Name: Dream Dangerously, Fassbender Fan, Jimjamz
Title: Changes (part 6)
Disclaimer: characters belong to the writers of Hex and Shine Entertainment with the exception of original characters created for this fic.
Character focus: Cassie/Thelma/Azazeal.
Rating: PG
Summary: Cassie returns to Medenham after the events of Series 1 to discover some shocking changes. This was originally written as a continue the plot fic on the Strange Thoughts board.
Context: Just after series 1, an alternative version of events to series 2.
Keywords: drama,

"Bunty!"

Peggy grinned and held out her arms as Thelma walked into the room. She hadn't been to see her in the last few days, what with everything that had went on. She'd been reluctant to leave Cassie, especially when she'd told her about her dream, but her friend had made her go, to see if she'd had found out anything.

"So, what brings you hear at this late hour then?" Peggy asked once Thelma had settled down beside her, whose eyes travelled over the thick books that lay open on the table in front of them.
"I need to know, Cassie needs to know...if you found out anything" She began, her eyes darting around the room. Peggy rested her hands on top of Thelma's fidgeting ones, and gave her a sad look.
"Where to begin?"

*

Cassie paced around the room, waiting for Thelma to return. She promised she'd be as quick as possible, but asked Cassie not to wait up for her, as it might take some time. But she couldn't help it. She was restless. A dream like that would've creeped anyone out. She walked over to the window, staring out into the dark grounds. Everything was still, silent, heightening Cassie's sense of fear. It was too serene, too peaceful. Even the wind didn't seem to be blowing. She shook her head, as if trying to make her thoughts go away. As she focused on the glass again, she saw a dark figure reflected in it. Taking a deep breath, she turned round...

*

"...So the key to all of it, its...here?" Thelma asked Peggy, who nodded. Thelma raised an eyebrow, before jumping off the couch.

"You will come back, wont you, bunty?" Peggy asked as the ghost turned to leave, "I do miss you when you're gone"

"'Course I will" Thelma said hoarsely, not even sure why she was upset. She gave the other ghost a faint smile before leaving the room.

She made her way back to the dorm, going over exactly what Peggy had told her. She'd just began to climb the stairs when she heard the faint screams...coming from the direction of their room...

Panic rising in her chest, she ran to the dorm. The door was closed. Her hand closed around the handle, and she slowly pushed the door open, terrified of what she'd find on the other side...

There was no sign of a struggle. And there was no sign of Cassie.

An uneasy feeling rose in the pit of Thelma's stomach, she scanned the room for what seemed like the hundredth time. Cassie was gone. Blinking away tears Thelma's mind worked overtime as she struggled to think of a solution; a plan; a way to get her love back.
*

Cassie's feet found the cold floor beneath her feet as she regained her balance, shaking of the grasp of her captor. A strange sensation flowed through her body like ice water had been pumped through her veins. She shivered as she eyed Azazeal stood opposite her. His arms folded and his face wore an expression of satisfaction Cassie didn't find too comforting.

"I should've known.." Cassie was no longer scared of Azazeal, she spoke with a confidence that contradicted her situation "Had to send one of your minions to fetch me did you?" she cast a displeasing look at the stranger by her side, ready to pounce if she dared run.

The poor lighting cast generous shadows upon Azazeal's handsome face, his chiselled features perfectly illuminated as he smiled at his former lover.

"I didn't have to send anyone, but I feel my presence at your school. In your room may be arousing suspicion" raising an eyebrow he approached Cassie without any element of caution.

"Touch me and.."

"And what?"

"I'll..."

"You'll what Cassie? Are you going to fight me? Kill me?" his laugh echoed across the stone walls surrounding the three, though Cassie sensed more were hidden from her view. More Nephilim under Azazeal's command.

Cassie scanned the room focusing upon a worn and broken chandelier to the right of them. Squinting she focused her energy upon the rusting chain holding it..if only she could..

"Dropping a broken light fitting is not going to do much to help you now is it Cassie?"

Her eyes snapped back to Azazeal. A feeling of great helplessness washed over her, once again she felt herself drawn to him, under his power. No! She unconsciously shook herself free of his thrall...she wasn't going to succumb again. She couldn't!

"Time is running out Cassie. I am tired of these games, I have given you the choice now make your decision or I will be forced to remove all obstacles.." the intensity in which he uttered the all sent shivers down her spine..she knew she could not challenge this without losing..

