up for that. Goldberg: If you think that, you¡¯ll be very disappointed. [Sissel takes a deep breath. He looks at the floor and hits himself in the head with the gun. He points it at Goldberg again as he lunges forward. Sissel panics and fires. The gunshot is cut off half way as Goldberg catches the bullet and it immediately vanishes, then moving to grab the gun and discard it across the room. Sissel stares at him, shocked.] Goldberg: [concerned] Now then¡­ since we¡¯re done here¡­ ready to listen? [Sissel nods slowly. Goldberg grabs him and moves him down from sight from windows.] Goldberg: [quietly] Look, I¡­ I am not the Rabbit. Okay? But I knew him. Sissel: [quietly, upset] How? Goldberg: [quietly] We were a team. Me, him, the Tweedles, a few others. Sissel: [quietly, upset] Who was he then? Goldberg: [quietly] I don¡¯t know. Sissel: [quietly, upset] How can you know know? Goldberg: [quietly] It was for protection! If we made enemies, which we did, we would never be able to give a name! Just a face. That¡¯s all. [Sissel slowly nods. He looks at Goldberg, shaking.] Goldberg: [quietly] You never have to trust me, I¡¯m not saying to¡­ except for this once. Because if you don¡¯t then you¡¯re gonna miss something important. Sissel: [quietly] What? Goldberg: [quietly] If the White Rabbit is here, then it¡¯s not for any of you. [Sissel and Goldberg pause, Sissel realising what he means.] Sissel: [quietly] He killed those two that broke in. Goldberg: [quietly] Benny and Evan Tweedle, they caused the Storm that gave us all powers. If he¡¯s gone for them then he¡¯ll go for the person that protected them. Sissel: [quietly] That¡¯s you, isn¡¯t it? [Goldberg nods.] Goldberg: [quietly] Where are your friends? Sissel: [quietly] Planning. The Rabbit was after them earlier. Goldberg: [quietly] Okay¡­ well before I die, here¡¯s a bit of information then. I was wrong, you¡¯re all in danger. Sissel: [quietly, panicked] What? Goldberg: [quietly] You¡¯re in danger. If he¡¯s put you in his sights, or any of you, then you need to run as far and fast as you can. I¡¯ll deal with him. [Goldberg tries to stand but Sissel stops him.] Sissel: [quietly, angry] Why are you staying then? Why are you helping us if you¡¯re his friend? Goldberg: [quietly, forceful] I was never his friend, just a pawn. I¡¯ve seen the type of thing this guy can do and I am not going to let that happen ever again. Cecil, just go. If you stay then you¡¯re a dead man. [Goldberg gets up on his feet as Sissel gets on his, looking at the floor. He then looks at Goldberg.] Sissel: Tracey would have stayed. [Goldberg looks at him, exhaling. He looks at the ground, realising who that is. He looks at Sissel, who nods.] Goldberg: [remorseful] Okay¡­ if you sure then it¡¯s your funeral. Get the gun. Sissel: Will it help? [Sissel moves over and grabs the gun.] Goldberg: No, but I want you to keep hold of it. Sissel: [confused] Why? [Sissel hands Goldberg the gun, but he pushes it back on Sissel.] Goldberg: Because if the White Rabbit catches you, there¡¯s only one way it¡¯ll be quick. [Sissel looks at the gun and shakes again.] 1.18 - The Next Target [Leigh, Chelsea, Liv and Gary have sat themselves at a table and are looking at the picture of the screen saver, while Vince is sat across the room and texting people. The group are all analysing the photo and keeping focus. Liv has been bandaged up, holding her own neck still. Chelsea pulls away from the photo, staring back worried.] Chelsea: That¡­ seems slightly dangerous. Leigh: Yeah, just a bit. [Liv points at Evan and Benny in the photo.] Liv: And there¡¯s the two boys from yesterday. [Leigh points at Goldberg.] Leigh: Yep. And there¡¯s Goldberg. Meaning- Chelsea: He knew the boys. So he probably knew the Rabbit. Gary: [surprised] Oh, so we¡¯re actually calling him a Rabbit now, are we? Leigh: If he wants to wear the mask¡­ Gary: [surprised] Yeah, but it¡¯s not exactly the most threatening name he could have. Leigh: We¡¯re really gonna have a problem with the name? He¡¯s tried to kill us, already possibly killed two people and we¡¯re gonna be like ¡°yeah, but that name¡¯s a bit crappy.¡± Gary: Yeah, pretty much. [Leigh¡¯s about to retort, but is interrupted by Chelsea sighing.] Chelsea: Can you two please not start an argument over this? [Cheshire jumps onto the table, making Leigh drop the phone by accident.] Leigh: [agreeing] Okay. Gary: [agreeing] Alright, I was winning anyway. [Leigh looks at Gary from the side, as Chelsea takes the phone. Liv starts to pet Cheshire.] Chelsea: So¡­ think this is a team then? Leigh: Considering how much this feels like a comic book to me, I think this is some sorta¡­ um¡­ [Leigh sits up, looking at Vince.] Leigh: [loud] Hey Vince? [Vince looks up from his phone.] Vince: [loud] Yeah? Leigh: [loud] Who were the bad guys in the X-Men series? Vince: [loud] Gotta be more specific with me. Leigh: [loud] Um¡­ the group that Magneto is in charge of. Vince: [loud] Okay, um, Brotherhood of Mutants, I think. Leigh: [loud] Thank you. [Leigh sits back down, Vince giving a thumbs up and going back to his phone.] Gary: So we¡¯re fighting a what? A Brotherhood of Furries? [Vince chuckles from across the room, starting to head over to the table.] Leigh: I don¡¯t think it¡¯s that, but it is definitely a team. Chelsea: This might not even be the whole team, it could have other members and this is like¡­ um¡­ Vince: [curious] West Coast Avengers? Chelsea: Sure. Gary: [surprised] Are you some sorta fucking walking Encyclopedia? Vince: Kinda. Better with Marvel. Leigh: [forceful] Anyway, shall we focus? [Vince moves past the group, heading in the direction that Sissel went.] Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon. Leigh: We got a group of people here that are either A.) Trying to kill us or B.) Have killed Tracey. [Leigh sighs, Chelsea giving the phone back to Leigh and pocketing it.] Leigh: [worried] So¡­ now what? [Cuts to Sissel and Goldberg, Sissel holding the gun in a corner while Goldberg has attempted to block the entrance with tables and chairs. He eventually finishes, taking a rest on the floor.] Goldberg: [tired] Okay. That won¡¯t be enough, but it¡¯ll slow him down. Sissel: [worried] Okay¡­ Goldberg: [tired] When he attacks me, you shoot then run. That¡¯s it. Okay? [Sissel nods.] Sissel: [worried] Um¡­ so what is it that you can do? [Goldberg looks at him, thinking.] Goldberg: [tired] Well I¡¯m gonna try and stop him, talk him out of whatever he¡¯s doing. Sissel: I mean your power? You¡­ erased a bullet. Goldberg: [tired] Oh yeah¡­ Um¡­ I never actually gave it a name. It¡¯s just¡­ magic, I guess. [Sissel nods, slowly.] Sissel: Could you make him disappear? Goldberg: [tired] I¡¯m good, but I¡¯m not that good. Sorry. [Sissel nods again.] Goldberg: [tired] Um¡­ so your friends have powers. Sissel: Yep¡­ Goldberg: [tired] Want some advice? [Sissel looks at Goldberg.] Goldberg: [tired] Hide yourselves. All of you. Sissel: What, why? Goldberg: [tired] When I was in a group, the powers caused us nothing but trouble. I don¡¯t want that to happen to others too. [Sissel scoffs.] Sissel: For a man in a hit and run, you¡¯re awfully caring of other people. Goldberg: [tired] Yeah, well¡­ bit of a shit time recently. [Sissel is about to speak again when the door starts to shake violently. Goldberg gets to his feet, motioning Sissel to stay down. He moves towards the door slowly. He puts his hand on the handle while staying out of sight of the window and holds it, the door still shaking more. Sissel points the gun at the door, staying equally out of sight. They stay quiet for a few seconds.] Vince: Cecil, are you in there? I texted your mum, I was gonna give you a lift home. [Goldberg and Sissel sigh in relief. Just as Sissel starts to get up, behind him in the window stands the White Rabbit behind him. He is only visible in the reflection while he has no physical body. Goldberg turns and sees this, quickly grabbing Sissel and pulling him back out the way while Vince is able to look in.] Goldberg: [panicked] Move! [The White Rabbit quickly appears in the reflective form, fading into the normal body. He attempts to grab Sissel but they¡¯re pulled away too quickly. Vince is visibly panicked.] Vince: [panicked] Oh crap. 1.19 - Vincents Power + Goldbergs Final Moment [Vince struggles and tries to open door as Goldberg shields Sissel. Sissel hides the gun behind him, the White Rabbit looking up and down Goldberg. His voice remains heavily distorted.] White Rabbit: [angry] Once again, you play with my emotions Richard. Goldberg: [forceful] Just go. Leave the kids. White Rabbit: [angry] They are not my concern. Goldberg: [forceful] Then let them leave. White Rabbit: [angry] For now. Goldberg [forceful] No¡­ forever, they aren¡¯t a part of whatever you¡¯re doing. White Rabbit: [angry] They all are. Every freak that has ever stood in our way. [Sissel very slowly starts to move the gun around him, behind Goldberg. The White Rabbit raises his knife towards Goldberg.] White Rabbit: [angry] If I¡¯m being honest, I¡¯m quite hurt that you would be the one to betray me. Goldberg: [forceful] Children. Like Benny, like Evan, like the boy here. They are the line that we do not cross, what changed that? [The White Rabbit stays quiet. Goldberg scoffs.] Goldberg: [forceful, cocky] What, you don¡¯t have an answer? Didn¡¯t think about what you¡¯re doing? [Goldberg sighs.] Goldberg: [cocky, disappointed] Well¡­ me and the Pussycat were right then¡­ [shouting] You¡¯re pathetic! You¡¯re scum! [Goldberg travels his hands around his back, Sissel handing him the gun.] Goldberg: [cocky] Couldn¡¯t even save your girl- [The White Rabbit lunges towards Goldberg with the knife, but her swings up the gun and fires at the Rabbit. It barely passes by his head, but he falls to the ground in surprise. Goldberg backs up into Sissel as Vince manages to break the door open through the barricade.] Goldberg: [forceful] Vince, take Cecil. I¡¯ve got this. [Vince nods and grabs Sissel. He closes the door and pulls Sissel down the corridor. The Rabbit gets to his feet as Goldberg tries to kick him, but he moves. The Rabbit then grabs him and tackles him against a wall. Vince takes Sissel back just outside the classroom. He holds Sissel against a wall.] Vince: Right, so¡­ you stay here. Sissel: Wha- if you go back there- Vince: [thinking] Well¡­ I have to try something. Sissel: So do I, he told me to leave! Vince: Well then¡­ in that case¡­ [Vince turns and barrels back down the corridor, Sissel about to interrupt before stopping himself. He thinks for a moment, then starts running again. Back in the fight, the White Rabbit attempts to stab Goldberg again but they dodge and the Rabbit stabs through a monitor. He growls and tries to grab Goldberg, who moves and grabs the Rabbit¡¯s arm. He pins him against the wall.] Goldberg: [angry] Why are you doing this? White Rabbit: [angry] Those kids took everything from me! And you helped them! [The Rabbit head butts from behind, knocking back Goldberg. He turns and punches Goldberg in the face, knocking him over.] White Rabbit: [angry] They all deserve to die. For what they did to her. [Goldberg spits blood out from his mouth as the White Rabbit grabs his knife.] Goldberg: [forceful] Doing this¡­ won¡¯t bring her back. [The Rabbit stands over him.] White Rabbit: [angry] It already has. [He pulls up the knife and as he forces it back down towards Goldberg, Vince enters the room and leaps onto him, knocking him over onto the monitors. He grabs the arm with the knife while the Rabbit wrestles against him. Goldberg gets back up, aiming the gun at the White Rabbit. The Rabbit manages to knock off Vince, turning and grabbing Goldberg by the hand in order to move away the gun. Goldberg drops the gun, the White Rabbit kicking it away. He looks back at Vince, chuckling, as his and Goldberg¡¯s form start to change into the reflective from.] White Rabbit: [impressed] Nice try. [Vince moves over to them just as they shatter and vanish. He groans and punches the monitor in frustration.] Vince: [panicking] No, no¡­ [He looks up, seeing the reflections of the White Rabbit and Goldberg still fighting in the mirror. He looks confused, seeing that there is no-one there. He balls his hand up into a fist and punches the table. His breath starts to get heavier as, unnoticed by him, he starts to colour in the same reflective form. He runs towards the window at full speed and leaps through it, jumping into the reflection and into the White Rabbit. The world of the reflection is completely flipped around, although slightly tinted light blue. The White Rabbit falls off of Goldberg and looks up at Vince. The three of them are shocked.] Vince: [shocked, faux-calm] Um¡­ stay away from him. [The White Rabbit gets up properly.] White Rabbit: [angry] You don¡¯t want to fight me. [Vince enters a fighting stance, very slightly shaking.] Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site.Vince: [faux-calm] Are you sure about that? [The White Rabbit steps forward once, Vince backing away a step. He tilts his head back to the right.] White Rabbit: [smug] Very. [The White Rabbit charges over. He grabs Vince and tackles him into the window, not breaking. He grabs Vince¡¯s neck, choking him.] White Rabbit: [forceful] Here¡¯s some advice. I don¡¯t wanna hurt you. So when you see me? [The Rabbit leans closer.] White Rabbit: [quiet] Run. [The White Rabbit pulls back, the reflective form spreading across Vince as he throws him back through the window. Vince reappears back in the normal world, with the window shattering around him. He lands on his back surrounded by glass as the rest of the group run in, panicked.] Chelsea: [panicked] Vincent! [Sissel moves down next to him. As the rest of the group look at the scene.] Sissel: [panicked] Are you okay? Vince: [surprised, strained] In pain¡­ but not dead. [Vince gives a smile, pulling himself up next to Sissel. Sissel looks down, taking deep breaths. Vince meanwhile gets up, moving over to the larger pieces of glass.] Leigh: [confused] What the hell happened in here? [Vince picks up two of the larger pieces of glass and holds them up.] Vince: We know his power now. [The White Rabbit is visible through the glass in a reflection, but missing around. He¡¯s facing away from the group, then turns his head to the side where blood is visibly across the mask. He then starts to walk away, looking forward and away from the group.] Gary: [scared] Oh¡­ great.
[Goldberg runs down a corridor in the college, inside of the reflection. He quickly ducks around a few doors that run along the corridor and dives inside one room he deems to be empty. He gets inside and closes the door. He grips onto his chest, with a large slash on it.] Goldberg: [strained] Come on¡­ little longer¡­ [Goldberg looks up at the room. The walls are blue and lined with bookshelves. The room itself has five tables, one flipped onto its side. Goldberg quickly moves behind it, laying down on the floor while curled into a ball. He holds his breath as the door gently opens. Above the table, the White Rabbit moves inside and looks around. His mask has a streak of blood along the right eye and a splash on the chest, along with blood dripping off the knife. He slowly starts to walk over towards the overturned table, Goldberg closing his eyes. He sighs and quickly turns, kicking the table towards the White Rabbit and knocking him over. The White Rabbit is knocked away, the knife spinning away from his reach. Goldberg quickly moves over, groaning in pain but still stomping the White Rabbit in the stomach. The Rabbit groans back, grabbing Goldberg¡¯s leg and pushing him back into the table. The Rabbit turns and gets his knife while Goldberg holds his chest, more blood coming out. He looks up to the Rabbit, who turns to him.] White Rabbit: You were a traitor to- Goldberg: [strained] Turn it off. [The Rabbit hesitates.] White Rabbit: Excuse me? Goldberg: [strained, angry] Turn off¡­ that fucking voice. [The Rabbit reaches around and presses a button on the side of his mask. His voice suddenly comes back to normal.] White Rabbit: Better? Goldberg: [strained] Sure. [He sits up more, laying more against the table but groaning louder.] Goldberg: [strained] Christ¡­ White Rabbit: It hurts, doesn¡¯t it? Goldberg: [strained, angry] Don¡¯t. White Rabbit: What you did to the team, to yourself- Goldberg: [strained, angry] Shut... up. [The White Rabbit gets up, moves in front of Goldberg and crouches down in front of him. He stares down Goldberg, who stares back at him.] Goldberg: [strained, angry] You can¡¯t win¡­ You know that. White Rabbit: You think that. That¡¯s the problem with you, you can see time¡­ doesn¡¯t mean it¡¯s set in stone. Goldberg: [strained, angry] You can¡¯t¡­ save¡­ Alice. It has to happen the way it does. White Rabbit: Because you say so? Goldberg: [strained, angry] Because I saw it. You were meant to come here. Because now- [The White Rabbit suddenly pushes the knife into Goldberg¡¯s chest, making him scream.] White Rabbit: [angry] You don¡¯t know anything. If you knew anything¡­ you wouldn¡¯t pick a fight with me. [The Rabbit gives one last push into Goldberg¡¯s chest. Goldberg coughs blood onto his mask. He grabs a hold of the White Rabbit¡¯s arm, resting their heads together.] Goldberg: [strained] You¡¯ll die, Marshall¡­ They¡¯ll save Alice and watch you fall¡­ [Goldberg gives one last breath and falls onto the side, bleeding. The White Rabbit stands up as the reflective form starts to cover him again. He wipes a bit of blood off of his mask as the reflection covers his face and he shatters, disappearing.] 1.20 - Just Talking [Vince is sat outside of the college on the pavement, laying on his back. The group are in the background, talking to each other, while Sissel is distracted by Vince. After a few seconds he goes over to Vince and sits down next to him. He sighs, looking around.] Sissel: Um¡­ Vince: [worried] You saw it, didn¡¯t you? Sissel: [concerned] Well¡­ maybe a little bit. Nothing too much. [Vince looks at Sissel, intensely.] Sissel: [concerned] Okay, I saw all of it. I was still in a panic about everything, so just¡­ sorry. [Vince sighs.] Vince: It¡¯s fine. Guess we¡¯re both kinda fucked now then. [Sissel nods.] Sissel: I¡¯m¡­ not going to act as if I¡¯m the best person to talk to, but if you want to- Vince: I¡­ don¡¯t think we should. [Sissel nods again, taking a few deep breaths. Vince looks forward.] Vince: Because the way I see it, there¡¯s three possibilities. Sissel: Preacher? [Vince nods.] Vince: First possibility, complete coincidence that we have the same power. Second possibility, different power that¡¯s let me copy his. Sissel: That¡¯d actually be cool. Vince: Third possibility, I¡¯m thinking time travel situation. Me from the future. [Sissel thinks for a moment.] Sissel: In another situation, I¡¯d actually quite enjoy that. Meeting future versions of myself. Or you, that¡¯d be more interesting actually. [Vince looks at Sissel again. Sissel notices, stopping himself from talking.] Sissel: [worried] I should stop. Vince: No, don¡¯t. It¡¯s fine. [Sissel looks forward again. Cheshire walks over and starts to nuzzle into Vince¡¯s leg.] Vince: You doing okay? [Sissel gives a half-hearted smile, which quickly fades.] Sissel: [confused] I don¡¯t know. Been a long day. Vince: You should really get some sleep. Sissel: Probably. Vince: Definitely. Sissel: I would if I had something to sleep on. Vince: What does that mean? [Sissel gets up.] Sissel: I got some stuff to think about. [Sissel starts to leave but chuckles to himself and turns back.] Sissel: I¡¯m telling you if Tracey saw this¡­ Vince: [chuckling] If she had seen this, it would¡¯ve made her go mad. Sissel: [chuckling] Yeah, she would¡¯ve like¡­ she would¡¯ve probably jumped into getting her own power if she could. [The two chuckle. Sissel looks back to the group and Liv starts to walk away from them, Cheshire joining her.] Sissel: Um¡­ I¡¯ll talk to you later, okay? Need to talk to Liv. Vince: [concerned] W- Are you sure? This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there. Sissel: Yeah, just¡­ talk later. [Sissel starts to walk after Liv. Leigh notices him moving.] Leigh: [shouting] Hey Sissel! [Sissel turns to the attention of the group.] Leigh: [shouting] Meeting at the clubhouse! Okay? [Sissel gives a thumbs up and runs after Liv again. Cheshire brushes up against Liv¡¯s leg, which makes her look down and pet him.] Liv: Hey, Cheshire¡­ Sissel: [distant] Hey! Wait! [Liv turns around and sees Sissel running towards them.] Liv: [surprised] Oh, hey Sissel. [Sissel stops next to her.] Sissel: [tired] So¡­ Sorry. I¡¯m sorry. [Liv is confused, looking down at Cheshire.] Sissel: [tired] About blaming you. I¡­ don¡¯t have an excuse, I don¡¯t deserve one. It was wrong. I¡¯m sorry. [Liv looks at him, nodding slowly. She goes from confused to certain, not smiling.] Liv: It¡¯s fine. Really. [Liv starts walking, Sissel moving next to her.] Sissel: [tired] No! No it is not, I¡­ look, I¡¯m not sure if I can make up for that but I will try! Liv: Sissel, really, it¡¯s completely fine. Sissel: [tired, forceful] I blamed you for her death, that isn¡¯t ¡°completely fine¡±! Liv: [annoyed] Sissel, this is pissing me off more than that! [He stops talking, she sighs.] Liv: Sorry. Sissel: I deserve that, don¡¯t worry. [Sissel chuckles awkwardly, looking down at Cheshire.] Sissel: Um¡­ you don¡¯t have to forgive me about it¡­ but I¡¯m gonna try and make up for it. [Liv looks at him, thinking.] Liv: Let me say something, on behalf of Tracey. Sissel: [concerned] Okay¡­ Liv: I¡¯ve known you for years. You put a lot of effort in usually and you don¡¯t annoy me, which I appreciate. What you¡¯re like now? That¡¯s not good. Okay? I know you, you always do whatever it takes for people to get pushed away, that¡¯s how you cope. You can¡¯t do that all the time. [Sissel nods.] Liv: Sissel, you¡¯re not a bad person. So stop trying to be. [Liv walks off with Cheshire, Sissel watching her walk down the street. He nods to himself, taking some breaths. He takes a deep breath, turning and heading off down the street. Cuts back to Vince going to Leigh, Chelsea and Gary.] Vince: [worried] So¡­ clubhouse? Leigh: Yeah. Little meeting. Vince: [worried] Okay. Chelsea: You okay? [Vince shrugs.] Vince: I will be. [Vince gives a smile.] Vince: Let¡¯s go. [Vince turns and leaves, the three following behind him. Gary looks back at the College, sticks his middle finger at it wildly and follows with the group.] 1.21 - Others [Liv made it into the run down house, Cheshire following her inside. She sits down in sofa room, going to it and dropping down on top of it. She sighs, Cheshire jumping up and sitting on top of her lap.] Liv: [happy] Hey buddy¡­ hey¡­ [The cat purrs, curling up on top of her. Their eyes start to glow a yellow shade, which makes Liv immediately curious.] Liv: [curious] Um¡­ what is¡­ [Liv holds Cheshire a bit closer, looking at his eyes. As she looks at him, Cheshire moves and gently headbutts Liv. He keeps his head attached to hers. Then, slowly, his mouth starts to stretch across his face into a large smile, the cats fur turning slowly white. It then cuts to Sissel, walking down the street that Tracey had died on. The road is occasionally busy with a couple of cars driving down. He is on the phone, distracted.] Sissel: I¡¯m not coming home yet. Velma: [angry] You¡¯ve been missing for a day! I am worried about you, can you come home please? Sissel: I just¡­ I need to do something, I¡¯ll try to be quick. Velma: [angry] You cannot stay out all night without telling me where you are! Why didn¡¯t you call me? [A person appears behind Sissel, following quietly behind him. There are no footsteps.] Sissel: I will call you when I¡¯m coming home. Okay? Velma: [angry] Don¡¯t you dare talk back to me! That is no way to talk to your mother¡­ [Sissel sighs and lowers the phone from his ear, walking along quietly as he notices something, remaining quiet. He takes the phone back to his head, Velma still yelling at him.] Sissel: [worried] I will be back soon, don¡¯t worry. Velma: [angry] What? No! Don¡¯t you d- [Sissel hangs up his phone and pockets it. He stretches a bit, the person behind him slowly getting closer. He takes a quick breath, then turns and quickly punches the person which knocks them over. Sissel stumbles forward and trips on the person''s arm, falling onto the ground. He hits his head, immediately pulling up his head and groaning in pain with the person. He rolls over, the person just holding themselves in pain. Cuts to the house again, with Leigh, Chelsea, Vince and Gary heading in. They¡¯re mid way through a conversation.] Leigh: [concerned] Like exactly the same or- Vince: Well I had to jump through the window, but I think maybe. Gary: If Chelsea can time travel, then you can probably end up- Vince: [worried] Please don¡¯t put that thought into my head. Again. Gary: So you did consider it? [The group head into the room with the table, Chelsea getting in and sitting on it.] Chelsea: To stop you right there? I am not helping a murderer. And if that is Vincent... [Liv clears her throat, turning everyone to her attention. The group look over at her. She seems incredibly tense, her face frozen in shock. She¡¯s stood in the doorway to the next room.] Liv: [stammering] If I may¡­ I think we have a problem. Gary: Yeah, we were just talking about it. [Liv shakes her head quickly.] Liv: [stammering] Yes, but¡­ a different one. This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there. [Liv walks over to the table, Cheshire following her. She taps it and Cheshire jumps on, sitting in front of the group. They all look at Liv and Cheshire confused.] Liv: [stammering] I don¡¯t think we¡¯re the only ones that were got¡­ superpowers. [Liv looks to Cheshire and strokes just behind his left ear. He gives the wide smile again and his eyes glow yellow. His fur then glows white and quickly starts changing between all colours, making a blend between them. Once she stops, the colours settle down on purple and green stripes. The group are all staring at it in complete shock. Cheshire¡¯s eyes eventually settle down into being green in one and orange in the other. Gary backs away very slightly.] Gary: [worried] Magic cat. Chelsea: [concerned] Well¡­ come on, this is just a cat. Who else could have powers, really? [Vince perks up to himself, not looking at the rest of the group properly but now looking incredibly worried. Cuts back to Sissel getting up, pushing himself onto his feet and groaning. The person is still on the floor, holding their nose which is covering their face. They have a feminine voice. Sissel gets up and grabs onto the person, pulling them up.] Sissel: [angry] Why are you following me? What do you want? Tracey: [muffled, surprised] I want my nose to stop hurting, Jesus Christ. [Sissel goes wide-eyed, letting go of the person and backing away slightly, standing up. They pull their hands away from their nose, revealing Tracey. She¡¯s still covered in the marks from when she was hit, including the large gash on her neck. She rubs her nose off and smiles. She looks to Sissel.] Tracey: [shocked] You¡­ can see me. [She¡¯s about to say something else, but stops herself. She chuckles awkwardly.] Tracey: [awkward] Um¡­ helluva punch you got there. [Sissel stays still, shaking. He starts breaking down.] Sissel: [panicking] T-this this¡­ this is not happening, y-you¡¯re- [He starts trying to walk away but slips on his turn as a car drives by. He sees it coming, as does a quickly panicked Tracey.] Tracey: [panicking] No! [Tracey reaches out and grabs Sissel¡¯s arm, quickly pulling him back onto his feet before the car collides. She holds onto him, Sissel looking completely shocked.] Tracey: [concerned] Are you okay? Did you hurt anything? I hope not. God, I¡¯m so sorry, I just¡­ I don¡¯t know what I thought, you¡­ Sissel: [shocked] You¡¯re¡­ you just¡­ saved me. [Tracey looks at him, scoffing.] Tracey: Of course I did. [Tracey takes his hand, holding it.] Tracey: You can see me again, you think I¡¯m just gonna let you die like that? [Sissel chuckles awkwardly, looking down at their hands holding.] Sissel: [shocked] Y¡­ you¡¯re¡­ cold. [Tracey looks at their hands.] Tracey: Yeah. I feel cold. [Sissel looks at her, quickly pulling her in for a hug and starting to cry. She¡¯s surprised.] Sissel: [crying] I¡­ I missed you so much. [Tracey wraps her arms around him, chuckling.] Tracey: I missed you too. 1.22 - Epilogue [It follows behind a man as he¡¯s walking down a car park. They follow from behind, not showing their face although he is wearing a brown jumper. The car park is nearly empty apart from a select scattered cars and a large white van. It¡¯s locked with muffled music being played from inside, nearly unidentifiable. He quickly makes his way over to the car, in a slight jog. He quickly makes it to the van, knocking on the doors. He turns and leans against them, revealing himself as the man with the brown coat and bow tie from the Screen Saver. He sighs, pulling out his watch and checking the time as midnight. He pockets the watch again as the doors open wide thanks to the blonde woman, with a freckled face and glasses. She¡¯s wearing a blue tank top and black jeans, with no shoes or socks. The van is blasting ¡°Happy Together¡± by Turtles. She looks out and turns to see the man, making her smile.] Alice: Evenin¡¯ brother. Marshall: [serious] Alice, can I come in? [Alice moves back from the doorway. Marshall enters and closes the door behind him. The inside is dark, but lit up by a lamp in the middle. There¡¯s a large map of the Peak District laid out on the floor that Alice has been circling, along with a full black bag at the side of the van. Marshall unzips his hoodie, reaching into it and showing his white button up shirt underneath it.] Alice: [excited] So did you do it? Is it over? Marshall: Goldberg is dead. [Alice squeals, clapping and hugging Marshall.] Alice: [excited] Marshall, I am so proud of you! See, this is what happens when family comes together to help with- The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings. [Marshall pulls out his phone from his jacket and hands it to her. She stops smiling. On the phone is a video waiting to be played.] Alice: [concerned] What happened? Marshall: [serious] Just look at it. [Alice nods and turns on a video. It shows the footage of the group as they were struck by lightning, Marshall watching from the distance. Once they¡¯re struck, he pans up and shows the rest of the sky covered in the Storm before it eventually dissipates. Alice sighs, throwing the phone to Marshall who catches it.] Alice: [disappointed] Well crap. Marshall: [serious] Exactly. Alice: [disappointed] Well¡­ a few more freaks to deal with shouldn¡¯t be too bad. Marshall: [annoyed] This isn¡¯t just a few, Benny got the whole fucking town! We could be spending weeks trying to deal with this! [Marshall sighs, holding his head.] Marshall: [annoyed, quietly] Here of all places¡­ [Alice chuckles a bit, pulling the bag over onto her lap.] Alice: [excited] Well¡­ there¡¯s a simple fix to your problem, but first a little question. [Alice unzips the bag, Marshall curious. Inside of the bag is a collection of knives, wooden stakes, a rifle and other such weapons. On the top of it is the White Rabbit mask, next to an identical copy coloured brown. Alice takes out the brown mask and puts it on, giggling underneath it. Marshall looks at the bag of weapons, then back at the video. It¡¯s replayed again, but he pauses it on the shot of the group together.] Alice: [excited] Who do you wanna kill first? 2.1 - Flashback [Starts at London, along the side of the Thames. A young Marshall is leant against some railings as people busily walk past, wearing a brown coat and a bow tie. His hair is reasonably short and he has no facial hair. He pulls out a phone from his pocket, an old number-pad Nokia flip phone, and starts to text someone.] Marshall: [text only] Meet at the train station. Last day today. [He sends the message and pockets his phone as Alice runs over, looking equally young, now wearing her hair in a ponytail and a blue dress, with white trousers and no shoes. She¡¯s carrying a 99 ice cream, smiling.] Alice: Sorry, I didn¡¯t have money to get you one and get a train. Marshall: It¡¯s fine. Day¡¯s nearly over, I¡¯ll get some once we¡¯re home. [Alice leans against the bars next to Marshall, as ¡°2009¡± fades onto screen. She takes a lick from her ice cream.] Alice: I¡¯m gonna miss this. Marshall: [surprised] Really? Alice: Yeah, I¡¯ve never seen Big Ben. [Marshall turns, seeing Big Ben behind him.] Marshall: Oh yeah. [He looks forward, looking around the area.] Marshall: I¡¯m just glad to be going. [Alice looks at him, scoffing.] Alice: [giggling] What, you¡¯re sad you met me? Marshall: No. Never. [Marshall looks to Alice, who smiles at him.] Alice: Good boy. [Alice licks her ice cream again as a loud whistle is heard. They both look forward of them and see the group coming closer. There¡¯s a young Evan and Benny leading the charge, both about 11 years old, with an annoyed Goldberg smoking behind them in his blue coat. Behind him is a man in a green blazer with a top hat on his head, a large jovial smile on his face. Finally there is a man in a purple suit, wearing a cat mask on his face. They all come over, Alice smiling at them.] Alice: You lot took your time. Goldberg: Hatter insisted that we take a look at Madame Tussauds, blame him. [Benny and Evan run over to the railings, looking over. Hatter begins to speak, having a southern accent. He¡¯s clearly enthused by what he¡¯s talking about.] Hatter: [excited] This time, they were actual wax figures! It¡¯s nice not to have living ones trying to rip your head off. Alice: Aww, you didn¡¯t invite me? Marshall: You wouldn¡¯t have liked it. [Cheshire speaks, having a fading french accent.] Cheshire: I went only one other time, it is just as boring now. Marshall: Told you. [Alice scoffs, punching Cheshire in the arm.] Alice: Yeah, well, who asked the pussycat for his opinion? [She quickly snatches the mask off his head, running behind Hatter with it. He immediately grows annoyed.] A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation. Cheshire: [annoyed] Girl, give it back! Alice: What you wearing it for? Is it cold out? [Cheshire goes over to her and she grabs Hatter¡¯s hat, throwing it in and then placing it on her own head. Cheshire sighs.] Alice: [faux-posh] Is milord in need of a hat? [She gives a lick of her ice cream, giggling. Goldberg goes over to the Tweedles, rolling his eyes. Goldberg moves between the Tweedles and Marshall as Hatter, Alice and Cheshire now have a three way argument involving the hat and the mask.] Marshall: This is¡­ legitimately annoying. Goldberg: Yeah well¡­ at least it¡¯s our last day. [Goldberg turns to Marshall, smiling.] Goldberg: Retirement. [He takes the cigarette out his mouth and breathes away the smoke.] Goldberg: We are Wonderland, no more. [Goldberg sighs, Marshall looking at Alice.] Marshall: Any plans? [Goldberg shrugs.] Goldberg: Might be fun to teach. You? [Marshall chuckles.] Marshall: I got a woman waiting for me. [Goldberg sighs, throwing his cigarette behind him into the Thames.] Goldberg: [scoffing] The tale of love¡­ bit mediocre. Marshall: [disappointed] What, and kids is better? Goldberg: Depends on your view. [Hatter moves over to the two, smiling.] Hatter: Our photographer will be here soon, just so we all know. [Goldberg and Marshall nod, Hatter immediately turning around and trying to snatch his hat off of Alice. Goldberg chuckles again, pulling out another cigarette.] Goldberg: Y¡¯know¡­ a twisted part of me is going to miss this. Marshall: Yeah¡­ I won¡¯t. [Goldberg looks to Marshall, frowning in disappointment, before lighting his cigarette. A photo flash takes place as it transitions back to present day, with Sissel laying in bed. He¡¯s asleep, but very slowly waking up. He rolls to his side and faces an awake Tracey, still covered in gashes and wearing the black hoodie and jeans that she died in. He slowly opens his eyes and sees her, smiling back.] Sissel: [groggy] Morning. Tracey: [happy] Morning. Sissel: [groggy] Do you not sleep? Tracey: [happy] No point when you¡¯re dead. Sissel: [groggy] Fair enough. [He starts rolling over, but is grabbed by Tracey who pulls him back forward.] Sissel: [groggy] What? Tracey: You¡¯ll be late, come on! Get up! [Sissel groans and sits up. Tracey follows behind him, resting her chin on his shoulder.] Tracey: Today¡­ I promise¡­ is gonna be a good day. [Sissel looks across his room into a mirror, seeing it only show him sat up in his bed. He turns to Tracey and smiles at her.] Sissel: [happy] I know. 2.2 - Sissels Decision
