"Secrets. They can be funny, you know. When you have them, you're so sure you can keep it. Then it comes back to haunt you. Or worse, it eats at you. maybe that's why I'm talking to you two. I just got to tell someone."
Richard Hall looked at the two girls sitting with him at the bar. They were complete strangers. That worked for him just fine.
"Go on. We're listening," the short dark-haired girl said.
"Tell us your secrets," the taller and raven-haired girl said.
Richard looked at her. Funny how her doubles seem to have a devious side to him. Interesting.
"It started like this..."
WHAT IF YOU DISCOVERED NEW WORLDS WITHOUT LEAVING EARTH? YOU'RE THE SAME PERSON AND IT'S THE SAME YEAR, BUT EVERYTHING ELSE IS DIFFERENT? MY FRIENDS AND I FOUND A WAY! NOW WE'RE TRYING TO FIND THE WAY HOME!
SLIDERS: ALTERNATE SPIN-SEASON 2
EPISODE 3: TO THE ONE WHO BELIEVES IN HAPPY ENDINGS
The wormhole opened in the sky. A whir sounded off. A figure covered in mud fell form it. that was followed by two more whirs. The figure moved just in time to avoid being landed upon. Finally, another whir sounded and a fourth figure landed on the first figure. The wormhole closed.
"Hold up!" the raven-haired girl said. "You expect me to believe you fell from the sky. What is this? 'Sliders?'"
"I believe you," the short girl said.
"You would."
"Rebecca, let him continue."
Richard smiled at the short girl.
"Is this a recurring theme?" Melissa looked at Richard angrily. "How many times do I have to say...KNOW THE CULTURE!"
"One) get off of me!" Richard Hall barked. "Two) THERE WAS NO CULTURE! It was one big giant swamp."
"Must have brought back home memories," Melissa commented. She got off of him. "How long?"
"Isn't that your recurring theme?" Richard asked.
"Shut up!" Melissa said.
"We got a week," Brown announced as he stood up. "I don't intend to be covered in mud the whole week. Let's head out."
"Gee, how...leadery," Randy commented.
"Nothing wrong with directness," Richard added.
"Yeah, there isn't," Randy said. "So...who asked you to steal my machine?"
Richard gave Randy a glare. "Don't go there."
"Nothing wrong with directness," Randy said.
"Less fighting. More moving," Brown said.
Richard glared at Randy. Then he smiled. How could he complain? Everything was going his way.
Richard entered the bedroom after Melissa gave the okay. When they had gotten to the Dominion, the sliders had let Melissa take a shower first. Richard had been next. It was now Randy's turn.
"You look a lot happier," Richard commented.
Melissa turned away from the mirror. Her wet hair fell to one side. Her eyes narrowed. "No thanks to you."
"Are we going to argue the whole time here?" Richard asked. "Granted I'll win, but-"
Melissa laughed. "In your wildest dreams maybe."
"I just wanted to talk anyway. About Egghead."
Melissa corked an eyebrow. "Really? Why?"
"I just think you could get him to let up on Brown."
"Like Brown let up on Randy a couple of weeks ago?" Melissa said. "I don't think so. I may not have any problems with Brown, but I think he deserves a taste of his own medicine."
"Leave it up to you to be vengeful. Didn't Brown help you out a couple of weeks ago with Sarah? You were beside yourself."
Melissa looked away from Richard. Her face clouded over. Richard mentally kicked himself. Sarah had already lost her sister to a car accident once before.
"Sorry," Richard said. "All I'm saying is...can't we all just get along?"
Melissa corked an eyebrow. "You...talking about getting along? Okay, who are you and where's the real Richard?"
Richard grinned. "Same old Richard. Maybe you're changing me."
"Enough that you can trust people?"
The door opened on that note. Randy was already in new clothes. His eyes narrowed on the sight.
"Richard...trust people?" Randy said. "I doubt that."
"No one asked you," Richarad said. "Besides I trust Brown. He's going to get us home."
