The Master pulled out his screwdriver and started fiddling with the controls of whatever the heck it was that he had brought out, setting it down as he made sure it was still in good condition.
"So what exactly is this thing gonna do, like, put a barrier just on the inside of the building or actually put one over the surrounding area?"
"It's going to create a forcefield around a set limit of space, to basically..form a protective bubble around us." I blinked.
"....A bubble?"
"...Yes...I'll set the length I want it to be and based on the size of the hotel, it will have enough energy to last forrrr..sayyyy...eleven hours." "Eleven hours?"
"Yeah..then it will shut off and have to recharge before it can be used again. It's around 11 now..so..it will wear off maybe around..9 in the morning?"
I nodded in compliance.
"So it'll keep us safe and keep THEM out until 9..that's fine. We'll be set to head back out by that time, anyway."
The Master stood, facing me, "You want to go back out, do you?"
"Yes, I do." I answered, bluntly.
His eyes fell to the floor. "Even with the Vashta Nerada hot on our trail? Heh...you're madder than I expected, Demens."
I didn't even budge.
"Is it ready yet?"
He bent back down. "We have to let it charge."
I chuckled, "Wow.." "Wow what?"
"You said 'we'. And you didn't have a heart attack."
He rose up, giving me quite the look of disdain as he exhaled inwardly.
He said no words, just maneuvered around me to work on this or that.
"Admit it, Master.." I said, teasingly. "You boys are warming up to meeeeeee."
"You've been spending too much time with Moriartyyyyyyy."
"C'mon, you're becoming my buddy." "I am doing no such thing, it was simply a slip of the tongue, nothing more."
"Well, I'm for one surprised to see a slip at all."
He glared at me from around his shoulder as I started to move, smirking at him and wagging my finger.
"I think something is there, m'friend."
I said no more and advanced towards the entrance.
Jim and Bud were busy laying food out on their designated counters and the elderly hotel staff kept smacking Jim on the hand continuously either for using terms he shouldn't have, being snippy or trying to pick at the food. Of which, of course, made Moriarty stare with fire in his eyes..
also with a bit of shock.
I hopped out through the door and arrived at Gavin's side, the crisp and chilly night air throwing me off guard as I left the warmer nature of the inside.
"Hey there." I greeted a bit too cheerily and acting a bit too energetic for my liking.
..But he has that effect on me..
I crossed my arms as I stood beside him, staring up at the night sky.
The moon was partially covered by the clouds and the wind picked up, taking my breath away.
"How's things on your end?"
He looked around, his sword in hand pointed away from me, his breathing strong but relaxed.
"It's been quiet..they've hidden back into the darkness. We need to hurry with..you know."
"I know. Master's working on it."
He nodded, looking away from me. I was forced to look away, too.
"Be careful. Please. We're almost ready. Then we'll go over the plan inside."
I turned back and scurried back inside. I felt eyes follow me...and it wasn't the monsters...
As soon as I busted through, Master was rushing toward me. "Alright, it's ready!"
He was carrying the device with both hands, where he set it down at the doorway.
"Do you HAVE to put it there?!" "It needs to be at a position that's suitable as a gateway and this is the closest thing, so yes, I have to put it here."
His eyes lifted. "Tell your boy to get inside."
I didn't bother arguing--I hurried through the door. "Gavin, c'mon, we've gotta go!"
But his eyes were honed in on the road a ways off. His face was in shock.
I tensed.
"There's a kid."
"What?" My eyes zoomed on the road.
Sure enough, there was indeed a little boy walking down the street, holding his hands and crying out desperately. "Mommy!!!" He wailed. "MOMMY!!!!"
Master barreled out, "Alright, what's the hold up, you two?"
His eyes caught sight of the same thing our's did.
The boy was looking everywhere, his body trembling, his face flooding with tears. "Mommy!!!!!"
Gavin could barely stand still, his hands and breath shaking. His eyes flashed to me briefly before returning right back to the boy. "Sarah, there's a kid!"
He bolted. I gawked as my body jerked.
"Gavin, WAIT!"
"What the *beep* are you doing?!"
Gavin could barely stand still, his hands and breath shaking. His eyes flashed to me briefly before returning right back to the boy. "Sarah, there's a kid!"
He bolted. I gawked as my body jerked.
"Gavin, WAIT!"
"What the *beep* are you doing?!"
Gavin was rushing full force towards the boy, who kept crying and crying, each step he got closer to him feeling more like knives in my heart rather than joy to my soul.
"Something's not right."
Master glared. "But it's a kid, I thought that was you lot's whole thing, saving kids and rubbish!"
"A kid, who conveniently showed up RIGHT as we were about to do something?"
I turned my head at him and in that instant, he knew. His face flushed with recognition.
He swallowed, his eyes returning to Gavin's direction. "..It's a trap."
Gavin sheathed his sword, reached the kid and grabbed his shoulders.