[Sissel is heading into college early in the morning, wearing a black body warmer over a white shirt, with jeans and brown shoes. Tracey is following behind him, phasing through people rather than moving past them. Sissel eventually makes it through the doorway, Tracey taking notice of the smashed window nearby.] Tracey: [surprised] Hey, did you do that? [Sissel looks over to the window.] Sissel: I don¡¯t remember who actually did that. Tracey: [surprised] It¡¯s impressive. [Sissel and Tracey enter the college, Sissel looking around it for the Mad Tea Party. Sissel gets some weird looks from people as he talks to Tracey.] Tracey: Hey, you¡­ you sure about this? Sissel: Yeah, I¡­ I think it¡¯s for the best, y¡¯know? Tracey: Yeah, I know. [Sissel gives a thumbs up and takes a breath, going towards the main space of the college. The chairs and tables are spread out notably with Leigh, Chelsea, Liv and Gary at one table, looking at Leigh¡¯s phone. Leigh is wearing a red shirt and jeans along with glasses. Gary is in a white shirt and blue coat. Chelsea has her hair in a ponytail and is wearing a long sleeved striped blue shirt and white skirt. Liv is wearing an orange hoodie with a white cat logo on it. Sissel comes over to the group, pulling out a chair and sitting down while Tracey leans on his shoulders, looking at them. All but Gary look up at Sissel.] Leigh: [quickly, distracted] Hey mate. Chelsea: [quickly, distracted] Hiya. Liv: [quickly, distracted] Hey. [They all immediately look back to the picture, Gary nonchalantly waving at Sissel. Tracey sighs.] Tracey: [disappointed] Are they always like this now? [Sissel nods, putting his hand on the table.] Sissel: Um¡­ I¡¯d like to make an announcement. Involving the Mad Tea Party. Leigh: [distracted] What is it mate? [Tracey groans, walking around from Sissel.] Tracey: [annoyed] What the hell are they even looking at? Sissel: [nervous] Um¡­ I¡¯m gonna leave it for a bit. [They all immediately turn their attention onto Sissel, except for Tracey who is now looking over the phone.] Leigh: [surprised] Um¡­ w-why is that? Sissel: [nervous] I just¡­ y¡¯know between seeing Tracey die and¡­ you all getting superpowers, it just felt like I need to step back and relax a bit. Gary: Got ya mate. [Gary goes back to the phone, Tracey groaning.] Liv: [surprised] If you want to, you can stay. We¡¯re all he- [Sissel raises his hand flat from the table, facing Liv.] Sissel: [nervous] I don¡¯t w¡­ I don¡¯t need any help. I¡¯ll be fine. This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there. [The three look at each other, Leigh and Chelsea nodding.] Chelsea: As long as you know what you¡¯re doing, I¡¯m sure that you¡¯ll be fine. [Sissel nods to her.] Leigh: Yeah, mate, do whatever you need. We¡¯re here when you need us. Gary: [distracted] Mhm. [Tracey tries to slap Gary but it goes straight through his head.] Tracey: [annoyed] Crap. Sissel: [distracted] Um¡­ hey, if you ever need me to help with the whole ¡°White Rabbit¡± situation- Leigh: We¡¯ll give you a call. [Sissel smiles, getting up from the seat.] Sissel: [relieved] If I¡¯m being honest, I expected that to go really badly. Gary: [distracted] Totally. [Leigh slaps Gary in the head.] Gary: [surprised] Ow! Tracey: [annoyed] Thank you! Liv: If you¡¯re¡­ certain about this¡­ then it¡¯ll be fine. [Sissel starts to back away slightly, smiling.] Sissel: I¡¯m gonna run to lesson. Thank you. Seriously. [Sissel starts to jog off down the corridor, the group staying in place with Tracey now gone from the scene. Leigh and Chelsea lean back, Liv watching Sissel run off while Gary remains focused on the phone.] Leigh: Well¡­ that saved time. Chelsea: At least he¡¯s doing good. Leigh: [relieved] Yeah! Yeah¡­ Liv: I don¡¯t know¡­ maybe I should keep an eye still. Leigh: Liv, just¡­ give him his space if he wants it. Chelsea: Yeah, it¡¯ll be fine Liv. [Liv sighs, leaning back in her chair.] Gary: [proud] Right! [Gary sets the phone up to be standing, pointing at it for the group.] Gary: That¡¯s the, um¡­ Leigh: Screensaver? Gary: Screensaver group! Thank you Leigh. [Leigh gives a faux-smile, immediately fading.] Gary: Tell me how many people are in it. [Chelsea looks a little closer.] Chelsea: Um¡­ seven. Gary: Wrong. Leigh: [confused] What? Gary: There are eight. [They all look at him, confused. Gary groans, looking up.] Gary: The picture has seven people in it, right? Leigh: [confused] Obviously! Gary: Well then¡­ who took the picture? [They all remain quiet, thinking.] Liv: [thinking] Maybe one of them had a power that held the camera, then took the picture. [Gary stares down Liv.] Gary: You think one of them used a superpower in public and that never got any traction? Liv: Basically. Leigh: [agreeing] Definitely. Chelsea: [agreeing] Makes sense. [Gary sighs, pushing himself of the chair and handing Leigh his phone. Leigh takes it, Gary pointing wildly at all of them.] Gary: All of you? Boring. [Gary walks away, stretching his arms in the air.] Gary: [shouting] Boring! 2.3 - Rumours [Sissel arrives at his classroom, the one that Goldberg had been teaching in, Tracey patting him on the back.] Tracey: I¡¯ll leave you to it, okay? Sissel: Are you sure? Tracey: Yeah, I¡¯ll just go for a walk! [Tracey smiles, patting him on the back and walking off. Sissel nods and enters the classroom. Inside the room, the window has been boarded up with the blinds closed. The room only has five other people there, three other students, Vincent wearing a green hoodie with an orange shirt, and a teacher. Vince sees Sissel enter and gestures him over. Sissel moves over and sits down at a computer next to Vince.] Vince: Hey man, how you doing? Sissel: Long story. Can I talk to you later? Vince: Well we¡¯ll be stuck together for a few hours, so sure. [Sissel scoffs, smiling.] Vince: [happy] Well that took long enough. [Vince patted Sissel¡¯s arm, getting back to work. Sissel brushes off his arm and logs into his computer. The teacher turns around, seeing the classroom. The teacher has a brown beard and short brown hair, wearing glasses and a white tie. He¡¯s written on the whiteboard ¡°Week 3¡±. He sighs.] Hyde: Not many people here today then. [One student pipes up, wearing a white button up shirt and a tie.] Student 1: Most people haven¡¯t been in after that lightning storm. [Sissel and Vince look at each other, concerned.] Hyde: Oh, okay then. Well¡­ we still have to teach, at the end of the day. When they¡¯re back then we¡¯ll deal with them, catch up. [Hyde turns back to the whiteboard, starting to write notes onto it. Vince leans over next to him to a different student. They¡¯re wearing glasses and a red shirt.] Vince: What¡¯s up with it? Student 2: The lightning strikes? Vince: Yeah. Student 2: I dunno. [A third student wheels over, a ginger girl in a blue hoodie.] Student 3: I heard a rumour that George turned to stone. [Vince looks at the third student, surprised. The second student sighs.] Student 2: That is the dumbest thing I¡¯ve ever heard. Vince: That is¡­ ridiculous, sorry. Student 3: [offended] What? Come on! It looked like the sky cracked open and you¡¯re telling me that this is the dumbest thing. Student 2: Yeah, I think so. [The third students huffs, pushing away from them. Vince moves back next to Sissel, who is staring intensely at Hyde.] Vince: [confused] You okay? Sissel: [concerned] Who are you? [Hyde looks back at Sissel.] Hyde: I¡¯m¡­ the new substitute? Sissel: Where¡¯s Richard? [The group all look at him in surprise, Vince returning to his computer and staying silent.] You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version. Hyde: [nervous] Well¡­ he¡¯s¡­ he¡¯s dead, Cecil. [Sissel looks at Hyde confused.] Sissel: No he isn¡¯t. [Everyone looks at him now in confusion. Vince looks at the side, confused.] Hyde: [concerned] S-sorry what? Sissel: I saw him earlier, on the way here. Hyde: [concerned] I don¡¯t think you did, Cecil. Sissel: [defensive] no, I¡¯m serious, he was just- [Vince grabs Sissel¡¯s arm, standing up with him.] Vince: [worried] I¡¯m gonna take him outside for a minute. Hyde: [worried] Please, can you take him to the nurse? [Vince nods, Sissel looking confused as he¡¯s taken out the room. Vince closes the door and looks at Sissel, who has now realised what¡¯s happened. Tracey arrives next to Sissel, resting on his shoulder.] Vince: [worried] Sissel¡­ I need you to be honest with me- Sissel: [panicking] I can see dead people. [Vince stops, surprised.] Vince: [worried] Um¡­ not what I was going to ask. Sissel: [panicking] Sorry, um¡­ just I think I saw Goldberg earlier- Vince: [worried] That doesn''t mean you can see dead people! Maybe you confused him with someone else. Sissel: [panicking] I swear, I didn''t! I swear! Vince: [worried] Have you told anyone else? Sissel: [panicking] W-well no. Vince: [worried] Okay, don¡¯t. Please? Sissel: [confused] What? Vince: [worried] Sissel¡­ maybe this is just¡­ trauma coming through. Sissel: [certain] No, it¡¯s¡­ I can see dead people. I can see Tracey! Vince: [worried] I¡¯m sure you can! But¡­ [Vince sighs.] Vince: [worried] I definitely want to believe you, but this might just be your¡­ coping mechanism. Or you¡­ I don¡¯t know, but this might just be illness. Not a superpower. [Vince holds Sissel¡¯s shoulders, Tracey moving out the way slightly and behind Vince.] Vince: [worried] I¡¯m worried about you, okay, so just¡­ keep it quiet. Please? Until you know for sure? [Sissel looks past Vince and at Tracey.] Tracey: Probably a good idea. So you don¡¯t look crazy. [Sissel starts to nod, moving back to Vince.] Sissel: Alright then. [Vince sighs, smiling a bit.] Vince: [relieved] Um¡­ okay, you go down to the nurse. I¡¯ll clear things up in here. Okay? [Sissel nods. Vince smiles, giving Sissel a quick hug and then entering the classroom again. Tracey moves and rests on Sissel¡¯s shoulder.] Tracey: You¡¯re not going to the nurse, are you? Sissel: [worried] Nope. Tracey: You¡¯re gonna go find ¡°Richard¡± aren¡¯t you? Sissel: [worried] Yep. [Sissel turns and starts to leave. Tracey sighs, smiling a bit.] Tracey: [chuckling] Okay then, fun. 2.4 - Showing Off [Sissel runs down a corridor and passes unknowingly past Leigh and Chelsea, both holding coffees and drinking. Leigh is looking at Chelsea in worry, which she notices.] Chelsea: [confused] What is it? Leigh: [worried] Well¡­ based on what you told me, doesn¡¯t coffee make your power work? [Chelsea shook her head, taking a quick swig.] Chelsea: [chuckling] Only if it has a battery in it. Tried it out a couple of times. Leigh: Okay¡­ to be honest, I have a couple of questions now. [Chelsea hands him her coffee, taking a few steps forward and ruffling through her pockets.] Chelsea: Want me to show you? Leigh: It¡¯s fine, really. [Chelsea pulls out a battery from her pocket.] Chelsea: You sure? Leigh: [insistent] Of course! [Chelsea shrugs, pocketing the battery and getting her coffee back.] Chelsea: Your loss. [She takes the coffee back, both taking a large drink from it. Leigh sighs after it, squishing the empty cup and putting it in a nearby bin as they walk again.] Leigh: [embarrassed] Um¡­ [Leigh exhales, looking around the room.] Chelsea: What? Leigh: [embarrassed] Um¡­ just¡­ j-just something I¡¯ve been thinking about. Chelsea: Wanna talk about it. [Leigh squeaks a bit, chuckling after.] Leigh: [embarrassed] Maybe¡­ eventually¡­ [Leigh shakes his head, Chelsea drinking again.] Leigh: [embarrassed] I don¡¯t know, I¡¯m nervous about it. Chelsea: Is it about the powers stuff? [Leigh shakes his head, looking down.] Chelsea: Wanna talk about it? Leigh: I¡­ don¡¯t think so yet. Chelsea: Well if you wanna talk about it¡­ [Chelsea smiles to him as she goes to open a door at the end of the corridor. She misses the handle, looking at the door and seeing it slowly opening for her. She looks back to Leigh who¡¯s holding out his hand and slowly turning it. She sighs.] Chelsea: Is this you? Leigh: I thought I was being nice. [Chelsea laughs at him mockingly, throwing the coffee cup at him. He flinches as it went over his shoulder, turning and stopping it in mid-air. It slowly moves back over to his hand, showing it to Chelsea triumphantly.] Chelsea: [impressed] Not bad. Leigh: [smug] I try. [He comes over, the two continuing their walk. Cuts to Liv and Gary together, sat at a table and thinking. Velma is distracted on her phone.] This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it. Gary: [annoyed] Can I ask something? Liv: Shoot. Gary: [annoyed] Why do I not get a power? [Liv looks at him and shrugs, pocketing her phone as it buzzes.] Liv: I don¡¯t know, this thing already makes less than no fucking sense. Gary: [annoyed] We were all in that Storm! Me and Sissel, we both should have powers but we don¡¯t. Why not? Liv: I don¡¯t know I said, why you asking me anyway? Gary: [annoyed] I¡¯m not, I¡¯m venting! Liv: [annoyed] Fine then! [Gary leans back in his chair, looking around the college.] Gary: Bit barren today¡­ Liv: Apparently ton of people got hurt in that Storm. Gary: [surprised] Really? Liv: Yep. Hell, there¡¯s this kid in my class called Bayard who apparently nearly lost his dog in it. Gary: [surprised] Crap¡­ Liv: Yeah¡­ [Gary thinks for a few seconds.] Gary: How many people do you think were in hit? [Liv turns to Gary, sighing.] Liv: If you¡¯re gonna be jealous- Gary: I¡¯m just saying, we know that there is a killer White Rabbit around who seems to target people around here recently so¡­ [Gary headbutts the table, gripping his head and shocking Liv.] Liv: [surprised] Jesus, Gary! Gary: [angry] What the fuck is happening? We¡¯re meant to be going through a nice fucking easy-breezy year but instead! [Gary punches the table.] Gary: [angry] Instead we¡¯re playing fucking Scooby Doo to unmask a fucking murderer! Liv: [worried] Gary, just try and calm down. Gary: [angry] Why should I? This is not what I fucking wanted! [Gary gets up from the table, punching it again.] Gary: [angry] I did not come here, after all the shit we¡¯ve been through with Tracey, just to end up in a fucking crisis! [Gary storms off, angrily ranting to himself. Liv watches him leave, sighing. She pulls her phone out and opens her text messages to Velma. A few have already been sent.] Liv: [text only] It seems like he¡¯s getting better. Velma: [text only] Are you sure he¡¯s fine? Liv: [text only] Yes I am, trust me. He¡¯s been fine at home, right? Velma: [text only] He talks to himself a lot. [Liv reads the last message, looking up to where Gary went and then starting to reply.] Liv: [text only] I¡¯ll ask him about it. 2.5 - Busters [Shows Sissel running up a spiralling staircase, currently reaching the fourth floor. There are two double doorways to his left and right. He looks through the window on the left door and sees an empty corridor, then looks through the right and sees the same thing. He turns back around and sees Tracey phase through the door, looking around.] Tracey: Hey, so, I don¡¯t THINK that I¡¯ve seen him but I don¡¯t actually know what he looks like so that would help a lot. Sissel: [panting] He looks the guy that hit you with his car. Tracey: See, now it just sounds like you¡¯re holding a grudge. [Sissel stretches a bit and runs up the next flight of stairs. Tracey sighs.] Tracey: [tired] And now we¡¯re running again! [Sissel makes it onto the fifth floor with the same layout. He checks the right side first and sees nobody. He turns to look through the left side but Tracey pulls herself up through the floor and he trips on her. He falls onto the ground, catching himself and groaning. Tracey pulls herself up and sits next to him.] Tracey: Sorry about that. Sissel: [groaning] It¡¯s fine¡­ hurts though¡­ [Sissel starts to pick himself up and sees a pair of shoes in front of him. He slowly looks up and sees Goldberg looking down at him, confused. He¡¯s wearing an open dark blue hoodie and purple shirt. There is a large cut in his shirt with blood soaked into it, a large cut on his chest.] Goldberg: [surprised] Um¡­ you can see me, can¡¯t you? Tracey: Did you hit me with your car? [Goldberg looks up, more surprised at Tracey.] Goldberg: [worried] Yes¡­ sorry about that¡­ should I start running? [Sissel quickly backs up into Tracey.] Goldberg: [worried] Okay, seriously, how can you see me? Sissel: I was in the Storm. Goldberg: [worried] That¡­ is an excellent reason actually. So¡­ was she? Tracey: No, I just died. Tracey, by the way. [Tracey gets up, Sissel falling over. Tracey and Goldberg shake hands.] Goldberg: Pleasure to meet you properly. Tracey: You know what, same! [Tracey turns to Sissel, smiling.] Tracey: [happy] You know what, he is really nice! [Sissel gets onto his feet, looking between the both of them.] Sissel: So you just¡­ buddy-buddy with your murderer? Tracey: [happy] What, he¡¯s nice! [Sissel looks at Goldberg in disbelief.] Goldberg: Hey, I¡¯m as surprised as you two are. I mean you can see me, that¡¯s enough. Sissel: You guys are crazy. Tracey: Best people are. Goldberg: [surprised] I used to say tha- what is going on? Tracey: Coincidence? Sissel: [annoyed] I want your help! [Tracey and Goldberg look at Sissel.] Tracey: [surprised] Okay, not what I expected you to say¡­ Goldberg: [confused] Help with what? Computer viruses? Sissel: [annoyed] No! Goldberg: [confused] Because I did not get killed just to teach you how to restore factory settings! Sissel: [annoyed] No, that is not- I¡­ Tracey? Tracey: [confused] Don¡¯t ask me, I¡¯m as confused as he is. [Sissel nods, looking back to Goldberg.] Sissel: Um¡­ I was going to wait until lesson, but you died and I¡¯m feeling a bit more traumatised than before, so I was wondering if, um¡­ [Sissel is shaking, breathing hard.] Sissel: [annoyed] Look, you know this White Rabbit guy, meaning that you know how to help. I don¡¯t want my friends getting hurt so just¡­ please, can you help me? Help me beat him? Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more. [Goldberg looks at Sissel, then Tracey, then back at Sissel.] Goldberg: No. [Goldberg phases through the floor, vanishing. Sissel sighs.] Sissel: [annoyed] Fuck. [Tracey moves over to Sissel, kissing his cheek.] Tracey: [happy] I will be right back. [She smiles and falls through the floor. Sissel sighs.] Sissel: [mumbling] That¡¯s not okay. You died. I can¡¯t do that shit. [Cuts to Tracey as she falls onto the bottom floor of the corridor. It¡¯s reasonably busy, with a few people coming back and forth, one person going straight through Tracey and making them shudder. She notices, groaning.] Tracey: [annoyed] If it bothers you, stop fucking do it then. [She turns around and sees Goldberg walking down a corridor, turning and following after him. She jogs closer, phasing through a few people.] Tracey: Hey! [She catches up to Goldberg, grabbing his shoulder.] Tracey: Hey, wait! [He turns, annoyed.] Goldberg: [annoyed] Can you leave me alone me? Tracey: I just wanna talk. Goldberg: [annoyed] I would rather not, thank you. Tracey: Will you please? Goldberg: [annoyed] Give me a good reason, then maybe I will. [Tracey lets go of Goldberg and stops in her track.] Tracey: Well you did kill me. [Goldberg stops and sighs, turning around to face Tracey.] Goldberg: [disappointed] Just to clarify, that is¡­ never going to stop coming up, is it? Tracey: With Sissel? Probably not. [Goldberg nods and sighs.] Goldberg: [disappointed] I can¡¯t help either of you, I¡¯m dead. Tracey: So am I, I¡¯m still gonna try. [Tracey smiled to him, moving a bit closer.] Tracey: I know that things between us could be¡­ better- Goldberg: [disappointed] I hit you with a car. Tracey: Neither of us are wrong. My point is- Goldberg: [disappointed] That the Rabbit is about to kill a group of kids and I can¡¯t stop him, it¡¯s a bit miserable on my end. Tracey: Jesus, you are fucking sunshine and rainbows, aren¡¯t you? Goldberg: [annoyed] I used to be happier, then he impaled me in a mirror dimension. [Tracey clicks her fingers and points to Goldberg.] Tracey: We¡­ will talk about that later. In the meantime, you wanna stop him? [Goldberg looked past Tracey, seeing Sissel out of breath at the bottom of the stairs.] Goldberg: Honest to god, I wanna kill him. [Tracey scoffs, smiling.] Tracey: Well I can¡¯t promise that¡­ but I can promise you can help us stop him hurting anyone else ever again. [Sissel runs over, moving past a few people, and lays his hand on Tracey for support as he catches his breath. A few people moving past look at him confused.] Sissel: [tired] Can you please¡­ not do that? Tracey: Sorry about that. However I think that our new friend has something to say? [Both look at Goldberg, Sissel confused and Tracey expectantly. He looks at the both of them and adjusts himself, standing up straight.] Goldberg: Well¡­ there¡¯s something strange going on in the neighbourhood¡­ who you gonna call? [Tracey smiles, clapping excitedly, while Sissel looks at him confused.] Sissel: [tired] Did you just quote Ghostbusters? [Goldberg groans, turning and walking through people. Tracey follows after and Sissel sighs, following after the two.] 2.6 - The Mimic [Vince is back in his classroom, everybody working while Mr Hyde is typing on his laptop. He looks above him at a clock pointing to be half past 4. He gets up, stretching his arm a bit.] Hyde: Sorry, I¡¯ve lost track of time, it¡¯s the end of day folks. [Vince looks over to Hyde while the rest of the students turn off their computers and prepare to leave. He notices Hyde¡¯s phone next to the laptop buzzing quickly from notifications. He gets up from his computer and sees the text hidden, but from someone called ¡°Witley Barbit¡±. He thinks for a moment, but stops once Hyde picks up his phone and looks it over. He turns off his computer and gets his bag.] Vince: Have a good day, sir. Hyde: [distracted] You too. [Vince opens the door and leaves the room, but stumbles as something hits his leg. He falls into the wall and looks down to see Cheshire, who is purring and now has orange spots across his black fur. The other students leave the room, taking notice of Cheshire, as Liv barges her way through and picks him up.] Liv: There you are! You silly thing¡­ [She pets him in her arms as Leigh and Chelsea come over.] Chelsea: Hey Vince. Vince: [thinking] Hey guys. Leigh: Want a lift? We¡¯re heading to the club house. Vince: [thinking] Why are we doing that? Leigh: Little showcase. Our powers. You in? [Vince looks at his reflection in the door, smiling.] Vince: Yeah, sounds good. [The group move, Vince following behind them as Liv continues to play with Cheshire in her arms. After that it cuts to show Vince, Liv and Cheshire at the back garden of the house, the windows all boarded up and the grass overgrown. There¡¯s a large portion in the garden where the grass has been stomped down and there is a goal that has been abandoned. Immediately Vince walks over to it, grabbing the top and hanging with his arms.] Vince: [curious] Hey, so where is Gary? I thought he''d be here. Liv: Oh, you know him, he''s just... coping with stuff. Getting used to it, y''know? Vince: Yeah, that''s fair. So¡­ who¡¯s going first? [Liv looks at Vince and Cheshire.] Liv: Well¡­ we certainly have our options. Leigh: Here you are! [Leigh and Chelsea exit from the building. Both are carrying toy balls, Chelsea trying to juggle two as they come out. Leigh throws one over at Vince.] Leigh: [smug] Mind if I go first? I fancy showing off. [Vince shrugs, moving out of the goal.] Vince: Just make sure I go last. [Vince moves next to Liv as Chelsea moves next to him. Leigh moves into the goal and stretches his arms. He turns to face the group, big smile on his face, and throws over the balls that he¡¯s carrying to Vince who catches them.] Leigh: Okay¡­ chuck em over. [Vince and Liv look at each other.] Liv: [hesitant] Um, Leigh, I don¡¯t think I wa- [Chelsea gives a loud battlecry and throws a ball overhead at Leigh. He raises his hand and ends up catching the ball. He sighs.] Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more. Chelsea: I thought you were psychic and all. Leigh: [smug] Just a warm up, it¡¯s just a warm up! [He throws the ball up and hits it back over to Chelsea.] Leigh: Gimme time, throw some more. Vince: When do we stop? Leigh: When I can do it properly? [The group shrugs and start throwing balls at Leigh again. The first two he normally catches and throws back. He reaches up to get the third one, causing it to pull down into his hands.] Leigh: [happy] See! Did it! [He throws the ball back, moving to catch another and completely missing. The ball flies back into the bushes.] Liv: Nevermind. [She throws the ball at Leigh, hitting him in the head.] Chelsea: [offended] Hey! Liv: [defensive] I thought that he¡¯d catch it! Chelsea: [offended] Well obviously not! [Vince throws another ball at Leigh. He raises a hand and it stops mid air.] Vince: Want a break? Leigh: Thank you. [Leigh comes back over, Vince patting Leigh on the back.] Vince: Who next then? Liv: Well¡­ I can¡¯t because mine would involve stabbing someone or¡­ breaking a finger. Chelsea: And I¡¯d have to get coffee from somewhere. Liv: [realization] Oh my god! Cheshire can do it! [Cheshire purrs and walks forward, Liv petting behind his ear as his colour starts changing again.] Leigh: Come on, we already know what your cat can do. Chelsea: Are you really keeping the cat? Liv: [happy] Yes¡­ yes I am. [Liv smiles as Vince folds his arms, subtly scratching behind his right ear while Cheshire slowly fades into white with bright blue eyes.] Vince: Well¡­ I guess it¡¯s my turn then. Chelsea: Yeah, good idea! But we¡¯d need to go somewhere with a¡­ [Chelsea and Leigh look at Vince and freeze in surprise as they see Vince¡¯s eyes and hair start to glow. He looks over at them from the side and smiles abnormally wide.] Vince: [surprised] Tada. [Vince breaks into a chuckle as Liv turns around and notices, stopping petting Cheshire as they were purple with white stripes and yellow eyes.] Liv: [surprised] Oh my god! [Vince stops, laughing to himself, as his hair settles on blue and his eyes settle to be green and brown.] Leigh: [surprised] What the hell? That¡¯s so cool! Chelsea: [surprised] Nice colours¡­ Liv: [surprised] Wait, so¡­ are you the cat then? [Vince chuckles, shaking his head and walking into the goal.] Vince: [nervous] Well, it¡¯s kinda hard to explain. Leigh: [surprised, curious] Well explain it then! [Leigh throws the ball at Vince, who holds his hand up straight and stops the ball in front of him. He waves it to the side and the ball drifts slowly back over to Leigh. He smiles again, his hair and eyes returning to brown.] Vince: [nervous] I can use any power. If I see it. [Liv smiles wide, very impressed. Leigh takes the ball in shock, trying to speak. Chelsea stutters a bit, trying to speak.] Vince: Cool, right? 2.7 - The Rat [Shows a house with brown walls in it¡¯s corridor, a few pictures hung up showing a couple together. The door at the end of the corridor leads outside, as a few lights from cars travel past it during the late night. At the door, through it, appears a silhouette. They¡¯re blurred by the window, but they appear to be wearing a brown coat, blue decoration on a white shirt and have blonde hair. Down the corridor walks Hyde, who¡¯s wearing his work clothes. He comes over to the door, unlocks it and then opens the door. When he opens it, he sees an empty street and grows confused. He steps onto the street, looking to the left and right. The street is empty and a few cars are parked along the road. When Hyde looks to the right, he sees a white van. He turns back to go back inside, but Alice stands there and shuts the door before he can. She¡¯s wearing the brown coat with a blue ribbon tied in a bow around her neck. She turns to Hyde and smiles.] Alice: [happy] Hey, Lou. Hyde: [surprised] Alice? Alice: [happy] You remembered. That¡¯s sweet. Hyde: How couldn¡¯t I? You wouldn¡¯t stop blowing up my phone! [Alice points over at the van at the end of the street.] Alice: How about we get moving? [Hyde sighs, turning to the van and heading over to it. The back doors open up for him and he enters, Alice closing them behind her once they¡¯re in. Hyde sits down and looks to the side, seeing Marshall staring angrily at him.] Hyde: So¡­ you must be Witley Barbit- Marshall: [angry] You took Richard Goldberg¡¯s job at the college. Hyde: Yeah, so? Marshall: [angry] He was the Caterpillar. He betrayed us. All of us. Hyde: [confused] Right¡­ I didn¡¯t know all your names, can I clarify- Alice: What¡¯s the class you¡¯re teaching, Lou? Hyde: [confused] Why does i- [Alice flicks out a knife, pointing it at Hyde who panics and backs further into the van.] Hyde: [panicking] Okay, photography! I do photography! [Alice smiles.] Alice: Good boy. Marshall: I need you to do a bit of work for me. Hyde: [worried] I¡­ I don¡¯t want to get involved with whatever the hell you guys- [Hyde starts to get up but Marshall pushes him back, Alice slowly getting her knife out.] Alice: [calmly] Lou¡­ buddy¡­ we¡¯ve talked, you¡¯re a good guy. Me and my friend, not so much. So how about¡­ [Alice takes the knife out, handing it to Marshall.] Alice: [calmly] You make a decision quickly? [Hyde looks between the two of them, sighing.] Hyde: [panicking] Well¡­ when you put it like that¡­ This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. [Cuts back to Hyde being thrown back into the corridor of his house. He turns back to see Alice. He tries to speak but Alice shushes him.] Alice: [happy] See ya soon Lou. We¡¯ll talk. [Alice winks and is surrounded in a pink aura, being consumed by it before vanishing. There¡¯s a small explosion of wind as Hyde looks at the space in surprise.] Hyde: I¡­ am never getting used to that. [Hyde turns back around and walks into the house, getting a message on his phone. He opens it up and checks his phone. It¡¯s a message from Witley Barbit.] Marshall: [text only] Don¡¯t disappoint me. [Hyde sighs, pocketing the phone. Cuts back to Alice as she appears in the van, Marshall spinning his phone in circles between his fingers. Alice smiles to him.] Alice: See? This is easy. Marshall: No¡­ no it¡¯s not. Alice: [frowning] Oh come on, Grumpy, you¡¯re gonna be like this the whole time? [Marshall looks at Alice, annoyed.] Marshall: Ben didn''t have to use his power. He could¡¯ve just let everyone live instead of creating another Storm. But he had to let the powers out again: why? Alice: [confused] Well¡­ he gets emotional and that made him set it off. Marshall: No, he and Goldberg, they were talking. They knew who we were. Meaning that they knew about our lives. [Alice sighs, leaning back in the van on the other side to Marshall.] Marshall: He chose Chesterfield for a reason. I just wanna know what he knew. Alice: [worried] Y¡¯know¡­ maybe it¡¯s time you told her. About all of this. Marshall: [forceful] No. She can¡¯t know. Alice: [worried] Why not? [Marshall scoffs, looking at Alice in thought.] Marshall: [forceful] How could she trust me? When we go out and do this? [Alice moves slightly closer.] Alice: She¡¯s your wife, Marshall. She¡¯s the only other woman I know who even knows about the Storm and she was bloody supportive through everything that happened to you. [Marshall shrugs, looking out the window.] Alice: We aren¡¯t even the bad guys! We¡¯re stopping the bad guys, whatever it takes! She would understand, hon. [Marshall looks at Alice and sighs.] Marshall: I¡¯m¡­ gonna go and get some air. [Alice nods to him. Marshall gets up and moves out the van, closing the door behind him. He rests his head against the door, closing his eyes and thinking. After a few seconds he pulls himself up. He turns around, facing an empty street. He scratches the back of his head and begins to walk away from the van, as it starts to play a muffled version of Mr Blue Sky by ELO.] 2.8 - Ghost Talk [Sissel makes it back into his house, locking the door behind him. He turns and enters the living room, seeing Velma eating a sandwich while watching television. She¡¯s wearing a red hoodie, glasses and jeans that have scratches along them.] Sissel: Hey. [Velma turns to Sissel and notices him.] Velma: [surprised] Hey stranger, where have you been? Sissel: Just¡­ for a walk. Velma: Okay¡­ try to make it home before sundown next time, okay? Sissel: Okay. [Sissel turns to sit on the sofa and sees Tracey and Goldberg sat comfortably on the sofa. He stops for a second, then sits down on the floor in front of it. Velma looks at him confused.] Velma: You can sit on the sofa, y¡¯know? Sissel: [thinking] It¡¯s¡­ fine, I¡¯m gonna go upstairs anyway. Goldberg: Close one. Sissel: Thank you. Velma: [confused] What? Sissel: Um! I¡­ tell you what, I¡¯ll just talk later. Velma: [worried] Alright¡­ you okay? Sissel: Great! Yeah, great! Um, great! [Sissel quickly gets up and runs upstairs. He turns at the top into a doorway and enters his room, hitting the lights on. On his bed are sat Goldberg and Tracey.] Goldberg: [sarcastic] I suppose you¡¯re always this subtle then? Sissel: Oh¡­ shut up. Tracey: Yeah, he is. Sissel: [defensive] Tracey! Tracey: What? I¡¯m not wrong. [Sissel moves over. Goldberg gets off the bed as Sissel sits next to Tracey.] Goldberg: Right¡­ you two want my help then? Tracey: He does. Goldberg: Okay¡­ what do you need then? Sissel: [nervous] I just¡­ need answers to a few questions, if that¡¯s okay. Goldberg: Yeah, I can do tha- Sissel: [quickly] Why didn¡¯t you save Tracey? [Tracey sighs, looking to Sissel who is evidently regretting asking, although maintaining sight with Goldberg.] Tracey: [upset] Cecil- [Goldberg raises his hand, quieting Tracey.] Goldberg: The truth? [Sissel nods. Goldberg sighs.] Goldberg: [upset] Well, um¡­ I tried. I said that before, I stayed by the body after hitting it for three minutes. Before I could attempt to bring her into a hospital, I saw that the White Rabbit had appeared. We¡­ evidently¡­ didn¡¯t leave on the best terms. So I had to run. Before he got me to. [Sissel nods slowly, Tracey moving slightly closer.] Goldberg: I imagine that you feel there¡¯s more to it, but there isn¡¯t. I ran from a killer. I¡¯m sorry for your friend. This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. [Sissel nods again.] Sissel: [upset] Next question¡­ um- Tracey: Are they in danger? My team? [Goldberg looks to Tracey, thinking.] Goldberg: If the Rabbit has seen any of them struck by the Storm or they¡¯ve gotten too much information then- Sissel: They have a picture of your screen saver, which they think has the White Rabbit¡¯s face on it. [Goldberg nods.] Goldberg: Then they are definitely in danger. [Tracey nods back.] Tracey: Can we fix this? Goldberg: If you can make them unsee the picture, but now that they¡¯ve seen it¡­ they¡¯re basically doomed. Sissel: [annoyed] Can you not say that? Goldberg: I¡¯m being honest with you! I¡¯m not going to give you false hope! Sissel: [annoyed] You could help us! Goldberg: [annoyed] I am trying! [The door to the room opens and Velma enters. She looks a bit confused towards Sissel.] Velma: [worried] Cecil? Honey? Sissel: [calm] Yeah? Velma: [worried] Are you¡­ are you okay honey? Sissel: [calm] Yeah, I¡¯m¡­ I¡¯m fine, just was on the phone. Velma: [confused] Oh, with¡­ with who? You were getting pretty loud. Sissel: Sorry! I¡¯ll¡­ I¡¯ll keep it down. Velma: [worried] Okay¡­ thank you. [Sissel smiles and Velma leaves, him sighing.] Goldberg: Do you always lie to your mother? Sissel: Well if she finds out a man in a rabbit mask is going to come and try to kill her. Goldberg: I didn¡¯t say that. Tracey: It¡¯s not a bad logic jump. [Tracey gets up, standing next to Goldberg and looking to Sissel.] Tracey: Okay, plan? We save for tomorrow. We¡¯ll make a list of things to confirm and go over that when we have the chance. Sissel: Goldberg? You staying? [Goldberg looks to Tracey.] Goldberg: If it¡¯s all the same, we need to talk. Tracey: Okay. [Tracey smiles to Sissel.] Tracey: See you in a bit. [Sissel waves as they both leave the room, phasing through the door. Sissel lays back down in his bed, looking miserable. After a few seconds, Goldberg phases his body back through the door and jumps Sissel.] Sissel: [surprised] Don¡¯t do that! Goldberg: [curious] Who¡¯s Olivia C? Sissel: [surprised] I don¡¯t know¡­ why? Goldberg: Because you¡¯re mother is eavesdropping on you outside. [Sissel quickly gets up and moves over to the door. He opens it and sees Velma stood opposite the doorway. She looks up at him, surprised. He sighs and slams the door shut.] 2.9 - The Notebook [It¡¯s the next day at College, during the lunch break. The cafeteria is mostly empty, with a few people focused on their phones. The lights start to flicker in the room as, suddenly, an empty table is surrounded by Chelsea, Leigh, Vince and Liv holding Cheshire who all land on chairs. The pulse of air blows out and the lights start to settle again, the group looking quickly around the room.] Chelsea: [worried] Anyone notice? Anything? Leigh: [worried] I-I don¡¯t think so? Um¡­ Liv: [worried] We¡¯re fine? We¡¯re fine. We¡¯re fine! [Liv chuckles nervously as Cheshire jumps onto the table and gets comfortable, curling up on the table.] Vince: Right¡­ well¡­ nice job Chelsea. Chelsea: [worried] Thank you. [Vince gets comfortable in the seat, everyone else calming down. Liv looks around the cafeteria and sees Sissel coming over with a notebook.] Liv: Um¡­ hey, Chelsea, can you give me a hand with something quick? Chelsea: Okay. [Liv gets up with Chelsea.] Leigh: Want us to come? Liv: I just need Chelsea¡¯s help quick. Leigh: [confused] Okay then. [Liv quickly walks off, Chelsea following after. Once Chelsea is out her chair, Sissel drops onto her seat and puts the book down on the table.] Sissel: [loud] Right! Vince: [surprised] Jesus, Cecil! Sissel: Sorry, um¡­ [Goldberg appears behind Sissel.] Goldberg: Take it slow, don¡¯t stress yourself out. [Sissel nods.] Leigh: Something up, man? I thought you were- Sissel: I am! Mostly, um¡­ I found some stuff that I thought you guys should¡­ definitely know. [Sissel flicks the book open with a large variety of scribbled drawings and words, the word ¡°Wonderland¡± being the most prominent and bold word across the sheet. Leigh and Vince look at the sheet, then at each other in confusion. Sissel runs his finger across the words, eventually settling on ¡°YES¡±.] Sissel: Right so, that hunch that the White Rabbit wants to kill us all is definitely true. If he¡¯s seen us with powers and since you have a picture of the- the- the group! The¡­ what¡¯s their name! If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. [Goldberg leans down.] Goldberg: Wonderland. Sissel: [triumphant] Wonderland! Wonderland group, they killed people like¡­ like us. [Leigh nods.] Leigh: [confused] How did you- Sissel: [loud] Shut up, there¡¯s more! Um¡­ [He runs his hand across the paper again.] Vince: Sissel, calm down, you¡¯re gonna make a scene. Sissel: [loud] I am trying! [He eventually lands his finger to point at the word ¡°Sidekick¡±.] Sissel: He has an accomplice, or he at least used to. Leigh: [worried] What? Sissel: I don¡¯t know the name yet, nobody does, they just call themselves Alice and that¡¯s what we have. There was also Hatter, Cheshire, Absolem or the Caterpillar who was Goldberg and¡­ I think someone else, I can¡¯t tell though. Leigh: [worried] So¡­ we¡¯re fighting a team then? Sissel: Yes you are! [Sissel calms down.] Sissel: Sorry. [Sissel leans over the table, covering his face.] Sissel: [worried] I¡¯m sorry, I-I¡¯m sorry but¡­ look, I got us something, okay? Leigh: [confused] Very useful, don¡¯t worry but how the hell did you find any of this out? [Sissel looks to Vince and Leigh, thinking.] Goldberg: My computer. You took it. Sissel: [quickly] I took Goldberg¡¯s laptop. Leigh: Y- you took his laptop. Sissel: Yep. I- I had a chance, just snatched it. Leigh: [surprised] Well can we see it? Sissel: It¡¯s at home. I can¡­ I can bring it in later if you want? Vince: Cecil, that¡¯d help. A lot. [Sissel gets up, quickly scrambling up the notebook.] Sissel: I-I¡¯ll do that. Um¡­ do you know where Liv is? I need to talk to her. Leigh: She just left. Sissel: Where? Leigh: I don¡¯t know, just¡­ left. [Sissel nods slowly.] Sissel: Okay¡­ [Sissel starts to walk away from the group, mumbling to himself.] Leigh: What¡¯s up with Sissel, he seems¡­ I don¡¯t know, he doesn¡¯t seem right. Vince: He¡¯s just¡­ the whole situation, it¡¯s a lot. He¡¯ll be fine. I think. Leigh: I hope so. [Vince sighs.] Vince: [quietly] So do I... 2.10 - Get the Laptop [Sissel quickly moves into a stairwell, empty. Once he¡¯s in, he sits down and Tracey appears behind him with Goldberg.] Tracey: Problem? Sissel: [worried] I need to talk to Liv and steal Goldberg¡¯s laptop. Goldberg: Hey, if you¡¯re gonna be working with me, you can call me Richard. Sissel: [worried] I need Dick¡¯s laptop. Goldberg: [annoyed] Okay, you¡­ you said that too quickly. Tracey: How do we get Richie¡¯s laptop? Goldberg: I prefer that. Also before you guys saw me, I was mainly just¡­ walking- Sissel: Correction, haunting. Goldberg: Whatever, I was in the college. And my stuff? It¡¯s still here too. [Tracey and Sissel turn to Goldberg.] Goldberg: [confused] What? The powers-that-be told them to keep my stuff. Tracey: [surprised] That doesn¡¯t seem professional. Goldberg: [defensive] Probably not, but it¡¯s still good for us. Sissel: If we¡¯re keeping this power a secret then we¡¯re gonna need to get that laptop. Wherever it is. Goldberg: Still my office, last I checked. Sissel: Well¡­ Go Busters! [Sissel raises his hands up in fists, where Tracey fists bumps it. He looks to Goldberg.] Goldberg: Yeah, I¡¯m not doing that. [Sissel pushes himself up.] Sissel: Suit yourself, Dick. [Goldberg groans as Sissel walks up the stairs and through a corridor, following after him. Tracey stays in this room. Goldberg quickly catches up to Sissel.] Goldberg: [annoyed] Just to clarify, can you not keep calling m- Sissel: What was your power? Goldberg: [annoyed] Pardon? Sissel: I need to know your power. Now. Goldberg: I could alter the reality of things that I touched. Sissel: [chuckling] Okay, that¡¯s pretty cool actually. Goldberg: And my second- [Sissel quickly stops Goldberg in a doorway.] Sissel: [worried] I¡¯m sorry, did you just say second? Goldberg: Yeah¡­ some people get a second power. Sissel: [worried] I¡­ [Sissel quickly gets his notebook out and scribbles in it.] Sissel: [worried] I will keep that noted. Goldberg: [confused] Anyway, my second power? I could see the future. [Sissel nods, scribbling it down on his page as ¡°future, 2¡± directly over the word ¡°Chelsea¡±. He quickly closes the book.] Goldberg: [confused] Okay, how the hell do you understand that? That¡¯s just a mess. Sissel: It just works, come on. [Sissel quickly moves towards a lift, heading in with Goldberg. It starts going up.] Sissel: Tracey already there? Goldberg: I¡¯d be surprised if she wasn¡¯t. Sissel: Then can you help me with something? Goldberg: [confused] I already am? Sissel: I need you to help Tracey move into a proper afterlife. [Goldberg looks to Sissel.] Goldberg: [surprised] Seriously? Sissel: Look, you¡­ you a religious man? Goldberg: [surprised] Well¡­ okay, yes, but I¡¯m not even close to devout enough to understand why we¡¯re still on Earth! We go somewhere else, I don¡¯t know the story of how we get there. Sissel: Yeah, well, we need to do something. [Goldberg looks at Sissel surprised.] Goldberg: [surprised] Why? I¡­ based on how you were acting about it, I thought you would wanna keep her around. [Sissel shakes his head.] Sissel: That¡¯s not what she deserves. Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions. Goldberg: [surprised] Okay¡­ okay, I¡¯ll try and¡­ try and find something. Anything. Sissel: [hesitant] Thank you. Goldberg: Just give me time. [Goldberg slowly fades away as the door opens. Sissel makes it out and sees Tracey there, smiling.] Tracey: Hey. Sissel: Hey. [They come over and hold hands, then move towards the offices.] Tracey: Do you know your way around here? Sissel: Shouldn¡¯t be hard, I mean¡­ [Sissel opens a door to show the office rooms lined up.] Sissel: One of these rooms is going to be missing a name surely, so just find- Tracey: [triumphant] Did it! [Sissel looks surprised as Tracey drags her over to the door labelled ¡°23¡±. The name tag has been removed. Sissel is dumbfounded.] Sissel: [dumbfounded] How the hell do I function without you? Tracey: [triumphant] I ask myself every day. [She quickly kisses Sissel and moves through the door, making him sigh.] Sissel: [loud] I can¡¯t do that. Tracey: [through door] Sorry. [Sissel grabs the door handle, shaking it a bit. He tries to push the door open, bashing into it from the side.] Tracey: [through door] Need help? Sissel: [loud] It¡¯s fine, I¡¯ll¡­ sort it out eventually. Tracey: [through door] Don¡¯t need my help? Sissel: [loud] Not right now. [The door suddenly glows bright, scaring Sissel and making him fall back. He falls to the ground, now seen by Hyde.] Hyde: What are you doing? [Sissel jumps again.] Tracey: [through door] Are you okay? Sissel: [jumpy] I just¡­ I-I needed to get to Goldberg¡¯s office. Hyde: Well it isn¡¯t Goldberg¡¯s office anymore, it¡¯s mine. [He moves in front of the door.] Sissel: [jumpy] W-why is that? Hyde: Well when a teacher dies¡­ [He moves in front of the door, sliding in ¡°Louis Hyde¡± where the name tag should go.] Hyde: And you then take their job, it usually means that they don¡¯t get an office anymore. [Hyde unlocks the door as Sissel gets up.] Sissel: [jumpy] Okay. [Hyde opens the door and finds the desk with a series of boxes across it and Goldberg¡¯s laptop still out. He sighs.] Hyde: I can deal with this. [Hyde enters, Sissel quickly entering the doorway and seeing Tracey sat on the desk.] Hyde: [joking] Even got me a free laptop! Tracey: That isn¡¯t his, is it? [Sissel shook his head as Hyde turns on the laptop.] Sissel: [hesitant] Hey, I don¡¯t think- Hyde: [defensive] I¡¯m just trying to see if it works, don¡¯t worry about it. [Hyde turns on the computer and sees the screensaver, face dropping. He sighs and closes the laptop.] Sissel: [confused] C-can I get it now? Hyde: [worried] Yeah, sure. This is Goldberg¡¯s, right? Sissel: Yeah, it is. [Tracey looks at Hyde¡¯s face intensely.] Hyde: Seems like a nice guy. [Sissel nods, turning and walking out of the room. Once the door is closed, Hyde leans down to the desk and sighs. His phone gets a message, which he checks. The name Whitley Barbit is there.] Rabbit: [text only] Do it now. Or else you¡¯re gone. [Hyde sighs, pocketing his phone. Outside, Sissel is booting up Goldberg¡¯s computer with Tracey by his shoulder. The screensaver comes up.] Tracey: Okay, did it! Recognize anyone? Sissel: [certain] Nope. [Tracey sighs.] Tracey: Well so much for a good start. 