"What were you thinking?"
i wasn't. i was worried about my friends.
"Apparently."
Melissa Clark looked up.
i'm sorry, she said without opening her mouth.
"You bet you are. You were the one who wanted me to go to the surface."
Melissa looked down again. She was right.
"You were the one who wanted me to make a difference in my world. Now look at me."
She couldn't. It was just too--
"LOOK AT ME!"
Melissa looked up. Miashuyhi Kims glared at her on the other side of the table. her arms were crossed over her chest. A trail of blood ran across her face, a result of having her head break open. Her eyes burned into Melissa.
"You and your interference in my world!" Kims hissed. "If not for you, I would be alive. Just like Ben!"
Tears started to string down Melissa's face.
"Now me and Ben are the same: dead! And it's all your fa--"
"Hey, Melissa!"
Melissa shot out of her sleep. Richard Hall sat next to her in the taxi. His brown eyes were full of concern.
"We're almost there," Richard announced. "You okay?"
Melissa looked at Richard. "No."
"Don't worry," Richard said. "According to Egghead, when Proper destroyed that robot the 'Maggs lost any way to tra--"
"Can we not talk about that race war world?" Melissa snapped. "Please?"
Richard stared at Melissa. He turned away, his ponytail making him look like a horse. He patted a beat on his knees.
"Cool," Richard said.
Melissa shot out of the wormhole. Her body paused. Then it shot down. Before Melissa could recover, she was on the edge of the Golden Gate Bridge. Her hands gripped the metal, but they were slipping. Then she fell, a scream starting from her lips.
A hand grabbed her arm, causing Melissa's scream to be a yelp.
"Don't worry. I got you!"
Melissa looked up. Her eyes widened. Ben Loveland stared back at her.
WHAT IF YOU COULD LEAVE YOUR WORLD? WHAT IF YOU COULD SLIDE TO A DIFFERENT DIMENSION? PLACES WHERE YOU'RE THE SAME PERSON AND IT'S THE SAME YEAR, BUT EVERYTHING ELSE IS DIFFERENT?
A WORLD WHERE THE INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION IS IN FULL SWING?
OR
A WORLD WHERE EVOLUTION TOOK A DIFFERENT TURN AND EVERYONE HAS POWERS?
OR
A WORLD WHERE YOU ARE A SECRET AGENT?
FOUR YEARS AGO, MY FRIENDS AND I FOUND THE GATEWAY. NOW...ALL WE WANT IS TO GO HOME.
SLIDERS: ALTERNATE SPIN-SEASON 5
EPISODE 11: WHY WAIT?
"Well...isn't that nice?"
Randy Heim ignored Rebecca Pryce's taunts behind him. His eyes went on the growing crowd surrounding Melissa and the double of Ben Loveland. Melissa looked bewildered as wind blew her short jet-black hair. Ben helped her off the ledge, smiling the whole time. This version of him had black hair as well and dressed in a polo shirt and some khakis.
"Guess you were too late...again," Rebecca continued.
Randy turned. His brown eyes narrowed on the long dark-haired beauty. She got to her feet, her curly tresses blowing. She wore a green turtleneck and light brown pants. It did not make her look innocent.
"Will you shut up?" Randy snapped.
"Just think," Rebecca said, oblivious to his comment, "you and Richard now have something in common."
"Someone say my name?"
Randy turned to see Richard Hall approached them from among the stopped cars on the bridge. His long brown hair blew in the wind as well, making him look like a lost explorer coming home. And while it wasn't the Richard he knew, the clone acted way too much like the original. He stared at the two of them with a lopsided grin.
"Everyone good?" Richard asked.
"Great," Randy said.
"He claims," Rebecca added. She smiled. "What about you? Sorry that a Ben double rescued her?"
Richard laughed. "Nice try, babe. I don't rattle easily."
Rebecca tilted her head. "Do you want me to test that theory?"
"Gentleman. Lady."
Randy looked away from the quarreling twosome. Professor Darnell Brown walked over, his brown trenchcoat blowing along with his short dreadlocks. Randy was surprised he didn't use his powers to fly over. Brown stared at him.
"I do not need abilities to know what you are thinking, Mr. Heim," Brown said. "There is no need to bring unwanted attention to ourselves."
