Chapter Fifteen:

The large cafeteria was decorated with large signs that held odd circular symbols and words that said "Final Dance! Full Circle!" There were snowmen, reindeer, elves, and giant snowflakes accompanying each circle-clad sign. Large banners hung with similar symbols that made Alex and Alexys stare at it curiously.

"That looks…odd…"Alex spoke quietly to Alexys as they looked at one in particular.

"It does," she agreed. She pulled her small velvet back from off her shoulder and inside grasped her journal with her pen, "I'll draw it."

"That's a good idea. I haven't seen your updates. What else are you writing in that?" Alex glanced over curiously.

Alexys drew quickly with her pen all the round glyphs she could find, "Just dreams and stuff. You know. Regular journal things."

Alex noticed then the reason for her answer. Students around them took to looking at them and mumbling to each other. Across the cafeteria clumps of individuals also in black kept the same pointed looks that they always did. If Alex had hair on his arms they would stand. The whole event had a feeling of anticipation that made him afraid of what could occur.

"I think we should stay for an hour then head out," Alexys closed her journal and returned it to her bag.

"To find ourselves?" he confirmed.

"Yeah, I don't remember what time that all happened and we can find a way sneak o—"

"They had something called RC Cola. Is that okay?" Nick handed over her cup.

"Yeah, that'll do," she smiled, leaning over to place a kiss upon his cheek.

Luke and Alex shared a welcoming kiss, "Your ginger ale is here. You sure you don't want a drink drink?"

"You know what happens to me when I do!" Alex blushed, horrified by the thought of turning red in front of the whole student body.

"It's cute," Luke smiled, as he took a sip of whatever concoction he and Nick consumed.

"It's definitely not," Alex protested.

The two continued their playful banter as Alexys looked to Nick, "Want to dance?"

His face seemed to light up and even behind his sunglasses she saw his eyes widen with excitement, "Yeah, let's go."

They placed their drinks back and moved to the center of the dance floor. Immediately the others around them separated. It was either for fear of stepping on her dress or to simply get away from the weirdoes that decided to dress as if it were some gothic prom. Regardless of why, Alexys appreciated the distance around her and her handsome Nick. She desired to spend as much time with him as she could before whatever the "Awakening" in the Dean's planner meant and before she and Alex uncovered the true mysteries of what brought them to Greendale.

Her arms wrapped around Nick's neck as his arms circled her waist and they swayed to the gentle tunes of some band she had never heard. In the rush for the dance she had told Alex about her dream and they discussed what it could possibly mean. Her dreams had long been an avenue for processing complicated events but there had been times where her dreams had come true. They went down every thread of imaginings until they found themselves both sad and resolute in their desire to get to the end of the situation. Part of that meant either accepting that Nick and Luke weren't real or figuring out a way to convince the Doctor to allow them to emerge from this universe to theirs.

Along with the discussion came the possibility of opening the fob watches that held the essence of the Doctors. They considered the pros and cons but decided to leave them for fear that it would provoke a greater threat than they were aware of. The end of their talk came with one final solution: enjoy the dance and meet themselves at the 'Welcome to Greendale' sign.

"What are you thinking about?" Nick asked, pulling her in closer to him so that their faces were almost touching.

"I'm thinking about how good we look," she gave a glance around to the eyes that still stared between them and Alex and Luke.

He chuckled, "We do look pretty good, don't we?"

"Did we go a little overboard?" she mused.

"Absolutely but might as well give everyone a little show before break, right?"

"I'd like to give you a show," she teased.

"And I'd be happy to watch," they kissed.

There was no way he could be anything but her Nick. They had talked about his childhood and memories and pain and heartbreak he had encountered all in his life. Sure, it could have been made up. Yet, the emotion was entirely genuine. The emotion he expressed when they kissed and were wrapped in each other's arms could not be manufactured. It was real. He and the way he felt for her and she for him was real. It had to be.

