Hey There,
Welcome back Quoganites! Chapter 12, ready to go! FINALLY! I apologize for this taking much longer than I intended. And I'm gonna be completely honest with you guys. This chapter wasn't easy. I had really started to feel like after that last update that the end of this story, could be drawing near. That most of the things I'd dreamed up happening for Quogan and the rest of the gang were nearly all here. And had happened with a short list of exceptions, I could fit in before the end. And I could probably go ahead and start bringing this story to a close in this very chapter. I'm not saying it would have been the end, but it would begin to bring it about… gently. And I would carry on till the absolutely right place to end it was here…
… But then, for a lot of reasons, that did not happen. The worst of all those reasons being the WEEKS and MONTHS of endless migraines I have had to experience with the changing seasons… As if this wasn't hard enough to navigate… That made it impossible. On top of that though, I had one pissed-off Logan Reese reeking havoc in my head as well. Convinced that this story wasn't nearly as done as I thought it was, not yet anyways! He had more story to figure out with me. TOO many ideas for things that HAVEN'T happened yet! He was basically CERTAIN where this story needed to go. Even though I wasn't! As much as I love it when my characters are this sure, confident, and outspoken… Logan was relentless! He wouldn't rest till I saw it his way, and this draft was born of these (his) ideals… So I present to you, now, Logan's new direction! And I hope it's as fun as he thinks it is!
Standard Disclaimers apply! I don't own Zoey 101, Zoey 102, Nickelodeon, MTV, or any of the other trademarked things mentioned beyond this point. I am merely borrowing them all. Most will be returned unharmed.
Special thanks to anyone who has read this far. To the few of you who have placed this story on their favorite list or story alert. Also the few of you who have placed me on your favorite author's list or author's alert! That is high praise, that I hope I'm still earning!
Dedicated as a belated birthday gift to my bestie, AwkardGurl05. This is the story that is how I met you, after all. Who knew I would make such an amazing friend after posting a story I was so nervous to even post. But I'm so glad I did, so glad you read it and wrote that first review, that lead to the friendship we have now! I hope it only adds to your fun, makes it feel like your special day is here all over again and gives you plenty of spooky serotonin.
Enjoy!
"Monster Movie Mayhem"
Chapter 12 - Answers and MORE Questions!
(Quinn's Perspective)
Logan is finally awake!
FINALLY!
I can't remember a time I was more relieved!
And I'm personally, still reeling from this whole CRAZY experience. Even though it wouldn't seem like the view from my seat is all that great. This was not the way I saw my October of my Senior Year, starting! Not at all!
But leave it to my guy to also leave me explaining to all of his doctors how his heart monitors managed to come undone while his sinus rhythms and breathing went crazy! The moment we were left alone together in that thankfully empty (at that time) ward! Yeah… thanks babe! Like I really needed to appear or sound any MORE crazy than I already do.
Of course, now, I don't even get to enjoy my baby's full reawakening. Before a whole new batch of troubles are presented to me.
That I HAVE to solve them all, FAST.
But… Let me explain this a bit better before I get carried away. Before we tackle all of these new inquiries and dilemmas.
Even before my man's epic return to wakefulness. I started to notice too many similarities and patterns showing up between all of my friends' dreams. As each one woke up, it sounded more and more like they had all dreamed the same thing but through different points of view… And I've never heard of such a thing. And there aren't any papers or studies on such things either, not any that were helpful anyways.
Believe me, I looked.
But my friends all had too many things turn out the same. Or they kept unknowingly confirming each other's outlandish claims. And even though all of my friends had come back from this experience MADE of QUESTIONS that I couldn't answer. Really specific ones too, that had multiple meanings, sides, and possibilities. Stranger still, they were all making so many references to classic horror and Halloween specials… Logan too! Had popped right up from his coma and immediately asked me for help him.
He asked me to help him solve the rest of this crazy classic monster puzzle. To help him figure out what happened next for everyone. The last thing I would have expected to hear from him. But that is exactly what he did, and he hoped to find answers for everyone too. Not just himself either… or because he wanted to secure movie rights. He asked ME! One of the few people who DIDN'T experience this group dream paradox. Which probably seems weird. Why the heck would he ask me? When he knows I didn't see it like most of our friends did?
But admittedly, since Logan and I began dating, we've both done that more and more. Whenever we're facing insurmountable obstacles and conundrums, we turn to each other… so in that way, it's not weird in the slightest… and Logan probably assumed, I would have some intel, to share… Just listening to what the others said. I just don't think even he expected me to have the level of research that I have gathered. When he woke up… But he'd grinned, so hopefully he didn't find it weird!
In my defense, I haven't been able to leave him. While he has been asleep, I have even been sending my classwork to my teachers completed. Each day, through either my friends or e-mail. And even keeping up with all of that coursework, hasn't been that big of a challenge, and I have been VERY concerned. So I needed more to occupy my brain, and I couldn't even Quinnvent, till I knew Logan was okay. Because that would mean, lab time, and I couldn't leave him here in the PCA infirmary, like that. Not even when our friends were all around him after classes let out for the day.
So I had naturally started to listen and learn about everyone's individual experiences… EVERY ONE. My dear friends, even the people I wasn't close to. Everyone effected by these bizarre visions and comas. James had even gone for visitation to the Sci-club and our former educator awaiting trial in our local county jail.
But when I started, it was just kinda fun and in the spirit of Halloween. Something Logan is much crazier about than me… but I am warming to the feeling. Probably cause of him. Can you blame me? He makes it all seem so mystical and magical… and it can be, when I'm with him.
So I started conducting a study, to realize the overall vibe of these visions. Why wouldn't I, it's like a combination of several series of different monsters and creatures' individual stories… all rolled into one horrific monster mash! Just fascinating! I've never heard of such a thing, or experienced anything to compare it to! It's such an anomaly… or so I thought…
I started to collect data secretly, and compile my findings into a nearly twenty-sided group study. Just for my own purposes and fun! I didn't know anyone else would take any interest at all! But not only did my guy want a look at this storyboard. That's taking up way too much of my personal lab, at this point. But ALL of our friends seemed to be looking for answers of some kind since they've reawakened (I was building it during my meal breaks, before racing back to Logan's bedside.).
