Chapter Eighteen:
When the evening came Alexys was restless. She had gone to bed in a pair of thick flannel pajama bottoms that had pockets so she could keep the compass in it comfortably but that didn't seem to be the issue. The issue was that she was anxious to the point that she felt she would cry if something did not change. She tried different positions to sleep in, tried having her phone with Netflix on, then her phone with ocean sounds on. She did everything she could think of but there was no calm from the storm inside of her.
And then there was a creak at her window.
She screamed then pointed the flash of her phone at the sound to find Nick Scratch climbing into it her room with a roguish smile, "Hello, beautiful. Thought I'd surprise you with a little midnight romance."
"A text would do!" she was shaking.
He rushed to the bed and took her hands into his, "What's wrong?"
She shook her head in a near panic, "I don't know. I'm freaking out."
"Hey," he put his hand behind her head so that he could guide her forehead to his, "Why don't you sleep at my place tonight? I'll drop you off early in the morning before class starts. Let's just get you out of the house."
She chewed on her lip nervously before nodding, "Okay."
He kissed her and smiled, "Alright, let's go."
Alexys packed only a small bag with her journal and her phone charger in it. Instead of climbing through the window—like Nick insisted—they tiptoed out of the house and through the back door. The movement made Alexys feel better and the joy of "sneaking out" brought with it an excitement that made her nerves jump in different ways. In the Buick, Nick began to drive as if they had made a jailbreak. It made her laugh.
"Here, why don't you lay your head on my lap until we get there," he offered.
She blushed, "Are you trying to do what I think you're trying to do."
He laughed, "That wasn't my intention but I'll take what I can get."
"You, sir, will get nothing while you are driving," she laid her head down and sunk into the relaxing feeling of his hand playing with her hair.
She was surprised that in the short drive she had fallen asleep.
Nick woke her up with a light shake and tender words.
Alexys yawned and sat up from her place to look out of the window at Nick's house. She had already begun to think of it as home away from home. When she stepped out she immediately felt at ease but realized she forgot her bag, "I dropped m—"
"I got it," Nick gave her a little wink as he grasped her bag and then shut the door.
They reunited hands as they walked up the steps and when they got inside she threw her arms around Nick and gave him a hero's kiss. He held her tight like some sort of knight in shining armor and she enjoyed the feel of the fantasy. The only thing he had saved her from was anxiety and restlessness but it was a feat worth celebrating.
When they pulled back from the kiss she smiled, "I'm going to use the bathroom. Meet you in the room?"
He nodded his head, "I'll meet you there."
Alexys did not really have to use the bathroom. Her decision for rushing to it was to freshen up for cuddling that would inevitably lead to something else. She wondered how she could pull it off with keeping the watch in her pocket but decided she would figure it out in the moment.
When she finished she walked out with a happy smile, "Nick, I really feel so much be—"
"What is this?"
In Nick's hand was her journal and she had no response.
"Tell me, Alexys, what is all of this?"
"It's my dream journal. Why are you looking through it? You're invading my privacy!" her voice was strong but her knees were weak.
"You tell me all about your dreams all the time. This is supposed to be your dream journal. That's why I got it for you but these aren't dreams! This is real life skewed in some weird way it's not dreams it's…," he swallows hard and starts flipping through it, "You turned this into your fantasty book?"
"What? No?" a strange buzzing began in her pocket.
"It says here you were married to Professor Smythe? There are descriptions of everyone in town and all the Professors are also somehow the Doctor? What does any of this mean? What are these creatures? These symbols? The golden pocket watches that fell from the sky and you have silver ones? Don't show Nick? Don't show me what! Don't show me…what does it say here? The 'incredible amount of sexual tension' you have with Professor Smythe? Are you kidding?"
"It's a dream journal," she whispered, the vibrating in her pocket growing stronger each second she felt weaker.
"Bull shit."
She swallowed hard and found her hand going into her pocket. It was the compass vibrating but as soon as she touched it the thing quelled, "It doesn't matter what it is. It matters why you're going through it."
"It matters why you and Alex are sneaking around where you don't belong! You snuck into the Dean's office with Professor Smythe? What else aren't you telling me?" there was so much hurt and accusation in his voice she did not understand.
She didn't have anything to say.
"I asked you to stay away from the watches and the church and you lied to me! Why are you lying to me all of a sudden and getting yourself into danger for no reason? You're going to get hurt one day and I can't protect—"
Alexys pulled out the compass from her pocket.
Nick's face fell into a million little pieces, "You brought one with you?"
