Family Reunion

[Persephone]

Delilah: Are you kidding?! There's a homicidal maniac on the loose and you want to take the time to change clothes?!

"Do YOU want to break an ankle running in these things [heels] and become a sitting duck, because I DON'T."

She understood where Delilah was coming from, but at the same time, they needed all the upper hands they could get. Ava could sprint damn fast given the right shoes, and she wanted to make sure she kept a great distance between herself and that psycho killer. However, before they could continue to the dorms, Courtney came out from behind the shed. She was crying and visably shaken and having trouble breathing. She needed her inhaler.

But suddenly, The Shape was there! He picked Courtney up like a rag doll and because to shake her. Ava covered her mouth and screamed, watching in horror. Nicolas quickly attacked, punching The Shape and actually doing some damage! He dropped Courtney and Delilah quickly aided her. But The Shape was far from hurt. He attacked Nicolas, STABBING him in the leg and leaving him vulnerable. She had to do something quick! This was why she was training with Miss Monroe.

Extending her hands out at The Shape, Ava screamed as a massive crash of thunder erupted from the sky above and a huge lightning bolt came charging down at The Shape, hitting him directly in the head. Grabbing Nicolas with Delilah's help, they began to run as best as they could.

Courtney: Forget the dorm...My mom's office. Head there instead!

They all began to run toward's Dr. Starr's office; Ava periodically looked back to see if The Shape was still stunned by her attack....he was starting to get up.

"Hurry!"

 

[MorningStar]

"Do YOU want to break an ankle running in these things [heels] and become a sitting duck, because I DON'T."

"Here's a tip: take them off," she mumbled under her breath.

Before Ava could respond (and Delilah KNEW she would) Courtney appeared, decidedly not dead. Delilah had seen her have breathing problems before and it was scary for everyone involved, and to happen now was not good. But at least she could quickly get them all out of here and to help. Well, maybe not.

"Courtney!"

The Shape inserted itself quickly and silently, grabbing Courtney before any of them could do anything about it, holding her terrifyingly over his head. Nicolas came to teh rescue, attacking the creature and getting it to drop Courtney. Delilah rushed to her side and pulled her away from where Nicolas fought The Shape. And as she did so, her hand grazed...Courtney's inhaler!

Delilah shook the inhaler and held it up to Courtney's mouth.

"Courtney! BREATHE IN. You're okay."

Delilah glanced back in time to see Nicolas stabbed through the leg, a horrified sound escaping her lips. Ava was there, though, using her power to stop The Shape at least for a moment. Delilah steadied Courtney, then moved to pick up Nicolas and help Ava carry him between them.

"Nice shot! We've got to move - now!"

 

[Seer]

running for their lives

<< despite being vastly superpowered and gifted beyond even the wildest dreams of their normal genetic baseline counterparts, Nicolas,Ava,Delilah&Courtney were still young and there were some things no one should have to experience needlessly.>>

<< Tonight, what shouldve been an evening of mischeivous yet harmless fun for them has degenerated into a bloody, violent nightmare.>>

<< at the center of the nightmare is Courtney, who even by Hillcrest standards, was an enegma. Courtney is a mutant posessed of a unique, versatile power to circumvent time and space via portals of energy she telepathically controls and calls "stepping discs." She is one of four OMEGA level mutants in the current crop of students at Hillcrest. But aside from her mutant power, Courtney has long been rumoured to be a witch...a sorceress, which tonight, she completely confirmed to the only individuals at Hillcrest she considered "Friend." Courtney's magickal power is still a mysterious and largely unknown factor about but it does account for the many strange occurrences she was involved in or knew about that know one could explain.>>

<< But the most shocking thing about Courtney is that her name isnt even COURTNEY. Only just over an hour ago, she revealed to her friends her deepest, most dreadfull secret of all. Her true history. Her name, MORGAN an her relation to one of the more recent "Urban Legends" circulating on the east coast, that of "THE SHAPE", a monstrous, murdering mutant super predator who kills with no remorse, conscience or restraint-- Adam Victor, Morgan's BROTHER.>>

<< Years ago he killed Morgan's older sister, then all of her friends, not to mention dozens of others who got in his way as he ultimately sought to claim his mother and sister's lives.>>

<< Years of hiding in plain sight, strained relations with her mother, who suffered from post traumatic stress disorder and a host of other problems that came with being a survivor of such a violent nightmare, the facade of Courtney was beginning to crack as the truth of MORGAN struggled to be free.>>

<< Tonight of all nights, Morgan sought to take the "power" of this infamous day BACK from the evil, haunting memory of her monstrous brother as she opened up to her friends, only to find that her past had INDEED come back to haunt her and now she and her new crop of friends were running for their lives from a monster that was quite simply- EVIL wrapped in flesh.>>

<< Nicolas was injured and while Ava had brought them a precious respite, they hurried across campus grounds to building that housed Dr. Starr's office.>>

<< the campus was on Blue Alert- all entrances were SEALED via genetic lock, preventing anyone without authorized access (verified via dna) from entering any certain building. the kids hadn't realized that until NOW when the pass keys Morgan secretly copied from her mother were NOT WORKING!>>

 

[Spellbinder]

Dr. Starr's office

Courtney...what are you doing!? HURRY!!!

I'm TRYING! but NONE of the keys OR the codes are WORKING!

<< she frantically continues trying>>

Guys! He's catching up! He's COMING!

<< Morgan doesnt looking back even as Delilah alerts them that HE is closing in>>

it's a genetic lock! it...it won't allow me!

<< There he stands, for a brief moment, before making earnest strides toward them. Coming toward them like a train that will not be diverted. Will not be stopped!>>

SOMEBODY OPEN THE FUCKING DOOR!

<< He wasn't yelling AT Morgan...but he, like the rest of them was SCARED and now the reason of that fear was closing in>>

I CAN'T!

It's totally BLOCKING me!