Bless his heart..I knew what he felt; that impulse too strong to shake, to protect a child, get him out of danger, maybe he escaped, maybe set free only to draw us in.
"Something's not right."
Master glared. "But it's a kid, I thought that was you lot's whole thing, saving kids and rubbish!"
"A kid, who conveniently showed up RIGHT as we were about to do something?"
I turned my head at him and in that instant, he knew. His face flushed with recognition.
He swallowed, his eyes returning to Gavin's direction. "..It's a trap."
Gavin sheathed his sword, reached the kid and grabbed his shoulders.
Bless his heart..I knew what he felt; that impulse too strong to shake, to protect a child, get him out of danger, maybe he escaped, maybe set free only to draw us in.
He couldn't take that chance and I didn't blame him.
But no...no, I knew.
I knew by the cold draft blowing, the darkness creeping in, the unsettling nature that the child gave me by the look on his face and that he still had not yet realized that Gavin was running for him.
Even Master was now on edge.
But no...no, I knew.
I knew by the cold draft blowing, the darkness creeping in, the unsettling nature that the child gave me by the look on his face and that he still had not yet realized that Gavin was running for him.
Even Master was now on edge.
"Hey!" Gavin exclaimed, the child still crying, not even acknowledging him.
"Are you alright?!" The child still did not answer. "Are you alright?!"
Poor Gavin was so worried, so terrified..putting his weapon away to avoid scaring the kid was honorable, but..not a good idea. But the thing that brought chills to my spine..made my heart race faster than I could catch up with, that made my breathing uncontrollable.. was noticing what was coming out of the darkness. The monsters were emerging. All of the ones who had attacked us.
They weren't attacking now, though..and that's what made me widen my gaze.
As I saw they were watching..waiting...smiling..
I almost hyperventilated as I snapped my eyes on Gavin.
"GAVIN!!!"
"IT'S A TRAP!!"
Gavin whipped his head at us, a look of confusion on his face, before looking back..
where the boy's face was staring right at him.
Completely devoid of emotion, his eery and chilling crying ceasing.
He held onto Gavin's arms. "You've come to my rescue, Mr. Takeo?"
He held onto Gavin's arms. "You've come to my rescue, Mr. Takeo?"
He then leaned forward. "I'm so flattered."
In that moment, his skin began to crack, his mouth opening up, only to reveal a ferocious set of deadly fangs that looked like hundreds of knives..and suddenly, strange tentacles, legs, arms, whatever, were growing straight out of his back. He was bringing Gavin in, his mouth growing wide.
I gasped.
Gavin tried to struggle, yelling and pulling, but the 'child' was too strong.
This wasn't a child, quite obviously.
It was one of them.
Sadly for it, it wasn't strong enough.
Not with a bullet shooting through the air and sending him flying back several feet.
Gavin was ripped from his clutches accordingly and fell back.
His head whirled around as I came rushing in, both handguns facing forward.
The monster before us started to emerge, giving me a look of pure murder, his eyes colorless and focused right on me. His posture was hunched, his hands forming into claws.
I don't know why, but I kinda got the vibe that he really wanted to kill me or something.
He edged a step closer, only to be met with a shower of bullets from both my bang-bang gadgets.
His body thrashed and twisted around inhumanly at each shot, suddenly bleeding black ooze.
I elbowed Gavin backwards, "GO!"
He ran towards the hotel, as I backed away, still keeping the monster down for as long as I could.
He was being held off, as I moved back.
Until, of course, my bullets ran out.
There was an awkward pause that happens every time you run out of ammo.
I swallowed. I wasn't far from the doorway, I could make it if I bolted now.
..But something made me watch him..something entranced me as his body twisted straight, his skin healing, the wounds disappearing by magic and his gaze fixing back on me.
And he...smiled at me.
The most creepy kind of smile. A smile showcasing his monstrous fangs.
A smile that screamed at me..we had met before..
A smile that screamed at me..we had met before..
His head tilted as if he were a curious animal. "....I like you."
I breathed..having a villain tell you they like you...I didn't know if this flattered me or straight up concerned me. That's when I knew..I knew exactly who this was..
And I backed away.
"The feeling ain't mutual...sewer goblin."
I then swung around and booked it to the door.
"Run, run, run!" Master exclaimed, as Gavin stood eagerly watching for me.
"Sarah, come on, hurry!!"
I was only a few feet away, "Do it!"
In the split second it took me to jump forward, as the monsters closed in, Master leapt into action and slammed down the button, the forcefield instantly activating.
Faster than belief, a bluish wave of energy that almost resembled water in texture shot out from the device in every direction, enveloping the entire building. I had landed on the other side of the doors in the nick of time, whipping my head around at the precise moment to see the sewer goblin and his cronies slam into the barrier, being bounced back several feet from the force of the impact.
All three me, Gavin and Master sighed in relief, me getting up from the ground, Gavin leaning against the door frame, and Master bending over, holding onto his knees.
Gavin and I were out of breath from all the excitement.
