Chapter Three: The World (Part E)

“It is done. Take them.” Regalia said stepping backwards.

            Donny could not find words again.

            He pulled his left hand up and touched the light. It moved under his touch and formed the handle of a blade, and then the blade itself grew from the handle. It was a beautiful sword, with two colors on the metal: one half black, and the other yellow, with a sparkling green gem in the center of the hilt.

            The feel of it was wonderful. The blade was neither too heavy nor too light. It was perfect for him. The blade glowed a bit, giving off the glow Donny had himself given off.

            'This blade is me.' He said to himself.

            The others received blades similar to his own as well, with the same green gem and black coloring, but the second color matched that of the host’s aura when they were visible.

            Again the silver light came and Donny was again standing in the sand trap with the sand worm charging him and Regalia were nowhere to be found and he had no weapon.

            “It's over.” Unknown said, “The flux just ended.” He was staring at the screen puzzled.

            “It's ok dad.” Charles said, “You can't know everything.”

            “I know. It's just...” Unknown said. One tear rolled down his face hiding in his stubble, “I feel like your mother is trying to tell me something.”

            Donny stood there as the rows of teeth charged him and his senses were no longer numb. He became terrorized at the sight.

            He looked at his hands, which were empty: no sword to be found.

            The worm can closer and sand tentacles raced over and grabbed his legs lifting the boy into the air above the worm, ready to feed their master. The creature opened its already open mouth even more ready to feast, when Donny felt a strange growing sensation forming in his hands.

            Light began to form in his fingers shooting off in tangents around his arms and across his face. The hilt of his sword began to materialize from the light and in seconds he had his sword back in his hands and he couldn't be happier.

            The sword glowed its soft light as if happy to be there. Donny looked down and saw that the light had momentarily dazed the worm so he focused on the sand shackles and slashed himself free first, turning himself upright as he fell. He slide down the side of the worm as its eyes readjusted and the blade began to move on its own. He felt it pull back and up as he landed at the side of the worm and left a large gash in its side. The beast screamed as it began to thrash around, destroying the prison they were in. The sword knew the danger was over and the blade vanished in a pool of light.

            Sea Moor had fallen down with the sand and vanished under its fracture, hiding himself from view. Donny was about to run over to help when the mud man's hand came out of the side of the mound, unearthing Sea Moor in seconds.

            Everyone released a sigh of relief once Sea Moor was out and Donny realized just how terrorized he had been. He had been holding his breath the entire time the worm attacked and, now released, left him feeling tired and weak.

            The wagon was put back up and pulled away from the carcass of the worm that had ceased its struggle. Once they were a good distance away Sea Moor said it was safe now and that they could relax. Donny personally didn't but he was eager to eat some more of those fruits. The fire was restarted and they dined on the heated fruits.

            Finally after they were finished eating Bobby asked the question Donny had no real answer for: How did he do that?

            “I honestly don't know.” Donny said looking into the fire then to his hand, “It was an in-the-moment sort of thing.”

            “Is there anything else to eat?” John asked Sea Moor who looked at the worm that was laying a good two to three football fields away.

            “I cook worm?” He asked.

            The last thing they wanted was to eat the creature that tried to eat them.

            The ground began to feel strange to Donny now, like it was hardening under his body. Each crunch and crackle rang through his body and it seemed he was the only one who felt it.

The others ate more fruit and occasionally gave quick looks at the dead creature, which still was lying on the ground motionless.

            “Guys, I don't feel so good.” Donny said as his stomach began to move with the grounds insufferable shaking.

            “Is belly ok?” Sea Moor asked when the ground stopped its rage.

            “What’s it doing?” John asked suddenly as if scared. Donny turned toward the worm carcass and saw it begin to shake and morph as if made of water. It began to expand then deflated and vanished into the ground leaving six figures standing in its place, all shaking and barely able to stand on their two legs.

            “What happened to the worm?” John asked.

            “What are those?” Sean added, as the creatures seemed to pull themselves upright and control their shakes.

            Donny felt the shock before he heard it. The creatures began to scream a hair raising wale that filled Donny with fear and forced him to keep his balance. The creatures began to turn toward them and let out a synchronized horrifying, primal scream as they began walking forward. Every thought Donny had up until the moment of the scream were obliterated and he, with the others, fell to his knees.

