Acolouthic

By: Obscurus Lupa

A/N: This is an early apology in case this chapter or the last chapter was rushed. I’m trying to make these good for y’all—I know it sucks to be disappointed. Enjoy this chapter, if you will. :) Thank you for reading so long and sticking with me, guys. I really appreciate it.

Voice: Five years…

Scene: Pleasantville High, Classroom

A female teacher stands before the class.

Teacher: Five years is a long time, and at this stage in your lives, a lot can change.

Cut to a shot of Merton at his desk, leaning on his hand and half asleep. Cut back to the teacher.

Teacher: I know it might not mean much to you now, but it’s important to think about the future. So I’m asking you all to discuss your futures with me today. Where do you think you’ll be in five years?

She scans the class.

Teacher: Tommy Dawkins?

Cut to Tommy, who is sitting next to Merton. The class looks at Tommy, who looks like he hasn’t been paying attention.

Tommy: What?

Teacher: (annoyed) Where do you think you’ll be in five years?

Tommy: (smiles) That’s easy. I’ll be playing pro football.

He high-fives a jock sitting behind him.

Teacher: Yes, we’re all aware that you’re captain of the football team, Tommy, but don’t you have any other goals?

Tommy: (shrugs) I don’t know, I wouldn’t say that…

Scene: Lockers

Merton is at his locker and Tommy stops at his own, pointing at Merton.

Tommy: You’ve gotta find me a cure, man.

Merton: You mean, uh…

Merton puts his hands up like claws and makes a snarling sound. Tommy looks annoyed and nods.

Merton: Don’t worry. I’m consulting all my sources. If there’s a cure for lycanthropy, I’ll find it.

Tommy: Thank you. (rubs his face) I’ve got a date with Stacey tonight. I don’t know if I can do this. I can’t wolf out in front of her and blow my secret.

Merton: You know, you could tell her.

Tommy: Yeah, right. Let’s stay in reality, Merton.

Merton shrugs and goes back to his locker.

Tommy: Ms. Baxter didn’t ask you about what you’ll be doing in the future.

Merton: I’ve come to accept that other than academically I’m ignored. I’m used to it.

Tommy: So what do you think?

Merton: (distracted) About what?

Tommy: What you’ll be doing in five years.

Merton looks at Tommy with surprise, furrowing his brows.

Merton: You don’t want to know what I’ll be doing. You probably won’t even know who I am in five years.

Tommy: Sure I will. I mean, you are kinda helping me out with my whole wolf problem. We’ll probably stay in touch.

Merton: (pause) You really want to know?

Tommy: Yeah, I really want to know.

Merton: Um, well…I think it’d be great to teach paranormal studies at the University of Heidelberg.

Tommy: Really? I guess you’d be interested in that kinda stuff…

Merton: (smiles) Are you kidding? To be able to work with the likes of the great Professor Flugelhoff? Who wouldn’t jump at the chance to do that?

Tommy: No one I can think of.

Merton: So what happens to you? What if someone tackles you and you wolf out when you’re playing football? It’s not a written rule, but I’m pretty sure werewolves aren’t allowed in the NFL.

Tommy: I don’t have to worry about that, because in five years, I’m not gonna be a werewolf anymore.

Merton: I don’t know, Tommy. People have been looking for centuries and never found the cure.

Tommy pats Merton’s back.

Tommy: Don’t worry, Merton. You’re a smart guy. You’ll figure something out.

Voice: Merton…

Merton furrows his brows and looks around, unable to find the source of the voice. Tommy continues as normal and looks at the picture of him and Stacey in his locker, smiling.

Tommy: And then I can finally get with Stacey.

Scene: Cemetery

Tommy (wolfed out) is flung through the air and onto a gravestone. A male vampire lunges at him and Tommy stops him with his foot, struggling to keep him away from his neck.

Tommy: (struggling) What do you mean, I don’t take my relationship with Lori seriously?

He kicks the vampire off, revealing Merton a safe distance away.

Merton: I just mean that you always get the girl, and sometimes I think it’s just because you can.

Tommy: What? No.

Tommy punches the vampire, who falls off screen.

Tommy: I just like Lori, that’s all.

Merton: I’m just saying, you got Stacey Hanson, Lori Baxter…any girl I’ve wanted.

Tommy: Merton, you never even talked to Stacey.

Merton: Sure I did. That one time…I was…yelling at…her.

Tommy nods like he’s proven his point and Merton shakes his head.

Merton: Okay, forget that example, but there have been others. What about Marcie Davidtz?

Tommy: (furrows his brows) That chick with the huge ankles?