<< Morgan SCREAMS as she beats against the door!>>

<< just like that night all those years ago, when she was the LAST one left and he was closing in on her!>>

MOM!!!

MOM!

<< her scream would be heard by Michael and Carole/Karen, who'd been frantically searching for her. They were not far away, but could they get there IN TIME!>>

 

[The Shape]

The chase is over!

The lightning struck with such raw power.

For a moment, EVERYTHING stopped and he registered NOTHING as Ava's blast all but seemingly tore him apart.

He lay motionless as the prey scrambles away.

REANIMATED.

He immediately sits up and looks toward the retreating foursome. If there was any possible expression to be seen on his eerie masked face, it would be ANGER.

He stands up and resumes pursuit. They may run, but they will not escape.

He walks with focused direction homing in like a shark on wounded prey's blood.

He WILL get them ALL. He will cut through their flesh and bone like a hot scythe through ripe wheat!

Done one path, around another. A moderate but steady pace, with no hesitation. Until...

Guys! He's catching up! He's COMING!

There they were. In his sight.

A dozen steps and soon their screams and gushing blood would herald his brutalizing Morgan before she too left this world by his hand.

<< Morgan SCREAMS as she beats against the door>> MOM!

It only causes him to slightly QUICKEN his pace as he raises his large, sharp knife in seeming anticipation.

To slice her throat open so wide and deep while she screams would be an excellent kill. To kill her in FRONT of her friends so that her blood drenched them in the hour of their own death would be even better!

 

[Spellbinder]

protection

FLASH

<< the Marble house, 20 years ago. Morgan's screams and shock at the sight of her dead friends' bodies throughout the house has been painfully stifled by hands around her neck. Adam Victor. Her brother. THE SHAPE. Now STRANGLING HER. Crushing her THROAT!>>

<< She was SAVED by Alycia Barnett that night, TWICE. She didn't yet know that her dear friend, her surrogate "Auntie" was now DEAD at the Shape's hands. But what she DID know was that if she gave in to PANIC, she'd DIE, as would her friends!>>

<< the others were all yelling, screaming for her to do something. They were as terrified as SHE was.>>

STOP! STOP IT!!!!

<< she screams with frustration and near panic...until>>



FLASH

You carry with you...a tremendous BURDEN, as does your mother, KAREN. One born on a most dark, dreadfull and UNHOLY night 20 years ago. One that is forever haunting you, illuminated by the blood of innocents...friends...FAMILY.

There they were. In his sight.

A dozen steps and soon their screams and gushing blood would herald his brutalizing Morgan before she too left this world by his hand.

The energy that flows through you is powerful. The FEAR that you and your mother carry between you is PRIMAL...it calls out...like a beacon. Like a LURE

It only causes him to slightly QUICKEN his pace as he raises his large, sharp knife in seeming anticipation.

An unquiet spirit, roams this realm. It...HE...is an abomination to all that would live and breathe. He moves with slow, unwavering focus and determination...

To close the wounds of the past, to PREVENT new wounds and bloodshed...you must open your eyes and your heart.

<< the beautiful Beatrice Medallion she wears around her neck begins to shimmer and glow urgently. the excuisite gold of the medallion shimmers while the diamonds in each point of the pentagram on the pendant begin to flicker>>

TAKE THIS!
Use it so that you AND your companions may live to see and learn more.
Use it to protect yourself AND your companions when you need it most.

I can't panic! I CAN'T! I can't let them DIE....I Don't want to die!

<< straightening up, stiffening her back and squaring her shoulders, she takes two steps AWAY from the others, ignoring Delilah who calls out to her>>


I HAVE TO PROTECT THEM! NO MATTER WHAT THE COST!

I'm not running from you!

<< she says...in an icy , yet trembling tone as she stands to face her oncoming monster brother>>

I'm not just a mutant like you, MONSTER. I'm a WITCH TOO! You won't get to them! NOT WITHOUT PASSING THROUGH ME FIRST!
<< eldritch chimes sound off>>

I can....and I WILL protect them...MYSELF! FROM YOU!

<< she shouts. trying to let her ANGER push back her FEAR!>>


<< she takes hold of the Beatrice Medallion, lifting it up and holding it forward a bit as it now glows and pulsates!>>

<< magick can be heard in the air as Morgan bows her head, breathing deeply, exhaling and closing her eyes for a moment and then looking back up directly at her brother who is now mere STEPS from her, his arm raised and ready to strike>>

Circulus Lapidis Nymphi!


<< Morgan chants in an UNKNOWN TONGUE to the others as she holds her TALISMAN and IGNITES MAGICK!>>

<< chimes sound off as golden streams of energy quickly swirl and spiral out around HER, NICOLAS, DELILAH and AVA.>>

<< the streams of golden magick swirl around them at ground level, also at waist level and a bit above Nicolas' crown height as Morgan has cast a PROTECTION spell, forming a circle of ancient FAERIE magick in the form of a columnar BARRIER that protect them from ANY possible physical contact at all sides around them.>>

 

[Seer]

and so

<< This is the second spell that Morgan has cast in front of her friends, completely confirming that she's a witch and a powerfull one at that.>>

<< the young sorceress holds her Beatrice Medallion forward, having uttered an incantation in an unusual tongue and ignited a protection spell using ancient faerie magick.>>

<< the spell activates with urgent sound and effect, now having formed a columnar barrier around the four of them to protect them from the deadly power and attack of The Shape!>>

<< Nicolas, Ava and Delilah, who were certain this was the end , now are able to perhaps exhale. shocked and in disbelief but RELIEVED to be ALIVE and seemingly PROTECTED!>>

<< Morgan continues to stand just apart from the three, still concentrating as she allows...FORCES herself to make prolonged eye contact with The Shape, who would have surely decapitated her by now if not for the circle of protection.>>

<< they all look in horror.>>

 

[The Shape]

Will not stop

The noise they make. The screams and cries of fear and desperation.