            The creatures began to shake again and as they were walking began to transform in the most horrifying way Donny had ever witnessed. The creatures were originally small, with slimy, dark skin, like they were watery silhouettes, with two arms, two legs, and a single, featureless face. Now they were becoming larger, with their bodies becoming more muscular and real. At the elbows blades began to form, breaking through their skin and extending down their arms.

            “Worm babies.” Sea Moor said standing up. The worm creatures now began to run toward them their mouths beginning to widen, with the edges reaching the stubs on their heads that Donny assumed where their ears.

            “Damn!” Bobby said stepping back.

            “No good. They hunt. Never stop.” Sea Moor said.

            “Guess we fight then.” Sean said clenching his fists and smiled nervously.

            “I agree.” Sharon said, “Get ready.” She took a defensive stance.

            The six spread out and charged them with their bald, slimy heads low and their mouths open, hungry for blood.

            One came to Donny, and first bit at him like a rabid dog snapping is teeth here and there. Donny was barely able to dodge. Donny ducked to avoid decapitation by the monster's sword-arm and cried out, “Where are our blades?” Then, before an answer, he felt a pressure on his hand that was increasing like something was begin placed in it. A power began to flow from his fingertips and wrapped around into his blade.

            The blades had all been summoned so now the creatures were going to have a tougher time surviving.

            Donny parried and swung, jabbing is blade at the soft flesh on the torso of the creature. He missed. Its eyeless face scrunched up as if upset then bit down again, this time catching Donny's sleeve.

            'Why can't I hit him?' Donny asked himself, after more missed attacks. The blade answered him by gaining control of the fight. The sword parried the arm attacks again then directed the angle left a bit and sliced the creature's arm off.

            It shrieked again this time in pain and caused the sands below their feet to jump and spin around Donny shrouding his vision. Donny covered his face with his arms to protect from the tornado that pulled at him.

The blade moved on its own, spinning in the opposite direction of the sand, Donny did a full 360 swing that literally cut the cyclone into two.

            The creature was still screaming as blood dripped from its elbow, the blade still attached to its arm.

            Donny charged it with both hands on the hilt and did three quick slashes.

            The screaming stopped.

            Blood began to ooze out in three lines one going diagonally across, both ways, and on that came from head to toe.

            Donny looked away as the dead monster fell backwards and melted, leaving a clear, glowing bottle in its place.

            'This really is a game.' Thought Donny as he picked it up but only shoved it in his pants pocket; He was more concerned about his friends at the moment.

            Sea Moor had defeated one by sending a well-placed punch into its chest. Bobby had also killed one and was helping Sean fight one. John was having a bit of trouble, and Sharon looked like she was enjoying herself.

            Donny rushed over and drove his sword into the one attacking John who dropped to the ground, terror spelled out on his face.

            Once the last were killed the place became eerily calm.

            Sean was staring at Sharon.

            “What? Did I get blood on my shirt?” Sharon asked and laughed.

            “No, uh well. I... uh...” Sean stammered.

            “Hey where's Sea Moor going?”  Bobby asked then pointed to Sea Moor who was walking away.

            “Time move.” Sea Moor said, and they picked up on their journey with the mother worm slowly deteriorating into dust behind them.

-~-

Chapter Three: The World (Part D)

“Watch out! It's coming back!” She cried, “And I don't have my dagger anymore!”

            Sea Moor at this point began to scream and yell a mess of indecipherable words and tried to pull himself free.

            Caw! Caw! A bird responded from the sky.                                              

            It came down and flew toward Donny and kept its eyes trained on Donny. It watched with wide, bright, curious eyes that made Donny relax.

            The bird itself had beautiful green feathers that were lined along the wings and eyes with gold and a silver line down its back. It was still staring when the sand began to churn again indicating the worm's return. The worm resurfaced and aimed itself toward Donny.

            But Donny still felt calm even as everyone called out warnings to him telling him to get out of the way. But he still watched the bird, even as it raised its wings and began to glow a blinding light that forced Donny to turn his head.

            “That's very peculiar.” Professor Unknown said as Charles walked in with two young boys in his arms.

            “What is?” Charles asked.

            “Set them on the beds.” Unknown ordered, “The same flux in the data stream as before.”