"We would be there if you had not tried to steal."
"I'm out of there!" Richard said.
"Richard, wait!" Melissa said. "I'm coming with you!"
"You know Egghead isn't going to like this," Richard said a few moments later.
"He'll get over it," Melissa said as she walked with Richard. "He needs time with Brown anyway."
"That's more like the Melissa I know," Richard commented. "However, that beret has to go."
"I love it. Randy got it for me."
"My point proven. Egghead has no sense of style."
"And you do?"
They made it to the college campus without any problems. Everything seem to be surprisingly normal.
"So what first...the library or Student Union?" Melissa asked Richard.
"The Student Union," Richard replied. "You know I'm not a bookworm."
"What if this is home?" Melissa asked.
"Then I expect to never hear from Egghead again."
Richard walked into the Student Union. Students were moving about, but several glanced at them. They seem to relax a little before they went back to what they were doing.
"Did you see that?" Melissa asked. "I wonder who they thought we were."
"Heaven only knows," Richard said. "I don't think we're home though."
Richard looked around the Student Union as he and Melissa sat down. There were usually televisions on the walls with the latest MTV news. There was usually newspapers racks as well. The Student Union no longer had those things.
"So what can I get you two?" A waitress asked.
"How about two hamburgers?" Richard asked.
"You know I can order my own meal," Melissa shot back.
"I'm sure you're watching your weight," Richard replied.
"Uh...are you two nuts?" the waitress cut in. "Is this some kind of joke? Are you trying to get us erased?"
"Of course, it's a joke, Betty," said a guy at the next table. "They're with us!"
"You better be careful, Jared," Betty said. "If the Cams see you--"
"Maybe they should! Then maybe you would stay away from my sister."
Richard turned to look at the people at the table. His chest tighetned at the sight. The guy who had been talking to Betty was Jared Heim. Next to him was Laura Carmichael.
"Jared isn't doing anything to me," Laura protested.
"Isn't he?" Peter argued. "You live with him and not at home."
"Maybe she just doesn't want to be corrupted by Big Bro," Jared said. He looked at Richard and Melissa. "It looks like she's not the only one."
"He's right, Peter," Laura said. "You know he is. How we live is-"
"I'm not listening," Peter cut her off. "If the Cams are watching--forget it." He looked at Richard and Melissa. "if you know what's good for you, avoid this...anarchist!"
Peter stormed out of the Union without another word. Richard looked over at Melissa. She just shrugged her shoulder.
"Gee...thanks," Melissa said sarcastically.
"You're going to get us erased," Betty said before she ran off.
"Are you okay?" Melissa asked next. "Wasn't that Peter Carmichael?"
"Yeah," Richard replied. "His double."
"I wonder if Sarah and the rest are here," Melissa siad.
"Hey, you two!" Jared shouted out. "How about you sit over here?"
"Uh...that's nice, but-" Melissa started.
"Please?" Laura asked. "I don't think I've seen you here before. When did you get in?"
"Earlier today," Richard managed. Talking to Laura Carmichael was bringing back memories. "Melissa, I think we better go."
"Melissa...nice name," Jared said. He held out his right hand. "I'm Jared Heim."
"I know," Melissa mumbled.
"What was that?"
"I said...pleased to meet you," Melissa said with a smile.
"I'm Laura," Laura said to Richard. She frowned as Richard shook her hand. "Is something wrong? You look like you've seen a ghost."
"So what's the connection?" the short girl asked. "A double from a different world?"
"I can't believe you're buying into this...crap!" Rebecca replied.
"Anything is possible," the girl said. Then she looked at Richard. "So?"
Richard looked at the two girls. The short girl leaned in on him like a curious little girl. Rebecca was also interested, but was trying to be detached.
"I killed her in another life," Richard said flatly.
"Oh," the girl said.
Rebecca leaned in. As she die, a smile crossed her face.
"Now this is getting interesting," Rebecca replied.
"We shouldn't have stayed," Richard said to Melissa as they stood in the elevator.
