Black And White

Chapter 12

"You excited?"
"Nervous."
"Don't worry, you'll be great."
Curt and Owen stood hand-in-hand in front of PEIP HQ. This was the place they met. It was the place where they had fallen in love.
"Ready to go in?"
"Just one thing I need first." Owen leaned over to Curt and their lips met briefly.
Curt blushed as his lips curved into a smile. He had missed being able to do that.
"Let's go." Owen opened the door and the two walked in. They wandered the familiar corridors, with bright white walls and grey carpet. Everything was just as Owen remembered it. Not a single speck of dust out of place. He finally started to feel as though he was settling back into life on earth.
He smiled wistfully as he remembered how much he had always loved his job. He couldn't wait to get back. He couldn't wait to see all of his friends again.
The first person he and Curt saw that day was Xander. They strolled into his office together to find out what their first assignment together since getting back would be.
"Curt, Owen," He nodded at them, "Sit."
"Hey." Curt said whilst Owen settled on just a nod.
"God, it's weird seeing you two together again. Anyway, sorry to throw you right in at the deep end but some of us are going back to the black and white to speak with Webby."
Owen and Curt both tensed up and their faces fell.
"Don't worry, don't worry, we wouldn't make you two go back there. But since you two have already spoken with Webby and, Owen, you've spent a lot of time there, we were hoping you could help us whilst we're in there."
"Okay." Owen said, still slightly tense. And still cringing at the mention of his time serving Wiggly.
"Good. We just need help finding our way into the white and we don't know if Webby will trust us or not."
"I would guess she will," Curt said.
"I didn't spend a lot of time in the white, but from what I know, she knows who she can trust and who she can't. She's smart that way."
"You mean she's magic that way."
"More or less, yeah."
Owen and Curt smiled at one another, momentarily forgetting Xander was there, until he cleared his throat.
"None of that when we're there."
"Of course not." Owen said, stifling a grin.
The three left for the room where the portal was. Just before they went to the portal, all of them, including Curt and Owen, had to wear suits just in case the portal malfunctioned since they were staying in the room, much to Owen's disgust.
"That thing does not look comfortable. Isn't it heavy?" Owen said when he looked at it.
"It's not that bad. I wore it the whole time I was in the black and white. When I found and saved you."
"Yeah, but-"
"Don't be such a baby, Owen." Curt mocked him.
Owen stared, laughing in disbelief, "Says you!"
"Well, yes. I did say it."
"How are out daughters, by the way?"
Xander looked at them, bewildered, "Did I miss something? Forgive me for saying so but I think you two have enough on your plates at the moment without two children." He laughed, pretty confident that they were joking. But he had to make sure.
"Yeah, that's not coming for a long time." Owen said as he got into his suit.
"Right, good." He decides not to enquire any further.
When the three were fully equipped, they met another couple of agents in the room. It was still totally pitch black, not unlike Wiggly's sector of the black and white. Curt and Owen stood way back as they entered through the portal to avoid being sucked in, but that didn't stop sparks from aggressively jumping at them. They slammed the door shut, spun the wheel and then tested their mics to make sure Xander and the others could hear them over the comms. They turned on their torches and kept notepads in front of them.
They guided the agents through the black to the door, warning them to keep hold of a rope and within a few minutes they were travelling through Webby's domain.
"This is fuckin' bright." Xander said.
"You get used to it," Owen said, "Now, all three of you have to keep hold of that rope or you'll get lost and then you're just screwed."
"Got it." One of the other agents said.
For the next few minutes, nothing much happened. Until a few gasps and "whoa"s could be heard from the other side. Then Curt and Owen immediately recognised the sweet voice filling the air.
"Hello."
"H-hi," Xander responded. They had never heard him stutter before.
"I know why you're here."
"You do?"
She laughed, "Of course. You intend to see what I know about my evil counterpart in order to destroy him once and for all."
"Y-yes."
"Well, I can't help you. Wiggly cannot be defeated. I have been trying for centuries. He has been trying to do the same to me. You have done all that can be done. However, I can tell you how to keep him away from Earth when the time comes that he has rebuilt his strength."
Curt and Owen took notes as Webby explained what to do to the three agents, but just after she finished talking, a clatter could be heard and the coms cut off.
"What the hell just happened?" Owen nearly dropped his torch.
"I don't know." Curt hit the edge of his helmet with his hand and heard Xander's voice for a second. All he got was an agonised "hurry" before he was gone.
"Shit." Curt muttered.
"What?"
"We have to go back there." Curt felt his heart rate quicken and slight dizziness coming over him.
"No. There is no way. I am not-"
"They're in danger."
"I can't go back there, Curt!"
Curt realised Owen had tears streaming down his face and took his hand. "It's okay, I'll be right there with you. We'll be out in no time."
"I-I can't."
"I don't want to either, but if we don't get there soon it'll be too late."
Reluctantly, Owen approached the portal and Curt opened it.

~

(A/N: Hey, so I've started planning another Curwen story that I'll start posting after this one is finished. I have no clue when that'll be since I just don't really have a plan for this story but I've learnt from this and I'm putting a lot into planning the next one. That should make it a bit easier to write I hope.)