Luke and Alex off to the side held onto each other's fingers as they commented on everything about the dance from the Dean to Garrett. Over the course of their time together they had discovered their similar cynicism for the overly cheery and false positivity that surrounded them. Though most of their conversations continued in flattery and confessions of feeling and desire…their conversations turned to a more humorous tone. They motioned toward the bake sale that continued to go on despite the dance. So many of the cookies or brownies or pies contained unnecessary phrases such as "God is Good," "Straight Out of Greendale," and the loathsome "Live, Laugh, Love."

Hilda even shared her distaste for the lovely ladies that felt it necessary to make such statements with their baking. It was a pleasure to see Hilda throwing shade at the other members of her committee as well as seeing her show authority. Nice as she could be she still knew how to wave the power around. They had expected her to stay and man the booth during the dance but as the leader she declared to the other members that it was time for her to take a break. All of this allowed Luke and Alex to comment with no guilt.

"And another thing! Brownies are supposed to be brownies. Why do they have to manipulate such a tasty treat for their agenda?"

Perhaps it was the alcohol in Luke's system but he had been going in on the use of foods as a means of propaganda. Alex laughed as he put his arm around Luke's and shook his head, "I don't know but I am loving your passion for this."

"I should slow down, huh?" Luke looked at his drink, "I'll slow down."

"It's up to you," Alex smiled at the man. Luke had only one drink but it was strong enough that he was definitely already tipsy.

"I just want to enjoy my time with you. I don't want any distractions. Just you and me and how great we look tonight," Luke put his empty cup down and grabbed Alex's hands in both of his.

"I can get behind that," Alex smiled, following the pull of Luke to the dance floor as a pop song came on.

Together they found a spot beside Nick and Alexys who made noises of joy at the sight of the other half of their party. Alex and Alexys immediately grasped hands as they began a light hop to the music while Nick and Luke took turns with a half serious dance off. The two laughed at their men and soon a small group of Greendale attendees surrounded them as if they were the entertainment. Nick motioned toward Alex to join the center of their dance but Alex declined until a cheer from Luke had him doing that incredible arm wave that was his signature move. The crowd let out a cheer of surprise by the impressive move and once he was done Luke grabbed him by the face for a kiss.

It continued that way for the rest of the song and when it was done the quartet left the fun they had created. They laughed, bumping against each other back to the side of the room they had designated for themselves. Alexys looked to the men with a wave of her hands, "I'm going to use the bathroom. You all wait right here."

"Are you sure you want to go alone?" Nick grabbed onto her hand to keep her in place, "I can go with you."

She leaned in and whispered, "I'm afraid if you come with me to the restroom there is no way I'm letting you walk out clothed."

Nick blushed and kissed her, "Don't tempt me, Spellman."

"I'm waiting until we are safe from prying eyes for the tempting," she winked.

He kissed her lips again then let go of her hand, "I'll be right here."

With that she turned away from the men and rushed her way to the bathroom. It took much too long for her to figure out how to go without ruining anything but afterward she was quite satisfied. She washed her hands, dried them, and bounced out of the stalls back to the dance.

"Smellpan."

She froze and looked to see Professor Smythe in a handsome suit waiting for her. She blushed, "How long have you been waiting for me?"

He looked to his watch, "It's been about seven minutes."

"I had to figure out how to not mess up my dress," she quickly explained.

He chuckled, "I had no other thoughts in mind. You look absolutely…breathtaking."

Her face lit up into a thousand blushes and back came the feelings she thought she had gotten rid of with her love for Nick. She swallowed hard as she looked him over and thought of their wedding together, "You clean up well yourself."

"Thank you," he smiled before stepping off the wall to look deep into her eyes, "I was hoping for a dance this evening."

"I-I'm here with Nick," she stammered.

"Just one. Promise I won't bite," he extended his hand, "Unless you want me to."

She internally screamed as her hand lifted without her control. The touch of his flesh on hers after so long of avoidance made her mind swim and out came out, "I suppose just one dance wouldn't hurt."