Merton: Yeah, don’t think I didn’t see you all over her!

Tommy: She broke her arm, dude. I was helping her to the nurse.

Merton: Don’t act like you didn’t plan all that out.

The vampire hisses and starts toward Merton, who backs up. Tommy rolls his eyes as he’s grabbing the vampire by the shoulders, pulling him away.

Tommy: Fine. What do you want me to do?

Merton: Becoming a eunuch and moving to Tibet would be a good start…

Tommy dusts the vampire, brushing his paws together to get off the dust. He steps up beside Merton and puts his arm around his shoulder.

Tommy: Merton, you’ll find a girl someday. You just haven’t found the right one yet.

Merton: But I want to find her now! And all the hot girls are taken.

Tommy: You know…I thought I saw Linda Howard checking you out the other day.

Merton: Linda? Linda in Biology? (Tommy nods) (smiles) Yeah! I knew she’d come around.

Merton hops off excitedly, while Tommy shakes his head and follows.

Voice: Merton…

Tommy’s voice: We’re gonna help you, Merton.

Scene: The Lair

Tommy and Lori (her hair long and blonde) help Merton into the lair and seat him on the bed. He wears a pair of dark glasses and has a blanket wrapped around him. He appears to be shaking.

Lori: Yeah. We’ll find some way to get that cure from Fong.

Merton: I already told you guys, I c-can whip up a cure myself as long as I know what the p-poison was. So all I’ll need…

Merton trails off, his mouth open, looking into space. Tommy and Lori look at him expectantly.

Tommy: Merton?

Merton: So all I’ll need is a few ingredients.

He reaches a shaking hand into his pocket and takes out a crumpled piece of paper.

Merton: I m-managed to copy these down on the way here.

He shoves the paper in Lori’s direction, unsure of where she is. She takes the paper from him.

Merton: L-Lori, would you be a dear and g-get these for me in the kitchen?

Lori nods and leaves the room. Tommy looks mad.

Tommy: I can’t believe Fong would do that. He helps us get you out of stone, and then we find out you’re gonna die because of it.

Merton: W-Well, it was an easy mistake. I c-can’t say I’m really disap-ppointed seeing as I’m not stuck in stone anymore.

Tommy: Yeah, but, Merton, we just got you back.

Tommy looks sad.

Tommy: Man, when you were in stone…I thought you were gone. You’re my best friend, Merton. I don’t know what I’d do if something happened to you.

Merton gives half a smile.

Merton: That’s the n-nicest thing anyone has ever s-said to me, Tommy.

Tommy: Well it’s true. And I wanted to say how sorry I am about what happened with Medusa.

Merton: You didn’t force me t-to jump in front of you.

Tommy: No, I mean the whole thing. The way I treated you after you and Lori kissed…I shouldn’t have done that. And I’m sorry.

Merton: I-It’s okay. I know why you were mad.

Tommy: (pause) Do you remember what you said to me in the hearse? I mean, before we went to rescue Lori.

Merton doesn’t say anything, staring into space.

Tommy: You said if something happened to me before I forgave you, you’d feel guilty…and I never did forgive you. So I’m sorry, and I wish you’d forgive me instead.

Merton: (smiles) S-Sure. What’s a little guilt between f-friends anyway?

Merton lies back on the bed, looking worse.

Tommy: You okay?

Merton: I’m alive.

Tommy watches him for a moment.

Tommy: I wish it had been me instead of you.

Voice: Merton.

Merton furrows his brows.

Voice: Merton!

Scene: Max’s Lair

The place is empty, but everything is in the same place it was at the end of the last chapter. Merton is now in the room, looking healthy and normal. Lori is in front of him.

Lori: What took you so long?

Merton: Sorry.

Lori: I’m just glad you showed up. Look, you don’t have that much time left.

Merton: For what?

Lori just rolls her eyes and steps up behind him, pushing him forward. He sees a body bag on the ground near the broken window, lying on shards on glass. He slowly steps toward it, his footsteps echoing in the room. He looks behind him, but Lori has disappeared. Turning back, he finds himself four feet away from the body bag and stops. Taking a deep breath, he steps forward and kneels down, reaching out a cautious hand. He unzips the top of the body bag, revealing Tommy inside, covered slightly in burns. Merton watches him for a moment.

Merton: And now it really was you instead of me.

Tommy opens his eyes.

Tommy: Is that how you feel?

Merton: It’s the truth.

Tommy: Yeah, well…

Tommy sits up, then gets to his feet. Merton stands up with him.

Tommy: I did what I had to. It’s not like you could’ve done anything to change it.

