Lori Fitzgerald is enjoying a peaceful Friday night by working on a draft of her Western Civilization paper at her desk. Across at her desk, her roommate Hannah Frost is tinkering with a program on her laptop. Both work in silence when suddenly a loud thumping echoes.
Both turn their attention to the filing cabinet as a bright light flashes from within it. Both look at each other as it fades, Lori sliding her chair over to pull it out.
"I almost forgot about it for a few days there," Hannah admits, putting her laptop to sleep and rising.
Lori scoffs. "I didn't. Send out the text." She heads for the closet as Hannah pulls out her phone and sends the message. "Let's get this over with and maybe get two weekends to ourselves in a row."
Hannah waves her hand. "Ah, we're not busy this weekend."
"That is beside the point." Hannah helps her into her jacket and then puts on her own, afterwards taking the book from Lori. They grab their flashlight from where they're hanging right next to the door before heading into the hallway, down the stairs, and out the door of the dorm. They wait for a moment before Charlie Prescott and Michael Harms comes bounding up from the boy's freshman dorm across the way. "Hey squirt," Lori greets kindly. "Doctor."
Charlie waves. "Hey." He takes the book from Hannah and turns back to his best friend. "I'm excited. It's been a week and a half!"
"A welcome break in my opinion," the voice of Ben Prescott asserts as he joins the group, pulling his coat tighter around him. "Let's just find who it is and send them packing to where they came from- the sooner the better."
Lori nods in absolute agreement. "Alright. Michael and Hannah- gym and art center. Ben, Charlie, and I-library and cafeteria," she orders. Everyone nods and heads off, failing to notice a figure crouching in the tree above them.
"Send me back?!" they giggle loudly. "Send me back?! Well, what if I do not wish to go back?! There's a lot of magic coming from that book," they observe. "I can feel it. The only magic around here, in fact. I have to stop them. And I think I know who I'll deal with first- the rude brat who wants to send me packing." They spend a minute chuckling crazily to themselves before vanishing into the night.
XXX
So follow me down
(Lori stands with the book)
Where to?
Outta this town
(Charlie examines his map)
With you
Girl, you're movin way
(Hannah is typing away at her computer) So follow me down
Too slow
(Michael grabs the first aid kit from a cabinet)
Which way?
Down, down, down
(Ben looks at his phone and sighs, adjusting his tie)
I'll show you around
Okay
There's a place we gotta go
(The Disney Encyclopedia begins to glow. Lori sighs) Follow me, follow me
(Lori, Hannah, Ben, Michael, and Charlie are running through the preserve, freezing once on each of their faces)
Fa la la la la
Follow me, follow me
Fa la la la la
(Lori comes to a halt and the others crash into her, sending them all to the ground)
Lori Disney? (Not Likely!)
Episode 10: Rule Four: No Cheating
XXX
Early the next morning, four twenty-seven exactly according to the clock next to his bed, Ben shoots awake from his sleep. He is shaking and sweating profusely, his skin clammy. He seems very disoriented at his condition and gets up, only to have to grip the bed frame to keep from falling over.
He begins to cough violently, his breathing becoming labored. He attempts to stand again, but can't manage it, bucking in another coughing fit. His mind tries to desperately work over what's happening.
"I… feeling fine… what…?" he grumbles to himself. He grabs his phone and id from his nightstand, looking up a number on the id and dialing. "Nurse… when you get in… feel… Ben Pres-"He becomes woozy and passes out on the floor, dropping the phone.
From the window a figure cackles and dances before disappearing.
XXX
Early the next morning, Michael enters the upperclassman dorm and heads straight for Ben's room. The door is open and as he enters the bedroom he find Ben tucked into his bed covered in spots. The campus nurse is sitting next to him taking his temperature- obviously concerned.
"I just got your message Ms. Brittany." She turns and gives him a smile as he comes next to her. "I rushed right over. How'd you know to call me though?"
"He has you listed as one of his emergency contacts, Hun," she says very sweetly. He looks surprised at this.
"Really?"
She nods and pats his hand. "Well, below his mother of course. And his roommate- whom I've learned it out this weekend. Thus, I felt we needed you."She looks at the thermometer and frowns deeply.
"What're we looking at?"
"I'm… I'm honestly not sure," she admits, baffled and looking over her notes. "He has the symptoms of pneumonia, fever, the flu, a cold, and chicken pox. It's very vexing to say the least." She considers a minute. "I'm going to subscribe some pain medication, and I think we should just monitor him for now. If his temperature so much as goes up-"
"He's going straight to the hospital," Michael says knowingly. "I'll take good care of him. I promise." She rises with a smile, rifling through her bag and putting some medications on the dresser.