It's no different than prey that is cornered knowing its doom and death are now at hand.

I'm not running from you!

<< she says...in an icy , yet trembling tone as she stands to face her oncoming monster brother>>

I'm not just a mutant like you, MONSTER. I'm a WITCH TOO! You won't get to them! NOT WITHOUT PASSING THROUGH ME FIRST!<< eldritch chimes sound off>>

Each step is slightly quicker than the next as he moves unwaveringly toward Morgan, Ava, Nicolas and Delilah. He'll reach Morgan first and strike her down with utter force without hesitation.

I can....and I WILL protect them...MYSELF! FROM YOU!

<< she shouts. trying to let her ANGER push back her FEAR!>>

Defiant like Alycia Barnett. It doesn't matter. It will NOT change anything.

He's less than three full strides from slaughtering his sister now.

Raising his arm, pulling back, preparing to deliver a fierce, mighty swing and strike that will bear much blood and destroy flesh and bone.

There's a sound in the air. Energy?

And then, His physical movement, his approach is BLOCKED, DEFLECTED!?

He stops, finding he cannot move any further. He tries again. But his way is barred!

How is this possible? None of them, not even Nicolas, had the power to stop his irresistable force.

What manner of...SORCEREY!

She's a WITCH. He'd sensed a difference about her mutant aura years ago. But now it's quite clear.

He stares at Morgan, who is looking at him with an unwavering, intent stare from her violet eyes.

She stares, searching his black, haunting devilish eyes only to find the flickering, flashing red irises that indicate his agression.

His DETERMINATION.

Tilting his head ever so slightly as he notices Morgan seeming to relax a little, sensing her vitals are lowering, she thinks she's SAFE!?

Without warning or indication, he LAUNCHES himself at her...at THEM, only to be REPELLED by the barrier, the circle of protection. He bounces off, hitting the ground.

He's up AGAIN, lauching himself at them with all his might!

Beating against the barrier. SLICING at it with berserker rage!

He will NOT be stopped.

He. WILL. GET. HER!

GET THEM ALL!

 

[Persephone]

They all got to the building where Dr. Starr's office was, but something was wrong. Morgan couldn't gain access into the building. Ava's breathing began to quicken as she looked over her shoulder to see The Shape come into view. Ava began to pound on the door, frantically.

"HELP!! SOMEONE HELP US!!!"

Continuing to slam her hands into the door, she looked over her shoulder again to see The Shape getting closer and closer. Her screams for help became more frantic.

Morgan stepped away and unleashed a protection spell around the group. Ava watched as they stared each other down....how long would this protection bubble last? Was he just taunting her by thinking she could stop him? The Shape began to pound against the magic bubble causing Ava to start hitting the door again. She didn't know HOW long Morgan's spell would last for against his forceful punches....she wasn't about to wait and see.

"DR. STARR!! PLEASE!"

 

[MorningStar]

"He's coming!"

They made it to Dr. Starr's office, but they COULDN'T GET INSIDE. Courtney was protecting them with a shield, but for how long?

"Nicolas - is your phone working now?!"

She looked back at the Shape, coming steadily towards them. Ava was desperately banging on the door of the building. They had to get inside!

"Courtney, can't you get us in with your stepping discs?! There HAS to be a way in!"

 

[Shadow Weaver]

the adults make the scene

<< They'd running around for a bit now. Searching for any sign of Morgan, her friends or The Shape.>>

<< Carole...KAREN relayed a description of The Shape to Michael as they moved along in an urgent search. It came across at times like a doctor's dictation on a patient and at other times like a mother haunted and battered by tragedy surrounding her children. Mike noticed how she fluxed back and forth.>>

<< the two covered alot of ground rather quickly, but there was no sign of Morgan and the others, until, after emerging from the dorms back in the courtyard...>>

UGGHHH!

<< Carole winced, clutching her head with her hands as Michael stopped to steady her.>>

....

It's Morgan! I sense her....through the bond of mother and child!

<< She leans on Michael a bit for support as she places a hand to her forehead>>

She's nearby. She, Nicolas, Ava and Delilah! They....they're by my office...trying to refuge! but the genetic lock is barring their way! Nicolas is hurt and Morgan is on the verge of collapse!

<< she hears/FEELS Morgan's screams!>>

He's THERE! Attacking them NOW!

<< she points in the direction they need to go and the run. quickly!>>

<< Ava screams out for help too! >>

Oh Michael! the children!

<< Carole exclaims with distress as they can now HEAR them physically>>

<< finally, closing in on the scene of horror, they see Morgan frantically holding the Shape back with a mystical protection spell, but the strain against his physical assault on the sheild is causing the young sorceress physical PAIN and she's beginning to buckle. Ava, Delilah and Nicolas are understandabily terrified>>

NO!

Another few moments and Morgan will PASS OUT, he'll BREAK THROUGH!

I WON'T SEE ANYMORE CHILDREN HARMED BY HIM!

<< Karen, now showing more and more of that "Mama Bear" instinct!>>

ADAM! << referring to the Shape, who IS after all, her son>>

STOP IT! GET AWAY FROM THEM! LEAVE MY DAUGHTER ALONE!

<< Karen and Michael are running toward them, Michael has his weapons drawn and opens fire on the Shape, doing the most IMMEDIATE THING to take him off his intention of busting through Morgan's shield>>

<< Karen takes aim, lifting her hands, weaving a pattern of power as she utters an incantation and begins to ignited dark magick>>

Evil creature Stay no more
at my command
you will now soar!

<< Carole gestures and The Shape, still jarred and reeling (for the moment) from Michael's well placed shots, would find himself blasted by a broad beam of golden energy... immediately slammed and HURLED AWAY 20 feet by a POWERFULL telekinetic force blast!>>

<< Karen and Michael reach the kids.>>

Morgan, honey....everyone

<< pressing a button on her command keypad and deactivating the genetic lock over the building>>


INSIDE! HURRY!