Back in the cafeteria Alex could see Nick and Luke stiffening as they scanned the faces of the room. Nick seemed to be staring at the entrance to the hall that Alexys had taken toward the bathrooms. When he was caught staring he blushed, "I just get worried…you know. With everything that's happened."

"Yeah, I know what you mean," Alex smiled reassuringly.

"I'll go check on her," Nick took a step but Alex stopped him.

"Trust me. If you went to go look for her in the bathroom she would die. I'm sure she's having technical difficulties with her dress. I'll go check on her and if the issues are too technical," he made a face of discomfort, "then I'll come right back and grab you."

Nick laughed, "Okay, fair enough."

Alex walked out the path that he had seen Alexys take. The hall was relatively empty with only stray individuals leaning against walls and couples kissing out of obvious eyesight. The bathroom was all the way at the end and it split toward the left for women and the right for men. In the open walkway between both he called out, "Alexys?"

There was only silence that met him.

His brows furrowed and he looked back the way he had come. For a moment worry filled him until he heard her giggle around the corner. Alex turned his head to see her and Professor Smythe dancing very closely in the shadows of the other hall.

"Something in your eyes was so inviting. Something in your smile was so exciting. Something in my heart told me I must have you," Professor Smythe sang quietly to Alexys the song they had first danced to.

Her face was red as she looked at him and her lips tingled with an ache to be kissed.

"Ahem!"

The two separated immediately and found Alex staring at them, "Alex!"

"Ah, look. Crimson and clover," he smiled in regards to her wearing green and he wearing red. He looked absolutely pleased with himself without an ounce of shame.

"I was just coming to check how you made out with your gown," Alex stepped further down the hall toward them to break up whatever sexual tension had been created with the dance.

"I-I…" Alexys couldn't even think of a convincing lie.

Professor Smythe looked to her with a sigh of disappointment before taking her hand and bowing, "Thank you for the dance, Ms. Smellpan."

"Professor," she blushed as he kissed her knuckles and then walked away.

Alex waited until Alexys could meet his eye before hissing, "PLAYING WITH FIRE!"

"I KNOW!" she did her best to cover her face without messing up her makeup, "He was waiting for me to get out of the bathroom for a dance."

"Weird!" he whisper-shouted.

"Cute!" Alexys replied back.

Alex looked down at his fitbit, "Okay, we've been here about thirty minutes. I guess we can wait another thirty and then go. How are we going to sneak away?"

Alexys pulled out at the bag draped over shoulder, "I don't know but maybe we ca—"

The very loud sound of piano chords caught their attention and Alex looked to Alexys with furrowed brows, "Is that…?"

"You say: what if I go crazy? I say: that ain't gonna happen. You say: what if I get lost? I say: you'll just find your way back. You say: what if someone breaks my heart? I say: I'll put it back together like I do," came a strong voice over a microphone.

Alex gasped, "Luke!"

Alex took off running down the hall back toward the cafeteria while Alexys hobbled her way on heels as quickly as she could. When Alex emerged into the crowd he gasped to find Luke on a makeshift stage with none other than Pierce Hawthorne playing piano and kind hippie known as Vaugn Miller on guitar. Luke on stage pointed toward Alex and helping hands guided him up to the front.

"You say: what if I don't catch the dreams that I've been out there chasing? What if when my fears show up I'm too afraid to face them? Well I can't fight your battles but I sure can hold your hand and promise you..."

His hand extended toward Alex and Alex took it gently. The tears streaming down his face came from a deep place he didn't even know existed. He wiped at them to the best of his ability but it didn't work. His eyes were glued to Luke who sang the song of one of his favorite singers. He was in a fairytale and a dream come true all at once.

"…that the sky will still be up there and the sun will always shine. The stars will keep on falling for the ones who wish at night. The mountains won't start moving and the rivers won't run dry. The world will always be there and so will I."