"If you're the famous Michael Harms I've heard about, than I'm sure you will." She exits and he takes her seat next to Ben's bedside.
"Hey, Prescott," he greets softly and kindly. "You should have let us know last night so you could have rested instead of spending it all in the cold." Ben seems to have heard this and starts grumbling incoherently. "Hey, don't talk. Just relax," he soothes. Ben grabs his wrist and pulls him closer.
"Wasn't… yesterday…" he wheezes barely above a whisper. Michael takes this in and lets out a cough.
"Weren't what?" Ben looks at him and realization dawns and Michael's eyes widen. "You weren't sick yesterday, were you?" Ben nods weakly and lets go. Michael coughs a bit more before responding. "It has to be the book," he reasons. He rises, but is suddenly woozy. He takes a second and realizes what's happening. "And I think the same thing might be… me…" He grabs a notebook and pen from Ben's desk and starts writing frantically.
"Touch…" Ben croaks.
Michael nods, hands trembling as he begins to shake and sweat. "Think… yeah…"
"Sorry-"Ben begins, but drifts off before he can finish. Michael finishes the note realizing he doesn't have a lot of time. He stumbles into the bathroom, opening a cabinet and grabbing a handful of pills and medications. He practically drags himself back and puts them on the dresser with the note before sliding to the floor- too weak to stand anymore.
With his last bit of coherent thought, he pulls out his phone and slowly types some characters. He manages to his send just before he passes out on the carpet, breathing growing shallow.
XXX
Lori and Charlie, her having just freshly exited the shower, come sprinting into the upperclassman dorm as fast as they can. Hannah follows a moment later, running to keep up but far more casual about the situation.
"Come on, Hannah!" Charlie shouts to her over his shoulder.
"I'm sure we're overreacting," Hannah argues.
Lori shakes her head, convinced. "The Doctor knows better than to send an SOS and an address if it wasn't one. We don't know who's out there because of the book right now. They could be in real trouble."
"I'm sure it's nothing." They find the door still open and run in to find Michael on the floor covered in the same spots as Ben in his bed. Both are unconscious. Everyone takes the site in, looking around the room. Lori sighs as she sees both are breathing.
"What's wrong with them?" Charlie asks, scared. Hannah puts her hand to Ben's forehead.
"They're absolutely burning up," she comments, clearly now a little worried. Lori notices a note on the dresser and snatches it, reading quickly as Charlie bends down to Michael.
"We should move Michael-"
"Don't!" Lori shouts. He back off, hands up. "Don't touch him!" She shakes the note.
"What's it say?" Hannah asks.
Lori begins to read from it. "'Guys, I think this has something to do with the book. Ben got sick just last night and is showing signs of fever, cold, chicken pox, and pneumonia all at once. That almost is impossible. Thinking back, he was fit as a fiddle yesterday though.'"
Charlie nods. "He was. I remember."
"It gets a lot harder to read here. 'I'm afraid I touched him and caught it too… act fast. Not a lot of time… medicine to help on dresser… time… find the character… might… only hope. Thanks.' That's all I can get out of it," she concludes. "That and scribbled directions for medications on the back."
Hannah starts pacing in thought. "So we're thinking the character did this."
"It seems like the only answer," Charlie agrees. "We have to take care of them." Lori nods and starts looking through the bottles on the dresser to match up to the instructions.
"And we have to do it without touching them," she adds, tossing a bottle to Charlie. "And we have to find out who's doing this. "
Hannah bites her lip and starts backing out of the room. "Lori, I don't know. I didn't really picture my weekend swinging this way; I don't like sick people- especially these two sick people. Maybe I should sit this one out and work on my trapping program 2.0."
Lori gives her a glare. "Hannah, we're going to need you here. You're going to have to step up."
"But for them?" she whines. Lori stares her down.
"Hannah, I'm not accepting any other answer on this. They're your fellow Companions and we take care of our own. Got it?" she asks in her final tone.
"Fine," Hannah grumbles, resigned. "What do you want me to do, boss?"
"You're taking first shift with me in the preserve. Charlie, keep an eye on them. Text me if anything changes. Follow Michael's directions to the letter," she instructs as she hands him the note. "Do not touch them!"
Charlie nods enthusiastically. "Absolutely! I'll even see what I can dig up on their symptoms online." Lori grabs Ben's room key from the hook next to his door and swiftly exits with Hannah.