"Yea, cuz the attention of the wormhole...pretty bad, huh?" Rebecca asked.
Brown frowned. "I do not see anyone approaching us about--"
"Wow! That was cool!" a kid yelled jumped out of a nearby car.
"How you guys do that blue thing?" a redheaded kid behind him asked.
Brown looked at Randy. He smirked at Brown. Brown shrugged his shoulders.
"I stand corrected," Brown said.
"Are you sure you're okay?"
Melissa looked at Ben. "Yeah...my friends and I appreciate you driving us to the Dominion...in a limo no less."
Ben smiled. "Anytime." He looked around. "When you feel a little better..."
Ben pulled out a card. He gave it to Melissa. She looked down at it in surprise. She stared at him.
"Ben, I--" Melissa started.
Ben held up his hands. "No pressure! It's just...with time getting more and more precious...why play games? I throw parties every night. Very fun. Come and check it out. Maybe I can get you to tell me why you were on that bridge."
Melissa grinned. "Maybe."
Ben leaned forward and kissed Melissa. She was surprised. He pulled back before she could react. He stepped back into his limo which had been on the curb this whole time.
"Later," Ben said. Then he shut the limo door and it took off.
Melissa stared after the limo. The kiss confused her. She was used to different Bens. However, they had not known each other long.
She turned toward the door of the Dominion Hotel. She paused. Randy stared at her, a disapproving look on his face.
"What?" Melissa said.
"Well, he really seem to like you," Randy said.
Melissa crossed her arms over her chest. "What Ben doesn't? See what I learn from your trip across the multiverse?"
"Melissa--"
"Don't, okay?" Melissa snapped. "There's nothing you can say that will make the hatred go away."
"You know this can't go on," Randy said.
Melissa walked over to Randy. She stared him up and down.
"Maybe I'll just leave," Melissa said.
"Why don't you just go out?" Rebecca asked, leaning next to the couch. "Claim your territory. You know you want to."
Richard stood next to the couch, his eyes on the Dominion entrance. His arms were crossed over his chest. He tapped his toe.
"Again you don't know," Richard said.
"Or...I know you too well," Rebecca replied.
"No, you don't," Richard said, looking at Richard. "When was the last time we had a conversation? Hmmm...was it back when we were screwing?"
Rebecca tilted her head. "Good times."
"Yea...for you."
Rebecca frowned. She stood up and touched Richard's chest softly.
"I seem to recall you grunting how good it was," Rebecca said.
Richard looked at her. "It was the wine talking."
"Was it?" Rebecca shot back, kissing Richard's neck. Her hands started to feel around his body. "Cuz I don't think so."
Richard started to feel warm. Excited. He backed away from Rebecca. She stared at him, all mock innocence.
"What?" Rebecca said, innocently.
"Sorry, sweetheart," Richard said. "Not your sex in a jar."
"Really? You really think you're getting sex from the Goth Princess? She's so wind up...I seriously doubt it."
"I'm not getting it from you so it evens out."
Rebecca looked at him with doting eyes.
"But...you can be," she said.
"I don't sleep with people who think I'm a thing."
"But...aren't you?"
Richard glared. "Grow a heart. Then maybe someone will actually like you."
"I think something is amiss. The clerk actually seem--"
Richard looked over at Brown. Brown stared at the two of them. He frowned.
"All right," Brown said. "Did you four get together while I slept and discuss the recurring theme of I walking into tense situations?"
The Dominion door shot open. Melissa stormed in. Randy was right behind. She saw Richard.
"Do you have the room?" Melissa asked.
"Yes--" Brown started.
"Let's go."
Brown followed Melissa. So did Rebecca. Richard looked over at the bewildered Randy.
His eyes narrowed on Randy. He had just about enough of Randy. It was time he did something.
"A penny for your thoughts?"
Randy looked behind him. He had come to the roof of the Dominion for some fresh air. Now Brown approached.
"I think you'll need more than a penny," Randy said. "My cloaker is still good."
Brown frowned. "Yes...your cloaker."
A silence fell over both of them. Randy stared at Brown. Brown stared back.
"So...Miss Clark is leaving and Miss Pryce is staying?" Brown asked.