Luke continued his song to Alex with tenderness that made all of Greendale believe in love once again. The whole time they held hands while couples danced to the song just for them. Alexys had made her way in time to watch from the entrance of the hall which gave her the best view of both Alex and Luke's face. In her hands she had her phone recording the event and the intimate kisses between pauses that Luke gave to Alex. She realized this was this entertainment Hilda had mentioned and it made her heart melt. She swore to herself that no matter what happened that evening she would never let anything get in the way of Alex and Luke. She would find a way to keep them together.

"And so will I…"

The song ended with a deep embrace between the two that made the crowd cheer. Nick found Alexys soon after, "I was worried about you. I was afraid you'd miss the surprise."

Alexys blushed, putting her phone back into her velvet bag, "I had some technical difficulties with the gown and these heels are giving me a run for my money."

"Come on, why don't we take a seat?" he laughed, guiding her toward one of the lunch tables that was pushed off to the side to make room for the dance floor.

"I'd like that…especially since I'm pretty sure Alex and Luke are going to be using the Skylark for a little while…" she blushed as she looked at the two holding hands and walking to the exit with the keys to Nick's car.

"Yeah," laughed, "I figured that would happen but you know what. Luke deserves it. That was one hell of a song."

"That it was," she smiled, holding onto Nick's shoulder as they walked off to take a seat.

Alexys counted the minutes until the hour she and Alex had promised was up. It was spent between Nick bringing her drinks, casual dances with him, and totally ignoring the moment she had with Professor Smythe. Her eyes drifted between the door and the number of students in the corner wearing black. Every time Nick went off to fetch a drink or a piece of food she seemed to add a new name to the list in her journal of students that had been…corrupted. In total she had about twenty names and in a community college that wasn't much but all grouped together it promised to be…threatening.

"Alright, everyone!" the Dean put an end to the music and got the focus of everyone on the dance floor, "We are going to be doing a little something interesting this year. Our wonderful dance instructor Madame LeClair has done the honors of creating our Greendale Dance! Uh…Troy and Britta, would you care to help demonstrate?"

Troy and Britta moved to the stage with the Dean and Madame LeClair. The two stood side by side while the Dean and Madame moved also into position. Pierce took to the piano and said something that made Britta roll her eyes and hiss something back. The piano playing began and the count from the Madame of one, two, three, four.

Troy and Britta locked arms while Dean and Madame locked arms beside them. Both couples separately began moving to the music in clockwise circles while keeping their eyes focused on one another. After an eight count they switched arms and moved counterclockwise. After another four count, they switched back to clockwise for a good three turns then everyone joined into a group and grasped hands down by their hips. They all looked to their left as they moved to their right and then switched head directions and facial directions as well. This continued for twelve beats then they pushed their hands in the center, moved inward, then outward, then inward, and on the outward motion separated their hands and in a jazzy motion brought them back down. At that point Britta locked arms with the Dean and Madame Le Clair locked arms with Troy and the whole dance began again but at the end of the second go, before they switched partners, they extended their right leg into their little group and drew a half circle into the floor with their foot then switched legs and drew another half circle and then switched partners.

Pierce's song came to an end and with it the demonstration.

The Dean was laughing while Troy grabbed onto Britta clearly dizzy and mumbling, "This is wrinkling my brain."

"Alright, everyone. Get onto the dance floor and partner up!"

Nick looked to Alexys with a raised brow and she looked back to him with a nod of her head, "Let's do it."

The two took their place with their arms locked. Nick held that signature smirk he always did while Alexys could not hide how eager she was to participate in a dance that connected her with the school. The Dean seemed to have trouble picking a song but the insistence of what sounded like Jeff Winger made him jump into action.

"If you change your mind. I'm the first in line. Honey, I'm still free. Take a chance on me. If you need me let me know. Gonna be around. If you've got no place to go when you're feeling down."

As soon as the beat kicked in every couple began to turn clockwise. Alexys tilted her ear listening to the song with intrigue. She looked to Nick, "Who is this?"

"Oh…Alexys…I'm telling Alex you asked that," he teased.

"What!" they switched arms and directions, "Just tell me!"

