AN: Attention to anyone who's reading. This does contain some references to the Strange Days movie, 'Conclusions'. I'd like to say that those specific plot lines do not belong to me. Thanks.
CHAPTER SIX
Naturally, when the lead story on the news is about a boarding school that seems to feature a wormhole among other strange things, well, it causes attention. Not only to parents, but to other people. Perhaps not the best of people, either.
A sleek black limousine pulled up in front of Blake Holsey Prep where only three hours prior swarms of cameramen and news reporters had been. It stopped by the front door of the school. After a few moments, the car door opened and a young man stepped out, looking over the scenery.
"It's interesting to be back," He said, lifting a pen to his lips thoughtfully. On the other side of the car another man stepped out as well.
"I'm sure Principal Durst will be delighted to see you've returned for a visit, Tyler," The man said, stepping up next to the teen. He gestured for the driver to go, and he did so, leaving the two alone in front of the curious boarding school. The dark boy grinned wickedly as the man started up the steps.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
When they opened the door to Principal Durst's office, they could see her on the phone, trying to explain to a parent the happenings of that morning. When she caught sight of Tyler, however, she dropped the phone, causing him to grin again.
"Hello, Principal Durst," He said.
"Tyler?" Principal Durst asked, looking surprised. She quickly picked up the phone, apologized, and hung up. Then she stood, looking the boy over.
Tyler glanced at his companion as soon as Durst turned to him. "This is my mentor, Mr. Avenir."
"Hello," Mr. Avenir said with a little bow. "Tyler here insisted upon a visit to his old school, and so I agreed to accompany him."
"I – but," Principal Durst spluttered. Then she composed herself. "I'm sorry we don't seem to have the time to greet you properly, but as I'm sure you're aware, we have a slight situation on our hands."
Tyler cocked his head while Avenir looked suddenly interested. "Situation?" Avenir questioned. "I'm sorry, Principal Durst, but is there something amiss?"
"You mean you haven't heard on the news, or …"
"Tyler and I set out early this morning to make our journey here. As you know, it's quite a long drive," Avenir said. "Why, what has been happening?"
"I might as well tell you," Durst muttered under her breath. "The school is in an uproar. Yesterday afternoon two of our prominent students, Marshall Wheeler and Corrine Baxter, went missing. A reporter visiting to science offices happened to catch some sort of vortex pulling the two of them through the floor on tape, and it's all over the press."
"There didn't seem to be any press outside," Avenir said.
"That's because some of our students concocted a plan to scare them off for now," Durst explained just as the phone began to ring. She sighed. "I'm sorry, but as you can see I'm very busy -."
"Of course, of course," Avenir replied, stepping towards the door. "Tyler and I shall just wander the grounds for a bit, while you handle this. No doubt it brings tremendous stress upon you. Come, Tyler."
The two stepped out the door and into the practically empty hall. "This is perfect," Avenir said after a moment. "Everything seems to be coming together nicely. With Durst preoccupied with the press and angry parents, it will be much easier to get our hands on the wormhole."
"We still have to worry about the science club," Tyler replied. "They could be too dangerous to the project."
"I'll leave it to you to distract them. Your appearance should be enough to keep them busy," Avenir replied. "We just need some time to permanently activate to science room."
"So there really is something weird going on," A voice said from behind the two. They turned to see a boy, maybe a year younger than Tyler. He was watching Avenir and Tyler closely. After a moment Avenir grinned.
"You're Collin, aren't you?" He asked, walking up to the boy.
"How'd you know?" Collin Bush asked, seeming surprised. Tyler also looked surprised. Avenir had never mentioned anyone named Collin before.
"Collin, this is my associate, Tyler," Avenir said quickly. "He and I are working on a very big project that has to do with what's happening in the Science Room lately."
"You know about those kids disappearing?" Collin asked.
"Yes, we do. In fact, we could find a way to bring them back," Avenir said.
Collin scoffed. "I don't want those losers coming back," He said darkly. "They're always acting secretive and stuff, like they knew something we didn't."
Avenir grinned. "Well how would you like to become a part of that secret, Collin?"
The boy looked him over curiously. Tyler turned to Avenir.
"What are you doing?" He demanded.
"Later," Avenir snapped.
"Does this have anything to do with what they're talking about on the radio?" Collin asked.
Avenir laughed. "Why don't you join us for a stroll, Collin?"
The boy hesitated for a moment, and then walked up to them, the three moving quickly down the hallway.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Professor Z sighed, wiping tiredly at his eyes. "It seems as if the wormhole is being stubborn today," He said, looking to Lucas.
Lucas put down the chalk in his hand. "So we've gotten Mr. Bunnypants to go through the wormhole a total of five times. Once it's arrived in 1887, twice at the accident at Pearadyne, and twice in 1979. They seem to be the key points on the wormhole," Lucas explained.
Professor Z stood, looking thoughtful. "I wonder if it would be possible to commune which time to travel through to."
"What do you mean?" Lucas asked.
"Well what if there was a way of controlling the wormhole?" Professor Z inquired. "A way to somehow … choose where Mr. Bunnypants would go."
"How?" Lucas asked.
Professor Z was silent for a few moments, and then he snapped his fingers. "What if we tried to influence the wormhole. The more we focus on a certain tunnel, then perhaps the -."
"Easier it will be to choose a destination," Lucas finished. "Great idea, Professor Z. Let's try it during the next test."
Z nodded and then glanced out the window. Lucas followed his gaze. "It seems as if the plan worked better than we'd thought."
"Yes," Z said quietly. "But anything like our situation could bring out even worst than just the press. We don't know who will be next."
He and Lucas exchanged nervous glances.
AN: Well, I gotta apologize for this chap, guys. I know it was horribly written and is really short, but i just couldn't seem to get it to go right. So, once again, sorry!