            Charles set the two unconscious boys on the beds then walked over to his father and sat in the chair that stood next to him.

            “What does it mean?”

            “Anything. A mistake in the program, a program file added recently that still hasn't fully adapted, or, worst case, the 'connection' is already working.”

            “Which do you think it is?”

            Unknown rubbed his chin with his good hand feeling the stubble that was growing from his skin. He sighed, “My best guess is that it is a mistake in the game. If it was a connection it might be more random or even more organized. This only happens when the players are first in real danger.”

            “What happens after it?” Charles asked then looked at the two boys lying behind them.

            “After that I lose more contact with them.” he pointed to the screen, “See. I can only see everything they have to use, but once it's over I can't see what they acquire, like it is now.” The screen flickered slightly as if refreshing itself and when it finished the names and inventories of the players vanished.

            “That's not all; I can't monitor their brain waves for the most part now, so if I want to see them I have to see an older scan, not new ones.”

            “Can you fix it?” Charles asked.

            “I have been trying, but my quick solutions include shutting it down. I can't do that with them still inside, especially with Sharon's mental link.

            Charles looked back at the two boys who looked almost like they were sleeping.

            “What happened to them?” Charles asked.

            “I don't know, one moment they were fine, the next... gone.”

            Donny felt the sensation of water on his back when the light receded finally. He realized he was lying on his back in a puddle of shallow water that seemed to hug him. The sky had lost its color and stretched over him as a soft, white sheet.

            He sat up surprised that the water did not soak his clothes or stick to his skin. There was nothing at all around them, just a white sky and a shallow lake for the ground.

            “Am I dead?” Donny asked looking around. Someone made a small sound behind him and Donny saw that everyone, but Sea Moor, the bird, and the creature, were there with him as well.

            Everyone was standing now throwing their gazes left then right taking in the pure white world they were now in.

            “Sharon, where are we?” John asked.

            “Sharon looked at them then replied, “I don't know. I don't remember any programs like this.”

            A single drop of water. That's what they heard echo over them through the air. Donny turned toward where he thought the sound came from but still didn't see anything.

            A figure began to appear in the distance and in a second it became a woman standing not far from them.

            She was incredibly beautiful, with her glowing, perfect skin, slender figure, a darker white dress, and her golden copper hair that hung over her shoulders, cascading down her back. Donny was literally speechless as he gazed upon this women, the woman in front of them who watched them with her own golden green eyes that seemed to search every corner of their very souls, studying them.

            She came closer, seemingly gliding over the water that stood still under her feet and said, in the most harmonious voice Donny had ever heard, “You are not from here. Am I correct?”

            Donny shivered for a second, her voice washing over him. He felt his mind stop as the sweet sounds began to work on the gears on his mind. Donny was the sailor to this siren as she called out to him.

            Bobby nodded but didn't speak, probably feeling the same.

            “There is a special power hidden inside each of you. One that can only be wielded by the one who is in harmony with it. Would you like to embody that power in the form of a weapon?”

            She didn't wait for a reply instead quickly saying, “I am Regalia. I am the bird that transported you to this place. I will forge your new weapons from your elemental souls.”

            “Our...souls?” John whispered, too stunned to speak.

            “Yes. You each have a special power unique to only yourselves. Now relax.” She said as she raised her hands up leveling with her head. Her dress hardly moved.

            Donny had no trouble relaxing, even as he felt a gentle tug on his body, then his skin began to emitting a light yellow aura.

            A quick scan showed that everyone else was glowing as well, only in different colors. Bobby gave off a soft blue, Sean had a yellow aura as well but a sharper, more radiant shade, John had a blackish aura around him, and Sharon had a strange fusion of colors.

            Before long the aura began to shift and tickle his skin, beginning to slide off his body and collecting in a sphere hovering out in front joining the four other colored circles of light.

            The spheres began to float around Regalia and formed a semi-circle around her head from fingertip to fingertip. She began chanting some strange words and the orbs began to morph and become more solid.

            When she finished chanting she began to sing, her voice again washing over Donny melting his thoughts as the orbs, more solid now, returned to their origins and hovered in front just in arms length.