"That's what Melissa said," Randy said, looking away. "Nothing I can do about it."
"I highly doubt that," Brown said.
Randy turned again. "Professor, where have you been? Melissa hates me. Richard hates me. You want to kill me."
Brown threw up his arms. "Now, now..."
"Professor...don't," Randy said. "I'm right. And that's just me talking about you. Not...never mind."
Brown frowned. "No never mind. Out with it, Mr. Heim."
"You were wrong," Randy said. "The Cromagnons can control you...just like the Atlantians before them. The only difference is that the Atlantians wanted you to burn out. Meanwhile, the Cromagnons are binding their time."
"I--" Brown started.
"What happens when time runs out, Brown?" Randy demanded. "Are you going to take me? Am I going to have to kill you?"
Again, there was silence. Randy headed for the door.
"Mr. Heim--" Brown started.
"I can't trust you," Randy said. He grinned sadly. "We know I can't trust Rebecca. I have no one."
Randy turned away. A man stood in front of him. He wore a dirtied brown shirt and blue jeans. He fell to the ground. Randy ran to him.
"Sir?" Randy managed. "Sir, can you--"
The man pushed him away. "Don't touch me!" He shot up. "I'm not fine! No one is fine! It's going to get all of us. One way or another. What's the point?"
"'It,' Sir?" Brown said. "What are you--"
"No!" the man yelled. "I will not die like this. I want to live the way I want." Tears started to run down his cheeks. "I lived a good life. I was a good accountant. Why is this--"
"Sir," Randy cut in, "what are you talking about?"
"You don't have it?" the man asked. He smiled looking insane. "So lucky." He stopped smiling. "It won't last."
Brown approached the man. "How about we go downstairs and--"
"Where people can gawk at me?" the man snapped. "No thanks."
"I think--"
The man dotted past Randy and Brown. He leaped over the ledge. A moment later, there was a cracking sound.
Randy ran to the ledge. He looked over to find that the man had hit the sidewalk, his body all zigzag.
"Oh my God," Brown muttered beside him.
Randy did not know what to say. Then he noticed it.
No one ran to the man. In fact, people on the sidewalk walked on by the dead man. One woman paused and looked. Then she continued walking.
Randy frowned. What world had they slid to?
Randy ran up to the front desk clerk. He sat behind the desk, reading a book. He looked up with mild interest.
"Sir," Randy said, "there's been an accident."
"Really?" the clerk said.
"A guy jumped off the roof," Randy said.
The clerk corked an eyebrow. "Really?"
"He's dead."
"Okay."
The clerk went back to his book. Randy's eyes widened. A guy had just died and all the clerk could do was...read a book.
"Hey!" Randy barked.
The clerk looked at Randy annoyed.
"I just said a man is dead," Randy said.
"Good for you," the clerk said. "You get a cookie."
"Do you not have a heart?" Randy demanded.
"A heart...yes," the clerk said. "Sympathy for someone with Avi...no. One less body with the disease I have to worry about."
"Disease?"
The clerk glared. "Where have you been?"
"Canada."
"So?"
"Could you humor me?"
"There was an outbreak of the avian flu," the clerk said. "Nothing to worry about the scientists said. Then the first body dropped. The flu...Avi...had mutated with no cure. Any of us could drop. So...another dead body...not that much of an issue. A sweeper will got him in the morning along with another dead body...or twenty."
"Maybe there will be a cure?" Randy suggested.
"Hope left five minutes ago," the clerk replied. "We live. We die. Nothing's changing that."
Randy stared at the clerk. The clerk returned to his book, seemingly oblivious to him.
"So when will the police get here?"
Randy turned around. Brown stormed over to him.
"When hell freezes over," Randy said.
Brown frowned. Randy sighed sadly.
"Never mind," Randy said. "Did you get the others?"
"Can't."
Randy looked behind Brown. Rebecca approached from the elevator.
"Melissa and Richard are gone," Rebecca said.
Melissa sat on the ledge. She did not know what to say as she looked out over the vast living room she was in. People were crowded in dressed in their best. Even thought Ben had sent a change of clothes, Melissa still did not feel like she...fit with these people.
"A glass of bubble-y, Miss Clark."
