In the Grips of Fear, Beware - Part 5

By Nikki_Lynn

     "Wayne!" Mel shieked, as she watched the grdige give way. Wax turned to her.
     "Well, that takes care of that," he said, "Now... Are you going to give me your soul? Or do I have to take it by force?"
     Mel hung her head, resigning herself to the fact that there was nothing she could do for the moment.
     "Pity," said Wax, "Taking them by force is so much more amusing..."
     He cut her down from the poles, and wrapping his arm around her shoulder, escorted her around the side of the cliff and into a long tunnel. They walked down, deeper into the darkness, until finally they came upon a massive, open chamber. There, on an ornate stone pedestal, sst the jar that Mel and Wayne had been seeking...

* * * * *
     Wayne clung to the wooden planks of the bridge, which now hung like a ladder against the side of the cliff. The impact of hitting the rocky wall had knocked the wind out of him, but he was more or less alright. Grunting with the effort, he began to climb, using the planks as steps, at last pulling himself up onto the cliff. He collapsed to the ground, exhausted, but quickly forced himself to his feet, looking dowen at the ground... seeing the trail of footprints in the dust-covered ledge...
* * * * *
     Wax insisted upon teasing Mel, "You should be happy, my dear. Soon you'll be reunited with your little friends."
     Mel didn't say a word. She refused to give him the satifaction of letting him get to her.
     "Very well," Wax sighed, "Let's get on with it, shall we?"
     He began to approach the jar. Suddenly, a figure came from the shadows, tackling him. Wax landed hard, face down on the ground, growling with rage as the weight on his back pinned him to the floor, and two hands grabbed his wrists, holding them in place as well.
     "Wayne!" Mel cried, ecstatic to see him, "You're still here!"
     "Get the jar!" Wayne yelled, struggling to hold Wax down. Mel ran up to the pedestal, grabbing the jar. It was astonishingly warm. She tired to open it, but the lid wouldn't budge. Wax laughed.
     "Fool!" he ranted, "Only *I* know how to open that jar!"
     Mel looked at Wayne, her eyes asking him what to do. Wax seized the opportunity to overpower him, forcing Wayne onto his back as Wax straddled his waist, pinning him. Wax's hands gripped his brother's throat, stangling him. Wayne clawed at Wax's hands.
     "Break... it... " Wayne managed between gasps. Wax's hands suddenly loosened.
     "No!" he cried, "You'll release it!"
     But Mel had already flung the jar against the ground. It shattered, silvery-blue orbs floating up from the pieces... followed by a mass of green light that slowly began to take shape...
* * * * *
     "What *is* it?!" Mel cried as the blue orbs moved quickly away from the green light. The light slowly took shape... legs, arms, hands, head... claws... The form shifted its posture so that it stood on all fours, it's features becoming more defined... almost lizard-like...
     "It's a dragon," Wax squeaked, releasing his brother, "A very, very angry dragon..."
     Wayne and Wax both got to their feet. The dragon hissed at them advancing slowly, menacingly.
     "You imprisoned it, didn't you?" Mel accused.
     "No!" Wax cried, "It was already trapped. I just... used it's powers..."
     "No wonder its angry with you," said Wayne, quickly rejoining Mel.
     "You have to help me!" Wax cried, as the massive reptile swiped at him with its claws, "Brother... Please!"
     Wayne started to move toward the dragon, but Mel caught his arm, "What are you doing?!" she cried. Wax dove to the floor, avoiding the claws once more, backing up farther.
     "I can't just let it kill him..." said Wayne.
     "He'd let it kill you!" Mel responded, anger in her tone.