"Well, Jared just kept talking," Melissa said. "Besides, it helped us. We know how this world works and Randy gets a chance to get information on his parents."
Richard frowned. "Jared is nothing, but trouble."
Melissa grinned. "You should talk."
The elevator stopped on their floor. Richard grinned at Melissa as they headed for their room.
"So do you think Brown and Eggehad have killed each other?" Richard asked.
"No," Melissa said. "He's better than that."
"Yeah, right."
"When are you going to give Randy a chance?"
"Never."
"You gave Laura more of a chance than you give Randy. You treated her like you knew her."
"I don't," Richard said as he opened the hotel door.
Brown sat on the couch. Several books laid on the coffetable. Richard glanced over them and realized they were science books.
"What are you up to?" Richard asked.
"I'm brushing up on my physic," Brown said. "Maybe I can find a way to get us home by recreating Egghead's experiment."
"Really?" Melissa said in surprise. "Could you just ask Randy about some of the specifics?"
"I would rather go through the information and come up with my own ideas," Brown said.
"All I'm saying-"
"Give it up, Melissa," Randy said as he came out of his room. "Brown wouldn't ask for my help if his life depended on it."
Brown looked over at Randy. "Don't worry. It won't."
"Randy, I got something to tell you," Melissa cut in. "We can discuss it over dinner."
Randy looked at Melissa. "Sure."
Richard rolled his eyes as the two of them left the room. "I just don't see what she sees in that...dork."
"Who knows?" Brown replied. "Did you two find out anything interesting?"
"On this world Big Brother wasn't just some rumor to scare the kiddies," Richard said. "Big Brother seems to be all over the place. Anyone really disagrreing gets erased."
"Erased?"
"Trust me. You don't want to know."
"Do you think we should even stay here? Surely, someone saw us slide in."
"Yeah. I talked to Jared and Laura...they're great...and we're going to stay with them before we slide."
"Is that such a good idea?"
"Is this such a good idea?" Randy asked as the sliders walked across campus the next day.
"Of course, it is," Richard cut in.
"That's not much assureance," Randy said.
"I thought about Richard's idea and I think it's a sound one," Brown said. "Besides you have another link to your family."
Richard looked over at Randy. He looked surprised that Brown knew. Good.
"Sounds like a good idea to me," Melissa said.
Richard continued to watch Randy. His surprised look gave way to his eyes narrowing in anger. Good.
The sliders made it to the Student Union. It was as busy as yesterday.
"There's Laura!" Melissa pointed out. "She's with her brother."
"Oh, great!" Richard said. "He's someone that we don't need."
"Then we're just going to have to get rid of him," Brown said.
"What do you mean by that?" Randy asked.
Brown stared at Randy. "Do you really want to know?"
"Guys!" Melissa cautioned.
"Laura...hey!" Richard said. "So where's Jared?"
"I think you guys have the wrong people," Peter said.
"I think you people are putting on one good show," Brown replied. "Now...where's Jared?"
"Come on, Laura," Richard said. "you, Jared, me, Melissa...we all talked yesterday. We had a great time." He leaned in closer. "Don't you remember?"
"Get away from her!" Peter shouted.
"Guys, I think we better go," Melissa said. "We're getting stares."
"I'm finding the police," Peter said. He stormed away from the table.
"You got to get out of here," Laura whispered. "If the Cams see any of this, you'll get erased."
"But Jared-" Melissa started.
"He got erased!" Laura shot out. "They came and they got him. He's...gone."
"I...we're sorry," Randy said.
"We need to get out of here then," Brown said. "I really don't want to be erased."
"But-" Randy started.
"He's gone, Egghead," Brown cut him off. "Better luck on the next world."
"Don't you start with me!" Randy yelled. "First, Richard stopped me! Now you! Why-"
"Everyone, run!" someone yelled. "It's the police!"
People started to jump up from their tables. Some of them headed for the front. A few headed for Richard's direction.
"Look out!" Melissa yelled. She pushed Richard out of the crowd's way.
