Chapter Four: The Hero's Training Part A

Donny watched the monster die into the ground and released a breath of air he realized he had forgotten he had held. Sea Moor turned back toward the group and turned the blade around his wrist which made it vanish into the air, from there, the group walked for a bit till Sea Moor said that there were no monsters in the area.

Donny dropped down the ground and felt the weight of the battle settle in his bones and recounted the battle with the others as Sea Moor fiddled with a small gadget that made a bit of noise as he wound the key in it.

Before long though, Donny felt his eyes slip down and blind his vision and felt his body shift upright, as if he was standing upright. When he opened them again he found that he was standing in the middle of a local supermarket aisle with his brother looking at a scrap of paper that had their shopping list.

“What?” He shouted snapping his neck back and forth, “Where am I?”

Bobby looked at his brother as if he had grown a third arm.

“What do you mean? You’re at the store. We were her to get milk remember?”

“Milk?” Donny said, and then he remembered. Their mother had told them to run off and get milk and a few other things. He had also remembered school and his homework was on his desk, and the news about the two boys.

But he distinctly remembered Cyberspace.

‘Was that just a dream?’ Donny asked himself.

“Bobby. Do you remember Cyberspace?” He asked his brother when they entered the store.

“Cyberspace?” Bobby repeated, “Of course I do. It’s also called the ‘Internet’ remember?”

“No. The game. We were just there. There was this beautiful woman…”

“Had that kind of dream huh?” Bobby chuckled.

“Never mind.” Donny said.

They walked down the open-door refrigerator wall that had in it the milk and butter. Bobby reached forward and lifted the milk then almost immediately dropped it, spilling it all over the floor.

Donny quickly grabbed the bottle as a small puddle pooled at Bobby’s feet.

“Bobby?” Donny asked, as Bobby did a double-take and looked around like he found himself in a different place.

“Where are we?” He asked, looking very pale.

“The store. Just got back didn’t you?” Donny responded. Bobby stared at him them seemed to process everything the same way that Donny did.

“We need… milk?” Bobby questioned, “But we were almost killed twice a few moments ago… right?”

“I know what you mean. What do you think is happening?” Donny asked pulling more milk out.

“I dropped the milk huh?” Bobby said when the store clerk came over about the puddle.

“Sorry. Slipped.” Bobby said, “I’ll pay for it.”

The lady left and brought back with a mop and bucket.

“Here, I’ll clean it up.” Bobby said offering to help.

The lady shook her head and said, “Sorry kid, but I would feel safer if I cleaned it up.”

“Oh. We’ll just get out of the way.” Bobby said and walked away as the clerk began to clean up the milk.

On the way back to the door, groceries at hand, Donny decided to simplify their situation.

“How did we get back?” He asked.

“Heck if I know.” Bobby’s answer was also accompanied by a shrug.

“Do you think Sean and John made it back?

“I was just thinking the same thing.”

The two walked down the parking lot then entered their parent’s old pickup.

Once they were home, the brother’s began putting the items anyway when there was a knock at the door.

“I’ll get it.” Donny said then opened it to a frantic pair of faces.

“Just got back?” Donny asked.

Sean and John nodded in response, and then they began to question what was going on.

“Beats me, we don’t know more than what you two already know.” Donny answered then invited his friends inside.

Chapter Two: The Bands (Part C)

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."

-~-

Chapter Two: The Bands (Part B)

Donny enjoyed walking down this path, which was now cutting into the woods that came between his house and Colmont High. It gave him time to think. But this time he wasn’t the only one there.

“Are you a Mr. Donny Rawe?” A voice asked from behind.

Donny jumped and spun around, turning to find out the owner of the voice.

“Yes. Who are you?” Donny asked looking at a man that stood stalk-still behind him.

The man was wearing a long, brown overcoat with both hands occupying its pockets. He stood about a foot taller than Donny and watched with gray, sunken eyes and messy brown hair atop his head.

“My name isn’t important right now.” He replied, “I have been waiting to meet you and your friends.”

“What do you want?” Donny asked. The man didn’t sound bad but Donny still didn’t trust him.

“I want you to have this wristband.” The man replied, pulling out a black and blue band that seemed to give off a soft aura.

Donny stepped forward. He doesn’t know what possessed him to accept but he did and before he know it the band was placed over his hand onto his wrist and was accompanied by a sharp snap as the man pulled it up and released it.

Donny cried out in surprise as the band shot his skin.

“I’m sorry but it was necessary.” The man explained then took a few steps backwards, “I will see you again soon.” And with that he vanished into thin air. Donny gasped and for some reason, didn’t seem so scared. He instead raised his arm and examined his band.

