Truth Seekers

    Maybe the ice was tougher than any of that. Pink drops the trophy. The continuation of Mr. Richardsons barrage grew lighter. "Pink," called Donald. "You did it." She turns to him with a smile, "I guess I did." From there, she was able to slip her hand through the door and unlock it. "Ow," she had cut her underarm deep from unlocking the door. But there was no more sound coming from the outside. They looked to view Mr. Richardsons but there were none. Just a door that came falling down, crash!

"Pink!"

"Yea?"

"Mr. Richardsons gone." Pink had a bad feeling.

"Let's go," she said. "It's cold," she murmured as they entered the gym. "It's cold," Donald agreed.

"We should jog." They were a quarter of the way through when Donald tripped over air.

"Come on kid, we're almost there." Pink was enlightened at the view of the outside. "It's not dark yet." She turned back at Donald and was annoyed at how he just stood there with his head down.

"After I finish college life will be perfect." Pink became more irate, but she knew he needed someone to lift his spirits. 

"Look, kid, school isn't everything."

"It's my parents dream. It's what they've been fighting for."

"If you think those things are your parents I'm just going to let them eat you."

"I don't care stupid! I'll be fine! And you hurt them" Don turned and headed back for the classroom.

"Don," he ignored her. "Donald, they'll be more." He continued to ignore her and she followed. "They were literally trying to kill us. They wanted to eat us." Donald flips her off. "Damn you," she yelled as she chased him down then tackles him to the gym floor. She punches his face but not hard and again, "isn't their anything you wanna fight for?!" Don pushed her off.

"The only thing I need to fight for is my parents dream! Making them happy is all I want!" Our voices covered the gym. Pink stood and punched him to the floor. "Ow," he yapped.

"Those aren't your parents stupid. Their vicious, they just want your brains!" They just went back and forth. If any real monster were actually around, the whole school would know.

Donald got back up, "shut up. You know nothing. Your just gonna get us both killed, just like everyone else."

"The rest?"

Donald became colder than ever, "people come here. Then they die," he stared at the floor.

"The things kill them," asked Pink.

"Every-time."

"Why are you still alive?" 

Donalds eyes watered. They trickled and his lips quiver. He was shaking. Donald falls to his palms and knees. He screamed, "your so stupid! Aah!" Pink was completely scared. Donald continued, "I die every time, I've been eaten and beaten and cut and torn and slashed and ripped! Please...." His tears, an endless well. "Please stop. I don't want to die again. I hate watching people die. I'm so sick, it makes me vom- vomit. Please," he bites his fingers. "You don't know what they'll do... They'll torture us," his voice breaks. Pink pats his head.

"Listen kid. I didn't wanna tell you this but..." She closes her eyes. "But this is my biggest secret and if you tell anyone, I'm going to eat your brains," there was a pause. Donald listens. "Adventurers never die."

Bounce. Bounce, bounce. Bump.

    A basketball flies over their heads and ricochets off the backboard. Someone was playing ball behind them. Pink almost didn't wanna look but her smiled stayed. But her eyes became holes and Dons face did not help. He was terrified. His eyes were focused on a point."is it scary," Pink lowed.

"It's too late. He's here." Pink faces his fright. You could tell by how he misses every shot. This guy was always the last one picked. The middle child. The one you should avoid at school. I always did anyway.

"Let's go."

"We can't," swoosh. The mysterious black hooded stranger Donald was so afraid of shoots the ball over their heads. It lands on the rim and swivels around.

***

    The crowd roars! “ Luis Campo scores the defining shot,” shouts the announcer from a booth sitting alongside the benchwarmers. “The Coyotes win the 1976 basketball little league semi-finals!” The crowd screams through the gym! They stand from their seats and shoot their finger plushies and hats into the air, cheering for their home school. They all cheer except an African American who sat on the benchwarmer.

    In the locker room. Luis changes into his regular clothes. A toned male, young; no older than thirteen. He has short blond hair and eyes which drag the soul from the eye. A taller black male, shirtless, bigger than Luis trudges to him and shuts his locker before Luis could grab his shirt.

"Luis," he snarled. "What was that?" 

Luis rolls his locker combo, "what was what?" 

"Playing dumb?" The entire locker room glared at the situation. Whispers circulate. Guys look. Look Ghalen and Luis are gonna fight. Ding! Ding! The bell sounds and most of the kids leave to their next classes leaving them and a few snotty children. Ghalen glares at Luis. Luis unlocks his locker but Ghalen shuts it once more.

“What’s your problem bro?” 

“Why don’t you sit bench once in a while, huh,” Ghalen says. 

“Cuz I’m the best player we got.” Ghalen grinds his teeth at his comment.

“There’s agents out there-“

“-And I expect to get signed.”

Ghalen stabs his chest with his finger, “you gotta give people a chance. 

“We all got a chance Ghalen. Why are you bothering me now?” 

Ghalen pondered his comment. “What chance do I got when you make all the shots. There were some important people out there today and this crappy team won't let me play.” Luis got his locker to open up again but Ghalen encores his actions. Luis rolls his combo de novo.