"It's ABBA! How do you know Fleetwood Mac and not ABBA?" he shook his head with mock disappointment.

"Well…the question isn't how do I not know ABBA but why have you never showed me? Honestly, you're the problem here."

They continued teasing and flirting until they moved into the group of four and held hands as they moved in one motion with their head in the opposite direction. She could feel Nick's hand pressing into hers as if in Morse Code and she was tempted to look at him and say "I don't know Morse Code!" but she continued on enjoying the feeling of his hand. They switched partners and she suddenly had Vicki on her arm.

"Hey!" Alexys smiled, recognizing her as the woman that stabbed Pierce with her pencil.

"Hello," she smiled shyly, "I like your dress."

"Oh, thank you. I figured…you know what? It's going to be winter break and I might as well spice things up."

"I like what you guys did. The whole crimson and clover theme," she smiled.

Alexys blushed, remembering what Professor Smythe had said, "Thank you. We wanted to be festive and dress for the season."

"How do you think you did on the English Final?" she wondered.

"Oh man…I totally bombed!" Alexys shouted and made Vicki laugh in sympathy. They continued to talk about the failure that was the English final until they moved into the group circle dance again. They got to the part with the half circles and just when she was going to join Nick again she was grasped by Garrett.

The song changed to something that reminded her of a Madonna song and then continued in a completely different way. Garrett obviously and vocally counted the steps that they were supposed to take for the dance which made Alexys smile at his sweet character. Half way through he leaned in, "I heard you were caught in the Dean's office. Is it because of his contract with the Church of Stillhet?"

"Wait? What? Contract?"

"Hold on," they switched into the counterclockwise, "He's turning Father Blackwood into the Religions professor as payment for something the Dean did but don't tell anyone I told you!"

"I won't…but wait. How do you know that?" she glanced around to see if she could find Alex so he could know too.

He was fixated on going back to clockwise and going around three times but when he felt comfortable he finally answered, "I heard him talking to Professor Wardwell after finals. I dropped my books outside of class and when I went to pick them up I heard her. She also sai—"

They were whisked into their group dance. Though she was supposed to look in the opposite direction she couldn't help but to look at Nick for reassurance. He smiled warmly at her and they continued in their group circles and then returned to their original partners.

"What's wrong? You look spooked," instead of locking arms with her he moved his across her body to hold her close to him while they continued to move side by side.

"I don't know. I'm just feeling lightheaded," she answered honestly.

"Want to sit down?"

She opened her mouth to say yes but suddenly the clapping and sitar of a familiar song, "Wait, is this Rasputin by Boney M?"

"You know this and not ABBA?" he chuckled, "You never stop surprising me."

Alexys continued to sing as she entered the group dance with a new swing in her hips and excitement for the steps. Though it was relatively simple she put her own twist into the movements that made Nick laugh. Again he squeezed her hand in gentle movements that made her concerned for what it could mean but she glanced at him he was smiling.

She moved to go back to Vicki but the Dean shouted in the Mic, "Move to the group at your left!"

Alexys felt her arm get pulled and then gasped, "Alex!"

He chuckled, "I couldn't miss a choreographed dance number!"

"Good! This is my favorite song!" she shouted excitedly, realizing she was closer to the center of the dance floor than before.

"This is your favorite song?" they switched directions in the midst of his confusion.

"Oh yeah!" she shouted and for emphasis she began singing, "Rah-Rah-Rasputin, lover of the Russian Queen! There was a cat that really was gone!"

"I have to tell you about what happened outside!" Alex shouted excitedly.

"OMG did he propose?" she leaned in closer.

"No, but I'm pretty sure we saw Willie and Wanda coming into the dance! They have to be here somewhere!" he looked around.

"Wait, which one's Wanda again? I wrote it down but I keep getting confused!"

"It's Cl— wait, I have to warn you about the group!"

It was too late.

Alexys felt the grip of Professor Smythe's hand in hers and she felt her face burn bright. She saw him smile, "We meet again, Ms. Smellpan."