James was the quickest to realize what I was doing. When I kept writing and recording our friends' retellings on a tape recorder. But he also pointed out to me (as any good friend would) that my findings…. While I took down EVERYTHING that our friends shared… I was laser-focused on one character more than any other… in my questioning, my inquiries, and nearly all of my greatest conclusions.
Which for the best results, that can be hindering… Any scientist knows that. You can't let your feelings and biases get in the way of your research. It can't lean you any one way too much, or it'll ruin your whole conclusion. That need to have upwards of twenty different endings, not just one!
Only chasing one conclusion and not all of them. When there are so many differing stories all meeting in these cool ways. It needs to be viewed clinically and objectively, beginning to end for the BEST results. Even the sci-club posers knew that! Probably that stupid science teacher, as well! Who's off to prison, on nearly 20 counts of child neglect and attempted murder.
But as I continued to ask questions and seek out more info… I realized that James was totally right… My own focus was too locked in on that one character too… Even if I couldn't help it.
And no! That character wasn't my crazed medical monster-making counterpart. The mad scientist and doctor, even though she sounded… fun. Admittedly, even to me. Though all this talk of Dr. Quinn keeps making me think of the 90's show, because my parents have the DVDS of all of the seasons of that show… I keep picturing Jane Seymour instead of me, when they talk about her.
Even when Logan's awake now, to keep redirecting my thoughts. By claiming that, "I (Quinn) was way hotter than ANY actress he's ever seen."
I remind him he's just woken up from a coma, and likely needs his eyes checked. Or his head examined, but we'll be here all day LONG! And he'll never run out of one-liners and zingers to keep me blushing. That's no different from his normal behavior, since we got together (probably before that too, if I'm perfectly honest).
No! My focus notoriously keeps getting captured by my boyfriend's royal vampire role! As the infamous Count Dracula. I wasn't even one of the people who experienced these visions and I was completely a mess! Maybe it's a good thing I hadn't seen him this way… I probably couldn't resist as long as my character tried. If it had reallt been me.
I kept chalking it up to being because I missed him like crazy, when he was asleep, and I'd worried he wouldn't wake up. But his character, in the story too. He was just by far the most interesting story to follow. Whenever he was mentioned, or showed up, I was intrigued and captivated. He was somehow all monster at the same time as so… soooo Logan, it was undeniable.
And only Michael and Chase were seeing this with me. Some of our other friends were all surprised, at this Dracula's levels of caring, depth, and helpfulness… to everyone. Aiding them all in finding their happiness, wherever it was … but not me. I know how deeply caring and loyal he is. So did his two longest roommates, even James was speaking out for him too.
So, in light of compiling the BEST results, for this study… and the GREATEST adventure overall. I got Lydia and James to help me STOP getting distracted by Drac. They helped me split my focus better. To make sure my research doesn't get too skewed and one-dimensional in the end. And they were absolutely AMAZING to help me like they did. The bedside sessions they met up for, when I couldn't be away from Logan. How they perfectly kept up the storyboards too, when I couldn't get to them. Just… They're both tremendous friends. BOTH!
They were invaluable in pinpointing what EACH monster's plight was exactly. Which were all so individualized, across the board. To the person or monster they were portraying! They helped me stay serious without getting swayed too much with my own personal opinions of my friends too. As well as what each person had learned, along the way. In their personal view of the events that all coincided with the other's stories too… uncannily!
When this had all occurred in that detention session. ALL of my friends had been arguing and fighting with one another. But when they all woke up…
Not one of them was still mad or still fighting. All of them had solved their problems in their dreams. WHATEVER they had been fighting about before was completely resolved. They all seemed even closer than ever before too! Even if all of these people had returned curious about their monster's true ending and had tons of NEW questions. At least all of those old arguments were resolved!
For example, Stacey wouldn't claim Mark as a beau, before this coma. But since, she's been agreeing to dates. She's even stopped correcting him, when he calls her his girlfriend… that's NEW!
Dana and Nicole have NEVER gotten along well. But since these visions they're the BEST of friends… they go to one another for practically everything. They're even planning double dates with guys… I mean, HUH!? HOW?!
Lola and Vince had been at each other's throats over college. Cause Lola's going for her acting, she's so serious about being an actor. And Vince isn't going to college right away, at least. He's getting all of the schooling he needs for being a firefighter and EMT now. And he'll carry on pursuing that career path. But he doesn't need college to do this. Lola (finally) now sees this and accepts Vince is still chasing his dream and a better education. She just needed to be assured he wasn't selling himself short, and they plan on always being close to one another throughout these plans.
Lisa will be attending the top university in her home state Tennessee. Micheal's attending school here in California, he wants to learn more about comedy, music, and recording industries. They were venomously arguing about their futures, before the coma. Yet both came out mushier and happier than ever… I'm not even exaggerating. They're not even like the same people!
Zoey and Chase were arguing about the possibility of breaking up after graduation. Something they agreed not to do now, not under any circumstances. They were already planning to keep up their relationship, long distance, and had even asked me about my plans to do the same with Logan.
Which… put me in a pickle!
Because, I haven't exactly talked about these plans yet. With Logan, because we both JUST got acceptance letters to our dream schools. Logan will be attending a filmmaker's school not far from here or one of his homes… I can't remember exactly which home he'd meant was nearby (he has too many to count). And I will be attending M.I.T. on the East Coast, for probably a year, that's how long it should take me to earn my bachelor's degree… I know, I don't want to break up… but I need to speak to Logan more about his feeling and thoughts…
But it's October… so no rush… But I really hope he doesn't want to break up either… I really hope so.
But somehow in all of these conjoined dreams, my friends had overcome all of these stumbling blocks! As if by MAGIC!
Science is magic, that's real! But what science was this!?
Because not one of them was fighting any longer. Also not one felt like their monster's story was over…Even if they had walked away with a fresh perspective. They all felt like there was more to be discovered and realized… In all of the time, that we were listening to all of these retellings and variations. I didn't feel the least bit left out, even though James and Lydia BOTH repeatedly stated that they wished they'd been part of it. That they'd gotten to be these patchwork people. Lydia wished she could experience all that her character survived. James really related to his lonelier monster-self too. It was ADORABLE.
