The Faculty II: The Last Invasion
Great Timing
The walkie-talkie burst to life, startling the three gathered around the oval table. Stokley scrambled for the walkie-talkie box as Stan's crackled voice filtered through, "They're here...coming in now...going to go check the car. . ." The girl pressed her ear desperately against the speaker, quickly relating the message back to her two companions before making a quick reply to her boyfriend, "Stan, please be careful!"
"Will do. . .love you. . .good luck. . ."
Stokley bit her lower lip as she lowered the walkie-talkie, staring at it as if it were Stan, wishing it were he. She had nearly caressed the side of the speaker when Casey's low whisper drew her attention to the entrance of the coffee shop. "They're here. What's Zeke doing? He just spilled that drink all over."
Stokely stared at Zeke, at the way he stood rigidly before Marian; he was trembling. "He's scared," she said, looking at Casey. They exchanged silent looks. If Zeke was scared, then they should be terrified; and they were. Casey forced what he hoped to be a courageous smile, but it faltered as he caught sight of Riva. She was seated protectively between Stokely and himself, but she certainly didn't look as though she felt safe.
Her skin had a definite blue tint to it, with sheen of sweat visible. Her mismatched eyes were glazed, her jaw tight; she looked in pain. Her breath was shallow, quick gasps that sounded loud in the silence. Before he realized what he was doing, Casey's hand reached around Riva's clenched one. Her skin was cool and clammy against human flesh, but her fingers slowly entwined themselves around Casey's fingers and he offered an encouraging squeeze.
Stokely had been carefully watching the Atlantaian's exchange with Zeke before they turned and began to move towards them. "They're coming," she whispered to Casey and Riva, "you guys ready?" They each nodded quickly in response just as Marian arrived at the table. Her pretty face had a cruel air as she offered them each a sneering nod, touching the scar running down Casey's cheek, "My, my, that's quite a scar. And a cast on your arm? Little boys like yourself should be more careful with what they play with, or they might end of hurt."
Casey jerked back, glaring, "I'm fine, thanks." Marian grinned at his outburst, lowering herself into a chair opposite Riva and Casey. Henry and Miss Levinson choose seats on either side of her, each with the same confident smirks on their faces. Stokes' hands trembled with want, eager to wipe the looks off their faces.
"Feeling alright, Riva, dear? You don't look so well," Miss Levinson commented, as if remarking on the weather. The mentioned alien raised her heavy head; managing a glare despite the obvious pain she was in, "It's no use...I destroyed it."
"Really? Because you seem to be having quite the struggle as it were."
"It. . .it won't last long."
"Don't be a fool, Riva. Just because Mary Beth can't control it doesn't mean its dead. We can pick up the connection just as easily."
Casey butted in, "What are you talking about?" He shot Riva a puzzled expression, but she had already dropped her head again, eyes falling half shut. Miss Levinson took it upon herself to explain.
"Didn't she tell you? There seems to be many things Riva failed to mention. She use to be a servant to Mary Beth, she was under her control. But when Mary Beth...passed on, the pod in her began to loose its connection. Foolish Riva, thinking that she was clever, dried it out until she was in complete control of herself. The only reason it worked was because there was no Atlantian close enough for an adequate connection; otherwise it would have never worked. But here we are, and the pod is beginning to take its previous position once again. It will only be so long until Riva is ours again, so might I warn you to be careful what you say in front of her," Miss Levinson leaned forward, speaking in a fake whisper, "She may start telling us your secrets."
Casey jerked forward, so his face was close to the teachers, "Shut up! All you do is lie! Riva's fine, she'll get rid of that stupid pod again, no problem!" Stokely laid a restraining hand on the boy's shoulder, holding him back in his chair. She spoke softly, calming Casey but commanding the attention of all at the table, "We didn't come here to bicker over this stuff. We came here for a fair trade. Now let's get this business going, or we'll be going."
Marian nodded approvingly, "Yes, the girl is right. Let's keep our temper in check over past disputes." She gave a pointed look to Miss Levinson, before turning her attention to Stokes. "Alright, we know each other demands. We get Mary Beth, you get Delilah."
"Right, but the funny thing is, I don't see her here. No deal without Delilah." "Yeah and how do we know you didn't hurt her?" Casey snarled accusingly. Henry shifted in his seat, reaching into his leather coat pocket, withdrawing a folded photo. He carefully, deliberately, unfolded the picture, laying it on the middle of the table for all to see. "As you see, she's perfectly fine. And the date on the bottom is today," Marian said simply, sliding the picture closer to the human side. The picture was nearly identical to the one they had seen previously of the girl; only she looks worse for the wear. Her hair was tangled and matted; her eyes had large black circles beneath them. Her cheeks were tear-stained and the same gag was taped over her mouth.