Thelma knew she had to find a way to make Cassie see sense a way to tell her that Azazeal was only out to hurt her and that he didn't really love her.

She knew a person who always understood her problems also tried to help her through them..............Peggy.

So off she went in search of her loyal friend....

Thelma dodged the usual business of the hallways as students darted back and forth unaware of her presence. Scowling at individuals Thelma eventually found herself beside the library door..She was sure Peggy would be here, 'twas her usual haunt during the day.

Opening the door Thelma's heart did a happy jump as she spotted her paranormal paramour in an armchair beside the piano..But something was wrong. Something was terribly wrong.
*

Cassie nursed the bruise emerging on her cheek, as she lay slumped in a dusty corner. Cobwebs felt their way through her blonde hair as angry tears pricked the corners of her eyes.

In the centre of the room Azazeal and a member of the Nephilim, who Cassie now knew went by the name of Gadreel, were arguing.

"...Who told you to hit her? How dare you defy me?" Azazeal's voice boomed across the room dripping with an anger Cassie hadn't witnessed before this.

"..But what about the prophecy sire? She is not going to come willingly and if it's true, if Michael-"

"It is not true. Do you have no faith in me?"

"I--" Gadreel dropped his head in surrender and mumbled something Cassie couldn't quite make out.

The pain in her cheek aching and stinging as she struggled to keep her focus on escape and the hope that Thelma would come rushing through the door. Any minute now.
*

Thelma stood in the doorway panic making her heart race, beating so loudly she was sure the passing students would hear her.

Trembling slightly she entered the library, a warm musty smell filling her nostrils but an ice-cold air surrounded her.

She stopped behind the chair, the dark leather shining in the sunlight from a nearby window; she noticed a liquid substance across the arm. Blood. But Peggy couldn't-

"Hello Thelma" the figure in the chair stood and turned toward the young ghost.

Thelma stumbled as relief swam over her quickly replaced by fear.

"It has been a while since our last meeting, I trust you remember me?"

"Sariel" was the only response Thelma's mouth would allow her..
*
The door swung open with a loud bang. Cassie's eyes widened as hope leapt into her chest. Thel-

But it wasn't Thelma that stood silhouetted by the blinding sunlight outside but Michael. His tiny figure entered the room, his child hands clutching something Cassie squinted to see..

"Hello Father, I believe you have been expecting me?"

"Ah, Michael" Azazeal grinned, as the boy strolled towards him, not noticing Cassie slumped in the corner.

"I could only get the second piece. She said she didn't know where the last was," Michael explained, turning the object over in his hands, which Azazeal was eying hungrily. The door was still open...

She only had a split second to think, but she knew she must act on her instincts. Cassie pushed herself up as quietly as possible, all the while keeping her eyes on the three in the middle of the room. Blessing the dust on the floor that muffled her quickened footsteps, she was nearly at the door. Not long now...

"NO!" She screamed, as something heavy connected with the side of her head, the force of the blow knocking her to the floor.

She didn't get back up...

*

"That's right" Sariel said softly. He gazed at the figure on the floor, a sickening smile spreading across his features.
"D-did you do this?" Thelma asked.
"Yes" Sariel whispered, taking his place back in the armchair.
"W-why?"
"He knew far too much" Sariel said casually, "I had to dispose of him"
Thelma took a few steps backwards, worry rising in her chest as she stared at the body. Sariel must've got it wrong.... how could Troy know anything?

Thelma stared at his limp lifeless body now visible beyond the great armchair where Sariel was perched without a hint of remorse or caring.

Thelma's stomach twisted and tears dripped from her chin, she had never cared for Troy. She hadn't even liked him but she didn't want him dead. He was an innocent as far as all this was concerned..

Sariel watched Thelma intently before sighing loudly and examining his nails whilst he spoke:

"There's no good staring at him, 'fraid he's not coming back. He's not as...resilient as you" he raised an eyebrow as he said resilient drawing attention to the fact that Thelma was not meant to be as she was

Thelma spun around to face the demon, her watery eyes wide and angry.
"What did he know? He didn't deserve this!" she spat, failing to control her anger, she lunged at Sariel...
*

Cassie lay on the floor unconscious, Michael's eyes fixed upon the cut now bleeding profusely into the dusty cracks of the stone floor

"How could..I thought-"

"Michael you need to realize Cassie is pivotal to our plans, we can't have her running off.." Azazeal said Cooley sparing a single glance at Cassie's motionless body.

