Tuesday morning, Hannah Frost adjusts her skirt before approaching Brett Edwardson gathering up his things as class has ended. "Listen, I'm never sure on the conventions for these sort of things but I have a feeling you should have called me by now," she begins.

He just glances at her coldly. "Oh, that was purposeful. You see, you behavior this weekend alerted me to the fact that you weren't what I was expecting. And I didn't care for it."

"Are you talking about the prank?"

"So I don't think this is going to work."

She prevents him from leaving, shocked and mad. "Wait, so that's it? One flaw to you and I'm not worth dating anymore? Bulletin- if you hold everyone up like that you're always going to become disappointed."

He shrugs. "We gave it a shot. It didn't work out. It's time for us to move on."

"Well thank you for not wasting too much of time. I'm sorry- no I'm not. I was just being myself and if you didn't like that then this was never going to work anyway." She exits the classroom fuming. "This is the worst thing that could happen this week! Uggh!"

XXX

So follow me down

(Lori stands with the book)
Where to?
Outta this town

(Charlie examines his map)
With you
Girl, you're movin way

(Hannah is typing away at her computer)
Too slow

So follow me down

(Michael grabs the first aid kit from a cabinet)
Which way?
Down, down, down

(Ben looks at his phone and sighs, adjusting his tie)
I'll show you around

(Kaity is drawing pictures of the group absently in her dorm room)
Okay
There's a place we gotta go

(The Disney Encyclopedia begins to glow. Lori sighs)

Follow me, follow me

(Lori, Charlie, Hannah, Michael, Ben, and Kaity are running through the preserve, freezing once on each of their faces)
Fa la la la la

Follow me, follow me

Fa la la la la

(Lori comes to a halt and the others crash into her, sending them all to the ground)

Lori Disney? (Not Likely!)

Episode Ten: Oh, That is Despicable

XXX

A few hours later after classes, Lori Fitzgerald and her best friend Charlie Prescott sit atop her desk staring at the opposite wall as if it's something else. Her heads sits on her knees. "I just feel so completely humiliated. How was I supposed to know I wasn't up to his standards?!"

He wraps an arm around her. "Because that's not true at all. Do you want me to go punch him because I will?"

"That won't be necessary. I can move on. It just sucks when you put yourself out there and get rejected in any occasion- but especially this one." As if on cue, the file cabinet starts rattling next to the two of them. "Great," Lori moans. "It looks like someone wants to add to my day." She pulls it out and the two rise, the moment over and time to move on.

"He just wasn't the right guy," Charlie offers kindly. "He'll get here and he's going to be perfect!" Hannah enters, slamming the door behind her. Her crutches are gone as well as her cast, leaving her with two functioning legs once again.

Lori ignores the outburst and smiles. "Look who's got two legs again. Good timing too. We have a live one."

"Brett dumped me!" she shouts, throwing her stuff down. "He dumped me!" She starts pacing the room. "I played one little prank during dinner because it was kind of awkward and I was uncomfortable with the big fancy place and the expensive food. Not only does he find it unfunny, but he sees it as ground enough for all feeling to vanish and dump me!"

Lori puts a hand on her shoulder. "Hannah, it sucks but at least it was only one date. You didn't waste too much time."

Hannah sighs. "But it's just… with Tyler I acted like a completely different person. With Kenny I let myself be turned into a different person. I went into this one determined to be myself- stick up for me- and it blows up in my face. Am I not good enough for anyone?" she laments.

Lori grows serious. "Hey. This is dangerous thinking and you know it. It was a rebound, alright? You got a nice dinner out of it. Don't go overboard on me. We can become spinsters together if anything," she jokes.

This makes Hannah smile. "Only if we both learn to knit."

Lori nods in triumph. "Can you text the others?" Hannah nods and pulls out her phone. "Even Kaity," she says warningly.

Hannah casts her a dark look but Lori matches it and she backs down. "I don't know why you're such a martyr but yes I will. I promise."