2.11 - Eavesdropping [Sissel and Tracey are on Goldberg¡¯s laptop, stood outside of Hyde¡¯s office. From around the corner, Chelsea and Liv appear to Tracey¡¯s notice.] Tracey: Head¡¯s up. [Sissel turns to see them heading over.] Sissel: [quietly] H-hey. Chelsea: Hey. [Liv just nods. Sissel stills quickly shushes the both of them, Tracey stepping back.] Chelsea: [quietly, confused] Okay, why? Sissel: [quietly] Because there is a teacher in the room! Liv: [quietly, confused] So? Sissel: [quietly] So this laptop belonged to Goldberg and I¡¯d prefer to not have someone thinking we killed him and stole his things! [Chelsea and Liv look to each other.] Chelsea: [quietly] Okay, that¡¯s fair. Hand it over. [Sissel starts to hand over the laptop as a loud thud is heard from inside the office. They all look about each other as it starts getting loud in the office. Chelsea quickly takes the laptop with Sissel''s notebook underneath it.] Chelsea: [quietly] I¡¯ll take this to the team, you guys deal with¡­ that. [Chelsea quickly runs away with the laptop. Both Liv and Sissel perk up and panic slightly, Tracey noticing.] Sissel: [quietly, over Liv] Wha- hey! Chelsea! Come on, Chelsea! Liv: [quietly, over Sissel] Chelsea, don¡¯t just run off! We¡¯re not just¡­ oh, you bitch. [There¡¯s another thud against the door and the two turn to it. They both sigh and head over, putting their heads on the door while facing each other. Tracey walks over, frowning.] Tracey: [worried] What¡¯s going on? [Sissel shushes Tracey.] Liv: [quietly] I didn¡¯t say anything! Sissel: [quietly] Not you. Liv: [quietly] Who then? [Sissel sighs.] Tracey: [worried] You can tell her. Why aren¡¯t you telling her? [Sissel shushes again. Liv groans and puts her head to the door.] Tracey: Um¡­ I¡¯m going to go in, see what he¡¯s saying. You just say what I¡¯m saying. [Sissel nods as Tracey moves through the wall to more loud noises.] Liv: [annoyed] Just be honest, what¡¯s wrong with you? Sissel: What? Liv: [annoyed] You¡¯re acting weird. Not sad, just wrong. Sissel: [annoyed] Is there not a better time for this? Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation. Liv: [annoyed] I don¡¯t know, but I¡¯d prefer you talk to a real person about this. Sissel: [annoyed] Seriously, you sound nuts. Liv: [annoyed] I¡¯m trying to help you. Sissel: Wait, shush. Liv: [annoyed] If you tell me- Sissel: [angry] Liv, seriously, shut it! [Liv goes quiet, frowning. Tracey speaks up.] Tracey: [through wall] Um¡­ someone called Witley Barbit. Sissel: Name is Witley Barbit. Tracey: [through wall] Um¡­ he¡¯s kinda rambling, something about photography and running with scissors. Sissel: [confused] Um¡­ he¡¯s mainly rambling. Liv: [annoyed, confused] How the hell do you get a name and nothing else? [Tracey pulls her head through the door.] Tracey: [worried] Okay, so¡­ I think he¡¯s going to kill you. Run please! [Sissel quickly grabs Liv and pulled her away, running.] Liv: [annoyed] H-hey! Sissel: [annoyed] Oh, shut up! [They quickly turn the corner towards the staircase.] Liv: Why are we running? Sissel: Hyde is going to kill us! Liv: Oh¡­ That¡¯s fair. [The two quickly make it to the bottom of the staircase. Sissel lets go of Liv and runs in the opposite direction, Liv noticing and stopping in her place.] Liv: [yelling] Hey! Where you going? [Sissel turns back down the corridor, staring at Liv.] Sissel: I need to make a plan. I need to go. Liv: [angry] Don¡¯t just run away after telling me someone wants to kill us again! [Tracey¡¯s head pulls down through the floor, looking at Sissel.] Tracey: [worried] Again?! Sissel: [angry] Look, I can¡¯t explain, I just need to go! Okay? [Liv groans.] Liv: [angry] When you get back, you tell me what is going on. Sissel: [angry] Fine! [Sissel turns and runs off, taking a corner. Liv groans and walks away down the corridor, taking out her phone and texting Velma.] Liv: [text only] Something¡¯s wrong. He won¡¯t tell me. [She hesitates with the next message, then groans.] Liv: [text only] Can we talk later? It¡¯s important. [She waits a few seconds, then getting a response.] Velma: [text only] Okay. We can talk whenever you want. [She nods and pockets her phone.] 2.12 - Thamesmead [Sissel runs out the front doors of College, quickly looking around and mumbling to himself. He¡¯s passing through a car park on his way out, only with a couple of cars there. He focuses on the floor.] Sissel: [mumbling] I¡¯m in idiot, I should¡­ grade-a¡­ idiot! And Witley Barbit, the hell is- [Sissel starts walking past Goldberg, looking around the area confused. He takes notice of Sissel.] Goldberg: Hey, you¡¯re already done? Sissel: [annoyed] I gave Chelsea the laptop, accidentally with the notebook and our teacher wants to kill us. [Goldberg nods, putting his hands in his pockets.] Goldberg: Okay, that¡¯s not good. Sissel: [annoyed] No, no it is not. Also Tracey says that he¡¯s talking to a Witley Barbit who probably wants us dead¡­ [Goldberg perks up, thinking.] Sissel: [annoyed] And Liv is annoyed with me, which is completely fair but I don¡¯t know what to- Goldberg: Witley is the Rabbit. Sissel: [annoyed] Pardon? Goldberg: Barbit is just an anagram of Rabbit. Witley Barbit is a false name that the White Rabbit is using. Whoever this teacher is, they¡¯re a pawn to the Rabbit. Honestly, it¡¯s kinda obvious. [Sissel groans, moving over to a wall at the side and headbutting it.] Goldberg: Oh, come on! Don¡¯t do that! Sissel: [annoyed] It helps when I¡¯m stressed. [Sissel comes back over.] Goldberg: How the hell does that help you when you¡¯re stressed? Sissel: It distracts me from stu- aaaaah! [Sissel grips his forehead, bending over at the waist.] Sissel: Christ, that hurts. Goldberg: It would! You headbutt a wall! Sissel: [strained] Um¡­ what about you? Find anything? Goldberg: [sarcastic] Oh, about what happens when we die? Yeah, I managed to find all the answers in about five minutes flat, good day for me! Sissel: [annoyed] You don¡¯t have to be a prick about it! Goldberg: I¡¯m sorry but you can¡¯t expect me to find the answer you¡¯re looking for in less than a day! Sissel: Well¡­ it¡¯d help if you keep looking. Goldberg: [worried] If you¡¯re being chased by a man set to kill you, surely it¡¯d make more sense to focus on that. Sissel: I will¡­ just Tracey matters more. Goldberg: You mean the girl that you¡¯re trying to get rid of? Sissel: [annoyed] Can you just¡­ [Sissel groans, holding his head.] Goldberg: Cecil¡­ I¡¯m sorry¡­ but whether you like it or not- [Tracey dropped through the ceiling suddenly between Sissel and Goldberg, landing with a bend then a quick bow.] Tracey: Okay, that was actually better than I expected. Goldberg: Nice landing. Tracey: Thank you! [Sissel gets up, stretching a bit. Tracey looks at him, worried.] Tracey: [worried] Did you headbutt a wall again? [Goldberg gies a judging stare at Sissel.] Sissel: Yeah¡­ little bit. Tracey: [annoyed] Sissel! Sissel: It helps! Goldberg: [concerned] I would disagree with that. Tracey: Well¡­ look, can you explain to me why someone is trying to kill you? Sissel: [worried] Um¡­ it¡¯s- well- it¡¯s a bit of a long story. Tracey: [annoyed] I¡¯m dead. I have time. [Sissel sighs. He looks at Goldberg then back at Tracey, frowning.] Sissel: Fine. We were in a lightning storm that gave us superpowers. Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. Tracey: I know that bit. Sissel: We were there because the Tea Party, your little squad, saved me from having a gun pointed at my head. Two crazy people tried to shoot me, Leigh saved my life. We ran away and got struck by lightning. Now another crazy person wearing a rabbit mask is trying to kill us because apparently we got the Flash origin story. Any other questions? [Tracey thinks for a moment, surprised.] Tracey: Have you told anyone? Sissel: [hesitant] No. Tracey: Why not? Sissel: Does it matter? Tracey: Yes! [Sissel hesitates speaking, chuckling awkwardly.] Sissel: Well¡­ who would believe it? Goldberg: Other people like us. Sissel: [annoyed] Really? Because I basically acted fucking crazy when she died, they¡¯ll just think it¡¯s¡­ it¡¯s psychosis. Or mental illness. Something would be wrong with me. [Goldberg groans and moves over to Sissel and Tracey.] Tracey: They aren¡¯t like that, they¡¯ll believe you. Sissel: [hesitant] I don¡¯t think they will. Goldberg: Mind if I try something? [Sissel and Tracey look at him confused.] Sissel: [confused] What? Goldberg: Well, just¡­ I wanna see if my power still works. Sissel: I doubt it. Tracey: Worth a shot. Sissel: I really disagree with that. [Goldberg groans and places his hands on their shoulders.] Sissel: I mean what do we expec- [Sissel¡¯s eyes suddenly go blue and he collapses to the ground in pain, groaning. He starts shaking on the ground, the world starting becoming dark in his eyes. After a few seconds, the scene clears up in a different area. Instead of a carpark, he¡¯s now stood on the roof of a block of flats. He¡¯s on the edge, overlooking a city. He starts taking deep breaths as his eyes return to normal, frantically looking around. To his left is Tracey and his right is Goldberg.] Sissel: [panicking] What the hell did you do?! Where are we?! Goldberg: London¡­ Thamesmead, I think- holy crap, that works! [Tracey turns around, stepping off the ledge. Sissel turns to Goldberg annoyed, stepping up to him.] Sissel: [annoyed] You didn¡¯t know that would work?! Goldberg: [excited] No, but it¡¯s a good thing that it did! I mean this is amazing, admittedly. Tracey: Guys¡­ Goldberg: [excited] Ghosts can still use their powers, that¡¯s a breakthrough. Sissel: [annoyed] Could you maybe have given me some information about what the hell you were planning to do?! Tracey: [annoyed] Guys¡­ Goldberg: Well there wouldn¡¯t have been a point if it hadn¡¯t worked! Sissel: [annoyed] Oh my god, you really are a- [Tracey turns to them.] Tracey: [annoyed, loud] Hey! Dick and Dyke, look at this! [Sissel and Goldberg look towards Tracey¡¯s direction. Sissel is immediately shocked and stumbles backwards. He screams, but is caught by Goldberg who flings him onto the roof.] Sissel: [terrified] What the hell did you do?! Goldberg: Thamesmead¡­ London¡­ 2009¡­ [Goldberg chuckles and jumps down, walking next to Tracey. On the rooftop, in front of the group, there stands Benny on the ground having what appears to be a seizure with Benny, Goldberg and Cheshire stood over him. In the back is Marshall and Alice, wearing their white and brown masks, along with the Hatter next to them.] Goldberg: This was the day that the team fell apart. 2.13 - Shaking [On the top of a roof in 2009, the original Wonderland group are crowding around Benny who is shaking on the ground. The rooftop is grey and looks damp, with the clouds above being dark and stormy. The roof is mostly empty but there¡¯s a doorway back downstairs to the floor. Marshall and Alice are at the back of the roof by the door, wearing their masks. A past version of Goldberg stands over Benny, clean shaven with very short hair and wearing a black jumper. Hatter is stood to the left of Goldberg, hat on the ground and wearing a green suit with splashes of blood on it. Meanwhile Cheshire stands on the right of Goldberg, having black hair and purple eyes, blood around his mouth and a purple leather jacket on. Evan is away from the group, panicking and taking deep breaths. Sissel, Tracey and the modern Goldberg are watching.] Sissel: [quietly] What¡­ what¡¯s happening? Goldberg: You can speak normally, they don¡¯t know we¡¯re here. Sissel: You- Tracey: [surprised] I didn¡¯t know you could do this. Goldberg: [surprised] Neither did I, thought I saw the future¡­ it¡¯s kinda good to know. [The three watch on as they barely get a glimpse of Benny, seeing a dark purple travelling up his neck. Tracey points at it as Cheshire moves his hand over it, looking for a pulse.] Tracey: Hey, what¡¯s that? Goldberg: That¡¯s the Storm. [Sissel looks to Goldberg, worried. When the past group start talking, their voices are slightly echoed.] Cheshire: It¡¯s travelling again! Hatter: One second! [Hatter grabs his hat and starts searching through it.] P. Goldberg: Hatter, get me a knife or something! [Sissel turns to Goldberg.] Sissel: [shouting] A knife! Goldberg: Calm down, he was alive when you last saw him. Tracey: Still a knife, to be fair. [Hatter reaches his whole arm down into his top hat, eventually pulling out an umbrella. He looks at it confused, before holding it towards Goldberg.] Hatter: Will this do? Cheshire: [annoyed] That is an umbrella! P. Goldberg: It¡¯ll do. Chuck it! [Hatter throws the umbrella to the past Goldberg who catches it. The White Rabbit steps towards them and observes Benny. The purple energy is slowly spreading up the ] Evan: [panicking] He¡¯s gonna be fine, right? He¡¯ll be fine! White Rabbit: Who cares? P. Goldberg: [forceful] We do. He¡¯s one of us. White Rabbit: [angry] He¡¯s the reason that this all started. P. Goldberg: [forceful] We don¡¯t know that! [Cheshire growls, turning into an annoyed scream. He snatchs the umbrella from Goldberg and quickly starts to tear up the fabric at the top. Goldberg moves to the White Rabbit.] White Rabbit: We could stop this from happening again. We¡¯d save a whole lot more people. P. Goldberg: [angry] Since when have we been saving people? White Rabbit: [shouting] Since we dealt with the problem. [Goldberg shoves the White Rabbit, the March Hare quickly moving to his side and catching him.] P. Goldberg: [shouting] We are the problem! [The March Hare moves in front of the White Rabbit, grabbing Goldberg by the collar.] March Hare: If you lay a hand on my brother- Hatter: [annoyed] Hey! [Attention is drawn to Hatter and Cheshire. Hatter is stood above Evan as Cheshire holds the frame of a metal umbrella.] Hatter: [annoyed] I can¡¯t believe that I¡¯m the one saying this, but can we save the argument for after we¡¯ve nearly killed a kid? [Goldberg goes back over to the two as they stand over Benny, meanwhile the March Hare walks the White Rabbit away from the situation and towards the door back into the building. During this, the present version of Goldberg stares at the situation with Sissel and Tracey.] Tracey: What the hell is an umbrella gonna do? Goldberg: Oh, we stab him with it. Sissel: [panicked] What? Goldberg: Simple. Look up. [The three look up and see the Storm starting to spin around them. Goldberg goes wide-eyed, turning to the two. In the background, Benny has the umbrella now sticking out of his chest and everyone is quickly backing away from him. Goldberg covers his ears.] Goldberg: [quickly] Oh, um, cover your ears. Sissel: [panicked] Why should we- [Very suddenly a lightning bolt strikes the umbrella with a loud crash, Sissel screaming and falling over in a panic while Tracey quickly braces herself. The umbrella immediately is set on fire, but the purple energy across Benny is gone. He screams in pain and Evan, with the group by the door, quickly runs to him.] A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation. Evan: [panicked] Benny! [The whole Wonderland group run towards Benny, getting a hold of him. Cheshire quickly grabs the umbrella and rips it out of Benny, flinging it towards Goldberg and Tracey. The umbrella passes through them as they see the group all help Benny to his feet. The March Hare exits the building now to see this.] P. Goldberg: Someone get him inside! Benny: [confused, tired] What¡­ wh- Evan: You¡¯re gonna be fine. Okay? You¡¯ll be fine. [Evan and Hatter quickly get Benny on his feet and drag him towards the building. The whole group moves as Cheshire shakes his burnt hands. Tracey quickly turns to Goldberg as Sissel gets up.] Tracey: Sorry, what just happened? Goldberg: The Storm. Well almost. Benny was able to make the Storm, that¡¯s what gave your friend and me our powers. Tracey: You say that like it¡¯s normal. Goldberg: Nothing¡¯s fucking normal anymore. [Sissel grabs onto Goldberg, almost falling on him.] Sissel: [terrified] How do we go? [Tracey and Goldberg look at Sissel.] Goldberg: [concerned] Something wrong? Sissel: [terrified] Yes! We need to go! We need to go now! [Tracey holds Sissel¡¯s arm.] Tracey: [worried] What is it? What¡¯s wrong? Sissel: I¡­ I jus- [Sissel starts shaking, then screams. He collapses. Tracey falls next to him.] Tracey: [panicked] Cecil! Cecil, what¡¯s wrong? [Goldberg looks at Sissel, crouching next to him. Sissel¡¯s shaking more violently. Tracey looks at him.] Tracey: [panicking] What¡¯s happening to him? Goldberg: [confused] I¡­ I have no idea. This never happened to me. Tracey: [panicking] You¡¯re telling me you don¡¯t know! Goldberg: [panicking] Well how am I supposed to know? I usually don¡¯t have this problem! Alice: [calmly] Punch him. [Tracey and Goldberg look towards the group, seeing the past Alice looking directly at them having moved over in front of the arguing team.] Alice: [calmly] In the chest¡­ punch him in the chest. That always works. [Tracey quickly gets on top of Sissel, bringing her fist into the air. Goldberg looks at Alice in surprise.] Goldberg: [surprised] That¡¯s new. [Tracey punches Sissel in the chest, who gasps loudly. The world almost instantly falls apart, quickly reconstructing itself as the College. Sissel is still on the floor, shaking. Goldberg gets up, looking forward at where Alice was stood.] Tracey: [panicking] H-He¡¯s still shaking! What do I do? Goldberg: [surprised] P-punch him, that¡¯s what Alice said. Tracey: [panicking] Who? [Tracey punches Sissel in the chest again, Goldberg coming back over.] Goldberg: [surprised] That girl! Her name is Alice, she¡¯s the Rabbit¡¯s¡­ sister. [Tracey punches Sissel in the chest again.] Tracey: [panicked] Well whatever she said, it¡¯s wrong! It¡¯s not working! [In the background, Chelsea and Leigh are coming outside. They see Sissel on the ground, shaking.] Leigh: Oh shit. Chelsea: [panicked] Sissel! [The two run over, standing over him.] Leigh: [panicked] Shit¡­ um¡­ Sissel, you okay? [Sissel slowly shakes his head, still shaking.] Chelsea: [panicked] What do we do? How do we help? [Goldberg and Tracey, above Leigh and Chelsea, look at each other.] Goldberg: [faux-calm] Okay. I have a plan. Grab his arm for me. [Tracey nods, panicking, and crouches down with Goldberg by Sissel¡¯s right arm. She looks at him, him slowly turning to her. They both lift up his arm.] Tracey: [faux-calm] You are gonna be fine, sweetie. Don¡¯t worry. Brace! [Goldberg and Tracey lift up Sissel¡¯s arm and quickly smash it into his chest. He groans, them both dropping the arm.] Tracey: [panicked] Are you sure this is going to work? Goldberg: [panicked] Yes! [Leigh looks at the arm and nods.] Leigh: [confused, panicked] Okay. Sure, yeah, okay. [Leigh gestures away Chelsea, then moves to stand over Sissel.] Leigh: [worried, confused] Sorry about this. [Leigh quickly punches Leigh in the stomach, Sissel finally stopping shaking and curling up into a ball.] Sissel: [strained] Oh, fuck me sideways! Oh god! [Leigh backs up quickly, Tracey moving next to him.] Tracey: [with Chelsea] Are you okay? Chelsea: [with Tracey] Are you okay? [Sissel looks at Chelsea, then to Leigh. He quickly glances by a concerned looking Goldberg and rests his eyes with Tracey.] Sissel: [strained] Yeah¡­ probably... 2.14 - Recovery [Sissel is being helped to walk by Leigh and Chelsea, looking nearly unconscious. The three enter the college, moving over to the stairs. They sit Sissel down, who groans.] Chelsea: [reassuringly] There ya go, buddy¡­ there you are. [Sissel sits down, resting on the side of the railing. Chelsea and Leigh look at Sissel, sighing.] Leigh: [concerned] You wanna¡­ tell us what the hell that was about? Sissel: [tired] It¡¯s nothing¡­ just, like¡­ Chelsea: [concerned] What? Sissel: [tired] I don¡¯t know. Just a panic attack or something? Leigh: [concerned] Seriously? Trust me, it is not a panic attack. Chelsea has had panic attacks before, whatever was happening out there is not a panic attack! Sissel: [annoyed] Well I don¡¯t know, okay? I just don¡¯t know! [Sissel hits his head on the railing.] Sissel: [upset] Ow. Sorry¡­ Sorry. Chelsea: [worried] I¡¯m gonna¡­ head to the group. You wanna come with us? [Sissel stays quiet for a few seconds, then nods.] Chelsea: [worried] Okay¡­ Um, Leigh? Leigh: [worried] Hmm? Chelsea: [worried] Come on. [Leigh seems prepared to stop her but she glares at him, making him move. Sissel looks at the two and chuckles. Leigh notices.] Leigh: What is it? Sissel: [chuckling] Just¡­ you two are already like old and married. Chelsea: [with Leigh] What? No, we¡¯re not in- Leigh: [with Chelsea] That¡¯s not what¡¯s going- Sissel: [interrupting] Tracey told me! [The two look surprised, Sissel chuckling.] Sissel: To be fair, you two aren¡¯t very subtle about your relationship. You should work on that. [Sissel rests his head on the railing and closes his eyes as the two walk down the corridor. Goldberg reappears next to Sissel, sat on the stairs and looking towards Leigh and Chelsea.] Goldberg: [surprised] I wouldn¡¯t have guessed that, to be fair. Sissel: [tired] Is Tracey here? Goldberg: I told her to go watch your friends. Sissel: [tired] Good. [Sissel sits up, looking at Goldberg.] Sissel: [tired] What the hell was that? Goldberg: Just testing my powers. Seems I can still use them which is gonna be pretty useful, I imagine. Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit. Sissel: [tired] You said you could see the future. Goldberg: I know, I didn¡¯t know I could do this stuff. [Goldberg chuckles, then looks at Sissel.] Goldberg: About 20 years with my power. I¡¯m dead and I¡¯m still figuring this out. [Sissel frowns at Goldberg.] Goldberg: Oh yeah¡­ you still have a lot of questions, don¡¯t you? Sissel: [tired] I¡¯m just¡­ we¡¯ll sort it later, my heads fucking going a hundred miles right now. Goldberg: Yeah, mine would get like that. The fit is new. Sissel: [tired] Really, what did you get? Goldberg: Nosebleed. [Sissel chuckles, looking at the floor and grabbing his head.] Sissel: [groaning] God, that hurts. Goldberg: Yeah, it does. You¡¯ll get used it it. Sissel: [groaning] I really hope not. [Goldberg chuckles.] Sissel: [tired] Okay¡­ one last question. Because my heads thinking now, which is rare so don¡¯t rely on it. Goldberg: Noted. Sissel: [tired] I think¡­ you know the stories where ghosts can¡¯t move on because they have unfinished business? Goldberg: So basically do I know ghost movies, yes, I¡¯m quite the fan. Sissel: [tired] It¡¯s always unfinished business, right? They can¡¯t go because of unfinished business. Goldberg: Right¡­ so what do you think hers is? Sissel: [tired] I¡­ I don¡¯t know. [Goldberg sighs, getting up.] Goldberg: Well¡­ I¡¯ll see what I can do. Just stay with her for a bit. Sissel: [tired] You sure? Goldberg: Yeah, I don¡¯t really trust you alone without a carer. Everything considered. [Sissel smirks, closing his eyes again as he leans against the railing.] Sissel: [tired] You ain¡¯t too bad for her being the guy that killed her. Goldberg: Yeah, well¡­ she deserves better. Am I right? [Sissel nods.] Sissel: [tired] Yeah. Yeah you are. [Goldberg smiles, starting to fade.] Goldberg: Stay out of trouble. Get me if you end up in it. [Goldberg vanishes, leaving Sissel alone. After a few seconds, he pulls himself and starts heading in the direction that Leigh and Chelsea had gone.] 2.15 - Coming Together [Sissel walks down a corridor and ends up in the main space of college. It¡¯s nearly empty but one table that has the Mad Tea Party currently surrounding it, not including Gary. The group are all surrounding the table, overlapping each other, with Tracey at the back looking over them.] Vince: [concerned] We need to think of ways to protect ourselves and each other, the best idea I have is get something like a wrench or something. A bat! You know what I mean, get a weapon, just not a murder weapon. Okay, that went too far. Leigh: [thinking] I don¡¯t have any idea what this is telling me, is anyone good with computers? I¡¯m not bad with computers¡­ hey, any idea what he would use for a password? I¡¯m kinda blanking. Liv: [worried] If he¡¯s going to be coming after us, we need a plan? Right? We can¡¯t go in blind, somebody has to make a plan. If we make a plan then we should be able to get through to him. Hey, maybe we can just talk to him! That¡¯d be nice! Chelsea: [thinking] Vincent knows the guys schedule so it¡¯s best that we try and get him during one of those parts. If we can¡¯t then we¡¯ll adjust the plan to get him when he¡¯s isolated. [Sissel moves up next to Tracey, who looks to him and smiles.] Tracey: You took your time¡­ [Tracey looks back at the group and sighs.] Tracey: [upset] I missed this. Good to be back. [Sissel smiles for a moment, quickly fading.] Leigh: [loud] Seriously, what¡¯s the password? Sissel: Caterpillar. [The group all turn to see Sissel standing with them, slightly surprised. Liv looks at him and immediately back at the table.] Sissel: He had an actual name, I can¡¯t remember it. I think Absolem. Has someone got my notebook? [Liv picks up his notebook from the table and chucks it over to Sissel, who catches it on his chest.] Sissel: T-thanks. [Sissel opens up his book to the page covered in words, quickly running his finger over the page.] Liv: [confused] How the hell do you read that thing? We looked at it and it¡¯s a fucking mess. Sissel: [distracted] Yeah, I¡¯m good with words... [Sissel looks up to Leigh.] Sissel: [quickly] A. B. S. O. L. E. M. Absolem. [Leigh very quickly starts typing it into the computer, then smiles.] Leigh: Yep, that¡¯s it, we¡¯re in. His ¡°Private¡± folder, probably got some shit in there. [Sissel closes the book, putting it under his arm.] Sissel: Good, good¡­ um¡­ you guys have fun then. [Sissel starts walking away from the group, Tracey looking at them. Vince quickly moves away from the table. In the distance, Gary is coming over.] Vince: [loud] I was thinking that I should go check on Hyde, see what he¡¯s doing and if we can get him. [Sissel turns around as Gary gets closer.] Vince: I¡¯d appreciate it if you came, Cecil. [Sissel thinks for a moment, quickly glancing at Tracey who nods. He sighs.] This novel''s true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there. Sissel: Yeah, I¡­ I can come. Whatever you need. [Vince smiles. Gary quickly makes it to the table, running around next to Leigh and pulling up a chair.] Leigh: [with Chelsea] Hey man. Chelsea: [with Leigh] Hi Gary. [Gary waves for a second, getting comfortable and then looking to the group.] Gary: So¡­ Liv texted me saying that we¡¯re all going to die. Apparently. Sissel: [tired] Liv¡­ Liv: [defensively] What? We¡¯re all in danger! You said he¡¯s gonna try to kill us! Sissel: [defensively] Yeah, I didn¡¯t think that included Gary! Tracey: Does Gary have a power? [Sissel shakes his head slightly, Vince noticing.] Liv: [defensively] Don¡¯t you dare start- Sissel: [defensively] I wasn¡¯t starting anything! [Chelsea quickly moves around to them.] Chelsea: Can we not do this? Please? You don¡¯t have to like each other, just¡­ keep it to yourselves. [Sissel nods, Liv eventually nods. Tracey looks to Sissel, worried.] Tracey: [upset] Sissel? Sissel: We, um¡­ me and Vince are gonna go to Hyde. [Sissel quickly starts to move around, Vince following by his side.] Vince: Gary, you wanna come? [Gary starts laughing.] Gary: [laughing] Fuck no, I¡¯m not getting a knife to my throat. Nah, um¡­ [Gary turns to Leigh, quickly taking the laptop away from him.] Gary: I got this, I¡¯m good with computers. [Vince nods a bit.] Vince: Well¡­ see you soon then. [Vince turns and starts walking off, Sissel following behind him. As Sissel walks out of earshot from the group, Tracey reappears next to him.] Tracey: [upset] Seriously, Sissel. Sissel: [upset] Not now. Vince: Pardon? Tracey: [upset] You and Liv, what is going on? [Sissel looks at Tracey, looking at the ground. Vince looks at Sissel and frowns.] Vince: You okay, man? Sissel: [upset] I¡­ I blamed Liv¡­ Vince: Yeah, I know- Sissel: [annoyed] I¡¯m talking to Tracey. Vince: [concerned] Oh¡­ right¡­ hi Tracey? [Sissel glares at Vince.] Vince: [defensively] Hey, I¡¯m trying to support. [Sissel turns away from Vince, looking at Tracey. She¡¯s visibly very upset.] Tracey: [upset] Why- Sissel: [upset] I don¡¯t know¡­ Really, I don¡¯t. In my head, it made sense, but¡­ [Sissel sighs and looks down, Tracey looking at him.] Tracey: [upset] When are you going to fix it? [Sissel looks up at Tracey and scoffs.] Sissel: I¡­ blamed her for your death. You don¡¯t get forgiven for that. [Sissel turns back to look at Vince, but he¡¯s gone.] Sissel: [confused] Where did Vince go? Tracey: He left when you said you were talking to me. Sissel: Which way did he go? Tracey: Probably after Mr Hyde. [Sissel sighs and quickly starts running off.] Sissel: [loud] Come on! [Tracey starts to follow after, the two making it out of the corridor.] 2.16 - The Hare [Vince very quietly moves down the corridor for Photography lessons, crouched down by the wall. He travels along the side, taking very quiet breathes. He checks around the corner, sees nothing and then travels down it. Behind him quickly runs in Sissel who lands on his shoulders and makes Vince shake in a panic. Vince quickly turns.] Vince: [quietly, angry] Don¡¯t do that! Sissel: [quietly] Sorry! Vince: [quietly, angry] It¡¯s fine, just¡­ hold off on the conversations a bit. Sissel: [quietly] Okay, sorry. [Vince and Sissel slowly move down the corridor and outside of their classroom. They can hear very faint talking inside. Sissel and Vince move to the sides of the door.] Vince: [quietly] Can you hear anything? [Sissel shakes his head.] Vince: [quietly] Great¡­ [Vince sighs.] Vince: [quietly] Where¡¯s Tracey? Sissel: [quietly] S-she¡¯s behind me, why? Vince: [quietly] Promise me that this is true. Sissel: [quietly] I don¡¯t- Vince: [quietly, angry] Cecil, promise me! [Sissel stops for a moment, then nods.] Vince: [quietly] Okay¡­ send her in, make her eavesdrop. [Sissel takes a deep breath, then looks over his shoulder and nods. Inside of the classroom, the White Rabbit and March Hare are sat on a desk, masks to the side, while Hyde is leant against the whiteboard with his arms, one hand covering a nosebleed. The windows have the blinds on them closed. Tracey very slowly starts moving in through the door, ] Hyde: [annoyed] You know, you didn¡¯t have to- Alice: [happy] Yeah, but it was fun. Marshall: And you were taking too long. Hyde: [annoyed] I¡¯m sorry, you only told me to do this yesterday! You think I¡¯m going to get work done that quickly? Marshall: I expect you to consider the situation that you are currently in and to work at a speed accordingly- Hyde: [angry] You want me to spy on kids! And you didn¡¯t mention that this job belonged to Caterpillar! Marshall: Get the job done or else- Hyde: [angry] All I did was take a picture for you all! For some fucking group I didn¡¯t understand, I didn¡¯t think you¡¯d drag me back into some shit! [Marshall quickly moves and grabs Hyde by the throat, pinning him against the whiteboard. Tracey yelps, backing into the door.] Marshall: [aggressively] Get the job done or else you¡¯re dead. We are asking you to make sure that these kids don¡¯t do anything out of line, is that too much to ask? Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator. Hyde: [strained] Y¡­ you¡¯re going to¡­ kill them¡­ [Marshall hesitates.] Marshall: [aggressively] I¡­ [Marshall drops Hyde, who collapses in a pile on the floor. Marshall groans and punches the wall.] Marshall: [annoyed] I¡­ am going to get some air. Alice? Alice: I got it, hon, don¡¯t worry. [Marshall quickly begins to transform into his reflective body.] Marshall: Good. [Marshall¡¯s form shatters and Tracey starts taking a few deep breaths.] Tracey: [confused] What the fuck is going on? Chelsea: You tell me. [Tracey looks up and sees, sat on the desk at the other side of the room, Chelsea wearing a brown blazer over a white shirt with red splotches. Tracey looks at her in shock. Chelsea smiles and waves.] Chelsea: Hi again, Tracey. Tracey: [shocked] Y-you can- [Chelsea quickly shushes Tracey.] Chelsea: [quietly] Run. [Tracey quickly turns and runs through the door, to Vince and Sissel.] Tracey: [shocked] We need to run. [Sissel moves up to Tracey.] Sissel: She says we need to run. Vince: [annoyed] What else? [Sissel looks to Tracey expectantly.] Tracey: [shocked] Um, the guy who I think is the Rabbit has a girl with him and is forcing Hyde to watch us or kill us, I don¡¯t know! Sissel: [worried] The Rabbit has a partner. [Vince sighs, groaning after.] Vince: Cecil, I want you to go and find the group then bring them here please. [Vince gets to his feet as Sissel starts backing away, holding Tracey¡¯s hand.] Sissel: [worried] Why? What are you going to do? Vince: Something stupid. [Vince backs up slightly, then kicks open the door to the Photography room. Sissel turns and quickly sprints away while Vince walks into the room. He turns to face Alice, who quickly moves to try and kick him. Vince moves out the way and grabs her leg, pulling her off the table.] Vince: Who the hell are you? [Alice chuckles, pulling her leg around and kicking Vince in the stomach. Vince is hit into the whiteboard next to Hyde, who quickly ducks out of the room. Alice hops up onto her feet, grabbing the brown rabbit mask by her side and putting it on. Her voice becomes distorted.] March Hare: I¡¯m the March Hare. [She cracks her neck to the left and to the right.] March Hare: [calm] Call me Alice. 2.17 - Fight the Hare [The March Hare and Vincent are staring each other down. March Hare quickly lunges at Vincent, who blocks the punch. He grabs her by the side and smashes her against the wall.] Vince: [surprised] Sorry, your name is Alice? [Alice grabs his arm and bends it behind his back, Vince losing grip.] March Hare: You think I live with the name ¡°March¡±? [March kicks his back, knocking him across the room. He catches himself on a desk, jumping up and kicking March in the face. She moves back slightly, clutching her mask.] Vince: [surprised] Wouldn¡¯t be the weirdest thing. [Vince turns to March and tries to punch her in the face with a right hook, March moving slightly back out the way. He goes for a left hook and she dodges.] March Hare: Come on! You can do better than that! [Vince takes another two swings and misses. He takes a quick punch, which March catches and uses to flip Vince onto a nearby desk. He collides into the desk and March begins to start laughing.] March Hare: God, that¡¯s fun. [March walks around to Vince and tries to punch him in the face. March is suddenly hit in the back with a computer, knocking her over. Vince sits up and quickly moves back onto his feet, faltering a bit.] Vince: [strained] You know¡­ kinda agree. [Vince stretches his back a bit as March moves towards him, quickly tackling him onto the floor. March pulls herself quickly up and knees Vincent in the gut. Vincent pushes her off, grabs a chair by the leg and hits her onto the ground with it. She groans, quickly pushing herself onto her feet. Vince climbs up, wielding the chair.] Vince: So what can you do then? [Vince throws the chair over at March, who vanishes and suddenly appears behind Vince. She grabs him but he smirks and ducks, the chair suddenly flying back and hitting March over.] March Hare: [surprised] I¡­ thought the other guy was the psychic. Vince: [smug] Oh, he is. I¡¯m just a good copy. [Vince raises a hand into a fist, the computers across the room falling over in March¡¯s direction. Vince turns to March and pushes his palm out in her direction, the computers flying out towards her. She quickly vanishes away, the computers colliding in mid air. Over the top of the floating computers comes a black object that quickly hits Vince in the head. He stumbles back as a chair quickly spins and moves to catch Vince, falling into the chair. He clutches a hold of his head, groaning.] Vince: [groaning] Okay.... not that good. [March suddenly reappears in front of Vince and quickly kicks him in the gut, knocking him over in the chair. She chuckles, looking at the floor.] March Hare: Well what is this? [March crouches down and picks up the black object, walking over a top of Vince and pointing the object at Vince. His eyes focus and he realises he¡¯s facing the barrel of a gun.] The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation. March Hare: [smug] This belongs to your friend, right? Belonged to the twins before my friend dealt with them¡­ you know he told me not to do anything to you for some reason. [March cocks the gun and points it down at Vince.] March Hare: [smug] I think he¡¯d forgive me for this small one. [Vince raises his hands and the gun suddenly flies into the air, the bullet hitting the ceiling. The chair under Vince quickly moves and takes out March¡¯s legs, knocking her over. March groans, pushing herself onto her hands. The gun falls from the ceiling, Vince reaching out and grabbing it. He quickly pulls it around and pushes it into March¡¯s forehead. She stops, both taking deep breaths.] Vince: [forceful] Stop¡­ now. [March turns and looks at him, chuckling.] Vince: [forceful] Tell me who the Rabbit is. [March keeps chuckling, slowly getting more deranged by it. Vince puts his hand on the gun to cock it as March vanishes in front of him. He groans, resting his head on the floor.] VInce: [quiet] Damn it¡­ fucking damn it. [Vince sighs.] Vince: [quiet] Thanks for the hand, Leigh¡­ [Vince looks at the gun, sighing.] Vince: [quiet] Fuck. [Outside of the classroom in a different corridor, Hyde is desperately running outside. He pushes his way through two doors, scrambling his hands over the door handles and breaking his way through. He runs outside into a clearing, mostly concrete but with a few patch of grass and a large tree there. He turns back around as he¡¯s running to check behind him. His eyes dart back and forth along details of where he came until he frantically turns around and breaks into a run. As he turns around, he faces the rest of the Mad Tea Party, lead by Gary and Sissel holding the laptop. Hyde screams and Gary screams, quickly swinging the laptop into Hyde¡¯s head and knocking him over. Hyde collapses onto the ground unconscious, while the group looks over him in surprise. Sissel crouches down next to Hyde, slapping him a bit.] Sissel: [surprised] Okay¡­ so¡­ you knocked him out. [Liv moves forward and starts hitting Gary in the arm.] Gary: [surprised] Ow! Ow! Hey! St-stop it! Liv: [surprised] Why did you do that? Gary: [surprised] I panicked, I wa- stop hitting me! [Liv stops hitting Gary, backing up a bit. Leigh moves forward and down next to Hyde.] Chelsea: [surprised] Um¡­ now what do we do? [Vince comes running out of the corridor, making sure to keep the gun behind his back. He raises his other hand towards the group.] Vince: [shouting] There¡¯s a girl! There¡¯s another rabbit! [Gary groans, going to the side of Hyde slowly before swiftly kicking him in the side of the gut.] Gary: [angry] Fuck you, ya fucking turnip! [Gary looks for a few seconds.] Gary: [confused] How the fuck is this guy still unconsci- [shouting] What is wrong with you?! 2.18 - Taking Hyde [Hyde very suddenly wakes up, tied into a chair. He panics and looks around, finding himself in an empty living room. In front of him stands the Mad Tea Party (Leigh and Chelsea are together by the back left, Liv and Gary are in the back right, Sissel is sat on the floor in front of Liv with his book and Vince is stood directly in front of Hyde. Hyde immediately panics and starts screaming, the group all just looking around the room and groaning.] Vince: [annoyed] Please stop screaming, it¡¯s been a long day. [Hyde starts screaming slightly louder.] Vince: [annoyed, loud] I said stop, please. [Hyde takes a deep inhale and screams on last time, shaking in the chair and falling backward. Leigh raises a hand and the chair quickly moves back to standing up. Vince turns to Leigh.] Vince: Thanks for that. Leigh: No problem. [Vince turns back over to Hyde.] Vince: Are you gonna shut up now? I¡¯m sure we¡¯ve all had a stressful day, no need for it to be moreso. Hyde: [terrified] Okay. Vince: [relieved] Thank you. [Vince turned around.] Vince: One question per person. Sissel: I have a few questions. Vince: [forceful] You only get one, okay? [Sissel quickly nods. The group all look about themselves, then all look straight towards Hyde, equally scared. The group all look at Hyde silently for a few seconds.] Leigh: Um¡­ who first then? [The group look about each other again.] Chelsea: [tired] Sorry, are you fucking serious? We can¡¯t ask one question to the guy tied up in the chair? [Sissel starts shuffling out of the room, the group not noticing.] Liv: It¡¯s not that easy when we only get one question. Vince: It doesn¡¯t have to be one question, I just thought that it¡¯d be easier. Gary: Dude, no offence, it does not make it easier. [Sissel enters the room again with a chair, sitting it down in front of Hyde.] Leigh: It wasn¡¯t a terrible idea. Vince: Nah, it coulda been better. [Sissel sits down on the chair, his legs crossed and notebook in his lap, staring directly at Hyde.] Sissel: [tired] I have a few questions. Then I¡¯m going to let you go. Is that okay with you? Hyde: [quietly] W¡­ why are you letting me go? Sissel: [tired] Richard told me that you¡¯re a good person. I don¡¯t know how much I trust him yet, but he¡¯s helping my friend so I trust him enough. Hyde: [quietly, confused] But¡­ sorry, he¡¯s dead. Sissel: [tired] I know. [Sissel looks at his book, tracking down a word.] Sissel: My first question, what is your connection to the White Rabbit? Hyde: [quietly, panicked] I-I¡¯m just a photographer. I took a picture of that group back in London and that¡¯s all. Sissel: Okay¡­ do you have a power? Hyde: [quiet] Oh no, no, I¡¯m just a photographer. Sissel: [surprised] Can you not do anything? Hyde: [offended] Hey, I¡¯m a- I¡¯m a good photographer! You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author. Sissel: I wouldn¡¯t know, I missed your lessons. Hyde: [annoyed] I noticed. [Sissel turns to the group, who are still talking to each other.] Sissel: [loud] Hey, he doesn¡¯t have a power. [The group turned to him, mix of annoyance and surprise.] Liv: [annoyed] Oh. That¡¯s good. The chair¡¯s for nothing. Hyde: [hesitant] Thanks for making it comfy. [Liv moves quickly over to Hyde, standing over him.] Liv: [angry] Here¡¯s a question, who the hell is the White Rabbit? Hyde: [worried] I have no idea. [Liv grabs a hold of Hyde by the shirt, letting the chair balance on the two back legs.] Liv: [angry] Why the hell does he want you then? Did you do something? [Chelsea moves over to Liv, placing a hand on her shoulder.] Chelsea: [defensive] Hey, leave it. [Liv turns to Chelsea quickly, Hyde falling forward properly.] Liv: [annoyed] Private talk? [Chelsea nods, leading Liv out the room. She turns back to Hyde.] Hyde: [silent] Thank you. [Chelsea gives a lackluster smile and leads Liv out to a staircase while the group continues talking to Hyde. Chelsea gestures at the stairs and Liv sits down on one. Chelsea sits next to her, both sighing.] Liv: [annoyed] Sorry. Chelsea: Don¡¯t be. Long day. Liv: [annoyed] Not for us. Chelsea: Well¡­ we¡¯re having people still try to kill us, that doesn¡¯t seem fun. [Chelsea chuckles, looking at Liv. She¡¯s staring at her feet.] Chelsea: What is it? Sissel? [Liv nods.] Chelsea: Not that I¡¯m defending him- Liv: [annoyed] I would hope not. Chelsea: I¡¯m really not. But- Liv: [interrupting] I¡¯m trying, really trying, to be nice. But it¡¯s hard. Y¡¯know? Chelsea: Yeah, I.. I get that. Liv: [annoyed] It¡¯s just¡­ I don¡¯t know. Shit I guess. [Chelsea scoffs.] Chelsea: Okay we need to get a swear jar. [Chelsea chuckles.] Liv: That¡¯s¡­ probably not a bad idea. [Chelsea pats Liv on the back a bit.] Chelsea: I, um¡­ I¡¯ll be honest, I don¡¯t think that I¡¯m helping so do you want a minute to yourself while we deal with Hyde? Liv: Yeah, okay. Chelsea: Alright. [Chelsea gets up from the stairs and starts walking down. She very quickly perks up and turns to Liv.] Chelsea: Oh, I had a question! Liv: [confused] Oh¡­ kay¡­ then, what is it? Chelsea: [embarrassed] Um¡­ me and Leigh, are we¡­ obvious? Liv: [confused] Um¡­ not really? I mean, you¡­ told me but that doesn¡¯t¡­ [Behind Chelsea, a shining figure starts appearing. It starts undefined but starts to grow a reflective cover. Liv notices, eyes focusing on it.] Chelsea: [confused] What? What is it? [Chelsea turns around as the figure starts to become clearer, the White Rabbit starting to become clear as the figure. The White Rabbit is holding a shard of glass in his hand.] White Rabbit: [aggressive] Hey. 2.19 - The Rabbits Appearance
