"Nightmare at Mesa Terrace" 
Written by: sshilling72@yahoo.com


Trisha Shafton was in chains. On a near-by table, Hulk was chained down, he 
struggled with the chain. 
"Let go!" He roared, tensing to break his bonds. Their captor approached. 
"Do not struggle, it is useless," it said. The two were being held captive by a 
giant, worm-like creature. His mouth beset with sharp teeth, when he spoke, his 
long tongue slurped out. Captain Leech aimed a laser cannon at Trisha. "Do you 
see this laser cannon?" He inquired of Hulk. "It is directly connected with your 
chains. If those chains break, your little girlfriend gets it. Got it?"
"No hurt Hulk Trisha."
"Forget about me, Hulk! Save yourself, please! You can do it!" Trisha encouraged 
him.
"Bloodsucker! Start the process!" Captain Leech ordered.
"Aye, aye, Captain," answered another leech.
"Hulk! Save yourself!" Trisha pleaded, screamed.
The coal-black eyes turned to her, with a look of love. "Friend. Hulk save."
"No, Hulk! Don't let them do this!" Trisha pleaded as Bloodsucker flipped a 
switch. Hulk roared in pain as his energy began to drain.
"No, Hulk! NO!" Trisha made a move to reach out to him, but found herself 
reaching out into the darkness of her own room.
The door opened, and Carol Shafton, Trisha's widowed mother, hurried in, having 
been awakened by her daughter's calling out. "Trisha, what is it?!"
Trisha turned a fearful eye to her mother. "It's awful, mom! They have Hulk and 
are going to kill him!"
"Who will?" Ms. Shafton knew full well about her daughter's friendship with the 
giant mutant.
"These giant leeches from my dream!"
A puzzled look entered her mother's face. "Wait. This was a dream?"
"It's more than a dream. It's a warning. Hulk let them take his power because 
they threatened me !"
Carol Shafton yawned. "It was just a dream, honey. Go back to sleep."
But, Trisha couldn't sleep. The vividness of her dream made that impossible. The 
lack of sleep showed itself in the dark circles under her eyes the next day. Dr. 
Bruce Banner, Hulk's alter ego, noticed it when Trisha stopped by the lab for a 
visit.
"What's wrong, Trish? You look like you haven't been sleeping well."
"I haven't," she admitted. "I've been having dreams that Hulk lost his power."
"I understand. Dreaming about that monster keeps me awake too."
"Would you stop calling him that!?!" Trisha scolded, and Banner grinned to 
himself.
In Banner's own dreams, he would be running, with Hulk in pursuit. "Banner! 
Always Banner! Hulk hate Banner!" Hulk shouted after his creator. Banner ducked 
behind a large cactus, trying to catch his breath. Hoping he lost his pursuer, 
Banner peeked around the edge of the cactus. Suddenly, the cactus turned into a 
giant, green hand, and Banner found himself look up at the giant face of his own 
creation. 
"Hulk catch Banner! Now, smash!" The giant drew back a fist, and Banner cowered, 
preparing to be pounded. But, the blow never came. Something stayed the giant 
fist. 
Cautiously, Banner looked up to see a light had opened up between them, and a 
young, female figure appeared. It was Trisha. She looked more like a hippie 
flower child than the young woman Banner knew. She wore a tie-dyed skirt and 
matching halter-top. There were sandals on her feet, and a pair of brightly-
colored love beads about her neck. Her long, soft, brown hair was pulled back in 
a mustard-color head scarf, held in place by a headband. A pink-edged daisy was 
inserted behind her ear. On her right arm was a green arm band with a white 
peace symbol on it. On her left wrist was a yarn friendship bracelet. Her left 
hand up raised in a peace sign. But, it was Trisha nonetheless.
Banner listened now as Trisha recounted her own dream. "I think it's more than a 
dream. It's a warning for you to be careful," she concluded as Dr. Betty Ross, 
Banner/Hulk's girlfriend, entered the lab. 
"What's wrong, Bruce? Is someone in trouble?" Dr. Ross asked, having heard 
Trisha's warning.
"Hulk," Trisha answered before Banner could.
"If your dream's anything to go on," he added. "Trisha had a dream that Hulk 
lost his power."
"It was just a dream, Trisha," Dr. Ross tried to reassure the girl. "Hulk can 
take care of himself."
"That's just it. He let them hurt him to save me. And, if I had a quarter for 
everytime I heard that this was just a dream, I'm have fifty cents already."
"Speaking of fifty-cents," Dr. Ross laughingly changed the subject. "Your mother 
asked me to have you stop by the office, Trisha. She said a surprise came 
today."
Trisha's mother was the secretary for General Thaddues Ross, Dr. Ross' father, 
who was a tireless pursuer of her giant friend. With a final warning to Banner 
to be careful, Trisha departed the lab.
Trisha was right, her dream was a warning. Miles away, in a mountain cave, the 
Leech People from her dream were hiding. Bloodsucker turned to his captain.
"We found the bait, Captain."
"Excellent. The girl cares so much for her giant friend that she wishes no harm 
to come to him. That will play perfectly into our plan. Now, then, to find 
Hulk."
A red-haired boy of six sat in a chair in General Ross' office, watching while 
Ms. Shafton worked. He wore worn jeans and dirty sneakers, a backpack and 
skateboard at his feet. He began to figet with his backpack.
"Rusty, please! Would you stop that fidgeting!?" Carol Shafton ordered as the 
door opened.
"Hi, Mom," Trisha greeted. "Dr. Ross said you wanted to see me about something?"
"I did. We have a visitor."
Trisha didn't notice her cousin, Rusty Shafton, until her mother mentioned him. 
Rusty was related to Trisha on her father's side of the family.
"Hi, Rusty."
"Hey, Trisha."
"When did you get in?"
"When Aunt Carol opened the door," the boy retorted.
"He'll be spending a few weeks of summer vacation with us," Carol explained.
"A totally bogus vacation," Rusty added his opinion. "I haven't ridden my 
skateboard yet."
"We can drop your stuff off at home, then I'll take you to the skateboard 
range," Trisha offered.
"Oh, great! Spending my time with a bunch of geeks."
"Hey! Some of those geeks are my friends!" Trisha scolded. "Now, come on!"
"So, you know the Hulk, huh?" Rusty asked as he and Trisha crossed the parking 
lot to the skateboarding range.
"Sure do. He saved my life," Trisha told her cousin about her friendship with 
the giant. Rusty glanced cockily at his teenaged cousin. "If you're a friend of 
his, where is he?"
Trisha shrugged. "Who knows? He only shows up when he wants to, and I guest he 
just doesn't want to." Trisha, of course, knew that Banner was Hulk, but had 
promised to keep it a secret, even from her cousin.
Trisha sat on the grass, and lay back in the warm ray of sunshine. Rusty put on 
his knee and elbow pads. As he was buckling his helmet, he noticed a figure in 
the sky. The shape grew larger as it approached. Hulk landed with a thud. 
"Uh, Trisha," Rusty began.
"Yeah?"
"You have a visitor."
"Hi, Hulk," Trisha lazily waved, without opening her eyes.
"How Trisha know?" The giant was surprised.
"You're the only one who can cast a shadow that big," She glanced sideways up at 
her giant friend. "Hulk, this is my cousin, Rusty."
"Hulk thought Andy was Trisha's cousin."
"She is, on my mom's side of the family."
"Trisha have two cousins?"
"Everyone has more than two," Rusty answered. "Boy, are you . . . ."
"Rusty!" Trisha scolded. The boy picked up his skateboard. "I'll see you losers 
later." A swat from Trisha sent him off to skate with the other kids.
"Sit down," Trisha invited Hulk to sit beside her on the grass. "So, what are 
you doing here?"
"Men with guns try hurt Hulk. Trisha no try hurt, Hulk friend."
"They didn't hurt you, did they?"
"Hulk no hurt."
"That's good. Hulk, I had a dream about you the other day. I dreamed some 
leeches stole your power."
"Hulk still strong."
"If they threatned me, what would you do?"
"Not hurt Hulk Trisha. Hulk save."
"What if, by saving me, you get hurt?" Trisha urged as Rusty approached.
"What are you two losers talking about?"
"I had a dream about him the other night," Trisha answered. "We kissed."
"EW! COOTIES!" Rusty exclaimed in disgust.
"Just kidding," Trisha laughed at his disgust. "It was more of a nightmare. 
Everyone tells me it was a dream, but, Hulk. I think it was a warning for you to 
be careful."