I think I was honestly too worried and terrified for Logan. To have room in my mind or heart for such wishes, before now. I was trying everything I could think of to help him wake up. And in the end, it still took him the longest to recover.
Given I had to factor in that it could be because his desk had been situated directly next to the bomb. And when it blew, he'd received such a full blast of the gases, and toxins that even though I masked him first (and quickly). He was out longer than anyone, because of that concentrated blast he got to the face.
But the moment Logan's eyes finally reopened. And we got to finally talk about his experinces as Dracula. He told me about Drac's mission in the dream… and it made me feel so badly for my baby.
Logan had to see me and work close to me every day. Fully aware of his feelings for me, and I hadn't known him at all in this black-and-white monster world. NONE of his friends had, so he had been surrounded in familiar faces who didn't know him…
Correction, his best friend was Lola.
LO-LA!
I can't stress to how much that left me with a vision in my mind. Of my poor sweet guy floating up a brown river of excriment without a paddle! Lola would NOT help him with ANYTHING, not even if he was the last person on Earth. Even this altered version of our planet.
Logan assured me, Lola wasn't like that with him, as Lola-vira. And Lola had backed this up as well, she didn't even seem as venomous toward Logan since she'd woke up. She'd been really worried, like the rest of our gang too. I'd witnessed this with my own eyes and she NEVER cared about him before…not really! But given their history, can you blame me!? For being shocked!?
Part of Logan's mission had been to find his vampire king a queen. So he'd been sorta encouraged to attend this event (the birth of Lydia) with that goal in mind. Finding this Queen that would help him reign over the vampire and succubus portions of the monster world. But my sweet boyfriend had put it like this.
Logan had said, "But when I got to Lola-vira's castle and started 'meeting' all the other monsters. I started looking for you… hoping that you were there. All the rest of our gang was, even people we don't see all the time. And I knew if you were, and there was any part of this vampire that was really me… any part of that doctor was you, really. Then no other girl stood a chance. You're the ONLY one I could ever love."
I mean…. When I pulled myself together. He continued to explain the rest of the storyline from his perspective and WHAT a story it was. The best I've heard by far, and I'm not even just saying that because of all the science, flirting, chaos, and fun. I'm saying that because… Logan told this story with such talent… He was clearly MADE for sharing this story. Quite literally MADE for the task of bringing this to the masses, and the genre of film he has so much respect and love for.
From what I've gathered from his story spinning, matched with everyone else's. Logan basically had to start from scratch and get me to fall for him all over again. He'd be stuck there, till this was achieved… And I finally whispered the words 'I love you, Logan Reese." That was when he'd finally been able to come home, back to reality.
GOSH! What a feat! I suddenly felt horrible for him having to go through that. And I wished so much (for the first time) that I could have had more say or control over my own immortal self… even if this was all a dream!
Because if I had been in there, it wouldn't have even been a struggle. I would have free fallen for him all over again. I know it! And he would have been the first to reawaken rather than the last… If that really was the cause for this delay and not the reason I theorized.
Logan was still very Logan the moment he woke up, too. And we'd been so happy to see each other…
I don't know how we'd missed each other SO much. But we really had, all the same. Even though I never took my eyes off of him. Not for very long, the whole time, he was out. And he had technically been with some alternate version of me, in his dreams, too. When we'd been together again…
I couldn't stop hugging him, I never wanted to let him go. No matter how irrational that thought is. And he'd assured me, he felt the same. He was just as affectionate, and never turned it down. He knew I was tired, and that I hadn't been sleeping well. The whole time he was out, so he had lied, and told me he was sleepy. Just so I would fall back to sleep there with him. Even though he lied, it worked. I seamlessly fell back to sleep. The last thing I remember was pathetically making him promise that he wouldn't go anywhere.
Cause I remember him whispering to me, "There's no place I'd rather be than right here." He'd kissed my forehead and said. "I'm okay, we're both okay, so please sleep. Rest as much as you can, we have a lot to talk about, still."
I hope I at least said "okay," to him. But I can't verify that, I went out like a light. I was so exhausted, I'm glad I remember that much.
The next day, I started taking down Logan's contributions to the story. It hadn't been easy, since word about Logan waking up was all over campus. But I sent in my coursework as I've been doing and thankfully my teachers were understanding. Even if some of my classmates were giving me the stink eye… Cause they all still had to attend classes like normal.
I didn't care, gaining Logan's perspective was vital! It could answer so many questions. It was too vital to this whole thing. So I'd spent the next few days getting him to share every detail he could. I mean, I'd had the hint or veiled warning from all of my friends. That he'd been wooing me, quite well, even in their visions.
But my goodness… I'm shocked at my own character's actions.
Graverobbing, to create patchwork people and pets! Outsmarting, outfoxing, and humiliating other creators like me. The inhumane and terrible ones. And doing everything I could to help the creators I respected. That all meets the brief, of my role… But the other stuff I was hearing about? The self-experimentation, sleeping in my labs till I was sick. I'm smarter than this!
Crawling into coffins… to evade being matched up for dates. I mean… desperate times call for desperate measures. But to KEEP crawling into Logan's with him… even if it is with my irresistible boyfriend. The way I KEPT intruding on him during these coffin times… I can see why they all thought her to be mentally disturbed. But as lengthy and… detailed as some of my guy's stories were. Especially the ones focused on winning over that troubled temptress. I got so flustered at some of those retellings, that I had to leave, and come back later. When my face had cooled down.
When I say detailed, I mean, he was graphic with some of these tales. I was blushing like a sinner in church! Which only encouraged him, to make these specifics that much more blushworthy.
I still swear some of that HAD to be Logan putting on. No way getting bitten by a vampire made my ethical and usually logical monster doctor self that happy! But since I wasn't there, and wasn't one of the people who experienced these visions… or bites. I couldn't even argue with him, about it. I had to take his word… no matter how outlandish and unlikely some of his claims. Even if I had to mollify some of it, for my written notes just in case Lydia or James ever dares to peek at these notes. The longer disruptions had to be placed in a different folder… for NO ONE's eyes but mine. Cause if even Zoey and Lola looked in there I might die of embarrassment.
I know he's still recovering and I am trying to caution Logan as much as I can. However, he saw to it that the movie date we missed on October 1st, had been made up in full, the very next night. After he'd woke up. By having a projector brought into his recovery room and shining the movie on the wall for us.