Chapter Three: The World (Part C)

The sand prison behind them began to collapse on itself and in a few seconds it was back in the ground like before. Donny still gripped the rope as he panted shallow gasps of breath that didn't seem to be enough to get over what just happened, though it was only about five to ten seconds.

            “That... was close.” Bobby gasped being the first to actually speak. Donny felt the rope gently slide from his clenched hands and remembered that they were saved.

            “Thank you, thank you very much...” Sean said looking at the large man who was winding the rope up around his elbow and shoulder.

            The man stood upright about, Donny guessed, eight to ten feet, with dark, cracked skin like cooling lava without the red. He had on a large gray cloak that fit like a poncho and woven yellow-green pants with a large hat that covered most of his face with a deep shadow, keeping his eyes hidden.

            “Engish?” He asked, his voice thick with a heavy accent.

            “English? Yes.” Bobby replied.

            “Me know little.” The man said finishing up rolling the rope into a perfect coil.

            “Sand monster. He no bother now.” The man said as Donny rose and looked back at the spot they were attacked.

            “You're a mud man, aren't you?” Sharon asked and the man answered with a nod.

            “I named Sea Moor.” He introduced, “You being?”

            “I am Sharon.” Sharon said then introduced each of the guys.

            “Are you from the Mud Village?” She asked.

            Sea Moor lowered his head, darkening his face even more, “I am.”

            “May we go see it?” Sharon inquired and Sea Moor shook his head replying, “No. Village not safe... for outsiders.” Sharon frowned.

            “Why?” Donny asked, “Are they unfriendly?”

            “No, they is contolled.” He replied, his face getting darker.

            “Contolled?” Donny said slowly, “Do you mean controlled?”

            Sea Moor nodded.

            “By who?”  Bobby questioned.

            “In Engish, it is Razor.” Sea Moor replied.

            The next few moments were spent with questions asked with the same reply, “Don't go.” The sun was setting and Sea Moor lead them to his wagon, a simple thing built mostly of wood with a metal framework that held it together with a wool sheet that covered it tent style. The thing was only a few times bigger than Sea Moor himself, who reached into the flap that was the entrance and pulled out a stick about two feet long and a bundle of some dried plant that reminded Donny of hay.

            He walked over, away from the wagon, and dropped the small bundle of weeds, smoothing them into a small pile then snapped off the tip of the stick and hid it inside the weeds.

            He moved his hands to them, telling them to back up then spit on the wood. Almost instantly the wood ignited and began to eat and live on the weeds. But this was not ordinary fire that rose into the air, this fire spread out in a three foot diameter that made it look bigger than it actually was and didn't lick at the sky till it was a good distance away, like something was on top of it.

            Donny didn't say it, but the fire was pretty cool.

            Sean watched the flames magically move under an invisible object and said, “How is it doing that?” Sea Moor just shrugged and reached back into the wagon telling them to sit around the fire. Donny watched Sea Moor pull out what looked to be an arm full of fruit.

            Sea Moor tossed a few fruits to each of them and Donny examined the strange fruit.

            It was shaped a bit like an apple but was slightly fuzzy, like a peach, with a bluish green color to it. Donny held it up and sniffed it. There was no real odor from it and was about to take a bite when Sea Moor said, “Stop. Watch.” Donny pulled the fruit away from his teeth and watched Sea Moor.

            He extended his arm out in front over the fire and held a fruit over the open flame. After a few seconds a purple, gooey liquid began to drip from the fruit dissolving into the flames leaving the fruit to change colors to a swirling mix of orange and red. He pulled it back and took a large bite from it and nearly ate the thing whole.

            Donny hesitantly put his fruit over the flames and felt the fuzzy texture spike a bit with the heat then the strange liquid fell from his fruit sizzling in the fire. Once the liquid stopped and the color was all orange or red he pulled it back and took a small bite. The taste popped in his mouth. It tasted like a cross between apples and peaches with a hint of grape thrown in. He ate more of it faster than he realized and discovered that he ate the entire fruit leaving only the taste coating his mouth.

            Once everyone finished off the delicious fruits John asked, “What are these?”

            Sea Moor polished off his last three fruits and said a word that would not register, like a deep growl with a letter or two thrown in.

            “What?” Bobby said and Sea Moor repeated the strange word.

            “It my language.” Sea Moor explained, “Engish word I not know.”