Her heart thrummed so loud she could no longer hear Nick with it. In her mind came the warning she gave to Alex about the Time Fissures but suddenly Nick was in a fury she did not understand. His anger was something she did not have the capacity to handle and with each beat of her heart came the promise that the compass could help. It was wrong yet it was the only option. She could not tell Nick everything. She had to protect him with ignorance.
"Alexys!"
She moved it a tick mark backward.
WAP.
She was back in the bathroom and she stormed out to find Nick opening her bag, "What are you doing?"
Alexys pressed the button once again with a WAP and returned in the middle of Nick's apology, "I just don't understand what's happening with you right now. I feel like there is so much you aren't telling me and I'm worried. It was wrong of me to try and look through your stuff. It's just…I feel like you're not really talking to me."
"What? How?" she was genuinely shocked.
"I just feel like when we talk you're trying to pacify me. There is so much happening and I need to know you are staying out of it. I need to know you are safe. I don't know what would happen if I lo—"
"Nick," she rushed into his arms for a deep embrace.
It was not okay for him to go through her journal but it was also not okay for her to use the device against him. It was also not okay for her to feel the temptation to use it again. It was not okay that she desired to deny everything Nick wished and lie to him about it. Worst of all, it was not okay for them to be stuck in such a situation that put them and their relationship in danger. The only thing that was okay was the way Nick's arms felt around her.
He pulled back and held her face in his hands, "I need you to be safe, okay? I just need you to be safe."
She leaned up and kissed him, "I will, I will."
Though the fight hadn't occurred they certainly made up as if it had. By the time they fell asleep it was very late and there was no time for further discussion. They fell asleep in unity.
Yet when Alexys awoke that morning she had full knowledge that she would be adventuring alone. Nick drove her home early, as promised, and when she entered she knew not to expect Alex to say hello. She wasn't sure if he had left already but she knew the plan was set for Alex to be going through time. The only proof she would have was her memory that she promised to write down the changes for him and the new outcomes. That would be her only connection to her best friend that day.
She brushed her teeth and prepared herself but when it came to an outfit she knew she needed to make a statement. Alexys decided this day there would be no prisoners taken. She needed to dress for such an occasion.
"I see you've gone through my wardrobe…Again."
Alexys wore the signature skirt, black stockings, flats, mini backpack, red coat, and hair pushed back by a head band. She even wore the signature Sabrina make-up. The only difference was a tie dye shirt she had taken from her lovely Auntie's closet.
"Auntie, I thank you for allowing me to wear your shirt," Alexys smiled as she took her seat at the head of the table and placed her journal inside her mini backpack.
"Of course, dear," she smiled happily, "Going for a new look today?"
Alexys gave her Aunt a wink as she took a bite of the bacon waiting for her, "Something like that."
It was with a full stomach and full heart of Aunt Hilda that Alexys walked the property of Greendale Community College. There was a new aura around her that promised she would not succumb to the Church of Stillhet or their intimidation. She was ready to take on the world.
That was until she entered the building.
Everything had changed.
The typical morning hustle and bustle had darkened to quiet steps and robotic stares. All of the decorations were removed in place of the strange circular symbols that had been up on the dance. There were more people in black walking in groups while the people not in black scurried to their classes. Everyone seemed to move as if they were held against their will. No one dared to even whisper.
The halls emptied before she took her next breath.
Something overwhelmed her as it had when she saw Nick going through her journal. She pulled the compass from her pocket and turned the dial a few tick marks in the past. There was a moment of hesitation but it quickly faded.
December 1st
Alexys stood in the hall beside Alex and Nick and Luke in front of the bulletin board but everything was spoken in less than a breath's tone. The groups of black clad students roamed and instead of flyers for the Bonfire there were flyers for the service the Church of Stillhet was to hold. The astronomy flyer still looked at her and she still took it into her pocket.
Present
She was horrified.
How had the past changed so drastically? How had the present? She had only missed school for one day but it was as if she were gone for decades. This was not the Greendale she knew and loved. This was something far more sinister.
Alexys took the steps to her English class but when she pulled on the door it was locked.
She looked through the window and saw students, mostly in black but some in color, sitting with hands folded and eyes on the back of Professor Wardwell who drew circles on the board. New memories began to fade into her. If a student was late they were subject to a renewal of class schedule. The new schedule called for them to immediately be redirected to Father Blackwood's Religions class.
A door somewhere opened and with it came the wind of something nefarious. The anxiety returned that made her feel like she was going to be eaten alive. Her immediate thought went to Nick.