PART 2

Hulk sagged back to rest. Rusty was tying his shoes,
and not really paying attention. Trisha didn't want
to take any chances. She put her hand over his eyes.

"What the hey! I can't see!" Rusty managed to squirm
free in time to see Hulk shrink. The boy's mouth fell
open in awe as Hulk turned back into Banner. "Whoa!" 
He breathed.

"Huh? Where am I?" Banner knew instinctively what
had happened. He had turned into Hulk, and Hulk, in
turn had sought out his friend, Trisha.

"Hi, Doc," Trisha greeted him. "This is my cousin,
Rusty. Rusty, this is my friend, Doc Banner."

"Whoa, that was so cool!" The boy exhaulted. "How
did you do that?!"

"I turn into Hulk when angered," Banner got to his
feet. "Hulk knows who his friends are, they calm the
creature. When calmed, I'm me again."

"You know the secret, Rusty," Trisha grew serious. 
"You've got to swear to secrecy."

A cocky light lept into her cousin's blue eyes. 
"What's it worth to you for me to keep quiet?"

"The most excellent promise you can make?" Trisha
quoted a line from "E.T."

"Give me a break!" Rusty exclaimed. "A secret this
big needs some kind of collateral."

Trisha sighed. "O.k., weasel-boy, what do you want?"
"Your c.d. collection."

"You want a bunch of Monkees c.d.s? O.k., they're
yours. But, listen, if you breath a word of this to
anyone, living or dead, I'm going to paint your
nails."
Rusty hastily agreed to keep the secret.

That night, it was Banner's turn to dream. His dream
tonight picked up where the other had left off, with a
hippie Trisha appearing to protect him from being
pounded by a giant Hulk.

For the first time, Banner saw a change on the giant
face. The bushy eyebrows arched in surprise when
Trisha appeared, then an expression of love replaced
the one of hate.

"Trisha?"

"It's me, Hulk. Please don't hurt him."

"Brave to help Banner. Hulk thought Trisha Hulk
friend."

"You and Banner are my friends. He's been like a
father to me. If you hurthim, you'll hurt yoruself."

The leviathan looked confused. "How hurt Hulk-self?"

Trisha fished a compact from the pocket of her skirt,
and opened it so Hulk could see the mirror. Banner's
face registered in the looking glass in place of
Hulk's own.

"Banner!?! How Trisha put Banner in mirror?"

The girl smiled. "It's only the magic of truth, Hulk.
You and him are the same person. If you hurt Dr.
Banner, you'll be hurting yourself." Trisha's brown
eyes met Hulk's bravely, "And, you'll be hurting me."

Hulk smiled, and set the two down. "Not smash Banner
for Trisha."

The scene switched to the Leech People's cave, Banner
watched the scene unfold, as though he were watching
some class-B horror movie. Hulk was chained down, and
a laser cannon aimed at Trisha.

"Let him go, please!" Trisha begged, trying to save
her giant friend. "Take me instead!"

"How noble," scoffed Captain Leech, their captor.

"Not hurt Hulk Trisha," Hulk declared as Bloodsucker
flipped a switch. Hulk roared as his power began to
drain.

"You're hurting him!" Trisha screamed.

"Silence, girl! There is nothing you can do!" Leech
ordered. But, Trisha would not keep silent. "Hulk! 
Save yourself, forget about me!" She screamed.

Banner sat up in bed, the way Trisha had done many
nights previously. "My God! Is that what Trisha was
telling me?!"

Bloodsucker turned to his captain. "Our probes have
found Hulk's source. Bruce Banner is that source."

"Then, it is his power at the monster's core," Leech
theorized. "It's the core where we begin. Take the
core, and the rest will fall."

Rio's Taco Shop was a local eatery that specialized in
Southwestern fare. It was frequented by soldiers from
the Gamma Army Base, as well as by the local
civilians. Trisha often met there with Hulk
Anonymous, the Big Guy's fan club. Rita Castillos,
the owner's daughter, was the newest member of the
club. On the nights when she had to work, Trisha
carried the meetings to Rio's.

Hulk Anonymous was on break for the summer, so Trisha
came to Rio's to buy Rusty a taco. In the diner
already was Rick Jones, Rita's boyfriend.

It was Rick who had blundered into the gamma bomb
site. Banner had been able to save the teen, but not
himself. As a consequence, Hulk was created from the
gamma radiation that had bathed the scientist. Rick
had been friends with Hulk prior to Trisha's arrival,
so she gave him the honor of being vice president of
Hulk Anonymous. A position second in command to
Trisha's presidental one.

"Hi, Trisha!" Rick greeted as the two entered.

"Hi, Rick, Rita. This is my cousin, Rusty."