            “You're language? Does everyone in the village speak that language?” Sean asked as the wind began to pick up a bit. Sea Moor nodded just as the wind swept over them and took his hat off.

            His face was pretty plain, no hair, a slightly larger than average nose, and the same cracked skin as his arms and hands. But he did have one different thing about him: he had vibrantly golden eyes. He quickly shut his eyes and covered his face.

            “What's wrong?” Bobby inquired, surprised.

            Sea Moor didn't reply, just grabbed his hat and put it back on, careful to keep his eyes hidden.

            “I alright.” Sea Moor panted.

            Donny was about to say something when the wind began to pick up again sending a wave of sand into their faces, the fire was snuffed out and Sea Moor held his hat down. Donny gagged on the sand and covered his watery eyes and felt the sand swirl around them like a tornado.

            Once the sand stopped moving so fast Donny chanced opening his eyes and found that they were trapped in a larger sand prison, like before.

            “I get us out!” Sea Moor shouted charging the wall with his shoulder out forward. He connected with the wall and when it seemed he would get through the sand began to mold and stretch covering his arms and legs making Sea Moor into a wall ornament.

            Sharon screamed his name and a column of sand began to erupt under her feet knocking her over. When she landed a tentacle of sand gripped her ankle and pulled her into the air above everyone. The sand began to morph underfoot and forced everyone else to jump back and the wagon fell over onto its side. A circle of teeth began to grow from the sand directly underneath the upside-down Sharon. The teeth belonged to a colossal worm that rose from the sand keeping its gaping mouth open and hungry.

            Sean yelled Sharon's name and charged the creature tackling its base but it had no effect.

            Sharon reached up and pulled free her dagger then threw it straight at one of the little eyes that peeked over the teeth. It connected and the worm shrieked in pain and turned away from Sharon who began to fall as the sand began to disintegrate around her ankle. The worm retreated back into the ground where the sand covered its head.

Chapter Three: The World (Part B)

“It is possible.” Sharon said, “Those transmitting wristbands you each received are how.” But before anyone questioned again, a thundering voice rolled from the sky yelling, “SHARON!” and caused the boys to whip their heads to the sky searching for the owner of the voice.

            “Sharon! What are you doing in there?” The voice was doing more yelling than asking.

            “Dad. I am trying to help!” Sharon sounded almost like she was begging now, “I know enough to help them at least get used to the game! If I had helped the first two...”

            “If you had helped the first two you would have suffered the same fate they did. It is too dangerous!”

            “I know that I am one of the select few.” Sharon said and the yelling stopped for a few moments.

            “So you know then.” The father said, “I was hoping you wouldn't find out.”

            “What is going on?” Sean shouted suddenly, “Tell us! Please!” But Sean's request was ignored.

            “Sharon. I don't want you there but you're right. You are more than capable enough to guide them will they need it. You can stay. Just don't do too much fighting.” The voice seemed to falter as if the man was trying not to cry.

            Sharon smiled a bit and stepped behind the boys.

            “Now to start off,” The man said after a few seconds, “My name is Professor Samuel Unknown. The creator of the “game” you now reside in.

            “My son gave you those transmitters to allow you to come here and fight along the games guidelines.”

            John questioned why they were chosen.

            “I will explain more later, what you need to know is that your mission is to find and defeat the viruses planted in the game. They are working to create a wireless connection to a man named Max Devontia...”

            Donny froze when he heard the name and Sharon placed a hand on his shoulder.

            “I know Donny. I know you met him before. He came to you to try and keep you from coming here. Only you four...I mean...five... can destroy them.”

            “Why us?” Donny asked brushing Sharon's hand off his shoulder.

            “I will explain that later too, but for now the less you know the better. You must start looking for the viruses which, if I am correct, have taken the form of the games bosses, so you will have to play through the game as you normally would.

            “I am sorry I had to drag you into this. If there was another way I would but... I am sorry but please. Destroy the viruses. Only you can.” The voice began to fade and then there was nothing but the wind.

            “I guess we need to start moving.” Bobby said but John chimed, “I vote for staying put.” Sharon shifted uncomfortably then said, “I am very sorry about this. You guys shouldn't be here but since you are...please.” She sounded like a small child.

            “I don't believe this.” John said, “This is all a dream. None of this is real.”

