Title: Lina in Horrorland

Author: Yugure

Rating: R

Comments: I'm thinking about changing the rating to PG-13, because so far nothing really bad has happened. What do you, the readers, think? Is this (so far) suitable for teens 13 and up? This chapter is written on lots of anger and frustration (the damn halogen lamp burned out so I'm practically sitting here in the dark and my friggin' MP3 player has gone completely out of whack. Sodding piece of plastic… *throws the player at the wall*)

Disclaimer: I don't own the Slayers, I just like using them in my stories.

Chapter 5: Relapse

Zelgadis closed the door behind Amelia, turned the locks and slid the bolts into place, and sighed heavily. He could still hear Lina rummaging around in the kitchen, most likely looking for more food to inhale. Zelgadis didn't immediately return; he was busy thinking about what, exactly, he was supposed to do now.

"Sylphiel did a great job," Lina said, still busy poking around in cupboards, her voice floating down the hallway. "I feel so much better now…"

"Even after your head hit the floor and bounced? Shouldn't you be in excruciating pain right now?" Zelgadis replied. He rested his arm on the kitchen doorway and leaned against the doorframe. Lina looked up from her crouched position on the floor beside the pantry and frowned at him.

"Well, yes, duh, that part still hurts. And I'm really tired. But the worst of it has passed."

"If you're feeling up to it, we can leave today." Zelgadis turned and walked away. There was silence for a moment, followed by a loud thump as something heavy was put down, and the sound of footsteps hurrying across the hardwood floor.

"What do you mean, 'leave'?" Lina asked, grabbing Zelgadis's arm and forcing him to face her.

"Have you already forgotten that you're not supposed to be here?"

"No~ooo…"

"Well, the only way I see for you to get back to… wherever it is you're supposed to be, is to see the Queen." Zelgadis waggled his arm in attempts to dislodge the tight grip binding him to the small woman, but Lina didn't let go.

"The queen? Is she the one in charge of this whole place?"

"Yeah, you could say that." Lina noticed the shiftiness in Zelgadis's eyes and she tightened her grasp on his arm.

"You look pretty paranoid. Is something wrong?"

"No, it's nothing… but maybe you could let go of my arm?"

"Oh. Sorry." Lina's hand dropped back to her side.

"The trip will be about a week, if we're lucky. We should leave soon, within the next day or so, if not today."

"If I can just get a clean set of clothes, I'll be ready today," Lina replied. She glared at the skeptical look on Zelgadis's face. "What? Really, I'm fine."

"I can't be dragging across the countryside like a sack of potatoes. You have to be strong enough to support yourself. If you don't think you can do it, we'll wait until you've rested."

"I just told you I'll be okay, dammit," Lina growled. "Even the pain is receding from that smack on the floor." She started to walk down the hall, as if to prove her point.

In truth, Lina's head was still throbbing. Sylphiel had done an amazing job, but the reintroduction with the floor had brought a new set of problems. Lina wasn't one to dilly-dally, however, and she wanted to be active as soon as possible.

Even though she wouldn't mind spending a few more days with Zelgadis…

"If you say so," Zelgadis began when Lina stumbled into the wall and slumped to the ground. Zelgadis immediately scooped up the fallen girl into his arms and brought her back to his room. "Methinks you should get some more sleep."

"Bugger off," Lina mumbled, her head resting on Zelgadis's chest and her face buried in his shirt. "Jus' cuz' someone stuck an axe in my brain doesn't mean I can't…"

"Stop talking," Zelgadis commanded, and although he couldn't see it, he knew Lina was glowering at him.

Moments later, Lina was tucked back in under blankets and propped up with pillows. Zelgadis resisted the urge to kiss her forehead. Lina succumbed to the newly arisen pain and allowed sleep to take her.

Next chapter: The story finally goes somewhere! Zel and Lina actually leave the house and set out for the Queen's castle. The horror is only beginning for these two. Will they ever make it to their destination?