Charlie diligently consults the note and starts opening bottles and preparing medications. He back up a step and his ankle skirts Michael's outstretched hand as he goes to give Ben his medicine. He lets out a cough before kneeling to give Michael his.
XXX
Later than afternoon, Lori and Hannah return to the dorm. Hannah is carrying four to-go containers of soup, two boxed lunches, and the book. Lori gets the door for her and they start down the hall.
"Good job distracting the cafeteria crew," Hannah compliments.
Lori shrugs. "Ah, it was the role I was born to play. We'll eat up and then you two can head back out with me taking the sick shift."
"This is going to be hard Lori. Whoever they are, they don't want to be found. I'm starting to think we might have a villain."
"I'm on the exact same train of thought." She opens the door and both enter the bedroom. "Charlie, how-"
They both freeze as they see Charlie is passed out over the desk, now to covered in spots and breathing shallowly. Hannah sets everything on the desk as the two inspect him. "Oh no!" Lori says in horror before noticing a document open on the computer screen. "Look at this. He was measuring how fast his temperature went up."
Hannah's jaw drops as she reads it. "It went four degrees in three minutes! That's- that's black magic!" Lori takes his temperature with the thermometer and compares it.
"And it's still climbing," she concludes, panic creeping into her voice slightly. "They probably all are. I have no idea how much time we're going to get."
"Oh, it'll be a while yet," a voice giggles from the behind them, causing them to freeze and sending chill up their spines. They both turn slowly to see Madam Mim standing across the room, who curtsies politely. "It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance. I'm-"
"Madam Mim," Hannah says as if it's obvious. "Of course. I should have known from the spots!" she shouts, smacking her forehead.
Mim smiles. "Yes, I- wait a second! How did you know that?!" She floats up and pulls on Hannah's collar-choking her, confused and angry. "How?! How?! I've never seen any of you before in my life!" Lori shoves her back across the room.
"Fix them this instant," Lori orders, voice trying to sound confident. She grabs the book from the desk. "And then I'm going to send you back to where you came from."
Mim claps her hands. "Oh, I heard the boy mention that. Is that what the book does?" She laughs and pulls at her hair. The two girls are clearly weirded out and a little scared by her. "But what if I don't want to go back, hmmmmmmmmm?"
"You get no say in the matter," Hannah shoots back, voice wavering.
"Oh, well I believe I do," Mim giggles. "You see, they've got three days before they die, croak, are bereft of life, what have you! It will be slow and very, very, very painful. That I promise from the bottom of my heart. And you- oh my goodness, I've been so rude!" she exclaims, horrified. "You obviously know me but I don't know you! Whom am I addressing?" She extends her hand, but neither makes a move to shake it.
Lori and Hannah both look confused. "You don't know us?"
Mim looks at the in disbelief. "Why would I ask if I did?! Anyway, I don't want to go back. I'm going to kill you all so you won't send me back. It sounds like a fair shake. Because it's only a matter of time until you touch them and become sick yourselves," she sings, clapping and bouncing around the room.
Hannah seems to recall something and grabs Lori's arm. "Wait… wait a second. I already did!" Lori looks at her, eyes widening. "I felt Ben's fever when we first came in! He was burning up! I should be like them right now, so why aren't I?!" They take a moment before Lori smiles.
"I might just have a theory." Hannah and Mim both watch as she takes Charlie's hand in her own and just holds it. Mim begins dancing in elation as Hannah looks terrified. However, time ticks by and Lori stands just as well as ever. Mim slows and stops her dancing as Hannah smiles- getting it.
"Why… wait… that-that isn't right! Y-you should be-"
"Whatever spell you use you made a big mistake," Lori says smugly. "It only affects boys. We can't get sick which means you can't kill us."
"Oh dear. Well, that was unforeseen. No matter though, three for five isn't that bad," Mim concludes.
"Now fix them and get-"Lori flips open the book triumphantly but no poem is glowing. She flips frantically through it twice but doesn't find anything. The upper hand quickly shifts back to Mim.
"Oh no," Hannah moans.
"Oh, it seems your magic isn't quite working either," Mim mocks. "Well, look at the time. I'd better run."
"Wait!" both shout as they rush towards her. She simply vanishes in a burst of smoke, leaving both coughing.
"Lori, she said three days. That means we only have until Tuesday morning," Hannah realizes, hand going to her mouth.
Lori is clearly trying to keep calm, and is only doing decent at it. "Well, at least we can properly take care of them. Let's move them to our room and then I'll head out to the preserve."