"The date is easily altered—"
"Casey!" Stokely reprimanded the boy, with a quick glare. "This picture isn't enough proof for us. If you want Mary Beth, we have to see Delilah."
"Well, in that case, how do we know you have what we want?"
There was a long pause as Marian and Stokely silently stared at one another, two statues unwilling to look away first. The tension was in the air, thick as smoke, and it was cutting off the air as well. Riva's grip in Casey's hand was sweaty and weak now, her fingers slipping away. The boy shot her a look from the corner of his eyes, feeling helpless to help her. It was Riva's battle, and only she could win in.
Miss Levinson eyed Riva as well, concentrated solely on her instead of the exchange going on. Casey was convinced it was her trying to revive the pod creature in Riva's head, there had to be something he could do! The boy kicked his leg out under the table, proud to feel that he had made contact with something under the table.
Henry grunted loudly as the foot kicked him soundly in the chair, and his eyes bulged menacingly. Casey turned a shade paler as he realized his mistake to late. He threw himself backwards in the chair at the same time Henry lunged from his. The chair clattered to the floor along with Casey while Henry's arms reached for empty air. The boy rolled to the side, glad that he had not landed on his cast, but barely having time to catch his breath before Henry was reaching under the table for his ankle.
Stokely and Marian were both on their feet, shouting at them to stop fighting, but neither of them listened. Casey kicked out again, trying to pry his leg free from the alien's iron grip even as he began to drag the boy closer. Casey began to use his cast for a weapon, whacking Henry's head with it, but only seeming to aggravate him all the more. Just as it seemed a fight would ensue, including all members at the table, Zeke appeared.
"Coffee anyone?"
Silence fell over the little crowd as all eyes turned to survey Zeke in his One World cap, a tray filled with mugs balanced on one arm. Stokely sighed, muttering under her breath, "Talk about great timing."
A.N: All I seem to do on this author's note section is apologize to you guys. And here I go again! It's been so long since I've updated this, and I'm on my knees begging to your forgiveness! I hope you guys haven't lost interest in this story because its taking me so long to write. I swear, the end is in sight! No one has posted any question concerning the plot yet. Does that mean this story is perfect? (Ha, I wish!) Anyway, I've started working bit by bit on my other fanfics, and hope to update them as well. Plus, I'd like to start a Secret Window fic soon...*sigh* Far to busy. Far, far to busy. Anyway, as always, muchas gracias for the reviews!!
Great Timing
The walkie-talkie burst to life, startling the three gathered around the oval table. Stokley scrambled for the walkie-talkie box as Stan's crackled voice filtered through, "They're here...coming in now...going to go check the car. . ." The girl pressed her ear desperately against the speaker, quickly relating the message back to her two companions before making a quick reply to her boyfriend, "Stan, please be careful!"
"Will do. . .love you. . .good luck. . ."
Stokley bit her lower lip as she lowered the walkie-talkie, staring at it as if it were Stan, wishing it were he. She had nearly caressed the side of the speaker when Casey's low whisper drew her attention to the entrance of the coffee shop. "They're here. What's Zeke doing? He just spilled that drink all over."
Stokely stared at Zeke, at the way he stood rigidly before Marian; he was trembling. "He's scared," she said, looking at Casey. They exchanged silent looks. If Zeke was scared, then they should be terrified; and they were. Casey forced what he hoped to be a courageous smile, but it faltered as he caught sight of Riva. She was seated protectively between Stokely and himself, but she certainly didn't look as though she felt safe.
Her skin had a definite blue tint to it, with sheen of sweat visible. Her mismatched eyes were glazed, her jaw tight; she looked in pain. Her breath was shallow, quick gasps that sounded loud in the silence. Before he realized what he was doing, Casey's hand reached around Riva's clenched one. Her skin was cool and clammy against human flesh, but her fingers slowly entwined themselves around Casey's fingers and he offered an encouraging squeeze.
Stokely had been carefully watching the Atlantaian's exchange with Zeke before they turned and began to move towards them. "They're coming," she whispered to Casey and Riva, "you guys ready?" They each nodded quickly in response just as Marian arrived at the table. Her pretty face had a cruel air as she offered them each a sneering nod, touching the scar running down Casey's cheek, "My, my, that's quite a scar. And a cast on your arm? Little boys like yourself should be more careful with what they play with, or they might end of hurt."
Casey jerked back, glaring, "I'm fine, thanks." Marian grinned at his outburst, lowering herself into a chair opposite Riva and Casey. Henry and Miss Levinson choose seats on either side of her, each with the same confident smirks on their faces. Stokes' hands trembled with want, eager to wipe the looks off their faces.
"Feeling alright, Riva, dear? You don't look so well," Miss Levinson commented, as if remarking on the weather. The mentioned alien raised her heavy head; managing a glare despite the obvious pain she was in, "It's no use...I destroyed it."