     "Exactly! That's why I have to help him. I *won't* fall to his level!" said Wayne. Wax screamed as the dragon backed him up against the wall. Wayne ran, darting in front of the creature, grabbing Wax, and throwing both himself and his brother out of the path of the dragon's claws. The dragon reared up on its hind legs, furious at having been denied its revenge, and turned it's attack on Wayne. Wax, true to his character, deserted his brother, running for the tunnel that lead to the cliffs. The dragon's attention was entirly focused on Wayne now, bringing a clawed foot up into the air over Wayne's head, poised to strike. Just as the dragon was about to crush Wayne, the blue orbs surrounded the dragon, somehow restraining it long enough for Wayne to get out of the way. Wayne grabbed Mel's hand, and pulled her towards the tunnel, the orbs not far behind. They burst into the dwindling daylight, the enraged creature following. As Wayne turned, he caught a glimpse of Wax at the top of the cliff, prying at a large boulder with a pole. The rock came loose, tumbling down, followed by a small avalanche, blocking the tunnel. The dragon roared from behind the rocks.
     "Is it my imagination... Or did Wax just save us?!" Mel asked, utterly shocked. Wayne looked up at the top of the cliff where Wax still stood.
     "I didn't have to wait, you know," Wax called down to them, "I could have trapped you all in there!"
     "So why didn't you?" Mel replied, perplexed. Wax shrugged, and looked directly at Wayne.
     "You saved my life, brother," Wax called, "Consider this repayment in full. But next time we meet... I won't be so generous."
     He glared at the group for a moment, before turning and walking away, quickly disappearing from view.
     "Well... I never would've expected *that*," said Mel. Wayne didn't answer. The orbs gathered around the two of them, obviously glad to be free.
     "How do we get them back into their bodies?" Wayne asked.
     "Wayne? Mel?" Ryan's voice called. Mel looked around, "Ryan?"
     "Yeah!" Ryan'd disembodied voice replied, "The girls say not to worry about them. They'll follow me and Greg back."
     "Greg's here, too?" Wayne asked.
     "Sure am!" Greg's voice replied, "Nikki_Lynn and Linz said something about the two of us being half here and half in our own dreams. Kinda like a bridge... And they're all getting really impaciet... We're outta here!"
     Greg's last few words seemed to echo and fade away, as the orbs shimmered and vanished...
* * * * *
     Wayne sat up, finding himself once again in the hotel room, Colin and Brad lookin anxiously at him and Mel.
     "Are they back? Are they alright?" Wayne asked.
     "Never better," said Nikki_Lynn, smiling from across the room. Wayne stood up, rushing to her, and hugging her... and then hugging Holly and then Babs and then Mel...
* * * * *
     Not much later, the group, now reunited at last, made a trip to St. Francis Memorial Hospital where they were greeted by a ver frustrated Linz.
     "Will you *please* tell these doctors to get away from me?" she cried, "Ever since I woke up, all they've done is poke me and prod me and probe me... And frankly, I've had my blood pressure taken more times that I'd care to count!"
     Brad burst out laughing at Linz's rant, to which Linz replied by hurling her pillow at him, nailing him square in the chest. Wayne sat down on the edge of her bed and gave her a quick hug.
     "Well, don't worry," he said, "You're free to go."
     "Thank God!" Linz cried. In no time, she was dressed, and headed out the door, the rest of the Brady Bunch and the guys following closely. They all travelled to the airport together to say their good-byes.
* * * * *
     The Brady Bunch reluctantly boarded their flights for home, Holly and Babs leaving first, then Mel, until only Linz and Nikki_Lynn remained.
     "Well, I guess this is it," said Nikki_Lynn, "Next time I come to LA, remind me not to get involved in one of Wax's evil plots..."
     "Like you have a choice?" Linz grinned.
     "Good point," Nikki_Lynn laughed, "Well, I hope he's at least a little more considerate about the timing next time. I'd like to see a taping of Whose Line and actually be able to enjoy it!"
     "*I'd* like to be able to see a taping, period!" Linz replied. The guys stood, laughing quietly at this exchange. Finally, it came time for both girls to leave.
     "Bye, you two," said Wayne, "I'm gonna miss ya!"
     He hugged them again.
     "Keep that up," said Nikki_Lynn, "And you'll never get rid of us!"
     They stretched out their goodbyes as long as they could, before Linz and Nikki_Lynn each boarded their separate flights. When they were gone, the guys made their way back to the parking lot.
     "So," said Ryan, "You think this is the last we'll see of Wax for awhile?"
     "I wouldn't count on it," Wayne sighed...

The End.

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