Michael's expression changed into one of rage at the sight of his wounded mother, he thrust the artefact into Azazeal's arms and knelt beside the blonde, tenderly reaching a hand toward her wound.

"What are you doing?" Azazeal's voice stirred with anger and fear as he pocketed the object and turned his attention toward his son.

"I won't let you do this" Michael lifted Cassie's body placing her arm around his neck and supporting her with his weight. A bizarre sight considering Michael's boyish size.

From the other side of the room Gadreel began to laugh...Azazeal glared at the angel as he watched Michael carry his mother to the door

"You will regret this." Azazeal muttered through gritted teeth as he watched, rooted to the spot, as his son walked away, betraying him as he went.

An uneasy silence filled the cavernous room until Gadreel spoke once more

"So the prophecy was true then...well I guess we can't complain that we didn't see it coming!" his laughter rang out once more silenced by the hand now grasping his throat

"Do not give up on us yet dear friend.the prophecy spoke of Michael's betrayal yes Azazeal's hand tightened around Gadreel's throat but it also spoke of our triumph, if this much has transpired then what follows will be very interesting indeed." he smirked and loosened his grip throwing Gadreel across the room and into an ageing wooden cabinet as he did. Strolling from the room his black duster billowed behind him, a smug grin spread across his face...

Michael stumbled through the grounds towards the school, finding it more and more difficult to support his mothers weight with each step he took. He breathed a sigh of relief as he spotted the entrance, hoping that the rest of the students were in classes so they could get through the school unnoticed.

He kept his hand on the cut, which was still bleeding profusely. The corridors were empty, as he stumbled round them, trying to remember where Cassie's room was. His ears pricked at the slightest sound, paranoid someone would walk out a classroom and see him. As he passed a slightly open door, he heard a familiar voice...

"Get off me, fool! I can do you more harm than your trying now, GET OFF!"

"Sariel..." He whispered, pushing the door open, the scene before him making him take a slight step back.

A body on the floor. The ghost girl, Thelma, on top of Sariel, furiously trying to punch every bit of him her fists found. Sariel with a look of pure rage across his face, his Nephilim features coming out....

"STOP!" Michael screamed, laying Cassie on a couch near the door. He ran forward, but there was really no need. As soon as the angel saw him, he vanished, leaving Thelma furiously pummelling the floor.

"You evil, foul, horr-oh..." Thelma looked round, her eyes resting on Michael, "You! What are you doing here? Did you have something to do with this?" She gestured towards Troy.

"No, I didn't have anything to do with it...and I was bringing my mother back here, when I heard you and Sariel..."

"Your mother? You mean Cassie? You brought her back?" Thelma's eyes lit up, a look of happiness spreading across her features, "Where is she then? Was she asking for me? Is she okay?"

"She's just there" Michael whispered, gesturing towards the couch. Thelma looked over, her eyes widening as she spotted the unconscious form of Cassie. Without a word she got up from her position on the floor, and ran over to the couch.

"Cassie? Wake up, it's me. Thelma. Your safe now"

The blonde stirred, opening her eyes wearily. Her hand automatically went up to her wound, and she brought it down, staring at the blood.

"What happened?"

"Shouldn't we get her to a hospital?" Thelma shot Michael a concerned look, speaking as though he was no longer their enemy.

"No..I..Thelma.." Cassie's stuttered in a breathless voice struggling to speak

"Ssshh Cass, it's okay, I'm here." Thelma gently stoked her friend's hair looking deep into her eyes with a private affection

"No..I..I don't want to go to hospital not after.." again Cassie's voice faded as her energy drained from her seemingly into the pool of blood she was slowly creating on the plush carpet where she now lay

"Oh" realization struck Thelma like a fist, here she was suggesting hospital's when Cassie's first and last experience had resulted in the birth of Michael. Michael who now stood gingerly behind the ghost eyeing Cassie's wound with fear

"Maybe we should just take her to your room, I think I can stop the bleeding" there was no air of confidence or friendly tone in the baritone voice behind Thelma's ear, glancing at Cassie she nodded reluctantly helping the child lift his kin to her feet once more.