"Really? Because you seem to be having quite the struggle as it were."
"It. . .it won't last long."
"Don't be a fool, Riva. Just because Mary Beth can't control it doesn't mean its dead. We can pick up the connection just as easily."
Casey butted in, "What are you talking about?" He shot Riva a puzzled expression, but she had already dropped her head again, eyes falling half shut. Miss Levinson took it upon herself to explain.
"Didn't she tell you? There seems to be many things Riva failed to mention. She use to be a servant to Mary Beth, she was under her control. But when Mary Beth...passed on, the pod in her began to loose its connection. Foolish Riva, thinking that she was clever, dried it out until she was in complete control of herself. The only reason it worked was because there was no Atlantian close enough for an adequate connection; otherwise it would have never worked. But here we are, and the pod is beginning to take its previous position once again. It will only be so long until Riva is ours again, so might I warn you to be careful what you say in front of her," Miss Levinson leaned forward, speaking in a fake whisper, "She may start telling us your secrets."
Casey jerked forward, so his face was close to the teachers, "Shut up! All you do is lie! Riva's fine, she'll get rid of that stupid pod again, no problem!" Stokely laid a restraining hand on the boy's shoulder, holding him back in his chair. She spoke softly, calming Casey but commanding the attention of all at the table, "We didn't come here to bicker over this stuff. We came here for a fair trade. Now let's get this business going, or we'll be going."
Marian nodded approvingly, "Yes, the girl is right. Let's keep our temper in check over past disputes." She gave a pointed look to Miss Levinson, before turning her attention to Stokes. "Alright, we know each other demands. We get Mary Beth, you get Delilah."
"Right, but the funny thing is, I don't see her here. No deal without Delilah." "Yeah and how do we know you didn't hurt her?" Casey snarled accusingly. Henry shifted in his seat, reaching into his leather coat pocket, withdrawing a folded photo. He carefully, deliberately, unfolded the picture, laying it on the middle of the table for all to see. "As you see, she's perfectly fine. And the date on the bottom is today," Marian said simply, sliding the picture closer to the human side. The picture was nearly identical to the one they had seen previously of the girl; only she looks worse for the wear. Her hair was tangled and matted; her eyes had large black circles beneath them. Her cheeks were tear-stained and the same gag was taped over her mouth.
"The date is easily altered—"
"Casey!" Stokely reprimanded the boy, with a quick glare. "This picture isn't enough proof for us. If you want Mary Beth, we have to see Delilah."
"Well, in that case, how do we know you have what we want?"
There was a long pause as Marian and Stokely silently stared at one another, two statues unwilling to look away first. The tension was in the air, thick as smoke, and it was cutting off the air as well. Riva's grip in Casey's hand was sweaty and weak now, her fingers slipping away. The boy shot her a look from the corner of his eyes, feeling helpless to help her. It was Riva's battle, and only she could win in.
Miss Levinson eyed Riva as well, concentrated solely on her instead of the exchange going on. Casey was convinced it was her trying to revive the pod creature in Riva's head, there had to be something he could do! The boy kicked his leg out under the table, proud to feel that he had made contact with something under the table.
Henry grunted loudly as the foot kicked him soundly in the chair, and his eyes bulged menacingly. Casey turned a shade paler as he realized his mistake to late. He threw himself backwards in the chair at the same time Henry lunged from his. The chair clattered to the floor along with Casey while Henry's arms reached for empty air. The boy rolled to the side, glad that he had not landed on his cast, but barely having time to catch his breath before Henry was reaching under the table for his ankle.
Stokely and Marian were both on their feet, shouting at them to stop fighting, but neither of them listened. Casey kicked out again, trying to pry his leg free from the alien's iron grip even as he began to drag the boy closer. Casey began to use his cast for a weapon, whacking Henry's head with it, but only seeming to aggravate him all the more. Just as it seemed a fight would ensue, including all members at the table, Zeke appeared.
"Coffee anyone?"
Silence fell over the little crowd as all eyes turned to survey Zeke in his One World cap, a tray filled with mugs balanced on one arm. Stokely sighed, muttering under her breath, "Talk about great timing."
A.N: All I seem to do on this author's note section is apologize to you guys. And here I go again! It's been so long since I've updated this, and I'm on my knees begging to your forgiveness! I hope you guys haven't lost interest in this story because its taking me so long to write. I swear, the end is in sight! No one has posted any question concerning the plot yet. Does that mean this story is perfect? (Ha, I wish!) Anyway, I've started working bit by bit on my other fanfics, and hope to update them as well. Plus, I'd like to start a Secret Window fic soon...*sigh* Far to busy. Far, far to busy. Anyway, as always, muchas gracias for the reviews!!