Nicole just could not shake off the feeling. The dead bodies were all over the floor of the dominion. It was the same outside as well. their eyes were open and looked like they saw God. The fact that there was no apparent reason for their deaths just made it more chilling.
"Found it!" Rembrandt said from the counter.
Nicole turned to see Rembrandt yell happily. She looked over at Bufford who was sitting on the lobby's couch. He looked up from the timer to glare. Then he went back to looking it over.
"What did you find?" Nicole asked.
"That a Quinn Mallory, Wade Welles, and Professor Auturo stayed here a couple of weeks ago, " Rembrandt grinned. "Some things never change."
"Is this where you tell me one of your sliding with the oldies story?" Nicole asked. "I don't think I could take it right now."
Rembrandt nod. "With all bodies I understand. How about this news: there was a Randy Heim, Richard Hall, Melissa Clark, and Professor Darnell Brown here months ago?"
"Hmmm...it's somewhat interesting," Nicole said as she leaned on the counter. "Do you think it's our version?"
"Could be," Rembrandt answered. "We won't know for sure until we slide out of here."
"You think Bufford will figure it out?"
"Yeah. Where's Goof at?"
"I think he's sleep somewhere."
Randy fell out of the wormhole yelling. He landed with a thud. He looked around to find he was sitting in a tree.
Melissa flew out of the wormhole and landed on Randy. She looked over at him.
"Just like old times," she said. "How much time do we have?"
"Three days," Randy answered. "Let's go."
Ben started to come back to reality. He thought for a second that Melissa was with him. he guessed it was a dream.
Then something moved in the shadows.
"Who's there?" Ben asked. He shot up and lunged at the figure.
The figure's knee came up and found its' target. Ben fell to the ground shrieking.
A door opened to his right.
"What's going--oh my God!"
Ben looked over to see Rembrandt and Nicole standing in the way of the figure. They looked shocked.
Melissa looked at the street that stood in front of her. He looked like it was taken out of Johnny Tremanie. The shirts that the guys worn. The breeches. The girls' long dress. Melissa just sighed.
She walked along the street. She had to find a lead somewhere.
"So you're new to these parts?" the storekeeper asked.
"Yes," Randy answered as he looked around the general store. "I haven't heard from my brother in a while and I wondered where he lives here."
The storekeeper grinned. "Understandable. With the robbers running around , you have to keep up with family. What is his name?"
"Richard Hall," Randy said.
The storekeeper's forehead formed lines as he pondered the question. "Hmmm...Hall...I think there is one...down the road a little bit. He has a lovely wife, too."
Randy smiled. "Thanks."
"So you're new here?" the barkeep asked.
"Yes, I'm here with my husband," Melissa lied. "We'll just looking for some friends of mine."
"Who would they be?"
"Darnell Brown and Richard Hall."
The barkeep frowned. "Why do you ask?"
"Do you know them?" Melissa asked.
The barkeep leaned in closer. She gestured for Melissa to do the same.
"So...do you know them?" Melissa whispered.
"Yes," the barkeep whispered. "Brown is wanted all over this state. As for Richard...he's one of our upstanding citizens."
"Upstanding!" Melissa shrieked.
"Shhh!" the barkeep hissed.
Melissa turned around to see a few heads turn to look at the bar. She sat down in a chair.
"Sorry," Melissa whispered.
"Hall lives up the street," the barkeep said. "He'll know what to do."
Melissa frowned. "Why do I have the feeling that you're not telling me something?"
"I can't talk here," the barkeep whispered. "Just head up the street. You'll know what to look for."
"Thanks," Melissa said.
Melissa headed for the bar door. She felt a few glances on her. She tried to ignore them.
The light outside hit her face. It was like salvation after the stares.
"Hey, miss!"
Melissa turned around to see a blond-haired man walk toward her with a couple of his friends.
"What seems to be the problem?" Melissa asked.
"That is what we're trying to find out," the blond-haired man said.
"And you are?" Melissa said.
"Derek," the blond-haired man said. "This is Tim and William."
"That's nice," Melissa said. "I have to get going--"
"Maybe we can escort you," the dark haired man,William, said.
"It's daylight. I'm sure I'll be fine," Melissa replied.
"Who are you going to see?" Derek asked.
"I don't think that's your business."
"Well...were are you from?"
"If you must know...Canada."
Melissa saw the men's face light up as if they realized something. She started to step away.
"I think I best be on my way...," Melissa said.
Derek grabbed her arm before she could make a break for it. She struggled with him, but his grip was firm.
"You're not going anywhere, nonbeliever," Derek said.
"Oh my God!"
It was her. The same long black hair. The same eye color. Nicole even worn what she had on at one time. She was an exact double of Nicole.
Hands wrapped around her double's body. She struggled with them, but she could not break free. Nicole just looked in shock.
"Let me go!" her double yelled. "Let me go!"