The monsters slowly rose up and faced us, as I did the same.
The sewer goblin looked up and down at the building, the forcefield now faded into invisibility.
He looked straight at me, his face teeming with anger. And he began spouting out something, that I didn't bother listening to as I decided to mess with him and gesture like I couldn't hear him.
"What?!" I mouthed. He yelled, but I shook my head.
"I can't hear you!" I mouthed further.
Both Gavin and Master glared at my boldness, Gavin still out of breath.
Sewer Goblin was so sick of trying that he finally swung around and him and his buddies peaced out.
"You are so bad.." Gavin said with a smirk, his eyes rising to the ceiling as he rested his head back.
Master broke away from us, hands on his hips, whereas I hurriedly got close to Gavin.
I was aiming to ask if he was okay, but he started speaking before I could..
"I'm sorry...I'm sorry....I just..I couldn't help myself..I had to.."
"I get it. It's fine..I would have done the same thing.."
"She would, too." Master confirmed.
I rose my brows with zero shame as Gavin smiled, getting his breath back.
"..Are you alright?" I snapped my gaze at him.
"Am I alright?! You're the one he was trying to devour!"
He straightened his back.
"Who was he, anyway? I know for sure he can't be someone from around here.."
"Agreed. Way too PG-13 for old-school Scooby. Maybe even R. But we'll get to that."
I turned. "Step 1 is done. That's all that matters. They can't get in..now onto step 2."
I started advancing into the heart of the lobby. "Jimbo!"
Jim, of course, was completely ignoring the situation since the chaos had been averted so quickly, and was still busily arranging food on the table.
"What a wonderful house wife you make, Jimmy. Keeping your head, when all heck breaks loose."
I felt his eyes drift to me even with his back turned.
Meanwhile, Bud was busy hiding under his desk, peeking to see if the coast was clear.
And now Bane had rushed downstairs, no doubt hearing commotion.
I naturally only had a problem, though, when he was soon followed by Agent Mulder.
"Dipper, stay back!"
..And Dipper.
The boy ignored the order given to him and the two were staring down from the stairs.
"What's going on?!" Dipper exclaimed in a panic.
"What happened, we heard gunshots!" Mulder interrogated, hand at his holster.
I advanced their way.
"What are you three doing, you're supposed to be guarding upstairs, literally ONE JOB!" "But the-" "There's five people down here capable of handling the situation, I mean really!"
"But the gunshots!" "It's fine, it's fine, we saw a spider, go!"
I waved them off and they reluctantly started shooing themselves off, giving me uncertain glances.
But I stopped Bane, "AH AH, I need you here."
He turned, nodded, and started coming down.
"I thought you liked spiders, Demens?" Master questioned.
I rotated, "I do, but they don't..made it more believable, got rid of them faster."
Master looked at me with great confusion. I huffed.
"I say what I want."
We all started to come closer together.
"That thing.." Gavin still couldn't take his gaze off the doors.
"That thing was shot about 20 times and you didn't even faze it, Sarah."
"Yeah, I noticed that." I gritted my teeth.
"And those were good shots, too..I might just need a bazooka."
"Maybe McDonald's can provide." Jim spoke.
At first I was wondering how a fast food restaurant could provide me with a bazooka, but I soon realized what he meant as my eyes caught sight of the one behind the shuffling and creaking sounds coming from the ship. And out came a drowsy looking man with makeup.
"Well, well..look who FINALLY decided to show up!" I put my hands on my hips.
"And how is sweet Princess Aurora doing today? Is her attitude improved?"
J shuffled himself towards me, his eyes half shut, pulling on his suspenders, swaying his dark green hair back and forth, obviously half awake. He stopped in front of me and barely opened one eye.
"Short stuff???"
I narrowed my eyes. "You ain't even awake yet. What ARE you doing up, anyway?"
Joker groaned and leaned in, his hand finding the top of my head, which he began patting.
I naturally gave him the most quizzical expression I could possibly muster.
"Food???"
I...I..I have no words...
"This is the second time today I've been mistaken by an associate as food. I obviously need to change my soap." I reached up and pinched J on the cheek. He made a face at this and gently shook his head in disapproval, his eyes still closed. "No.." "But yes."
I took him by the arm and guided him to Jimbo. "Take this man and get him some caffeine."
Moriarty patted J's shoulder and directed him toward the kitchen.
"We'll have Bobo awake in no time. Give him some toxic energy."
"Please...he already has enough of that."
I held my forehead a minute in worry.
With a deep sigh, I was ready to roll again.
"Swell, ok, GUYS. When Jim and Joker get back, Bane, Master, you're gonna go and put the cameras and traps up-- Bane, you may fill Master in on that-- and Gavin, I will be needing your help delivering some food to our extended companion family."
He smiled in response. "Of course."
I laid a hand on his shoulder, forcing him to look at me again.
"Are you sure you're alright?"
He didn't skip a beat. "I'm fine, really. Please. You don't need to worry. He didn't even have me that long. I'm just..shaken up, that's all."