Melissa glared at Richard. He managed a grin as he approached.
"Don't go Professor on me," Melissa said.
"Never dream of it," Richard said, gesturing to the glass of champagne in his right hand. "Bubble-y?"
Melissa's forehead wrinkled up. "Hmmm...no."
"Now, now," Richard said.. "These drinks did not come cheap." He gestured downward. "Nice dress by the way."
Melissa looked down. She wore a dark green strapless evening gown with a dark green and jewelry on her wrist. With her hair growing back in, she looked...the most normal she's looked since...Ben. She shook her head and grinned at Richard.
"This old thing?" Melissa said jokily. Richard rolled his eyes. "If anyone looks good...it's you."
Richard spun around. He had gloves and jacket tails and everything. His hair was slicked back and in a ponytail. With the wrist cloaker and tuxedo...he could have been an usher.
"Ben did us up right true," Richard said. "But why?"
Melissa frowned.
"No! Not the return of the frown!"
"What do you want, Richard?"
"A Melissa who smiles...for one."
"It's rare so get used to this one."
Richard sat down next to Melissa.
"Why is that?" Richard asked.
Melissa laughed bitterly. "Have we been on different slides?"
"Apparently," Richard said, deadpan. His eyes fulled with concern. "Now...where is normal happy Melissa?"
"Gone and not coming back," Melissa shot back.
Richard glanced at her. He drank his champagne. Then he looked at Melissa again.
"Do you know when the last time I was normal was?" Richard asked.
"Huh?" Melissa muttered.
Richard sipped his champagne. "It was back on Rebecca's world. It was when we confronted her and she showed us...those clones...of me. Nothing's really been the same since."
Melissa reached for Richard. She touched his shoulder.
"I'm sorry," Melissa said.
"I'm good," Richard said. "You know what would make me feel better?"
"No," Melissa answered.
"If you told me what was your last normal moment."
"Last normal moment?" Melissa uttered. She sat back on the ledge and sipped her champagne. "I guess my last moment of normalcy...when I was me...was on that futuristic world where we found the real Quinn Mallory and found Logan St. Clair." She looked down. "Randy and I had made...had sex for the first time. Then we kept going at it like jackrabbits." She took a gulp from her champagne. "Different time. Now...I'm sure everyone can say I'm not me, but...how can I be? There's nothing else. Randy and I...gone. Brown isn't Brown. You...aren't you. I hate Rebecca. There's no point for me being here anymore. Can't even save a world without someone dying."
Richard made a face, trying to keep the champagne in his mouth. "What are you talking about?"
"Race War World," Melissa said. "There were a group living underground...staying away from the surface and the whites and the blacks. I told one of their leaders that if they would only change their world, things would get better. She trusted me...and she got killed. All I do is get people killed."
"What about--"
"I'm leaving, Richard," Melissa said. "I'm tired of this."
"Enjoying yourselves?"
Melissa looked up. Ben stood next to her in a black tuxedo, his hair just as slicked. He had a blond companion with him. As her eyes fell on the girl, she recognized her.
"Kat?" Melissa muttered.
Richard frowned. So did the blonde.
"How do ye know me?" Katherine Rye asked.
"We...know your reputation," Richard covered.
"Really?" Kat said, approaching Richard. "How about ye tell me all aboot it?"
Richard drank the last of his champagne. He shot up and looked down at Kat. He grinned.
"Don't mind if I do," Richard said.
Melissa watched the two of them melt into the crowd. She knew that the Kat of their group had a thing with her Richard. She felt a little green.
"And how are you enjoying yourself?" Ben asked.
"It's...different," Melissa said. "I'm just so used to pain and..."
Ben touched her hand. "Aren't we all? People around here are always dropping like flies. That's why I always throw parties. Kinda like a 'Fuck You, Death!'" He smiled. "We live life to the fullest."
"I'll drink to that," Melissa said.
"Really?" Ben asked, reaching into his pocket. He pulled his hand out of it. He opened his palm, revealing two yellow pills. "How about we do some real living?"
"Uh...no," Melissa said.
She immediately stood up. Her mind thinking back to that world where drugs were legal. She almost died from the drugs they put in her system.