"This has been a bust," Richard announced.
"We have got to get out of here," Melissa said.
"We will," Richard said. He looked at Laura. "You got to help us!"
"I can't," Laura said.
"Are you going to let Jared die for nothing?"
Laura gave no reply.
"So what did she do?" Rebecca asked.
"I'm still alive," Richard replied.
"We have to call Randy and Brown," Melissa said.
"No," Laura said. "Everything is monitored. My family could get erased."
"You already took a risk bringing us here to your house," Richard said. He held her shoulders so she couldn't move away form him. "Could you take one more?"
Laura looked at Richard. "You ask too much, Richard."
"So...you're going to let Big Brother just wins?" Richard asked. "How long have you and Jared been protesting now before this? He just caught you now."
"Exactly," Laura said. "Peter thought-"
"No offense, but your brother's an idiot," Richard said. "Jared at least had a point. Someone should do something about this."
"Richard's right, Laura," Melissa said. "You can't let some tyrant run your life like how things are here."
"What's going on here?"
Richard looked away from Laura. Peter stood in the doorway of the house. He looked like an angry animal.
"Let go of my sister!" Peter demanded.
"I'm fine, Peter," Laura said as she walked over to him. "Richard and Melissa were just talking."
"You should leave," Peter said. "Jared is finally out of our lives. My sister doesn't need someone else manipulating her."
"Hey!" Laura said. "Jared did not manipulate me. He opened my eyes to the truth." She looked at Richard and Melissa. "You're right. Jared's ideas shouldn't die with him. Come with me."
"Where are you going?" Peter asked.
"To stop this...tyranny," Laura said.
"You're not going anywhere," Peter said. He stood in the doorway.
Richard stormed up to Peter. He stared him down. "I think the lady has made her choice."
"So have I," Peter replied.
"We're leaving out that door, man."
"Over my dead body."
"Okay, guys!" Melissa cut in. "Let's keep the macho posturing down!"
"Peter, I know you think you're doing the right thing," Laura said. "You're wrong."
"No, Laura," Peter snapped. "I'm right. What you and Jared were thinking...was treason."
"Don't you want to live your own life...without worrying whether not you're be erased because of the wrong word? Do you want to be looking behind you for the rest of your life?" Peter gave no reply. "Well, I don't. Neither did Jared. I was wrong to let you change my mind yesterday. I won't make that mistake again. Come on, Richard...Melissa."
Laura moved pass Peter. He stood silently as Richard and Melissa followed her. Melissa smiled as they made it outside and across the front lawn.
"You did great, Laura," Melissa said.
"Yeah, Laura," Richard added. "You put him in his place."
"Laura, wait!"
"I think we spoke too soon," Melissa said.
Peter was running after the trio. He caught up to them quickly. He stopped in front of Laura.
"Good grief! Not again!" Richard complained.
"No, wait!" Peter said. "I want to come with you."
"I still think we should call Randy and Brown," Melissa said as they drove in Laura's car.
"You heard Laura," Richard replied. "We might be monitored." He looked up at the front seat. "Did you guys ever hear of cellular phones?"
Laura frowned. "Cell-what?"
"I know what you mean," Peter said from beside Laura. "They were only around for...what was it...two weeks. They were deemed...illegal."
"I hate this place," Melissa said.
"I'm sure wherever Egghead and Brown are," Richard said, "they're safe."
"We're here," Laura announced.
Laura opened the door to the apartment.
"Jared rented this place out a couple of weeks ago," Laura whispered. "Welcome to our base of operations."
Richard looked around. The living room did not have much to it. There was a small television. A little bit away from it was a couch with a messed up blanket over it. A chair was on the left of it.
"Very...empty," Melissa commented.
"Yeah," Laura agreed. "That's the idea."
Laura moved pass the living room. The others followed her into another room. It was smaller than the living room. A table was against the wall. Richard looked away from it to where Laura was heading: a desk with a computer on it.