"Yo! We try real hard. If you wanna play, ball better," said Donald from behind. He was still the same age, but in his gym clothes. "Hey Luis," he's Cheerful. "Everything okay?"

"What you doing here, shrimp, you don't ball,” Ghalens malicious.

"No, but I'm a fan. It's also my gym period," he smiled. Luis opens his locker and puts on his final garment. Ghalen shoves Donald. Luis pushes Ghalen but the tougher Ghalen presses Luis against his locker. Oof. The onlookers get rowdy, oh shit! Look! They about to fight! Yeah! Fight! Slam him! A shorter white kid even pulls a switchblade and swings into the air for dramatic effect. 

"Quit, Luis." 

"Don't touch my boy," Donald yells and gets up, "Donald stay out if this," Luis told Donald.

"I ain't gonna let anyone touch you like that."

"Donald! It's not your place bro." Donald was upset but he just watched and chose to do nothing. You could tell this bothered him. His fists were clenched and shaking. A new class enters. Some mind their business while others gather around to see what's happening. Donald watches but doesn't intrude. "What's happening," asked an emo child towards his friend whom wore square glasses with tape on it’s hinges.

"You gonna quit?"

"I ain't gonna do anything like that," Luis pushes Ghalen off. "We can take this out in the gym if you'd like." Ghalen's rage had veins growing in his eyeballs.

"If you don't tell coach your leaving the team I'm gonna beat your ass and your friends."

"Hey," Donald intruded. "I don't even play man."

"Shut it, shrimp!" 

"Ghalen. If you wanna do this right then play against me. If not your just gonna bring down the team."

"What did you say!"

"I said, your not good enough to take my place. If you need to resort yourself to violence then your no real baller."

Ghalen in such furious anger began to sweat and aimed a punch at Luis, but hits the locker beside him. Ghalen starts to bleed from his knuckles. The room becomes ominous. The locker, undamaged. He walks off. The crowd thought this was lame. Boo! No fight?

Ding! Ding! "Great. I'm late," says Luis, "I'll see you later Don." He gathered his things and leaves, but Don shares his last thoughts. He grabs his shoulder.

"Look, bro, you don't need to handle all your fights by yourself. You got friends man." Luis smiles from his integrity.

"I got you buddy." To that, he leaves. Don wants to say more but his gym teacher began to speak with Luis. “Hey Luis! That was a great game, keep it up," he grinned. Luis ignores him and continued on. The coach shrugs and instructs his class. "Double time!"

    Luis walked down the halls towards his next period with his head down. He liked to lay-low, the school was full of the most cynical and obnoxious children. And frankly, relatively speaking; the absolute most dangerous… Just by walking down this hall spitballs we’re flying overhead and paper balls were thrown at his face as he went through crowds of laughter. “Get to class,” shouted the dean. That was Mr. Heresay. The biggest person in all the world. He wasn’t too fond of the students here but really liked to bark orders. He knew what he was doing. Funny enough, Mr. Heresay never looked at any of the students directly in the eye. Must be something with how he’d give an order, some of the kids just listened and his glasses would always reflect the ceilings light when he spoke. He knew what he was doing. “I said move it you turds or I’m gonna start writing three week suspensions to start,” he smiled gluttonously. The kids scrambled, laughing off to class at his order avoiding his warning. Anyone’s scarier than Mr. Heresay. What an idiot. It’s obvious the kids just want to get a reaction outta him, Luis thought.

    Before Luis entered his classroom he glances at Mr. Heresays light reflecting glasses. He never would have imagined someone could get so giant. “Where you going star,” Mr. Heresay asks Luis.

"Class."

"That was a good game. Keep it up." Mr. Heresay chuckled and they go separate directions.

Luis liked going the long ways to class. Anything to keep him from meeting the delinquents in this school. He wasn't fond of any of them besides Donald. When he turned the corner there was a snotty kid who held a shorter boy against a locker. The bully spots Luis, eyes him to see if he was gonna bother but Luis didn't. He just continued on. The bully starts to beat the boys stomach. He only wanted to ball. Can't risk being taken off the team.

    Luis enters a rowdy English class of 25. Paper airplanes litter the floor and air, an instructor writes on his chalkboard, some kids are asleep, most are talking amongst themselves, a couple make-out and the ones who try to listen cannot seem to focus. "Luis," calls Mr. Richardson. He's taller. He has a neck, and two legs and even spoke real words. Luis stops his track and matches eyes with him. 

"Yea?"

"Why are you late," he asks as a paper airplane hits his temple.

"You know. Kids are always in the way during passing period," he was cool.

"Okay, take your seat. This is your final warning." Luis proceeded to his seat in the middle of the class. A blonde girl with brown eyes notices Luis two rows behind and checks her makeup with a small hand mirror. Bam! A latino kid takes Jerrel, the smallest kid in the class and smashes him on top of his desk! 

"What you say about my mother!? Damn you boy!" Mr. Richardson shakes his head as a beating continued.