I must have told him a dozen times, this wasn't necessary. That there were a million and one different things more important than this right now. But you know Logan. He can't ever let things like that go, and he'd even said, "Nothing's more important than you to me… nothing. This, relationship is the BEST thing to ever happen to me, baby. And I'm NOT gonna let even one date get messed up. Not if I can help it."
I reminded him the first few dates we tried to go on were nearly ruined. And he proceeded to tell me, "No more then, we're doing this! Monster Movie Night! As promised, I'll make it happen!"
So I'd brought takeout from Sushi Rox, popcorn, and movie candy, and made a date night of it. Just like we'd planned to do on the 1st day of October. I even did as my guy loves, and forgot to mention it to all of our friends. So it was really just him and me… well, for a while anyways…
Logan was thrilled, when the first couple of movies were over…
We'd continued our deep dive into his Dracula experience. Which had given him a new perspective on the character, entirely. Then the one he'd had when we'd watched the movie as friends the year before. We hadn't even been together at the time… but I'd still remembered his opinion from that time, word form word. So I think it would be futile to try and say I wasn't interested in him then.
We'd watched "Frankenstein," Like we'd meant to that first night. As well as "Wolfman" and "Dracula" cause they were all pretty short, as far as movies go. Or at least they seemed that way.
And this got Logan super relaxed, to the point of chatting away about how differently he viewed all of these monsters now. Especially Drac-u-la! I'd taken this chance to flirt and ask, "Even more than the Mad Scientists in these films?"
And he'd grinned, "Especially them! You were so much hotter and more humane than all these kooks combined. You showed them all how it's done, like you said Gene Wilder did in Young Frankenstein-"
I had to ask him, "You remember I said that? Before all this happened?"
And he said, "Yeah, course… I try my best to remember everything you say. But that was something I had been hoping to say myself. Whenever we watched that movie together and I could impress you."
I had to admit, "I am impressed… Really! And relieved!" As my guy drew me closer and closer to him. And I pretended to not notice this plot. I went on talking saying, "Listening to your stories, and the others, I was afraid you were gonna say I had been just like these quacks!"
"No! Weren't you listening at all!?" He'd said fitting me neatly into his side.
He went on, "You were a little rougher around the edges and-"
"Dereanged," I repeated, the word everyone had kept utilizing to describe the 'me' of that monster world.
And Logan said, "Yeah, but you were still you, Quinn… You were still brilliant, you still put everyone else ahead of yourself, and you took care of everyone. Even the monsters no one liked or trusted. You wouldn't hesitate to help whoever needed you, just like the real you. You were the only one who knew how to help, most the time. And I was supposed to get you to fall for me again. But I fell for you over and over again… Because even monster you… was still you, babe."
I couldn't fathom what that meant at the time… I just thought Logan had seen what he wanted to see, while he got through a messed-up situation. He did what he needed to, to get him home, or he was just putting the moves on me, as only he can. Between movies, but before I could find out more, and before we could even stop making out with each other after this.
All of our friends showed up with movie snacks and made themselves comfortable surrounding us. Using the nearby beds, chairs, and anything else where they could sit. Everyone you would expect like Zoey and Chase, Michael and Lisa, Lola and Vince, Mark and Stacey, James and Lydia. Even the ones you wouldn't, like Dustin and his girlfriend Camie, Mona, Dana, and Nicole too. Even Jeremiah Trottman had come, though I think he went in the hall to report something. Knowing Jeremiah, he was probably reporting what we were doing too. The Little Squealer! But we welcomed him regardless.
It was all of us, who had been in these dreams… even the ones who didn't experience them like James, Lydia, Mona, and me
But like all good things, this night, this date… had to eventually come to an end. And I HAD to kiss my guy goodnight. And promise to be back the following morning, to begin to figure out what else had happened to these characters beyond the visions. Now that we had all the retellings completed, we could finally begin on solving the blanks leftover.
I was excited to get to work on this. So excited in fact, that I had stopped off at my private lab to update our storyboards. James and Lydia weren't supposed to, but they followed me and helped me piece it together. Mona even wandered in and did her part, helping, even though she didn't have to do that. They're all so kind! But even Mona had been interested, after speaking with everyone during her visits to the infirmary. She wondered if her monster counterpart was alive now, and part of these misadventures. Or was she a failed experiment that would need to be begun from it's drawing boards.
Sadly neither conclusion would even surprise Mo, either.
I assured our strongest female friend, while I had this golden opportunity. "You know, that our group wouldn't have been complete without you, right? You were even with all of this last summer, remember?"
Mona reasoned, "Only because my Dad's a prick and you all took pity on me."
I spelled out, "That wasn't pity, girl. You've become one of our dearest friends."
James spoke up and reminded her, "My brother did call you the best part of his whole summer too, ya know? High praise from him, trust me. I've never seen him take such a shine to anyone I brought home before, especially not a girl. And the stories our friends all told were all pointing to Raph needing you, to be truly happy… After watching you work him over last summer, I buy that!"
Mo smirked but downplayed, "All I did was correct him and set him straight when he said something wrong, rude or stupid. And it turned out he didn't talk much any other way, I put him in a headlock a few times too when he got hot-headed… or blockheaded-"
James laughed, "That was my favorite way to watch you straighten him out, Mo."
She brushed off, "Yeah, but anyone else could have done that! How is that impressive?"
James filled in that gap of info easily, "Because he's rarely ever proved wrong, and rarely corrected. You baffled him and fascinated him, on the daily, I think. So him needing that, even as a monster… it makes sense!"
And I had to add to what James was getting at, by sharing. "The thing that Logan keeps adamantly stressing to me, as well as everyone else who was in these comas. Is that even though I was insane, Mona... I was still me, and no matter what the results turn out to be. You know I won't quit till you're there with us, and taking part in the hilarity."
And Mo had nodded, "Yeah, I know you wouldn't, Quinn. But in this monster realm, it really seemed like James' brother Raph was lonely. I can relate to that, majorly, even if nothing else."
But Lydia, spoke before me, saying, "You're my best friend, lil chef! And since Quinn created us both, we're monster sisters! So I gotta be real with you and if you want my opinion, Raph was majorly into you! He even commented several times that you were HOT! Not appealing, not just pretty, but hot! Girrrrrrrrl."