Liv: [panicking] Rabbit! [The group quickly turn over to the door (Gary moves to the back, Sissel moves off his chair and picks it up as a weapon towards the doorway while Vince and Leigh move in front of Hyde). The White Rabbit very slowly enters the room, hands in the air while holding the shard of glass.] White Rabbit: I come in peace. Leigh: You are holding a knife. [The Rabbit looks at the shard in his hand, chuckling.] White Rabbit: In my defence, this is a piece of glass. Sissel: [panicking] Are you here to kill us? White Rabbit: [quickly] No. Not at all. Liv: [panicking] He has a weapon! [The Rabbit looks to Vince, sighing.] White Rabbit: Are they always like this? Vince: [defensive] It helps if you don¡¯t have a weapon. [The Rabbit lets go of the shard, falling down to the floor but stopping mid air. The shard slowly floats over to Vince, making the Rabbit chuckle.] White Rabbit: [curious] I see¡­ you¡¯re a copycat¡­ a mockery. Liv: [panicking] What do you want? [The Rabbit lowers his arms, putting them behind his back.] White Rabbit: Firstly I¡¯d like that chair. [The group look confused. He groans.] White Rabbit: [annoyed] The chair currently pointed at me. [Sissel realises, panics a bit then chucks it to him. The Rabbit quickly catches it, spins it behind him and sits down.] White Rabbit: There, thank you. Now¡­ I want Hyde. Hyde: [panicking] What? No! Don¡¯t! White Rabbit: [annoyed] I¡¯m not asking you, I¡¯m asking them! [The Rabbit looks over at the group. He crosses his legs in the chair, looking at them expectantly.] White Rabbit: [expectantly] Well? And can you all try to remain calm this time, it¡¯s getting annoying. [Vince very slowly steps forward, the Rabbit quickly bringing his attention to him.] Vince: [serious] What are you going to do? White Rabbit: Smart question. I¡¯m going to take him and¡­ reassess our deal. Sissel: [concerned] Are you going to kill him? [The Rabbit slowly looks over at Sissel.] White Rabbit: I¡¯m going to punish him appropriately, not kill him. Sissel: [concerned] But you killed Richard. White Rabbit: [defensive] I killed Dick because he betrayed our team. He lied to me for years, protected the people that ruined our lives. [The Rabbit starts looking over the group.] White Rabbit: [defensive] He protected the men who held a gun to your heads and threw you all into the same life that myself and my¡­ colleagues have been in for years now. [Leigh looks at the Rabbit confused.] White Rabbit: [defensive] Why do you even care? He hit your lady friend with a car and then ran away. Don¡¯t try and tell me you didn¡¯t try the same thing. [Liv looks at Sissel, worried. Sissel looks at the Rabbit, then sighs.] White Rabbit: In a way, Mr Hyde over there could be the very same. He worked for me because we made him a good deal. Who¡¯s to say that he won¡¯t turn against you at any moment? Because this is the world you live in now, trust no one. Especially not men like him. Now then¡­ how about we go and let me do my business? Hyde: [panicking] No! No you cannot! Do not let him! White Rabbit: [annoyed] Will someone fucking shut him up? [Sissel quickly rips a page out of his notebook, crumbles it into a ball and shoves it into Hyde¡¯s mouth. Chelsea steps forward, the Rabbit quickly looking at her.] This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author''s work. White Rabbit: God, I¡¯ve got a crowd, I hate a crowd. Chelsea: [angry] You¡¯re gonna kill us, aren¡¯t you? White Rabbit: [defensive] No, no, not you. Why would I kill you? You¡¯re all far too... [The White Rabbit stops himself, chuckles and gets to his feet.] White Rabbit: [chuckling] Know what? This was a waste of time. I¡¯ll just take him off your hands. [The White Rabbit quickly lunges towards Hyde. The team panic, Leigh initially throwing a chair towards the Rabbit that it dodges. Vince quickly manages to tackle the Rabbit into a wall, both starting to turn reflective.] Vince: [angry] We¡¯re gonna have a talk, asshole. [The two quickly vanish from the room, the group left alone and quickly swarming around Hyde. Leigh pulls the paper out from Hyde¡¯s mouth.] Hyde: [terrified] Oh fuck! Fuck, Jesus fuck! Leigh: [annoyed] Shut up! [Gary quickly moves in front of the group and stands in front of Hyde.] Gary: [panicking] Okay then, quick plan, we¡¯re gonna just kinda¡­ let you go. Hyde: [angry, shouting] Then what was the point in tying me up! [Gary moves and punches Hyde in the face.] Gary: [shouting] Shut up, we¡¯re going to save you! [normal] That felt kinda good, also, my hand hurts¡­ [In the reflection, Vince and the White Rabbit are staring at each other across the room. The voices of the group are muffled.] Vince: Your girlfriend tried to shoot me. You think we¡¯re going to trust anything from your little ¡°show of peace¡±? White Rabbit: March. And Sister. Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll sort her out. She¡¯s still very new to this whole thing, she only appeared a few years ago so I¡¯m trying to adjust- Vince: [interrupting] Are you going to try and kill us? [The Rabbit stays silent.] Vince: [angry] I¡¯ve already lost a good friend, I don¡¯t want to lose more so answer the question. Are you going to kill us? White Rabbit: I have a limit that can be reached if you all continue down this path you appear to have chosen. Although¡­ [hesitant] I will make acceptions for those that I think need it. [Vince gives a smug grin.] Vince: [excited] Gotcha. White Rabbit: [confused] Excuse me? Vince: [excited] Why make acceptions? See, you¡¯d think it was the child killing part that¡¯d make you a little hesitant to kill us but those two that threatened my cousin, you did not hold back on choking them out¡­ Here¡¯s my theory, I think you know us. Somehow. [Vince starts chuckling. In the background, Hyde is being pushed out of the house.] Vince: [excited] I wonder how long it¡¯ll take before we figure out who. Oh, man, you¡¯re fucked when we do. You¡¯re gonna go to Hell and back once we got it figured out. White Rabbit: [forceful] I would greatly consider rethinking that statement. Vince: [excited] Nah, I¡¯m good. Thing is it¡¯s six against two, three against one, that¡¯s pretty good odds for us if you¡¯re asking me. White Rabbit: [forceful] Vincent¡­ think about what you¡¯re saying very carefully. [Vince scoffs.] Vince: [excited] How do you know my name? [Vince quickly turns reflective again and shatters, returning to the normal world. The White Rabbit sighs as Vincent turns and starts talking to the group again, muffled. He watches intensely as the group start to quietly argue with themselves. He removes his mask and rubs his face, groaning.] 2.20 - Heart to Hart [Sissel is sat on the sofa in the living room of the Mad Tea Party¡¯s house later that day, empty. The room is significantly darker, but a lamp has been turned on in the corner. He¡¯s focused on his notebook, scribbling lines through certain words. He¡¯s taking deep breaths.] Liv: What is that thing then? [Sissel looks up, surprised.] Sissel: [surprised] Um¡­ just a notebook. Where¡¯s Vince? Liv: I told him to go, I wanted to talk to you a bit. [Sissel nods slowly, taking a deep breath. Liv sits down next to Sissel, both not making eye contact.] Sissel: [tired] It feels like I¡¯m going in circles right now. The White Rabbit wants to kill us except that it looks like now he doesn¡¯t want to kill us. He also has a sidekick who tried to kill Vincent called the March Hare but, again, apparently we¡¯re not meant to die. We have a purpose? That makes sense¡­ Liv: [annoyed] Can we talk please? Sissel: [tired] Sure, just¡­ I have too many questions, I have to deal with- Liv: [annoyed] I hate you. [Sissel turns and looks at Liv for a second.] Sissel: [surprised] Well¡­ You have good reason. Liv: [annoyed] Very good reason. [Sissel nods, quickly turning back to his book.] Liv: [annoyed] Because, to remind you, you blamed me for her death. Which pissed me off. Sissel: Rightly so. Liv: [annoyed] Definitely. [Liv turns to properly face Sissel, still keeping his head down at the book.] Liv: [annoyed] And I know that maybe I didn¡¯t have the best relationship with Tracey or with you- Sissel: You are spying on me. To be fair. With my mum. Liv: [surprised] What? Sissel: ¡°Olivia C¡± on my mum¡¯s phone, it took a while to think about but it makes sense to be you. You¡¯re the only Olivia my mum has probably ever met. Bit weird. Liv: [annoyed] Are you trying to change the subject? Sissel: No, I¡¯m trying to- Liv: [annoyed] Because I¡¯m kinda trying to vent here- Sissel: I¡¯m trying to say thank you. [Sissel turns, gives an awkward smile, then back at his book.] Sissel: [upset] You¡­ I don¡¯t deserve people like you. [Liv sighs.] Liv: [annoyed] Nah, you don¡¯t. [Liv leans back on the chair, looking at the ceiling.] Liv: [annoyed] I came to vent and now I just feel like crap. Sissel: Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ve felt like crap for two months. [Sissel puts the book to his side.] This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. Sissel: Can I give a sorta theory? Liv: [annoyed] Fuck it, why not. Sissel: I think¡­ I think that Tracey¡­ if she hadn¡¯t died, then she¡¯d be in the same situation as us. With the¡­ Liv: [annoyed] Being ¡°superheroes¡±. Sissel: [upset] Yeah. And I think that it would¡¯ve gotten her killed. [Liv looks at him, frowning.] Liv: [annoyed] What? Sissel: [upset] I think that things are meant to happen¡­ we don¡¯t have a choice or else it¡¯d just get all Final Destination. I think that¡­ we¡¯re meant to have these powers, meant to do something against the White Rabbit and¡­ [Sissel looks forward, seeing Tracey on the other side of the room. She¡¯s staring at the two of them, frowning.] Sissel: [upset] Well you get the point. Liv: You still want to save her? Sissel: [upset] She¡¯s my best friend next to you and Vince. [Sissel looks back at his book, quickly scribbling.] Sissel: Maybe she¡¯d make me a good person. [Liv sighs.] Liv: I want you to tell me something with complete honesty. Sissel: [hesitant] Okay. Liv: Do you have a power too? [Sissel quickly looks to Liv.] Sissel: [surprised] What? What do you mean? Liv: [annoyed] You know what I mean. You were struck by lightning too, you¡¯ve been talking to yourself at home and with us. Your mum says that you¡¯ve been quiet. Chelsea and Leigh said that you had a fit and were mumbling to yourself after, Vince told me that you¡¯ve never had a fit or ¡°imaginary friends¡±- Sissel: [defensive] Not true! I had an imaginary twin called- Liv: [annoyed, loud] Sissel! [Liv stops herself, taking a deep breath.] Liv: [faux-calm] Sissel, do you or do you not have a power? [Sissel takes a few deep breaths, looking at Liv.] Sissel: [forceful] No. I do not. Liv: [faux-calm] Do you promise? Sissel: [calm] On my heart. [Liv gets up from the sofa.] Liv: If you¡¯re lying to me, I¡¯m going to punch you. Sissel: Your power means that you¡¯ll just hurt yourself. [Sissel looks up and chuckles to Liv.] Liv: Yeah¡­ doesn¡¯t mean I won¡¯t. [Liv turns to leave the house.] Liv: I¡¯ll see you around, Sissel. Sissel: Bye Liv. [Liv leaves the house, closing the door behind her. Sissel looks up to see Tracey. Tracey is about to speak when Goldberg materializes next to her.] Goldberg: Excuse me? [Both turn to his attention.] Goldberg: Sorry to interrupt but¡­ it¡¯s time for us to move on. 2.21 - No More Tracey [Goldberg leads Sissel and Tracey into a bedroom, containing a mattress and doorway into another room. Goldberg moves into the centre of the room, turning back at the two confused teenagers.] Goldberg: Okay¡­ I¡¯ve been doing some thinking about the afterlife. What there is past¡­ this. And I¡¯ve been trying fairly hard to just figure out a good way of moving on, which is harder than it sounds, but I¡¯m realising¡­ I think the answer is right in front of us all. [Sissel and Tracey very quickly look at each other then back at Goldberg.] Tracey: [confused] So¡­? [Goldberg smiles smugly, stretching his arms out to the side.] Goldberg: [triumphant] Unfinished business! We all have it. In this case, especially me and you or else we wouldn¡¯t still be here. Sissel: That¡¯s not necessarily true, we don¡¯t understand any of this still- Goldberg: [triumphant] That¡¯s true, very true, but tell me if you¡¯ve seen any other ghost around here? Any spooky ghouls? [Sissel thinks for a few moments.] Goldberg: [triumphant] Look, I¡¯m not saying that I¡¯m completely correct but I¡¯m trying the hardest I can to give a reason. Give a way. Tracey: [confused] Way to what? [Goldberg looks to Tracey, smile faltered slightly.] Goldberg: Moving on, we¡­ we should move on. To¡­ y¡¯know. [Tracey goes wide eyed, looking quickly between Goldberg and Sissel while nervously chuckling.] Tracey: [nervous] Um¡­ no, thanks, no, I¡¯m fine. Goldberg: It¡¯s really best that we- Tracey: [nervous, yelling] No! [Goldberg stays silent.] Tracey: [nervous, panicking] I¡­ I just got back! I-I¡¯m back with Sissel and I-I¡¯ll be able to see my friends again¡­ Sissel: [worried] Tracey? Tracey: [nervous, panicking] W-we don¡¯t even know if you¡¯re right! You could be wrong! What if you¡¯re wrong? Then what? Sissel: [worried] Tracey, calm down. [Sissel tries to put his hand on her shoulder, but she quickly moves away from him and towards the wall furthest from Sissel and Goldberg. She¡¯s crying.] Tracey: [panicking] Please, don¡¯t. Don¡¯t try to- Please, I¡¯m just... [Sissel tries to moves over to Tracey, but Goldberg stops him by putting his hand in front of Sissel.] Goldberg: [quietly] Let me. Go. [Sissel hesitates but Goldberg pushes him enough to get him slowly moving out the room. Goldberg moves in front of Tracey, blocking her view as she cries.] Goldberg: [kind] Hey, look at me. Okay? Look at me. [Tracey looks at Goldberg, panicking.] Tracey: [panicking] How do you even know that any of this is going to work? [Goldberg chuckles awkwardly.] Goldberg: [embarrassed] I made it up. Tracey: [panicking, confused] W-what? Why did- [Goldberg quickly shushes Tracey.] Goldberg: [quietly] Look¡­ your friend is worried about you. He thinks that if you stay around here then¡­ let¡¯s say that things are going to get pretty damn bloody. Tracey: [confused, upset] He wants me gone? Goldberg: [quietly] That¡¯s what you took from this? Really? [Goldberg sighs.] Goldberg: [quietly] Look, this is the best option for the both of you right now. If he thinks that you¡¯re gone somewhere¡­ anywhere¡­ all you have to do is disappear. [Both of them look at the ground, staying silent.] Tracey: [upset] Do you have a plan? Or do I just leave again before I say goodbye? [Tracey looks up at him.] Tracey: [upset] They lost me before I could even think about saying goodbye. Before I could say what¡­ what I needed to. Do you know what that¡¯s like? [Goldberg looks at Tracey, upset.] This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there. Goldberg: [upset] Her name is Rachel Parker. In 2011, she fell out of the sky. I took her in and I raised her because she¡¯d lost everything and there were dangerous people after her¡­ and because she was like me. She was like me and she was like Sissel and all your other friends. I have spent seven years protecting her from people like the White Rabbit and the March Hare and now¡­ [Goldberg scoffs, going silent.] Goldberg: If there¡¯s anything I should¡¯ve told her, it¡¯s that I was sorry that I couldn¡¯t get her home. [angry] So yes, I know what it¡¯s like to have regrets. [Tracey stays silent.] Goldberg: [faux-calm] But we¡¯re both gonna just have to live with that¡­ because I¡¯m not gonna let you see where this goes. I know where this goes and people start to die. Very quickly. [Tracey hesitates but slowly nods.] Tracey: Can I say goodbye? Goldberg: No. I¡¯m sorry, but no. I can¡¯t risk it. [Tracey looks at the floor.] Goldberg: Look at it this way, you can go wherever you want to. No limits. Think of the possibilities. Tracey: [upset] I don¡¯t care about that, I just want to¡­ Tell him something for me. Please. [Sat on the stairs outside, Sissel is looking down. He can¡¯t hear anything outside of the room, waiting impatiently while fiddling with his thumbs. Slowly Goldberg exits a room and moves to sit down next to Sissel, who quickly brings his attention to Goldberg.] Sissel: [confused] Where¡¯s¡­ where¡¯s Tracey? [Goldberg gives a side glance to Sissel, looking down the staircase at the front door as he sits.] Goldberg: [nervous] She¡¯s¡­ moved on. Sissel: [confused, upset] Oh¡­ she¡¯s¡­ okay then. Goldberg: [nervous] She did have¡­ a request for you. Sissel: [upset, quickly] What? What is it? [Goldberg sighs.] Goldberg: [nervous] She wants you¡­ to bring her back. [Sissel freezes for a moment, surprised.] Sissel: [upset, nervous] I¡­ well, um- Goldberg: [quickly] Not yet. I was very insistent that you should be focusing on the whole ¡°supervillain¡± problem that we¡¯re currently going through at the moment. Sissel: [nervous, excited] Yeah, no, yeah¡­ but I could do that. [Goldberg chuckles.] Goldberg: Cecil, ¡°buddy¡±, I¡¯ve been doing this for a whole lot longer than you. I have never met a person who can bring the dead back to life. Sissel: [nervous, excited] But you were doing this, what, twenty years ago? Goldberg: Had my powers since about 1900¡¯s, why? Sissel: [nervous, excited] New storm, new powers, right? Maybe this time¡­ [Sissel sighs.] Goldberg: Don¡¯t get your hopes up, that¡¯s all I¡¯m saying. Sissel: [nervous] Yeah¡­ no, yeah, definitely¡­ [Sissel sighs. Goldberg hesitates, but turns to look at Sissel.] Goldberg: If it¡¯s okay with you¡­ I have a bit of a request. Sissel: [surprised] Really? Goldberg: Yeah, um¡­ can I stay? [Sissel looks at Goldberg surprised.] Goldberg: I¡¯d¡­ I¡¯d think it¡¯d best for you to, y¡¯know, have the information about¡­ stuff at hand, if you need to know. And maybe I could teach you a few things or I can- Sissel: You can stay. [Sissel nods slowly.] Sissel: Course you can. You helped Tracey to move on and still have a little bit to make up for the whole ¡°killing her¡± thing¡­ so you can stay. [Goldberg gives a weak smile that quickly fades.] Goldberg: Shall we go then? Sissel: Yeah. Sure. [Sissel hops up and starts to walk down the stairs, Goldberg following. At the very bottom, he quickly turns around to face Goldberg.] Sissel: [embarrassed] Hey, um¡­ thank you. For helping us. [Goldberg nods slowly.] Goldberg: [nervous] Any time. 2.22 - Epilogue [There¡¯s a knock on the door of Sissel¡¯s home late at night. Velma, wearing a purple hoodie with a black shirt along with glasses and dark jeans, goes over to open the door and finds Liv stood outside in the rain. She¡¯s wearing a black raincoat over her clothes.] Velma: [surprised] Olivia! Liv: Hi Miss Mastin, can I come in? Please? Velma: Of course! [Liv quickly moves inside, Velma staying out the way of her. She looks down and sees Cheshire slowly stride in, shaking the water off his fur. His current colour is dark brown with white stripes.] Velma: [confused] Um, please call me Velma¡­ [Velma closes the door and starts to pet Cheshire, who purrs loudly. Liv quickly takes off her coat and hangs it up on the door.] Velma: [confused] Who¡¯s this little guy? Liv: That¡¯s Cheshire, he¡¯s, um¡­ I guess he¡¯s my cat now. [Velma chuckles.] Velma: Aww, he¡¯s cute. [Cheshire purrs, moving closer and rubbing against Velma¡¯s leg.] Velma: When did you get him? Liv: Last week, he just¡­ followed me. Then I kinda had to keep him. Velma: Well he¡¯s adorable and welcome here! Love cats- Liv: [annoyed] Yeah, whatever. [Liv quickly moves over and picks up Cheshire, taking him into the centre of the room. Velma looks at Liv confused.] Liv: I want to talk to you. About Sissel, I think something¡¯s wrong. I mean, really wrong. Velma: Oh! [Velma moved over to the living room. The room currently has the curtains closed, however the fireplace is significantly lighting up the room. Velma sits on the floor in front of Liv and Cheshire, looking at her.] Velma: [worried] Okay, um¡­ what is it then? Liv: [hesitant] You¡­ trust me, right? Velma: [worried] I haven¡¯t got a reason not to. Why? [Liv gulps.] Liv: [hesitant] Just¡­ things have happened recently that I¡¯m getting panicked about. I need to tell you, it¡¯s important but it won¡¯t make sense if I just say it, so I¡¯m going to show you. The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings. [Liv puts Cheshire down, starting to rub him behind the ears. He purrs and a large smile grows across his face and he starts to glow slightly, changing to be half white and half golden straight down his middle. Liv eventually stops, looking to Velma. Her face has gone from worry to fear.] Velma: [stammering] How the hell did you do that? Liv: This is gonna sound crazy- Velma: [stammering] Just tell me. [Liv looks at Velma, worried.] Liv: [concerned] It¡­ the Storm from last week. Um¡­ me, Sissel, Vincent¡­ probably a couple dozen others, we¡¯re- Velma: [stammering] You have¡­ superpowers? [Liv stops herself from talking, nodding slowly.] Liv: [concerned] I think Sissel does to, but I don¡¯t know what. [Velma nods slowly, taking a view deep breathes.] Liv: [concerned] I know that this is a lot- Velma: [worried] Is Sissel okay? Are you okay? Is everybody okay? Nobody¡¯s hurt you? [Liv takes a deep breath, Cheshire purring and moving to Velma.] Liv: [concerned] Sissel is fine. I¡¯ll keep an eye on him, okay? Are you okay? [Velma starts to pet Cheshire, stroking his back. She¡¯s starting to shake slightly.] Velma: [worried] I¡­ I need a moment alone. If that¡¯s okay? [Liv quickly nods, getting to her feet.] Liv: [concerned] I¡¯ll¡­ I¡¯ll be upstairs, just call me down when you want me to go. [Velma nods, Liv moving upstairs and beckoning Cheshire to follow. He nuzzles a bit into Velma and then leaves with Liv upstairs. Velma doesn¡¯t move until the sound of a door closing upstairs is heard, to which she quickly scrambles into her pocket and pulls out her phone. She dials a number quick and pulls it to her ear. After a few seconds, it answers.] Velma: [panicking] Hello? [Velma turns back quickly, making sure that Liv is gone.] Velma: [panicking] Alice, I need Marshall. The¡­ the Storm¡¯s back. 3.1 - Supermarket Crisis [It¡¯s 12:33 in the afternoon inside a large and busy supermarket. There are crowds of people moving around the 12 aisles decorated for Halloween, chatter filling up the whole room while ¡°Everybody Wants to Rule the World¡± is playing on the speakers overhead. On the other end of aisle 7 filled with stationary is Leigh, currently on the phone to Gary. He¡¯s wearing a short sleeved ¡°Bulba Fett¡± shirt and jeans, pushing a trolley filled with paper and marker pens.] Gary: [on phone] I swear I got a power. Leigh: Dude, I don¡¯t know if that¡¯s something you should be looking for right now. Gary: [on phone] Come on, I could help so much more with a power! I¡¯ve been trying to activate it and everything! [Leigh grabs a pair of scissors from the aisle and throws it in the trolley, it starting to move away on its own.] Leigh: Have you found it? Gary: [on phone] Well, I¡­ found out¡­ I shouldn¡¯t play in traffic. [Leigh facepalms his phone, turning to follow his trolley.] Leigh: Gary, mate, just¡­ focus on the current problem, we¡¯ll deal with your ¡°power¡± later. Gary: [on phone] That better be a promise. I was in that Storm, I was struck by lightning, I deserve my power! Leigh: Yeah, I get it, okay¡­ [Leigh turns the corner, stopping his trolley and seeing a Halloween display. The display has a werewolf, zombie and vampire mask along with a fake knife, toy pitchfork and multiple different bucket designs. Leigh takes the werewolf mask from the display, looking over it.] Leigh: Hey, you want me to bring down some Halloween stuff too? Gary: [on phone] Just get the planning stuff, we still got a week for Halloween. Leigh: I guess. [There¡¯s a loud clatter and scream in the distance.] Gary: [on phone, worried] What was that? [Leigh looks up to see a small group of men at the entrance. They¡¯re carrying knives and wearing masks. One of the men in the back is carrying what appears to be a gun. They¡¯re yelling at customers, quickly trying to herd them into a corner.] Leigh: [worried] Um¡­ [Leigh quickly turns back around the corner, pulling the phone away slightly. He faces away from the entrance as men come over.] Leigh: [worried] Know what, I¡¯m gonna call you back. Gary: [on phone, worried] Why? Leigh, you there? Hello? [Leigh hangs up the phone and pockets it. He sighs, looking at the werewolf mask. He tears the tag off, puts it in his pocket and quickly puts on the mask.] Leigh: [worried] How the fuck do people see in these? [One of the masked men turns around the corner. He sees Leigh and immediately points a knife towards Leigh.] Criminal 1: [commanding] Hey! [Leigh slowly turns around to face the criminal. The criminal stares at Leigh, not noticing the trolley slowly moving behind the criminal.] Leigh: [annoyed] Trust me, mate, you don¡¯t wanna do something like this. Criminal 1: [commanding] Move to the back! Leigh: [annoyed] I¡¯m serious, you don¡¯t- Criminal 1: [commanding, shouting] Move! Now! [Leigh sighs. The trolley quickly backs into the criminal, Leigh pushing them and making them fall into it. He grabs the knife as the criminal falls into the trolley getting stuck.] Criminal 1: [angry] Wh- hey! Leigh: [annoyed] I really don¡¯t like shouting. [Leigh kicks the trolley, pushing it out the aisle as it moves around the corner and down. Leigh walks after it, seeing two more men with knives. They turn to face Leigh, immediately charging after them. Leigh looks up at the sign to aisle 3, quickly looking back down at the two as the sign quickly pulls down off the hinges and ceiling, knocking the two men over and onto the floor. Leigh gestures towards the two, causing the trolley to shoot forward and bump into the two men as it moves into the self-serve checkout. Leigh turns up aisle 4, the alcohol aisle with lines of cans and bottles, seeing a masked man at the end with a few of the current hostages.] Leigh: [loud] Excuse me sir? [The man quickly turns and sees Leigh, moving towards him with a knife in hand.] Leigh: [loud] I¡¯d watch your head. [A bottle flies off the wall and hits him in the back of the head, shattering it. He recoils in pain as Leigh walks past, taking the knife off the man as more glasses hit him against the man until he falls onto the floor. Leigh moves down the aisle and looks over, seeing about 15 people bundled together including three children.] If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.Leigh: Hey folks. [Leigh looks down the aisles nearby, hearing footsteps to the left. He quickly raises a hand towards the left and causes the entire aisle to collapse and land on somebody. He sighs, lifting the mask up slightly for a second and rubbing his nose. He checks his hand and sees blood.] Leigh: [quietly] Huh¡­ crap. [There¡¯s a loud sound towards aisle 5. Leigh adjusts his mask properly, running over to the aisle, filled with animal food and bottled fizzy drinks. He looks down and sees the man with the gun. He gulps, takes a breath and then starts walking down the aisle.] Leigh: [annoyed] Hey! [The man quickly turns with the gun pointed straight at Leigh. He slowly raises his hands.] Criminal 2: [scared, angry] Go back with the rest of them! Leigh: [annoyed] I just beat all of you, grow up. [Leigh keeps walking closer, hands in the air. The criminal slowly backs up.] Criminal 2: [scared, angry] I will shoot. [Leigh scoffs.] Leigh: [annoyed] Come on. Most I¡¯ll believe is that you¡¯ve only repainted a water pistol. Now I know that you¡¯re probably struggling but robbing a store with your chums- [The man quickly points the gun at a tin of dog food and fires, causing the hostages to scream and Leigh to flinch, the gun quickly pointing back to Leigh.] Leigh: [annoyed] Where do so many people get guns in England? [The gun quickly flies over to Leigh, but the man travels with it and quickly punches Leigh in the face before he can catch the gun and causing the wolf mask to get slightly knocked off. The gun skids by, Leigh running over behind the man and tackling him to the floor. The two roll until they crash into some lemonade, both getting hit by them. The man quickly gets off as Leigh causes the drinks to fly into the ceiling. He starts getting up as the mask is suddenly snatched off his head and the gun pushed into his temple. Leigh freezes while the criminal crouches down next to him.] Criminal 2: [angry, quiet] I¡¯m not going to enjoy this¡­ but you should of stayed with- Mother: [shouting, panicking] Toby! [Leigh looks up, the criminal looking to the side as an eight year old boy with short brown hair in a blue hoodie runs up and attack-hugs the criminal, pinning his gun arm to the side.] Criminal 2: [angry, confused] Hey, what the- [The boy suddenly starts faintly glowing before becoming covered in electricity. The criminal subsequently begins to get electrocuted, the boy dropping him after five seconds and leaving the man to shake on the ground having dropped the gun and mask. Leigh very slowly turns to see the boy, quickly grabbing the gun and pocketing it.] Leigh: [surprised] You¡­ you must be Toby. [Toby nods. He quickly grabs the wolf mask and hands it to Leigh.] Toby: Do you want your mask back? [Leigh looks down at the mask.] Toby: It¡¯s like a superhero thing, right? Your secret identity? [Leigh chuckles, looking at the mask and taking it from Toby.] Leigh: Guess it is now. [He puts the mask back on, looking at Toby and shuffling slightly closer to him. He stays crouched down and facing Toby.] Leigh: [quietly] Hey, that was a pretty cool thing you did, Toby. Toby: [excited] Really? Leigh: [quietly] Yeah! That was pretty cool! [Toby smiles.] Leigh: [quietly] Now I¡¯m a little busy, has your mum called the police? [Toby nods.] Leigh: [quietly] Good¡­ does she know you can¡­ [Toby nods again. Leigh nods back.] Leigh: [quietly] Good¡­ yeah, that¡¯s good, um¡­ Toby, promise me that you won¡¯t use that too often, okay? You need to stay safe. [Toby points to the man shaking on the ground.] Toby: What if he comes back? Leigh: [quietly] He probably won¡¯t, but you have¡­ a superhero¡¯s permission to electrocute him again, okay? [Toby smiles, nodding quickly. Leigh pats him on the arm as Toby¡¯s mother runs around the corner.] Mother: [panicking] Toby! [Toby¡¯s mother runs up and quickly picks up Toby, Leigh getting up and backing up slightly. She turns to Leigh.] Leigh: [quickly] He¡¯s fine! They¡¯re dealt with, you¡¯re all safe¡­ [Leigh backs up a little more.] Leigh: Keep an eye on Toby. This whole thing is pretty¡­ new. [Toby¡¯s mother nods as Leigh turns around and moves over to the end of the aisle. He quickly jogs over to the trolley, pushing it towards the door.] Leigh: [loud] I¡¯m just taking these, I saved your lives! [Leigh leaves the supermarket as the alarms start going off.] 3.2 - Late Morning [Sissel and Goldberg are sat on the rooftop back in 2009. They¡¯re sat on the edge, watching the old Wonderland team diffuse the Storm from Benny. Sissel¡¯s eating a bowl of cereal wearing a blue dressing gown and red pyjamas. Goldberg has taken off his jacket and is resting it in his lap, making the knife wound more prominent. Sissel occasionally glances away from the scene, looking at Goldberg¡¯s wound. He eats a mouthful of Shreddies as Goldberg looks to him.] Goldberg: I have a question- [annoyed] Will you stop staring at it? Sissel: [muffled] Sorry! Sorry. [Goldberg sighs, turning into a faint chuckle as he looks forward.] Goldberg: Anyway¡­ why do they call you Sissel? When your name is Cecil? [Sissel swallows, chuckling.] Sissel: Oh yeah, um¡­ oh god, so the first time that I met Tracey? Back in secondary school? We¡¯d been at the bus stop, just¡­ making conversation and getting to know each other. She¡¯d seen me catch her during a prank- Goldberg: Sticky notes on the car. Sissel: [excited] She brought it up! Goldberg: She was quite proud of it. Sissel: That¡¯s fair, it was quite good. Anyway so we¡¯d been talking properly and halfway through realised that neither of us knew each other¡¯s names. She said Tracey but I was still kinda nervous so just mumbled my name. She called me Sissel and I¡­ never corrected her. Goldberg: Well¡­ [Sissel gets a mouthful of Shreddies.] Goldberg: Bit dumb on your part. Sissel: [muffled] Hey! Goldberg: I¡¯m not wrong! You should have corrected her, made it much easier! Sissel: [muffled] I was going to- [Sissel swallows. The Wonderland group are making their way off the rooftop.] Sissel: [embarrassed] I was going to! But she¡¯d already told everyone I was- Goldberg: Wait, this is it! Action! [Goldberg quickly walks over to Alice as she moves towards the empty edge of the building.] Goldberg: [excited] Quiet now! Alice: [calmly] In the chest¡­ punch him in the chest. That always works. [Alice turns and leaves, Goldberg turning back to Sissel and pointing at him. Sissel quickly swallows his mouthful.] Goldberg: [excited] Now what does that tell you? Sissel: That she knows who I am. Goldberg: [excited] And? Sissel: That she knows we would be there? Goldberg: [excited] Exactly! Sissel: [confused] But how though? We¡¯ve never met before about last week and yet she can see me and tell me how to save my life when I¡¯m not even there? Why did she even save my life? [Goldberg nods quickly, slowing down and losing his smile.] Goldberg: Okay, so we¡¯re not as close as I thought we were. Sissel: No, it¡¯s- it¡¯s good! We have something¡­ I think. Goldberg: Oh, definitely something. I knew these people, it¡¯s something. Sissel: Great! Well¡­ now what? Goldberg: Um¡­ we should head back. [Sissel sighs. He places the bowl on the floor, patting his chest.] Sissel: [unenthusiastic] Okay, fine, just¡­ if I start coughing up blood, I won¡¯t forgive you. Goldberg: [sarcastic] Oh because you don¡¯t have anything against me already. Sissel: True. [Goldberg moves in front of Sissel and quickly punches him in the chest. Sissel groans and falls back off the building as the world falls apart. It quickly turns back into Sissel¡¯s living room, sat on the sofa with a bowl of cereal at his feet. Goldberg stands in the centre of the room. Sissel groans.] Sissel: [groaning] That¡¯s not fun. Goldberg: Sorry but we don¡¯t want you having another fit. Sissel: [groaning] Sure¡­ my guardian angel strikes again. Goldberg: Please, I¡¯m barely that. Although¡­ Love what you''re reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on. [Goldberg goes silent, Sissel look at him in confusion.] Goldberg: Velma¡¯s coming downstairs. Seems to be in a hurry. Sissel: [confused] How the hell can you hear her? Goldberg: [surprised] How can you not? [The door into the living room swings open as Goldberg vanishes. Velma enters the room wearing an orange hoodie and glasses, along with some black jeans. She quickly moves over to the other sofa in the room and reaches behind it. Sissel picks up the bowl from the floor, chuckling.] Velma: Don¡¯t you dare. Sissel: [chuckling] I didn¡¯t say anything! Velma: You were thinking it! [Velma pulls out a sports bag with a cyan and purple skull design, swinging it around onto her back. Sissel looks at her confused as she turns to face him.] Velma: How do I look? Sissel: [confused] Um¡­ good? Are you okay? Velma: Yeah, course I am, why wouldn¡¯t I be? Sissel: [confused] Just¡­ it¡¯s barely lunch and it¡¯s saturday, you¡¯re never up this early. Velma: Yeah, well, I¡¯m¡­ busy. [Velma quickly walks out the room again, Sissel getting up and following her. She¡¯s stood just outside the doorway, looking into a mirror and brushing her hair with her hand.] Sissel: [concerned] Be honest with me¡­ [Velma looks at Sissel worried.] Sissel: [concerned] Are you going on a date? Velma: [annoyed] Wha- Cecil! Sissel: [defensive] Hey, I think I deserve to know if my mum is going on a date! Velma: [annoyed] Will you grow up? Look, it doesn¡¯t matter anyway. Sissel: [defensive] No it doesn¡¯t, but it¡¯d be nice to know! Velma: [annoyed] Cecil! [Velma looks at Sissel angrily.] Velma: [annoyed] I¡¯m going out to meet someone from college, okay? Something about work! So stop asking! [Velma looks back to the mirror. Sissel backs up and moves back to the sofa.] Sissel: [mumbling] At least I asked¡­ [Velma storms around the corner.] Velma: [angry] Excuse me? Sissel: [angry, faux-calm] You know what I said. Velma: [angry] You had no right to- [Sissel quickly gets back to his feet.] Sissel: [angry] And you have no right to spy on me! Velma: [angry] You haven¡¯t tell me anything for months! Sissel: [angry] Why should I? You can¡¯t even tell me what- [Sissel stops himself, taking deep breaths and holding his face in his hands. Velma sighs, rubbing her eye.] Velma: [tired] Is that what this is about- Sissel: [tired] I-it¡¯s fine. Velma: [tired] It¡¯s not fine, Cecil, it¡¯s not fine. Sissel: [tired, over Velma] It¡¯s fine, mum, really, it¡¯s fine. [Velma holds Sissel¡¯s shoulders. He goes silent.] Velma: [tired] Look, Cecil¡­ if you wanna talk about it- Sissel: [defensive] I really don''t! I honestly don¡¯t! Velma: [quickly] But if you do then- Sissel: [defensive] Then I¡¯ll figure it out. [Velma sighs. Sissel moves back over to the sofa.] Velma: Um¡­ are you going out today? [Sissel picks up his bowl of cereal, drinking the milk from it off a spoon. He shrugs.] Velma: Well if you do, get the slow cooker down. I¡¯m gonna make casserole. Sissel: [tired] Okay. [Velma nods slowly. She turns and leaves the living room, the sounds of the door opening and closing. Sissel sighs, leaning his head back against the sofa. Goldberg appears next to Sissel.] Goldberg: [worried] Hey, you wanna get some help? Sissel: [tired] I don¡¯t think I wanna go out now. Goldberg: [worried] No, trust me, you¡¯ll wanna go where I¡¯m taking you. [Sissel looks over to Goldberg, confused.] Sissel: [curious] Why? Where we going? Goldberg: Support group. 