Lori puts on her jacket and grabs the flashlights, book under her arm. "Hey, if it doesn't work out she can join the spinster club too. Come on." Charlie is right behind her as the three head out.

XXX

Lori, Charlie, and Hannah wander through the preserve. They are joined by Ben Prescott, Michael Harms with his first aid backpack on his shoulders, and Kaity Klingbeil. Charlie points as he considers his map and the group adjusts their direction.

Ben is beaming as he talks to Michael. "And she went to a Mumford and Sons concert over the summer too. She's so amazing and has done all these really cool things with her dad."

Michael smiles as he scans with his flashlight. "That's awesome Prescott. What did I tell ya'?"

Lori glowers back at them. "Can you stop being happy? There's a new rule today. Everyone has to be unhappy." Charlie frowns dramatically at them. Ben just raises an eyebrow and she turns back. "Fine… carry on."

He turns back to Michael. "She went scuba diving in the Great Barrier Reef last summer."

"She sounds really cool," Hannah admits.

"Maybe you were right about this whole rebound thing," Ben whispers to Michael. "This just seems so much easier. I can breathe again."

Michael nods towards Lori. "Just don't rub it in too much." They arrive at the clearing and Lori sees boot prints in the mud leading away.

"Well, it's a person. It looks like they grew impatient or were confused and left." She shines her flashlight into the trees as Kaity looks around. "We should try the library tree-"

"Was that always there?" Kaity asks, everyone turning around as she points to a tree. Carved into it hastily is 'Don't bother looking. You won't find me unless I want to.' Everyone is instantly tenser at the situation and turns to a white Lori.

"That's not good," she mutters, glancing at the prints again. "That's not good at all." She thinks quickly before addressing everyone. "Alright, we're going to exit the way we came swiftly and carefully. Everyone keep an eye out and stick together." She shuts off her flashlight and the others follow suit. They start heading out, obviously picking up the pace. "Hannah-"

Hannah already has her phone out. "Oh, every second I'm not in class I'll be watching the monitors like a hawk. I even moved it so I can view them on here over the summer. You know, since I don't have a boyfriend anymore," she says bitterly.

"Who are we thinking it is?" Charlie inquires as they exit the preserve, everyone's eyes still peeled.

"There's no point in speculating," Ben decides. "We're obviously going to find out soon enough."

Michael comes up beside Lori. "I hope you realize you're not walking anywhere alone after this. We're not about to let anything bad happen to you."

She gives him a serious look. "I'll be fine. I'm more concerned with protecting my Companions."

Kaity shakes her head in disagreement. "We signed up for this. You didn't." This seems to take Lori by surprise, though she quickly shakes it off.

XXX

The next morning, Lori opens her door as she readies for class to be met by the side of a humble Shawn Zimmerman. She glares at him. "I'm sorry, but we're not having a session today."

"I doubt you want to close the door," Shawn warns. "You'll miss all the groveling."

Lori folds her arms, leaning on the doorframe though her face betrays nothing. "Really?"

Shawn nods. "I was even considering getting on my hands and knees for more punch. Plus, I was going to offer you a slap or even punch as the clincher."

Lori stands for a long moment before nodding. "You have my attention."

Shawn nods, deciding to make it count. "I was completely out of line and I am so sorry for treating you in a way that was lesser than you," he says earnestly. "I was blind-sided… but that is no excuse for what I said to you. I still want us to be friends and I'm asking you to forgive me for being a complete asshole to you, especially when you were just clearing the air between us."

She is clearly not won over. "Do you even know how embarrassed I was?" He now kneels.

"I have no idea. But I know it was unbelievably cruel when all you were doing was putting yourself out there which is so brave and something I probably couldn't do. But again I am sorry. I was unforgiveable."

She thinks on this but stands up. "Can I still have the slap?"

He points to his cheek. "Yes. Go ahead. "She looks at him disgusted at his thinking she'd do it. "Oh, that was a joke. I-"She slams the door, leaving him on his knees. He hits his head against the door, beating himself up over his failed attempt.