Mo said, "No way! He never said that! You must have misheard him."
James even helped, "He noticed you more than I've ever seen him think of ANY other girl… EVER! He even asks about you when he calls now, and he's calling me more often. I'm not entirely certain that's all to check in on me either. I think he does it because YOU told him he should and he's wondering how you are. I know you told him he didn't know how lucky he was, that he had a brother who cared like me and he shouldn't squander that. He's taken more interest in my life lately and I have you to thank for that."
But before another syllable could be spoken, the weirdest thing occurred.
My lab door slammed closed, all on its own. Then smoke started coming up through the air vents near the floor. I was telling everyone not to breathe and fighting a gas mask over my face. But when I spun around, the other three people in the room were on the floor. I pulled the fire alarm and started to cover all of their faces in masks as fast as I could. So they didn't inhale any more of this gas unnecessarily, and I ran outta the room to tell Dean Rivers and the responding paramedics what had happened, in my lab this time.
Of course, Mona, James, and Lydia were all carried off to the infirmary and immediately declared to be in the same comalike state that the others had been in. It was even the same batched chemicals and EVERYTHING. Which CAN'T be a coincidence… can it?
But here's the real mystery, with the sci-club and our biased and backwards educator, all off to court and possibly prison or juvie…
WHO - IN - THE - WORLD - WAS - LEFT - TO - COOK - UP - SUCH - A - BATCHED - BOMB!? The freshmen sci-club hopefuls were already taken away before September could end! The sophomores and juniors had gotten busted for their experimentation with plants that turned out to be cannabis plants. The Senior classmen had been just carried off with the teacher… So who was LEFT!?
When I ended up back at the infirmary, giving detailed descriptions of everything I remembered. Of course, Logan noticed me and was full of questions along with the rest of our gang. They all gathered over there with Logan, outta the way, waiting for me to finish. They all knew I would come to them when I could.
By the time I was wrapping up helping explain everything. I was so upset, tired, confused, and worried for James, Lydia, and Mo . I practically fell into my boyfriend's embrace and let him pull me into his tight hold.
I cried into his shoulder, for a few minutes. Before I could even straighten up enough to speak to him and the others. But I did my best to share with them all that I knew. And Logan consoled me that whole time. He wouldn't let me blame myself, none of the gang would. They all kept telling me, "I did everything I could." And "They were glad that I was okay."
But even Logan had said, the same thing I was thinking.
"Who the hell's left? That could pull something like this?"
And I shared my unhelpful conclusion, "I have no idea! But all of them are under the same chemical-induced coma that all of you were. Only this one was made better, by someone who has more than a basic grasp of chemistry-"
Kidding around, Michael had said, "So it's not Logan."
And my guy took the bait swearing, "Come on! Why do you guys always gotta act like the bad guy could be me?!"
And Lola had to point out, "Cause there was a time that six times outta ten. It WAS you, Logan, don't act like that wasn't a thing."
Zoey added sassily, "And don't act like saying six times outta ten wasn't being VERY generous either! Cause we all know it was more like NINE than six-"
Before he could continue to argue with my roommates. I had to interject. "AS - I - Was saying! This person has to be highly practiced at chemical knockout gas bombs. While Logan is a GREAT chemist. He doesn't pursue the making of dangerous things like this."
And Logan had said, "NO! Of course not!" And when the others all went back to chatting with each other. He's said in my ear, "Thanks baby, they're nuts!"
I did nod at him, and just looking at my face he was swearing, "Quinn! Don't think even for a minute think that anyone's gonna hurt you. Or out to hurt you, it'll never happen. I won't let it-"
But I had to reason logically, "What else am I supposed to think Logan? This time it happened in my private lab, of all places. It came up through the air ducts, only in that room. Nowhere else in the building! The EMTs confirmed that! It's not hard to put together that I was the intended target here, not them, and I just feel terrible-"
Logan stopped me right there, "No! That can't be it."
But I can read his facial expressions too well now. I know, he was thinking the same thing, even if he didn't want to admit it. Cause he didn't want to scare me, or himself, but he told me. "Stay here… with me tonight…. Like you've would have if I was still in my coma. Don't go back to your dorm, if you don't feel. Don't make me have to say goodnight looking at this face, you're making."
I tried, "Lo-GAN!" I knew I couldn't… I shouldn't!
But he insisted. "Stay here, with me, that's gotta be safer. If not just cause I'm here, there are a lot more people around here, checking this and that, camera too. I watched the guys install them earlier too. It's a lot harder to try something and not be seen here." He whispered so only I could hear, "Thank goodness those weren't there a few days ago- Ouch!"
I'd hit him, hard for that one. (Oh don't worry, he's fine, I think he might have even liked it)
Even if he did have a good point, it was much safer here. Compared to most of the other places on campus. So much so that the rest of the gang camped out here too. Not only because it was safer, but also because they were all so worried about the three new victims. Sleeping away a few cots over!
So I let Logan cover us both up, I kissed him goodnight, and he kissed back. Boy, did he kiss me back too! And made sure I was comfortable, because he KNEW I'd been scared earlier.
Logan's always like this. So concerned and caring, even when I'm worrying over the most ridiculous things. But I think part of why he asked me to stay, was because tonight's worries were far too rational. And he didn't want to tell me, but he was worried too.
I tried to sleep. But I just tossed and turned and so did he. We couldn't rest, our minds were just cranking away on all of the possibilities! And my mind wouldn't shut off. It couldn't, I was too worried and shaken… and it crossed my mind if someone was truly targeting me. Logan, and everyone else could get hurt again, just trying to protect me. So I'd planned to wait till everyone was asleep and sneak outta here.
But then I smelled this SUPER sickly sweet smell. The only thing I can think of to compare it to is the smell of antifreeze leaking and burning on a HOT car engine. Where it so hot and sweet smelling it can take your breath. That was the last thing I remember before everything went far too dark and quiet all around me.
((Still Quinn's Perspective))
{AN: But come on, we all know what's happening here!}
I must have been forced to sleep… by whoever had it out for me!
They must have finally gotten me to breathe in these toxins, myself. Sending me to the same coma-like sleep that had been experienced by all of my friends.
I needed to wake up! I needed to get out of this state immediately.