 

[The Shape]

more interference

Again and again!

He launches himself at the barrier.

The irresistable force clashing with the seeming immovable object. One of them will break.

It WON'T BE HIM.

The sound of his impacts, swipes, slices and assaults on the sheild are fierce and terrifying.

Morgan is powerfull. Far more than he might have immediately realized but it will not save her.

He sees it in her icy violet eyes. He hears it in her baited breath, her terrified heart beat, even her bothered blood flow. FEAR.

Her friends are just as terrified and not too confident she can maintain her shield.

With ever blow he makes against it, his determination goes UP while her strength to maintain goes DOWN. She's already suffering from shock, fear and respiratory problems. She can't focus or keep this up for long and they know it.

"HELP!! SOMEONE HELP US!!!"

HE KNOWS IT.

Courtney, can't you get us in with your stepping discs?! There HAS to be a way in!"

THEY WILL NOT ESCAPE.

His red irises flicker with predatory agression.

HE WILL GET THEM!

ADAM! << referring to the Shape, who IS after all, her son>>

STOP IT! GET AWAY FROM THEM! LEAVE MY DAUGHTER ALONE!

That voice.

MOTHER.

A sudden turn of his head to fix his cold, evil eyes upon the woman who birthed him. The woman whose spine he'd CRACK.

She arrived to interfere. AGAIN. Just as she had all those years ago.

And she had ANOTHER ally with her.

It made no difference....

His body is ravaged by heavy artilery.

Just like Alycia Barnett all those years ago. This new one, this stranger...he'd keep Alycia's soul company in the afterlife after The Shape SPLIT HIM IN TWO.

Evil creature Stay no more
at my command
you will now soar!

<< Carole gestures and The Shape, still jarred and reeling (for the moment) from Michael's well placed shots, would find himself blasted by a broad beam of golden energy... immediately slammed and HURLED AWAY 20 feet by a POWERFULL telekinetic force blast!>>

There was no physical force more powerfull than him. But MAGICK presented something of a problem.

This was different than Morgan.

Mother seemed more and more comfortable using her magick to try to KILL HIM. She had ever since that night at the hospital!

<<FLASH>>

Karen: That's ENOUGH. You're NOT MY SON. you're a BAD SEED. A THING OF EVIL. I should have ABORTED YOU! But I was A MOTHER. I didnt think I was SUPPOSED to feel that way! But NOW? I won't allow you to hurt ANYONE ELSE!

<< The Shape seems transfixed by Karen and then, ALYCIA is TELEPORTED outside by MORGAN, who after gathering herself and finding courage, gestures, and summons a disc to RESCUE Alycia. The Shape is PISSED and starts coming toward Karen.>>

Karen: Adam...It's TIME.

<< pointing at him.>>

Karen: Hellspawn demon creature of DEATH! FIRE shall take your very BREATH!

<< swinging her arm in a clockwise motion, chimes sound off, as Karen ignites a POWERFULL spell of HELLFIRE that EXPLODES out between she and the Shape JUST as he reaches her. the blast of hellfire radiates in a ballistic pattern and the flash can be seen for several miles around.>>

Morgan: MOM!?

<< Karen reappears outside, unharmed. But as she slowly makes her way to her daughter and Alycia, Morgan exclaims.>>

Morgan: OMIGAWD MOM! He's STILL COMING!

<< all three women look with utter HORROR as the SHAPE can be seen, lumbering forward through the hellfire but as it turns out, its only for a few steps before he drops to his knees, then falls down on his face. Not moving again. The spell runs its course and by the time police, sheiffs and emergency crews arrive, the fire is retreating as mysterious as it appeared. Karen, Alycia and Morgan are GONE. And the Shape? presumed DEAD.>>

Her voice, after all these years, makes him pause. Much like the sight of Alycia and just earlier this evening, the sight of Morgan.

In that moment, Michael's gun fire staggers him and thena flash of light, a golden beam of mystical telekinetic force. his body is completely UPENDED. as he is SLAMMED away from them by 20 feet!

Even as he hits the ground, he IMMEDIATELY sits up and stiffly turns his head toward the retreating group.

Mother and sister will SUFFER for this.

 

[Arsenal]

As they searched, he could see the conflict in Karen concerning Adam...the Shape. She would at once be almost like a criminal profiler giving a description of a subject and then a mother grieving over a lost son that, even if found, would still be dead to her. Mike responded as he believed he needed to in order to get her through this, sometimes being an officer noting all information and responding to her as such, other times being a boyfriend helping his girlfriend find her children. It was a dance, but he did it, because he HAD to.

As the left the boy's dorm heading back towards her office she grabbed her head. He steadied her as she nearly fell from the shock.

It's Morgan! I sense her....through the bond of mother and child!

<< She leans on Michael a bit for support as she places a hand to her forehead>>

She's nearby. She, Nicolas, Ava and Delilah! They....they're by my office...trying to refuge! but the genetic lock is barring their way! Nicolas is hurt and Morgan is on the verge of collapse!

<< she hears/FEELS Morgan's screams!>>

He's THERE! Attacking them NOW!

<< she points in the direction they need to go and the run. quickly!>>

<< Ava screams out for help too! >>

Oh Michael! the children!

<< Carole exclaims with distress as they can now HEAR them physically>>

<< finally, closing in on the scene of horror, they see Morgan frantically holding the Shape back with a mystical protection spell, but the strain against his physical assault on the sheild is causing the young sorceress physical PAIN and she's beginning to buckle. Ava, Delilah and Nicolas are understandabily terrified>>

NO!

Another few moments and Morgan will PASS OUT, he'll BREAK THROUGH!

I WON'T SEE ANYMORE CHILDREN HARMED BY HIM!