"No way!" Ben yelled. "You just kicked me in the--"
"Who are you?" Rembrandt asked.
"Why should I tell you?" Nicole's double shot back. "This is all your fault!"
"What?" Nicole managed a word.
"Well...not really," Nicole's double said as she looked at her. "Others like you. This world wasn't totally great...with people not admitting God exist, but it was our world. Then that Heim guy comes in and--"
"Wait!" Ben said. "Randy was here?"
"Yes," the double replied.
"And who was he with?" Rembrandt asked.
"Well...if someone with big arms would let me go..." Nicole's double said.
"Goof, let her go," Rembrandt asked.
"Fine," Ben said. He let her go.
Nicole reached out and touched her double's cheek. Her double backed away.
"You're...real," Nicole muttered. "You're...me."
"And you're me," Nicole's double replied.
"So...did you lose someone, too?" Nicole asked.
The double's face hardened at the question. "Rich..."
"Rich? Oh, you have a Richard, too?" Nicole replied. "That's who I'm looking for."
"Rich..." The tears formed in her eyes.
"Please...don't let me lose my Richard, too," Nicole said. "Help me."
Randy frowned as he walked through the fence. There was a poll in the front of it. Attached was bits and pieces of a cell phone.
"That son of a--" Randy muttered as he realized it was his timer.
"Can I help you, sir?"
Randy looked at the porch. A woman walked out of the house looking serious. Randy knew who she was already.
"Nicole Harris?" Randy said as if he was confused.
"Actually, it's Nicole Hall now," Nicole said. "It has been for almost three months now."
"I'm sorry," Randy apologized. "I'm looking for Richard. We're old friends."
"Oh," Nicole said. Her serious face melted into a smile. "I've been trying to get him to send for his friends for a month now."
"Nicole, what's going on--"
Richard walked onto the porch. Randy barely recognized him. He was dressed in a whole suit, a total contrast from Richard's open long-sleeved shirts and baggy pants. The trace of a beard was on his face. He even had glasses on him.
When Richard saw Randy, his face changed. A trace of a smirk crossed his face. Then he frowned. Finally, his face settled on a smile.
"Randy! How's it been?" Richard exclaimed. He extended his hand.
"It's been...interesting," Randy said as he shook Richard's hand. "Melissa and I got a little lost there for a while, but we're here."
"You did not have to," Richard said.
"Oh, yes. I did," Randy replied.
"Are you two going to shake hands all day?" Nicole asked.
Randy let go of Richard's hand.
"How about you get us some tea, honey?" Richard asked.
"All right," Nicole said as she walked back into the house.
"Tea? Randy asked.
"What the hell are you doing here?" Richard barked.
"Well...hello to you, too," Randy said. "Melissa and I slid in a little while ago. We came to find you."
"Maybe we don't want to be found, Egghead," Richard remarked. "I'm happy."
"And Professor Brown?"
"Mr. Hall! We got one!"
Randy turned to see a group of townspeople walking to the house. Melissa struggled with them, but they held her fast. Randy looked at Richard. He looked just as surprised as Randy felt.
"What is the problem, Derek?" Richard asked.
"This nonbeliever was wandering around," Derek answered. "We thought to bring her here and see her learn the errors of her ways."
"What?" Randy said. "This is my wife and I know for a fact that we are...uh...believers."
Randy saw Melissa look at him. He looked at Derek with determination.
"Let her go," Randy demanded.
"Do as he says," Richard added.
Randy saw confusion cross over the faces of the townspeople. They looked from Derek to Richard. it was like they were unsure who to follow.
"It looks like to me," Derek said, "that you are going back to some nonbeliever ways."
"It looks like to me you're not listening to me," Richard said in an even tone. "Who was it that rid this town of nonbelievers?"
"It was you, sir," a dark-haired man answered.
"Shut up, William!" Derek answered. He looked at Richard. He smirked. "Who brought Darnell Brown here in the first place? Who brought the snake into our mist?"
"What's going on, dear?" Nicole asked as she brought two glasses of tea out of the house.
Randy heard a pop sound. he looked around, but saw nothing at first. Then it seem to come out of nowhere. A projectile was speeding toward them.
"Duck!" Randy yelled.
People went flying all over the place. Randy ran for Melissa and grabbed her.
"Come on!" he yelled.
The projectile hit the ground and exploded. Gas flew everywhere in the front year. People were coughing all over it.
Randy ran down the street. He turned to see Melissa behind him. Not far behind her was Richard. They made it to a corner and stopped.
"Do you always have someone holding a grudge against you?" Randy asked Richard.
"This is your fault!" Richard barked. "I had everything under control. Then you had to say something."
"Guys!" Melissa cut them both off. "How about we find Brown and get out of here?"
"You won't have to look far."