"Oh my God!" Peter shrieked from behind Richard. "Where did you get that? All U.S. residents aren't allowed-"
"Jared...had ways," Laura replied as she typed away on the computer. She smiled. "Yes!"
The screen came to life. Several icons popped up on it. Laura clicked on one of them. A folder full of different ones appeared.
"Good news: everything is still working," Laura said.
"What's the bad news?" Richard asked.
"Jared never got to finish our virus," Laura answered. "We were planning on blacking out a lot of the West Coast grid."
"Is that possible?" Peter asked.
"Yes," Laura replied. "Or...it would have been. Do anyone of you know computers?"
Richard grinned. "No...but I know someone who does."
Laura smiled. "Great."
"Then I guess it's a revolution," Melissa finished.
"No," Randy replied.
"No?" Melissa said in shock.
"What do you mean 'no?'" Richard asked.
"It's just...wrong," Randy said. "We should be worried about sliding out in a couple more days. Somehow we have succeeded at keeping a fairly low profile. Let's not wreck it."
"You...low profile?" Richard laughed. "That's a joke. What do you think, Brown?"
Brown looked up from his reading. "Do whatever you please. I'm just focusing on getting us home." He looked over at Randy. "In fact, why don't you help them? We both know you have the know-how."
"If I didn't know better, I would think you were trying to keep me out of your hair," Randy said.
"You're totally right," Brown said.
"No," Randy said.
"Do it for your brother," Richard said.
Randy's eyes narrowed. "Out."
"Randy-" Melissa started.
"Let me talk to Egghead," Richard said, "alone."
Melissa corked an eyebrow at Richard. So did Brown. He stood up and headed for the door.
"Come on, Melissa," Brown said. "Maybe we can find something at the Dominion bar. Now what was that thing about no cellular phones..."
Brown shut the door behind the two of them. Richard looked over at Randy.
"Are you still angry about your bro-" Richard started.
"Yes, I am," Randy cut him off.
"Good," Richard smirked.
Randy's eyes were shooting daggers.
"It would be in your best interest to help us," Richard continued. "If Big Bro. realizes we're here, we're screwed. Taking care of him takes care of that."
"I think there's more to this," Randy replied. "you seem to be really concerned about this Laura girl. Another of your past flings?"
"I just want to make sure she does okay," Richard said simply.
"As oppose to on our world?" Randy asked.
"Are you going to help or not?" Richard asked.
"You owe me one," Randy said.
"I really don't see what that chick sees in him," Rebecca said. "He's a jerk."
"The good thing is that he did it though," the short girl replied. "He's not heartless."
"I don't know about that last one," Richard mumbled.
"What was that?" the short girl asked.
"I said...let me finish the story," Richard replied. "So the next few days, Egghead started to construct the virus. Meanwhile the rest of us...well...rebeled."
"You are going to get us all erased," Betty said.
"They can't erased what they can't see," Richard smirked. He looked over at Peter and Laura. "Are we ready?"
"Ready on this side," Laura replied. "Melissa?"
Melissa gave a thumbs-up from the other side of the room. Richard grinned. He knew other people were watching in the Student Union. If there were any secret cameras in here, he knew they were watching.
"Okay. Now!" Richard called out. He looked at the cellular in his hand and dialed a number. Meanwhile, Melissa and Laura put in the scramblers.
Small explosions came form the walls. A few people shrieked. Others tried to act like nothing was going on.
"Hello?" Randy's voice said from the other end of the cellular.
"Egghead, your scramblers worked," Richard said. "The Student Union is ours."
"That's good," Randy said dryly. "Can I talk to Melissa?"
"Sure," Richard said. He gave the phone to Melissa. Then he walked over to Peter and Laura.
Laura grinned. "I can't believe it! It actually worked."
Richard smiled lopsidedly. "Was there any doubt?"
"Yes," Peter replied.
"So what's next?" Richard asked Laura.
"We debug the whole campus," Laura said.
Richard grinned. "The best thing about this: If anyone shows up, they're think we're on campus."