<< Karen, now showing more and more of that "Mama Bear" instinct!>>

ADAM! << referring to the Shape, who IS after all, her son>>

STOP IT! GET AWAY FROM THEM! LEAVE MY DAUGHTER ALONE!

They had made it the scene and while she yelled his name, it gave Mike the chance to get some REALLY good shots in. His .44s flashed as they hit...first in the hand, disarming him, next was center mass, staggering him. Mike saw that was ineffective immediately and shot him once, then twice, in the head. As he began to fall back Karen did some shit and the next thing he knew, a golden beam hit the Shape, tossing him at least 6 yards away from the group.

He rushed forward to the group with Karen, seeing that Nicolas entire left leg was COVERED in blood.

Jesus boy...

I...tried Mike. Couldn't stop him.

Nicolas fell silent in...SHAME?

Mike grabbed the sides of his face.

YOU did fine. You survived. Now get it together so we can LIVE. We will likely need your strength again.

Mike started to pick him up and take him inside with the others, but he was well enough to walk already. Looking back, he saw that the goddamn thing had gotten UP!!

Are you fucking kidding me?

He retreated into the building with the others...

 

[Spellbinder]

safe...for now

<< Courtney's talisman glows, the diamonds within the pendant all flashing in rapid succession in a clockwise motion as she continues to maintain the protection spell!>>

<< Although powerfull in magick, She was still young and learning. Not as seasoned or experienced as her mother, or the white witch, Ororo.>>

<< She stares in disbelief, flinching a bit as her brother makes pass after deadly pass at her and her friends, assaulting her shield.>>

<< She makes an effort to maintain it. no PHYSICAL POWER should be able to break it but against her brother, who defies description...there appears to be the possibility that it MIGHT not hold!>>

<< Delilah can see her friend struggling with PAIN as she maintains the shield and tries to find a way to get them inside. Ava screams for help and Nicolas, already wounded echoes his girlfriends.>>

OHHH!!! I....never...felt...never knew...it could HURT....like THIS!

<< Morgan's pain and distress register with her MOTHER who, along with Michael, now finally have a fix on where they are!>>

<< Morgan begins to feel faint from pain and anguish. A tear falls down from one of her eyes as the Shape ones again LUNGES forward, slamming into the shield, doing all he can to get through!>>

MOM!!! HELP US!

<< Delilah spots Dr. Starr and a well armed Michael running quickly towards them!>>

can't....withstand....much more....

<< She sounds so shakey as her eyes begin to flutter>>

At the last moment, when it seems that Morgan might PASS OUT, even as Delilah is trying to help her friend stay upright.>>

Hold on Courtney! Hold on! Your mom is coming!

....

<< Karen, now showing more and more of that "Mama Bear" instinct!>>

ADAM! << referring to the Shape, who IS after all, her son>>

STOP IT! GET AWAY FROM THEM! LEAVE MY DAUGHTER ALONE!

<< Karen and Michael make the scene, Michael opens fire on The Shape, taking shot after shot!>>

it gave Mike the chance to get some REALLY good shots in. His .44s flashed as they hit...first in the hand, disarming him, next was center mass, staggering him. Mike saw that was ineffective immediately and shot him once, then twice, in the head.

<< He fires without hesitation and with extreme urgency. It was not unlike>>

<<FLASH!>>

<< without wasting time, Alycia takes aim and FIRES, UNLOADING her weapon. six shots. two in the chest, two in the heart, one in the arm, one in the shoulder! the man is staggered and topples off the balcony, falling over a dozen feet to the ground below.>>

<< looking VERY intense, Alycia's attention is drawn to the whimpering of the traumatized young girl now crumbled on the floor in the hallway. She turns toward her, looking concerned and sympathetic.>>

girl with violet eyes: << trembling>> was...that the ...boogeyman?

Alycia: ...from what I understand.....yes. But he can't get you now. I've seen to that. Let's get you out of here...

<< Morgan shuts her eyes tightly. Her head THROBBING. The sounds of Michael's gunfire...they conjure another memory>>

<<FLASH!>>

Karen: Oh Morgan! BABY! Mommy's HERE! << taking her daughter into her arms>>

Alycia: Karen, get back!

<< The Shape comes, steady pace, not stopping and CRASHES through the supposedly unbreakable glass! Morgan screams and buries her head in her mother's chest as Karen stands, holding, CLUTCHING her daughter close to her in a most protective way as she covers Morgan's head with one of her hands.>>

<< The Shape closes in.>>

Alycia: I don't think so.

<< Alycia brings forth TWO semi automatic weapons. One in each hand.>>

Alycia: It's YOUR TURN to scream, ASSHOLE!

<< and with that, Alycia UNLOADS into the Shape, shooting him without restraint, without hestitation. His body is RIDDLED with bullets and finally, with a muffled, pained, cry, he FALLS backward to the floor with a hard thud....seemingly not moving.>>

<< Karen, riveted by what she's seen, clutches her sobbing daughter tightly. Alycia, glares at the Shape with an almost wicked glint in her eye.>>

Mike....Mom...

<< They're HERE. Just like Alycia and her mother had been. She STILL didn't know that Alycia was now dead at the Shape's hands.>>

<< Her mother casts a spell, hurling The Shape 20 feet away from them and at that moment...>>

UGH!!

<< Morgan exclaims with grief and pain, staggering back into Delilah's arms for a moment as she drops her sheild>>

<< Karen and Michael reach the kids.>>

Morgan, honey...

MOM!

<< she shrieks as she quickly reaches for her mother, who gathers her in a protective embrace, much like that night in the hospital>>

Are you fucking kidding me?

<< the shape was already stirring. sitting up, turning stiffly to stare at them and standing up>>

Everyone....<< pressing a button on her command keypad and deactivating the genetic lock over the building>>


INSIDE! HURRY!

<< they retreat inside>>

Michael, shut the door...