            Sharon nodded. “True this isn't “real” but the situation is.”

            “It doesn't involve us, why should we help?” Bobby asked.

            “Because you four are different than most people.” Sharon replied then added, “Max knows this and that is why he was going to kill Donny!”

            Donny's mind flashed to the gun as everyone swallowed their breath.

            “He was going to kill...me?” Donny mouthed, scared.

            “Yes and he will also try to kill all of you.” Sharon added, “He can't when you are in here.”

            “How is that?” Bobby asked.

            “You're minds are here so your bodies are left behind,” Sharon explained, “But don't worry. Your bodies are now more than capable of protecting themselves and your family.”

            The four stood there and just stared until Sean said, “I'm with John on this. This is a dream.”

            “Believe it or not. You will feel everything that happens to you and will not wake up. This is real and it's time to go.” And with that, Sharon began marching off past the tree.

            Donny watched her walk and turned to Bobby and asked, “Should we follow?” Bobby didn't answer just shrugged and walked down hill.

            They jogged down to Sharon who was standing at the borderline between the grassy hill and the rocky wasteland. The mountains far ahead were barely visible and seemed to encircle the land in a sort of prison.

            “Are we going there?” Sean asked stepping onto a large rock. Sharon nodded and began to walk over the boundary.

            “The mud people live that way. I remember reading through old scripts my dad wrote about the game.”

            The sound of a wagon could be heard over the expansive ground as they began to pass though the wasteland.

            “What’s that?” John asked looking around.

            “Probably just a merchant or another traveler… Like we are.” Sharon said.

            “I get it.” Bobby said, “We tell people we are travelers.”

            Sharon nodded.

            Donny got it too. They could not tell anyone about who they are, where they come from, or why they are here. In fact, Donny wasn’t even sure how to answer any of those. The thought began to scare him, but at the same time he felt like he had to be there. That he wanted to be there.

            ‘I guess that’s what adrenaline does,’ Donny thought.

            The mountains grew larger along with the sound of the wagon.

            “That's getting annoying.” Sean said, looking around again, trying to locate the sound, but soon another sound replaced the first. A sharp clicking noise that filled Donny with dread.

            The sound began to click and whirl frantically and five columns of dirt jumped up toward the sky, creating the outline of a pentagon shape around the party. Sharon cried a warning when the columns began to expel dust that spiraled upward and traveled across the space between the dirt transforming them into dirt walls.

            “The sand is moving!” John yelled and it was true: they were now in quicksand. They began pull at their feet bringing themselves downward by the sand's own hands.

            “We're going to die!” John screamed trying to free himself.

            Then there was a loud thud, then another.

            'What is that?' Donny asked himself and guessed everyone thought the same.

            The question was answered as a large fist broke through the sand wall and tore a large hole in the barrier. Donny wiped the sand from his face as the hand tossed a rope at them, which each of them did grab with both hands. One mighty tug was felt then Donny felt his body fly through the sand that now was brittle and broke easily on his clothes.

Chapter Three: The World (Part A)

Donny sat on the couch flipping though each channel whether it was a cartoon, news program, or an infomercial. He was bored after three unsuccessful days of searching for Max. The police had called each day to let him know how the search was going and every time it was the same. Nothing. In fact they could not even find a Max Devontia in their area and those they did find did not match the description Donny had given them.

            But the part that concerned Donny the most was that the only evidence the police had to go one was Donny's word. The chair had no DNA finding, no fingerprints or stands of hair, the cup was the same, no prints, and whatever was used to put Cindy to sleep vanished from her system. It was almost like he was never there.

            But Donny still remembered everything that was said to him and Max's smile, his evil, malicious grin. He still remembered the fear he felt when Max pulled out his gun and the desperation he felt at Max's threatening eyes coupled with the weapon. That couldn't have been imaginary.

            The phone rang and Donny jumped to his feet, still on edge from the encounter. He snatched up the phone and pushed the "talk" button and was informed of yet another failed lead.

            Donny sighed and resumed sitting on the couch, once again flipping though the channels until he stopped on the news.

            "Breaking news. Two 16-year old boys yesterday both collapsed at the exact same time at a local supermarket. The strange part of this event was that they were taken, by what witnesses say, by a transparent man..."