"I'm afraid you're looking in the wrong direction," she smirked.

He laughed and looked in the proper way that he was supposed to as Alexys and Alex looked to each other with wide horrified eyes. The panic she felt by his suddenness out in the open made her desire for him plummet though she did feel the heat of his hand in hers. All she wanted to do was enjoy the dance with her best friend/cousin.

The time for the partner switch came and just as the Professor looked at her Luke grabbed her arm and she beamed with happiness, "Oh Luke!"

"I heard you liked this song?" he grinned.

"I do! And you?"

His answer was singing the next lyrics and she joined him with happiness, "In all affairs of state he was the man to please."

"But he was real great when he had a girl to squeeze," she sang back happily.

The two continued to sing the lines of the song until the group was combined. Alex had held polite conversation with the Professor but his real attention had been on Luke and Alexys. It filled his heart with such joy to see his best friend and the man he loved genuinely having fun together and the fun to continue when he joined. Alexys found herself between Luke and Alex and felt happiness at being in the center of their little union—especially with Luke just as into the song as she was.

The song changed just as she touched hands with the Professor and Alexys found herself rocking with the next song too. To her amazement the Professor began to sing to the song happily, making her laugh. He was acting so goofy she found that her uneasiness vanished and it wasn't until the chorus that she realized what song it was.

"You spin me right round, baby right round. Like a record, baby. Right round right round."

Alexys laughed happily, looking at the glee in everyone's face but suddenly through the spinning she caught the eye of someone that made her blood run cold. Father Blackwood stood at the far end talking to Zelda while his eye was on Alexys. She looked around in search of the Twelfth Doctor but he was nowhere to be found. She tried to shout for Zelda but the song change overpowered her and suddenly she danced with Alex.

"What's wrong? What's happening?"

"It's Zelda!" Alexys shouted, looking over the top of people's head in search of where she had gone, "She's with Father Blackwood."

"Oh no!" He let go of her to start heading toward where he had last seen her but Luke grabbed him for the group spin as the Professor held onto Alexys.

"I need to go find my Aunt," Alexys tried to pull from the Professor.

His grip remained firm, "Oh, she's having a good time with Professor Smith. I see them talking now!"

Alex looked to Luke, "I have to find my Aunt!"

"Is something wrong with Hilda?" he asked concerned.

"It's Zelda, we need to go!" Alex urged.

"Let's go!" Luke confirmed and immediately grabbed Alex to help him navigate between the circling bodies.

"What's going o—"

"Change groups!"

Alexys felt herself grabbed and when she turned around she was locked with Father Blackwood himself.

"Tonight, I want to give it all to you. In the darkness there's so much I want to do."

"Ms. Spellman, I have been meaning to make your acquaintance for quite some time."

"Is that so?" Alexys asked, trying her best to pull free from the hold of the man.

"It is. Since we locked eyes at the Blue Moon Tavern I knew our fates were destined to intertwine I just never knew how deeply it would go. I never knew you were the one we were searching for all along," his eyes peered down on her in a way that felt more than mortal.

She was drawn, locked, paralyzed to listen to his words though she tried her best to pull back, "I disagree. I just went for the Astronomy Club. I wasn't there to find you."

"There is no need for lies between us, Watcher. We are far beyond that point."

They moved to switch arms and she took that time to slip from his hold but was grabbed by another black-clad individual.

"I was made for loving you, baby. You were made for loving me."

An iron grip held onto her along with the voice she knew familiar, "Father Blackwood isn't done speaking with you."

Alexys gasped. It was Vaughn but he had just played guitar for Luke and had been totally normal. Suddenly he was wearing black and the kindness of his blue eyes was swallowed by dark intent. Could it be possible for Father Blackwood to work so fast?

He let go of her for the next part of the dance and she ducked beneath his grasp and began to run toward the exit with the clear view through spinning groups. She made her way closer to the edge but was grabbed once again by Joey Elkins, a.k.a. white Abed. He looked down at her with a frightening sneer, "Your conversation with Father Blackwood isn't over."