"When we're really off," Laura finished. "I like how you think."
"Ditto," Richard replied.
The short girl grinned. "Sounds like you're in love with Laura."
Richard gave no reply.
"It sounds gross to me," Rebecca replied next to Richard. "Didn't you tell us you killed her on your world?"
"Yeah," Richard answered. He looked over at the short girl. "She had spunk. I liked that."
Richard walked into the apartment. He headed for the computer room with a smile on his face. The whole university campus was debugged. When Egghead was done with the virus...
"Where is this all coming from?"
Richard paused outside the door. That was Melissa's voice.
"Richard is just using this world as a way to get closer ot you."
Richard grinned. It was Egghead.
"Randy, I love you. Richard is just a friend."
"Oh, really?"
"Yes, really. I can't believe you can be so insecure."
"We talked a few worlds back, Melissa. He's deteremined to get back at me for all of this."
"Do you know how paranoid you sound?" Pause. "I believe you though. You haven't lied before now."
Richard frowned. He was hoping that he was breaking the two of them up. He was hoping that he was breaking the two of them up. He was just going to have to try harder.
"So how is the virus coming?" Richard asked as he walked into the computer room. Randy was holding Melissa in his arms. He frowned as Richard walked in.
"It should be done before we slide," Randy replied.
"Where's Laura?" Melissa asked.
"She's with Peter getting a few allies," Richard said. "One of them works at the bank so we should be able to use the virus through mostly everything."
"You're doing an awful lot for a stranger," Randy said. "Are you sure you didn't know-"
"No, I didn't know her!" Richard yelled.
Randy grinned. "Oh? So you wanted to know her?"
"Randy," Melissa cut in, "how about we head back to the Dominion?"
Richard smirked at Randy. Maybe he was putting a wedge in-between the two of them after all.
"Yeah, let's head back," Randy agreed. "Maybe Brown has found out something interesting."
"Well, it would be more helpful if SOMEONE would help," Melissa hinted.
"He can ask."
"You could offer..."
Richard just ignored their minor disargeement. He hated Melissa with Egghead. He always hated Egghead. He had to find a way to break them up...and keep them that way.
"Aren't his reasons valid though?" the short girl asked. "You are the reason they're not home."
"He invented that machine!" Richard shot out.
"You set it in motion though," the short girl continued. "It goes back to...Laura. You were blackmailed, weren't you? Someone saw you when you killed her?"
Richard looked down at the counter where all three of them had been sitting for the last few hours. His hands were shaking at the thought of answering that question. He finally looked at the short girl.
"Yes," Richard replied. "A rival of Egghead's saw me."
Rebecca shrieked. "This is better than a soap opera."
The short girl glared at Rebecca. Rebecca caught it and stayed quiet.
"I wasn't going to do jail time," Richard said. "I couldn't. I saw this Laura...okay, I thought I could make amends."
"I think you have," the short girl replied.
Richard corked an eyebrow. "Have I?"
"You had a virus all set up for her to use. She was set to be free to live her life. It wasn't taken away from her again," the short girl explained.
Richard grinned slightly. "You haven't been paying attention, little grasshopper. It's about secrets. They eat at you. The darker it is, the harder it is to make amends for it. Most of the time...THE PAST CAN'T BE CHANGED."
Richard headed for Laura's house. She had not returned to the apartment. Naturally, he was worried.
The lights were on when he reached Laura's house. He was glad. It meant that Laura and Peter made it home.
Richard knocked on the door. There was a moment where there was silence. Then a shadow moved in the house. The door opened and Richard was taken totally by surprise.
"Can I help you?" the middle aged woman asked.
"Uh...is Laura here?" Richard managed to say.
"I think you got the wrong house," the middle aged woman said. She started to close the door.
"Wait!" Richard said as he put his foot in the door. "THIS is the house that Laura lived in yesterday."
"YOU are mistaken!" the middle aged woman yelled. "Now get out of the here!"
