Here We Go

Here We Go Part 12

[Syphus HQ, Nelson Syphus' Office, Yesterday 5:24 pm]

Phantom 591 was straining to hold Wesley back, as Phantom 748 grabbed Deb's arms so hard, she could feel pressure on her bones.

Nelson Syphus: You know what I want, Deb. Agree to do it, and I'll leave your lover boy alone...for the most part.

Wes: Leave her alone, Nelson! It's me you want!

Syphus chuckled, shaking his head.

Syphus: Ah, Wes.

He walked over to him, placing his hand on Wes' shoulder.

Syphus: I need you both. Now, if you won't cooperate, there will be consequences.

Without warning, he went over to Deb, pulling a knife out of his pocket and pressing it against her neck.

Wes: No!

Wes remembered the last time Nelson had done that. Wes believed, foolishly, that Nelson wouldn't do it. And Deb now bore a scar from it. Wes wasn't going to have that happen again.

And Deb knew that. She sighed, then raised her head to look at Syphus. Pain and anger flared in her eyes, enough to make even Syphus flinch.

Deb: Alright, Snake.

Nelson bared his teeth at the nickname.

Deb: I'll make the serum and antidote. As long as you swear by the Nelson Syphus Snakes, you won't hurt Wesley, in any shape or form. That includes injecting him with that damn serum.

Wes: No, Deb! Not for me!

Nelson pondered for a moment, then turned to Wes.

Syphus: She's made me an offer, but what will you offer me?

Wes: And if I offer you nothing, Snake?

Nelson twitched his hand, and 748 applied more pressure to Deb's arms. She cried out in pain, but let no tears fall. She would not give Nelson that satisfaction. Not again.

Wes: Damn it, Nelson! Stop!

748 waited for Nelson's signal, then let Deb drop to the floor. She glared at Syphus, then gently rubbed her arms.

Wes: Fine. I'll tra-train your phantoms.

Syphus raised his eyebrows. He was getting better deals than he could have hoped for. He nodded to 591, and Wes went to Deb's side, holding her close. He went to the door, whispered a few words to 591, then turned back to Wes and Deb.

Syphus: By the Nelson Syphus Snakes, I honor both of your agreements, and will uphold them. Phantoms 591 & 748 witness this.

Wes gave a nod, then turned away. Syphus left, taking 591 & 748 with him. He locked the door, then listened.

Wes: Do you think the madman will honor that, Deb?

Deb: Wesley, that is pretty much saying "if I break this, the two witnesses here can chop off my head". I think that'll hold him. You know that, besides the serum, he cares about living more than anything else.

Wes: Hard to believe we ever thought of him as a friend.

Nelson felt something in his eye. It dripped onto his cheek. He wiped away a tear. He mentally scolded himself for falling into emotion and left. He had to make sure the cell for Wes and Deb was set up right. But..--No! Forget those emotions, it nearly cost you last time. Not this time, Deb. Not this time.

Deb and Wes held each other and tended to the marks and scratches caused by the phantoms. Deb's arms were covered in red marks, bruised and swollen. Wes had a busted lip and a lump under his eye. But neither cared. They were happy that they were still together this time.