3.3 - The Planning Stage [Chelsea and Gary are in the club house again, sat on the sofa in the living room. Gary is wearing a Red Lantern shirt and black shorts. Chelsea is wearing a blue hoodie and black jeans. The living room currently has the carpet torn completely off, a plastic red mat rolled out on top of it. The front door opens up and Leigh pushes through with the trolley full of drawing equipment and the werewolf mask in his hand. The two look at him, both worried.] Leigh: [tired] I¡¯m back. Chelsea: [panicked] What the hell happened? Gary said that you hung up on him. Leigh: [tired] Oh, yeah, there was a robbery, I dealt with it. By the way, I haven¡¯t paid for this. Gary: [panicked, with Chelsea] What?! Chelsea: [panicked, with Gary] Excuse me?! [Leigh backs away from the trolley, it still moving into the centre of the room, as Gary and Chelsea quickly stand up.] Leigh: [defensive] Okay, in my defense, I sorted it out and I¡¯m certain the police have arrived now! Gary: [panicked] Why didn¡¯t you tell me? Chelsea: [panicked] Yeah, we could¡¯ve come down and helped you! Leigh: [defensive] Because I didn¡¯t want either of you getting in trouble or getting shot. Chelsea: [panicked] I¡¯m sorry, there was a gun? [Leigh hesitates, looking at Gary.] Leigh: Know what, I shouldn¡¯t have said that. [Gary nods in agreement.] Chelsea: [worried] Yes you should¡¯ve! Much earlier! [Leigh moves over to Chelsea, placing his hands on her shoulders. Gary starts to empty the trolley onto the mat.] Leigh: Look, I¡¯m here! I¡¯m fine! Nothing happened to me, I¡¯m still here, we¡¯re all safe. Chelsea: [worried] You better, okay? I don¡¯t want you getting hurt. Leigh: I won¡¯t, I promise. [The two smile slightly and kiss quick. Gary looks up from the mat, having spread out a large map of Chesterfield on it.] Gary: Bit gay. Leigh: [annoyed] Come on, man. Gary: [chuckling] Sorry, I did it to Tracey and Sissel, I¡¯m gonna do it to you too. [Gary gets up, spinning a red marker pen in his hand.] Gary: So as I said. Gay. [Leigh groans and sits down. Chelsea chuckles and sits next to him.] Chelsea: [chuckling] You need to get a girlfriend. Gary: [triumphant] And you need to get a room! Whoo! Double whammy, I am on a roll today! Leigh: [annoyed] Gary? [Gary looks at Leigh, who stares him down. He sighs.] Gary: [bored] Fine. Still fun though. Chelsea: [chuckling] He¡¯s not wrong. [Leigh sits down and scribbles the word ¡°Plan¡± onto the top of the map in black ink.] Leigh: Okay¡­ now then¡­ we all know the situation so I don¡¯t feel we need to go other that. What we do need to go over is protection. Gary: Question, should we get guns? Leigh: [confused] What? No? Can we try to calm down on the guns, please? Gary: [defensive] It¡¯d just be useful! Leigh: I get that, but they are kinda illegal. Chelsea: No guns. No arguments. Gary: [disappointed] Damn it¡­ [Gary writes onto the map ¡°No guns¡± in red pen.] Gary: [disappointed] Okay, what else? Chelsea: You didn¡¯t have to write ¡°no guns¡±. Gary: [with Leigh] Yes I did. A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation. Leigh: [with Gary] Yes he did. Chelsea: [hesitant] Okay¡­ well¡­ I think we should discuss the plan. Leigh: Catch the Rabbit, punch him until he goes away. [Gary scoffs.] Leigh: Well it¡¯s basically our plan! Gary: I know! It¡¯s just terrible! Leigh: Well at least we¡¯re trying, what are you doing? Gary: Well I¡¯m not getting a gun pointed at me! Chelsea: [annoyed] Guys! [Leigh and Gary look at Chelsea.] Chelsea: [annoyed] Can we focus please? [Leigh and Gary look at each other, nodding slowly.] Gary: [with Leigh] Yeah, alright then. Leigh: [with Gary] Okay, sorry. Chelsea: [annoyed] Thank you! Now¡­ we need to stop the Rabbit. Leigh: Main priority. Chelsea: It¡¯d be best that we learn something about him in order to beat him. Leigh: We don¡¯t have many people we can ask, he¡¯s killed three people already. Gary: [smug] I know someone we can talk to. [Leigh and Chelsea look at Gary in confusion. He smiles smugly.] Gary: [smug] That¡¯s right. I know things. Leigh: [shouting] Tell us! Chelsea: [shouting] Who is it? [Gary reaches for his phone in his back pocket.] Gary: [surprised] Okay, Jesus, you don¡¯t have to yell so loud. [Gary unlocks his phone, showing the Screensaver group being the cover picture now. He clicks on the photos app and shows the two an image, both leaning closer to the phone. It¡¯s a picture of a man in a coffee shop, wearing a green coat and top hat on the table.] Leigh: [confused] Did you take this in person? Gary: Does it matter? Look! [Gary switches to the next image, the Screensaver group, and points at man in green. He switches back and forth between the coffee shop and the screensaver.] Gary: You want to get info on the Rabbit? Then this is our guy. [Chelsea takes the phone off of Gary.] Chelsea: [surprised] Who is this guy? Gary: [excited] No idea! But I became pretty happy with ¡°Hiroikkuhatto¡±. [Leigh looks at Gary confused.] Gary: [embarrassed] It¡¯s¡­ it¡¯s ¡°Heroic Hat¡± in Japanese, I thought it¡¯d sound cool. Leigh: Don¡¯t force it. Gary: [embarrassed] Noted. Chelsea: Hey, do we know where this guy is? Gary: Again, no idea, except that I bumped into him and figured out he was staying in Chesterfield for ¡°business reasons¡±. It was nice, we shared a cake. Kinda romantic. Leigh: Well¡­ [Leigh quickly gets to his feet, dragging up Gary.] Leigh: If this is our chance to get the upper hand, we need to find this guy. Where would he be? Gary: Well if I can have my phone back¡­ [Chelsea chucks him his phone. He catches and checks it.] Gary: It¡¯s 11, he¡¯ll probably be in town getting lunch. Let¡¯s go. Chelsea: Um¡­ should we? I mean, Leigh just stole from a super- Leigh: [defensive] I promise you that we are not going to get chased by the police! [Chelsea stares Leigh down. He puts his hands on his heart.] Leigh: [defensive] Cross my heart, promise. [Chelsea sighs.] Chelsea: [reluctant] Come on. [Leigh and Chelsea start heading out the door. Gary uses his phone to call Vince.] Gary: Hey man, can you get Liv and meet us in town? Oh, great, thanks! 3.4 - The Meeting [Vince and Liv are walking through the middle of town, busy as can be. Vince is wearing a white shirt and jeans while Liv is wearing a dark purple hoodie and black glasses with trousers and brown shoes. Cheshire, currently pure golden, is perched in Liv¡¯s hood with his paws on her head. The town has a large in door market place with a clock on the top of the building. There¡¯s also a large outdoor market where people are yelling between watches, shirts and vegetables among other products. Liv¡¯s checking her phone while Vince is looking around town. A woman walks by and stares at Cheshire, him hissing at her as she passes. Liv groans, looking up at him.] Liv: [annoyed] Oh, behave! [Cheshire purrs, resting his head on top of hers.] Vince: You¡¯re really growing on that cat. Liv: Yeah, well¡­ he seems to like me and I sure as hell don¡¯t just wanna give him to an animal shelter. Vince: [excited] So he¡¯s staying? [Liv looks at Vince and sighs.] Liv: [reluctant] Yeah, Cheshire can stay. Vince: [excited] Aww, you even used his name! Liv: [embarrassed] Will you just¡­ look, have you heard from Sissel? Vince: Tried to get him to come out but I think he¡¯s with someone at the moment. Liv: [mumbling] Or he¡¯s avoiding us¡­ Vince: Pardon? Liv: We had a bit of an argument. Also I¡¯ve been- Vince: Spying, I know. Not subtle. Liv: [annoyed] Don¡¯t rub it in. I¡¯m trying my best. [Vince reaches up and starts to pet Cheshire.] Vince: Well little advice. Speaking as his cousin and as his friend, he¡¯s private and he likes it that way. Liv: I know. Vince: He also gets annoyed easily which is- Liv: [annoyed] So fucking obvious. Vince: [chuckling] Oh, yeah, seriously. He¡¯s fairly sensitive about some things. Liv: [annoyed] I know, Tracey, but we all are! I know it matters to him, but he¡¯s not the only one- Vince: That¡¯s not what I meant. He¡¯s got other stuff. Liv: [surprised] Really? Vince: Yeah. Did you not know? Liv: [surprised] Would I sound surprised if I knew? [As they¡¯re walking, they physically bump into Leigh and Chelsea. The four panic slightly, Cheshire quickly jumping on top of Leigh.] Leigh: [panicking] Jesus Christ! If you come across this story on Amazon, it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it. [Liv quickly moves and snatches back Cheshire, holding him like a baby in her arms.] Liv: [quietly] Cheshire, seriously, behave! Chelsea: [surprised] Hey guys. Vince: Hey, so Gary called me, what¡¯s up? Chelsea: Superhero stuff. You in? [Vince smiles excitedly.] Vince: [excited] I would¡¯ve been sooner if he had said so! Chelsea: [excited] Yay! [Vince and Chelsea quickly run off together, Liv and Leigh left looking at each other in surprise.] Liv: [surprised] That easy then, huh? Leigh: Yep. Morning, by the way. Hi Cheshire. Liv: [sweetly] Hi. [Cheshire meows happily to Leigh, the three of them quickly chasing after Vince and Chelsea. Cutting away shows Gary sat across the road from a large bank, people coming and going from it. He¡¯s watching the crowds going by, looking surprisingly patient. A man walks up behind him, stopping just behind his line of sight. They¡¯re wearing black trousers and green velcro shoes but the rest of them can¡¯t be seen. Gary notices.] Hatter: [worried] I believe you wanted us to talk. Gary: If possible, that okay? Hatter: [worried] Yes¡­ just not here. Gary: Why not? It¡¯s public, it¡¯s roomy, I don¡¯t feel like you¡¯re gonna try and kill me here. Hatter: [worried] I have some business to attend to, I need us to meet somewhere else. Gary: And if I say no? Hatter: [forceful] Then you¡¯ll never get this chance again, that work for you? [Gary stops for a moment and thinks.] Gary: [hesitant] I want a place, time and name. Hatter: Apparently there¡¯s a park nearby. Gary: [quickly] Queens Park. Hatter: There. One hour. I¡¯d prefer alone, but that¡¯s your choice. Gary: [quickly] And the name? [Gary starts turning but Hatter quickly moves out his way and past, dropping a green top hat on Gary¡¯s head. Hatter starts to walk towards the bank, keeping his face away from Gary.] Gary: [confused] Hey! Hatter: Keep it. Now I have to come back. [Gary pulls off the top hat off his head, looking at him in confusion. Hatter enters the bank.] Gary: [mumbling] You don¡¯t deserve a cool Japanese name¡­ [Gary starts looking over the hat, looking inside of it. He goes wide eyed.] Gary: [surprised] Holy crap... 3.5 - The Spaghetti Club [Sissel and Goldberg are stood outside of the college, the window previously broken having now been repaired. Sissel is wearing a green short sleeved shirt and grey jeans with black glasses. Sissel takes some deep breaths, Goldberg looking over at him.] Goldberg: [worried] You okay? Sissel: [hesitant] I don¡¯t think this is a good idea. I shouldn¡¯t be here on a Saturday and we should really be trying to get more out of your power- Goldberg: Sure you don¡¯t want to just play with my power? [Sissel scoffs and chuckles.] Sissel: [chuckling] Shut up, it¡¯s not that impressive. Goldberg: [cocky] Whatever you say¡­ [mumbling, singing] It¡¯s just a jump to the left¡­ [Sissel looks at Goldberg, who¡¯s looking at the ground while he sings.] Goldberg: [mumbling, singing] And then a step to the right¡­ Sissel: [surprised, chuckling] Are you serious? Goldberg: [confused] What? Sissel: [chuckling] You¡¯re singing Time Warp. Goldberg: I know¡­ It¡¯s a good song. [Sissel chuckles more, Goldberg smiling a bit but quickly fading. The doors to the college suddenly slide open. A woman exits the building.] Eggy: [confused] Hello? [Sissel¡¯s attention immediately turns to her. She¡¯s about 40 years old with a Russian accent along with grey and black hair in a ponytail behind her. She¡¯s wearing a red dress shirt with grey trousers. Her feet appeared to be bandaged entirely in black wrapping. She sits in a brown wheelchair.] Eggy: [confused] You are new. Sissel: [nervous] Um¡­ my-my name is Sissel. Eggy: [confused] I am Eggy Baba. Sissel: [nervous] Hi¡­ um¡­ Richard told me to be here. Eggy: [surprised] Goldberg? [Sissel nods. She smiles, surprised.] Eggy: He found more¡­ okay, come on! [Sissel hesitates then starts walking over.] Eggy: [sweet] No need to be shy. A friend of Richie is a friend of mine. Sissel: [nervous] Actually he hit my girlfriend- Eggy: [sweet] With a car, I know. [Sissel looks at her confused.] Sissel: [confused] Say what now? [Eggy starts moving back into the building.] Eggy: Come on, there are more people to meet! [Sissel follows behind Eggy. He turns his head behind him and sees Goldberg following behind.] Goldberg: Trust her, she¡¯s been a good friend. [Sissel nods, looking forward. In front of them is a lift with staircases to the side of it.] Eggy: Just up there. [Sissel nods as Eggy wheels in. He quickly hops up the stairs and moves in front of the lift doors, looking around the area. It¡¯s the main space, currently clear except for a large circle of chairs in the centre. In one of the chairs there is a man in a yellow hoodie and black shorts, his feet and legs looking dark red. He¡¯s got his hands in his pockets, leaning back.] Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site. Sissel: [loud] Excuse me? [The man looks towards Sissel, his face hidden under the hood.] Sissel: [loud] What actually is this place, I¡¯m kinda- Bugsy: [surprised] Cecil? [Bugsy gets up, pulling down his hood and moving towards Sissel. Bugsy¡¯s face is shown to not have any hair or skin, only showing the muscle underneath however still being obviously surprised. Sissel immediately panics, backing into the lift door.] Sissel: [terrified] Oh my God! Jesus fucking- oh my God! Bugsy: [quickly] No, mate, it¡¯s me! Calm down, it¡¯s me! [Bugsy quickly grabs his hood and pulls it back up, His skin immediately returns underneath the shadow of the hood, revealing him to be Asian with black spiky hair. He gives a smile as Sissel starts to take deep breaths.] Sissel: [surprised] Holy¡­ Bugsy? Bugsy: [excited] Yeah! Holy crap, I haven¡¯t seen you since secondary! [Bugsy gives a hand out to Sissel. He looks at it, seeing it also only having the muscle and no fingernails. He takes it and pulls himself up with Bugsy. He very slowly pulls his hood back down, the skin and hair fading from the sunlight.] Bugsy: [embarrassed] Try not to scream again. Sissel: [shocked] Okay¡­ [The lift doors ping, opening up.] Bugsy: Eggy! [Bugsy quickly runs into the lift and reverses, bringing out Eggy. She looks at him and smiles.] Eggy: [sweet] Thank you Mr Lang. So you two met? Sissel: [shocked] Um¡­ we went to the same secondary school. Eggy: Well then I hope introductions are as easy with everyone else, once they arrive. Excuse me, gentlemen. [Eggy moves past the boys towards the circle of chairs. Bugsy looks at Sissel and smiles.] Bugsy: Seriously, of all the ways to meet again, I didn¡¯t expect- wait¡­ oh shit, do you have a power too? Sissel: [shocked] Um¡­ yeah¡­ can I just register everything quick? Bugsy: Sure! I¡¯m gonna give Eggy a hand, come over when you¡¯re ready! [excited] Oh, I can¡¯t wait to see what you can do! Bet it¡¯s better than mine, look at me. [Bugsy smiles, pats Sissel on the arm and jogs over to Eggy near the chairs. Goldberg reappears next to Sissel.] Goldberg: So- Sissel: [quickly] This is a¡­ Superpower club? Goldberg: Actually it¡¯s a superpower support group, or SPSG. We call it the Spaghetti Club. [Sissel stares at Eggy and Bugsy, Eggy putting trays of biscuits and eggs on a fold out table near the circle while Bugsy folds out another table.] Goldberg: I thought that you needed somewhere to talk. Be that superpowers or¡­ y¡¯know. [Goldberg looks at Sissel.] Goldberg: You gonna give them a hand? [Sissel looks at Goldberg then back at Bugsy and Eggy. He steps towards them.] Sissel: [hesitant] You need a hand? [Eggy turns to Sissel.] Eggy: [sweet] Of course! Come on. [Sissel hesitates, but starts walking over.] 3.6 - Bomb [Gary, Leigh, Chelsea, Liv, Vince and Cheshire are all sat watching the bank from across the road. Vince and Chelsea are visibly bored, Vince absentmindedly stroking Cheshire. Gary is resting his head against his hands, the hat sat in his lap.] Leigh: [bored] Hey, um¡­ is this guy going to- Gary: [annoyed] Just trust me, he¡¯ll be right out! Vince: [bored] Why are we not waiting at the actual meeting point? Gary: [annoyed] Because it¡¯s a shady guy with a magic hat that, while I trust with the info, I do not trust a hope in fucking Hell. Chelsea: [bored] You know, you swear way too much. Gary: [sarcastically] Thanks mom. [Vince and Chelsea both get up, everyone looking at them.] Gary: [confused] Hey, where ya going? Vince: [annoyed] To meet him where he bloody said. I don¡¯t want to just wait around. What if he stops trusting us after this? Gary: [annoyed] Oh because you know him so much better than I do. Vince: [annoyed] You don¡¯t even bloody know him! [Leigh quickly gets up between the two.] Leigh: Right! No arguing! We will stay here, Chelsea can take Vince down to¡­ ? Gary: [hesitant] Queen¡¯s Park. [Leigh takes the Hatter¡¯s hat and chucks it to Chelsea. She catches quickly.] Leigh: There you are! See ya soon. [Vince nods and starts to walk away, Chelsea pecking Leigh on the cheek before quickly jogging off after him. Leigh turns to the group.] Leigh: Problem solved. [Gary sighs, looking at the bank.] Liv: Are you okay? Gary: [annoyed] Why? Liv: You just¡­ [Liv looks to Leigh, both nodding to each other.] Leigh: I¡¯m just going to go and- Gary: [annoyed] Don¡¯t make up an excuse, you can just go. [Leigh quickly nods, turns and walks off down the road. Liv sits down next to Gary.] Gary: I know I said this joke already, but at this rate you¡¯re becoming the Party¡¯s mother. Liv: [worried] Tell me what¡¯s wrong. Gary: You already know. Liv: [worried] I want to know properly. [Gary looks to Liv, frowning.] Gary: [annoyed] What do you think it¡¯ll take for me to find my Cantrip? Liv: I don¡¯t know. You¡¯ll just have to come across it, like we did. Wait- Gary: [annoyed] And in the meantime I can just be completely useless. Liv: [confused] Sorry- Gary: [annoyed] It¡¯s not nice being useless. I use to be really useful, I got the equipment for our stupid pranks back when Tracey asked. Liv: [confused] You still can! Also, Cantrips? Gary: [annoyed] Powers, I renamed them. The point is, I don¡¯t want to suddenly go from being the most useful to fucking garbage! Liv: [confused] I understand¡­ I¡¯m very sorry¡­ why Cantrips? [Gary is about to speak when the doors to the bank suddenly blow off. Liv and Gary quickly start backing off as Leigh scrambles around the corner. People are now running and screaming away from the bank.] Leigh: [shocked] What the fuck was that? Gary: [panicking] Bomb! Fucking bomb! The shit had a bomb! This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version. [Hatter walks out of the building calmly through the smoke, carrying a large black duffel bag one his back and hiding his face with a green flowery masquerade mask.] Liv: [disappointed] I thought he¡¯d look better. Leigh: [angry] Focus. Bomb. Gary: [terrified] So? Leigh: [angry] Superpowers! Gary: [terrified] Oh. Yeah¡­ [Hatter looks up and sees the three, quickly running away down the road.] Liv: [loud] Get him! [The three quickly start running across the road towards Hatter. Leigh and Liv quickly make it across the road but, as Gary crosses, a car quickly skids towards him. Leigh turns back and sees this.] Leigh: [panicking] Gary! [He raises his hands out and the car very suddenly stops before hitting Gary, the front crumpling up like paper. Gary staggers a bit, then moves around to the window and looks in. The driver, a middle aged man, is fine but unconscious at the wheel.] Gary: [worried] You okay? He¡¯s unconscious. [yelling] Someone call an ambulance! [Gary catches up with the two, all continuing their pursuit after Hatter. They turn around a corner and see Hatter at the end.] Liv: You¡¯re psychic, do something! [Leigh raises his hands towards the Hatter, nose starting to bleed, as the money bag suddenly pulls back towards the group. Hatter turns as the bag flings itself across the street towards the group, grabbing a hold of it before it gets away. Liv sees Leigh¡¯s nose bleed as Gary charges at Hatter.] Liv: [worried] What¡¯s happening? Leigh: [strained] I try not to think about it. [Gary charges towards Hatter, grabbing the other end of the bag.] Gary: [terrified, confused] What the fuck are you doing? Hatter: [angry] Paying a debt! Let go! Gary: [terrified, confused] Is this about the Rabbit? You didn¡¯t have to blow up a bank! [Leigh very suddenly collapses, shaking. The bag falls into Hatter¡¯s hands.] Liv: [panicking] Leigh. [Liv quickly crouches down by Leigh, trying to think. Gary quickly moves towards the Hatter to try and tackle him but the Hatter dodges and hits Gary in the back with the bag, knocking him down. He quickly kicks him in the stomach, groaning in pain.] Hatter: [angry] He sent you, didn¡¯t he? Fucking Marshall! If I see the prick, I¡¯ll fucking kill him! You make sure that he fucking knows it! [Hatter looks around quick. He sees Liv by Leigh, still not sure what to do, and then quickly darts off. Gary gets up, coughing badly. He looks towards where Hatter went and starts moving that way.] Liv: [panicking] Gary, get over here! [Gary groans, moving quickly towards Leigh. He¡¯s still shaking, but it¡¯s calming down.] Gary: [panicking] Okay, what¡¯s happening to Leigh? [Leigh motions quickly at his chest with a clenched fist.] Leigh: [jagged] Gimme a minute¡­ get Hatter. Gary: [worried] He already left. Leigh: [jagged] Fucking damn it. Liv: [worried] What is happening to you? [Leigh looks to Leigh and sighs.] Leigh: [strained] Overworked myself... come on, let''s try and find this guy. 3.7 - Hostage [Vince and Chelsea are sat under a pavilion in the middle of a park. The pavilion has a black roof with red beams and fences holding it up. The floor is stone, but the surroundings is grass with a few paths around the park. There¡¯s also a small playground nearby that some kids are playing in. The two are sat next to the fence, Chelsea wearing the top hat.] Vince: Hey, um¡­ I have a bit of a¡­ question. Chelsea: [worried] Funny ha-ha question, miserable bloody question or ¡°so you and Leigh¡± question? [Vince looks at Chelsea for a moment, speechless, then looks forward.] Vince: Um¡­ let me pick one quick. [Chelsea chuckles.] Chelsea: [exaggerated] Well let¡¯s just skip the questions, um¡­ me and Leigh, oh yes! So much fun, absolutely entirely head over heels so to speak! Now miserable, hmm¡­ aww, that¡¯s so sad, I¡¯m so sorry. And finally funny. [Chelsea bursts into exaggerated laughter, rocking back and forth on her seat.] Vince: [interrupting] I need you to help me get a present for Sissel. [Chelsea¡¯s laughter stops for a second, leaving a fake smile.] Chelsea: [hesitant] Does it involve time travel? Vince: [hesitant] Yes. Chelsea: Vincent, whatever it is, we¡¯re not doing it. Vince: [defensive] It wouldn¡¯t be anything serious, we¡¯re not trying to bring someone back from the dead. Chelsea: I don¡¯t know how time travel works yet, we can only do it if it¡¯s¡­ well, drastic. Vince: [defensive] It¡¯d literally be a trip there and then quickly back. Chelsea: Where? Where is so important that I¡¯m gonna break my rules. It better not be Tracey. Vince: It¡¯s not Tracey. Chelsea: Because I just wouldn¡¯t be able to handle that, let alone him. VInce: It¡¯s not that, it¡¯s- [Very suddenly, Cheshire jumps up at Vince, making him panic and fall onto his back.] Chelsea: [surprised] Jesus! [Vince grabs Cheshire from on top of him, moving him to the ground in front of him.] Vince: Hey Cheshire, buddy. Chelsea: That thing is crazy. Vince: Stop it, he¡¯s excitable! He¡¯s just a cat! Chelsea: Yeah, well¡­ more of a dog person. Can''t handle cats anymore. [Vince starts to pet Cheshire, who purrs loudly. Chelsea places the hat down by her side, reaches her whole arm into it and pulls out a brown bottle. She opens it up and drinks from it, Vince giving her a weird look before quickly looking down at the hat.] Vince: [surprised] Oh¡­ Chelsea: Gary said it¡¯s a bottomless hat. Vince: [surprised] With beer in it? Chelsea: Apparently. [Chelsea takes a drink from the bottle. Vince picks the hat up, looking it over. He looks down into it, seeing what looks like a starry sky inside.] Vince: Who even owns this thing? [The hat is suddenly snatched out from Vince¡¯s hands. They quickly put the hat back on their head, removing their mask. On their back is a very large bag on their back.] Hatter: [angry] I do. Why do you two have it? [Vince and Chelsea quickly stand up, Cheshire hissing at Hatter.] This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version. Chelsea: Our friend sent us. Gary, you met him recently. We think you could help us. Hatter: [angry] Oh, does he know? Well isn¡¯t that nice to know. [Hatter starts to chuckle madly, a large smile going on his face. He drops the hat back on the floor.] Hatter: [yelling] Sit then! [Vince and Chelsea both very quickly sit own on the ground. Hatter takes the bag off his back.] Hatter: [angry] What do you want to know then? Need something clearing up? Vince: [hesitant] Um¡­ who¡¯s the Rabbit? And Alice? Hatter: [scoffing] Like you don¡¯t know. [Hatter forces the bag into the hat, part of the bottom pushing in. He starts kicking the bag down into the bag.] Chelsea: [worried] What¡¯s that supposed to mean? Hatter: [crazed] Oh¡­ oh-oh-oh-no-no, you know exactly what I mean I think. [Hatter gives one last kick and the bag pushes into the hat, vanishing. He quickly dashes over to the two, pushing Cheshire behind him.] Vince: Leave the cat alone. Hatter: [crazed] Oh of course I will. The cat and the rabbits and the fucking caterpillars! [Hatter grabs a tight hold of Vince¡¯s neck. Chelsea panics, backs up slightly, then kicks Hatter in the head. He groans and kicks her in the stomach, knocking her over, then places his foot against her throat.] Vince: [strained] Chelsea¡­! Hatter: [crazed] Ch¡­ Chelsea? [Vince looks at Hatter, confused. He nods.] Hatter: [confused] What¡¯s your name? [shouting] What is your goddamn name? [Hatter holds his neck tighter, Vince pulling his hands up to hold. In the background, Cheshire starts to hiss and crawl towards Hatter.] Vince: [strained] Vincent, it¡¯s Vincent! [Hatter scoffs, transitioning into a mad laugh.] Hatter: [crazed] Oh, that¡¯s his game now¡­ interesting¡­ well give the Rabbit a message for me. [Hatter leans into Vince, teeth grinding together.] Hatter: [crazed, quiet] I don¡¯t hold back anymore now. If I see any of you again¡­ you¡¯re all dead. [Hatter suddenly screams in pain and hobbles back, letting go of Vince and Chelsea who both gasp for air. Hatter turns around and pulls Cheshire off of his leg, tiny dribbles of blood dripping from his mouth.] Hatter: [crazed, angry] You little shit¡­ you¡¯re coming with me. [He walks over to his hat and pushes Cheshire into it, who squeals loudly.] Vince: [strained] Hey! [Vince crawls towards Hatter, who turns and kicks him in the face.] Hatter: [crazed] Let your boss know I¡¯m gonna call him to get this little shit back. [Hatter hops over the fence and leaves the pavilion.] Hatter: [loud] See ya never! [Vince moves over to Chelsea, grabbing her and leaning her up on the fence. He stays crouched, holding his nose and looking around. The local people in the park are staring at Chelsea and Vince, some recording it on their phones.] Vince: [strained] You okay? [Chelsea shakes her head.] Vince: [strained] Fair enough¡­ well¡­ can¡¯t get much worse than this. 3.8 - The Rabbit Meeting [Velma is sat in the back of the taxi next to a girl, slightly younger than her. The girl is wearing a bright pink leather jacket with a rainbow tie-dye shirt along with ripped jeans. Her hair is brown and in large bushy pigtails. The taxi is being driven by a man about mid forties, wearing a brown jacket and darker brown shirt. He has short brown hair and a recently shaved beard. The man takes a glance back through the rear view mirror. He speaks with a northern accent.] Stanley: [curious] You alright love? [Velma perks up, looking towards Stanley.] Velma: [absent] Pardon? Stanley: [curious] Ya just awful quiet, that¡¯s all. Most folks are nagging ya ear off in this job. Velma: [chuckling] Sorry to disappoint. Stanley: Nah, it¡¯s fine love! Not a bad drive ya got me on so can¡¯t be too angry with ya. [Velma starts looking out the window. The outside is currently a large dark forest.] Stanley: Tell ya what though¡­ never driven round her before. Velma: No? Stanley: Nah, very new to me. Nice drive though, like I said! [Velma smiles to him in the mirror, then turns to her left, looking at the girl.] Velma: [quietly] Thank you for coming. Kenzie: Any time. I¡¯m here for you, especially with this. Velma: [quietly] I just don¡¯t know if I could handle coming to him again on my own. [Kenzie places her hand on Velma¡¯s shoulder.] Kenzie: You¡¯ll be fine, I promise. Stanley: Not to spy on ya¡­ [Velma sighs, looking forward.] Velma: Yes, Stanley? Stanley: Who you going to meet then? Velma: Just¡­ an old friend. Needed to talk to him. Stanley: That¡¯s fair. I got a friend like that, Pat Thompson, not seen him in years. He moved to the south now, mind, so not much point trying to meet. [Velma looks over to Kenzie.] Kenzie: He talks a lot. [Velma nods in agreement.] Stanley: Nearly there, I think. If that helps at all. Velma: Thank you. [The taxi drives out of the forest, the road completely vanishing into old grass and the trees slowly clearing up to reveal a field. Stanley looks around, confused.] Stanley: [confused] Are you sure we¡¯re going the right way? Velma: Very. Just keep driving. Stanley: [confused] Okay¡­ [The car continues down the way, now following the trail of of tire tracks on the ground. After a few more moments, Stanley frowns towards the distance.] Stanley: Oh¡­ hold on, love, we got a problem. [He slowly parks the car, seeing a white van in the distance with a woman stood outside of it. He turns to the two, smiling.] Stanley: They look a bit stuck, so I¡¯m just going to go deal with them. Okay? [Velma and Kenzie nod. Stanley unlocks the door and gets out, closing it behind him. Velma watches as Stanley comes back into view.] A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation. Kenzie: I can never look at this. [Kenzie looks away. In the distance, Stanley gets the attention of the woman and starts talking to them. Rather suddenly the woman tackles him onto the ground and starts very quickly stabbing him in the chest. After a few seconds, he stops moving but the woman continues to stab him. Velma sighs. Rather suddenly, Marshall appears in the driver¡¯s seat. He turns to Velma, showing that he¡¯s wearing a blue coat and a black shirt.] Marshall: Sorry that you both had to see that. Velma: [hesitant] It¡¯s fine. Marshall: So¡­ you want to come out then? [Velma hesitates, but starts to nod. Marshall gets back out the taxi normally, going around to Velma¡¯s door.] Kenzie: [singing] Showtime. [Velma groans as the door opens.] Marshall: Come on. [Velma comes out and follows Marshall towards Alice and the van. Alice was formally wearing a white blouse and black trousers, both now having become covered in blood. She¡¯s holding a very bloody knife and has a large smile on her face. She waves at Velma.] Alice: [excited] Hiya Velma! How¡¯ve you been? Velma: [worried] Let¡¯s just¡­ let¡¯s just focus, please. Alice: [excited] Alright, killjoy, however you want. Velma: [agitated] Oh, coming from the killer- Marshall: [forceful] Stop. We have not come here to argue, have we? [Velma and Alice both nod.] Marshall: [forceful] Thank you. [Marshall moves on top of Stanley, now very dead. He has twenty eight stab wounds sporadically across his body.] Marshall: [surprised] Christ, did you have to stab him so much? Alice: [reluctant] I may have gotten a bit carried away, can you really blame me? Velma: [insistent] Yes! Alice: Aww, don¡¯t worry hon, we¡¯ll give you a lift! Velma: [defensive] I¡¯m fine, really. [Velma crosses her arms, looking away from the body.] Velma: [defensive] Let¡¯s keep these things away from our normal lives, please. Alice: [groaning] God, you¡¯re still boring. Marshall: [forceful] Alice, stop it! Alice: [defensive] She is! [Marshall goes around and grabs Stanley¡¯s shoulders.] Marshall: Get his legs. [Alice hands the knife to Velma and grabs a hold of Stanley¡¯s legs.] Velma: Nothing¡¯s changed then. Marshall: Not really. Alice: 3¡­ 2¡­ 1¡­! [Alice and Marshall lift the body, moving towards the back of the van.] Marshall: Velma, get in the van. [Velma nods, moving around the van towards the doors to the front. Kenzie leans out the taxi.] Kenzie: [yelling] Want me to come? Velma: Kenzie, you stay here! [Kenzie gives a thumbs up as Velma gets into the van and closes the door.] 3.9 - The First Session [Sissel is now sat in a circle with other people with Goldberg keeping his hands on Sissel¡¯s shoulders. The room itself is bright, the ceiling having a large window in it with the sun directly above them.] Goldberg: Just stay calm. If you¡¯re panicking, tell Eggy and you¡¯ll be able to leave. Okay? [Sissel nods. He looks around the circle at the others with him. Directly across from him is an empty space for Eggy, the left of it being where Bugsy is now sat with his hood down and muscles showing. Next to Bugsy is a black haired man wearing a sleeveless white shirt with two downwards cuts in the back, looking very displeased to be there. Next to him is a light grey bloodhound with a red colour, baring a furry blue gremlin-like creature on his back with large ears and gills on the top of it''s head and back. Directly next to Sissel is a girl with blonde hair in a ponytail and a baggy button shirt who looks miserable. On the other side of Sissel is a man with his hood up, legs folded in the chair. Between everyone is a sporadic amount of chairs, but everyone is still forming a perfect circle. As Eggy rolls herself into place, a ten year old boy runs up and sits on the other side of Sissel. Sissel looks to the child, who turns and smiles.] Toby: [excited] Hi! Are you new? Sissel: [anxious] Um¡­ yes, I am. Toby: [excited] Okay! I¡¯m Toby. Sissel: [anxious] Si- Cecil. I¡¯m Cecil. [Toby and Sissel shake hands as Eggy properly parks her wheelchair.] Eggy: Now then. [Eggy claps her hands and her outfit suddenly changes to be covered in a large brown and red poncho. She holds her hand out and gets a grip on something, quickly materialising a large wooden cane. She moves it in front of her, resting her head on the curved top.] Eggy: Good morning, everybody. All: Morning. / Good morning! / Morning Eggy. Sissel: [anxious] H-hey. Eggy: If it wasn¡¯t obvious enough, we have a new arrival today. [Sissel looks down. The girl leans over slightly.] Talia: [quietly] Chin up, we don¡¯t bite. [Sissel quickly moves his head up straight.] Eggy: Mr Mastin? Care to introduce yourself? [Sissel hesitates, before slowly pushing out the chair and standing up. He looks at the whole group and takes a deep breath.] Sissel: [anxious] I am¡­ Sissel Mastin. And I¡­ [quickly] I am panicking so badly, sorry. [There are a couple of groans. Talia quickly gets up, holding Sissel¡¯s side.] Talia: [quietly] Calm down, take it slow. Imagine the words before you say them. [Sissel nods, breathing deeply and closing his eyes. Goldberg smiles to Talia.] Goldberg: [happy] Everyone is doing fine then, I see. That¡¯s good. The blue thing is new. Sissel: [calmly] Um¡­ I have the ability to¡­ I, um¡­ [Sissel scoffs, entering a small chuckle.] Sissel: Know what, I¡¯m not actually sure what it¡¯s called. Eggy: Well don¡¯t feel that you have to tell us if you don¡¯t want to. Would you like to sit? [Sissel nods, then slowly sits down.] Sissel: Thank you. Eggy: It¡¯s fine. Everyone else, if we¡¯d like to introduce yourselves. Myself and Bugsy have already met him. Anybody else? [The dog moves over towards Sissel with the gremlin on his back and starts to talk with a British accent.] Bayard: My name is Bayard. This is Spike. [The gremlin creature waves to Sissel, who hesitantly waves back as Bayard returns to his position.] Spike: Hello! Sissel: Talking dog and a gremlin... Goldberg: [surprised] Well they must be new. Talia: It¡¯s not the weirdest thing, I throw up worms. Sissel: [confused] What? [Talia goes wide-eyed, going red in the face.] The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation. Talia: [embarrassed] Um¡­ I¡¯m Talia. [The two shake hands.] Sissel: It¡¯s nice to meet you. Talia: Really? I¡¯ve had better first impressions. [She gives a nervous chuckle, then looks forward. Sissel looks a little longer then looks forward at Eggy. Eggy is looking expectantly at the other two members.] Eggy: Gentlemen? [The boy in the sleeveless shirt, budges slightly closer.] George: My name is George Goyle. Sissel: ¡°Goyle¡±, like gargoyle. Goldberg: [embarrassed] Well actually, Cecil- [He gives a small chuckle. George then reaches his hand out slightly towards the sunlight from the window, his arm quickly covering in a grey stone texture. Sissel tilts his head back, surprised.] Sissel: [surprised] Oh. George: Yeah¡­ [George pulls his hand back, remaining in the same position that it did in the sun. He slowly tenses his hand, the stone cracking off of it.] George: ¡°Oh¡±. [Sissel turns slowly towards the one with his legs crossed.] Sissel: [embarrassed] Um¡­ and what about- Trevor: [stern] We met at the party. [Sissel thinks, then realises.] Sissel: Oh¡­ okay. [Sissel curls up in his seat a bit. Eggy clears her throat, getting everyone¡¯s attention.] Eggy: Well¡­ we¡¯ll get the boring stuff out of the way. Everyone talks about their week, highs and lows. How they¡¯ve coped with their powers and if they¡¯ve learnt anything¡­ [Eggy trails off. Talia leans over to Sissel.] Talia: [quietly] Don¡¯t worry, my first time was pretty awkward. Sissel: [quietly, confused] What? Talia: [quietly] The ¡°Spaghetti Club¡±. Sissel: [quietly] Oh! Right. Talia: [quietly] Weird name¡­ Bugsy¡¯s idea, so not too surprising. Sissel: [quietly] Yeah, that sounds like him. [The two sit up straight, listening to Eggy. Talia leans back over.] Talia: [quietly] Wanna step out for a bit? Sissel: [quietly, quickly] God yes. [Talia and Sissel stand quickly up.] Talia: [quickly] I¡¯m just going to show Cecil around quickly. If that¡¯s okay. Sissel: [quickly] Sissel. Also please. [Eggy looks between the two.] Eggy: I¡­ suppose that¡¯s fine. It¡¯s his first time after all. [Eggy smiles warmly. Sissel and Talia quickly move out the circle, moving down a corridor. They enter a light jog down the corridor as they move, Talia doing a quick spin to see if anyone is watching them. She giggles a bit to herself, doing a hop. Sissel looks to her, smiling.] Sissel: [chuckling] You okay? Talia: [quietly, excited] You have no idea how often I want to run away from this. Sissel: That exciting, is it? Talia: [quietly, excited] Trust me, you have no- [Talia stops suddenly, starting to gag.] Sissel: [worried] Talia? Talia, what¡¯s wrong? [Sissel quickly moves over to her as she starts to collapse, falling to her knees.] Sissel: [panicking] Richard, come on! [Richard walks up next to Sissel.] Goldberg: [calm] Don¡¯t worry, she¡¯s fine. This happens. Sissel: [panicking] Fine?! She¡¯s not fine, for fuck sake, she¡¯s- [Talia suddenly retches on the ground. Instead of vomit, heaps of dirt start to pour out of her mouth and spread across the ground. At the end, a handful of worms falls into the pile and wiggle around. She coughs a bit, a few pieces of dirt coming out. She hits her chest and takes a few deep breaths.] Talia: [embarrassed] Throwing up. Sorry, like I said, I can throw up worms. Wish it came up at a better time. [She stands up, wiping a bit of dirt from shirt. Sissel looks at her in surprise, Goldberg patting him on the back reassuringly.] Talia: [curious] So then, how are you talking to Goldberg? 