As he steps out of the body bag, he trips.

Tommy: Whoa!

Merton: Let me help—

Tommy: Nah, I got it.

He stands up and looks himself over.

Merton: Here, let me just…

Unsure of what to do, he starts to brush Tommy off. He takes his hands away and looks at them, now covered in ash.

Tommy: Heh. Sorry about that.

Merton: Not a problem.

Merton wipes his hands off on his pants.

Merton: See? Already wearing black. You know, I figured since you wouldn’t have a real funeral or anything, I might as well show my respects.

Tommy: You always wear black, Merton.

Merton: Yeah, but this is the extra black stuff.

Tommy: Oh.

They sit in awkward silence.

Tommy: So, how’s life treating you?

Tommy sits down on the ground casually, sitting Indian style. Merton follows as he speaks.

Merton: As well as can be expected. I think Becky took it harder than I did. What about you? How’s…well, you know.

Tommy: You shouldn’t worry about me, Merton. I’m fine.

Merton: I just feel like I should’ve done something, but instead…I just keep playing it in my head. Every time I shut my eyes, I see you falling.

Tommy: I know. I’m sorry you had to see it. I wish you could let it go.

Merton: How can I? Tommy, you’re my best friend, and now…now you’re gone.

Tommy: But I’m fine where I am, and you’re going to be fine without me. Now you can go to Heidelberg and live your life without worrying about all this Chosen stuff.

Merton: (looking at the ground) Yeah, I guess. (looks up) Look…is it really you? Are we really talking right now?

Tommy: (shrugs) I don’t know.

Merton: Figures. (pause) Whoever you are, thanks for talking to me anyway.

Tommy: What are friends for?

Merton smiles.

Tommy: So are you okay now?

Merton: I feel better. Well, not good, but…I have some closure, I think. I just have to…adjust, is all.

He sighs and shakes his head, tears brimming.

Merton: Tommy, I…I don’t know what I’m going to do without you.

Tommy: Merton, you’re a strong person. You’re going to make it.

Tommy stands up, holding out a hand to Merton.

Tommy: C’mon.

Merton: What? What are we doing?

Tommy: We’re gonna have one last fight.

Merton furrows his brows, but takes Tommy’s hand. When he gets to his feet, he suddenly finds himself in Pleasantville High. Tommy is beside him, no longer burnt.

Tommy: (looking down the hall) I think he’s down here.

Merton: Who?

Tommy walks down the hall. Suddenly, Lori approaches Merton from behind, putting a hand on his shoulder.

Lori: C’mon, Merton. Don’t be such a baby.

She shakes her head and follows Tommy. Merton follows them, still confused. Tommy stops by a classroom door.

Tommy: Here we go.

Tommy opens the door and walks inside. Merton follows, but stops before entering, his eyes widening. Instead of a classroom, he can see the point of view from the window in Max’s lair, looking down at the street. The wind blows in Merton’s face as he looks down and breathes deeply. Lori steps up beside him.

Lori: Well? Are you going in or not?

Merton: I-I, uh, I don’t—

Lori rolls her eyes and pushes him over. He screams as he’s falling, but instead of meeting the ground, he lands seated at a desk in a classroom at Pleasantville High. He looks frightened and shaking, still shocked from the fall. The classroom is normal, unnoticing of him. Tommy, Lori, Becky, Tate, and Stacey are among the students in the desks. They all appear to be taking notes studiously.

Merton: (to Tommy) I didn’t bring any supplies.

Tommy: Sh. The teacher’s speaking.

Merton looks to the front of the room. Max appears to be the teacher, dressed in casual wear.

Max: For this next formula, I’m going to need some help. Tommy?

Tommy: Yes, sir. One corpse plus an evil ritual equals a dark power rising.

Max: Yes! Exactly! And can anyone tell me why it rises?

Lori: Ooh!

Lori raises her hand, eager to answer.

Max: Yes, you.

Lori: Because it’s a metaphor of the rising of the power because of the falling of the Chosen.

Max: Good job. You get a gold star.

Lori folds her hands on her desk and smiles proudly. Becky looks on with jealousy.

Becky: I never got a gold star…

Max: And can anyone tell me what this rising leads to?

Everyone raises their hand and Max points to Tate.

Tate: The rising of one power ultimately leads to the resurrection of another.

Max: Yes, and I think we all agree that it’s unfortunate that I won’t be that resurrected power.

The class laughs.

Voice: Psst. Merton.

Merton furrows his brows and looks up, see Tommy looking down at him from a panel in the ceiling. He looks at the Tommy sitting next to him and taking notes, then back up at the Tommy in the ceiling.