Master leaned in, "Good, because you're a bloody idiot for doing that! You could have gotten us killed!" "And I apologize, I know it was foolish!"
"You were thinking irrationally and acting on emotion instead of thinking with some intelligence! You put the whole operation in jeopardy!"
"Oh, ignore him." I interrupted. "It's what I do."
"You two argue more than God and Satan!" Jim screamed from the kitchen.
How he heard me from all the way over there escapes me.
"Well you know..."
"So you guys are what..crime fighters?"
Bud was standing in front of the T.A.R.D.I.S., hands on his hips, as he stared up at the ship with extreme curiosity. He turned. "Space aliens?"
I smirked, "Something like that."
"Does that alarm you?" Bane wondered, no doubt searching for what action he would take.
"Ah no..we see all sortsa strange stuff around here..ghosts, aliens, monsters, the undead..it's an absolute circus around here!"
He made his way back to the desk.
"Just as long as you're not gonna suck my brains out, you're alright by me."
He started to shuffle through the items on the counter.
"This barrier of your's...does that mean that if anyone comes here..including the staff..they can't get in?? Even if they're not monsters?"
"Well of course, you old loon, it's not monster repellent!"
I backhanded Master's shoulder, which he squinted at.
I shook my head at Bud.
"No one can get in or out. Not until the barrier loses power at 9 tomorrow morning."
Bud blinked. "..Which means we're trapped."
I crinkled my brows. "Well, when you put it like that! It's..it's the safest choice for now. Until we know how to defeat these imbeciles and get some rest."
Bud hurried to the doors.
"You mean those are the monsters that are causing all this trouble?! They usually only haunt one place at a time..and they're usually all guys with masks!"
"Not this time, I'm afraid. Well, I mean, they ARE the same guys, but someone has actually found a way to transform them into real monsters. No doubt to help take over the town."
Bud suddenly hovered his hand over his mouth as he realized something.
"They're the ones taking all those poor kids!"
I walked to his side. "I believe they're merely doing what they do best; scaring people away. Someone else is taking the kids..someone not from around here."
Bud's eyes drifted to me. "An alien?"
I glanced at him. "I'm not sure yet..I just know he's dangerous.."
I then leaned against the door and tilted my head, curiously.
"You know, I've not seen you before, Bud..you must be a---person who tends to keep to themselves."
Naturally, I avoided my almost sentence that suggested he was an unused character on the show.
As much of a difficult spinach as he could be, he was actually a pretty nice guy.
And I was glad he was safe in the bubble with us.
Bud shrugged, looking back outside.
"I do keep to myself..never really had a lot of friends as a kid."
I smiled, "But you had a wife, right?"
He chuckled for a second, "Married young..had a long good life with her..until she, uh..passed a couple of years ago..she made me feel not so lonely.."
I frowned a little. "..But did ya have kids?"
He blinked with his enlarged eyes. "..We uh..we couldn't......"
His gaze dropped to the floor, solemnly.
I sunk, my heart sinking with me. "...I'm sorry."
He shook his head, gaining back his composure.
"Ah, it's fine..that's life. It'll be my time next before I know it."
"Not allowed, gramps. Not on my watch."
He smiled, "All things end, kiddo. Can't change that."
"You'd be surprised how many times I have already."
I shifted, ignoring the glances he was giving me.
We both soon watched out the doors, the darkness looming over the town like a black veil.
"Ah, Halloween.." Bud whispered.
"I remember my first time going out..I was just a weird little six year old kid..walking on my own..while all the other kids flocked together. I was sickly up to that point, so I wasn't able to get out of the house much..but that year...it was different. I wanted to go and get candy so bad. So me and my ma, we..put together this old astronaut suit..I always wanted to be an astronaut..just never..got the chance..life got in the way, ya know? Just one of those things that you..put off.
My ma told me that astronauts don't got a lot to do up in space..not enough air or room to move around in..told her I'd already been cooped up in that house for so many years, how much more worse can it be?"
Here, I laughed. He grinned wide.
"So I went and started collecting candy on my own..all the women felt sorry for me. Scrawny little kid in a poorly crafted space suit..and I always felt such a deep gratitude to be able to go and..live in a world where a child can celebrate life, and enjoy their happiness..on one night where we didn't have to be scared of monsters.."
His eyes wandered. "It was always such a special night..even if Red Herring knocked me down and kicked me..ruining my costume..laughing with his buddies..and calling me names..saying I'd never have the guts to become a real space man....and then they took my candy.."
Hearing this made me mad. Not only because of Red Herring being the one to do it, who was an adversary of Fred's when they were kids..but because, well, bullies.
"I would have beaten those punks to a pulp."
"Eh..they were just kids.."
"But that's no excuse. They'll only grow up to be criminals, all because people allowed them to get away with it."
"You're a feisty one, kid, I can tell. You must be the type to fight back, right?"
I glanced away.