"Rick, Rita, and Rusty, aint that cute," Rusty
pondered that. He and his teenaged cousin seated
themselves on the red leather stools at the counter.

"What can I get you?" Rita inquired.

"I think Rusty wanted a taco. Slip me some joe, will
you?"

"Still can't sleep, huh?" Rita commented, pouring
coffee for her friend. She and Rick both knew about
Trisha's nightmare concerning Hulk.

Trisha sipped the coffee and shook her head. "That's
not healthy, you know." Rick said.

"Tell me something I don't know."

"I think you may need some help," Rita provided. "I
think Maxie knows a dream interpreter in town."

Maxie World had been the most popular girl in school
until she and her brother, Fred "E.Krueger" World,
joined Hulk Anonymous.

"If it gets that bad, I'll let you know." Trisha's
hand went to her back pocket. "Hey, I think I left my
wallet in the car." She announced, "I have to go and
get it. Stay!" She ordered Rusty.

Trisha exited the building. As she did, the leeches
were waiting for her. They lassoed her with their
tongues. Trisha screamed, but that was muffled by a
hand. 

Rick had heard the scream, and was out of the building
in time to see a struggling Trisha dragged behind the
building. He started to chase them, but came up short
when they disappeared. 

The door swung open. "We've got to get back to the
base! Trisha's been kidnapped!"