<< she hands him her command key which is programmed with access to all the school & ground's functions>>

put the campus on RED ALERT. Seal ALL non essential hidden passages and bring all defense systems for the dorms online. We have these four here. We will not be able to reach anyone else.

<< the red alert siren begins to sound off, as Dr. Starr's authoratative voice [pre-recorded] can be heard on the p.a. system announcing a campus wide emergency and lockdown, that this is not a drill, that all students and staff present are to remain indoors.>>


<< Morgan continues to hold on to her mother, emotions spilling out. Karen takes a moment to return her daughter's need for comfort while Michael and the others look on. This was their secret, their tragedy and horror now laid bare before them all to see. This was real trauma. Old wounds reopened and new wounds both physical and emotional being made. They werent alone this time. Before it was ALycia. Now it was Michael, Ava, Delilah and Nicolas. They ALL had a moment to "breathe" now.>>

Mom....I did my best...i shieled them from him...but I...was so SCARED and I nearly had an asthma attack when he grabbed me. He was going to BEHEAD ME ....but Nicolas saved me!

<< Michael heard Morgan mention Nicolas personally saving her from her brother's attack. He HAD done his best to stop him and unlike others before...he SURVIVED.>>

 

[Shadow Weaver]

in her office

<< For a moment, KAREN AND MORGAN, seem to forget the others in their midst as they share in their adjustment reaction to what has happened>>

<< Karen holds her daughter close in a maternal embrace and shudders with grief and dismay. She shuts her eyes tightly as she holds Morgan, who sobs, letting the emotion from this evening's events come out.>>

...All these years...I lived in fear...I knew in my soul that he...he wasn't gone and yet...all these years...I secretly hoped that he WAS. But now he's here and he wants nothing more than to hurt you...kill you. Takeyou away from me as he did my other daughter Blaze....and all of your friends.

Mom....I did my best...i shieled them from him...but I...was so SCARED and I nearly had an asthma attack when he grabbed me. He was going to BEHEAD ME ....but Nicolas saved me!

It's allright. You did the right thing. When it mattered MOST, you did not let the FEAR paralyze you! You're not the little girl you were the first time he traumatized you. You had the power to DO something to protect your friends this time and you did it.

<< She had to tell Morgan about Alycia. But first, She looked at Nicolas, with a much softer, gentler look than she'd ever given him before. The look was mixed with that of concern as well.>>

Michael...

<< she speaks in a low tone>>

Please help my daughter sit down. In my desk, there's a false drawer, behind it is a cabinet with potions and elixirs. Give her the Rose Feary...it'll be a dark blue colored liquid. That will calm her and ease the stress on her repiratory system.

<< She looks at the visibly shaken Ava and Delilah>>

Are you injured?

<< she leans in close, gently but urgently checking them over. Ava is visibly distraught. Delilah is more low key.>>

Michael, Ava is in shock. Bring forth the Topaz elixir. It'll be yellow and give it to her, help her drink it down. It's components will calm and stabilize her, speeding up her own mind and body's attempts to reorient and return to a more rational state.

Give Delilah the White Serenity potion.

NICOLAS!

<< she quickly leans over him. He's sitting up and she pushes him to lay completely down on the couch>>

What happened here!?

He got...stabbed....

<<FLASH!>>

<< The original Victor family home. Upstairs. In the bedroom of Blaze Victor.>>

<< the sound of a girl's pained, life fading screams are heard. the sound of flesh being rend cut and ripped, of bone being scraped and fractured is heard. the bizarre view of a large, sharp kitchen knife rising and falling with rapid pace is seen as it plunges into the body of a young girl who was at first sitting in a chair but has now fallen to the floor.>>

<< Blaze Victor, lies dead after several seconds of painfull, bloody, knife plunging terror at the hands of her BROTHER.>>

<< Nicolas see's the pained, haunted look on the Dr.'s face>>

Oh Nicolas...

You saved my daughter's life...I can't thank you enough.

<< she moves down a bit, now looking over his leg>>

This is a dreadfull wound. Any deeper and it would have damaged if not completely sliced through your femur.

<< she looks over her shoulder to Michael>>

The physical power of the Shape has never been fully gauged. But damaging Nicolas like this simply underlines the power and danger of this creature.

<< she referred to her own son as a "creature" and with such coldness. a striking contrast to the warmth she'd just shown her daughter>>

Michael, give Nicolas a White Serenity potion.

<< turning back to Nicolas>>

I will cast a spell to heal your physical wound.

<< stretching out her arm, holding her hand over Nicolas' wounded leg, she begins to move her hand in a circular motion. chimes sound off as the palm of her hand begins to glow and a trail of sparkling golden orbs follows behind her moving hand>>

The damaged limb made whole
membrum diremptum integrum factum!

<< a small ray of golden lay beams from her hand down over the wound and into it. The pain, spasms and other symptoms are smoothly washed away and as Karen continues to circle her hand over the wound, Nicolas feels severed nerves and damanged muscle and tissue beginning to restore and heal up.>>

Thank god we got to you when we did.

<< she looks at him and smiles.>>

You'll be okay. Just lay here and consume that potion.

We have a respite...for the moment, but...

<< looking to Michael>>

I'm going to have to take care of this.

Mom...where are you going?

You four...stay in here. Stay as quiet as possible.

Nicolas, stay seated for the time being but barricade the door and windows of my office with your telekinetic power as best you can. If something happens, if I don't come back...Morgan, teleport yourself, your friends and Michael out of here. Away from the campus. Away from the city...

<< Karen wanted her daughter and friends to survive and if that meant fleeing far from here, then so be it.>>

But mom I....

<< As Morgan AND Michael object, Karen holds her hand up for silence.>>

Do as I say. All of you.