"I wasn't always..until I got tired of it one day..and just..snapped..and refused to let it continue anymore."
"That's an admirable quality. Now you protect..some people just..don't have that strength.."
I looked back at him. He shook his head.
"Some people just aren't wired like you and me..they don't have the courage to stand up to their demons..or the willingness to change."
He took a deep breath.
"Sometimes people need to be saved from themselves...."
We stood silent for a second, before Bud's eyes returned to me.
"That night was special for more than one reason..yes, I went outside for the first time and celebrated my first Halloween..but I also learned a very important lesson.."
He pointed.
"Monsters..even if they come as children..feed on your fear. They are only strong as long as you make them strong. The only power they wield is the one you give to them. The day you realize..how truly lost..feeble..and scared the object of your fear really is..is the day they become afraid of you."
I took strong note of this wisdom, nodding my head as my eyes fell to the floor.
Unfortunately though, despite my investment in our conversation, we had to get to work.
Master crept behind us, waving a sarcastic hand at me in particular.
"Sorry to interrupt story time, but we've got to carry on with your plan, remember?"
I rolled my eyes, giving Bud a look that made him laugh.
"Yes sir, Señor Impatience."
I broke away from my position and approached the others.
"Right, everybody ready?"
Joker and Jim were coming back now, Joker looking much improved, his eyes open, his posture alert. Moriarty pat the clown's back as they got close.
"I return with a refreshed clown, good as new." He shifted, glaring at him.
"I tried to get a replacement, but he wasn't covered since they don't insure trash."
Joker bitterly fixed his bow tie.
"I have more knives in one pocket than you do those pearly whites, you mangy little rat."
Jim leaned in, aroused. "Is that a threat?"
J turned his head, leaning in closer. "Read between the lines."
"Look, look, I know you two are desperate to prove which one is the baddest villain, but please, have a sense of urgency. Arm wrestle it out later."
The two men gave eachother one final death glare before turning their attention to me.
"A'ight, everyone filled in on the plan?"
All but Joker nodded their heads.
I pointed at the clown. "Explain things to Dolly Parton here on the way. As soon as you're done, get back to the T.A.R.D.I.S.. I'm gonna go with Gavin to bring food to the rest of the party and fill them in on things. We also gotta get to sleep, SO, I'll stay in my own room and then by 9 tomorrow, we'll all regroup down here and decide our next move. Comprende?"
"Comprende." They responded, in shocking unison.
"Kay, get to it, my boys. If something occurs, you know where to find me."
They did indeed get to it. They gathered their equipment and started heading up, chattering to eachother about things I did not care about.
Gavin turned to me, obviously awaiting orders, looking pleased in my taking control.
But there was one more thing I had to do before heading up.
I stepped over to Bud, who gave me a warm smile, and outstretched my hand.
"Sarah Demens, by the way."
He laughed and accepted it, giving me a polite shake.
"Glad to know you properly, Sarah."
Gavin came behind and bowed to the old man, a pleasant happiness submerged in his expression.
"Gavin Takeo, at your service, sir."
"Ha, Gavin Takeo! What names you two have..pleasure to meet you both!"
I smirked. "G'night, Bud. See you in the morning."
"You will indeed..you play nice with the rest of those boys, ya hear?!"
I and Gavin climbed up the stairs, loaded with food for the rest of the team.
I grinned at his request. "No promises."
~
We reached the top and made our way to the hallway, where Mulder snapped his head to us, looking utterly exhausted. He straightened up in his seat and watched as we set the food down.
"What's this??"
"Well I'm sure y'all are in need of refueling, so we're here to deliver."
Gavin went and knocked on the doors, smiling upon looking down at me while I was kneeling in the middle of the floor.
They were soon opened, where everyone poked their heads out and gaped at the sight of food.
"Ohhh, Scoob, a miracle has happened and that miracle is called chow!"
The lanky Shaggy and bumbling Scooby scrambled out of their room, and fell on the floor next to me, immediately digging in.
"Hey, you two, save some for everyone!" Daphne scolded.
"What hams." Velma teased.
Fred shook his head, "Yeah, we have a much bigger gang to think about now!"
I smirked, where Gavin sat next to me and my eyes lifted to Scully.
"Is the kid awake?"
Scully lifted her brows, "Yeah, she is."
"Good. Tell her to come join in."
I poked my fork into a cinnamon roll and cut out the middle, since I hate that mushy gross part, where I then took my first bite. Oh, how adventuring and fighting and running had made me hungry.
"We're gonna have a hallway party." I announced with a full mouth.
~ to be continued ~
"Run, run, run!" Master exclaimed, as Gavin stood eagerly watching for me.
"Sarah, come on, hurry!!"
I was only a few feet away, "Do it!"
In the split second it took me to jump forward, as the monsters closed in, Master leapt into action and slammed down the button, the forcefield instantly activating.