Tommy: We’re gettin’ out of here.

He leans out and holds out his hands to Merton. Merton cautiously takes his hands and is pulled upwards very quickly.

Scene: Max’s Lair

Merton suddenly drops from a panel in a ceiling, yelling as he falls to the ground.

Merton: You could’ve at least warned me about that…

Tommy: Ouch. How’s the head?

Merton: What?

He looks to his left and sees Tommy, Lori, and Tate nearby. Tommy is speaking to Tate, who has a large gash on his head. It takes a moment for Merton to realize that everything is the same as it was graduation night. His brows furrow and he takes a step back from them.

Merton: No…Not this. Not now.

Tate: Pounding, thank you.

Lori: We’ll add this to the list of injuries you’ve had. How many does this make now?

Tate: I lost count right about the time I hit my head on a wall again.

Max stands up behind the Merton untying Becky, breathing heavily and staring angrily. Becky sees him and her eyes widen. She tries to speak through the gag. Merton #1 steps toward them.

Merton #1: No! Wait!

Becky: Merton, look out!

Merton #2 turns around and is hit hard in the face, sending him to the ground. Max steps on his hand.

Max: I will have my sacrifice, and there’s nothing the Chosen, or his human scum friends, can do about it! I will rule you all, and I will sacrifice this innocent if it means spilling the blood of every meat sack in this room to get to her!

Lori: Merton!

Max lifts up the knife.

Max: You first.

He holds the knife at the ready. Just as Tommy starts running toward him, Merton #1 starts running at well. Tommy and Max fall out of the window just as Merton #1 leaps forward, landing on his stomach and reaching out. His eyes are shut tight, preparing for the worst. After a moment, he opens his eyes, realizing he has Tommy’s hand in his.

Merton: Tommy.

Tommy: Hey, Merton.

Merton seems a little dazed in surprise.

Merton: Hey.

Tommy: Um…Do you mind pulling me up?

Merton: Oh!

Merton and Tommy pull Tommy up with some effort. When Tommy is on his feet, the flames outside flare up and illuminate the room. When the fire disappears, there is no one in the room but Tommy and Merton.

Tommy: Thanks, Merton. That was a close one.

Merton: Yeah. Are you okay?

Tommy: Sure, thanks to you. Thought I was a goner there.

Tommy looks out the window and whistles.

Tommy: Long way down. No way I could’ve survived that.

Merton: But you didn’t. It didn’t happen like this.

Tommy listens, but doesn’t look away from the window.

Tommy: Yeah. I know.

Merton: For a minute there, I thought I…

Tommy: I know.

Merton: But I didn’t. And you aren’t.

Tommy: Like I said, it’s not your fault.

Merton: Sure…but thanks for letting me rescue you this time.

Tommy: No problem, buddy.

Tommy turns to face him, smiling.

Tommy: Have you seen the view up here? You can see all of Bakersville down there.

Merton: I would’ve killed him for you.

Tommy: (pause) I know you would.

Merton: So what do we do now? As much fun as reenacting this was, do you think we can relax a little while?

Tommy: Well, I would, but I’ve gotta go.

Merton: Now? Why?

Tommy: You’re gonna wake up soon, so…

Merton: Right. (pause) Am I going to see you again?

Tommy: I don’t know.

Merton: Oh. So…so this is it.

Tommy: (nods) This is it.

For a moment, both of them are silent. The only sound is the wind from outside.

Merton: It was really nice seeing you again.

Tommy: (smiles) Same to you, Merton. Listen, stay out of trouble, okay?

Merton: (soft smile) I will.

This is followed by another silence, and Merton suddenly hugs Tommy. Tommy looks surprised, but then hugs him back.

Tommy: Bye, Merton.

Merton: Bye, Tommy.

Thunder suddenly sounds and the room turns bright again.

Scene: The Lair

Merton wakes up with a start and sits up in bed. The sound of a storm can be heard outside. Merton takes a moment to gather himself, looking at the clock: 2:00 AM. He sees the window is open, letting rain inside. He sighs and rubs his hands over his face, getting to his feet and making his way through the dark and to his desk. He turns on the light at his desk and goes to shut the window. When he returns to the desk, he gets ready to shut off the light, but stops when he sees a picture of him, Lori, and Tommy, the same one Lori had in her locker. He picks it up, staring at it long and hard. After some thought, he gives half a smile and slowly sets it back down, turning off the light and leaving the room dark again.

A/N: There will be another season, folks, so don’t worry. It’d help my ego muchly if y’all could leave me a review. ;) Just a thought.