Dual Black lines ran down its center with a thin white line In between while another two lines, these ones blue, ran the top and bottom sealing the black lines.

Donny held it closer to his eyes and saw the white line separating the black ones was actually a series of dots that seemed to pulsate with his own blood.

“What is this?” He asked aloud then tried to pull it off. The band wouldn’t budge. “What! Get off!” He pulled again but only reddened his own skin.

He scoffed at it and decided to get home quickly. He took two small steps then started running off down the trail.

                                                   

“Dad!” Charles said walking into through the doors and into the bedroom, “I gave those kids the bands.”

“Good. Very good Charles.” The professor replied sitting up on his bed, shoulder and upper thigh bandaged with a laptop facing his direction on a desk, “The first two are already in. They have agreed to it and have just met with Sea More.” He tapped a few keys and the screen changed. He looked at the screen and brought his hand to his chin.

“It would appear the others have not gotten the link yet.” Four names on the screen with red X’s told him that, “You did make sure to snap it on their wrists right?”

Charles nodded then looked around at the simple room with only a small bed, simple wooden desk covered in papers and spiral notebooks, and dark colored walls with a border of glass along the top that allowed artificial light into the room.

“Do you really think they can do this?” Charles asked, “I mean, they are just kids.”

The professor didn’t reply at once. He sat there thinking then said, “I hope they can. There can be no doubt on the matter. I sent Sharon to their school to give me more information pertaining to their physical abilities, mental skill, and emotional stability.”

He sighed and closed his eyes.

“Max. My greatest apprentice…doing this. I feel as though I gave the arsonist the gasoline and a match because I didn’t think about what he’d do with it.”

“It’s ok dad…” Charles began but the professor cut him off.

“No son, it’s not.” He fell back onto his bed, “I failed.”

Donny ran down the trial until he reached a long line of wooden fences. He counted the different sets until he came to a simple, but newer section of fence line. He charged the fence and with one easy movement, put his feet on the supporting beams, grabbed the top of the splintered wood then launched over the top and landed on the cool, moist grass below.

The backyard extended forward from the fence line and circled around the pale, eggshell white house in front of him. He stood up straight and walked over to the screened in porch and opened the door, quickly entering the house.

He stopped inside the doorway and looked at the band that hung on his wrist again; this thing was giving him the creeps. The tiny circles breathed along with his pulse and it only added to his worry.

“Mom!” He called closing the door, “Are ya home?” Donny could feel something was wrong. The house was unusually quiet, not even his dog Cindy was yapping at his arrival. He passed the gleaming counter tops in the kitchen with the refrigerator humming in the corner. He walked through the kitchen swing door into the dining room.

Sitting at the table, wearing a wicked grin, was a man who held Donny's labeled cup and said, “Hello son. Let's chat.” he called setting the cup down.

“Don’t you remember?” John said walking behind Bobby and Sean, “That is what I said.”

Bobby yawned, “Yeah John I remember.”

They were walking the same dirt trail though the woods that Donny had taken just minutes earlier.

“So Donny is already at your house right?” Sean asked Bobby who replied, “Yeah. He said he needed to head straight home.”

As they walked, an ever-growing presence of a follower became apparent. Then, from behind them, “Are you Bobby Rawe? John and Sean Clemont?”

All three whirled around to see the owner of the voice.

“Who are you?” Sean asked clenching his fists.

“First I need to know if you are…” The man began but Sean cut him off.

“Yes we are. Now who are you?” The man reached into his overcoat pocket and pulled out three bands, the same as Donny’s.

“You will know my name soon enough.”

“What are those?” Bobby asked, eyeing the bands uncertainly.

“Gifts.” The man replied casually, “I want you each to wear one.”

The three hesitated. Whatever force possessed Donny to accept one was not working on them.

“Take one.” He said, his voice flat but none the less commanding.

“No. No way.” Bobby stated.

The man closed his eyes and said, “I didn’t want to use force but if I have to…” His voice trailed off as he melted into the air.

The three gasped and scanned the woods as they shook their heads mouthing questions like ‘where did he go?’

Chapter Two: The Bands (Part A)

The school was empty, except for the early students and teachers wondering along the concrete paths that snaked along, splitting the grass.

            The sun hung lazily over the eastern horizon peeking over the building, casting most of schoolyard in shadows.

            One young boy walked along the grass, watching the darkened buildings circled around him.

            He stood on a slight hill that elevated him about two feet higher so he could get a better view around.