Faster than belief, a bluish wave of energy that almost resembled water in texture shot out from the device in every direction, enveloping the entire building. I had landed on the other side of the doors in the nick of time, whipping my head around at the precise moment to see the sewer goblin and his cronies slam into the barrier, being bounced back several feet from the force of the impact.
All three me, Gavin and Master sighed in relief, me getting up from the ground, Gavin leaning against the door frame, and Master bending over, holding onto his knees.
Gavin and I were out of breath from all the excitement.
The monsters slowly rose up and faced us, as I did the same.
The sewer goblin looked up and down at the building, the forcefield now faded into invisibility.
He looked straight at me, his face teeming with anger. And he began spouting out something, that I didn't bother listening to as I decided to mess with him and gesture like I couldn't hear him.
"What?!" I mouthed. He yelled, but I shook my head.
"I can't hear you!" I mouthed further.
Both Gavin and Master glared at my boldness, Gavin still out of breath.
Sewer Goblin was so sick of trying that he finally swung around and him and his buddies peaced out.
"You are so bad.." Gavin said with a smirk, his eyes rising to the ceiling as he rested his head back.
Master broke away from us, hands on his hips, whereas I hurriedly got close to Gavin.
I was aiming to ask if he was okay, but he started speaking before I could..
"I'm sorry...I'm sorry....I just..I couldn't help myself..I had to.."
"I get it. It's fine..I would have done the same thing.."
"She would, too." Master confirmed.
I rose my brows with zero shame as Gavin smiled, getting his breath back.
"..Are you alright?" I snapped my gaze at him.
"Am I alright?! You're the one he was trying to devour!"
He straightened his back.
"Who was he, anyway? I know for sure he can't be someone from around here.."
"Agreed. Way too PG-13 for old-school Scooby. Maybe even R. But we'll get to that."
I turned. "Step 1 is done. That's all that matters. They can't get in..now onto step 2."
I started advancing into the heart of the lobby. "Jimbo!"
Jim, of course, was completely ignoring the situation since the chaos had been averted so quickly, and was still busily arranging food on the table.
"What a wonderful house wife you make, Jimmy. Keeping your head, when all heck breaks loose."
I felt his eyes drift to me even with his back turned.
Meanwhile, Bud was busy hiding under his desk, peeking to see if the coast was clear.
And now Bane had rushed downstairs, no doubt hearing commotion.
I naturally only had a problem, though, when he was soon followed by Agent Mulder.
"Dipper, stay back!"
..And Dipper.
The boy ignored the order given to him and the two were staring down from the stairs.
"What's going on?!" Dipper exclaimed in a panic.
"What happened, we heard gunshots!" Mulder interrogated, hand at his holster.
I advanced their way.
"What are you three doing, you're supposed to be guarding upstairs, literally ONE JOB!" "But the-" "There's five people down here capable of handling the situation, I mean really!"
"But the gunshots!" "It's fine, it's fine, we saw a spider, go!"
I waved them off and they reluctantly started shooing themselves off, giving me uncertain glances.
But I stopped Bane, "AH AH, I need you here."
He turned, nodded, and started coming down.
"I thought you liked spiders, Demens?" Master questioned.
I rotated, "I do, but they don't..made it more believable, got rid of them faster."
Master looked at me with great confusion. I huffed.
"I say what I want."
We all started to come closer together.
"That thing.." Gavin still couldn't take his gaze off the doors.
"That thing was shot about 20 times and you didn't even faze it, Sarah."
"Yeah, I noticed that." I gritted my teeth.
"And those were good shots, too..I might just need a bazooka."
"Maybe McDonald's can provide." Jim spoke.
At first I was wondering how a fast food restaurant could provide me with a bazooka, but I soon realized what he meant as my eyes caught sight of the one behind the shuffling and creaking sounds coming from the ship. And out came a drowsy looking man with makeup.
"Well, well..look who FINALLY decided to show up!" I put my hands on my hips.
"And how is sweet Princess Aurora doing today? Is her attitude improved?"
J shuffled himself towards me, his eyes half shut, pulling on his suspenders, swaying his dark green hair back and forth, obviously half awake. He stopped in front of me and barely opened one eye.
"Short stuff???"
I narrowed my eyes. "You ain't even awake yet. What ARE you doing up, anyway?"
Joker groaned and leaned in, his hand finding the top of my head, which he began patting.
I naturally gave him the most quizzical expression I could possibly muster.
"Food???"
I...I..I have no words...
"This is the second time today I've been mistaken by an associate as food. I obviously need to change my soap." I reached up and pinched J on the cheek. He made a face at this and gently shook his head in disapproval, his eyes still closed. "No.." "But yes."
I took him by the arm and guided him to Jimbo. "Take this man and get him some caffeine."
Moriarty patted J's shoulder and directed him toward the kitchen.
"We'll have Bobo awake in no time. Give him some toxic energy."
"Please...he already has enough of that."
I held my forehead a minute in worry.
With a deep sigh, I was ready to roll again.