"No!" Richard yelled. "She can't be-"
"Help! Somebody!" the woman yelled.
Richard looked around. Lights were coming on at neighboring houses. He headed for the street.
"Help!" the woman continued.
Richard ran down the street. He turned a corner.
Out of nowhere, a light flashed in Richard's face.
Richard jumped up. There were restraints on his legs and arms. His eyes tried to adjust to the darkness, but they couldn't.
"Hmmm...Richard Hall. Nice to see you awake."
Richard narrowed his eyes. The voice had come from in front of him. He couldn't see a figure though.
"Ever heard of treason, Mr. Hall?"
"Treason for what?" Richard barked. "Sorry if I don't feel like following your rules."
"Could be because you are not from this world?"
"I don't know what you're talking about," Richard replied.
"Do not play with me, Mr. Hall," the voice continued calmly. "Did you think our cameras did not see your entry, or that we know nothing of transdimenisonal travel?"
Richard frowned. "Transwhat?"
"Travelling by the Einstein-Rosen-Polodsky Bridge, you idiot. Anyhow, the issue is now that you are here...you broke the rules of this society. There is a price for that."
The next minute, Richard felt his whole body come to life. Something ran through him. As he screamed aloud, Richard realized it was electricity.
"You...along with your assiocates Peter Carmichael, Laura Carmichael, Melissa Clark, Randall Heim, and Darnell Brown...are accused and judged as traitors to this country."
"Non...sense," Richard managed.
A clicking sounded throughout the room. A light was fading on in front of Richard. His eyes made out a rectangular screen. Next to it was a bald man. His eyes were hidden by glasses.
The screen came to life with pictures. As Richard watched, he realized that it was scenes from the Studnet Union. It was the day that he and the others had used scramblers.
"Look familiar, Mr. Hall?" the bald man asked.
"Actually...it looks...all...fuzzy," Richard said.
The bald man grinned at him. "You are a lot like the Richard Hall of this world. Rude. Smart aleck." He stopped grinning. "I broke him a long time before I erase him."
"And who are you?"
"You may call me...Mr. Stone," the bald man answered. "I am just one of Big Brother's many enforcement units."
"Big...deal," Richard shot out.
"Do you think that you are the first group to try to overthrow Big Brother?" Mr. Stone asked. "Many have tried. All have been erased. Still...your group came real close. Big Brother--we respect that."
"My friends will-"
"Friends? You have none. You know that. Besides, the Carmichaels are already in custody as well as you. When we find your associates...then you will be erased."
"My...heart bleeds."
"Why did you go through this trouble?" Mr. Stone asked. "You can...travelled in and out without messing with our society. Yet...for this Laura Carmichael...you dealt with it. Why?"
"None of your...business."
The electricity coasted through Richard's body like fire through a house. He yelled aloud. Mr. Stone showed no reaction.
"Let me tell you what I think," Mr. Stone said. "I think you had a connection with her on another world. The cams confirms that. What was it? Was it love...or perhaps a...guilty conscience?"
"You...talk...too much," Richard said.
Richard screamed again as the chair came to life.
"I think I am right," Mr. Stone said. "Perhaps you killed her on your world like you killed Nicole Harris on this one."
Richard looked at Mr. Stone. He managed to glared at him. Mr. Stone grinned.
"Looks like I am correct," Mr. Stone said.
"Go to..."
Richard screamed. It felt like his throat was going to fly from his mouth. He felt his head fall to the side as the electric shock worn off again.
"Touching...a...nerve...huh?" Richard muttered.
Mr. Stone stared at Richard with annoyance. "So like your duplicate. Maybe I should not wait for your associates to be found..."
Richard managed a grin. "Maybe...that...why...you...need...me...alive. Can't...find..them."
Mr. Stone slowly walked up to Richard. He grabbed him by his neck.
"I do not...WE...do not need you alive, you know. I will take great pleasure in having you erased."
Darkness came over the room again. Richard found that his eyes still could not adjust.
"Farewell...Richard Hall."