PART 3

A slimy blindfold across her eyes, and several, iron grips on her, Trisha tried 
to fight her unseen captors.
"Chain her, then remove the blindfold," instructed a voice.
The leech guards bound Trisha securely with a chain, then the leech removed his 
tongue from her eyes.  At the sight of her captors, Trisha emitted a scream.
"YOU'RE THE MONSTER FROM MY DREAMS!"
"Most call me Captain Leech," their leader introduced himself.  "This is my 
second-in-command, Bloodsucker."
"What do you want from me?!"  The girl demanded.
"It is not you we want, my dear.  It's your friend, Hulk.  You are merely 
baiting the trap.  When he comes to save you, we will get his energy.  That will 
power our armies, and make us invincible in conquering your world!"
"Hulk won't come, and your plans will be ruined!"  Trisha snapped in 
defiance.  But, Hulk would come to save.  Trisha knew that, so did Captain 
Leech.
"You shouldn't underestimate you your friend like that," he scolded.
Carol Shafton was finishing up some work at the office when her red haired 
nephew burst in.  "Aunt Carol, Trisha's been kidnapped!"
Bruce Banner answered the urgent knock at his door.  "Yes, who is it?
"It's me, Rick."  Rick's head popped in as the door was being opened.  "This is 
an emergency.  Trisha's been kidnapped."
Within a matter of minutes, Trisha's motley band of rescuers had converged on 
General Ross' office.  He and his daughter were let in on what had transpired.
"Who would want to kidnap Trisha?"  Dr. Ross couldn't think of any enemies the 
teenager might have.
"Picked up by the fashion police," Rusty ventured.
"Or, by someone who knows she's friends with the Hulk," Banner's theory seemed 
the most probable.
"Rick, you tried to help her.  Did you get a look at the kidnappers, 
Son?"  General Ross inquired.
"I just caught a glimpse of them," Rick admitted, truthfully.  "Funny, they 
looked like some kind of giant worm."
Trisha's mother looked up swiftly.  "Worms or leeches?  Trisha's had nightmares 
about being kidnapped by giant leeches."
"I had the smae dream," Banner admitted.  "Rick, do any of the kids know the 
name of a good dream interpretor?"
Madame Karma's address was a white, stucco apartment in town.  Rusty came with 
Banner to see the woma, Maxie had said could interpret their dream.
"Thank you for coming with me, Rusty," Banner said as the two climbed the 
stairs.
"Hey, don't mention it.  I need a good laugh."
Banner pressed the doorbell, and a thin voice called from within.  "Come in, I 
have been expecting you."
The living room was the first room to greet Banner and Rusty as they entered the 
apartment.  A beaded curtain separated a small, adjacent room from the rest of 
the living quarters.  Banner pushed the curtain out of the way to gain access to 
the "office."
The space was dark, dimly lit by candles, and the place smelled like 
insence.  At the center of the room was a table, painted black, upon which a 
lace doily had been set.  The crystal ball sat atop the doily, and Madame Karma 
was seated at the head of the table.  Her long, black hair pulled up under a 
headscarf.  The gypsy looked up at her visitors.
"Madame Karma, I'm Bruce Banner . . . ." The scientist began.  A gesture from 
her braceletted hand silenced him.
"I know who you are, and why you have come.  You seek my help in finding a 
friend."
"Yes, that's right."
"Come in, then, my fine gentlemen.  We mustn't keep the spirits 
waiting."  Banner and Rusty seated themselves on two of the ebony chairs.  "Join 
hands, that will concentrate the spirits' energy."  Karma instructed.  She 
joined hands with Banner and Rusty, and they joined hands with each other.
After a moment of silence, Madame Karma removed her bony hands, and waved them 
over the crystal.  Banner saw nothing, but their medium spoke.
"I see a mountain with two mouths.  One at the top, the other at the bottom, on 
the west side.  In the top cave, I see a brown-haired girl . . . ."
"That's Trisha!"  Rusty exclaimed.
"Rusty," Banner signalled him to be quiet.
"She is in chains," Madame Karma continued, as though she had not heard the 
outburst.  "She is speaking, but I can't make out the words."
"I have an idea," Banner guessed.  "What else do you see, Madame?"
"That is all, the ball has grown dark.  Your friend is in danger, fly to her, 
lads."
Banner nodded, and paid the fee.  "You've been very helpful, Madame 
Karma.  Thank you."
From the apartment in town, Banner and Rusty drove to the mountain where Madame 
Karma had said Trisha was being held prisoner.  At the enterance to the cave, 
Banner stopped the jeep, and got out.  Resolutely, he stared at the cave, 
knowing what he must do.
"You're not going in their, are you?"  The six-year-old boy inquired.