            "What!" Donny yelled bolting upright, sending the remote flying, that man, he said to himself but before he could continue thinking, the band on his wrist began to squeeze harder and his vision became blurred. The television in front of him began to sway and rock as his sight began to cloud up with darkness and before he knew it, he fell to the ground, unconscious.

            "Donny." a far off voice called, "Donny wake up." It sounded familiar but Donny could not focus on where it was coming from, "Wake up!" He felt someone lift him upright and sat up, feeling his head bob up and down.

            Donny felt cool, moist grass was under his bare feet and hands as well as wind breezing over his face. Slowly he opened his eyes and stared straight at Sean's own face, which was marked by extreme fear.

            "What?" Donny asked, groggy.

            "What?" Sean mimicked, "What is this place?" Sean was scared, his voice portrayed that.

            “Where do you think...?” Donny began when his mind finally pieced together where they were. They were outside.

            “What's going on?” Donny inquired as he whipped his head around to see where they were. He said that they were on a grassy hill overlooking a long wasteland of dirt and rocks and a great tree smothered them under its shadow.

            Sean growled and spat, “I just asked you that!” Donny shoved Sean aside and saw the blue band that was previously on his wrist was replaced by a muddy-brown, torn leather gauntlet with a matching one on his other arm. He was also dressed in a same color single T-shirt with matching shorts. Sean was dressed similarly and both didn't wear any shoes.

            Donny got up and took a good long look of the surroundings as Sean protested to being pushed. The large wasteland had no plants at all, in fact, the grass on the hill ended at a sharp border line that ran around the hill.

            The great tree that stood over them had a near perfect trunk. It neither leaned or had any splintered although there was on mark on it. Four lines running parallel to each other but at a receded length pattern all intercepted a single line that ran in another direction.

            The mark intrigued Donny who asked, “What is that?” But his question was forgotten as light began to grow from a spot under the tree. Both Donny and Sean jumped back as the light grew and receded leaving two figures lying on the ground.

            “Bobby? John?” Donny asked hesitantly. One figure moved and groaned a bit then began to sit up. It was them. Bobby sat up and blinked a few times then asked, “Guys. Where are we?”

            “No. Idea.” Sean replied putting emphasis on each word while John gazed around and closed his eyes, “I'm dreaming.” He whimpered, “I was just now inside eating dinner. I am not here.”

            “Come on John. Get up.” Sean said to his brother. It took a moment for John to relax and when he did rose to his feet but didn't say anything.

            “I don't think this is a dream.” Sean said, “It's too real.” And after he said that the sun seemed to get brighter only it wasn't the sun.

            Some one else was appearing.

            “Charles.” The professor called, “How many transmitters did you take?”

            “Only six dad.” Charles responded.

            “But I am missing seven...” The professor said, thinking, “Are you sure?”

            “Of course I'm sure, I know how to count.” Charles said, his voice edged with a bit of anger from the accusation.

            “Where is your sister?” The professor asked.

            “Somewhere...” Charles said, “Now that I think of it, I haven't seen her in a while... You don't think?”

            “I don't know what to think anymore.” He closed his eyes for a moment as a steady beep, beep, beeping sound started from his computer.

            “They're inside finally.” He said, “Now I need to explain to them the situation... what's this?” The beeps kept going after the four appeared.

            “Someone else is appearing.” Both father and son looked at each other and immediately knew who the intruder was.

            The veil of light began to recede in a waterfall pattern dissipating around Sharon wearing a wide grin and asked, “What's up?”

            She was wearing similar garments to the boys except she had a small dagger at her waist and leather shoes.

            “Enjoying Cyberspace?” She asked.

            They were stunned. She looked nothing like at school. She had her hair the same but her eyes displayed a raging fire and an unbreakable will. Before she seemed shy and passive, now she appeared aggressive and ready for anything.

            “Is that you Sharon?” Sean asked, apparently dazed.

            “Of course Sean.” She replied sweetly it looked as though Sean was going to fall over. Donny almost thought about it. But he remembered they had a more pressing matter to attend to.

            “Where are we?” He asked Sharon who frowned and replied, “This is Cyberspace, a world inside my father's computer.” Bobby immediately yelled, “What! But that's impossible! Isn't it?”

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