"Ms. Spellman, thank you for retrieving the notebook I asked you for. Come on now."
She looked up to find Professor Smith and the anxiety was gone.
She was confused but the urgency in his expression ended any questioning. He pulled on his sunglasses and turned quickly. Alexys followed him happily down the hall until he ducked into a classroom and shut the door behind her.
It was a music room with seats filled of mismatched students.
The Professor locked the door and shut the blinds, "Please, take a seat."
Alexys slowly walked to the chair closest to the exit.
"Now, I must ask students. Is anyone here a practicing member of Stillhet?"
New memories were written across Alexys' brain. It was a required question—had been since Greendale began—asked at the start of each class. If the answer was "yes" a specific lesson plan was to be administered. If the answer was "no" there was to be a discussion about why not and mention of extra credit points to attend a service. The motley crew of students did not answer the Professor's question for fear of the outcome. Alexys felt her anxiety rise as someone passed the door.
"I take that as a no," the Professor took a seat, "Good. Feel open to talk freely. I fear we have no safety to do so anymore."
"What is going on?"
"How is this happening?
"I don't remember it being like this?"
"Why are they so weird?"
Alexys pulled out her journal and began scribbling all the new information that came with each sentence. When they were all done she raised her hand. The Professor called on her, "Has anyone had any strange dreams?"
It was uncertain whether there was information to be gathered from the dreams but Alexys wrote every single one down until the end of the period. She made sure to write down the Professor's which included lots of imagery of women and death. Before leaving the class she stopped by his desk, "Thank you for helping me out there."
"Of course. I tell everyone, 'if you run into trouble say Professor Smith sent me out for something.' So far it's done a world of good," he picked up his guitar from beside his desk to begin playing, "How is your, Aunt Zelda?"
"Wouldn't you know?" Alexys furrowed her brows.
He let out a sigh as he shook his head, "She ended things with me the night of the Finals Dance. Said she needed to dedicate her life to spiritual pursuits. Never seemed like a spiritual woman to me before."
"Oh no," Alexys felt that strings of fear being pulled in her.
"My thoughts exactly. But, better get on to your next class. If you're with me too long they'll get suspicious," there was a frown at the corner of his lips.
"Thank you, again," she ducked out into the hallway.
Alexys watched as the students moved in a haze. She knew she had to do something and she had to do it with haste. Quickly she stepped out onto the quad with her phone in hand. Over her shoulders she kept a warm cardigan that helped her as she took her steps to the other building where her class was. She had programed the weather guy's number as soon as she found it but this was the first time she decided to call.
"You've got McCrimmon."
She tripped, "Uh, uh, hello. My name is Alexys. I'm from Greendale. I'm calling because we've had another incident of NASA watches falling from the sky and now everything is weird."
"Where are you currently?"
"At Greendale Community College," she looked around to make sure no one was listening.
"I see. I am working with a group of highly trained professionals to remove the contaminated objects from the town of Greendale. For issues regarding the Community College, I have designated a Professor Smythe as head of the cleanup. Any further inquiries you'll have to take up with him."
"BU—"
"Have a good rest of your day."
Click.
Alexys mumbled to herself, "Shit, shit, shit."
The quad began to empty out at a dizzying pace and so she ran to the building she knew held the astronomy class. Eyes fell upon her from the black-wearing groups but she held her head eye despite the pit in her stomach. She knew the classroom Professor Smythe was in thanks to the conversation at the Blue Moon Tavern but when she got to the class the door was locked and the inside was empty.
Panic seized her.
She began to pull on the knob harder and harder and harder with the hope that it would open or break and just when she was about to kick the thing she tumbled forward. Strong arms grabbed her and pinned her against the door. She pushed forward to fight but a soft laugh caused her to calm.
"You're stronger than you look, Ms. Smellpan."
So much relief flooded through her system that she dove forward and wrapped her arms around him. For a brief moment he was the Doctor that could think of something to save them. For a brief moment he was the Doctor that would know exactly what was happening and how to stop it. For a brief moment she was safe. She was with the man she married.
Warm lips met hers and she succumbed momentarily to the experience. With her eyes closed she imagined she was in the Tardis after a thrilling escape. The Doctor had the greatest passions after a victory in the face of certain death.
The sound of shuffling feet in the hall pulled her from the fantasy and she looked up at Professor Smythe. She couldn't help but to whisper, "I'm so scared."
"I've got you," his hand rested against her cheek and pulled her in for another kiss.
She pulled back though as she shook her head, "I-I can't…I came here to ask you something very important."