<< She commands as she looks serious. The soft glow of red lights from the alert system flash intermitently, seemingly highlighting the seriousness of her facial expression.>>

<< She may be "Dr. Starr, Psy.D" & she may be headmistress of this school, but Michael was just as grown as she was. He was not about to allow her to command him to HIDE.>>

NO, Carole. I'm NOT leaving you to face this alone. I'm here to help! After everything you've been through then AND now...you trusted Alycia...you can trust me.

<< Carole glares at Michael for a moment. He's right. She can't just expect HIM to hide and let her face this alone. Now that he knew what haunted her so, what had strained her and her daughter all this time. Now that he'd SEEN IT with his own two eyes. He was NOT going to let her face this...face THE SHAPE alone. She doesnt argue him. It would be pointless. He could be just as stubborn and adamant as she could be severe and bitchy.>>

<< looking at the four youths, particularly her daughter, who was sitting between Ava and Delilah>>

I intend to come back for you VERY shortly and get you out of here. BUT if something happens and I don't. You have your direction, Morgan. You get yourself and your friends out of here and as far away as possible.

<< there was a sound of groaning/friction of metal heard off in the distance down a hall and then a large BANG.>>

<< Carole looked at Michael, knowing she couldnt stop him, short of using magick to bind him in chains, she silently relents as he quickly follows her.>>

<< outside her office and in the hall that leads to the main building of the school, Carole shuts the door behind them, placing a warding spell outside the door to further boost Nicolas' telekinetic barricade inside>>

Carole...what's our next move?

<< she looks at Michael, a mix of resoluteness AND fear in her opal blue eyes>>

Try to live...

<< thunder rumbles from the night skies outside as she moves along the wall to her right, down the hall, hands slightly lifted and prepped for a magickal response to a sudden attack. Michael follows right behind her weapon drawn and primed, training to his 9 o'clock while Carole handles an 11 to 12 o'clock position.>>

 

[Seer]

and so

<< And with that Morgan, Nicolas, Ava and Delilah are left, although in a far more secure situation than before.>>

<< Carole activates a powerfull warding spell on the outside perimeter of her office, while Nicolas, now in a far better way thanks to Dr. Starr's healing and potion, can focus on keeping the interior doors and windows blocked with his telekinetic power.>>

<< Ava, Delilah and Morgan are all calmer and have been restored via various potions from Dr. Starr's personal apothecary.>>

<< This is how it should be in situations like this...a truly dire emergency that no youth, super powered or not should have to face...being addressed by the ADULTS.>>

<< Morgan survived her ordeal years ago because of Alycia and her mother's intervention. Tonight, Morgan AND her friends were alive due to their quick thinking, staying together and Morgan being able to SHIELD them from her murderous brother long enough for her mother and Michael to arrive.>>

<< But even this precious respite doesnt lift the spirits of the four.>>

<< Morgan exclaims with fear and displeasure at her mother leaving her to go and face her son, her brother alone. Even though Michael was with her, just as Alycia had been before. Only NOW Alycia was dead.>>

<< Morgan wept for the fallen Alycia. Sitting between her two friends, she was now bent over, her face buried in her hands. ALL of this was traumatic...EMBARRASSING even...but Alycia's death...it pained Morgan as much as it did Karen. The Shape always seemed to kill their loved ones! Blaze, Alison, Haleigh, Cameron and now Alycia. Not to mention the dozens of other innocents.>>

<< Ava, Nicolas and Delilah remained mostly silent as Morgan wept. They now knew the secret, the burden she and her mother had been carrying between them. Why they were so strained, so STRANGE even by Hillcrest standards.>>

<< Delilah and Ava both placed a sympathetic hand on Morgan's back as she wept and trembled, grieving for Alycia, grieving for her sister and friends that'd been cut down before. They'd seen more from her this one night than they had in the years they'd known her. They knew her real name, knew her past...knew her pain, her FEAR. They were not APART of it as they had shared in it.>>

<< In this moment, amongst them, was a trust test to see just how strong, solid and REAL the affirmation of friendship between them was. They could have bolted, leaving Morgan and Hillcrest a few times this evening when the nightmare began, but they didnt. They stayed together. Now was their chance to process everything...in the relative safety of Dr. Starr's office.>>

meanwhile

<< down the hall, Carole and Michael creep along, hushed words exchanged between them. It was not at all the weekend either of them had imagined for themselves. Carole had hoped that after she told Michael her secret that it would bring them closer together and while it HAD...she did not expect her secret to come back to haunt her in such a terrifying way like this. It was a testimony to Michael's character and feelings for her that he stood by her in the face of such mortal physical danger.>>

<< Powerfull as she was, she knew there was no guarantee of anything but now with the children safe at the moment and her mind still racing from the news of Alycia's death and the shock of her son's return...it was clear that she could NOT let this go any further. Blaze. Alison. Haleigh. Cameron. Alycia...all the other innocents. It was MORE than ENOUGH.>>

<< only hours ago in Ms. Grey's class>>
"I'd do the same damn thing. When you have nothing left to lose, you have everything to gain."

It HAD to end here. Whatever it took...it HAD TO.>>

 

[Arsenal]

The boy had done good. REAL good. Apparently he'd saved Morgan and given perhaps his leg in the doing so. He lened over the young man as he whispered in his ear.

I am proud of you. If I don't make it out of this, I want you to know that you are like a son I would have always wanted, a fine young man who I am proud to have seen grow up. Watch over theses girls.

But Karen showed all of her tricks, passing out potions and healing the boy good as new. Then, she tried some Clint Eastwood shit.

You'll be okay. Just lay here and consume that potion.

We have a respite...for the moment, but...

<< looking to Michael>>

I'm going to have to take care of this.

You four...stay in here. Stay as quiet as possible.

Nicolas, stay seated for the time being but barricade the door and windows of my office with your telekinetic power as best you can. If something happens, if I don't come back...Morgan, teleport yourself, your friends and Michael out of here. Away from the campus. Away from the city...