"I don't know if you're going to find her."
"I have to try though," Lori says with determination. "Especially for them. You're going to have to do the heavy lifting because of my arm," she apologizes. Hannah shrugs, scooping up Charlie easily.
"Lori, she didn't know us. She didn't know the book. You said Radcliffe knew." Lori nods. "What does that mean?"
"I'm not entirely sure and I've got too much on my mind to figure it out this second," she admits honestly. "It looks like you won't get your relaxing weekend."
"That's perfectly alright. We have to make sure he- I mean they- get better I suppose. The two head out the door and down the hallway.
XXX
The next morning, Sunday, Lori is doling out medication to the three. Charlie is in Lori's bed while Ben and Michael are tucked in on the floor. The three of them look much paler, much sweatier, and their breathing is even slower than the day before. Lori just looks exhausted. She sits at her desk for a moment when suddenly Ben starts gasping, unable to breathe. She rushes to his side and helps his sit up.
"Breathe," she whispers soothingly. "Just keep breathing. It's going to be alright." She rubs his back. "Hannah and I are going to fix this. You're going to be okay. Shh. Shh." His breathing returns and she lies him back down, brushing his hair off his sweaty forehead. "There you go. Just get some sleep. It's all going to be fine." He gives a ghost of a smile before peacefully drifting off once again.
She waits and stares at the three of them before cradling her knees to her chest, starting to lose her composure. Just as she tears up she hears the door open and gets a grip, rising. Hannah enters and shakes her head. She looks just as tired as Lori, if not more.
"Did you get any sleep?" she asks. Lori shakes her head.
"I couldn't. I just pictured what could have happened if I drifted off." Hannah nods in understanding. "They're getting a lot worse," she chokes.
"Alright, I'll take it here. Bring back some lunch after your shift." She helps Lori into her coat and hands her the book.
"Ben just stopped breathing for a minute a little bit ago," Lori informs her. "It was the first time, so it might be coming for the other two as well."
Hannah gives an encouraging smile. "I'll keep an eye out for it." Lori stops at the door and heads back into the bedroom, grabbing Charlie's hand. Hannah follows her and just watches.
"M-Mom… "Charlie whispers. She mentally freaks out a little, but quickly gets a grip on the situation and puts her forehead to his.
"I'm here," she whispers. "Mom's here Charlie. She's going to take care of you."
"Love… miss…" He drifts off again and she removes her hand from his. She turns to see Hannah is just looking at the scene sadly. The two lock eyes for a moment before she heads out the door.
"Gerald…" Hannah hears Michael try to shout. She can't help but laugh to herself.
"She wasn't even around to ignore that one silly."
XXX
That night, Hannah and Lori sit with their desk chair back-to-back watching their patients. Lori is flipping through the book and even though both look about ready to just collapse it is clear they are getting no sleep.
Lori looks at Charlie and frowns as he coughs. "I don't want to lose them… any of them," she admits, almost about to cry.
"I know," Hannah answers, reaching behind her to take Lori's hand.
Lori shakes her head. "It'll be my fault if they-"
"That's why we're not going to let that happen," Hannah assures her, sounding more confident than she feels. "Then it'll be your fault they lived. I've got your back. Anything you need, I'm right here," she promises, squeezing her hand.
"Thank you," Lori breathes. They sit in silence for a long moment before she pulls her hand away. "One of us should get some sleep."
"You first." Lori gives a small smile.
XXX
It's Monday afternoon when Hannah returns and drops a full backpack on her desk. She examines their patients, who look like ghost and tries to keep a positive attitude.
"I went to all your professors and rounded up all your homework for when you guys get better. I'm going to be sending you the bill for my back." Michael suddenly sits up coughing, eyes wide and glassy. She kneels next to him. "Hey. Hey. It's alright."
"Hannah?" he mumbles. She lies him back down.
"Yeah, I'm here. It's okay. Go back to sleep. Lori called in sick for all four of you so she could go out looking. She's going to find her." Michael's brow furrowed as is he has decided something.
"Dad was… nurse… studying to be a doctor… hospital hold-up…"
Hannah's eyes widen as she realizes what he's trying to say. "What… what're you telling me?" she asks in disbelief.
He soldiers on, tearing up. "Killed…" Miscarried… depressed… really sick…"
"Yeah, you are," Hannah cuts in, trying to end this and clearly upset and distraught herself. "You should stop talking and lie back down."