3.10 - Arming Up [Leigh, Chelsea, Vince, Liv and Gary all return to the house with the purple door. All of them look very tired and upset, Gary immediately going into the living room and collapsing onto the sofa. Leigh and Chelsea move in front of the sofa, sitting down on the ground. Liv very quickly runs into the kitchen.] Vince: [upset] Olivia, wait! [Vince follows Liv into the kitchen. Vince quickly closes the door.] Vince: Look, I¡¯m- [Liv quickly slaps Vince.] Vince: [surprised] Ow! Liv: [angry] Why the fuck did you let him take Cheshire? Vince: [upset] I didn¡¯t let him take Cheshire, he was choking me at the time! Liv: [angry] You have superpowers! You should have done something about it! Vince: [angry] I would have done something if I could breath! [The two go quiet, taking deep breaths.] Vince: [with Liv] Sorry. Liv: [with Vince] Sorry. [The two look at each other and give an awkward chuckle.] Liv: [upset] I want my cat back. Vince: We¡¯ll get Cheshire back, I promise. Liv: [upset] We fucking better. [Liv gives a weak smile.] Vince: Do you want a hug? [Liv nods quickly. Vince moves over and gives her a hug.] Vince: We¡¯ll fix this. I promise. Liv: [upset] Thank you. [The hug lasts a bit longer, then Vince lets go.] Vince: Um¡­ I¡¯m going back in there. We¡¯re going to make a plan. Okay? [Liv nods. Vince nods back, then enters the living room again. He is surprised to find Gary, Leigh and Chelsea already carrying large black bags. They¡¯re also in different clothes now; Gary is wearing a white shirt and black trousers, Leigh is wearing a black hoodie, red shirt and jeans and Chelsea is wearing a blue long sleeve shirt and a black body warmer. All of them have their bags on the floor, shovelling through them.] Vince: [confused] What¡¯s going on? I was only in there for a minute. Chelsea: [quickly] Oh, yeah, hey! Sorry, not a minute, three days. Vince: [surprised] Three days? Gary: Just planning our next action, getting the cat back. Vince: [surprised] Well where did you go for three days? [Liv enters.] Liv: [confused] What¡¯s going¡­ on? Vince: They time travelled. Three days. This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there. Liv: [surprised] What? [Leigh gets up, hands in the air.] Leigh: Can we stop yelling please? We¡¯re gonna sort this out. Vince: You could have taken us with you! We could help! Leigh: You were having a conversation and I didn¡¯t want to interrupt. [Vince sighs. Liv moves around, going to Gary. She pats Chelsea on the arm.] Liv: [curious] What did you actually get? Where did you go? [Chelsea gets up, pulling out of the bag a handful of jagged knives.] Vince: Jesus fuck! Chelsea: Y¡¯know¡­ here and there. [Gary pulls out cat masks, throwing them onto the sofa.] Gary: They¡¯re for us. You¡¯re going all out, this guy is a legitimate threat. Liv: Pardon? Gary: Well it¡¯s not like I can do anything! Not like you lot! You¡¯re getting this prick and his stupid fucking hat, I¡¯ll help where I can. Okay? Vince: That¡¯s fine. Just¡­ we¡¯re going all out? [Leigh moves in front of Vince.] Leigh: Well yeah. Firstly we¡¯re getting that hat, secondly we¡¯re getting Cheshire and thirdly we¡¯re getting whatever we can out of this guy involving the Rabbit. If we have to go on a warpath, that¡¯s fine by me. [Vince nods. Liv goes to the group, helping unpack uniforms and more weapons out onto the floor and sofa. Vince backs into the wall.] Vince: I have a gun. [The group all turn to look at Vince.] Chelsea: [surprised] Sorry? Vince: I got into a fight with the¡­ the Rabbit¡¯s friend, Alice. There was a gun in the classroom. They never got it, so¡­ I did. [Leigh gets up, moving to Vince.] Leigh: [concerned] Is it on you now? Vince: No, it¡¯s at home. But whoever this guy is, he¡¯s¡­ deranged. Psychotic. I¡¯m not saying we should but I¡¯m saying that we need to consider the worst possible scenario just in case. Leigh: [concerned] Okay¡­ okay, we¡¯ll get it. But we get rid of it after. Gary: We have a bottomless hat if we get this guy, so we have a hiding spot. [The group enter a silent agreement as the bags are finished emptied. Gary enters a chuckle.] Chelsea: What is it? Gary: [chuckling] Just¡­ ignoring the fact that I haven¡¯t got one yet, we¡¯re a bunch of superheroes dressed as furries about to go beat up a guy over a cat. That¡¯s fucking comic shit. 3.11 - Voicemail [Olivia and Gary are stood outside of Vince¡¯s house, leant against the door frame. Inside, very audibly, Vince is scrambling around upstairs with Leigh and Chelsea on the search for the gun. Gary very slowly moves towards Liv. The door opens up, catching both of their attention. Out the front door walks a middle-aged brown haired woman wearing a long purple dress and a white cardigan, holding a bottle of orange juice.] Carol: Would either of you two like a drink while you wait? Liv: It¡¯s fine Ms Cosgrove. Will they be long, do you know? Carol: Not sure, Olivia, honey. I¡¯ll let you know. Liv: Thank you. [The two smile and Carol goes back in side head back inside.] Gary: Um¡­ question for the group mother? Liv: [annoyed] I¡¯m not your mother, please don¡¯t call me one. Gary: Oh, but you¡¯d be such a great one. [Liv dials a number and puts her phone to her ear.] Liv: [annoyed] What is it, Gary? Gary: Well I just, y¡¯know, wanted to see if you could do me a quick favour. [Liv sighs, pulling the phone down, then looks at Gary.] Liv: [confused] What? Gary: If I try and do something to get my power, could you just heal me if it goes wrong? Liv: [confused] Oh god, what? What are you going to do? Gary: [embarrassed] Um¡­ I don¡¯t think I want to say. Liv: Fine then. [Liv rings the number again, listening to the dial tone.] Gary: [quickly] Okay, fine, I¡¯m gonna stick my hand in a blender. Liv: [angry] Gary! Gary: [defensively] What? You can heal me and it might lead to my power! Liv: [angry] If I heal you then I¡¯ll end up losing my hand, I don¡¯t want to bloody- [calmly] Hello? Hello? [Liv waits a few seconds, then groans and checks the phone.] Liv: [annoyed] Fucking voicemail again¡­ shit. Gary: [confused] Um¡­ what are you doing? Liv: [annoyed] Trying to call Sissel¡¯s mum, I think I made a mistake and I need to look into it. Gary: [confused] Why? What did you do? Oh god, you showed her the cantrips. Oh my god, you did! Liv: [annoyed] Will you shut up? It¡¯s more important than that. Wait, cantrips? Gary: [scared] Yes, cantrips, my idea! Not important! What is more important is why are you revealing our immeasurable ability upon the world? Liv: [annoyed] Because she has one too. [Gary is about to say something, but stops himself and looks at her surprised.] Gary: [surprised, quiet] Oh. Well. That¡¯s¡­ [shouting] Sissel¡¯s gonna die! Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. [Liv slaps Gary in the back of the head.] Gary: [scared] Ow! Liv: [worried] Will you calm down please? I¡¯ve got enough to deal with between this lot and Sissel and my own shit. You know, I have my own problems to deal with as well! Gary: [defensive] Well you¡¯re allowed to bring it up! It helps to talk about it! Liv: [annoyed] I know, but there isn¡¯t much time when everyone- [calmly] Hey Velma, are you there? [Liv pauses.] Liv: [faux-calm] No, of course you¡¯re not, why would you be? Not like you¡¯re hiding some superpower shit, [yelling] you ignorant bitch! [Liv hangs up, Gary surprised.] Liv: [angry] What? Gary: [scared] Was that- Liv: [angry] No, I hung up before it went to voicemail. [Gary takes a deep breath.] Gary: [relieved] Oh thank god. Liv: [annoyed] She is being a bitch though. Gary: Are you sure that she knows about powers? Liv: I showed her Cheshire¡¯s power and her first guess was superpowers before anything else. Gary: [panicking] What? Liv: I also eavesdropped, she called someone about the¡­ cantrips called Marshall. Maybe that¡¯s someone we should look into? Gary: [panicking] Yeah, sure, by the way, never do that again please! Liv: [defensive] Why does it matter, she knows about them! Gary: [panicking] We have¡­ You have these abilities, I don¡¯t want anyone getting dissected! Liv: [annoyed] Oh, now you¡¯re just being ridiculous. Gary: [panicking] Oh, am I? Liv: [annoyed] Yes! Gary: [calm] Oh, fair enough then. [Leigh, Chelsea and Vince leave the house, Leigh holding the gun close to his chest.] Vince: [loud] See you later mum! Carol: [distant] See you honey! Have a nice day! [Vince closes the door. He quickly turns to the group.] Leigh: We got it. Chelsea: And we have a plan. Liv: [distracted] Okay, tell me in a bit. [Liv walks away from the group, trying to call Velma again.] Leigh: [distant] Basically there¡¯s this old part of college that doesn¡¯t get used anymore, a swimming pool. It¡¯ll be great to lead him into. Gary: [distant] Will it work? Leading him there? Vince: [distant] It has to. This guy is nuts. Now here''s the plan... [Liv dials, waiting by the end of the road.] Liv: [worried, quietly] Come on, Velma, pick up already. [Liv waits a few seconds then groans, hanging up.] Liv: [worried] Where the hell are you? 3.12 - Protection [Velma is sat in the front of the van, sandwiched between Marshall driving and Alice wiping blood from her face. They¡¯re driving further into the field, the sky starting to turn pure blue. Velma¡¯s phone starts to buzz to the tune of ¡°Istanbul, not Constantinople¡±. Alice turns to her, looking confused.] Marshall: Who is calling you- Velma: [defensive] No one! Marshall: Velma- [Alice quickly snatches Velma¡¯s phone and throws it out the car window.] Velma: [angry] Alice! Alice: We¡¯re in a pocket universe, you¡¯ll get your phone back. Velma: [surprised] Sorry, what? Marshall: Secondary power, I can open pocket dimensions. [Marshall turns to Velma, looking confused.] Velma: Oh¡­ okay then. Marshall: You¡¯ve seen weirder. Summer holiday ¡®04. Alice: [upset] Aw, I wasn¡¯t there for ¡®04. What happened ¡®04? Velma: Alternate timeline. It was¡­ [Velma chuckles, looking down.] Alice: [confused] What? Velma: [chuckling] I just¡­ I think this is the most casual we¡¯ve talked and you¡¯re covered in blood. [Alice chuckles madly.] Marshall: It was the wedding day. [Marshall starts to park the van, looking quickly at the two.] Marshall: To answer your question. [Alice pouts, smiling.] Alice: [sweet] Oh, now isn¡¯t that adorable? Was the weather nice? Velma: Yeah, actually. Nice and sunny. Marshall: Until it rained halfway. Still quite nice though. [Marshall opens the van door then exits the van.] Velma: I thought it was actually prettier after it rained. [Alice unlocks the car door and starts exiting.] Alice: Maybe I¡¯ll visit some day. [Alice and Velma both exit the van, going around to see Marshall leaning against the doors.] Marshall: So firstly¡­ sorry for killing your cab driver. Velma: You¡¯ve done worse. Marshall: True. Secondly¡­ [Marshall sighs.] Marshall: I¡¯m going to regret this, but how is Cecil? Velma: Well his girlfriend died. He also calls himself Sissel now, for some reason that I don¡¯t understand fully. Alice: [chuckling] Well, boys will be boys. Like, Marshall- Marshall: [forceful] Alice, get back in the van. Alice: But- Marshall: [forceful] Now. [Alice pouts, stomping back into the van and slamming the door shut.] Marshall: [upset] I¡¯m sorry to hear about C¡­ Sissel. Velma: He¡¯s getting better. Marshall: Talked to Conlon recently? [Velma scoffs, looking at the floor. She goes over and leans on the van next to Marshall.] Velma: We¡¯ve not talked in weeks. There was an incident according to him. Marshall: Damn¡­ he was an alright guy. Velma: [defensive] He is alright. He¡¯s the greatest guy I know. Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere. [Marshall smiles.] Marshall: So life¡¯s alright then? Velma: As good as it can be, yeah. Marshall: [worried] Well then¡­ I have to wonder what we¡¯re going to talk about? [Velma swallows her breath, then moves to stand in front of Marshall.] Velma: [worried] We both know why you¡¯re here. Marshall: The Storm. Velma: [annoyed] Did you have to bring it here? Marshall: I was dealing with Goldberg and the Tweedles, I tried to stop it and have done my justice. Velma: [worried] Please tell me you didn¡¯t- Marshall: [forceful] Just tell me what you need to tell me. Velma: [worried] Sissel has a power! [Marshall goes wide-eyed.] Marshall: [worried] Are you sure? Velma: [worried] Yes, very, I¡¯ve¡­ he¡¯s talking to dead people! And his friends have powers as well. Marshall: [worried] How do you know it¡¯s ghosts? [Velma sighs.] Velma: [worried] What else would it be? [Marshall nods slowly.] Marshall: It¡¯s not your fault. Velma: [annoyed] I know! This wouldn¡¯t have happened if the bloody storm hadn¡¯t- Marshall: [forceful] Calm. [Velma starts to take deep breaths.] Velma: [worried] I don¡¯t want my son to get hurt¡­ Marshall: I understand. If my kid was in danger then I¡¯d- Velma: [worried] But he isn¡¯t, is he? Because he¡¯s got you to look out for him. Sissel doesn¡¯t have that, I can¡¯t help him at all. I want Cecil to be protected, not prosecuted! Marshall: [angry] Do you think I¡¯m just killer? I¡¯ll blindly kill a kid? Velma: [annoyed] Well you did it to the Tweedles. Marshall: [angry] They destroyed our lives! You got a problem with that? Velma: [angry] I got a problem with you killing people! [Velma and Marshall stare angrily at each other, sighing.] Velma: [upset] What the fuck happened to us? Marshall: [upset] Things went wrong, that¡¯s all. I¡¯m going to fix them. Velma: [upset] You¡¯ve been saying that for years. Marshall: [upset] I mean it. [A phone can be heard buzzing ¡°Istanbul, not Constantinople¡± in the distant. Velma sighs, turning to get it.] Marshall: [upset] I¡¯ll look after your son. I promise. Velma: [hesitant] Thank you. [Velma goes over into the distance, finding her phone and answering it.] Velma: [confused] Hello? Conlon, hey¡­ what¡¯s wrong? [Velma listens for a bit. She quickly turns to Marshall, looking furious.] Velma: [angry, worried] Okay¡­ I¡¯ll call you back soon, okay, just stay calm for me. [Velma hangs up, pocketing her phone.] Marshall: [confused] What? Conlon called, was that not a good thing? Velma: [furious] What did you do? Marshall: [confused] What do you mean? I¡¯ve been with you all day. Velma: [furious] Conlon just called, he¡¯s been in hospital all week. What did you do? 3.13 - Drinking [Sissel and Talia are sat on a picnic bench outside college, both with bottles in their hands. Sissel¡¯s head is against the table while Talia is laughing to herself. They¡¯re near a quiet road, little traffic, along with the area being very far away from the actual support group. Goldberg is stood at the end of the table, looking between Sissel and Talia in disbelief.] Talia: [chuckling] You are a weird kid, y¡¯know that? Sissel: [groggy] It¡¯s true though! Goldberg said so! Talia: [chuckling] Goldie¡¯s dead, ya goofer! [Talia pats him on the head. Sissel leans up, groaning.] Goldberg: [disbelief] In honesty, I would not have expected this from you two. Talia: [groggy] Shame he¡¯s gone. He was nice. He bought me my first beer. [Sissel slowly turns around to Goldberg, smiling.] Sissel: [chuckling] Did he now, Mister Goldfish? Goldberg: [defensive] Stop it! Stop it, I¡¯m an adult and she took it without my knowledge! You can''t talk, you¡¯re in a bad state, you¡¯re drunk! [Sissel giggles, resting his head onto the table with a loud thump.] Talia: [groggy, whispering] So you see dead people? Sissel: [groggy, whispering] Sometimes. I can¡¯t tell, I don¡¯t go out much anymore. [Sissel enters a furious giggle.] Sissel: [giggling] I don¡¯t know why that¡¯s funny, it¡¯s sad. The fuck is this drink? Talia: [groggy, exaggerated] Oh, well, I believe this is known as mead milord! [Goldberg facepalms.] Goldberg: [disappointed] Oh my God... Sissel: [groggy, exaggerated] Milady, may I partake in the mead, sire? Goldberg: [annoyed] Okay, you are just messing with her now. [Sissel sits up straight, taking a deep breath.] Sissel: [groggy] Wanna hear a sad thing? Talia: [giggling] Yeah¡­ [Sissel looks around, then leans over to Talia.] Sissel: [whispering] I never met my dad. He ran off before I was born. [Talia frowns.] Talia: [upset] Aw, buby. [Talia goes over the bench, knocking over a bottle, and hugs Sissel. Goldberg looks at him surprised.] Talia: [groggy] It¡¯s okay, you can google him later. Sissel: [whispering] I don¡¯t even know his name, my mum won¡¯t tell me. What if he¡¯s really impressive? What if my dad is George Clooney? [Talia giggles, sitting up.] Talia: [giggling] Buby, your dad is not George Clooney. Sissel: [whispering] He could be though. [Sissel giggles at Talia.] Talia: [groggy] Okay¡­ I¡¯m sleepy, I¡¯m gonna sleep here. Wake me up when Eggy comes or you want more mead. [Talia lays down across the bench and immediately starts snoring. Goldberg moves in front of Sissel and crouches down.] Goldberg: [surprised] Do you really not know your dad? Sissel: [groggy] No¡­ we get into fights about it sometimes, it¡¯s not important. Goldberg: [surprised] Well it¡¯s important to me, I''m asking. [Sissel chuckles, poking Goldberg¡¯s nose.] Sissel: [groggy] Don¡¯t worry man, you¡¯re just a spoopy ghost. If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it. [Sissel chuckles more, looking down. Goldberg sighs.] Goldberg: Do you want to meet him? [Sissel puts on a fake smile to Goldberg, almost appearing sober.] Sissel: [hesitant] I¡­ I don¡¯t know. [Sissel starts to cry a bit, quickly stopping himself.] Sissel: [hesitant] I mean, what if he doesn¡¯t like me? Goldberg: You¡¯re his son. It¡¯s supposed to come naturally. Sissel: [worried] I don¡¯t know. I mean what are dads even like? I¡¯ve never known a dad. I¡¯ve never met Vince¡¯s dad, he¡¯s at work. Goldberg: You know, I¡¯m a dad. [Sissel chuckles.] Sissel: [groggy] No you¡¯re not, you¡¯re not¡­ Goldberg: I am. Adopted. Her name is Rachel, she fell out the sky into a bin. I just¡­ raised her. [Sissel smiles, quickly fading.] Sissel: [upset] Do you miss her? [Goldberg scoffs, putting on a smile.] Goldberg: [upset] I think too much. [Sissel nods slowly. He reaches over to the knocked over bottle, picking it up and looking in. The bottle still has a dribble in it. He chuckles, raising it.] Sissel: To Rachel¡­ and to Dad¡­ and Tracey¡­ Goldberg: [chuckling] Cheers. [Sissel downs the dribble left in the bottle. Eggy wheels herself out of the building, coughing quite loudly to get the attention.] Eggy: [confused] Excuse me? [Sissel and Goldberg look over.] Eggy: [confused] What is happening? You have been gone most of the session. Sissel: [groggy] Oh, well, we got into talk about our powers and became friends and then I talked to Goldberg and I¡¯m very drunk. [Eggy sighs, wheeling directly in front of Sissel and holding her hand out.] Eggy: [disappointed] I see. Lean forward. [Sissel leans towards Eggy. She pokes his forehead and, for a second, a blast of light shoots out his eyes for a second before vanishing. Sissel immediately falls to the ground, holding his eyes.] Sissel: [yelling] Holy fucking ow! [Eggy wheels over to Talia, doing the same thing. She immediately wakes up and jolts up in her seat.] Talia: [yelling] What the fuck? Eggy: [calm] Just sobering you up. We still have an hour or two, not going to have you both drunk while at my club. [Eggy turns and heads back.] Eggy: Come in when you¡¯re ready, we¡¯re getting the foam bats out soon. Talia: [strained] Oh okay, that sounds fun. Thanks Eggy. [Eggy gives a thumbs up as she enters the building. Sissel turns to Talia.] Sissel: [confused] What was that? Talia: [strained] She sobered us, it happens sometimes. [Talia gets up, helping Sissel to his feet.] Talia: [happy, strained] That was fun, we should do it more! I¡¯ll see you back in there. [Talia turns and walks back into the college building, coughing a bit of dirt up in the process. Goldberg appears next to Sissel, putting a hand on his shoulder.] Goldberg: The offer still stands. If you want. Sissel: [hesitant] Um¡­ just let me think about it. [Goldberg nods, fading away and leaving Sissel alone.] 3.14 - Hatters Call [Hatter stumbles down a street, looking clearly agitated and mumbling to himself. The road by him is surprisingly quiet, the surroundings being mostly houses and corner shops. However at the end of the street is a pub called the West Face. It¡¯s a very cube-shaped building with a flat roof, along with a large sign outside with a protruding wooden face that has a frown.] Hatter: [tired, crazed] Finally¡­ [The inside of the pub is rather small, with minimal windows and two large doors to enter. The way to the kitchen is behind the bar, which has a colourful rack of alcohol behind it. There is a large chandelier on the roof and about a quarter of a dozen different tables across the pub. There are only three people inside. One is dressed in all black behind the bar looking late teens, the other two are a couple in their mid forties in formal wear. Hatter enters, stomping over to the bar and laying the hat face down on the bar. The teen gives him a weird look.] Hatter: [crazed] Strongest thing here please. Teen: [worried] I¡¯m afraid that it¡¯s in the back. Hatter: [crazed, forceful] Just¡­ get it. Teen: [worried] Um¡­ right away. [The teen turns and heads into the kitchen. The hat starts to very slowly move away from Hatter along the bar, before he quickly snatches it and places it back on his head.] Husband: Excuse me? Wife: [quietly] No, honey. [Hatter quickly spins on his seat and faces the couple, both looking at him. The husband is unconcerned while the wife seems legitimately afraid of Hatter.] Hatter: [crazed] Is there an issue sir? I¡¯ve only come in for a drink. Husband: What¡¯s in your hat? Wife: [quietly] Just leave it. Hatter: [crazed] Let the man ask his question, Sandra? Wife: [confused] Sandra? Hatter: [crazed] My hat, you ask? Why it was moving? Husband: [concerned] Um, yeah. Just seemed a bit¡­ weird, y¡¯know? Hatter: [crazed] Oh yes. Oh yes yes yes yes yes. Very yes. [Hatter quickly moves over to the other two¡¯s table, large smile on his face.] Hatter: [crazed] Very weird. I¡¯m good with weird, you two like weird? Husband: [chuckling, nervous] Well been married ten years. [The wife slaps the husbands arm. Hatter enters a manic laugh, to which the husband enters a significantly more worried one. Hatter very abruptly stops.] Hatter: There¡¯s a cat in the hat. Wife: [worried] Pardon? [Hatter quickly flicks down the hat onto the table, face up.] Hatter: Would you like me to show you? [The couple inch away slowly.] Husband: [nervous] Well there¡¯s no need for that, let¡¯s just leave it. Hatter: [forceful] I insist. [Hatter reaches his hand into the hat. The couple watch in surprise as his hand sinks deeper into the hat. Meanwhile inside the kitchen, the teen is rummaging around through a crate of bottles. He pulls out a blue bottle.] Teen: [tired] Finally¡­ [The teen heads out of the kitchen with the bottle, back into the front of the pub. He pushes open the door.] Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. Teen: [loud] Sorry for the wait, sir, but I¡¯ve found your- [The teen goes silent as he walks out, seeing Hatter sat back at the bar covered in blood while the couple are both now dead and face down on the table with a variety of knives and swords stuck in their back while the hat is in front of them. Hatter quickly leaps over the counter, the teen backing away quickly, before Hatter essentially pins them to the wall by the neck. He smiles and takes the bottle off of him.] Hatter: Thank you sir. [Hatter reaches into the teens pocket and pulls out a small phone.] Hatter: I will also be taking this. [Hatter pockets the phone.] Teen: [strained] Please just go¡­ Hatter: [offended] Now¡­ that¡¯s no way to treat your customers. [Hatter quickly turns around and grabs the bottle. The teen screams as the bottle collides with his head. The scream stops following the collision and the boy falls limp to the floor, but Hatter follows the boy down and starts to smash the remains of the bottle against his head. After a few seconds of smashing, he stands back up in more blood. He sighs, looking at the hat. He hops back over the edge, pulling out the phone and starting to dial a number. He sticks it onto speaker and drops it on the bar. He takes a few deep breaths, closing his eyes. After a few seconds, the phone picks up.] Marshall: [over phone] Hello? Hatter: [yelling] Hey again, ya pasty prick! [There¡¯s a long sigh over the phone.] Marshall: [over phone] Good afternoon Hatter. How long has it- Hatter: [yelling] Five years! Five years you¡¯ve been trying to fuck me over, ya furry asshole! Marshall: [over phone] Harold, I¡¯m in the middle of something, do you mind if yelling at me at a different time? Hatter: [yelling] I took your cat. Marshall: [over phone] I don¡¯t own a cat. Hatter: [yelling] Don¡¯t lie to me, ya bellend! The cat! Marshall: [over phone, annoyed] What cat? [Hatter moves closer to the phone.] Hatter: [crazed] The cat you sent with the kids. Ya sent kids to kill me, like you been trying for five fucking years! Marshall: [over phone, confused] I¡¯m sorry, go back, kids? Hatter: [crazed] I thought you were low wanting to kill Ben and Evan, but using kids as weapons now? That¡¯s new for you. Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯m gonna deal with them. Marshall: [over phone, worried] Harold, I¡¯m serious, I want you to tell me what kids have been after you? Hatter: [crazed] Oh, you know¡­ you know, but don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ll make sure to take them off your hands. Marshall: [over phone, worried] For fuck sake, Harry, who are they? Harry! [Hatter hangs up the phone. He picks it up and quickly snaps it in half. He stumbles over to the hat as Cheshire¡¯s paw can be seen trying to pull itself out of the hat. Hatter goes over and picks Cheshire up out of the hat.] Hatter: [quietly] Sorry that you had to see that, little kitty. Don¡¯t worry, we¡¯ll sort this all out soon enough. Back you go. [Hatter smiles and drops Cheshire, who falls back into the hat and vanishes with a squeal.] 3.15 - Call to Arms [Marshall is banging his head against the back of the van, Velma pacing behind him. Alice walks out, cleaning up her face with the towel but still mostly covered in blood. Marshall is still holding his phone.] Alice: [confused] What the hell is going on, Marshall? Velma: [panicking] Harold, the fucking Hatter, is trying to kill my son! Marshall: [angry] We don¡¯t know that for sure. Velma: [panicking] And we don¡¯t know that it is NOT for sure! Alice: [defensive] Velma, will you try to calm down please? Velma: [panicking, angry] Alice, I swear to God I will beat your skull with your own fucking mask! [Marshall turns, growling and crushing the phone in his hand.] Marshall: [angry] Velma, shut up! Alice: [surprised] Jesus fuck, Marshall! Marshall: [angry] You can shut up and all! [Marshall flings the remains of the phone off into the distance.] Marshall: [angry] Whatever Harry has gotten himself into, this is serious! If he¡¯s thinking that everyone wants to kill him then he¡¯s gonna be on the fucking warpath. We have to deal with this before¡­ [Velma glares at Marshall, who looks at her and quickly sighs.] Alice: You know what, I¡¯ll just go start the van. Velma, need a lift? Velma: [faux-calm] Alice, dear, did you see Conlon this week? Alice: [confused] Um¡­ sorry, what? Velma: [faux-calm] Did you¡­ or did you not¡­ see Conlon this week? Marshall: [angry] Velma, there¡¯s no need for that. Velma: [faux-calm] Alice is an adult, she can answer her own fucking question. Alice: [worried] Velma- Velma: [angry] Alice, fucking answer! [Alice takes a deep breath.] Alice: [forceful] No. No, I have not seen your boyfriend recently. Is that a problem? [Velma sighs in relief.] Velma: [upset] Get in the van. [Alice backs away, heading into the van.] Marshall: [angry] That was unnecessary. Velma: [angry] Well someone must have gone to him, there¡¯s no other reason why he¡¯d be in there. Marshall: There is one reason. Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions. [Velma looks at Marshall, worried] Velma: What then? Cecil¡¯s dad is in hospital and won¡¯t tell me why, so I¡¯m open to any reason you may have? [Marshall sighs, stopping himself.] Marshall: [upset] Look¡­ Chesterfield isn¡¯t safe right now. Not while Harry¡¯s there, not while powers are everywhere, you need to stay safe. Velma: [surprised] Excuse me? Marshall: [upset] Go find Conlon. He¡¯s in Ireland which is far enough away to be safe, we¡¯ll deal with the problems here. Velma: [angry] Let me guess, that includes Cecil. Marshall: [upset] Only if he¡¯s a threat. [Velma groans, putting her face in her hands.] Marshall: [quickly] And if he has a power then we''ll talk to him. Velma: [angry] You never talked your way out of this! Not even for me! [Velma looks at Marshall, clearly upset.] Velma: [upset] If my son is hurt- Marshall: [defensive] He won¡¯t be. I promise. [Velma looks at him and sighs, holding her head.] Marshall: We need to go. Get in the van. Velma: [quickly] No. Marshall: [confused] We can¡¯t just leave you here. It¡¯s a pocket dimension. Velma: [upset] I¡¯ll just take the cab with Kenzie. Marshall: You can¡¯t do that, the cabby¡¯s dead. Velma: [angry] That hasn¡¯t stopped us before, has it? [Marshall nods slowly.] Marshall: You¡¯re right. [He starts backing away towards the car, opening the door.] Marshall: When you¡¯re right, you¡¯re right! [He gets in the van and locks the door, the van starting. Velma sighs as the van begins to drive away. She turns around and finds Kenzie stood in front of her.] Kenzie: Sorry. Didn¡¯t want to wait in the cab. Velma: I¡­ Kenzie: [quickly] Are you okay, mum? Velma: I¡¯m fine, honey. Just- Kenzie: [quickly] I think that it¡¯d be best for you to go. To dad. Velma: I can¡¯t just leave Sissel. Kenzie: [excited] I¡¯ll go to him. It¡¯s been a while, he¡¯ll probably be excited. [Kenzie smiles, Velma giving a weak one.] Kenzie: Come here. [Kenzie gives Velma a hug, sighing.] Kenzie: He¡¯s gonna be fine, I promise. 3.16 - Team Up [Hatter exits from the pub, a bottle of beer in his hand. Hidden behind a couple of cars, Leigh and Vince are hidden with new clothes on along with masks and weapons. They¡¯re both wearing black shirts, jeans and shoes with Leigh wearing a black body warmer. Vince is holding a wrench and a purple cat mask while Leigh holds a pipe and a purple cat mask.] Leigh: [quietly] There he is. Ready? [Vince nods. They both put on the cat masks and stand up over the cars.] Vince: [yelling] Hey jackass! [Hatter turns to face the two, chuckling for a moment.] Leigh: [yelling] I think it¡¯s time we had- [Hatter takes off his hat, reaches inside and pulls out a gun.] Leigh: [surprised] He¡¯s got a gun. Vince: [quietly] Yeah, I noticed. [Hatter starts slowly pointing the gun at them.] Leigh: [quietly] Well get your one out then. Vince: [quietly, embarrassed] Um¡­ about that¡­ I left it with Chelsea. Leigh: [yelling, worried] You did what? [Hatter takes a shot, Leigh and Vince quickly ducking behind the car.] Leigh: [panicking] Push the car! Vince: [panicking] On it! [The two throw their hands forward, the car suddenly driving straight towards Hatter. He quickly jumps out the way and onto the floor, looking to see Vince and Leigh running down the street.] Vince: [panicking] We need to get them to the swimming pool! Leigh: [panicking] Should we split up? Vince: [panicking] Just stop the bullets mid air! Leigh: [panicking] What the- no! I can¡¯t do that! Vince: [panicking] Why not? You¡¯re psychic! Leigh: [panicking] I just can¡¯t, okay? [There¡¯s another two gunshots. Vince and Leigh duck and turn a corner.] Leigh: [panicking] I¡¯ll lead them back, you do that mirror shtick! Vince: [panicking] Okay! Just don¡¯t get shot! Leigh: [panicking] No promises! [The two share a worried chuckle as Vince gains a reflective body and vanishes.] Leigh: [panicking, quietly] Okay¡­ let¡¯s try not to get shot. [Leigh continues running around the corner while Vince tries to stand in the way of Hatter as he moves forwards in his direction.] Vince: [worried] Please do something! [He holds out his hands in the way of Hatter and closes his eyes, inhaling sharply. Hatter proceeds to move forward and straight through Vince, his figure seeming to shift around Hatter as he passes. He exhales, turning to face Hatter with surprise.] Vince: [surprised] Right¡­ well that was bloody useless. White Rabbit: [forceful] That¡¯s not how it works. [Vince quickly turns back around to see the White Rabbit stood there, mask on and knife in hand.] Vince: [panicked] Shit. White Rabbit: [forceful] Language. [Vince turns around and starts to run but is quickly tripped by the blood covered March Hare, mask very loosely fitted on. She grabs him as he falls, moving on top and pinning him to the floor.] March Hare: [yelling] Tell us what we need to go and we¡¯ll be on our way, got it? Vince: [panicking] Yeah, sure, totally, one second. Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings. [Vince quickly pushes up March, her suddenly flying up into the air. Vince quickly gets up and backs away, keeping a hand up and keeping March suspended in midair.] March Hare: [panicking] Oy! Hey, ya prick! Vince: [panicking] Sorry, I¡¯m just- this is- I¡¯m just panicking! White Rabbit: [forceful] And if you can calm down then we¡¯ll explain ourselves, okay? [Vince looks at the White Rabbit, then up at the March Hare.] Vince: [panicking] She¡­ can stay up there. White Rabbit: [calm] Alright. Just don¡¯t overwork yourself. Nosebleed. [Vince looks at the Rabbit confused, wiping his nose. He checks his hand, seeing blood.] Vince: [quietly] Shit. White Rabbit: Now then¡­ out of respect, I¡¯ll be leaving the mask on. Vince: [stressed] I¡¯ve got enough shit right now, that¡¯s fine. White Rabbit: Now then¡­ where¡¯s the Hatter going? Vince: [confused] Sorry, what? White Rabbit: [angry] The Hatter! Where? Now! Vince: [quickly] We¡¯re leading him to the college! There¡¯s an old pool, we¡¯re gonna kick him in. White Rabbit: He¡¯s got a gun. Vince: So do we. [The Rabbit nods. Vince has started shaking.] White Rabbit: You should really drop my friend now. You¡¯re gonna push yourself too far. [Vince stares down the White Rabbit for a minute, then quickly pulls his hands to cover his nosebleed. Alice falls face down onto the ground.] March Hare: [strained] Fucking ow¡­ White Rabbit: Second question, important¡­ where¡¯s Cecil Mastin? [Vince looks at the Rabbit, worried.] Vince: [worried, forceful] Why? White Rabbit: He¡¯s become a person of interest. [Vince balls his hands, moving towards the Rabbit.] Vince: [defensive] If you so much as lay a fucking finger on my cousin- White Rabbit: [angry] Then there won¡¯t be much you can do about it! Now where is he? Vince: [defensive] I don¡¯t know, he hasn¡¯t talked to us in ages! He¡¯ll probably be at home with his mum having a nice cup of tea. And I don¡¯t imagine that he wants you knocking on his door! White Rabbit: [angry] I won¡¯t be! Now! [He looks to March, who has gotten up and is doing some stretches.] White Rabbit: [calm] I need you to take me to Hatter. Vince: [concerned] Why would I? White Rabbit: [faux-calm] Look, believe it or not, I¡¯m not the bad guy here. Vince: [angry] You¡¯ve killed people. White Rabbit: [faux-calm] Who were going to kill more. I don¡¯t need to explain my morals, so how about I explain this to you? If you don¡¯t bring us, then your friends are going to get butchered. [March walks back over to the Rabbit, placing her hand on his shoulder.] White Rabbit: [faux-calm] You don¡¯t have to trust us all the time, but just this one time¡­ you¡¯re going to need to let me help. [March slaps Vince on the arm.] March Hare: [forceful] Us. [Vince looks between the two, sighing.] Vince: [worried] What¡¯s the plan? [March chuckles and runs off down the street, cheering.] White Rabbit: We¡¯re going to break into a car and we¡¯re going to run over the Hatter. 3.17 - Starting a Fight [It opens on a swimming pool, completely shadowed but vaguely visible. The pool is completely drained, a bit of mould forming around the bottom, and is 50 metres long while 20 metres wide. There are a few lockers around the room, then two doors: one exit door and one to a storage room. Hatter very slowly enters through the exit door, gun quickly pointing around the room. He very slowly looks around the room, giving a quiet chuckle.] Hatter: [singing] Come out little kitty¡­ [Hatter takes off his hat and tosses it away near the storage room.] Hatter: [singing] It¡¯ll only take a minute¡­ [Hatter prances elegantly over towards one of the lockers, quickly knocking on it.] Hatter: [singing] Hello? [Hatter smacks the locker with the gun, quickly breaking it, then pulls the door open. He growls, pulling himself into it.] Hatter: [angry] Oh where are ya, ya furry fucks? [Behind him unnoticed, Chelsea appears in a sudden burst of air with a cup of coffee in her hand. Holding onto her by the shoulders are Leigh, Liv and Gary who are all wearing the pure black clothing with cat masks. Chelsea lowers the cup slowly onto the ground as they all look around. Liv pulls out the gun from behind Chelsea¡¯s back while Leigh moves a hand out and causes the hat to slowly move over towards him. Liv shakily starts pointing the gun at Hatter as Gary starts to sneak around the edge of the pool. Leigh eventually gets the hat over to his head, placing it on top of his head.] Leigh: [yelling] Now! [Hatter quickly turns and aims towards Liv. As he fires, Leigh forces the gun around and at a wall, Gary quickly squealing and ducking as the bullet flies near him. Chelsea grabs a hold of Liv and pulls her out the way towards the exit.] Chelsea: [panicking] Out, now! [Leigh moves towards Hatter as he pulls the gun back around towards him. Leigh quickly ducks out the way as Hatter fires again, using his power against Hatter¡¯s clothes to throw him back against the wall and pin him. Gary moves over at Hatter, trying to grab the gun out his hands.] Gary: [panicking] Leigh, give me a hand please! [Leigh quickly runs over towards Gary, as Hatter tries to fire the gun again. Gary panics and ducks out the way, accidentally losing his grip and Hatter quickly hitting him in the top of the head with the gun and knocking him out. Hatter then quickly forces his feet into a kick and knocks back Leigh. Leigh falls over and bangs his head, the Hatter dropping to the ground. He quickly picks himself up and moves over to Leigh, moving to kick him in the stomach. Leigh blasts Hatter away with his power and makes him slip into the pool. Hatter screams as he falls, Gary and Leigh both getting up.] Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon. Gary: [strained] It feels like my brain is leaking. Leigh: You¡¯re fine, just¡­ one sec. [Leigh and Gary go towards the pool as Chelsea comes back into the pool.] Chelsea: Liv¡¯s left, got the hat. Where¡¯s Hatter? [Gunshots start shooting out of the pool, the three of them collapsing onto the ground.] Hatter: [angry, crazed] Let me out of here you fucks! I swear to God when I get out of here, I¡¯m gonna fucking murder you! I¡¯m gonna kill you, then the Rabbit, then his kids! Are one of you his kids? Oh, he¡¯s got his fucking kids going hasn¡¯t he? Oh, the bastard! [Leigh looks up from the ground at Gary, looking confused.] Gary: [confused] I¡¯m sorry, kids? There are kids now? Leigh: [confused] Probably the guys who started the Storm. Let¡¯s just¡­ stay calm. Hatter: [angry, crazed] I¡¯m going to rip your heads off! Chelsea: [angry] He just said calm down! [Hatter starts to fire in Chelsea¡¯s direction, making her scream.] Leigh: [angry] Right, that¡¯s it! [Leigh places his hand on the ground and, suddenly, the gun shoots up into the air and collides with the ceiling. Gary stands up and moves over to the edge of the pool, hands out to catch the gun.] Gary: I got it! [The gun falls down towards Gary but Hatter suddenly pulls him down into the empty pool before he catches it.] Leigh: [panicked] Gary! [Gary quickly gets to his feet as Hatter swings at him, ducking before running down the pool. Hatter follows with a little prance, before leaping at Gary and grabbing his shirt collar. Leigh and Chelsea get up, Leigh pointing to the storage room.] Leigh: [panicked] Hide in there. Chelsea: [worried] Why? Leigh: [panicked] Shits gonna get bloody. [Leigh jumps down into the pool. Hatter throws Gary into the wall of the pool, making some tiles fall off of it. Leigh charges forward and tackles Hatter onto the ground.] Gary: [strained] Yeah¡­ get him mate¡­ [Leigh quickly sits up on top of Hatter and goes to punch him, but the Hatter moves his head and Leigh punches the tiles on the pool. He groans in pain as the Hatter grabs his head and headbutts him, knocking Leigh off. As Hatter is getting up, Gary runs over and kicks him in the face which knocks him back down. He helps Leigh to his feet and they both back away.] Gary: [panicked] Be honest, do we have a plan? Leigh: [nervous] Would it be cocky to say ¡°win¡±? Gary: [panicked] Yes! Leigh: [nervous] Well then¡­ win. [Gary sighs as Hatter gets back up, wiping blood from his forehead. Leigh and Gary very quickly charge towards Hatter, giving a battle cry.] 3.18 - Joining a Fight [Sissel is helping put the chairs back into stacks with Bugsy and Talia as the rest of the Support group are talking near the front of the college.] Bugsy: So¡­ how was it? Sissel: Me? Bugsy: Yeah, obviously! It¡¯s your first time, how was it? Sissel: [thinking] It was¡­ y¡¯know, it was nice. Talia: [quickly] Your time here was intoxicating. [Sissel chuckles and punches Talia in the arm.] Sissel: [chuckling] Shut up. Bugsy: Gonna come for next week¡¯s session? [Sissel thinks for a moment, stacking the last chair into the pile.] Sissel: [hesitant] Um¡­ well¡­ I can consider. Goldberg: You really should. Maybe you¡¯ll be sober next time. [Sissel turns around to see Goldberg surveying the area.] Sissel: Seriously, shut up! Bugsy: [confused] We didn¡¯t say anything¡­ Talia: Oh yeah, apparently he¡¯s talking to Richard. Bugsy: [confused] But he¡¯s¡­ oh. Oh! Oh my god! Wait! [Talia chuckles.] Talia: I¡¯ll see ya next week Bugsy. [Talia pats Sissel on the back.] Talia: See you next week. I¡¯ll bring drinks next time. [Sissel smiles as Talia leaves, heading towards the group near the door.] Bugsy: [surprised] Sorry, um¡­ been a while, trying to register, you see a dead guy? Sissel: A lot of them. Still kinda getting used to it, so¡­ Bugsy: [surprised] Right¡­ oh my God- wait, is there a God? Sissel: [worried] Are you okay? Bugsy: [surprised] The amount of questions I have about, like, religion and stuff now- Sissel: [worried] I think it helps not to think about it. Bugsy: [surprised] Sure, works for you, you can see every¡­ one¡­ [Bugsy sighs, looking at Sissel. Sissel looks behind at Goldberg then back at Bugsy, the two both visibly confused.] Sissel: [worried] Now what? Bugsy: [concerned] Have you seen¡­ y¡¯know- Sissel: [quickly] I¡¯ve seen Tracey, yes, let¡¯s stop that conversation. I¡¯ll see ya soon. [Sissel turns and starts leaving with Goldberg. Bugsy hops after Sissel.] Bugsy: [concerned] Wait, mate, if you can see her- [Sissel quickly turns to face Bugsy, grabbing his hoodie and pulling him close.] Sissel: [angry] She¡¯s gone! I can¡¯t! Don¡¯t fucking ask! [Bugsy stares at Sissel, scared, while Sissel quickly calms down and drops Bugsy. He backs up slightly.] Sissel: [worried] Sorry¡­ that¡¯s not- Bugsy: Oh, it¡¯s fine! Sensitive topic. Besides we¡¯re a support group, just talk when you¡¯re ready. [Bugsy pats Sissel on the shoulder.] Bugsy: [happy] I¡¯ll see ya soon mate. [Bugsy smiles. Sissel nods slowly, then turns and walks off with Goldberg.] Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon. Goldberg: He¡¯s awfully nice, isn¡¯t he? Sissel: [worried] Yeah, let¡¯s try and never do that again. Goldberg: Oh definitely. Try not to get all violent, it¡¯s not gonna help considering¡­ recent things. Sissel: [worried] Definitely. [Sissel and Goldberg walk down past the group, waving them bye. They exit the college and, as they do, Sissel gets tapped on the shoulder. He turns around and sees Chelsea, wearing her brown blazer and white shirt with splodgy red spots. She gives a smile.] Chelsea: Hey buddy. How¡¯s your day been? Sissel: [confused] Fine¡­ um¡­ are you- Chelsea: Future one, yeah. Sorry, thought I¡¯d stop by and let you know¡­ someone is about to die. Sissel: [worried] Excuse me? Goldberg: [concerned] Ask her if it¡¯s the Rabbit? Sissel: [worried] Who? [Chelsea chuckles, pushing herself to be stood up properly.] Chelsea: We¡¯re currently in the swimming pool of the college fighting against the Hatter. [Goldberg looks worried.] Goldberg: Shit. Chelsea: Sissel, in a few moments, you are going to play a very important part in stopping someone from dying. But you¡¯ll need to go soon. Sissel: [worried] Okay, when do I go? Where do I go, I don¡¯t know where that is. [Chelsea takes Sissel¡¯s hand and pulls him over onto the edge of the road. She points down the road, mostly empty apart from a single parked car and a van speeding at the bottom of the road. She points at the distant edge of the College building.] Chelsea: That is the swimming pool¡­ [She turns and points at the van, now turning towards the pool.] Chelsea: And the Rabbit is about to make a door for you. [The van, holding a screaming Vince between the White Rabbit and bloody March Hare, quickly reaches the building and plows through the wall. There¡¯s a loud crashing noise and the van almost completely vanishes into the building. Sissel and Goldberg look at the building, shocked. Eggy quickly comes out to meet Sissel, worried.] Eggy: [worried] What on earth was that? Sissel: [concerned] Keep everyone inside, I can handle this. Eggy: [confused] What- Sissel: [yelling] I said I can handle this! [Sissel quickly starts running towards the large van-size hole in the wall as Goldberg, Chelsea and Eggy watch.] Goldberg: [worried] He¡¯s gonna get himself killed¡­ Chelsea: Best you deal with that then. [Goldberg quickly turns to face Chelsea, surprised. She gives a wink and pats him on the back.] Chelsea: Go on. You know what to do. [Chelsea smiles and walks off, Goldberg quickly running after Sissel. Eggy wheels herself back into the college.] 3.19 - Ending a Fight [Inside the empty pool, there is now a large white van stuck in there. The front is completely crushed, the windows are smashed and there¡¯s smoke coming out of the front while the back of the van is still balanced on top of the pool. Leigh and Gary are cowering from the other side of the pool, looking at the van.] Gary: [panicking] What the fuck was that? What the fuck was that? Leigh: [confused] It was a van, just¡­ try to calm down. Gary: [panicking] Why are you so fucking calm? [Leigh turns and slaps Gary.] Leigh: [yelling] I¡¯m not, shut up! [The two go silent, turning back to the van. They slowly step towards it.] Gary: Think it hit him? Leigh: [worried] I don¡¯t know, why do you think I¡¯m checking? Stay here. [Gary backs up at the same speed as Leigh goes towards the van. He looks through one of the doors as it completely breaks off. He moves hesitantly closer and eventually stares through the smoke. He slowly gets a clearer view of the March Hare having Hatter in a choke hold before flinging him into the wall of the pool, knocking tiles down where his head has collided. He falls to the ground as Vince runs over and kicks him back over. Hatter rolls then kicks Vince in the stomach. Leigh goes wide eyed.] Leigh: [surprised] Holy shit. [On the other side of the van, Hatter is back on his feet and takes a swing at the March Hare who barely ducks under it before following with a punch in the stomach. The White Rabbit quickly runs over and then grabs Hatter by the face, swinging him into the wall. He turns to face Vince.] White Rabbit: [calm] You go and get everybody out, we¡¯ll take this from here. [The Hatter takes out his gun and tries shooting at the White Rabbit. He ducks along with Vince as the bullet travels by, Vince making the tiles behind Hatter hit him in the back.] Vince: [panicked] Well, if you say so. [Vince turns towards the van and starts crawling through the front seats. He makes it to the other side and sees a surprised Leigh looking at him.] Vince: [panicked] Hey buddy, we should go! Leigh: [worried] What the fuck are they doing here? Vince: [panicked] Dealing with the problem, just come on! [Leigh helps Vince to crawl out the van as they move back, hearing the fight behind the van. Gary joins them as there¡¯s a sudden loud clattering noise in the back of the van. They look worried towards it, Leigh using his power on the van and tearing open the side slightly. Vince copies Leigh and the van suddenly tears wide open, revealing a panicked Sissel covered in blood across his face, hands and chest stood over the body of Stanley. He quickly raises his hands, panicked.] Vince: [surprised] Cecil? Gary: [shocked] Jesus fuck. Sissel: [panicked] I swear to fuck, I didn¡¯t do this! Leigh: [surprised] What are you doing here? Sissel: [hesitant, embarrassed] Um¡­ [The White Rabbit goes flying through the front of the van, sliding across the bottom of the pool. Sissel looks at him, worried, as he sits up and gets back on his feet.] Sissel: [terrified] What the fuck is he doing here? White Rabbit: [strained] Helping. Vince: [worried] Look, it doesn¡¯t matter! We need to go! Sissel: [terrifed, confused] Fucking¡­ well come on then! [Sissel hops out the van as the group head over to step in, the White Rabbit running over the front of the car and leaping at Hatter. Sissel looks around, then at his feet. He sees the gun. Gary goes up the van, carefully avoiding Stanley¡¯s body. Sissel stops Leigh as he¡¯s about to go up.] Sissel: [worried] Where¡¯s Chelsea? And Liv? Leigh: [panicked] Liv got out, I think Chelsea did too. [Sissel nods slowly.] Sissel: [worried] Okay. [Vince runs into the van, Sissel following behind. Vince manages to jump out of the back of the van but it falls as Sissel gets closer, the entire vehicle now inside the pool. Sissel panics, collapsing onto his back.] If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. Vince: [panicked] Cecil! You okay? [Sissel crawls out of the van, getting to his feet and looking to the group.] Sissel: I¡¯m fine! Leigh: [worried] Don¡¯t worry, mate, we¡¯re going to get you out! Sissel: [worried] No! No, it¡¯s fine! Just go, I¡¯ll be fine! Gary: [panicked] You can¡¯t be serious! Vince: [panicked] Cecil, we are not leaving you! [The Hatter and March Hare suddenly charge through, Sissel heading back into the van.] Sissel: [yelling] Just go! [Vince moves to go in, but Gary grabs him and pulls him back.] Gary: [worried] He¡¯s right, we need to go. Vince: [angry] I am not leaving my cousin in there! Gary: [faux-calm] Oh, well in that case¡­ [Gary quickly punches Vince across the face, knocking him out.] Leigh: [angry] Gary! Gary: [panicked] Oh, shut up! We need to go, come on! Help! [Leigh sighs, reluctantly grabbing a hold of Vince. The two drag him out of the hole in the building. Sissel, sat inside the van, is holding the gun tightly. He looks next to him to see Goldberg equally panicked.] Sissel: [quietly] I can¡¯t do this, can I? Goldberg: [panicked] You kinda have to. Hatter is very insistent, he will try whatever he can to kill them. Sissel: [quietly] But this is- [Goldberg quickly moves to Sissel, facing him.] Goldberg: [panicked] Look¡­ listen to me, you doing this would be a good thing. You would be saving a lot of innocent people. You¡¯re sure as hell not going to sleep well at night, but you¡¯ll have done something more important than you¡¯d realise. [Sissel looks to Goldberg, chuckling.] Sissel: [quietly, angry] Is that what you said to yourself at night? Because that doesn¡¯t fucking work for me. [Goldberg sighs, moving to look out the van. Outside, the Hatter drags the March Hare by the hair towards the van and starts smashing her head against the van. On the second hit, he lets go of her and she falls unconscious to the ground. The White Rabbit quickly runs up behind him and kicks him into the van. He takes a piece of shrapnel from the torn up van and pulls it off, proceeding to strike it through Hatter¡¯s left leg. He screams, the Rabbit grabbing his collar and throwing him onto his back on the floor. He stands over him as the Hatter holds his leg, proceeding to swiftly kick him in the stomach. Hatter groans, entering a mad chuckle.] White Rabbit: [angry] You know the worst part about wasting my time here? These fucking kids aren¡¯t even involved. [He crouches down, grabbing Hatter by the throat and keeping him down.] White Rabbit: [angry] You¡¯re still as fucking crazy as ever. One thing seems wrong to you and you decided to let the world fucking burn. [He moves on top of Hatter, his laugh becoming strained.] White Rabbit: [angry] I saw that little stunt you pulled back there, with the bank. Think people wouldn¡¯t be after you? You¡¯re an idiot¡­ a psycho, even to me, you always fucking have been. [Hatter pushes more of a laugh out. The Rabbit drops his grip, punching the floor next to him.] White Rabbit: [angry, yeling] What is so fucking funny? [Hatter smiles, gasping for air.] Hatter: Oh, you just¡­ tickled my sides. [Hatter quickly lunges at the Rabbit, stabbing him in the side. The Rabbit yells and falls to the ground, to which the Hatter proceeds to then quickly stab the Rabbit a few times in his leg. He pushes himself back up, chuckling.] Hatter: Now¡­ you wait here¡­ I¡¯m going to go deal with the girl. [Hatter painfully hobbles away, groaning with each step. Inside the van, Sissel is taking slow deep breaths and hugging the gun. Goldberg is sat in front of him.] Goldberg: He¡¯s going. This is our chance. Sissel: [quietly, panicked] I can¡¯t. Goldberg: You have to. Okay, I¡¯m sorry, I¡¯m genuinely sorry¡­ but you have to. [There¡¯s a loud clattering over the top, the two looking up at the ceiling.] Sissel: [quietly, panicked] Okay¡­ oh god, okay. 3.20 - Bang [Chelsea is sat, panicking, in the storage room. The room has a few shelves on the walls that are holding paint buckets, brooms good five feet into a brick wall and nearly smashing straight through and endless plastic boxes full of random items. Chelsea is in the corner between two shelves, hiding behind a large metal ladder. Her breath is frantic, she has her eyes closed and is trying to calm down. The room is completely dark and she¡¯s barely able to see. The door to the storage room very slowly opens, light seeping in from around the Hatter as they slowly enter the room. His footsteps thud forwards as he arrives in front of Chelsea.] Hatter: [crazed] Hi again. [Chelsea quickly gets up and barges the ladder over, knocking it into Hatter. She runs past towards the open door but Hatter grabs the ladder and hits Chelsea in the back with it. She screams in pain and falls to the ground, Hatter going over and pulling back into the room by the foot. He moves by and pushes the door, leaving a crack of light coming in. He moves back towards Chelsea and kicks her in the face.] Hatter: [crazed] So I dealt with your boss¡­ thought I¡¯d give you the honour of going first. [She starts to try and crawl away out of the room, but Hatter grabs her and pulls her to her feet, dragging her towards a wall.] Hatter: [crazed] While we were down there¡­ he gave me this great idea¡­ [He hits her against the wall, starting to choke her. He chuckles.] Hatter: [crazed] It¡¯s fun¡­ very satisfying. [She struggles, trying to pull his hands away.] Hatter: [crazed] I can see why he does it this way. Feels very personal. [She tries to speak, but he covers her mouth.] Hatter: [crazed, quietly] Stay calm, I¡¯m nearly done. [There¡¯s the sound of a gun loading, getting Hatter and Chelsea¡¯s attention. The lights in the room flicker on to show Sissel shaking in the doorway, pointing the gun at Hatter. He scoffs, dropping Chelsea and backing up slightly. Chelsea falls to the ground, holding her throat and gasping.] This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it. Hatter: [crazed] Well that¡¯s adorable¡­ you know how to use that, kid? [Sissel continues shaking.] Sissel: [shakily] Get out Chelsea. [Hatter moves in front of her, slowly lowering his hands.] Hatter: [crazed] She¡¯s not going anywhere. No one is. [Hatter keeps coming closer, chuckling.] Hatter: [crazed] God¡­ you really shouldn¡¯t be here. It¡¯d be best you go before I hurt you more than I want to. [Sissel keeps the gun pointed at Hatter.] Hatter: [quietly] Turn around¡­ and run. Sissel: [shaking] No. Hatter: [crazed] Excuse me? Sissel: [shaking] I am not going¡­ without her. [Hatter scoffs, grabbing Sissel¡¯s collar.] Hatter: [crazed] Alright, you little shit- [Sissel panics. A very sudden loud gunshot goes off, Hatter freezing in shock. He tries to speak, but Sissel shoots two more gunshots and he falls backwards, onto the ground next to Chelsea. She panics, backing away from Hatter quickly. He gives a weak laugh on the ground, holding his stomach. Sissel drops to his knees, dropping the gun and staring at Hatter.] Chelsea: [panicked] Holy shit. Holy fucking shit. [Sissel keeps staring at Hatter as he slowly falls out of consciousness. He screams and breaks down, curled into a ball while knelt on the ground. Goldberg scrambles over Sissel, holding him and trying to look him in the eye.] Goldberg: [panicked] Hey, Cecil, look at me! Okay, try to look at me, please. Come on, Cecil¡­ Stay with me mate, just try to look at me. Please¡­ [Goldberg turns around and sees Hatter¡¯s body, a pool forming on the ground. He sighs, looking between him and Chelsea.] Goldberg: [panicked] Look, you¡¯re gonna be fine. Okay? You saved someone¡¯s life. You¡¯re going to be fine, I promise. I promise. 3.21 - Cleaning Up [The White Rabbit stumbles into the storage room clutching his side, seeing the scene of a broken Sissel, a panicked Chelsea and an unconscious dying Hatter. He sighs.] White Rabbit: Shit¡­ [He stumbles forward and crouches down at Hatter¡¯s body, Chelsea backing away from him slightly. He looks over Hatter, running his hand down his body and feeling the three gunshot wounds on his body.] White Rabbit: [upset] What happened here? [Chelsea looks up to the White Rabbit, worried.] Chelsea: [hesitant] What? White Rabbit: [upset] What¡­ happened to him? [Chelsea looks between Sissel and Hatter, trying to calm her breathing.] Chelsea: [panicked] He¡­ he attacked me. He was trying to choke me then¡­ S-Sissel came in and he shot him- White Rabbit: [forceful] No. Chelsea: [panicked] What? White Rabbit: [forceful] That¡¯s not what happened, okay? I¡¯m keeping you both safe, so you need to understand that it didn¡¯t happen. Okay? [Chelsea nods quickly, worrying.] White Rabbit: [upset] Right¡­ good. Now¡­ tell me what really happened. Chelsea: [worried] Um¡­ the-the Hatter¡­ attacked us. White Rabbit: [quickly] Drove a van through the wall. Chelsea: [worried] Um¡­ yeah. A-and he¡­ he tried to shoot us¡­ but broke down and¡­ h-he shot himself. [The White Rabbit nods slowly, getting to his feet. He steps over Hatter and gives a hand to Chelsea.] White Rabbit: [upset] Good start. Get up. [She hesitantly takes his hand. He pulls her up as Alice comes in, holding her head and blood coming from underneath her mask. She immediately sees the body of Hatter.] March Hare: Well shit! White Rabbit: [upset] Yeah, we did that already. [March nods slowly, looking down at Chelsea and Sissel.] March Hare: Well get them to fuck off and I¡¯ll start doing the cleaning. [The White Rabbit nods, dragging Chelsea out the room. She pulls her hand away.] Chelsea: [confused, scared] Wait, what is- why? Why are you doing this? You want to kill us one day, then you save us the next, what is wrong with you people? [The White Rabbit turns to face her.] White Rabbit: [forceful] I made a friend a promise. Some of you matter, some of you don¡¯t. Where do you want to stand? Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. [Chelsea stays quiet, nodding slowly before starting the White Rabbit out of the room. He leaves as Sissel sits up, turning his attention to March as she gets a hold of the body.] Sissel: [stammering, panicking] How¡­ d-did you know? [Chelsea turns, listening.] March Hare: [confused] Know what? Sissel: [stammering, panicking] I was having a fit¡­ March Hare: [chuckling] Oh, that¡­ yeah, I just heard about it. Did you a favour though. [She picks up the Hatter, no longer bleeding.] March Hare: So you¡¯re welcome. [She gives a smile as they very suddenly disappear. The White Rabbit suddenly grabs Chelsea and pulls her along, leaving Sissel alone.] Chelsea: [defensive] Hey, I can¡¯t just leave him! White Rabbit: I¡¯ll deal with him, don¡¯t worry. [Chelsea growls and punches the White Rabbit in the back, making him cry in pain and hold his side. He turns and grabs her by the throat.] White Rabbit: [forceful] He is going to be fine. I promise. [He very slowly lets go of her neck, turning and hopping down from on top of the crushed van. He hops down again and reaches around in the front, Chelsea moving closer and looking down over the edge. He very quickly pops up and slams a thermos at her feet, making her yelp from surprise.] White Rabbit: The usual blend. Get out of here. Now. [The Rabbit starts to climb back up as she very hesitantly picks up the thermos. He starts moving back towards the storage room.] Chelsea: [hesitant] C-can we trust you? White Rabbit: No. But like I said, I made a promise¡­ [The White Rabbit turns to Chelsea, staring her down as she starts to drink.] White Rabbit: You¡¯ve become people of interest. [Chelsea very suddenly vanishes and moves into the living room of the clubhouse. It¡¯s late at night, the room completely dark. Chelsea very quickly drops the thermos once she¡¯s there, pulling out her phone which lights up the room. She calls someone, putting it to her ear and beginning to panic again. The other end picks up.] Chelsea: [panicking] Leigh? I need everyone at the club, now. It¡¯s important. Yes, I¡¯m fine, just¡­ everyone! Now! 3.22 - Epilogue [The door to Sissel¡¯s house very slowly opens late at night. He stumbles in, the door being quietly shut behind him. He flicks the light on to his living room as he stumbles a little bit more around the corner, then collapses onto the sofa. Goldberg stands above him, sighing.] Goldberg: Come on, Sissel, talk to me¡­ [He crouches down, looking at him.] Goldberg: We can¡¯t stay silent about this, okay? We need to talk. [He puts his hand on Sissel¡¯s arm. Sissel doesn¡¯t move.] Goldberg: [worried] Come on, Sissel, say something. [Someone clears their throats behind them. Goldberg slowly turns around and sees Kenzie stood in the room, a big smile on her face.] Kenzie: Mind if I try to help? Goldberg: Who are you? How the hell did you get in? Kenzie: I wanted to get in. Simple. [She moves over to Sissel, laying a hand on his shoulder.] Kenzie: [sweet] Cecil? Sweetie? You there, buddy? [Sissel very slowly starts to turn, looking to see Kenzie with a big smile.] Kenzie: [sweet] Hey again. Sissel: [depressed, confused] How are you- [Kenzie quickly shushes Sissel, putting a hand over his mouth.] Kenzie: [sweet] Don¡¯t worry about that. Okay, you¡¯re very tired and we have a lot to talk about tomorrow. [Kenzie slowly moves her hand onto Sissel¡¯s forehead.] Kenzie: [sweet] Just get some sleep for me. [Sissel immediately falls unconscious, going limp on the sofa. Kenzie gets up, turning to Goldberg.] Goldberg: [confused] Who the hell are you? Kenzie: [sweet] Oh¡­ guardian angel, twin sister, imaginary friend. It¡¯s mainly whatever works at the time. [She beams a large smile, holding it in front of Goldberg.] Kenzie: Call me Kenzie. I¡¯m going to be staying around for a while. [Goldberg very hesitantly moves a hand out and shakes hers. Meanwhile at the clubhouse, the group are all together. Leigh and Chelsea are sat together on the sofa, Vince is stood in the doorway thinking and Liv is pacing around the centre of the room trying to call Velma. Gary is unconscious on the floor, snoring, with Cheshire resting next to him.] This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience. Chelsea: [panicking] Is she picking up? Liv: No, she hasn¡¯t all day. Leigh: [forceful] Look, we don¡¯t know for certain any of this- Liv: [angry] Do we? She knew about powers immediately, she didn¡¯t consider anything else! Leigh: [angry] You shouldn¡¯t have told her about it in the first place! Vince: [worried, yelling] Will you two shut up? [The three look towards Vince, who looks annoyed. Vince turns to face Liv.] Vince: Call her one more time. [Liv nods and rings Velma¡¯s phone again.] Vince: Let¡¯s just go slowly. He said there were ¡°people of interest¡±, did he name any names? Chelsea: [worried] No. But he helped me and Sissel, he told us our alibi basically. Vince: Right¡­ Chelsea: [worried] Oh god, he killed a man. Vince: In self defence. He¡¯s not a psycho. Leigh: [quietly] Considering how he¡¯s acting recently- Vince: [angry] Don¡¯t fucking start, not now. [Leigh is about to retort, but Vince stares Leigh down. Liv pockets her phone.] Liv: His mum won¡¯t pick up. Vince: [worried] Right¡­ okay then¡­ [Vince gets off the door frame, moving towards the group.] Vince: Here¡¯s what¡¯s going to happen. We are going to find my cousin and we do not let him out of our sight, we do not let him be alone. If the White Rabbit knows Sissel, done something to his mum, anything like that¡­ [Vince sighs, looking at the ground and putting his face in his hands.] Leigh: He can handle himself, can¡¯t he? Liv: [angry] We are not risking it. Chelsea: I can try and go back, find out where she went. Leigh: No, you¡¯ll just put yourself in more danger. Vince: [angry] Well we need to do something. [Leigh and Vince look at each other, Leigh hesitantly nodding.] Leigh: [hesitant] Okay¡­ yeah, okay. [Leigh sighs.] Liv: We''ve already lost Tracey, we¡¯re not losing anybody again. If this guy is coming for us- Vince: [angry] Then we are gonna put him¡­ in the fucking ground. 4.1 - An Old Friend [The train station, at this moment, is empty. There are no people or trains in sight on the platform. The station itself is very cold, coloured with the faintest blues and greys across the brick walls along with a single sign reading ¡°Chesterfield¡±. The tracks look an unhealthy brown, covered completely in rust. The platform is covered in litter and the two vending machines are almost empty. Rather suddenly, a white train with yellow stripes on it starts to pull into the station. The train seems incredibly underpopulated with only a handful of people visible from the windows. The doors to the train slowly slide open, a man stepping out. Looking 35 years old, bald. His whole outfit is a black buttonless blazer over a striped sweater, mixing with dark and light blue, with a white button shirt poking out of the bottom. His trousers are neat, looking newly ironed, and his slip-on shoes look newly bought. The man carries a briefcase in his left hand. He steps out of the train and moves over to a metal bench, flaking with blue paint. He sighs as he takes a seat and, a few moments later, the train closes it doors before rushing off again. He looks around the area for a moment, seeing it empty. He chuckles.] Humphrey: I know you¡¯re here somewhere. That trick is hardly going to work on me again. [To Humphrey¡¯s side, a shimmer of light grows as glass begins to fix into place in the shape of a person. The glass effect slowly fades away into a person, Marshall appearing in its place. He¡¯s wearing a red shirt and jeans, with scruffy beige work boots.] Marshall: [chuckling] Okay, can you blame me for trying? Humphrey: No, I suppose not. [Humphrey turns to Marshall with a smile, quickly turning into a guffaw.] Humphrey: [stuttering] S-sorry. Sorry. Marshall: What? What is it? Humphrey: Well, I just¡­ didn¡¯t expect to be invited here on casual Friday! Marshall: Well I can hardly keep wearing my Sunday best like someone I know! [He playfully punches Humphrey in the arm. Humphrey groans in pain, grabbing his arm.] Marshall: Sorry¡­ forgot. Humphrey: It¡¯s fine, really. Hardly an issue, you know that. Marshall: Yeah, I suppose. [Marshall gets up from the chair and starts walking in from the platform.] Marshall: Coming then? [Humphrey gets up, following Marshall. They enter the actual station and find it to be just as deserted, the shops completely empty and the ticket booths containing a single passed out worker. They head immediately for the way out.] Marshall: So then! Duncan- Humphrey: Marshall, please. We hardly need the formalities. Marshall: Coming from the guy in the suit. Humphrey: Oh ha ha. Really, call me Humphrey. Or Humph. I don¡¯t mind. [The two exit the train station and reach the car park, finding a white van parked directly outside.] Marshall: Okay then, ¡°Humph¡±, get in the van. Humphrey: As bossy as ever I see. This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience. [The two share a chuckle as they get in the van. Marshall is quick to start it, beginning the drive away from the station. Humphrey keeps the briefcase down by his feet.] Humphrey: So then, why did you really call me out here? I know you well enough to know that I¡¯m hardly here to meet the wife and kids. [Marshall gives a side glance to Humphrey, sighing.] Marshall: It really is nice to see you, y¡¯know? Humphrey: I know. You¡¯re like a brother to me. Now tell me what the job is. [Marshall nods.] Marshall: Open the glove box, take out the envelope. [Humphrey opens the glove box and pulls out a brown envelope. He opens it to find pictures inside.] Marshall: I need some people being taken care off. Humphrey: [relieved] Okay then¡­ mind if I ask why? [He takes all the pictures out, having a total of five. One image is taken from a distance of Leigh and Chelsea having a drink outside a coffee shop. Another shows Liv walking somewhere. The next two are school photos of Sissel and Vince, only taken a year ago. After that is a picture of Gary that appears to have been taken from a security video in a shop.] Marshall: The Storm. It hit again and they pose a threat to me. To us! Humphrey: [surprised] Right¡­ I see¡­ do they have powers? Marshall: All of them were in the Storm, so I would think yes. Although he¡­ [Marshall leans over and points to the image of Gary.] Marshall: He doesn¡¯t seem to know his yet. Humphrey: Perfect for me then. [Marshall nods.] Marshall: One last thing, these two. [He points to the pictures of Sissel and Vincent.] Marshall: I want you to make sure they don¡¯t get hurt. Humphrey: [chuckling] Oh really? Since when did you go soft? Marshall: Look, I made promises to people that they¡¯d stay safe! I¡¯m not breaking them! Humphrey: Fine, fine¡­ the long haired one, that¡¯s Velma¡¯s boy isn¡¯t it? Marshall: Yes, actually. Humphrey: Huh¡­ looks like his father, wouldn¡¯t you think? [Marshall doesn¡¯t answer, the car stopping at a red light. Humphrey quickly puts the photos back in the envelope and pockets it into the inside of his blazer.] Humphrey: Okay then, I¡¯ll do it. Anything for an old friend. And your little exceptions will be fine, I promise. Marshall: Thank you. [The lights change as Humphrey gets a smile on his face.] Humphrey: Do you still have it? [Marshall gets a smug smile on his face.] Marshall: I couldn¡¯t resist, I bring it everywhere. Check the glove box again. [Humphrey gets clearly excited, opening the box up again. He gives a happy laugh as he pulls out a mask. It¡¯s smooth, rounded and skin coloured. There are no human features on it, it is completely blank. He is very quick to put the mask on, a perfect fit for his face. He turns to Marshall who looks to him and gives a smile.] Humphrey: Fits like a glove! Marshall: Yeah, I know¡­ welcome back ¡°Dumpty¡±. 4.2 - After Hours [The van parks just outside of a quiet coffee shop called ¡°Afterhours¡±. The shop is mostly full inside, bustling with business and conversation, however the outside is rather barren. There are three white plastic tables, all with two chairs by them. Only one has a customer being Alice, wearing a white shirt with roses across it and jeans and bare feet. On her table, there are three cups of coffee. She sees the van park and smiles, getting up from the chair. Hoping out from the passenger side is Humphrey, who immediately smiles to Alice. Marshall gets out, walking around the front.] Marshall: Now, I realise you two haven¡¯t met yet but this- [Alice walks over and hugs Humphrey.] Alice: Pleasure to finally meet you Humph. Humphrey: And you! How¡¯s he keeping? Alice: Marshall? Same as usual. [Marshall stares at the two in surprise, Alice winking to him over the shoulder. The hug breaks.] Alice: Take a seat then, if ya staying. [Alice sits back down as Humphrey turns to Marshall, still surprised.] Marshall: [confused] Um, sorry, how did- Humphrey: We met in a chatroom. Come on, Marshall, take a seat [Humphrey pulls a chair over from another table and sits down. Marshall very hesitantly sits in the free seat and rests his hands on the table.] Marshall: Okay then¡­ okay then. Alice: I already ordered us three coffees, I hope that¡¯s alright. Humphrey: Sorry, um¡­ not to be rude, but I¡¯m not a fan of coffee. Alice: That¡¯s fine! Don¡¯t worry! [Alice very eagerly skids Humphrey¡¯s coffee cup in front of her.] Alice: I am quite the coffee fan! [She gives a happy giggle as she starts to drink. Humphrey starts to get up.] Humphrey: I¡¯ll just run and get some- [Marshall quickly gets up.] Marshall: No, I¡¯ll do it! I insist, I¡¯m the one that invited you here! Humphrey: But- [Marshall shushes Humphrey, moving to the door. Humphrey slowly sits down.] Marshall: No buts! I¡¯m doing this for a friend, it¡¯s the least I can do! [He enters the coffee shop, Alice giving a scoff as she turns to Humphrey. He smiles at her again.] Alice: Y¡¯know¡­ I haven¡¯t seen him that happy to see someone in a long time. Humphrey: Well¡­ I suppose that it¡¯s helpful that he invited me here. To do a job, bare in mind. Alice: Oh I am, don¡¯t worry. I do have a question, if you don¡¯t mind me asking. It¡¯s kinda been eating me up since Marshall called you. Humphrey: [chuckling] Alice, ask away. I am nothing but an open book! Alice: How the hell do you know Marshall? Only time I¡¯ve met people that he¡¯s known has either been from the old team we¡¯re trying to kill or people coming to HIM! Humphrey: Oh, well that¡¯s simple! We went to school together. [Alice chuckles, drinking some more.] Alice: Really? Because I presumed he just came out of the womb and stabbed the surgeon. Humphrey: [chuckling] Well no! Sadly no, I wish that was true. No¡­ we met in primary school, we¡¯ve always been friends. [Alice leans over, getting close. Humphrey closes the distance, clearly entertained.] Alice: [whispering] But you have a superpower! Humphrey: [whispering] Yes I do. Alice: [whispering] You shoulda joined the team! [Humphrey rests his hands on the table.] Humphrey: [whispering] Alice, I¡¯m disabled. I couldn¡¯t help as much as you think. [The two pull away from each other, getting comfy in their seats. Humphrey relaxes and leans back.] Humphrey: Besides! When did you turn up? 2008? ¡®09? [Alice nods.] Humphrey: Exactly! You missed the college years. If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. [Humphrey gives a wink and a smirk. Alice is about to ask another question when Marshall comes out with another cup.] Marshall: Hot chocolate, that still your favourite? Humphrey: [excited] Oh yes! Gimme! [Marshall hands Humphrey the drink and sits down. Alice slowly smiles as she watches Humphrey drinking.] Marshall: So then, did I miss anything? Alice: [smug] No, of course not, just asking questions. Marshall: Like what? Hell, I can probably answer half of them. Alice: [smug] Well¡­ I was just curious when Humph was getting married. [Humphrey does a partial spit-take into his cup, Marshall looking at him in shock. Marshall shares a look between the two as he places the hot chocolate on the table, sighing.] Humphrey: Well it was meant to be a surprise but... [He smiles to the two, holding up the back of his hand and showing a golden ring on his ring finger. Marshall smiles immediately, leaning in to look at it.] Marshall: [surprised] Oh my god! Humphrey: Thanks Alice. [She winks at him.] Marshall: [surprised] When did this happen? And why wasn¡¯t I invited? Humphrey: [happy] I swear that I tried to call you! Let you know! You must¡¯ve changed your phone number! Marshall: [surprised] When was it? Humphrey: [happy] This summer! In June! It was a very spur of the moment decision, I was in¡­ I believe it was Vegas with June¡­ Alice: Yeah, you already said June. Humphrey: Oh no! June Duncan, Mrs Duncan. She¡¯s an art teacher, you¡¯d love her, she is beautiful and artistically a genius. Hell, she made even made this happen! [He points to the ring, smiling. He pulls his hand back, gently rubbing the ring while keeping the smile.] Humphrey: We¡¯d been together for a while and just thought¡­ ¡°Well why not?¡± Marshall: I¡¯m happy for you, Humphrey. Humphrey: Yeah, so am I. [He clears his throat, readjusting himself in the chair.] Humphrey: Hardly had much else going on outside of married life and contracts. Alice: [quickly] Oh right! The contract! The kids! We¡¯re going to need a plan for that. Humphrey: Oh, no worry at all! I planned it all on the way here, it¡¯s sorted. Alice: What¡­ [She turns to Marshall for confirmation, responding with a smug smile.] Alice: Wait, seriously? You¡¯ve barely been here ten minutes! Marshall: He¡¯s a fast worker. Humphrey: Indeed. Now then, that group¡­ I believe it¡¯s a case of protecting two and killing the rest? Marshall: Exactly. Alice: I think he¡¯s gone a bit soft¡­ Marshall: [defensive] I¡¯m not. Humphrey: [chuckling] That¡¯s what I said! Marshall: [defensive] Hey, I¡¯m not! Humphrey: Anyway! The easiest target, by far, is Mister Gary Edward Gray. Apparently in the lightning storm yet has no current power, making him the current target. Alice: Well how are you going to get him? Humphrey: Well I contacted the College and simply said ¡°Hello, I¡¯m the substitute¡± with the hopes they¡¯d need one. Apparently they have a position for the counselling sessions and Mister Gray has signed himself up for an hour each week. Now it is¡­ [Humphrey pulls down his right sleeve and checks a watch on his wrist, smiling.] Humphrey: Roughly ten minutes past twelve and his appointment is scheduled for one o¡¯clock. If Marshall would care to give me a lift to work after our drinks it would be much appreciated. [He starts to chug his hot chocolate. Alice turns to Marshall, jaw slightly agape.] Alice: [surprised] He has been here¡­ about fifteen minutes. Marshall: Yeah¡­ he¡¯s that good. 4.3 - The Counsellor [Humphrey walks down a corridor at the college, a few students flooding the corridors on the way to their lesson. The corridor has a dark green wallpaper with oak flooring and small lightning above. He¡¯s quickly analysing the corridor when a student runs by and accidentally bashes him into the wall, making him groan very loudly in pain. He pushes himself forward against the wall and finds himself against a door, grabbing quickly to the handle and ducking inside of it. He pushes the door shut, leaning on it for a moment while rubbing his side.] Humphrey: [quietly] Ow¡­ [Humphrey turns around and analyses the room. It¡¯s a very small room, with a table in the middle and two cushioned chairs on either side of it. There¡¯s a work cabinet on the side, with a collection of five Russian nesting dolls along it while all out of order in size. He chuckles a bit, going over to them and picking one up.] Humphrey: Well isn¡¯t that cute¡­ [He starts to open them up and put each doll back inside of the other again. As he¡¯s doing this, the door opens up behind him.] Gary: Excuse me? [Humphrey turns his attention to Gary, stood in the doorway and looking nervous. He¡¯s wearing a black shirt with a red collar and sleeves, along with the Red Lantern logo on the front. He also has on jeans and black sneakers.] Gary: Is this the room for the private counselling? Humphrey: Mr Gray, I presume? Come in, please, take a seat. [Gary nods, closing the door behind him. Humphrey picks up all the Russian dolls, holding them in both arms.] Humphrey: Awfully busy today, isn¡¯t it! Gary: Yeah, well¡­ people have been a bit hectic after the Storm recently. Humphrey: Yes, I¡¯ve heard. [Humphrey takes a seat opposite to Gary, both sitting on the chairs. Humphrey proceeds to drop the nesting dolls on the table, only three left.] Humphrey: I¡¯m new to the area so, if you don¡¯t mind me asking, what happened with that? Gary: Oh, um¡­ some people got struck by lightning. A lot of students are coming out of hospital from it apparently. Humphrey: Well¡­ I can certainly expect more people at my doorstep from the sounds of things, heh. [Gary gives a nervous chuckle, looking down to the table. The room is silent for a few seconds before Humphrey slowly pushes over the Russian dolls, all together now, in front of him.] Humphrey: There. Not too hard. [Gary looks up, confused, at Humphrey.] Humphrey: I am Humphrey Duncan, call me Mr Duncan or Humph if you¡¯d prefer, I don¡¯t mind. And Mr Gray, you are here for¡­ what exactly? [Humphrey leans back. Gary scoffs a bit.] Gary: Sorry, I¡­ it¡¯s my first time, I- Humphrey: Oh don¡¯t worry! Complete ambiguity, nothing you say will leave this room. Gary: No, um¡­ I was expecting more questions like ¡°How are you?¡± or ¡°How¡¯s the family?¡± or ¡°Here, sign this piece of paper for us¡± stuff like that. Humphrey: Well¡­ I¡¯d like to think I¡¯m quite successful in my methods but if this is the route that you wish to take then okay! [He adjusts himself.] Humphrey: How is your family, Mister Gray? Do you have a good relationship? Gary: W-well, I, um- Humphrey: Or would you prefer to talk about what you came here to talk about? Gary: I¡­ guess that. Humphrey: Excellent. Go on then. Gary: Okay¡­ I¡¯ll be honest, you¡¯re a bit of an asshole. Humphrey: Yes, it¡¯s in the job, do go on. [Gary sighs, fidgeting in his seat a bit as he tries to sit up straight. He taps his fingers against the back of his hand.] This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it. Gary: Well, um¡­ I¡¯m under a lot of stress recently. I¡¯m not, like, sad, I¡¯m just¡­ not handling things as well as I think I should. Humphrey: Right then¡­ do you think you know what¡¯s causing your stress? Gary: [chuckling] Oh, I have no idea, um¡­ y¡¯know, maybe I¡¯m just naturally- Humphrey: The biggest cause of stress is work-stress, tell me about your course here. Do you feel as if you¡¯re being overworked? Gary: [nervous] I-I feel like I¡¯m being overlooked! You keep interrupting. Humphrey: You were about to tell me you thought it was natural. The only natural thing I believe it could possibly been is the Storm, do you think so? If we¡¯re blaming nature. [Gary gives him a glare, more confused.] Gary: I¡­ are you a real counsellor? Humphrey: I am, I¡­ I apologise, I¡¯m definitely being rude. If you¡¯ll allow me, can we start from the beginning? I do want to help, I swear. [Gary sighs, leaning back in the chair.] Gary: I just don¡¯t want to be here, honestly, I feel like this was a mistake. I¡¯m just¡­ I¡¯m stressed! That¡¯s it! Humphrey: There¡¯s always more to it. Gary: There really isn¡¯t. Humphrey: Okay¡­ okay, one moment. [Humphrey reaches over and grabs the Russian doll, holding it in front of Gary.] Humphrey: Try and personify your stress in the russian dolls. Gary: [confused] Oh¡­ okay then. Humphrey: Now consider that this is the surface level, okay? This is your stress as you see it, simple enough. Now if we were to look deeper into it¡­ [Humphrey very quickly starts to open up the Russian dolls and lay them out in front of Gary, facing him. Each face on the doll shows different emotions with a smile, frown, snarl, cry and gasp. The dolls are presented in order of biggest to smallest.] Humphrey: You will see that there are multiple factors in creating, fueling and maintaining stress. Gary: [confused] But there¡¯s still another doll, the one that doesn¡¯t have anything in it. Humphrey: I¡¯m working on it, but you see my point! Yes? Gary: I¡­ I guess I do. Humphrey: Good. Now¡­ this smallest one. This represents the¡­ the heart of the problem. [He taps on the head of the small one with the gasping face.] Humphrey: This is where we want to get by the end of these sessions. We want to deal with the things currently encompassing it until¡­ [He picks it up and chucks it to Gary, who fumbles a bit as he catches it. Humphrey then pushes the rest of the dolls off the table.] Humphrey: We can understand it and we can resolve it. Understand? Gary: Um¡­ yes? Humphrey: Good. You can keep that. Gary: [concerned] Is this yours? Humphrey: No, but I don¡¯t like the Russian dolls so you can entirely keep it if you want. Gary: I¡­ will! Okay then! [He pockets the small doll, Humphrey smiling.] Humphrey: Now¡­ I apologise for being rude earlier. I apologise if my methods are¡­ well you can see them as improper or wrong, really. But understand that I do want to help you, okay? Your stress is, as ridiculous as you may think, a serious issue that we will work together to help. Okay Mister Gray? [Gary hesitantly nods.] Humphrey: And you¡¯re sure? Completely and fully sure? Gary: Yeah¡­ yeah, of course I am. Humphrey: Great. [Humphrey smiles and leans in closer to Gary.] Humphrey: Now then¡­ what¡¯s been bothering you? 4.4 - Accosted [Humphrey is stood in the corner of a car park in front of college, gently leant against a car with his briefcase resting on top of it. The students are flooding out the doors of the college, some in groups and holding conversations while others stay on their own. He¡¯s on his phone, staring towards the entrance to the college as the students leave.] Alice: [over phone] What you got then? Humphrey: Well¡­ on Mister Gray, he¡¯s stressed apparently. So at the very least, he¡¯s made himself out as quite a loose end for us to deal with. Along with that, I can hardly say his superpower allegory is subtle. He calls it a club, that¡¯s all. A secret club he¡¯s not allowed in, it¡¯s rather juvenile. Alice: Yeah, well it sounds like him. Anything else? Humphrey: He apparently has plans tonight. I may go and follow behind him. [Humphrey looks around the crowd and sees Gary heading out of college with Leigh and Chelsea. Leigh is wearing a beige hoodie and green shirt while Chelsea wears a blue jumper and is keeping her blonde hair in a ponytail. Humphrey can¡¯t hear what they¡¯re talking about, but Gary seems distant from the two.] Alice: Oh, that¡¯s great! I¡¯ll let Marshall know he¡¯s basically dead! Humphrey: What? No! Alice, that¡¯s hardly a confirmation that I can do any- and she¡¯s already hung up. [He checks the phone, confirming that to himself.] Humphrey: [annoyed] Okay¡­ okay then. [He moves his focus back onto the trio, seeing Gary giving his goodbyes and being ignored by the chatting Leigh and Chelsea. He sighs and leaves them to talk, Humphrey giving a sigh. He frowns as he notices someone catch sight of Gary and begin following after him with a smirk. This man is dressed in a dark blue raincoat, a black shirt and has a light blue cap covering up his face. Humph glances at Leigh and Chelsea as they walk in the opposite direction, quickly grabbing his briefcase and hopping after them.] Humphrey: [shouting] Excuse me! Excuse me, you two! [Chelsea turns to Humphrey as he runs across the road, bashing Leigh in the arm to catch his attention. Once Humphrey makes it across the road, Leigh turns and perks up.] Leigh: Oh! Um, hey? Humphrey: Sorry to bother you both but I believe you both know Mister Gray? Chelsea: [confused] Gary? Yeah, what about him? Is he okay? Humphrey: It¡¯s probably nothing, does he happen to know a man in a blue cap? I¡¯d say navy coat? Black shirt? [Leigh and Chelsea looked over to each over, confused.] Leigh: Um¡­ I¡¯ve known him for years, don¡¯t think I¡¯ve seen him with anyone with a blue hat or anything. Humphrey: Noted, thank you both. [Humphrey quickly begins to follow after Gary and the man in the blue hat. Chelsea gives an exasperated sigh.] Chelsea: [shouting] Wha- hey! Seriously, is Gary okay? Who are you? If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. Humphrey: [shouting] A concerned citizen! [Chelsea sighs as Humphrey quickly runs off after Gary. Leigh takes her hand, chuckling.] Leigh: [exaggerated] And he was never seen or heard again, how spooky! [He gives an evil laugh as Chelsea punches him in the arm.] Chelsea: [chuckling] Dick. [Meanwhile with Humphrey, he continues to follow Gary and the mystery man, maintaining quite a distance. He starts to open up his briefcase as he walks, reaching in and pulling out a pair of leather gloves. He closes and holds the briefcase under his arm while quickly putting the gloves on. The three all end up reaching a crossing. Gary and the man manage to cross but, as Humphrey tries to, the lights change and cars start quickly speeding by. Humph groans as more people start to build up in front of him.] Humphrey: [quietly] Oh for goodness sake¡­ [He maintains a watch on the two. He sees the man in the hat starts to slightly speed up and suddenly wraps his arm around Gary¡¯s shoulder. Gary tries to move away but is quickly accosted by him into a nearby alley, unseen by the others on the street. Humphrey very quickly reacts by running into the road, narrowly dodging by a car that honks its horn at him. He continues running over and reaches the other pavement, quickly running around to look into the alley. He quickly sees Gary held up against the wall by the man in the hat, a small boxcutter held up pointing towards his throat.] Mugger: [aggressively] All I want you to do, simple enough, is empty your pockets. What¡¯s so fucking hard to understand about that, you fucking moron? Gary: [forceful] I don¡¯t have anything! Mugger: [aggressively] You really want to fucking lie to me? Gary: [forceful] I¡¯m not lying to you! I don¡¯t have anything to give you! [Humphrey rolls his eyes, holding the briefcase now by the handle with both hands.] Humphrey: [mumbling] I hate the North¡­ Mugger: [aggressively] Here¡¯s what¡¯s going to happen, shithead. I¡¯m going to count to three and by the time- [Humphrey proceeds to launch the briefcase over his head and at the Mugger¡¯s own head, making him quickly collapse to the side into a collection of bins.] Mugger: [pained] Aah, fucking Christ! [Gary stays backed up into the wall, looking surprised over towards the entrance of the alley and seeing Humphrey stood there. The Mugger picks himself up, looking over to Humphrey.] Humphrey: Terribly sorry, my hand must have slipped. Am I interrupting something or¡­? Mugger: Run off mate, this isn¡¯t your problem. Humphrey: [chuckling] Well then¡­ [Humphrey takes a few more steps forward, stretching his neck a bit. It makes a very audible cracking noise before he shakes himself off and looks to the Mugger.] Humphrey: We clearly haven¡¯t been introduced. 