I couldn't be trapped here, I needed to wake up and find out who this culprit is. Once and for all, and BURY them! So they can't ever do this to anyone else.
I needed answers! I needed to get back to reality!
To my friends…. My senior year at PCA… to Logan… who will throw a fit if he sees me like this!
Before I could get too wrapped up in my panic, however…
I was scared outta my witts by an entire assortment of monsters surrounding my resting place and scaring the living daylights outta me.
I was horrified, terrified and I know I screamed!
But what complicated this whole feat is that I realized… I don't even know if this scream was just in the dream or if I'd really done it in reality too.
It took me a little bit to calm down and realize. That whatever dreamlike state I was in, currently. HAD to be the same on-going story I had been investigating. Because a lot of the goblins and ghouls I'd been hearing about were all around me. The visions that had affected our entire group and turned us all into Halloween icons. The one that had been simply imaginable words on a page to me, till now. Was now living all around me and it was overwhelming at first.
An as suddenly as this realization hit me, I was in unbearable PAIN! I'm almost certain I'd fainted, when the full weight of that pain, hit me. I felt like I had been hit by a train or something.
When I came around again, and still hadn't returned to reality. And I felt myself doing that same thing Logan described. Where the more often he woke up still in this dream. The more it amazes you, but also worries you, and makes you wonder how will I get back?
When I was able to take in more of my surroundings. I was waking up in a much swankier bedroom than PCA's makeshift hospital setup. I was in a fancy four-poster canopy bed, that looked like a relic of the past. Solid oak and POLISHED to the point of carrying a bright shine! And did really look like something straight outta the monster films we'd just been enjoying together. Logan and I!
I was still in much more pain than I expected. And dumb me attributed this pain as well as the fact that my body felt so heavy, I could barely move. To toxins I'd breathed in, because they were all symptoms, in my defense. I completely forgot that my character has been recently through a much more painful experience while she was trying to bring Mona to life in this realm.
I had been electrocuted… how could I forget!?
Two bizarrely dressed women were arguing and holding onto both of my hands. At first glance, I had no idea who they even were. But after closer investigation. I realized, it was Zoey and Lola… Only Zoey was dressed as her spider-queen persona and Lola was truly some Elvira sort of temptress. My word, her neckline dipped to her bellybutton… Please don't tell me this is what made Logan start talking to her! No, no! I will not think jealous thoughts, I can't afford it! I need to keep my wits about me!
Researching all of these storylines, I had no idea they would look so different from their normal selves. And a giggle had escaped me at the sight of their 'monster' forms.
The giggle had alerted them to my wakefulness and they'd both turned to look at me. And when their eyes locked with mine, I was no longer in real control of my actions. I'm guessing my doctor persona had taken the wheel.
Zoey was quite terrifying, with spiders of all origins crawling all about her dress, neck, and hair. Some were even using their webs on my wounds. Why were all of my wounds from the fire at the end of last year reopened again and new looking?! Had the lightning mimicked that colorful experience?
Temptress Lola had said, "DOCTOR QUINN, You're still undead! Oh! We were all so afraid you were JUST dead, NOW! Dracula more than anyone!"
Zoey had yelled ever-louder, "QUINN! QUINN! You're FINALLY AWAKE!"
And Lola yelled ear splitingly, "QUINN! Do you remember everything?"
Zoey scolded, "Too complicated, ask her something simpler than that?!"
I tugged on Zoey's hand and said the only thing I could vocalize. "Logan."
And she squeezed my hand back and told me. "I'll go get him! He'll probably teleport here or fly here as a bat, when he hears you're finally awake. And not fainting every few seconds, anymore."
As Zoey ran off to tell my king of the vampires' boyfriend, Lola made herself more comfortable on the edge of my bed. And she started to ask me, "What do you remember Quinn? Can you remember who you are? Can you remember how we met?"
And my monster self replied, "P.C.A."
And this monster version of Lola surprised me when she agreed. And said, "Mmm hmm! That's exactly right!"
Everyone had said PCA wasn't here, that can't be how we didn't know each other. But of course, 'PCA' just had a different meaning here, for how we met.
And Lola went on "The Petrifed Cat's Alley, you were helping as many of those poor dears as you could, poor black kitties."
And as she said this, the memories all came back to me in a rush that should have made my pause much longer and suspicious. But Lola just sat patiently and helped me remember EVERYTHING this way! From that first meeting to all of the others. I experienced all of the stories I'd heard. All from my own perspective and it was all like I HADN'T missed a thing. In the end. Everything from my full origin story, which everyone sad to getting struck by lightning during Mona's birth. It was all in my head, like I had been here all along. From the very beginning… it was so weird to have all the answers as Lola kindly quizzed me.
But again, this made it all real too… Undeniably.
It wasn't a storyboard taking up far too much of my personal lab anymore. Or flat letterings on a page, trying to describe this place and frame of mind. It was all real, captivating, and immersively living and breathing around me… and it was incredible. I never could have gotten all of this from our study, no way.
But nothing, NOTHING, could have prepared me for the arrival of my neck-chopping match. Even if by the time a bat came soaring down towards us from someplace high in the ceiling. To morph into my guy…
Whoooooo! I was not prepared, for any of that!
The level of appeal that he set off as a vampire. How well he wore it and ruled it.
Not even as my fully realized Monster Mad Scientist role! No way I could resist him!
And all I did register was that Logan was here, before I was in his arms. Even though he was such powerful, scary, and masterful monster too. Just as spine-chilling as the rest of my gang, if not more so. And he was beyond anything I could have ever pictured in my mind…
He'd said "THANK GOD!" Around those impressive fangs as he hugged me so tight and yet so carefully. It was still so important to him. Even in this form, that he could never hurt me.
He was beautiful, somehow even more ripped too! Must be vampire traits, he looked like he was wearing movie makeup. On the set of one of his dad's projects and I've never seen a vampire that tan before…
But he was still Logan… through and through.
I'd tried to apologize for scaring him. I tried to say I was sorry for dropping an L-bomb on him last minute, too! Then passing out, that really hadn't been fair to him, saying that right before we slipped away from one another so abruptly.
He'd even sprung up in reality like 'What the hell!?' Because of how this happened.