He doesn't hear her or is just ignoring her. "Judge her… don't talk about it… worry… write every day… doctors…"
Hannah begins crying and puts her hand to her mouth. "Michael, stop," she begs. This he seems to process and he does. "Why are you telling me all this? You don't want anyone to know this. I know that much."
"But want… you… to like me…friends…" He falls asleep once again, leaving her to openly sob at his actions as well as hers.
"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I am going to make this right okay. And then you and I are going to start again, this time as proper friends. I promise." She gets tucks him in and her sorrow shifts to determination as she wipes her eyes. "I promise." She grabs her coat and walks past as Lori enters with the book.
"Where-where are you going?"
"I'm going to end this." Lori immediately swings around and falls into step beside her as she takes the stairs two at a time.
"But we haven't found her in two days," Lori mentions.
"Oh, I'm not going to look for her," Hannah announces, throwing the doors to the dorm open. "She's going to come straight to me."
XXX
Hannah and Lori arrive at the familiar clearing. Hannah cups her hands over her mouth and starts shouting up into the air. "Hey! You old hag! Get out where I can see you!"
Lori looks around, much more nervous. "Hannah…"
"I know you can hear me! I want to formerly challenge you to a duel!" There is a dull crack and Madam Mim appears across the clearing, her arms crossed.
"A duel, you say?!" she questions. Hannah crosses her arms as well, moving closer.
"Yes, because I know for a fact I can out-smart you any time I want! I can take you!"
Lori creeps up next to her. "Hannah, what are you doing?" she whispers frantically.
"Saving our boys." Mim steps closer as well.
"A battle of wits, you say? I might have just the question. You'll have an hour. If I win when time's up- the boys are dead. If you win when time's up- well, I save them and surrender. Deal?" Hannah looks at Lori, now a little nervous after having heard the terms.
Lori nods at her, restoring her confidence. "I've got your back. Anything you need, I'm there," she repeats to her roommate. Hannah closes the gap and extends her hand.
"Deal." The two shake.
"Alright then. You have an hour to find the one item that I fear," Mim announces. "It's not all that uncommon really, but this one could be considered special. One hour, back here. Go!" She vanishes and an hourglass lands in Hannah's hand.
Hannah turns to Lori and works a pep talk. "Alright, I know we're exhausted from two sleepless nights. I know we're terrified. I know. But we need to pull together and figure this out."
"We don't even know how to send her back if we fail," Lori suddenly realizes.
"I have an idea about that. You had to defeat Radcliffe by refusing your greed. We defeated Sabor by working as a team. We have to beat her and the only way to do that is outsmart her, and then our magic will beat hers," Hannah concludes.
Lori looks at her in awe. "You are so smart."
Hannah claps her hands and starts pacing. "Let's focus though. Something that she fears. Something that she fears."
"Well, what do we know about her. You know these movies front to back."
Hannah reflects on this. "Well, she cheats. She always cheats. It's common, but this one is special…" She thinks and then it hits her. "She never specified where this thing is!"
"Excuse me?" Lori asks confused. Hannah grips her shoulders.
"She thinks she got us! She cheated! It's common for her time and place, but we wouldn't have one lying around here. She thinks we won't figure it out and even if we do we can't get one in time. I've got it!" she practically cheers.
"What do you need from me?"
"To start digging." Lori realizes what Hannah's talking about and looks just as excited as she kneels down in the center of the clearing.
XXX
Hannah stands looking panicked as the hourglass hits two minutes left. Lori is nowhere to be seen. She jumps as Madam Mim appears next to her, smug as can be. "Well?"
Hannah's bottom lip trembles. "You've got me. I don't- I can't-"Mim starts cackling as Hannah gets on her hands and knees. "Please," she pleads. "You are much smarter than I can ever hope to be. And beautiful too. You can't kill them. Have mercy." Mim cackles even louder.
"Yes, beg you stupid fool! Beg! Beg!" Hannah grabs her skirt.
"You can't!" she wails. Mim has her attention locked on Hannah, and fails to notice Lori creeping up behind her slowly.
"I win! I win! I-"Lori suddenly holds the glittering sword to her throat, clutching it shakily with her left hand.
Hannah drops the act and rises triumphant. "No. We do." She gestures to the hourglass as the last grain falls. Mim freezes, petrified and speechless for once. "It's common in your time, swords are."
"It can't be," she whispers. "Where-where did you get this?"
"Merlin gave it to me when he visited," Lori answers before pulling the blade closer. "Now, hold up your end of the bargain." Mim starts screaming and throwing a fit.
"No! No! No!"