<< Karen wanted her daughter and friends to survive and if that meant fleeing far from here, then so be it.>>

Try that somewhere else doc. I am going with you.

<< As Morgan AND Michael object, Karen holds her hand up for silence.>>

Do as I say. All of you.

<< She commands as she looks serious. The soft glow of red lights from the alert system flash intermitently, seemingly highlighting the seriousness of her facial expression.>>

NO, Carole. I'm NOT leaving you to face this alone. I'm here to help! After everything you've been through then AND now...you trusted Alycia...you can trust me.

He folded his arms and she knew that meant he had put his foot down. Given the circumstances, he knew she would have to relent, and she did.

They went out the door and he could hear the room seal and expand slightly as Nic placed his shielding up. They had already heard the BANG of the Shape entering. He turned one last time to Carole and tried to smile a bit.

Carole...what's our next move?

<< she looks at Michael, a mix of resoluteness AND fear in her opal blue eyes>>

Try to live...

<< thunder rumbles from the night skies outside as she moves along the wall to her right, down the hall, hands slightly lifted and prepped for a magickal response to a sudden attack. Michael follows right behind her weapon drawn and primed, training to his 9 o'clock while Carole handles an 11 to 12 o'clock position.>>

 

[Rampage]

I am proud of you. If I don't make it out of this, I want you to know that you are like a son I would have always wanted, a fine young man who I am proud to have seen grow up. Watch over theses girls.

Nicolas allowed a tear to fall from his eye. After what Dr. Starr had said and now THIS...it seemed that he had done pretty well after all. He sat quietly as she ordered then to run and for him to shield them until then. and then she left with Mike, to face that THING alone.

Courtney was beside herself. She had lost a close friend and now all of this, and she was bawling, crying her eyes out. Ava and Dee were comforting her, but it was all so fucked up right now. Nicolas stood, now good as new, and thought of WHAT to do. Run? Hide? Let Mike and Dr. Starr get got while he chilled in here?!

Nicolas went over and gave Ava a hug and whispered in her ear.

I love you babe.

Then he walked over to the door. The spell was boosting his own power so...with some effort...he opened the shield a bit and walked out, sealing it behind him.

But I HAVE to help them. I cannot let Mike and Doc go out like that. If my shield fades, run.

Nicolas starts to walk down the hallway, his TK scanning all around him as he went...

 

[Persephone]

They were going to die, they were going to die. That's all that repeated in Ava's head as she pounded on the door and screamed for help. But luck was on their side for once tonight. Dr. Starr opened the door and everyone began to run in. Ava was in such a state of terror and shock she had no idea what went on outside of the doors...she just trembled against the wall, holding herself with her own arms.

Hearing the door slam "woke" Ava up out of her trance as she looked over seeing Dr. Starr, Michael, and Morgan. Dr. Starr ushered them to her office and created a spell around it much like Morgan did outside to protect them. Dr. Starr came up to both herself and Delilah asking if they were okay, Ava really didn't say anything--she didn't have to. She watched as the headmistress told Michael to get a potion of some sort to calm Ava's nerves. She would take ANYTHING at this point. Potion, alcohol, valium, ANYTHING. Taking the elixar that Michael handed to her, it tasted sort of bitter causing her to pucker her face. However, it was like an instant wave of calm overtook her.

However, despite the potion, a spike of nervous energy hit her once she heard that Dr. Starr and Michael were going OUT to look for The Shape. Morgan protested, but they left anyway....Tears welled up in Ava's eyes knowing the odds of them coming back were slim. Placing her hand on Morgan's shoulder as she cried, she looked at Delilah through glassy eyes, unaware of what to do or say.

Looking over at Nicolas, he walked over to the group and Ava rose from her crouching position. He embraced her with a hug and she was more than willing to accept it.

Nicolas: I love you, babe.

It was the way that he said it that gave Ava pause. It wasn't an "i'm glad we're alive" or "it's going to be okay"....it was a "goodbye". Pulling away from his embrace, Ava looked at him in horror.

"No. Nicolas, NO!"

Nicolas: But I HAVE to help them. I cannot let Doc and Mike go out like that.

He began to walk to the office door, Ava followed.

"Nicolas, please! Don't go out there....you saw that thing! He nearly killed you and Morgan before!"

He squeezed through the door out into the hallway; Ava's protests falling on deaf ears.

Nicolas: If my shield fades, run.

"Nicolas!"

Ava watched in horror as he disappeared down the hall into the dark. Tears fell down her cheeks; her hand gripping the door handle knowing she had to shut it behind him. Finally she closed the door, her forehead resting on the door as she took a few moments to compose herself.

 

[MorningStar]

They were desperate, and it looked as if there was no way out. But

"Oh thank god...Hold on Courtney! Hold on! Your mom is coming!"

Dr. Starr and Mike arrived and opened the door to the building. Delilah looked back and, despite the barrier that was still - albeit tenuously - holding, jumped as The Shape threw himself repeatedly against it. She pushed the others through the doorway and slipped inside.

Delilah started to breathe more normally once they were in the (apparent) safety of the offices. Mike was tending to Courtney and Ava, and Dr. Starr saw the wound in Nicolas' leg.

What happened here!?

Delilah slowly moved to sit down.

"He got...stabbed..."

Dr. Starr healed his leg - magically! - and then told them to stay inside the room while she and Michael left them.

Courtney was visibly upset. Delilah went over to her and gently put a hand on her back and rubbed it as she cried. Ava was on Courtney's other side, still stunned. Delilah to looked over to see Ava staring back at her. She reached around Courtney and grasped Ava's arm in support. Delilah had to be strong for her friends.

Then Nicolas decided to follow the adults.

"Nicolas!"

"Are you INSANE Nicolas. We need you here, goddamnit!"

But he didn't turn back. Delilah kicked the wall behind her in anger and frustration.

"This is crazy - we should all leave right now. INCLUDING your mom and Mike."