Ben reached out and touched her cheek. It made her think of her Ben...the Goth double who died. His brown eyes were so much like his at the moment...soft, caring.
"Come on, Melissa," Ben said, leaning in. "Life is too short anyway. We lived. We die. All that matters...is now. And I don't want to do this...alone." He touched noses with her. "How about it?"
Melissa looked at him. Her mouth didn't move. It stayed that way as Ben dropped a pill in his champagne. It stayed that way as he dropped the other in her champagne.
Her mouth opened after they drank their champagne, letting Ben kiss her. She followed him down his rabbit hole.
Brown opened his eyes. Randy stood up from the couch. They were in the Dominion lobby. Brown closed his eyes and tried to search for Melissa and Richard's mind.
"Well?" Randy asked.
"They appear fine," Brown said. "They appear happy in fact."
"Then," Rebecca said from her seat on the couch, "this was all for nothing."
"Can you tell them to come back?" Randy asked.
Brown frowned. "Is that really necessary?"
"We're on a world where we could drop dead any second," Randy said. "I would think the answer would be yes."
"Or," Brown said, "we can present the theory that maybe being from a parallel world might give our physicity a...heads-up."
Randy glared. "You are gambling with people's lives."
"People who do need to let off some stream," Brown said. "Besides, we still have some hours before the slide. Let us give them a chance."
Brown walked away. Randy watched him go. He felt like he was being disciplined fro something he didn't do.
Rebecca stared at Brown as he got into the elevator. Then she looked at Randy.
"You do realized that he probably wants them to die," Rebecca said. "More dead weight."
"I'm not going to listen to you," Randy said.
Rebecca stood up. "Well...who are you going to listen to? It's not like anyone's talking to you...or listening." She tilted her head. "And don't you find that funny? You got 'em this far and no one--"
"Just shut up," Randy said.
"Hey," Rebecca said, touching Randy's shoulder. "All I'm saying is...you're right. Dangerous world. We should stick together. Don't you agree?"
Randy did not know what to say. She...was right. the last thing he wanted was to leave Melissa on a world where she could die. He owed her that much.
Randy headed for the door.
"Uh...where are you going?" Rebecca asked.
Randy turned around. "To find them."
Rebecca crossed her arms over her chest.
"And how are you going to find them?" Rebecca challenged. "Not like you got an address."
Randy frowned. She was right...again. He had really no way of getting ahold of Ben. How...
Rebecca reached into her pocket. She pulled out a card. A smirk crept onto her face.
"'Borrow' it after Melissa made her call," Rebecca said. "Shall we go?"
Richard looked over at Melissa. She chattered with Ben animatedly. It was good to see a smile on her face, but...something was off.
"Do they not look nice?"
Richard stopped leaning in the doorway to the living room. Kat stood behind him. She gave him his champagne glass back.
"She definitely got the pick of the litter," Kat replied.
"Benny that popular?" Richard asked.
Kat gave him a 'duh' look. "Of course. All that money. Look around. If he's going out, he's going out in style."
Richard frowned. "Going out?"
Kat nodded and sipped her drink. "Aye. He has Avi. For all we know, he'll be dead before the night's out." She walked past Richard, her eyes on Melissa. "And it looks like he picked his bride. May the saints preserve her...Avi or not."
Kat frowned. "What?"
"I asked," Richard said, "What is Avi?"
"Have ye been under a rock?"
"I've been in Canada."
"So?"
"Specifics, please."
Kat rolled her eyes. "Fine. I'll humor ye this once. Years ago there was an outbreak of the avian flu virus. It was a mutation strand. Now...any one of us could get it and die within...hours, days...weeks at the most." She looked over at Ben. "Ben found out yesterday. He was going to jump of the Golden Gate Bridge...before she showed up. He saw it as a sign. I believe him."
Richard looked over at Ben and Melissa. To the outside eye, they looked like a happy couple. His eyes focused on Ben, narrowing.
"How aboot we--" Kat started.
Richard was already storming away. He was sure that Melissa had no idea. He had to tell her.
Melissa brought a hand to her forehead. She felt a little heated. She pulled her hand away, staring at it. was it her or was it closer than she thought? In any case, her hand had a tremor. She put it down.