But he'd cut off all of my explaining and apologizing with a kiss… a long and deep one.
Logan had tried to warn me… that even though we're monsters in this dream realm. That we're still us, and that's why he'd fallen so hard, and fast all over again. When he saw me the first time, like he had, and so had everyone else…
But that kiss… was just like every single one we've shared since that first one!
I still felt it all the way from the top of my head to my curling toes.
Just… He was still him… and still every bit the love of my life… Who else is gonna have this impact across realms!? Besides someone's true love?
When the kiss ended, Logan laid his head on my shoulder and told me. "I was so afraid I'd lost you."
I told him, "I'm not that easy to get rid of."
But I happened to notice Lola waving to me over Logan's beastly caped shoulders and high collar. She waved and blew us kisses and said, "I'll let you two catch up! He's been as horrible as a sunny day since your accident. You two should rest and sync up. Ghastly Dreams, darlings!"
And just like that she was gone… and I was all alone with the guy. That had been the best part of ALL of that review, just now. If Lola had been my reviewer, reminding me of all that has happened before now. Logan was sent in to be the assurer. Here to let me know how my creations and patients were fairing… you know, as soon as I could get a word in edgeways, between his bursts of affection. It made me so happy that we still had our Eskimo kisses, as well as REAL kisses. But as he nuzzled my neck and hinted at possibly biting me. I did shy away from it at first… still not convinced such a thing could be nearly as fun as even the quiz had hinted at.
But the first thing he told me, before all of that had been, "You have you any idea, how terrified I was? How scared I was of never seeing you again?"
He must have asked me like twelve different ways,
(And I'm abbreviating here, cause he was panicking, my poor baby!)
"If I was okay?"
"Was I in pain?"
"Was it unbearable?"
"Try to describe it."
I had to be honest and tell him, I was fine, but I hurt every place. It hurt to breathe, to move, to even blink. It wasn't as excruciating as my injuries had been in reality. When I had been hurt in that lab explosion and fire. But it was just exhausting, and no matter how much I wanted to get back to my lab, creations, and patients. I wasn't gonna be able to jump up and do that right away.
Logan asked me, "Would you mind some company? Or am I gonna hurt you more, if I climb in with you?"
And I assured him, "No, please." And I turned down the covers draped over me. And assured, "I would love some company. Especially yours." And I had to keep assuring him, "I'm really fine!" And "I'm still here."
Logan kept stressing how scared he'd been. He told me all about the human invasion and the battle I'd missed. Even how Kelly the reaper had seen me get struck and had made certain I was given the proper care, the moment I came back down from Mona's rebirth.
But things got a bit odd when I'd asked Logan. "Where exactly was this huge underground bunker area in?" Cause I didn't remember any such thing in the blueprints of Lola's castle where the party was happening.
He tried to dodge, but I asked again, "Where did this exist in Lolavira's castle? And why had she kept it hidden till my incident?"
Logan showed his two rows of glistening teeth, like he really didn't want to tell me. He took a breath through those teeth and tried again to distract me. This time with news on my patchwork family and patients. Which worked till I demanded. "Lo-GAN?! Where exactly are we?"
And he said, "Don't be mad, okay? And don't forget…. You were unconscious, you were struck by lightning… I couldn't just leave you like that, and we all had to leave-"
"Why?" I asked, just because I want to know all the particulars.
And he went on, even though he really didn't want to. Explaining, "Cause the castle was compromised… humans had shown up, battled and lost, you know the monster code-"
"Winning a battle against humans, it's monster protocol to leave immediately before the remaining humans return with MORE humans."
Logan nodded, "Exactly! Not only were you hurt, but you told me that yo- that 'you loved me' and then you went nigh night! Till just now-"
"How long is just now?"
"A month." He said, and I hoped he was kidding. But looking at his careworn appearance, even if beautiful. I KNEW he wasn't lying!
Logan took both of my hands in his and explained. "Lola-vira's party and her palace were done. Everyone had to go their separate ways-"
"Then how is it that Lola-vira and Zoey were both here?! Just now?!" I'd interrupted.
And he'd said, "They've been staying here till you wake up. They couldn't leave you, like you were and neither could I-"
"Soooo where is here? Exactly-" I asked. But that was when the cathedral high ceiling, collection of caskets, and TON of books all rang a dim bell… and I said…
"...No. Drac… Are we?"
"Uh yeah, yeah… You're in Castle dela Dracula… My home, the same one I brought you to that one time." He'd clarified and made a face like he was waiting for an angry explosion outta me. He even closed his eyes and slowly reopened them to lock with mine. And ask me outright, "Are you mad?"
And I answered his question with another question. "How could I be… it's like you said. I was out for the count… how could I object."
And he clarified, "Cause you know how much I wanted you here with me." He wasn't wrong, I did. But he carried on just as sadly. "You know how hopelessly I hated it here, till you came here with me… that one night… and changed everything I thought about this place."
I ignored the burning of my cheeks and stayed on point (must this man ALWAYS mention such moments between us? Even as monsters?)
I'd said, "I can't be mad at you for taking care of me. When I couldn't take care of myself, you didn't have to do that-"
He said it like it was the answer to everything. "I love you."
And I had to hug him and say, "I know, you do."
He said, "Really? Cause you said it and I didn't get the chance to… before you went out like a light. Not that you could help it, I know."
And I said, "True, but you weren't very discreet and left me in no doubt."
He'd grinned, and said, "Maybe… I did love you from the first time I saw you."
And I recalled, "But I was on my motorcycle the first time you saw me."
He remembered, "Yep."
I went on, "I was wearing a helmet and probably had helmet hair underneath it. "
He said. "Nope! You took off that helmet, you flung that hair, and I was a goner."
He nuzzled my neck again and I could just sense. He wanted to bite me again, and no matter how much I personally wanted to sidestep this desire. My clearly insane counterpart told him, "Must you tease me like that? Why won't you go ahead and bite?"
He clarified, "I never want to do something like that with you unless you want me to. And something tells me your nervous."
And inside of this crazed caregiver. I was screaming, "YES - I'M - FREAKING - NERVOUS! WHO - WOULDN'T - BE!?" He's a vampire! He's gonna be biting me, and sucking my blood! Why ISN'T this freak more scared!? How is she begging for it, right now?