"I must.  Hulk's the only way to save Trisha.  If I'm not out an hour, Rusty, go 
find Rick."
That was all there was time for, before Banner began the slow metamorphasis into 
Hulk.  
"Save Trisha!"  Something clicked in Hulk brain that his friend was being held 
prisoner, and he had the power to free her.  Her cousin blocked his path.
"I can't let you go in there, Hulk."
"Trisha hurt, Rusty?"
"I don't know, but I know you'll be hurt if you go in there.  If I let anything 
bad happen to you, Trisha will paint my nails!"  That last thought filled the 
little boy with horror.  Hulk stepped easily past him.
"Trisha Hulk friend, must save."
He approached the cave, while Rusty made a beeline for the road back to town.
Within the leech people's cave, Trisha was in chains, trying not to think about 
what would happen.  Something caused her to look up, and catch her breath.  Hulk 
appeared in the doorway!
"Hulk!  What are you doing here?!?" She asked in a whisper.
"Trisha in danger.  Hulk save."
"You're the one in danger if you don't get out of here!"  Trisha warned through 
clenched teeth.  "It's you they're after!"
"Hulk not get caught, Trisha."  The giant began to assure his friend, as his 
misshapen foot discovered a booby trap.  The floor fell away, catching the 
mutant in an electronic cage.  Hulk roared, trying to break free, as Captain 
Leech entered with his people.
"Well, look at what I've caught!"  He gloated.
Rusty burst into Rio's, breathless from having run all the way from the 
mountain.  Rick was on his feet.
"Rusty, what happened?!"
"Dr. Banner's Hulk.  He went into the cave.  I tried to stop him . . . ."
Rick understood the rest.  "Show me the way."
Back in the cave, the laser cannon Trisha had seen in so many nightmares was now 
aimed at her.  Hulk was chained down, trying to break free.
"Do not struggle, it is useless," Captain Leech leered.  "You see, your chains 
are directly connected to this laser cannon.  If those chains break, your little 
friend gets it.  Got it?"
"No hurt friend."
"Save yourself, Hulk!  Please!"  Trisha begged.  
"Bloodsucker!  Begin the process!"  Captain Leech ordered.
"Aye, aye, Captain!"
"Forget about me, Hulk!  Save yourself!"  Trisha tried to encourage him as 
Bloodsucker flipped a switch.  The wires under the table where Hulk was bound 
began to glow.  He roared in pain.
'YOU'RE HURTING HIM!"  Trisha screamed.  "TAKE ME INSTEAD!"
"Silence, girl!  There is little you can do!"  Bloodsucker scolded.
"Remember what I told you.  Take the core first, once the weakest is gone, the 
rest will fall."  Leech instructed.
Weakest core?  They know Hulk's Banner!  Trisha watched in helpless horror as 
Hulk's energy began to drain.
Rusty showed Rick the cave in the mountain that Madame Karma had predicted.  The 
two boys secreted themselves into a stone building.
"What is this place?"  Rusty ventured, looking around.
"Looks like some kind of dungeon," Rick guessed.  A movement caught his 
attention.  "Someone's coming."
The two ducked into an alcove as the leech guards entered, dragging a weakened 
Hulk with them.  Behind them, weeping in helpless agony for her friend, came 
Trisha, also guarded.
"Don't cry.  You will live long enough to see us conquer the world with your 
monster's energy," a guard taunted. 
Another guard unlocked the dungeon cell, and dragged Hulk in.  They chained 
him.  "We'll leave your friend here until you die," the guards informed 
Hulk.  But, the giant was too weak to respond.
"Why did you do it, Hulk?  Why did you come to save me?"  Trisha urged, through 
her tears, as she too was chained.
The leeches then shut the door, and departed to begin their conquest.  When the 
guards' shadows disappeared around the corner, Rusty and Rick emerged from their 
hiding place, and approached the cell door.
"Trish," Rick whispered.
"Rick!"  Trisha exclaimed in a whisper, releaved to see him.  "Thank goodness!"
"We'll get you out," He promised.
"The keys are on the peg."
Rusty found the keys, and handed them to Rick, who unlocked the cell door.  Hulk 
sagged forward, like an emptied flour sack when his chains were opened.  Rick 
caught him.
"What happened?"  Rusty couldn't believe what he was seeing.
"Hulk saved me," Trisha reported, unlocking her own chains.  "But now, the 
leeches are going to use his energy to take over the world."
"Hulk help," the giant's voice sounded weak, Trisha caugh up his other 
arm.  "Come on, we'll take you to see Dr. Ross.  Maybe she can help us."
"I thought you hated her," Rick pointed out as the two helped Hulk from the 
dungeon.  Rick knew well that Trisha suspected Betty Ross of wanting to disect 
Hulk for the advancement of science.
"Doesn't look like there's much of a choice, is there?"  Trisha pointed 
out.  "She's the only one I can think of to turn to at a time like this."