Her eyes stared about the room. Every few seconds the room span out of focus. then it would reform with several people in different places. The vertigo would normally shock her. Instead, it amused her.
A hand touched her chin. She turned. Ben was very close. Was it her or was he sweating?
"Having fun?" Ben asked.
Melissa nodded. Even that amount of movement caused her to start fanning herself with her left hand.
"Think we could get some water?" Melissa asked.
Ben laughed, it sounding louder than Melissa thought it should. He kissed her ear, causing her to giggle.
"You need liquids, dear?" Ben said. "Just continue your champagne."
Ben continued kissing Melissa's ear. Her head tilted to the side. The kissing was orgasmic right now. She guessed he was right and started to take another drink from her champagne glass.
A hand grabbed the glass right out of her hand. She moved, causing her to abruptly lose her connection to Ben. Richard stared back at her, smiling.
"Well," Richard said, "look at the time! Melissa, I think we should be on our way. We have that thing."
Melissa frowned. Thing?
Richard reached for Melissa with his free hand. Ben grabbed Richard's hand. He stared at Richard with a grin.
"What you doing, man?" Ben demanded.
"Playing the proverbial cock-block...man," Richard said.
Melissa looked at both of them. It reminded her of the time before she started sliding. She had a date with Ben and Richard went out of his way to wreck it.
Melissa felt her forehead wrinkle up. Not again.
Melissa separated their hands. She glared at Richard.
"Richard...I'm fine...really," Melissa said.
Richard tilted his head. "Melissa...your pupils keep getting big and small. Trust me...of a right mind you are not." He smiled. "Besides...we have that thing tomorrow."
"What if I want to stay?"
"You don't want to stay here."
"I think the lady has spo--" Ben started.
Richard's hand slipped. Melissa's champagne flew all on Ben's tuxedo. Ben gasped. Melissa giggled.
"Oops!" Richard exclaimed, giving the glass to Ben. "So sorry." He grabbed Melissa. "We need to go."
Next thing Melissa knew she was floating across the room. Richard had one of her hands in one of his. His other hand was around her waist.
"God, what kind of drug did he give you?" Richard asked.
Melissa stared at Richard. With her free hand, she touched his cheek. He stared at her in surprise.
"Why did we break up again?" she asked.
Richard frowned at her. "Okay. Never mind. I know what drug. How about--"
Richard looked forward. He paused. Melisa looked, too. Her eyes widened.
Randy stood in front of them. He wore a tuxedo and his hair was slicked back. Rebecca was dressed in a slick black dress with jewels embroiled in the top. Her hair was one up with a tiara on top. She smirked at the two of them.
"Well," Rebecca said, "look at you two."
"Well," Rebecca continued, wrapping her arms around Randy's arm, "I think it's funny." She looked at Randy. "Don't you?"
"We need to--" Richard started.
"Why did you two even come?" Randy asked. "We have no idea what this world is about."
"Completely agree," Richard said. "We--"
"Who knows what danger you--"
"Hey! Right there with you!" Richard exclaimed.
"It was a stupid idea," Randy said. "So...yours?"
"Probably," Rebecca added.
Richard glared at them.
"FYI...it was Melissa's idea," Richard said. "I went to protect her. Put your jealousy away."
Rebecca's eyes widened. Randy's eyes narrowed.
"Yeah," Richard said, "I said it. Both of you." He looked at Rebecca. "For a heartless bitch, you really do seem to be really bent out of shape about my time with Melissa. Accept it. No one loves you." He turned to Randy. "And you? Man, she moved on. Maybe you should to. Cuz right now...you're pathetic. Acting like some lost puppy while she's focused on OTHER men. Get over it. And--"
Suddenly, Richard's world went vertigo. Randy and Rebecca were still in focus. Everything behind them swirled.
"Oh, great," Richard muttered. "As much as...I want to...finish...leaving now. Jerks."
Richard moved Melissa past them. He made it into the hall before it really hit. He paused.
There was only one person who could have done this.
Kat. She had drugged him like Ben did to Melissa.
Richard fell to the floor.
Randy just stared at the people around him. It was like none of them had noticed the mini-blowup. They were carefree.
"He's right."
Randy looked at Rebecca. She actually looked upset. She grabbed the nearest opened champagne bottle.
