History's repeat

Summary: it's a year 2004 and the DPS is reformed – but the history is about to repeat itself

Disclaimer: see chapters 1 and 2

7. In the Woods

Alex glances around sharply. He is certain that Chris had disappeared in the woods the moment she was left alone.

"Anyone seen Chris lately?" Alex ventures tentatively, only to attract everyone in his vicinity.

"No," Rojer says cautiously. "Why?"

Alex shrugs.

"I'm going for a stroll," he says. "Anyone wants to join me?"

The others hesitate and exchange uncomfortable looks.

"Sorry, Alex, we'll pass it. We'll check if Chris is back yet,"

George says finally. "She could have just gone back to the dorm."

"True," Alex agrees, but something just doesn't feel right about this whole affair.

"Well, just get back before the lights-out, okay," Ana says uncomfortably. "Let's get into light, ladies and gentlemen, this dark place makes me uncomfortable."

The others agree with uneasy laughs and Alex wanders towards the forest while the others go back to the Academy.

Once he is in the forest, Alex is silently berating himself for not thinking about bringing a flashlight with him.

'But then again, I didn't think that Chris would be stupid enough to go for a midnight stroll,' he reasons silently with himself.

Up ahead, he sees a familiar figure lightly jumping over a brook and twirling on the fallen leaves, her open coat and loose hair flying around her. She seems to be oblivious to everything but herself.

"Chris?" He calls. The girl ignores him, so he tries louder.

"Chris?"

This time, the girl starts at her name, glances around wildly and dashes into the forest.

"Darn. What's gotten into her?" Alex mutters quietly, as he runs after the fleeing girl. "Hey, Chris, wait up!"

He is now in control of the Puck. This is his role, first and foremost, and now that he is in the forest – the real forest, not the stage – it is even easier for him to hide. He jumps over a small brook and twirls on place. He haven't felt this alive in a long time. He almost forgot the feeling.

"Chris?"

He starts and glances around, as he notices the pursuer. It's that kid again. The one who have been watching the Puck for a long time.

He turns around and dashes into the forest. The other is right behind him, now jumping the brook, now breaking a twig.

This must be a dream.

We are the music-makers

And we are the dreamers of dreams,

Waving by lone sea-brakers,

And sitting by desolate streams

Alex glances around wildly, having lost sight of Chris for a brief moment. He spins around, as an errant mass of leaves snuffles behind him.

'Damn, she's fast. How did she get behind me?'

He stills for a second, as he hears a similar noise from his right.

'What's going on?'

"Chris? Where are you?"

Alex turns around, as he notices an errant swish of a familiar cloak behind the dark trees. He follows her.

'This turns to madness. This is just a dream.'

World-losers and world-forsakers,

On whom the pale moon gleams:

Yet we are the movers and shakers

Of the world forever, it seems.

He is now terrified. The familiar feeling of being trapped is now encircling the Puck, as well. He glances around for escape.

The forest ends. He is now almost on the edge of it. There is a rise – not big enough to fall, but enough to escape. Yet, he still awaits for the reprieve, for the exit – there is always a choice, isn't there…

'I'm the one in control', he reminds both himself and the Puck, who is now blinded by panic. 'You can do nothing but what I tell you to do.'

'God, I'm going insane', the Puck thinks with panic. 'Somebody, please help me.'

The Puck tries to breathe. When failing to succeed she gulps.

'This is a dream. This is just a bad dream.'

We, in the ages lying

In the buried past of the earth,

Built Nineveh with our sighing,

And Babel itself with our mirth

Alex glances around himself. He is lost again.

'The worst part is that I lost the sight of Chris again,' he thinks silently, glancing around.

A squeak of twig and a light splash is all the warning he gets, as a shadow flies in the moonlight.

Alex starts and darts after her without letting her go this time.

"Chris, wait!"

And o'erthrew them with prophesying,

To the old of the new world's worth;

For each age is a dream that is dying,

Or one that is coming to birth.

He is on him again. Now he feels trapped again. No way out – as before.

He glances around wildly. The cliff is just there, behind him.

There.

'Now, to get away from him,' he thinks. He doesn't think about it anymore – he is in panic. So is the Puck.

A foot slips down the rise, and a startled scream rises from the Puck.

Then, the sun is rising. He had lost the count of time. He has to flee. Somehow he lost the count of time.

So he flees back. The fog over the graveyard intensifies for a moment before admitting him back. Then the fog disappears, like it never was there.

If we shadows have offended,

Think but this, and all is mended,

That you have but slumber'd here

While these visions have appeared…

A startled scream finally attracts Alex's attention, and he dashes towards the cliff.

"Chris?"

She finally gains control over herself, and barely manages to grab the edge of the cliff, before familiar voice nears her.

"Alex?" She chokes out, before making sure her voice is firm. "Alex!"

Alex kneels at the edge of the cliff and looks down. Chris is there, her hands barely gripping the stray rock she managed to catch.

"What the hell are you doing here?" He demands, as he grips Chris by her elbows and hauls her out of the pit. Chris collapses next to him, sobbing.

He softens immediately.

"Don't you dare scare me like that again," he says quietly, pulling the girl into embrace. She nods and finally looks at him.

"How did you know?" Chris asks, her voice strangely hoarse.

Alex shrugs.

"You were acting all weird on the stage. Way too realistic for my liking," He says nonchalantly. "And I had a strong suspicion that you won't go straight back to your room, like the others suggested."

Chris gives a final sniffle, as she grins at him weakly.

"Thanks for coming after me," she offers timidly.

Alex grins, and gets up.

"Let's get you back before your brother sends a search party for the both of us," He says quietly.

Chris now gives an uncertain grin and a final sniff.

The two of them leave the place, going back towards the Academy, just as the sun's rays touch the crown of trees behind them.