"Swell, ok, GUYS. When Jim and Joker get back, Bane, Master, you're gonna go and put the cameras and traps up-- Bane, you may fill Master in on that-- and Gavin, I will be needing your help delivering some food to our extended companion family."
He smiled in response. "Of course."
I laid a hand on his shoulder, forcing him to look at me again.
"Are you sure you're alright?"
He didn't skip a beat. "I'm fine, really. Please. You don't need to worry. He didn't even have me that long. I'm just..shaken up, that's all."
Master leaned in, "Good, because you're a bloody idiot for doing that! You could have gotten us killed!" "And I apologize, I know it was foolish!"
"You were thinking irrationally and acting on emotion instead of thinking with some intelligence! You put the whole operation in jeopardy!"
"Oh, ignore him." I interrupted. "It's what I do."
"You two argue more than God and Satan!" Jim screamed from the kitchen.
How he heard me from all the way over there escapes me.
"Well you know..."
"So you guys are what..crime fighters?"
Bud was standing in front of the T.A.R.D.I.S., hands on his hips, as he stared up at the ship with extreme curiosity. He turned. "Space aliens?"
I smirked, "Something like that."
"Does that alarm you?" Bane wondered, no doubt searching for what action he would take.
"Ah no..we see all sortsa strange stuff around here..ghosts, aliens, monsters, the undead..it's an absolute circus around here!"
He made his way back to the desk.
"Just as long as you're not gonna suck my brains out, you're alright by me."
He started to shuffle through the items on the counter.
"This barrier of your's...does that mean that if anyone comes here..including the staff..they can't get in?? Even if they're not monsters?"
"Well of course, you old loon, it's not monster repellent!"
I backhanded Master's shoulder, which he squinted at.
I shook my head at Bud.
"No one can get in or out. Not until the barrier loses power at 9 tomorrow morning."
Bud blinked. "..Which means we're trapped."
I crinkled my brows. "Well, when you put it like that! It's..it's the safest choice for now. Until we know how to defeat these imbeciles and get some rest."
Bud hurried to the doors.
"You mean those are the monsters that are causing all this trouble?! They usually only haunt one place at a time..and they're usually all guys with masks!"
"Not this time, I'm afraid. Well, I mean, they ARE the same guys, but someone has actually found a way to transform them into real monsters. No doubt to help take over the town."
Bud suddenly hovered his hand over his mouth as he realized something.
"They're the ones taking all those poor kids!"
I walked to his side. "I believe they're merely doing what they do best; scaring people away. Someone else is taking the kids..someone not from around here."
Bud's eyes drifted to me. "An alien?"
I glanced at him. "I'm not sure yet..I just know he's dangerous.."
I then leaned against the door and tilted my head, curiously.
"You know, I've not seen you before, Bud..you must be a---person who tends to keep to themselves."
Naturally, I avoided my almost sentence that suggested he was an unused character on the show.
As much of a difficult spinach as he could be, he was actually a pretty nice guy.
And I was glad he was safe in the bubble with us.
Bud shrugged, looking back outside.
"I do keep to myself..never really had a lot of friends as a kid."
I smiled, "But you had a wife, right?"
He chuckled for a second, "Married young..had a long good life with her..until she, uh..passed a couple of years ago..she made me feel not so lonely.."
I frowned a little. "..But did ya have kids?"
He blinked with his enlarged eyes. "..We uh..we couldn't......"
His gaze dropped to the floor, solemnly.
I sunk, my heart sinking with me. "...I'm sorry."
He shook his head, gaining back his composure.
"Ah, it's fine..that's life. It'll be my time next before I know it."
"Not allowed, gramps. Not on my watch."
He smiled, "All things end, kiddo. Can't change that."
"You'd be surprised how many times I have already."
I shifted, ignoring the glances he was giving me.
We both soon watched out the doors, the darkness looming over the town like a black veil.
"Ah, Halloween.." Bud whispered.
"I remember my first time going out..I was just a weird little six year old kid..walking on my own..while all the other kids flocked together. I was sickly up to that point, so I wasn't able to get out of the house much..but that year...it was different. I wanted to go and get candy so bad. So me and my ma, we..put together this old astronaut suit..I always wanted to be an astronaut..just never..got the chance..life got in the way, ya know? Just one of those things that you..put off.
My ma told me that astronauts don't got a lot to do up in space..not enough air or room to move around in..told her I'd already been cooped up in that house for so many years, how much more worse can it be?"
Here, I laughed. He grinned wide.
"So I went and started collecting candy on my own..all the women felt sorry for me. Scrawny little kid in a poorly crafted space suit..and I always felt such a deep gratitude to be able to go and..live in a world where a child can celebrate life, and enjoy their happiness..on one night where we didn't have to be scared of monsters.."
His eyes wandered. "It was always such a special night..even if Red Herring knocked me down and kicked me..ruining my costume..laughing with his buddies..and calling me names..saying I'd never have the guts to become a real space man....and then they took my candy.."