XXX

After class that day, Kaity and Hannah exit Macy's at the mall with multiple bags in their arms. Both have been fixed up with make-up and are laughing as they enjoy each other's company.

Hannah grins widely. "See, wasn't this great? Lori absolutely despises any of this stuff, so it's nice to finally have a real girl to shop with." They pass a Disney store. "O, we should stop in there and see if we see anything funny."

They head in and look around, but exit after seeing nothing. Kaity smiles, happy and at ease for the first time in a while. "This has been fun. Thank you for inviting me."

"I just thought it would be good to spend some time the two of us- get to know one another better. Can we have a seat?" They do and she stretches her leg. "I'm not used to it yet. It gets tired quicker."

"How does it feel though?"

"Great. It's- it was the last remnant of that whole nightmare behind me." Kaity smiles at her kindly. "But enough about my now nonexistent love life. What's going on in yours?" Kaity opens her mouth to say something, but realizes what's going on and instantly reverts to her stony self.

"So this was a set-up?" she accuses, rising. "Drag me out here and be nice to me just so you can force your opinion down my throat in the hopes I change my mind? Lori told you-"

Hannah comes clean about her intentions for the day. "Lori sometimes doesn't make the best decision, you know."

"Well, I happen to think the opposite," Kaity says with narrowed eyes. "She does, but they just never line up with what you want. I think that says more about you than her." This takes Hannah by surprise. Kaity realizes something and paces. "And I missed my first day of therapy for this. She's going to be so mad at me for blowing my chance. What if she decides that's it? I had one thing I needed to do and you convinced me-"She sits, obviously panicking.

Hannah doesn't know what to do. "Listen-"Her phone vibrates and she pulls it out fast as she can. She watches a video intently.

Kaity hasn't noticed and is still nearly hyperventilating. "I fell for it so easily too. I guess that's what happens when you have five older siblings and they all secretly hate you for all the attention you got. You get desperate."

"The cameras outside the preserve saw something. I see something," Hannah says. This grabs Kaity's attention and she leans in as Hannah plays the video again. As it is on her phone, the picture is less than the best. But it shows a blurry figure striding confidently from the preserve. "Can you tell who it is?" she asks, squinting.

Kaity tries, but shakes her head. "Not with that picture. It looks like he has a gun though," she says, tapping the screen. Hannah instantly pulls is away and goes to her contact.

"We need to head back now," she orders. Kaity nods and gathers up their belonging, their conversation forgotten in the moment. "We are not doing this again."

"She's been shot before?" Kaity asks, aghast. Hannah nods as they are practically running out of the mall. "I can't even…"

Hannah clicks Lori's face and holds the phone to her ear as it rings. "Just pick up. Please pick up."

XXX

Charlie and Lori head across campus after exiting their last class for the day. She hangs up her phone- face serious. They start walking faster towards the dorms.

"Who did she think it was?" Charlie asks worried at how anxious she seems.

"She couldn't tell. We need to get right-"His phone rings and he perks up at who it is.

"It's Rachel," he explains. "I haven't talked to her since-"

"Go ahead," she nods with understanding. "Take it." He nods and picks it up after taking a deep breath.

"Rachel, it's so good to hear from-"

"Charlie, he's here," her voice says in a hushed voice.

Charlie halts. "Who's there?" Lori stops as well, suddenly interested. "What's the matter?"

She huffs, conveying that she's running and nervous. "I had to bring things into the theater from the science department for the play when I saw him. He has his gun, Charlie. People are going to get hurt." He hears ringing in the background as she lets out a grunt.

He's panicking now as Lori has a hand on his shoulder, trying to glean anything she can. "What- What's…?"

"I just pulled the fire alarm to clear the building," she explains. "I'm sure Hannah can do something about that. Listen; just get Lori and the book over here now. She needs to hurry. You hear me?"

Charlie nods, turning around so he faces the theater. "I do. We're on our way. You need to get out of there though."

"Not yet. There might be something more I can do to help," she argues.

"Rachel, it's not safe! Lori-"

"Yes, I'm doing exactly what Lori would do." He groans in frustration.