Electricity coasted through Richard again. He screamed.
"Farewell yourself."
Richard recognized that voice. It was Brown.
"How-" Mr. Stone said in shock.
"Let's just say that I got real annoyed when I returned to my room to find policemen in it. REAL ANNOYED."
Richard felt hands loosen his restraints. He was lifted up by more hands. He turned to see who was holding him.
"How much time?" Melissa asked next to Richard.
"Any second," Brown answered.
"...Laura..." Richard muttered.
"We don't have time to find her," Randy said as he held Richard.
"...virus. We..." Richard continued.
"We couldn't go back," Randy said. "It's still on the computer."
"Besides, Laura Carmichael no longer exist," Mr. Stone said.
"Bastard!" Richard spit out.
"Hold on there," Randy warned.
"I am so sorry that you killed her here like on your wor-" Mr. Stone started.
"Shut-it!" Richard barked.
"It's time!" Brown announced.
Light filled the room again. Richard saw the familiar blue circle. He looked at Mr. Stone who seem to not be shocked at all.
Melissa ran for the wormhole. She vanished into it. A whir sound off from the wormhole.
"Go, Heim!" Brown yelled. "I'll take care of him."
Mr. Stone stared at Richard. He seem to take no notice of Brown.
"It was nice talking to you, Richard Hall," Mr. Stone said. "Until we meet again."
Richard frowned at Mr. Stone. Before he could comment, Randy was already taking them to the wormhole. They vanished into it.
Richard and Randy landed in water. Richard struggled, but he could not get to the surface. He felt a hand pull him up. He found himself staring into Randy's face.
"Are you okay?" Randy asked.
Richard pushed Randy away. "As...if...you care."
Randy frowned. "Fine." He looked over at Melissa who was nearby. "Melissa!"
Richard focused on the scenery. They had landed in a fountain. Several people were already starting to focus on them.
"I'm fine...just wet," Melissa said. "Where's Brown?"
As if on cue, a whir sounded overhead. Brown landed in the water near Melissa. The wormhole closed behind him.
"As if I wasn't wet already," Melissa said.
"It's not as if I can control my landings, Melissa," Brown said. "We should be attending to Richard. Richard?"
Richard looked back at Brown. He felt a smile crawl over his face. "I can't even help people. I just destroy them."
Then everything went black.
"You passed out?" the short girl asked.
"Yeah," Richard admitted. "They had to rush me to the hospital. I just got out yesterday."
"And Laura...died?" the short girl asked.
Richard gave no reply. He looked at his watch. "I got to go. My friends will be looking for me."
"That's it!" Rebecca said. "Where's the happy ending?"
"There wasn't one," Richard said.
"Then what was the point?" Rebecca asked.
"Maybe...to know the culture?" the short girl suggested.
"Or maybe secrets hurt everyone...and some secrets can't be forgiven...no matter what world you're on," Richard said.
He left the restaurant. Rebecca looked over at her friend.
"Do you believe a thing he said?" Rebecca asked.
"Yes," the short girl replied. "Anything is possible."
"You would say something like that, WADE!" Rebecca said.
"You just need to be open to the possibilities, REBECCA!" Wade shot back.
"There you are!" Brown said. "We were worried about you."
"Most of us anyway," Randy said.
"I don't have time for your crap," Richard replied. "Let's just go."
Brown aimed the timer at the ground. It shrunk away to reveal the blue wormhole that would be taking them off this world.
Randy jumped in first. Melissa followed behind him. Richard was about to jump in.
"Oh, Mr. Hall..."
Richard turned to the sound of that voice. It couldn't be.
"I said we would meet again," Mr. Stone said grinning. He aimed the gun and fired.
Richard jumped as fast as he could into the wormhole.
Brown quickly followed behind him. The wormhole closed behind them.
Mr. Stone walked over to where the wormhole had been.
"Poor Mr. Hall," Mr. Stone said to himself. "You and your associates have no idea who you are dealing with. Someday you...and all the other worlds...will."
THE-END
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