Hearing this made me mad. Not only because of Red Herring being the one to do it, who was an adversary of Fred's when they were kids..but because, well, bullies.
"I would have beaten those punks to a pulp."
"Eh..they were just kids.."
"But that's no excuse. They'll only grow up to be criminals, all because people allowed them to get away with it."
"You're a feisty one, kid, I can tell. You must be the type to fight back, right?"
I glanced away.
"I wasn't always..until I got tired of it one day..and just..snapped..and refused to let it continue anymore."
"That's an admirable quality. Now you protect..some people just..don't have that strength.."
I looked back at him. He shook his head.
"Some people just aren't wired like you and me..they don't have the courage to stand up to their demons..or the willingness to change."
He took a deep breath.
"Sometimes people need to be saved from themselves...."
We stood silent for a second, before Bud's eyes returned to me.
"That night was special for more than one reason..yes, I went outside for the first time and celebrated my first Halloween..but I also learned a very important lesson.."
He pointed.
"Monsters..even if they come as children..feed on your fear. They are only strong as long as you make them strong. The only power they wield is the one you give to them. The day you realize..how truly lost..feeble..and scared the object of your fear really is..is the day they become afraid of you."
I took strong note of this wisdom, nodding my head as my eyes fell to the floor.
Unfortunately though, despite my investment in our conversation, we had to get to work.
Master crept behind us, waving a sarcastic hand at me in particular.
"Sorry to interrupt story time, but we've got to carry on with your plan, remember?"
I rolled my eyes, giving Bud a look that made him laugh.
"Yes sir, Señor Impatience."
I broke away from my position and approached the others.
"Right, everybody ready?"
Joker and Jim were coming back now, Joker looking much improved, his eyes open, his posture alert. Moriarty pat the clown's back as they got close.
"I return with a refreshed clown, good as new." He shifted, glaring at him.
"I tried to get a replacement, but he wasn't covered since they don't insure trash."
Joker bitterly fixed his bow tie.
"I have more knives in one pocket than you do those pearly whites, you mangy little rat."
Jim leaned in, aroused. "Is that a threat?"
J turned his head, leaning in closer. "Read between the lines."
"Look, look, I know you two are desperate to prove which one is the baddest villain, but please, have a sense of urgency. Arm wrestle it out later."
The two men gave eachother one final death glare before turning their attention to me.
"A'ight, everyone filled in on the plan?"
All but Joker nodded their heads.
I pointed at the clown. "Explain things to Dolly Parton here on the way. As soon as you're done, get back to the T.A.R.D.I.S.. I'm gonna go with Gavin to bring food to the rest of the party and fill them in on things. We also gotta get to sleep, SO, I'll stay in my own room and then by 9 tomorrow, we'll all regroup down here and decide our next move. Comprende?"
"Comprende." They responded, in shocking unison.
"Kay, get to it, my boys. If something occurs, you know where to find me."
They did indeed get to it. They gathered their equipment and started heading up, chattering to eachother about things I did not care about.
Gavin turned to me, obviously awaiting orders, looking pleased in my taking control.
But there was one more thing I had to do before heading up.
I stepped over to Bud, who gave me a warm smile, and outstretched my hand.
"Sarah Demens, by the way."
He laughed and accepted it, giving me a polite shake.
"Glad to know you properly, Sarah."
Gavin came behind and bowed to the old man, a pleasant happiness submerged in his expression.
"Gavin Takeo, at your service, sir."
"Ha, Gavin Takeo! What names you two have..pleasure to meet you both!"
I smirked. "G'night, Bud. See you in the morning."
"You will indeed..you play nice with the rest of those boys, ya hear?!"
I and Gavin climbed up the stairs, loaded with food for the rest of the team.
I grinned at his request. "No promises."
~
We reached the top and made our way to the hallway, where Mulder snapped his head to us, looking utterly exhausted. He straightened up in his seat and watched as we set the food down.
"What's this??"
"Well I'm sure y'all are in need of refueling, so we're here to deliver."
Gavin went and knocked on the doors, smiling upon looking down at me while I was kneeling in the middle of the floor.
They were soon opened, where everyone poked their heads out and gaped at the sight of food.
"Ohhh, Scoob, a miracle has happened and that miracle is called chow!"
The lanky Shaggy and bumbling Scooby scrambled out of their room, and fell on the floor next to me, immediately digging in.
"Hey, you two, save some for everyone!" Daphne scolded.
"What hams." Velma teased.
Fred shook his head, "Yeah, we have a much bigger gang to think about now!"
I smirked, where Gavin sat next to me and my eyes lifted to Scully.
"Is the kid awake?"
Scully lifted her brows, "Yeah, she is."
"Good. Tell her to come join in."
I poked my fork into a cinnamon roll and cut out the middle, since I hate that mushy gross part, where I then took my first bite. Oh, how adventuring and fighting and running had made me hungry.
"We're gonna have a hallway party." I announced with a full mouth.
~ to be continued ~
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