            “Where is Bobby?” he asked himself sliding his gaze along the visible school. “Maybe Sean knows…”

            He jogged down the hill and went off toward the corner of the closest building.

            The boy’s name was Donny Rawe, a young, 14 year-old boy who is attending Colmont High School in 9^th grade.

Donny wondered around until the sun shone down and heated the air around him, signaling that the buses would arrive soon.

            Donny spotted another student walking down the side of the building heading his way.

            “John!” He called to the student. The student stopped and waved two fingers.

            “Hey Donny.” He replied, dropping his arm.

            The student stood a head taller than Donny and carried around a backpack twice the size of his upper body.

            “Seen my brother or your brother?” Donny asked walking up.

            “Nah. Sean should still be at home, I left early, and Bobby I haven’t seen since yesterday.” John replied shrugging his shoulders.

            Donny frowned, “Man, I need to talk to Bobby.”

            “He’ll show up eventually.” John said, “Well I got to go to work on my project. See ya later!”

            John walked past Donny and turned the corner leaving Donny looking around then let his eyes rest on the tree across the way.

            Another young boy was standing under it watching the branches lazily.

            “Bobby!” Donny yelled running up. “Finally I found you!”

            Bobby turned around a bit startled by his brother then replied slowly, “Hey. Donny.”

            “What’s wrong?”

            “I feel like someone is watching me.” Bobby looked again at the tree.

            “That’s funny.” Donny said while shifting his feet, “I’ve been feeling like that lately too.” He followed his brother’s gaze toward the tree and, for a second, could have sworn he saw a face in the trees.

            “Did you see that?” He asked, startled.

            “What?” Bobby asked, “The face?”

            “Yeah.”

            “I see it too but I lose sight of it easily.”

            “So it’s like Mona Lisa’s smile?” A voice said behind the two.

            “Sean!” Donny yelled jumping in surprise, “Where have you been?”

            Sean stood slightly taller than Bobby and wore a wide grin on his face.

            “You know…around.” Sean said then looked at the tree, “I see it too.”

            “What do you think it is?” Bobby asked.

            “Maybe it’s a prank, you know the senior prank?” Donny suggested.

            “Nah. That happens at the end of the year.” Sean said, “Maybe it’s something that looks like a face.”

            “Ah well. I guess we should go.” Donny said walking away.

            “We should.” Bobby agreed following Donny.

            Sean stood still for a moment longer then followed his two friends.

            Later that day, during lunch, Donny, John, Bobby, and Sean all were sitting at their table when a girl came over holding a lunch tray.

            She had freckles that mirrored on both sides of her cheeks and her long-brunette hair was tied down in a long ponytail.

            Sean was the first to speak.

            “Hey Sharon!” He said cheerfully to her.

            She smiled back and said hello as well.

            “Come sit down.” Sean said moving over a bit.

            “Ok.” Sharon replied sitting down and setting her lunch tray in front of her.

            “Sharon. These are my friends,” Sean said motioning to each person in turn, “Bobby, Donny and this is my brother John.”

            Sean smiled as he waved to Sharon then introduced her as a new student. The three gave friendly greetings and began asking her a few questions.

            “How do you like the school so far?” Donny asked picking up an apple.

            “Oh. It’s great.” She replied, “The people here are really nice and I am already making some friends.”

            John looked at Sean and gave a small chuckle. Sean blushed.

            “That’s cool. So we’re you from?” Bobby asked.

            Sharon still was smiling but hesitated in answering.

            “You know from different places…” Her voice trailed off.

            “Like where?” Bobby asked.

            “”It’s just…I’ve traveled…a lot. So I guess I don’t really know where I’m from exactly.”

            Bobby shrugged and didn’t press the subject; instead he took a bite from his bread roll.

            Sharon looked down at her mashed potatoes while Donny sat there slurping on his soda.

            “Why are you nervous?” He asked when he stopped drinking.

            Sharon looked up and gulped.

            “I don’t know…new school…just nervous I guess…” She replied.

            “Well I guess that’s it for our questions.” Bobby said after he swallowed the last of the roll.

            Sharon seemed to melt into a relaxed state and she laughed a bit.

            “Good. I was worried there for a second.”
            “Why?” Bobby asked then Donny said, “I thought that was it for questions!”

            They all laughed and resumed eating their school lunches although Donny had a suspicious feeling about Sharon…

At the end of the school day, Donny left the current of students who were eagerly marching of to their own objectives.

He walked away from the crowded bus loop and moved along the concrete sidewalk as the sun hung in the sky blazing the grass in a brilliant orange. Dragonflies flew in clusters of five or more signaling the start of Fall and the air took on a cooler attitude