PART 4

Trisha helped Rick load a weakened Hulk into the back
of his jeep.  Then, she climbed in, to keep the giant
from sliding out.  Rick and Rusty got into the front
of the car.  

Rick floored the gas pedal, and raced off to the Gamma
Military Base.  The leech people would attack at any
minute, and, Trisha feared Hulk would soon die if a
solution was not found to restore his energy.

Dr. Betty Ross was indeed surprised by her visitors.

"I certainly didn't expect to see you here, Trisha."

"Yeah, well, I certainly didn't expect to BE here,"
the girl retorted.  "Look, Hulk needs your help, so
don't try dissecting him!"

"Trisha!"  Rick exclaimed.

Dr. Ross smiled, she had known all along Trisha's
suspicions of her.

"She's upset, Rick.  Don't worry, Trisha.  I don't
want to hurt Hulk."

"Save friend," the giant croaked, hoarsely.  Trisha
gently kissed the green forehead.

"You loveable nut.  Don't worry, Dr. Ross is going to
help you."

"Whatever we do, we have to move quick.  Those leeches
will attack at any minute," Rusty pointed out.  As if
on cue, the air raid sirens began to wail.

"Rick, Hulk got his power from gamma rays, right?" 
Trisha began.

"Yeah, what are you thinking about?"

"Dr. Ross, if we zap him with the juice again, would
that restore his energy?"

"It's worth a shot," Dr. Ross agreed with Trisha's
theory.  "But, he won't remember you, Rick, or
anyone."

"It worth the risk," Trisha bravely declared.  "Do
it."

Dr. Ross pressed a button, and a shield came down
along with a gamma x-ray machine.  "Stand back, all of
you."
Her command was to Trisha as well as Rick and Rusty.

"She's right," Rick gently urged Trisha behind the
screen.  "It's for your own safety."

From behind the protective barrier, Dr. Ross flipped
the x-ray's switch.  The strange beams flowed down,
bathing Hulk in their glow.  The inert figure on the
table began to stir, his strength returning.  With a
roar, Hulk broke the bonds that had held him down, and
smashed the x-ray.  Trisha let out a whooping cheer. 
Hulk turned quickly at the unexpected approval.

"Who there?!"

Before Rick could stop her, Trisha had stepped from
behind the screen.  