Randy turned to the sound of the voice. The sight that greeted him caused him to gasp. He saw Melissa's look and knew he wasn't dreaming.
Bufford looked over the gizmo. He had looked it over part by part. The only idea that he had for it not working was some leftover aftereffect from what destroyed this world.
"Work, stupid thing!" Bufford yelled.
All he wanted to do was leave. He preferred to be back at home getting credit for inventing sliding. He wanted that more than anything.
A beep sound went off. Bufford looked at the gizmo to see that it had lit up again. There was a minute left on this world.
Bufford grinned. There was no one around. He could just slide out and--
"So how is the timer doing?"
Bufford looked up to see Rembrandt walking into the lobby with Ben and two Nicoles. He held back his disappointment.
"It's back on," Bufford said, "and a vortex is about to open."
"Yes!!" Ben said.
"Great!" Nicole said. She looked at her double. "You're coming with us."
"Is that wise?" Bufford asked. "The gizmo is set for eight people...us and your missing friends."
"We can't just leave her on this world by herself," Rembrandt said. "We're just going to take her to the next world."
"Well, I can't really argue it now, can I?" Bufford said. He aimed the gizmo and watched as a vortex opened. He watched as the sliders jumped into it and vanished.
Bufford ran after them. One way or another He had to get rid of them.
"So are you going to keep staring at me or open that wormhole?"
Randy blinked. He had been speechless since the quartet had made it out of town. they were now in the forest hiding.
"It's just...you look..." Randy tried to find the words.
"What?" Brown asked. "All it is is long braids and bearskin."
"Exactly, Professor!" Randy said. "You're usually more...neat...formal."
Brown looked at Randy. His face revealed nothing.
"Things change," Brown said. "Now...open the wormhole."
"Professor--"
"For the last time, my name is Darnell...not Professor...if you have to, call me Brown. The professor left when you took him on this trip of yours."
Randy could sense the bitterness in his voice. He was used to Richard saying things like that, but to hear Professor Brown saying it...
"I think we need to get moving," Melissa said as she came into the clearing. "Richard sees torches."
"Open the wormhole," Brown said.
"I can't," Randy said.
"Seems to be your m.o.," Richard said as he joined the others. "We need to move. They're coming."
"We're not going anywhere until Egghead opens the wormhole," Brown said. "It's been a year and three months. I'm ready to go home."
"Come on, Prof--Brown," Randy said. "We have to wait until the timer counts down. Remember what happened when we did last time? We just got to wait them out."
"Which will be possible if we move," Richard said. "Let's go."
Randy started to head out. A shadow moved to his right. He fell to the ground. A hand grabbed the timer.
"Brown, catch!" Richard yelled. He threw it to Brown who caught it.
"Professor, don't!" Melissa pleaded.
"It's Brown," Brown replied and aimed the timer. The ground dissolved into a blue circle.
"Do you know what you've done?" Melissa yelled.
"Any place is better than here," Brown yelled. Then he jumped into the wormhole. Richard followed him.
"Are you okay?" Melissa asked Randy as he got up.
"Let's go!" Randy yelled, ignoring her.
Melissa jumped into the wormhole. Randy followed behind her.
Randy fell to the ground. The wormhole closed behind him. He looked around him. He and the others were on some kind of street corner.
"Are you okay?" Randy asked as he ran over to Melissa.
"Yeah...peachy," Melissa answered. She looked over at Brown. "What were you thinking?!"
Brown looked at the timer in his hand. "You told us the next slide would take us home so this should be it."
"When the timer made it to zero," Randy replied. "Your risk was just a fifty-fifty chance of that."
"I'm sure we're here," Brown said.
"So am I," Richard said.
"I think you're both stupid," Melissa replied.
"You're right," Brown agreed as he stood up. "Only a fool would follow some young pup with no idea of what he's doing."
Randy's jaw felt like steel. It would not lift up.
"Gee, Egghead, what's wrong?" Richard challenged. "Cat got your tongue?"
Randy saw a smirk on Richard's face. Richard followed behind Brown. Randy looked at Melissa.
"Let's just see if we're home," Melissa said. She held out her hand.
Randy smiled and grabbed it. Brown may be angry at him, but having Melissa made up for it.
The sliders turned the corner. Randy thought his heart was about to burst. He looked at Melissa. Her smile showed that she was thinking it: they were home.
Ordinary people were walking the street. There was nothing weird.
"Oh my God!" Richard mumbled.
One of the people looked at the sliders. Randy's heart fell like an avail. The person looking had one long eyebrow. As Randy looked around, he realized the other people had it, too. More and more people noticed the four sliders. One person pulled out a gun and aimed.
Melissa glared at Brown.
"Run!" Brown barked.
"What happened to 'any place is better than here?'" Melissa asked.
"Come on!" Randy yelled as he pulled on Melissa's arm.
More people pulled out guns and aimed.
THE-END
Back to Season 2