"I only had me," Rebecca said. "I had to scrape for everything I got. Got better. When the opportunity to acquire Arturo Foundation funds came along, I took it. So...why care about other people?" She drank from the bottle. "I hate her. She has what I want. She's a pathetic mess and still...you all love her."
"Melissa?"
Rebecca glared at Randy. "Yeah. Who else is here?" She nodded. "Still...he's right. You do chase after her like some puppy."
Randy glared. "I'm not a puppy."
"Really?" Rebecca challenged. "How about you actually live and stop waiting for her to come around?"
"Richard's right. You are a heartless bitch."
"I dare you to do something that Goth Princess wouldn't like. You know...think for yourself. You do remember how to th--"
Randy grabbed Rebecca. He planted a kiss on her. Rebecca pulled back. He grabbed the bottle and drank from it.
"She definitely wouldn't like that," Randy said. He drank again. "You know what? What's the point? She's into...Richard? Ben? I...have no one. That Ethan double was right. I have no connection...to anyone."
Rebecca grabbed the bottle and drank from it. She leaned into Randy as she gave him the bottle.
"Join the club," Rebecca purred. "In fact..." She kissed his ear. "...prove you can still have one."
Randy moved back from Rebecca, drinking from the bottle. He stared at Rebecca, his mind thinking of the reasons she shouldn't do what he's thinking. He ignored it all. All he wanted was a connection.
He grabbed Rebecca and started kissing. Suddenly, he grabbed her up and carried her out of the room. His target: the stairs.
Brown shot up quickly. He looked around the room and saw nothing. However there was a tingling in the back of his head. It was all too familiar.
"Do not make me open the curtain," Brown warned.
"Perhaps, Darnell," Mary said, emerging from the shadows, "you should not bark orders. My masters would not be pleased...and they are already...displeased...with your attempt to kill Randy Heim."
Brown got out of his bed. "I am not afraid of your bosses."
Mary's face darkened. "You...should be." She stared through Brown. "Have you been losing any time lately?"
Brown tried to control the anger trying to emerge onto his face. Mary stepped closer.
"One way or another," Mary said. "You will bring Randy Heim to our world. You said that you could achieve that goal."
"Things change."
"Then so will they."
Brown glared at Mary. "I don't think so. You see...in order to control my body...I would have to be present on the same world as Mr. Heim. It would be hard to track him if I am no longer among his group."
Mary gave a glare. "You would not."
"Try me, Mary. Tell them if they attempt it again...they will lose all track of Heim. Now go."
Mary vanished back into the shadows. Brown grabbed a robe and headed out of the room. His mind was already locating the others.
Brown paused. He was the only slider in the hotel.
Where were the others?
Richard blinked. His body felt pretty useless. Darn Kat for drugging...
Richard shot up. He was in bed...naked. He looked to the left to see Kat. She grinned at him.
"Ye an animal," she commented.
Richard grabbed Kat by the throat.
"Why?" Richard demanded.
"Why?" Kat uttered. "Because I wanted to."
Richard frowned. "You don't have--"
Kat pushed Richard away. "No! I just do what I want. Short life. Take what ye can!"
"Even if the people don't know?" Richard said. "'Ye' sick! Now...where's Melissa?"
Melissa stepped onto the roof. Ben had her by the hand. He managed a grin.
"Can you believe it?" Ben asked.
For a moment, the world went vertigo again. Melissa paused in her step. The world came back into focus. Ben frowned at her.
"Are you okay?" Ben asked.
"Yes," Melissa said.
Ben smiled. "Good. I have a confession."
Randy fell back on the bed. Sweat covered him all over. He wiped at his forehead. For a moment, he thought about Melissa. What would she think?
Rebecca fell on him. He stared at her. She gave a mischievous grin.
"What?" Rebecca asked. "I tire you out?"
Randy grabbed Rebecca in his arms. He rolled over with her. All thoughts of Melissa were forgotten.
"What's the point, Richard?" Kat asked as she followed Richard up the stairs. "We're all going to die someday. Why not die with the one ye love?"
Richard paused and turned around.
"Where we come from," Richard said, "we do live life to the fullest. Doesn't mean you go looking for death. Maybe your scientists will find a cure."