She was suddenly shoved backward but was righted by strong arms. She looked up and saw that indeed it was Father Blackwood who began to turn with her once again, "There is no need to avoid the inevitable. Just tell me what you know."

"I don't know anything!" she shouted in fear.

He used the long nails of his free fingers to tug on her bag that held her journal, "Somehow I doubt that."

Alexys pulled hard away from him, taking her bag with her and stumbling as far back as she could but she was once again caught in the grip of black-wearing students. Their words repeated, "Give us the journal. Give us the journal."

She tried to pull her hands free but their hold was like steel.

Alexys looked around for someone to help and watched Alex already running out the door. She understood that her only hope was to run outside and meet herself and the Doctor and Alex at the sign. There was some deep alien magic controlling these people and she needed to figure out what scared the Doctor so bad to stop it. She looked around for anyone and suddenly the loud voice of the Dean, "Partner Change!" bellowed in her ears.

Immediately she elbowed the person at her side and sprinted as best as she could in wobbly heels through the grabbing hands. The exit was just strides in sight, so close she could feel the fresh air wafting in on the cold breeze. Her hand extended toward the night as if it would reach out to pull her through.

Slam!

"Alexys, I have to talk to you," came the broken voice of Nick.

"I have to get out!" she pulled away from him, "We have to get out right now!"

"NO," there was darkness in his eyes that frightened her.

"Nick…" for a moment she was afraid it was the darkness that belonged to the others but as she looked at him she saw it was a darkness of pain.

"We need to talk now and I can't wait any longer," he declared.

"We need to go now!" she cried, looking behind her to make sure she wasn't being followed.

"You danced with the Professor when you said you were using the bathroom! You lied to me!"

"Wh-What?"

"Don't even try to lie now!" he was crying, "Leonard told me!"

"What!" she snapped angrily.

"Pimpin' ain't easy but it sure is fun," he shrugged as he walked by.

"Shut up, Leonard! I know you lick ice cream cartons and put them back on the shelf!"

"Alexys, how could you?" Nick cried.

"Nick, please. If we could just talk in the car or talk outside? It's not safe he—"

BOOM.

Loud booming thunder crackled across the sky far too familiar.

The two jumped into each other's arms as they looked out at the night sky. No one inside the Cafeteria seemed to notice but Nick and Alexys shivered in fear. They looked to each other in shock and terror waiting for the next t—

BOOM!

They screamed and turned in toward each other.

When they looked outside once again they saw the familiar compasses on the ground before them. It was just like it had been the morning after the Bonfire. The only difference was that there seemed to be exponentially more of the golden watches on the ground.

"Why is nobody noticing!" Nick shouted.

Alexys turned back and saw in the middle of the crowd a long arm extend into the air. She saw the hand and saw long, pointy nails. The hand waited as the people spun and spun for their final group turn in the dance and then the hand closed and along with it came absolute silence.

Silence except for a vibrating click.

Alexys and Nick looked out to the golden watches littering the ground.

The compasses had opened.

Nick looked to Alexys and gripped the back of her head with seriousness, "I think you should sleep over my house tonight."

She nodded in fear, crushing herself against his chest as she felt tears spilling from her eyes, "We need to find Alex and Luke. They ran outside!"

He nodded and they joined hands to leave. They made sure to walk around the watches as they searched for the two they held dear to their heart. Together they found their way to the student parking lot where the red Buick sat but it was empty.

Alexys felt tears spilling as she imagined the worst.

"Oh, hey guys!"

They spun to their left and saw Alex and Luke walking at a diagonal from the street.

"Where were you!" Alexys cried as she ran to Alex and threw her arms around him.

"We ran out here to find Zelda and Hilda but I guess they went home," he pulled back and grabbed her arms gently, "Are you okay?"

She ignored the question, "Did you see anything?"

There seemed to be a loss of understanding but suddenly it registered and shook his head, "No, I didn't see anything."

"Guys, let's all sleep over my house," Nick repeated again.