"Who is it at least?"

"It's-"She let out a scream and there is the sound of the phone hitting the floor. "Let go of me! Let go! Help!" Her voice grows fainter.

"Rachel!" Charlie cries. "Rachel!" He hangs up. "They've got her," he says, clearly distressed.

Lori nods, throwing her backpack under a tree and rolling her shoulders. "Text the others. Let's go." She takes off at a run towards the theater and he follows- madly sending out a text.

XXX

Lori slowly opens the door to the theater atrium and drops to a crouch as she enters, ducking behind a pillar. Charlie follows a little confused. "You stay behind me at all times and listen to whatever I say," she warns. He nods at the severity of her tone and they start creeping through the building cautiously towards the doors to the actual stage, her always looking over her shoulder.

"Should you get the sword?" he whispers, shaking.

Lori takes a moment before shaking her head. "I'm playing this close to the chest. Having a weapon might scare him into doing something stupid." They arrive at the doors and cautiously peek through the door. The stage is set up to look like a living room of an old house and center stage is Rachel being tied to a chair with electrical wire by an obscured figure from their angle. She is struggling, but it's not use.

"They'll come soon enough for you," a deep voice booms and echoes. "You're a rather pretty one I must admit. Hopefully, there's not too much up there tough. I've learned to despise that in girls." He finishes and steps into the light to reveal Gaston, gun strapped across his back. Lori's eyes narrow and Charlie looks at her waiting for her to act.

Rachel still tries to shake loose, refusing to show any fear. "You're not going to win," she spits.

Gaston chuckles. "Ah, but I've found the less complicated the plan the better chance for success. And mine is a very simple plan. Draw her here with you. I planned on simply making a scene but then I heard you mention her name so you must be a Companion. She'll come running." He draws his gun and mocks firing. "Kill her and if she tries anything kill you. Easy enough." He picks up Rachel's chin. "You know, you can't reject me if you're tied up."

Lori knows she has to act. She puts a hand out behind her and Charlie takes it. "Stay right here no matter what."

He shakes his head. "Last time you said that you got shot."

"I mean it." She looks back and he finally nods. She pulls her hand from his and opens the door, stepping onto the stage with both her hands up. "I came and as you can obviously see I don't have the book."

Gaston laughs but realizes something, turning to Rachel. "Is that her?" Rachel glares so he puts the gun to Rachel's head, making her panic. "Is it her?!" Lori nods to her that it's okay.

"Yes. Yes it is!" He points it at Lori, laughing once again.

"You don't have to kill me," Lori attempts, speaking slowly and clearly. "I promise that I will make it worth your while. Just let her go and put that down."

Gaston smirks and clicks the safety. "Like I'm sure you heard it's a simple plan." Lori sees the other Companions minus Charlie creep in from the catwalk above them, Michael holding the book. They start to creep across silently and she locks eyes with Gaston so as not to give them away.

"Just-"He fires and she puts her hands to her face, flinching. Everyone gasps only to see the bullet deflected into the set wall by the sword appearing in her hands positioned just so. She smiles, relieved. "Looks like luck's on my side. Book!" Gaston notices the others as they run into position above her so Michael can make the drop. However, Kaity trips after falling behind and cries out in pain. Michael on instinct runs back to help her as Gaston aims at her.

"How about I shoot them first?" Lori panics at the situation, but officially goes nuclear when she notices Charlie crawl through the set's living room door to behind Rachel. She takes the only path of action that comes to her and charges Gaston with her sword. He quickly pivots and shoots again, causing her to drop to her knees as she grabs her arm.

"Lori!" the group shouts from above as Michael helps Kaity up as quickly as he can and supports her as they limp forward.

She grits her teeth and rises, blood on her jacket sleeve. "It just grazed me! I'm fine! But I could really use the- "Charlie's fingers slip from the knot and hit the ground, causing Gaston to notice him behind Rachel. Lori becomes frozen.