"You have to," Hannah grins. "You made a deal." Mim finally stops, snaps, and crosses her arms like a small child. Lori goes to Hannah's side and opens the book Hannah hands her to a glowing poem. "Allow us to introduce ourselves now. We're Lori Fitzgerald and-"
"Let's not waste time," Lori cuts in. "Someone has a trip home." She goes to read but Mim starts cackling happily, drawing their attention.
"This isn't over," she sings, "not by a long shot. Yes, you'll send me back. But I am going to spread a story to all of the villains," she threatens, voice building. "I will tell them of Lori Fitzgerald, her magical book, and her sword. I will tell them all! And when they come through here they all shall know! They will find you and one of them is bound to destroy you!" She starts laughing insanely, pulling at her hair. Both look horrified, but Lori shifts her expression to one of confidence.
"I'd like to see them try. I find delight within my win 'Cause I defeated Madam Mim" She vanishes in a blast of darkness, still laughing. Lori shuts the book and Hannah grabs her arm.
"So that's how the villains know you," she concludes. Lori nods in agreement. "She was the first in their timeline. I'm sorry. I told her your name. I-"
Lori just shakes her head, not caring. "Let's just go see our boys." Hannah nods happily and they take off at a run, Lori burying the sword in the ground by a tree.
XXX
Lori and Hannah burst into their dorm to find the three boys standing around looking perfectly healthy and a little confused. They both sigh in relief, a weight almost lifted from them.
"Oh thank God!" Lori breathes. The boys notice them and smile.
Michael claps. "You did it!" Hannah doesn't waste a moment in sprinting across the room and tackling him in a hug. No one is more shocked then he is.
"I'm sorry," she whispers. "I'm so sorry. I never knew." He smiles, enjoying the moment, but then what she's saying starts to click. He pulls back.
"How much did I tell you?" he asks, going a little white once again.
Hannah's smile drops and she looks down. "N-nothing…"
"So everything?"
"I got enough pieces," Hannah admits. He hangs his head. "And I was so wrong," she quickly adds. "So… hello, it's nice to meet you. My name is Hannah Frost." She extends her hand to him. He catches on and shakes it with a smile. "Michael Harms."
"Welcome to being a Companion. I look forward to working with you."
"Glad to be here."
"Sorry it took so long Doctor," she apologizes. He waves it off.
"Ah, better late than never."
Ben examines his three-day old sweaty pajamas with disgust. "Well, I think I'm going to go take a shower."
"Go for it. Then we have all your homework and we'll help you through it," Lori offers. "We'll meet you in the lounge in thirty." The boys nod and exit, Charlie stalling by her.
"I-I called you Mom didn't I?" he asks, humiliated. She nods and he is baffled by her reaction. "I don't get it. I remember you- why'd you go along with that?"
"Because it was what you needed at the moment. And that's what friends do- what the other needs."
He looks down again. "I-I know you're not my mom."
"I'm not worried about it," she answers honestly. "Go get freshened up." She takes him in and gives a face-splitting smile of relief. "I'm so glad you're okay squirt."
"I am too."
XXX
Michael exits his dorm, freshened up and in a new pair of clothes. He spots Ben, now in his regular attire complete with tie, and joins him as they enter the dorm.
"Hey, do you remember anything?" Ben asks suddenly as they start up the stairs.
Michael shakes his head. "Absolutely nothing. You?"
"I have this foggy one… about Lori," Ben admits. "I'm not sure it was real or not. But… she was there." They reach the top and the admiration is clear in his voice. Michael playfully rolls his eyes.
"Chill out lover boy." They find Charlie waiting and the three enter the lounge only to grind to a halt. Homework is scattered across the table, all set up and ready. But Lori and Hannah have their heads on the table, asleep.
The boys watch this for a second before Michael picks up Hannah and Ben Lori. They cradle them, carrying them back to their room. Charlie grabs a key from Lori's pocket and opens the door for them. They head for the bedroom and quietly tuck them into their respective beds.
"Goodnight Hannah," Michael mutters mostly to his self.
"Goodnight Lori," Ben follows suit.
"I don't know exactly what they did, but I don't know if we'll ever repay them," Ben whispers as they head for the door.
"Probably not," Michael concludes. "But I'm going to spend the rest of all this trying." They exits and Charlie shuts the door gently behind them, leaving the two girls in their bed- finally peaceful.
XXX
With the season half over, next week sees the return of a long missed member of Lori and her Companions- Lori's right arm! The cast finally comes off and Lori pushes herself in more way than one