"You're all right now, Hulk!"  In three fast strides,
the girl had approached, and embraced her giant friend
before he could comprehend what had happened.  "Thank
God your alive!"  Trisha exhalted.

Slowly, Hulk's arms closed around her.  "Strange
girl."

Dr. Ross had said a degree of amnesia would accompany
the cure, so Trisha stepped back for Hulk to get a
look at her face.

"I'm Trisha, Hulk.  I'm your friend.  So are Rick,
Rusty, and Dr. Ross."  She indicated to the three who
had also stepped from behind the screen.  "We need
your help."

Outside, the leech people had begun their attack. 
Using Hulk's stolen energy as a weapon, they pulled
glowing slugs from the storage bins, and threw them
down to the earth.  The glowing balls impacted the
tanks, the soldiers scrambled for cover as their tanks
exploded.  Bullets bounced off the ships, and
ricocheted back to the gunners.

"Clever of you to have used the brute's energy to coat
our ships as well," Captain Leech approved of
Bloodsucker's idea.  The second-in-command nodded.

"It rendered the monster invulnerable, it could do the
same for us."

Major Talbot lowered his binoculars, grimly, as a
glowing ball exploded off the ground near a tank,
causing it to sink into hole.

"I've seen that before," he commented.

"Talbot!"  General Ross snapped.  "Can't you stop
those things!?!"

"We're doing our best, General Ross, sir."  Major
Talbot answered.  "But, it appears those leeches are
using Hulk's energy against us."

Just then, there was a loud roar from the direction of
the lab.  Hulk leapt onto the lead ship.  The leeches'
energy source was nearly depleted.  There was nothing
they could do to stop him, and risk crashing their
leader's ship.

Talbot raised his binoculars.  "I don't believe it! 
The monster's fighting FOR us!"  He exclaimed in
disbelief.

"I don't know how you got free, but you were a fool to
come after us!"  Captain Leech threw a gamma ball at
Hulk.  Amazingly, the giant seemed to absorb the
energy.  "What is this!?!"

"Hulk own power.  Leech use to make Hulk stronger!"

Hulk hove foreward, for the control room.  The leech
guards threw gamma balls at him until their weaponry
was spent.

"Leeches hurt Hulk.  Now, smash!"  Hulk shoved the
leeches with enough force that they were knocked
overboard.  

Bloodsucker lassoed Hulk with his tongue, only to be
dragged into the control room, where Hulk smashed out
a control panel.

"That panel controlled our ships."  A slimy tongue
caught around Hulk.  Captain Leech pulled it tight.  

"Iphh we go dahn, you die topph!"

Hulk struggled to break free of the leech's hold.  As
he struggled, a strange thought occurred in Hulk's
mind.  Trisha appeared, Hulk then remembered the
leech's cave, and his friend begging him to free
himself before his energy was stolen.  She had then
embraced him when his energy was restored.

"FOR TRISHA!"  Hulk seized Captain Leech's tongue, and
threw him at Bloodsucker.  Bloodsucker was unable to
get out of the way fast enough, and his captain
slammed into him.  Their tongues loosened from him. 
Hulk jumped to the ground as the leech ship crashed
and burned.  The remaining leech army fled before
Hulk's strength.

"You did it, Hulk!"  Rusty exclaimed, shaking the huge
hand.  "You've saved us!"

"Never a doubt in my mind," Trisha bragged.

"Hulk win," the giant looked proud of himself.

"I tried to stop him," Rusty explained, a few days
later, at Rio's.  Trisha, enormously to the boy's
relief, wasn't angry enough to paint his toenails.

"You wouldn't have been able to any way.  When he
knows I'm in trouble, wild elephants couldn't stop
him."

That night, Trisha's sleep was nightmare free, but
Banner's dream concluded.

Hulk returned to his normal size, a hippie Trisha
stood between him and Banner.

"The both of you are my friends."  She said.  "I love
you."

"Trisha Hulk friend.  No hurt Banner for Trisha."

Trisha held out her slender hand, and Hulk's huge palm
touched it.  The two vanished, leaving Banner to
ponder the event.

The scientist understood what Trisha's appearance in
his dream meant.  She was friends with him as well as
Hulk, his hated creation.  In turn, Banner was a
father-figure, in place of Trisha's own father, who
had been killed in a traffic accident.

Goodnight, Trisha.  Thank you for being my . . . . our
friend, Banner's dream carried his message to Trisha.

                      THE END