"Run!" Rachel shouts. "Run!" Gaston heads for him but Charlie takes off back through the door and slams is shut behind him. Gaston yanks on the door handle but pulls it out. Lori distracts him by running in for the tackle, but is easily shaken off and thrown against the wall. She tries to rise but can't.

Gaston kicks the sword away from her and stands eyes blazing and hair askew. "Now you had to make things complicated," he growls, kicking her in the stomach. "I hate losing my cool like this."

Michael desperately hands the limping Kaity off to Ben and goes to hop the balcony above Lori. Before he gets there though, Gaston picks up the chair with Rachel and throws her at Lori. She manages to roll just in time as the chair puts a hole in the set wall. Rachel squirms desperately, though she appears unhurt from the ordeal. Neither notices that the throw does knock over the jars of various preserved items above.

Michael reaches his destination and jumps the railing to land a few feet from her. He physically throws her the book as she dodges another blast that that shatters the jars and sends liquid spraying everywhere.

"It looks like you were done in by a bookworm yet again," she says triumphantly, throwing it open with one hand. He tries to fire but is out of bullets. He reaches for her sword but it vanishes and she smiles.

"Ev'ryone's awed and inspired by you" He throws the gun down, knowing he's lost. Nobody notices the liquid from the jars start to drip over the shelf and into Rachel's eyes. She tries to move, but can't and can only shut her eyes as a defense. "And it's not very hard to see why" Gaston lets out a primeval cry and vanishes in a burst of darkness as Rachel lets out a matching cry of agony. Lori turns and her smile disappears as she realizes the situation. She runs over to her and pulls her away, using her sleeve to wipe her face.

Michael comes up next to her and puts down his backpack to look at her arm. "Are you-"

"Don't worry about me. Do her." Rachel cries out again, wailing and crying as Lori makes the sword appear in her hand and cut her free from the chair. She grabs her eyes.

Michael starts rooting for supplies. "Is that formaldehyde I smell?" he inquires.

"It must have dripped down from the jars," Lori deduces.

Michael instantly sobers and moves faster. "Lori, this isn't good. This isn't good at all. Call 911 immediately." He pulls an eye wash out of his backpack and sees she's looking at the writhing Rachel dazed. "Now!" She snaps out of it and pulls out her phone. Hannah comes in from above and rips off a piece of her skirt to tie around Lori's arm.

Lori answers someone. "Yes, my friend just had a glass break and formaldehyde has entered her eyes. We're at Trinity College in the theater. We have someone doing that now." Rachel cries in agony as Michael holds her down to administer the eye wash. "Just hurry!" she pleads- the victory she just experienced the farthest thing from her mind now.

XXX

Later that night, Brittany Moore opens the door in her pajamas to reveal a disheveled and worn down Ben. She is instantly concerned. "What happened? You look like-"He kisses her passionately, hands cupping her face and pressing himself against her.

They both take a deep breath as he pulls away, her flushing. He doesn't let go of her face. "I've had a long day. And I needed it to end on an amazing note. So I thought I would go find that amazing girl I've been thinking about a lot and do something about it."

She kisses his nose. "It certainly picked up my day too. You think I'm amazing?"

"There's no better word-"She kisses him again for a long minute, hands on his shoulders. "I'll pick you up Friday at seven," he says when they pull away.

She nods. "I'll be waiting." He walks away and she just slides along the wall to the floor letting out a content sigh.

XXX

The next day after classes, Michael answers the door to find an especially somber Lori. He hands her his car keys. "Thanks. I should only be gone for an hour or so."

"Charlie made her a card too," he says, handing it to her as well. He looks at her and runs a hand through his hair. "I just can't believe it. I never thought- I mean you got shot before but this is… her whole life is going to be different now."

Lori nods, this very thing obviously weighing heavily on her. "I know. And it's-"

"If you say all your fault I will slap some sense into you. And I mean it." She takes a step back, surprised at this outburst. He looks down. "Especially because it's really mine. If I hadn't been distracted by Kaity and thrown the book to you sooner…"

She puts a hand on his arm, shaking her head. "Doctor-"

"I failed you," he says, meeting her eyes. "Not only did you get hurt, but now you have to deal with this whole situation as well. I don't even deserve that nickname anymore."