4.5 - The Mugger [Humphrey slowly enters the alley, kicking away an empty can as he closes the distance between himself, Gary and the Mugger. He keeps a smile on him as the Mugger reaches to grab the briefcase, the boxcutter now pointed towards Humphrey.] Humphrey: So then, what¡¯s your name? Is it Ryan? [The Mugger, possibly Ryan, frowns and begins backing up a little into the rubbish.] Ryan: [confused] What? Humphrey: Okay then, not Ryan. What about Lawrence? Lawrence: [confused] What are you on about? Humphrey: Steven? Steven: [annoyed] Will you shut up? Humphrey: Okay Steven. Steven: [shouting] My name is not Steven! Humphrey: [shouting] Well we¡¯re hardly going to get anywhere if we¡¯re not on a first name basis, are we? [Humphrey subtly steps closer.] Humphrey: Now then, Leslie- Leslie: [angry] I fucking swear- Humphrey: [quickly] You do that a lot, now then. My name is Humphrey, his name is Gary. Leslie: Why the hell should I care?! Humphrey: Well Leslie, from experience, I find that you¡¯re less likely to hurt someone if you know something about them. [Leslie growls at the nickname, moving towards Humphrey.] Leslie: How the fuck is the name ¡°Gary¡± gonna stop me? [Humphrey steps over.] Humphrey: Well¡­ one more step and I¡¯ll tell you. Leslie: [confused] What? Humphrey: Take another step towards me and I¡¯ll tell you why it matters. Leslie: [angry] What the fuck are you on about? Humphrey: [interrupting] I won¡¯t ask again, Leslie. Leslie: [angry] Stop fucking calling me- [Leslie raises up the boxcutter and tries to stab Humphrey with it. In reaction, Humphrey quickly grabs a hold of Leslie¡¯s arm and cracks the wrist, making Leslie scream and drop the knife. Humphrey quickly spins him around to have his arm behind his back and be facing in front of Humphrey.] Humphrey: There you go, just one step. Not too hard. Leslie: [angry] You¡¯re a fucking freak. Humphrey: No, I¡¯m efficient. Gary! [Gary quickly perks up, confused.] Gary: Be a good lad and grab the briefcase for me. [He nods and goes over to grab it. Leslie perks up a bit and gets an idea. Very quickly he pulls away and smashes the back of his head into Humphrey¡¯s face, creating a loud smashing sound. He immediately crumbles back, grabbing onto his face and letting Leslie go. In response to this, Leslie turns around and punches Humphrey across the jawline with a loud cracking noise. Humphrey screams in pain as he collides onto the ground with his nose, jaw and teeth broken while profusely bleeding. Leslie backs up and starts kicking Humphrey on the ground, more loud cracking noises heard. Gary turns with the briefcase in his hands, seeing Leslie boot Humphrey in the ribs and in the leg. Almost immediately the leg breaks and bends back slightly. Gary drops the briefcase, surprised.] Gary: Hey! [Gary quickly grabs the boxcutter on the ground as Leslie turns to face him. As Gary tries to point it at him and threaten him, Leslie launches himself at Gary and grabs him by the hand with the boxcutter. He pushes Gary back by the hand and into the bins, Gary falling on top and over them as Leslie manages to pull the knife out of his hands and quickly stabs it through Gary¡¯s shoulder. Gary screams.] Leslie: You stupid fuck! You thought you could fucking do anything? [Humphrey, broken and bleeding behind leslie, slowly pulls his hands up onto the ground and starts to pull himself up. He groans in pain, gathering Leslie¡¯s attention.] Leslie: [annoyed] What, you still not fucking done? [Leslie walks over, looming above Humphrey. Humphrey¡¯s hands clench together as he slowly gets himself resting on top of his broken leg while the other tries to pull the resting leg up. Leslie growls a bit.] Leslie: [annoyed] Fucking idiot. A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation. [Leslie kicks Humphrey in the other leg which breaks in half and makes Humphrey crumble down in pain. However in almost half a second, Humphrey¡¯s leg snaps back into place and he moves back to being comfortably knelt on the ground.] Leslie: The fuck¡­ [Humphrey moves the other broken leg around, snapping quickly back into place and allowing him to crouch. Humphrey stands up as his body audibly breaks back into place, his caved in ribs snapping back into a healthy position. He stares down Leslie, who looks horrified, as the bleeding stops. He grabs his nose and breaks it near enough back into place, healing itself and looking brand new. He grabs his off-centre jaw with one hand and easily breaks it back into place.] Humphery: [panting] Now then¡­ shall we start again? [Leslie, wide-eyed, rears back and punches Humph across the face. His jaw again breaks, however very quickly snaps back into place. With Humphery bent over, Leslie punches him in the back which also breaks. On the ground, Leslie starts to stomp violently on him while Humphrey quickly heals back to health. Leslie gives a dozen kicks into Humphrey¡¯s back as he¡¯s on the ground, all the broken bones immediately healing. He backs away from Humphrey, panting. Humphrey proceeds to quickly get back onto his feet, cracking his back a bit in the process. Humphrey groans in disappointment, looking over to Leslie. He spits some blood out onto his shoes, looking him in the eye.] Humphrey: Okay then¡­ let¡¯s not. [Leslie prepares to attack with the boxcutter, but Humphrey quickly swats the hand away. He grabs Leslie by the hair and pulls him towards the left wall of the alley, smashing the side of his head into it. Humphrey quickly grabs him under the ear and continues smashing him into the wall, eventually breaking his ear and cutting him just above it. Humphrey stops for a moment as Leslie drops onto the ground, crying and bleeding out the side of his head, dropping the boxcutter at their feet.] Leslie: [blubbering] S-stop, please¡­ I-I¡¯ll stop it, I¡¯ll go away¡­ [Humphrey crouches down in front of Leslie, looking him over. Leslie stares at the floor, slowly starting to hold the side of his head.] Leslie: [blubbering] I-I won¡¯t hurt anyone, I¡¯ll do good, I-I¡¯ll give him back his stuff and- Humphrey: Shush. [Leslie looks up from the ground at Humphrey.] Leslie: W-what do you mean? [Humphrey very quietly grabs the boxcutter in his left hand, pushing the blade out as far as it could go.] Humphrey: It is very hard to focus¡­ when you don¡¯t stop talking. [Before Leslie can say anything, Humphrey quickly covers his mouth and pushes him over. Leslie kicks and attempts to scream, muffled under Humphrey¡¯s right palm. He quickly moves around the boxcutter and shoves the blade deep into Leslie¡¯s cut. Almost immediately, Leslie falls limp and stops moving. His eyes stay open as his head falls limp, collapsing onto the ground. Humphrey gives a sigh, quickly retracting the blade into the boxcutter and standing up above Leslie.] Humphrey: Do rest well, young man¡­ [He looks up to Gary on the bins, seeing that he¡¯s still bleeding and has become unconscious. He moves over to him, prodding the stab wound gently and causing it squirt a very small amount of blood out. He hums to himself.] Humphrey: Minimal bleeding, nothing vital has been hit¡­ [Humphrey nods to himself in confirmation as he moves over to the briefcase. He unlocks it and pops it open, revealing his featureless skin-coloured Dumpty mask, a second pair of leather gloves, a disassembled handgun and a roll of bin bags next to a small towel all held in a felt padding. He removes the roll of bin bags and closes the briefcase, turning his attention back to the bleeding body of Leslie.] Humphrey: Let¡¯s clean you up first. [He unrolls a bin bag and pulls it off, resting the roll on top of the unconscious Gary as he proceeds to get to work.] 4.6 - The Hotel Room [Gary very slowly starts to wake up, hands immediately travelling to his head as he groans.] Gary: [strained] Oh jesus... [He sits up, looking around where he is. He looked down at himself and sees that he¡¯s laid down on a leather sofa with a blue and white striped blanket on top of him. He takes it off of him, flipping himself around the sofa and seeing the room. The room is all painted a dull beige colour, with a television at one end of the room. There¡¯s a single bed which is neatly kept, Humphrey¡¯s briefcase kept at the end of it. There¡¯s an open door that leads into a bathroom and a door that¡¯s closed. Gary gets up, looking around quickly before heading towards the door. Before he can get very far, Humphrey enters with a cup of coffee and a plastic bag. He perks up, while Gary remains surprised.] Gary: Oh God, hello! Humphrey: Evening. Are you okay? You took quite the beating out there? Gary: Oh, um¡­ y-yeah, I¡¯m fine, I think? [Humphrey chuckles a bit, closing the door behind him.] Humphrey: Would you care to sit down? If that doesn¡¯t trouble you at all. Gary: I¡­ um, sure, I guess. What time is it? [Humphrey sets the plastic bag on the bed, drinking some coffee.] Humphrey: Oh, about eight o¡¯clock. You were out for the count, as far as I could tell. Gary: Really, I¡¯m fine- Humphrey: [quickly] You were stabbed in the shoulder. Gary: [panicking] I was what?! [He quickly reaches for his shirt, pulling it up slightly to see a large bandage covering his shoulder.] Humphrey: After that rather¡­ unlikable young man attacked us, I took you back here, my hotel room. Thought it¡¯d be best to get you patched up. Gary: I¡­ um¡­ [Gary sits up, turning his attention back to Humphrey who is currently unpacking the contents of the plastic bag to a few polystyrene boxes and wooden forks.] Gary: T-thanks but¡­ didn¡¯t you get hurt? Humphrey: Oh no, I¡¯m fine. Completely. [He grabs a fork and box, handing it to Gary.] Humphrey: Pie and chips? [Gary very hesitantly reaches out and takes the box, opening it to see a pie and chips.] Gary: Um¡­ thank you¡­ seriously, are you okay? [Humphrey nods, opening his own polystyrene box to reveal some chips and a battered sausage.] Gary: It¡¯s just¡­ I heard him kicking you and you- no offense to you, at all, but it sounded like you just fell apart. There was so much breaking noises- Humphrey: He cracked a rib. That¡¯s all. [He looks to Gary and smiles.] Humphrey: Mister Gray, I assure you, I am completely fine. [Gary nods slowly. He sighs and closes the box of food, getting to his feet.] Gary: Sorry, I should¡­ I should really go home. Humphrey: Mister Gray, with respect, I don¡¯t think that¡¯s incredibly safe for you. The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. Gary: No, I-I¡¯ll be fine, I promise, I just¡­ I really need to get home, do some stuff, y¡¯know. College work! Humphrey: Well if there¡¯s an issue, your tutor or whoever is in charge can come to me and I¡¯ll explain the situation to them- Gary: That''s really not necessary, I promise. Humphrehy: Well at least let me contact your parents if you¡¯re going- Gary: [quickly] No! [Humphrey frowns in confusion. Gary sighs.] Gary: I, um¡­ I¡¯m sorry, I just¡­ I¡¯d rather not tell them about tonight. If that¡¯s okay. [Humphrey gives a small smile, taking a bite from his chips.] Humphrey: I believe I mentioned to you¡­ in one form or another¡­ something along the lines that ¡°complete confidentiality¡±? Gary: Nothing I say leaves the room. Humphrey: Precisely. If you feel it¡¯s best, I won¡¯t tell your parents. Gary: Okay¡­ thank you, Mister Duncan¡­ Humphrey: It¡¯s no problem, Mister Gray. [Humphrey smiles, quickly eating more from the box.] Gary: Are you new to counselling? Humphrey: In a fashion, yes. It¡¯s not exactly my usual line of work. Gary: Right¡­ sorry if that sounded rude, I just¡­ most counsellors don¡¯t keep secrets like that. Humphrey: Well I think we can both agree that we¡¯re both not most of anything. I¡¯m not most counsellors just as you are not most average teenagers. Am I correct? [Humphrey looks up at Gary, staring. He hesitantly nods.] Gary: I should really be going- Humphrey: [quickly] One moment! [Humphrey eats another chip and gets up, taking out his phone.] Gary: W-what are you doing? Humphrey: Mister Gray, it is currently eleven past eight at night and you were mugged at only half four this afternoon, I cannot let you walk home alone in good faith. Gary: Oh, y-you don¡¯t have to do that, it¡¯s fine. Humphrey: With all due respect, I¡¯m not giving an option. [He dials a number into his phone, moving towards the door.] Humphrey: I¡¯ll just be outside, I need to make sure I can use the car. You stay here. [Gary nods, sitting down on the bed. Humphrey smiles and leaves the room, closing the door. He gives an annoyed sigh, walking down the corridor to make distance from the room. The corridor is a dull brown with a red floral carpet and bright lights above. There are only two other rooms along the corridor, opposite to Humphrey¡¯s. The phone picks up.] Marshall: [over phone] Humphrey! How are you? Humphrey: I¡¯m fine. Alice didn¡¯t tell you about me being able to do the job yet, did she? Marshall: [over phone] She did, but she was just excited, she gets like that. Humphrey: That¡¯s good, because I¡¯m about to disappoint you. Marshall: [over phone] What do you mean? Is something wrong? Humphrey: I don¡¯t know if I can kill Mister Gray. 4.7 - Angel of Death [Humphrey is stood in the brown corridor of a hotel on the phone with Marshall, his back against one of the walls and looking particularly miserable.] Marshall: [over phone] What do you mean you can¡¯t kill him? Humphrey: Well I¡¯d argue it¡¯s rather self-explanatory. Marshall: [over phone] Well why not then! Humphrey: It¡¯s¡­ Marshall, the type of clients I normally get are criminals that are able to walk free, rich people that abuse power, whistleblowers and saboteurs along with very particular individuals with abilities that pose a threat to people¡¯s safety. Marshall: [over phone] But they do! They all do! Humphrey, one of them shot the Hatter dead. One of our own. Humphrey: I¡¯d be more convinced if he hadn¡¯t already become a panicked maniac, I believe you actually put a hit on him at one point did you not? [Marshall groans across the line, Humphrey giving a small smile.] Marshall: [over phone] Come on, Humph! Humphrey: I¡¯m sorry but from what I can tell they¡¯re just kids. Very troubled kids that are out of their depth, granted, but not anything worth the murder. [Marshall sighs.] Humphrey: From what Mister Gray told me, two of his friends live in broken households. A former friend of theirs died a few months before they joined their College, Gary himself was mugged this morning before I interjected! Marshall: [annoyed] What? You- why? Humphrey: In my defense, the mugger did put quite a number on me and seemed to pose a risk. Marshall: Okay, I¡­ I guess that¡¯s fine. Humphrey: Good. Look, I¡¯m sorry Marshall, really. But as far as I can tell- Marshall: [forceful] Do the ¡°Angel of Death¡±. [Humphrey freezes for a moment, surprised.] Humphrey: [shocked] I beg your pardon? Marshall: If you don¡¯t think that they deserve to die, give them a chance to prove it. Do the ¡°Angel of Death¡±. Humphrey: [shocked] You know that I reserve that for very specific people. Marshall: Humphrey, please, I need you to trust me. These kids are dangerous with what they can do and I can¡¯t risk anything happening because of them. Can you, please? For me? [Humphrey sighs, pulling away the phone to groan at the ceiling.] Humphrey: So we¡¯re clear, the two with the school photos. They¡¯re still off-limits, so to speak? Marshall: You don¡¯t lay a finger on them. Humphrey: Right¡­ I¡¯m going to borrow your van, I¡¯ll talk to you soon. Marshall: Okay¡­ I¡¯ll see you soon Humphrey. Humphrey: You too Marshall. [He hangs up the phone, pocketing it and closing his eyes. He rubs his head a bit before quickly pulling himself straight up and heading back into the hotel room. Gary is still sat on the bed, holding onto his polystyrene box of take-out.] Humphrey: Mister Gray, care to come with me? [Gary quickly stands up, heading out the room.] Gary: Thank you. Again. This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there. Humphrey: No issue, I promise. [The two leave the hotel room, Humphrey locking the door behind them. Later that night, the two are heading to Gary¡¯s house in a white van. Humphrey is driving, focused on the road, while Gary is alternating between staring out of the window and looking around the van. He glances at the glove box.] Gary: Got any music we could listen to? This feels¡­ awkward. Humphrey: I¡¯ll put on the radio. [He quickly turns it on, taking a few seconds before it starts to play ¡°Somewhere Only We Know¡±.] Gary: Is there not anything in the glove box? [He reaches over, Humphrey quickly grabbing and covering the glovebox with his hand.] Humphrey: [quickly, forceful] Mister Gray, please understand this isn¡¯t my van. It belongs to a very close friend of mine and he definitely wouldn¡¯t be happy knowing that someone went rifling through his glove box. Understood? Gary: [hesitant] O-okay then. [Gary goes back to looking out the window.] Gary: Sorry Mr Duncan. Humphrey: You know what, call me Humphrey. I insist. Gary: Okay then¡­ sorry Humphrey. [The two stay silent a little longer before Gary perks up.] Gary: That one! That¡¯s my house! [Gary points to a large house, very rustic in look. There are a lot of vines growing over it and a lot of plants surrounding the house. The roof itself is grey and curved rather than pointed. It has a large driveway but no cars. There¡¯s a few windows but one stands prominent, at the top of the house, with cobwebs covering the window itself. Humphrey gives a quick glance to Gary.] Humphrey: [shocked] Really? This place is your house? Gary: Yeah, my dad has a really good job. Humphrey: [shocked] I can see that¡­ [Humphrey pulls the van into the drive, parking it. Gary quickly pulls off his seatbelt and turns to Humphrey.] Gary: Thank you again. Humphrey: It¡¯s nothing, really. [Gary gets out of the van, starting to close the door.] Humphrey: Before you go! [Gary stops, peeking through the crack in the door. Humphrey leans over.] Humphrey: I¡¯ve scheduled you for another appointment with me tomorrow, if that¡¯s okay? No specific time, you just have to turn up and I¡¯ll help you. Is that okay? Gary: Um¡­ yeah! Okay. Humphrey: Perfect. I hope it goes better than it did today. [Humphrey smiles, getting back in the driver''s seat.] Humphrey: Goodnight Mister Gray. [Gary closes the door. Humphrey gives a small wave, reversing the car away from the house. Gary watches as Humphrey leaves with a smile. Once he¡¯s out of sight, the smile quickly fades away as Gary enters his house and flicks on the lights. He stands alone in a long green corridor with oak floors, electric chandeliers lighting up the length of the room. leading into two different rooms on each side along with a staircase at the end. He groans, face travelling into his hands as he starts leaning his back against the door.] 4.8 - Early Morning [An alarm rings in the hotel room, causing Humphrey to groan as he wakes up. He sits up in his bed, groaning while holding his head. He¡¯s wearing a plain blue shirt and white pyjama trousers. He shakes himself around a bit before looking forward, taking a deep breath. He looks to his alarm, seeing his phone reading ¡°7:30¡±.] Humphrey: [tired] Oh great, work. [He pulls himself out of bed, groaning as he gets onto his feet. He grabs his phone, turning off the alarm and immediately discarding it back onto the bed. As he begins moving towards the bathroom, there¡¯s a loud knock at the door. He ignores it, but it quickly knocks again.], Humphrey: [shouting] I¡¯m busy, come back later! [There¡¯s a small pulse of air behind him, catching his attention.] Alice: We hardly have time for that, Humph. [He turns around to see Alice, wearing a blue skirt and white shirt. She¡¯s smiling.] Alice: [singing] Good morning. Humphrey: Good morning. Can I maybe sort myself out quickly? Alice: I can close my eyes if you¡¯d feel more comfortable. [Humphrey turned and puts his back against the bathroom door.] Alice: I see that isn¡¯t a problem for you then. Humphrey: What do you want, Alice? It¡¯s barely morning. Alice: Well, let¡¯s see. When I was at the door just now I was trying to get a glass of water. Then you wouldn¡¯t open the door so I teleported in. That sound good? Humphrey: I suppose so. [Alice waits, staring at him.] Humphrey: [confused] Sorry, do you want something? Alice: [singing] Can I have a cup of water please? [He rolls his eyes, going into the bathroom and getting a cup from the sink. He quickly fills it up and comes back out, Alice smiling.] Alice: [happy] Thank you, Humph, sweetie. [Alice takes the cup and starts drinking.] Humphrey: Now I do have an appointment so can we at least- Alice: [quickly] Why did you take our van? Humphrey: [tired] Pardon? Alice: [quickly] You took our van last night after you called Marshall to say you won¡¯t kill them, we just got that van after crashing the last one, why were you in the van? [Humphrey sighed, visibly annoyed, as Alice took another drink.] Humphrey: I drove Mister Gray home. [Alice does a small spit take, quickly back into the cup.] Alice: [surprised] I¡¯m sorry, what?! Humphrey: [defensive] I gave him a lift home, he was having a clearly bad day. [Alice quickly gets up, downing the drink and chucking the cup onto the bed.] Alice: [angry] You put the enemy in our van?! Humphrey: [defensive] Oh for goodness sake, the boy doesn¡¯t even have a power! He doesn¡¯t know who I am! He doesn¡¯t really know who either of you are! Hell, I barely know who you are! What, do you think I told him the plan on the way home? ¡°Oh by the way, I¡¯m friends with someone who wants you dead!¡± Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. Alice: I swear if you told him anything- Humphrey: [quickly] What? What would you do, Miss Liddell? [Alice growls, pushing him back.] Humphrey: Oh, did I hit a nerve there? Alice: [angry] You don¡¯t get to use that name. [Alice goes to swing at Humphrey, but he catches the fist. His hand cracks from the hit, but quickly cracks back to heal. He stands close to her, holding tightly onto her fist.] Humphrey: You neither if my memory serves, or have you forgotten that fact? [Alice groans, quickly pulling her hand away. She stretches it a bit as Humphrey goes to the bed, picking up the cup and rubbing a wet patch into the duvet.] Alice: [quietly] Fuck... Humphrey: Marshall told me a lot about you, the both of you. You, dear Alice, you have forgotten who you really are. [Humphrey walks back to the bathroom to put the cup back.] Humphrey: And Marshall, from what I know, hasn¡¯t used the name Liddell since he was adopted in the 90¡¯s. [Humphrey comes back out, seeing Alice sat on the bed. She¡¯s stretching her fingers, clearly still hurt.] Humphrey: I think we both know that the Liddell name is dead, has been since the first Storm in the 80¡¯s. [Humphrey moves back over to the bed and sits down next to Alice, who¡¯s looking at the ground upset.] Humphrey: And I can honestly say that the sooner you two accept that Liddell is gone, the sooner you¡¯ll be able to move past it and become better for it. [Humphrey places a hand on Alice¡¯s shoulder.] Humphrey: Especially in Marshall¡¯s case. [Alice turns a bit to look at Humphrey.] Alice: Marshall isn¡¯t bothered by some old family name- Humphrey: No, instead, he¡¯s being bothered by what clings to the name. He has been since your disappearance in 1983 and he continued to be after you mysteriously cropped up on his doorstep. [Humphrey turns to Alice.] Humphrey: As much as I hate to say it, as you really seem like a nice if vaguely sociopathic girl, you are the problem. Alice: [hesitant] If¡­ if you think this, why haven¡¯t you told Marshall? Humphrey: We haven¡¯t talked properly in maybe four years. I fear that if I made my opinion clear to him now¡­ [Humphrey gives a nervous chuckle, looking to Alice with a small smile.] Humphrey: Well now is hardly the time for that type of talk. And with all due respect, like I said, I have an appointment that I need to get to. Perhaps we talk later? Alice: Okay¡­ do you want me to talk to Marshall? So you don¡¯t get in trouble? Humphrey: [tired] Alice, I¡¯d like to get ready for work. [She nods a few times, getting up on her feet.] Alice: Alright then¡­ well, knock them dead! [She gives a chuckle, before vanishing in a pulse of air. Humphrey sighs, looking into the empty space.] Humphrey: We¡¯ll see about it. 4.9 - Next Session [Humphrey is sat in his office, texting someone on the phone. He¡¯s wearing a red sweater with a brown blazer over the top, along with some neatly ironed trousers and brown shoes. The smaller table in front of his chair now has a single picture on it facing him, showing an image of him wearing a suit with his wife, June. She¡¯s brunette with long hair, with a big smile and button nose. He glances at the picture and smiles as he continues to text her.] Humphrey: [text only] Lessons well? June: [text only] A student threw up. How¡¯s your contract? Humphrey: [text only] I have doubts, don¡¯t worry. [She takes a while to respond, Humphrey staring at the picture again. He gives a sigh, quickly texting back.] Humphrey: [text only] I have things to think about. June: [text only] Nothing wrong with doubts. I know, take your time. [Humphrey sighs a bit, clearly nervous as he slowly types his next message.] Humphrey: [text only] I¡¯ve been thinking about kids and [The door suddenly starts to open up, Gary standing in the doorway wearing a black hoodie, a white and blue ¡°Blue Lantern¡± shirt underneath it and carrying a blue scarf. He¡¯s drenched in rain.] Gary: Sorry I¡¯m late! [Humphrey quickly turns off his phone, pocketing it. He looks up to Gary and smiles.] Humphrey: No issue at all, Mr Gray! Please, take a seat. [Gary takes off his hoodie, putting it down on the floor next to the chair as he sits down. He budges himself a bit forward and takes off the hoodie.] Gary: Sorry still. Bus line wasn¡¯t running like it should, so couldn¡¯t get one here. I was going to be here at ten but then it started to rain- Humphrey: I understand, believe me, it¡¯s fine. [Humphrey stares at the scarf as Gary drops his hoodie on the ground.] Humphrey: [quickly] I actually met my wife because of the weather. Gary: [chuckling] Wait, really? Humphrey: I had ducked into a coffee shop because of the rain and immediately bumped into her. She spilt coffee on herself, I quickly gave her my coat, helped clean up the mess and bought her a new one. [He looks to Gary, chuckling.] Humphrey: Hardly a good first impression, but I¡¯ve had worse. [Gary smiles a bit as Humphrey¡¯s fades.] Gary: Well, um¡­ not to sound too eager, but I¡¯m looking forward to this! Y¡¯know, after yesterday''s session, I just kinda feel like a bit of that weight has been lifted. And I mean you are terrible at first impressions but I really think I can- Humphrey: I have some questions about your parents, Mr Gray. [Gary goes silent, quickly nodding and faking his smile.] Gary: [hesitant] Mhm, yep, alright then. Yeah, sure, okay, yeah. Humphrey: Say yes one more time and I¡¯ll believe you. Gary: Totally. Humphrey: Excellent. [Gary gives a nervous chuckle as Humphrey looks at him.] Humphrey: Do you have a good relationship with your parents? Gary: It is¡­ good enough a relationship. [Humphrey strongly stares at Gary.] Gary: [confused] What? Humphrey: Mr Gray, from what I know, ¡°good enough¡± usually doesn¡¯t mean good enough. Gary: [defensive] It¡¯s fine! Me and Dad get along fine! Humphrey: And your mother? Gary: [hesitant] It¡¯s¡­ y¡¯know, it¡¯s fine. We¡¯re all fine. Humphrey: And you promise me? Gary: Yes! [Humphrey leans a little closer to Gary.] Humphrey: Mr Gray, with all due respect, I¡¯m struggling to believe there isn¡¯t at least some form of turmoil in your house between you and your family. Your parents are gone, aren¡¯t they? This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report. [Gary perks up quickly.] Gary: The hell is that supposed to mean? Humphrey: Would you like to know? [Gary nods. Humphrey nods back, stretching his neck a bit before giving Gary full eye-contact.] Humphrey: Your father, he has a good job if he can afford a house like you live in, but doesn¡¯t buy a car? That doesn¡¯t make sense to me, I say the car¡¯s not there because he¡¯s out of town for the time being. Your mother didn¡¯t come out to greet you after you¡¯d been missing for about three hours, which also doesn¡¯t add up to me, she must be absent in some form, possibly working with your father? I can only hope they¡¯d be absent and not hurting you in some way, considering your own insistence not to let them know what happened to you yesterday. And then there¡¯s the matter of a room in your house, at the very top of the house, covered in cobwebs like it hasn¡¯t been used. That¡¯s because it hasn¡¯t, there¡¯s a room in there that your family seems to refuse to go into. I have to ask, before we properly begin, what compels a family to not only leave their child home alone without any form of supervision but also to live in a building while abandoning a room? Could you answer that for me, Mister Gray? [Gary stares at Humphrey, not moving, as Humphrey leans back in his chair.] Humphrey: Feel free to take your time, I hardly want to pressure you into- Gary: My dad doesn¡¯t like the room. [Humphrey nods slowly, Gary slumping into the corner of the seat.] Humphrey: And why is that? Gary: [hesitant] Because¡­ he says that it reminds how it feels to be alone. [Gary looks up, giving a small smile.] Gary: [hesitant] The whole house does, apparently, that¡¯s why he¡­ works mainly abroad. Paris, Moscow, California, Sydney, he tends to stay there most of the time. He¡¯s back maybe¡­ a week every other month. That¡¯s the only time I ever see him because of how much he hates the house. He won¡¯t even see his son there. [Gary¡¯s head drops, looking at his feet. Humphrey gives a sigh.] Humphrey: Your mother isn¡¯t in the picture anymore¡­ is she? [Gary hesitantly shakes his head.] Humphrey: I¡¯m terribly sorry, Mister Gray. Gary: [quickly] It¡¯s fine, really, it¡¯s fine¡­ I mean I¡¯ve never even met her. [Humphrey frowns.] Gary: I was a baby when it happened, new born. I don¡¯t even know what she looks like, dad kept all the pictures in the loft and hides the key somewhere in the house. Humphrey: With respect, that¡¯s horrible. Gary: No¡­ no, it¡¯s just like him. [Gary puts his face into his hands, groaning. Humphrey leans forward, placing a hand on Gary¡¯s shoulder.] Humphrey: I¡¯m going to ask you a question, it¡¯s harsh but I want you to answer truthfully, do you understand? [Gary nods, looking up. He¡¯s gotten more red in the face.] Gary: [hesitant] Yeah, no, it¡¯s fine. What is it? Humphrey: Gary Gray¡­ does your father look after you? Gary: [upset] I¡­ yeah, I think so. He has to! I-I mean, he has to. Humphrey: Do you think he loves you? [Gary starts to choke up a bit, getting more red.] Gary: [breaking down] S-sorry, I-I-I can¡¯t, I can¡¯t- Humphrey: [quickly] It¡¯s fine! It¡¯s fine, you don¡¯t have to tell me! That was too far, I¡¯m sorry. [Gary starts to take deep breaths, Humphrey starting to slightly hold him.] Humphrey: I¡¯m going to ask one more question, don¡¯t feel you have to answer me. But do you trust your father? [He looks at Humphrey for a few moments, giving a poor chuckle.] Gary: [upset] I¡­ no. No I don¡¯t. 4.10 - A Lift Home [Gary leaves from college, holding his head down, as it continues to rain. He¡¯s thrown his coat back on and blue scarf on his neck. He¡¯s still upset, carrying a cup of hot chocolate, as he makes his way through the car park and leaves, occasionally taking a drink from it. He walks past a specific car, a red Mini Cooper with the lights off, as he gets a text on his phone. He pulls it out his pocket and reads the text.] Chelsea: [text only] Boo! :P Gary: [confused] What- [Very suddenly the Mini blasts its horn out, Gary screaming and backing away from it. He groans, looking into the car as a madly laughing Chelsea climbs out. She¡¯s wearing a blue hoodie, hood up, and a pair of jeans with a large hole in the leg. She leans onto her door, giggling madly.] Gary: [annoyed] Really? Chelsea: [laughing] Sorry, I just¡­ I just¡­ [She suddenly bends over at the middle, laughing harder. Gary rolls his eyes, moving over to the door.] Gary: [annoyed] It wasn¡¯t even that funny. [Chelsea quickly shoots up, smiling.] Chelsea: [laughing] Oh yes it was¡­ [Her smile quickly fades, her laugh stopping, as she looks at Gary properly. She frowns.] Chelsea: Have you been crying? [Gary rolls his eyes, starting to walk off.] Gary: It doesn¡¯t matter. I¡¯ll see you later! Chelsea: Well, hey, wait! At least let me give you a lift home! [Gary stops, turning around and looking at Chelsea.] Chelsea: If I promise not to go ¡°boo¡±, will you let me drive you home? [Gary sighs, walking back over to the car and opening the doors to the backseat.] Gary: I didn¡¯t even know you could drive yet. [Chelsea gives a nervous chuckle as Gary gets in and gets comfy. Chelsea quickly gets back in the car.] Chelsea: [worried] Yeah, let¡¯s try and be quick so my dad doesn¡¯t find out, alright? [She turns around and smiles to Gary, before focusing on the car. It starts to drive with a sudden push, before it quickly slows back to a more reasonable pace and leaves the car park. Inside the car Gary is clinging onto the door, visibly worried, as Chelsea stiffly moves to drive it.] Gary: [worried] Please tell me you know what you¡¯re doing. Chelsea: [worried] I¡­ am giving you¡­ a lift home. Gary: Oh jesus fuck, we¡¯re going to die. [Chelsea looks behind her at Gary.] Chelsea: [annoyed] Hey, we¡¯re not going to- Gary: [panicking] What are you doing? Watch the road! [Chelsea quickly turns back to look forward, staring straight ahead.] Chelsea: [panicking] Stop yelling, you¡¯re making me nervous! Gary: [panicking] Fine! [The two go silent, Gary taking deep breaths to try and calm down.] Chelsea: S-so what were you at college for? Gary: Therapy. Chelsea: Right, cool¡­ really? Gary: [surprised] Wha- yes! Hey, I¡¯m allowed to have issues too! Chelsea: I didn¡¯t say that! Gary: [annoyed] You were thinking it! Y''know, it''s not that hard to come over to me and just say something like ¡°Hey Gary, how¡¯s your day been?¡± or ¡°Hey Gary, what you doing later? Let¡¯s do something¡± or ¡°Hey Gary, let¡¯s talk about something other than our fucking superpowers!¡± This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it [The car skids to a halt at red light, parking itself. Chelsea turns around.] Chelsea: Where the hell is all of this coming from? [Gary quickly leans over the chairs.] Gary: I¡¯m just saying that it wouldn¡¯t hurt, once in a while, to ask how I¡¯m feeling! Chelsea: [defensive] We have other problems right now! Gary: You always fucking do! The therapist agrees, all this power shit is completely ruining the relationship that- [Chelsea quickly grabs him and pulls him tightly into the chair.] Gary: Wha- hey! Chelsea: [worried] Y-you didn¡¯t tell him¡­? Gary: What?! No! Of course I didn¡¯t! Chelsea: But you said- Gary: I used metaphors! I¡¯m not an idiot, y¡¯know! [The car behind them honks its horn, getting both their attention. Chelsea groans and goes back to stiffly driving the car.] Gary: You stole the car, didn¡¯t you- Chelsea: [quickly] I don¡¯t wanna talk about it. Let¡¯s just go take you home. [Gary nods, falling back in his seat and getting comfy. He looks out the window as they drive away, the streets passing by quickly until he makes it home. The Mini passes by a white van outside Gary¡¯s house as it enters the drive.] Chelsea: [nervous] And break¡­ break, break- Gary: Please tell me you remember the- [The car very abruptly stops, Gary getting gently knocked forward into the seat in front. Chelsea turns back to him, chuckling a bit.] Chelsea: [nervous] S-sorry. Gary: It¡¯s fine¡­ thanks for the lift. [Gary very quickly gets out the car, closing it behind him. Chelsea follows after him as he gets to his front door.] Chelsea: Wait, Gary! [Gary groans, turning his attention to Chelsea.] Chelsea: Look, um¡­ if you have any problems, seriously, just tell us. You know that I¡¯ll listen. Gary: [tired] Yeah¡­ yeah, right. Okay. Just get your car back to your dad before you get arrested or something. Chelsea: [chuckling] Sure, because Gary Gray wouldn¡¯t love a jailbreak. [He opens the door and enters the house. As he closes the door, Chelsea gives a little wave to him and sighs.] Chelsea: Fuck¡­ [Chelsea mumbles to herself as she gets back into the Mini, roughly managing to pull it out the drive and down the street with a series of near-misses with other cars. Once she¡¯s away from the house, the van door opens and Humphrey steps out. He¡¯s changed his outfit to be a black pinstripe suit with dark blue lines, a black buttoned shirt and a cyan tie tucked under his suit. He has leather gloves on and carries in his hands his featureless mask and a fedora. Humphrey sighs to himself as he moves to stand in front of the house, staring at it silently for a few moments. He looks towards the abandoned room with cobwebs in the window, seeing vines tracking along the outside wall and leading up to it. He nods and places the fedora underneath his arm, putting on the featureless mask. His voice becomes more high pitched with it on.] Dumpty: Now then¡­ [He pulls the hat from his arm and places it on his head.] Dumpty: Let the Angel of Death commence.