A moment after the man vanished, John’s arm was pulled upwards behind his back and was signaled by a loud snap as the blue band encircled his wrist.
“John!” Sean yelled then his arm became encircled by a band and felt its sharp snap on his skin.
Bobby looked around, panic marching across his face that turned to terror as a leave brushed his arm making him swat at it.
“Run!” John yelled scrambling to his feet with Sean.
Bobby turned on his heel and took one step when his foot caught an invisible object sending him flailing to the ground on his stomach. The band snapped onto his wrist and he pulled his arm away too late. The electric blue band now tightened around his wrist and would not move.
The man rematerialized in front of them and was frowning.
“I am sorry to force those on you but it was necessary. Donny was more compliant to receive the band.”
“Donny has one too?” Bobby asked getting up, panic now giving way to fear and curiosity. John and Sean felt much the same.
“Yes. You will understand soon.” The man said then began to dissolve again.
Bobby looked at the blue band and the pulsating dots.
“We need to get home.” Bobby said. And the three dropped their backpacks and took off down the trail.
“Who are you?” Donny demanded to know. The man pushed the cup forward then placed his elbows on the tabletop smiling again.
“I am Max. Max Devontia. And you are?” Max asked raising his hand.
“I am Donny. What are you doing in my house?”
“Your dog let me in.” Max said, “But we have more pressing matters to discuss than how I gained entry to your home.”
Max waved his hand to the chairs, indicating Donny should sit.
Donny did not like this guy. He had a very different air around him, completely the opposite of the man in the woods.
Reluctantly, he sat down on the chair opposite the man and placed both hands on the table.
Max examined the blue band with a mixed expression of both curiosity and anger. His face drew a blank stare.
“What is that?” He asked, pointing to the band. Donny replied, “A gift.”
“From who?”
“I don't know.”
“Tell me.” His voice was wavering a bit.
“I don't know.”
Max closed his eyes and dropped one hand under the table.
“I am asking you politely one last time,” He pulled out his sliver gun, “Who gave you that?”
Donny froze as he watched the silver handgun rise. His eyes grew wide and his skin lost its color as the thought of getting shot flashed through his mind.
“I…I don’t know. From this guy in the woods.”
“Describe him.” Max barked.
Donny eyed the gun fearfully and described the man.
“Charles…” Max mumbled then looked at Donny again, this time his eyes darkened by insanity, “Take that off.”
“I can’t.” Donny said quickly.
“What do you mean ‘you can’t?”
Donny gulped and willed his heart to calm its fast-paced screeching.
“It won’t come off.” Donny never took his eyes off the deadly weapon.
Max grit his teeth and stared at the tabletop for a few seconds then, without warning, backslapped the cup sending it flying and then its contents spilled on the floor.
Donny didn’t move. His mind was telling him to remain calm and figure out how to get help.
“Well if it decides to be stubborn we’ll just have to be more…persuasive won’t we?” Max said, regaining his original composure. Donny didn’t like the word “persuasive” or the smile Max was now wearing.
The back door swung open from the kitchen and both Max and Donny turned to look.
“Guests?” Max asked, sounding irritated.
“Help.” Donny replied and pushed the table forward with all his might.
The move caught Max off guard and he fell backwards with his chair, while Donny called, “Bobby! Call the Police!”
Max jumped from the floor and glared at Donny then said, “You could have made this easier boy!” He then ran down the hall just as Sean burst into the room, nearly slipping on the liquid spilt from the cup.
“What happened?” Sean inquired looking at the cup and chair.
“There was this guy here!” Donny yelled, “Is Bobby calling the police?”
Sean nodded then ran down the hallway asking, “Is he still here?”
“I don’t know…he might be… he has a gun!” Donny warned but Sean either didn’t hear him or didn’t care. He ran down the hall jumping into each room until he called, “I found Cindy!” Donny immediately ran after his friend and entered his own room where Sean was standing next to an open window.
The room walls were lined with posters and shelves with little trinkets and old toys. A television stood on an old dresser that stayed opposite a small bed.
The window was wide and a small breeze entered the room, but Donny felt cold for another reason. In front of the window was Cindy, his small milk-chocolate dog that was lying motionless.
“IS she…” Donny began unable to finish the question. Sean shook his head and replied, “She’s still breathing.” He turned to the window, “This must be how he got away.”
John appeared in the doorway and informed them that Bobby had just called the police and that they are on their way. He then saw Cindy.
“Cindy is ok.” Donny said before John asked.
A few minutes later, a knock came from the front door and Donny answered it. A tall police officer stood with pepper-and-salt hair stood there in a traditional blue and black uniform as well as a concerned look etched on his face.
“My name is Officer Trudent.” He introduced himself then asked, “Are you a mister Donny Rawe?”
Donny nodded and let the officer in.
“I received a report of a break-in. Armed?”
“Yes sir.” Donny felt weird talking to him about what happened. This guy seemed nice but something in his gut told him otherwise.
“Can you explain to me all that happened?”
Donny agreed to the officer's request and explained the entire scene with as much detail as he could.
“So this, Max Devontia, broke into your house, cornered you, and was most curious about the wristband you have on. Is that correct?” Donny nodded.
“All right thank you for your time and cooperation. We will contact you if we get any information.” The officer said and then left the house with a slight salute.
“Thank you.” Donny replied after the officer shut the door and was about to enter his cruiser.
“So he was curious about that wristband?” Bobby said after the officer left, “That is weird. We were given bands also.” He lifted his hand to show his brother.
Donny widened his eyes. He couldn't believe it. The band Bobby wore on his wrist was exactly like his own.
“So what do you think these are for anyway?” Donny asked when he stopped thinking.
“Beats me. But I don't think it is anything that is too serious.” Bobby replied, “Come on let's get something to eat.”
"Dad what's going on?" Sharon asked when she walked into her father's room and found him hitting the wall with his good arm.
"Max found out about them." He seethed.
"What? Which one?"
"Donny Rawe I believe." The professor said then tapped some keys on his keyboard, "A police report was filled out matching Max's description. Damn it!"
"Did he..." Sharon began but was cut off by her father, "No. They're still alive and wearing the transmitters." Sharon visibly relaxed at the statement, "Anyway, I don't know why the link has not been made yet. They should be..." But before the professor could finish his sentence, a sharp chirping sound began emitting from his computer.
"Those two!" He quickly grabbed a microphone and said into it, "Charles! Do you copy? Over."
"Yeah dad!" Charles voice sounded though the speakers.
"Grab Dylan and Randy's bodies! Their minds are about to lose connection to the real world!" Charles worried voice shouted in reply, "What! I'm on it!"
"Stay with us. Please. Stay with us..." The professor whispered to the computer but then it went silent.
"Are they...?" Sharon began and her father turned to her.
"Yes. Their minds are now trapped in the system."
-~-
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