"The only one who's responsible for what happened in that theater is me. Everything having to do with the book is all me as the leader." She sighs. "You know, Kaity had me starting to wonder if it was actually worth it. That the lessons outweighed the time and effort. But now… the sooner this is over the better off all of us will be," she decides definitively.

He can see there's no convincing her otherwise. "I won't let you down again though," he vows, pulling her in for a hug. "I won't get distracted from the person who matters the most- the one who doesn't have a choice."

Lori lets him hug her for a long moment before stepping back. "We all matter. And that's why this book can't hurt anyone else ever again."

He sighs, tired. "Lori, just give me some assurance please."

"I never doubt for a second that you'll always have my back. And that's because you're my Doctor."

This seems to put him more at ease. "Do you want me to come with you?"

She shakes her head. "No. I need to talk to her alone. I'll be back infinitely depressed."

"I'll have Sherlock waiting on Netflix with popcorn." She nods and heads off, obviously nervous.

XXX

Lori approaches the door of a hospital room and knocks, twiddling her fingers nervously and trying to hold in her emotions.

"Who is it?" Rachel's voice asks. She steps in.

"It's the one who ruined your life."

Rachel sighs. "Something tells me you don't mean that as a joke." She turns to face her and Lori has the breath stolen from her as she faces for the first time glassy, unfocused eyes that see nothing. She sinks into the chair beside her bed.

"I don't even know where to begin," she chokes, crying into the sheets. "I'm so sorry Rachel. I've ripped your whole life away from you. What have I done?"

Rachel tires to locate her head and then pats it. "It's going to be alright," she says, trying to be brave but tears welling up herself. "Granted- it'll be a major adjustment. But I still want to be an actress. I'm determined to not let this ruin my plans for my life. My parents were talking about sending me to this school to learn how to read Braille and use the cane for the rest of the semester. I don't want to go but it looks like I won't have a choice," she laughs humorlessly. "It looks like you'll have to endure the rest of the year without me getting in your way."

Lori obviously isn't guilt free yet. "Rachel-"

"I know exactly what you're going to say. But I have a few things to say first. I was the one who stayed behind. I didn't leave like you both told me to. I tried to be the big hero and paid the price for it. I tried to be you and obviously I can't."

"I shouldn't aspire others to that sort of thing. No one should want to be me."

"Why not? You're fearless and strong. That's why they follow you. That's why they all believe in you so much." Lori reflects on this, wiping her eyes. "But it also made me understand what would happen if you weren't there. So I need you to promise me that you are going to keep doing what you're doing because no one else can. And that's the blessing and the curse to this situation I didn't realize."

"I'm sorry it took you becoming blind to see all that." Lori cringes immediately. "That was a horrible choice of words."

Rachel shrugs, desperately trying to keep from breaking down. "What can I say? As far as everyone knows, I was a klutz and pulled the fire alarm in a panic after the jars broke. You guys happened by and assisted me. There's nothing more to say. Hannah made sure it matches up. You're free to keep doing what you need to do."

"I wish I could have saved you," Lori says as she rises, placing Charlie's card on her dresser. The guilt is still weighing upon her and Rachel can feel that.

"I'm still here. As far as I'm concerned you succeeded. You prevented him from doing anything to me that you could. You were my hero."

Lori can't take anymore of this. "I should head out and let you rest."

"Tell Charlie to call me. I miss him."

"I will. Take care of yourself Rachel. I'll see you next year I suppose. Keep us updated." She heads for the door.

"You do the same." She pauses. "Lori!" Lori turns. "I know no one's ever said it to you- but you're doing a good job considering everything." Lori just exits, clearly not believing her. Rachel just shifts in her bed before blinking rapidly as if that will fix her. When it doesn't she curls up in her hospital bed, crying.

XXX

Tune in next week as Halloween creeps upon the campus and some more spooks decide to pay a timely visit