But my character didn't say was, "But biting me will help me heal so much quicker, you know?"
Logan said, "Oh! I Know! But I haven't bitten you once while you've been asleep. I've waited till you were awake and could have a say."
Awwwwww, he was waiting for consent… that's so… Logan, honestly. He would never push or do anything I wasn't ready for. But my doctor self had also noticed something else about out nocturnal boyfriend.
His usually chocolate brown irises were pitch black from hunger. And my monster self asked, "Then how have you been feeding for the past month?!"
"Synthetics I cooked up myself, here in my mini lab. It isn't like any of yours, I only store what I need to cook up blood substitutes." He said sheepishly.
"Logan, I told you that you have my permission-"
"I kn-oooooow," he said before he explained. "I didn't feel right biting you while you were knocked out and healing. I waited for you to be awake when we did that… Like all the other times we- You are the only person I've ever bitten, after all."
How does he make even that sound good. This guy… I can't…
So I put my neck against his mouth and told him, "It's okay, take what you need. You've starved long enough. Please don't make me have to look into those hungry black eyes another minute, Darc."
And just before he could finally sink his teeth in.
The loud and heavy door on the otherside of the lab flew open. As Lydia and James came running in. Logan and I separated, and pretended like we hadn't just been interrupted. But I think James picked up on that vibe anyways. Logan wasn't even TRYING to disguise his disappointment.
Thankfully sweet and impressionable Lydia didn't detect a thing. As she came running to hug me and cry on me. How scared she had been to lose her creator. She'd even said, "I know I still have so much to learn from you and so much more living to do together too."
Which she was right about, really. She told me all about Mona's incubation phase, which seems to be ongoing. I dimly remember a few of my creations taking this long to incubate, just not many. And as James hugged me. He did tell me, that Raph-stein hasn't left Mona's side for a minute.
They told me all about the new labs, Drac was having built for me. To all of the specifics, we'd figured out together in Lola-vira's palace labs! They told me all about how Mona was transported here. How they'd all been so careful and sure that she handled with much better care than Lydia had been during her incubation. But some of the shaking around Mo had experienced in the process probably did low her recovery considerably.
But before I could talk about much else… Dracula was making every excuse in the world for them to get back to their classwork. Or so that I could rest… but I saw through this. He wanted to be left alone with me. Even though it sounded like this palace is as teeming with undead and monsters of the like, as Lola-vira's place had been.
But since I was relaxing more by the minute, and picking up on the rhythm of life here. I chose to let him shoo our friends. And hit him with another question the moment we were alone again.
"You know, I don't remember this bed being here that night you brought me here." I'd said before asking, "Where did it come from?"
"Well," he began as he walked back to me a crawled under the covers with me again. "That's because this wasn't here then. But since I'm in love with an immortal human who isn't a vampire… I thought a bed might be more comfortable for you…"
"But it's so BIG! I don't need all of this." I tried to reason.
But he'd been ready for this observation too. Claiming, "Well, I did hope to score some time next to you, sometimes. And I am a king, so any bed here should be king-sized. Plus we can always still share a coffin, whenever we want."
"I thought you hated beds, even four posters with curtains all the way around like this one?" I said as I crawled into his arms and got comfortable.
He'd shrugged, "I only hate them above ground, I kinda like them since sharing them with you."
Just as our bodies both got comfortably close. Fitting together like puzzle pieces. The door flew open again and Grim Reaper Kelly barged in to tell us. "He would be returning to his dark realm for a few days, but would return in time.
Logan had said rudely, still snuggling me like we were alone. And there wasn't a being looming over our bed. "And you couldn't have told me this earlier!? During mealtime?"
I swatted him and said, "Don't be so mean! This Grim helped me out, and probably saved my life." And I got the chance to thank the Grim Reaper personally. "Thank you for your help, Kelly."
He said in his deep baritone voice, "Think nothing of it, doctor. It was fun saving a life for a change, usually that isn't in my skill set. Even if I knew it wasn't your time yet, I'm still glad you're still undead Doctor Quinn. Keep this vampire King in line while I'm gone."
I smiled, "Will do!"
Even though Logan was complaining about getting teamed up on. By Kelly and me, both. Till the reaper had disappeared in ominous darkness. That not only flash a darkness but cast a chill over the whole underground bunker. Reaper's seriously are as dark as beings come, and yet Kelly was such a protector. I never would have thought a reaper could be like that.
But before I could think about it much more… The vampire king still snuggled close had brought my attention back to him. As he'd said, "Whatever it is that needs my attention or your help, doc. It can wait, we'll figure it out together. What it is we're doing here? Our mission? All of it… but for now, can you please…" He took a deep breath, before going on, "Please …let me welcome you back… to your afterlife? An undead life I hope you can share with me, till you're sick of me."
I had to hug him and speak from my heart, "That day will never come, Logan. I'll never want to give you up. You're stuck with me… especially if those new labs are as grand as the blueprints we'd sketched out together too."
"Oh they are," He laughed, "You're gonna love them."
I pulled back my hair and put my neck against his mouth again and told him. "In the meantime, will you let me just love you?"
And he'd said against my skin, teasingly. "I can so live with that." Before he took his bite…
I had no idea why I had been so scared before. It was just… wonderful, it didn't hurt at all. It was even euphoric, getting bitten by him. And I don't even think it's because he's the vampire king. I think it's because it was Logan and me.
I'll spare you the rest of my experience of catching up with my boyfriend in this different world. But he's right, whatever we're meant to be here. Whatever mission we need to fulfill, or figure out. We can do it together, and fall a little more in love along the way. It all makes so much more since to me, now that I'm here. I hope we can find all of the things that left us wondering. Or at least most of them… Again this isn't the way I saw my October of senior year at PCA going… but it's definitely a Halloween we'll never forget.
That's all folks!
Well, for this update, anyways! I hope everyone has enjoyed this new direction. It did seem unfair to Quinn and the small group of others who HADN'T gotten to experience this Monster world. Logan insisted on me righting this wrong, and throwing a few more twists and turns in there. I hope to update again as soon as I can, with even more spooktacular misadventures. But if you have a minute, please review, I would love to hear from you. Thank you to anyone who has read this far! Hope you're having the BEST day! Take Care and Much Love!
~DarcyBeDippy85