"What is it?" his breath was fresh across her face and his closeness filled her with a warmth her fear had taken.
"I-I…have you had any weird dreams?"
"All of you," his arms wrapped around her middle and pulled her for another kiss that she once again sunk into but just for the moment.
She pulled back and shook her head, "I can't. I-I'm with Nick."
"Will this really never be?" there were tears in his eyes.
"Not while I'm with Nick."
He pulled back then but there was a smile on his face.
"Why are you smiling?"
He caressed her cheek, "I'm a patient man and we've got all the time in the world."
"No…we don't!" she pulled away from him, "Do you see what's going on? This isn't normal. What's happening here? Why is the Church doing this?"
"I don't know," with that he leaned around her to shut the blinds and lock the door. He stepped back into the room and walked to his desk, "I've been put in charge here but there is no being in charge. Everything has gotten away from us and there's no fighting it."
"But we have to fight it…," she wiped at her eyes, "We have to do something."
"The Church of Stillhet has been here since the school was first established in 1941."
"What?"
"It's not going anywhere."
All at once the memories that Alex changed, that Father Blackwood changed, that she herself had changed all fit into place inside of her brain. A sharp piercing hurt spat through her head that made the world around her go blurry. The man jumped to his feet to try to help her but she pushed him away and leaned against the desk.
She had to put an end to it.
Alexys pulled out her compass.
"Oh, I wouldn't do anything with that. Put that down. Bad things have been happening to students that toy around with that!"
Through squinted eyes she shouted, "I have to do something!"
"Alexys! No!"
She put it to the evening of the Blue Moon Tavern.
December 1st
"I have been expecting you, Ms. Spellman."
Alexys found herself in the seat across from the man as he drew lazy circles on the table. His eyes were on her as if his eyes had always been on her and would always be on her.
"Or should I say…Watcher?"
An icy chill went down her spine, "How do you know about that?"
"I have my sources," he paused his circle drawing to fold his hands, "Just as you have yours, I presume."
"I don't know what you're talking about," she spoke with defiance.
"There is no need to be coy, Ms. Hernandez."
All defiance was gone. He knew her true name beyond the fabrication of Greendale. She felt herself shaking violently, "What are you?"
"Another chess piece in this game, I am afraid. I would not say we are pawns though. I liken myself to the knight. You, I believe, would be that of a bishop," he looked her curiously.
"I like rooks more," she spat out.
"Oh, no. Your cousin is more of a rook. At the moment he is charging forward on a clear path for answers that I doubt he will get. While you…what are you doing exactly?"
"I…" she didn't know, "I'm doing something."
"Right, the bishop is always doing something," he smirked.
He made a half circle motion in the air and as he did a glass of water was placed beside Alexys. She quickly drank it as if she had never had water before in her life.
"I believe we both know who the king of this game is," he kept his gaze on her like a lion on a gazelle.
"Who?"
"The Doctor."
Alexys swore she almost broke the glass in her hand, "I don't know what you're talking about, Father Blackwood."
"Oh, no need for games," he leaned forward slightly, "My source tells me there is more than one we are up against on this Chess board.
"Is your source the Queen?"
"Oh, there are many Queens here," he made another motion.
Two figures came, "Hello, dear."
Tears spilled from her eyes as she watched her Aunties take their seat in the booth with them. Hilda took the place beside Father Blackwood and Zelda beside Alexys. She finished the water.
"No need for so such sorrow, my child," Father Blackwood leaned forward to grasp Alexys' hand tenderly between his.
She felt a charge from his skin to her skin that made her recoil, "What are you?"
"Simply a conduit."
When he spoke the noise of the bar quieted to a whisper.
"A conduit for what?" she could not look away from him.
"The inevitable."
He took her hand again as she asked, "What is inevitable."
"Who is the Doctor masquerading as here in Greendale?"
Alexys was silent.
"There is no need to fight us now, Alexys. I do not wish to see you or your cousin harmed. When this plan was put into motion the existence of you both was entirely unknown. The prophecy given to us by the source promised the Doctor would arrive with the Watchers but we had no idea you both were the Watchers. You both fit…so seamlessly into the narrative here we had not a single suspicion. And every time we did we had you followed only to find you in the thralls of passion," he seemed to squirm at the thought.
Alexys blushed and looked between her Aunts with a shake of her head and a false chuckle, "I don't…know what he…"
"Oh save it. You are as subtle as a gun shot," Zelda spat, "Enough of this. Give us the journal. We know the information is stored there."
"Auntie! Are you kidding!" Alexys snapped.