"Before Ben succumbs?" Kat challenged. "Unlikely."
"Thank you, Ms. Cleo," Richard said. "I'm finding my friend."
Richard continued up the stairs. He made it to the roof door. He kicked it in and ran out into the air. His eyes widened.
Ben and Melissa were on the ledge. They held hands. Their eyes were on each other, but now they turned to look over the edge.
"Melissa!" Richard yelled.
Melissa turned to look. Richard was at the roof door...next to Kat. He stepped closer.
"Melissa."
Melissa looked at Ben. He stared at her looking sad.
"Melissa!"
Melissa looked at Richard. His eyes were full of concern.
"Melissa...you said you were okay with this."
Melissa looked at Ben again.
"Okay with what?" Richard demanded. "What is he talking about, Melissa?"
"He's dying, Richard," Melissa said, looking at Richard. "Again. Another Ben."
"Sorry for him," Richard said. "You're fine."
"Am I? The guy I knew...got shot. So did I. I survived; he didn't. Maybe...this is the universe's way of correcting that mistake."
"Melissa, this is no time to play 'Final Destination.' You know we have to go."
Melissa glared. "Don't you hear me? I'm not going. Ben--"
"You know what?" Richard snapped. "I'm tired of hearing about Saint Ben. If he was such a saint, you would have been with him back home. Or you would have stay on the world of that alternate. Or this one would have told you at the start."
"Am I missing something?" Kat asked. "Alternate? This one? Are ye daft?"
"They are from an alternate dimension," Ben said. He looked at Melissa. "She trusted me enough to tell me after I confessed." He gestured with his head. "Shall we?"
Melissa started to turn away.
"What about your mother?"
Melissa paused. She looked at Richard. He continued to walk forward.
"You don't even know my--" Melissa started.
"Have the memories, remember?" Richard said, tapping his head. "I remember how much you told me you love her and couldn't wait to get to her. You have nothing to live for? Live for that. Or the fact that she lost one daughter when you were a kid. Don't make her lose another."
Melissa said nothing. Kat approached Richard.
"Now, Richard," Kat started, "how about we--"
Richard elbowed Kat in the face. A hand tightened on Melissa's arm. She looked at Ben. He narrowed his eyes on Melissa.
"We are both going to die here," Ben said. "Surely--"
"No," Melissa said. "You will. Me...I can slide to another world. God! What was I--"
"No!" Ben yelled, tightening his hold on Melissa.
"Hey!" Richard yelled.
"Let go!" Melissa yelled.
She snatched at Ben. He stumbled on the ledge and started to fall. Melissa's eyes widened as she saw he still held her. She started over the ledge.
"Melissa!" Richard yelled.
"Melissa!"
Randy paused as he heard the yell. Rebecca looked up at him. She frowned.
"Wha--" Rebecca started.
"Oh, no," Randy said as he jumped up.
Randy made it to the roof. He paused. Richard sat on the floor next to the ledge...Melissa in his arms, crying.
"Melissa?" Randy said. "Are you--"
"She's fine, Egghead," Richard said. "Shaken a little, but fine. Grief can make a person do crazy things."
Melissa continued to cry. Randy wished he could walk over to her. He wished he could hold her. Richard had all of that covered.
"Did I--"
Randy turned around. Rebecca stood in the door. Her hair looked disheveled. He walked past her.
"You didn't miss anything," Randy said.
"Come in."
The door opened Melissa looked up. Richard stood in the door. He stared her up and down. He grinned.
"Well, look at you!" Richard exclaimed. "Not a lick of black on you."
Melissa looked at herself in the drawer mirror. He was right. She had on a light green sweater and brown pants. She smiled.
"Is that a--" Richard started.
"Thank you," Melissa said. "For pulling me back from the edge."
"You're welcome," Richard said as he walked over to her. He touched her shoulder. "I just hope that when I lose it you do the same."
"Promise," Melissa said.
She kissed his cheek. Richard grinned. They looked at each other for a moment. Then they kissed each other.
Randy saw the door ajar. He walked over. His eyes widened. Richard and Melissa were kissing.
He frowned. Why not? He was her hero now. Not Randy. She no longer loved him.
Randy walked away.
No use waiting anymore.
THE-END
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