"Please, child, we don't want this to continue any longer," Hilda looked to her sympathetically though it was not the same sympathy her Aunt Hilda always had.
"You are out matched and outnumbered, I'm afraid," Father Blackwood gave a false frown, "Everything has gone according to plan."
"And what is the plan, exactly?"
"To lure the Doctor here, to extract his essence, to succeed with the inevitable," he looked to her as if it were completely obvious.
"Who is the Doctor masquerading as here in Greendale?" Hilda asked in a way that was so un-Hilda Alexys felt anger burn inside of her
"Why have you mind controlled my Aunties? Why have you mind controlled the rest of the people here?" Alexys snapped.
"Well, it is simply to aid in our process of elimination. If they are with us they are not with the Doctor and they will help us find him. They will help us with the inevitable."
"What is the inevitable?"
"The arrival of the Beast."
Alexys felt as if the world had collapsed on her.
"The Master of Monsters. The Lord of Lambs. The Caller of Calamity," he smiled warmly, "I am to allow the prophecy of the Beast to reach the people of Greendale. I am to allow the prophecy of the Beast to reach you."
She yanked her hand back and screamed at the feeling of his long nails cutting into her flesh. Alexys began to rise but a strong arm kept her in place. She looked up and recoiled in horror.
"I believe your Aunt Hilda and I have raised you to have an open mind."
"Aunt Zelda! Aunt Hilda! He's tricking you! He's tricking everyon—"
For the first time Alexys realized that everyone in the bar was wearing black. Her heart hammered inside of her chest louder than the music that still played. All eyes were on her.
"Oh sweet Alexys. You really do have a nasty habit of walking into danger, don't you?" Hilda frowned.
"Enough," Zelda pushed Alexys forward and unzipped her bag to snatch her journal. Alexys jumped up to grab it from her but it was too late. She ripped out then slammed down five pieces of paper.
Alexys gasped, "How could you!"
The journal was tossed back at her suddenly useless. The pages held the descriptions she had written about the Doctors, their aliases, and the Chameleon Arch. Father Blackwood read them briefly then lifted his hand and made a circle in the sky. Todd came quickly and Father Blackwood handed him the pages with the names. He then turned his eyes onto Alexys, "Where is the essence of the Doctor?"
"I-I do—"
He pushed the page forward with the details of the silver fob watches.
"Curse my incredible artistic ability and note taking!" Alexys cried to the heavens, using the distraction to pull out her compass.
At this Father Blackwood chuckled, "I really do like you, Alexys. You and your cousin brought much enjoyment to us when under our radar however at the dance we saw this journal, we saw your suspicion of the symbols, and we saw you draw them. Only someone familiar with the Doctor would be familiar with the language of the Doctor."
"It was Gallifreyan," Alexys whispered.
"See. There is no use denying your knowledge. There is no use denying us. We have very, very powerful allies in our quest to destroy the Doctor."
"Why? Why do you want to destroy him? Why are you doing all of this?"
"For the Beast. The Beast will follow the fissures, come through the cracks, swallow the void, and become the Universe," Father Blackwood spoke the words with actuality.
"Any plans to stop the Beast are futile," Hilda shrugged.
"Give us the essence of the Doctor and we will make sure no harm comes to Nicholas Scratch," Zelda spoke with the calm she always did as she smoked her cigarette.
"You would hurt Nick, Auntie?"
"I would do anything for the Beast. NOW GIVE US THE ESSEN—"
Present
Professor Smythe was gone when she returned but in his place was the growing, smirking crack of a tear in the universe growing across the wall.
Tears spilled over her eyes as she called Nick's phone.
He answered on the first ring, "Alexys? What's wrong?"
"Nick, where are you?"
"I'm home…where are you?"
"I'm at the school…"
He gasped, "What are you doing there? They're fixing the gas leak! I'm coming to get you right now!"
Light shot through the air and Alexys ran out of the school at full speed as she spoke into the phone, "I'm leaving right now! I have to stop at my house but stay where you are, Nick! Please don't leave! I'll be right over!"
"I'm on my way!"
"NO," she used her strong voice, "I'm coming to YOU. Don't move!"
She hung up then and ran her way to Nick's until halfway there she got another call.
"Alexys! Where are you?" Alex shouted in horror.
"I'm going home. Where are you?"
"Good! Come home. NOW."
"Alex, leave! Zelda's one of th—"
He hung up before she could finish. Alexys hesitated a moment then ran her way back to the Spellman Mortuary. She had to protect her cousin. She had to protect the Doctor.