"Kids. English is an important skill to master because it helps you develop your professionalism and communication skills," Mr. Richardson walks over to the kids and he smacks the bully with a ruler on his face. The bully falls backwards. The entire class glues on the scene while Jerrel bleeds heavily from his nose. Richardson picks up the bully from his pink collar and sits him on his desk forcefully. "Come with me," he told Jerrel. He follows and Mr. Richardson gives Jerrel a nurse's note. "Don't die on the way there Jerrel," he chuckled. Jerrel, feeling quite embarrassed takes the note and proceeds the nurses. Mr. Richardson goes over to speak with the intercom. "Principal King Ladybug?" There was a small pause. Then the intercom spoke. Beep!

"Yes?" Mr. Richardson presses the button once more.

"I need an escort. I have a student in 300 picking a fight." Beep!

"I'll send an escort."

"What the hell fool! My dads gonna break my bones!"

"Shut your mouth boy! Your lucky I didn't become your dad, I'd ought to put my leg through your goddamn chest!" The bully was silent. "Melvin," he called to the students who were making out in the corner. "Melvin!" Melvin finally stopped kissing and said, "yea?"

"You done?"

"In a sec brotha."

"I outta-" A spitball hits Mr. Richardsons cheek. "Damn. Who did that," he fisted in the air. The class began to speak amongst themselves and Mr. Richardson, after no clear response was given, started to write on his chalkboard once more. Through it all Luis kept his eyes closed and just waited for instructions. He wanted no part in anything. And the kids continued to make-out.

    Mr. Richardson puts on a powerpoint, "today's topic is theme and tone. And how Carl Sandbug uses poetry to discuss what is right and wrong about society." Throughout his boring lecture Trudy, the blonde girl from two rows behind persists her sights on Luis, but the boy behind her, Lingyun, wasn't too fond of this. He's a taller, skinner boy than Luis and obviously very invested in Trudy. He was writing a love note but was very upset. His face was very pouty, eyebrows were lowered and he was folding a small piece of paper in his hand. He contemplated if he should give it to her. 

    An officer enters. A large stereotypical Caucasian. Red mustache and no hair. "Boy," calls Mr. Richardson to the bully who sent the short child to the nurses. "You'll be going with him and tell him nothing but the truth." The boy gets up, spits on his desk and leaves, hands in his hoodie. Mr. Richardson was left very disappointed rubbing his head. 

Lingyun pokes Trudy's shoulder, "hey." Trudy rolled her eyes and reluctantly faces him.

"Yes, Tee?"

He chuckles, "it's Lingyun." Trudy showed a forced smile. She turns back to Luis. Lingyun taps her shoulder again, "What Tee," she stage whispered. 

He chuckles, "it's Lingyun." She wasn't interested in the slightest. "Anyway, here are the answers for todays quiz," he was very gloom. 

Trudy turned real happy. She was a fake and Lingyun had no awareness of this tactic. Trudy accepts the paper and begins to unfold it and read it to herself. Lingyun, as nervous as he was laid his head on the desk waiting for a response. Trudy lifts her head and shifts red in face. She crumbles the paper. Lingyun was surprised. "Your done reading already," he asks blushing.  Trudy swipes the paper onto the floor, and Lingyun became very sad. How could she, he thought as she was focused on the instructor. Lingyun almost dropped the situation, but when he noticed she started to focus on Luis's blond back-hairs. He scratched his hair and almost didn't stop, he seemed unstable, "wassup, you like him," he whispered. Trudy didn't pay any attention to him. 

    Mr. Richardson began to pass out papers, "this assignment requires you to answer questions about some of the poetry we went over then summarize what you believe is the most important point." When the papers reached Trudy, she passed the last one to Lingyun. LIngyun finally caught her face and grabs her wrist.

"What are you-"

"Go on a date with me," he tried to be sweet.

"No, get off," she was getting loud.

"Shut up hag, I know what you said to Myrtle." Trudy's eyes widened. As frozen as ice. Lingyun smiled, "go on a date with me or I'm going to expose you whore."

Luis passes the rest of the papers behind him and notices how Lingyun was grabbing Trudy. He didn't want to appeal to this, but he knew Trudy cared for him. She was always nice to him. One time she even tied his gym shoe without him asking. Trudy always watches his games, and sees how he always plays with an untied shoe. She was a real fan. "Trudy," called Luis. Trudy looks at Luis completely nervous and Lingyun covered his eyes with his hair to avoid Lingyun's glare. 

"Yea?"

"You got a pencil? Mine broke." He was lying. 

Happily she says, "sure." Trudy flings Lingyun's grip and goes into her pouch for a pencil.

"You guys seem to be getting close," Luis jokes. The class laughs. Trudy and Lingling, they mocked. I don't believe it! She's the prettiest girl on the campus! Lingyuns the worst player on the team! Trudy was embarrassed, she didn't want Luis to think they were dating. After all, she loved Luis. 

"Alright, alright. Settle down everyone. Love is forbidden on school grounds, please take this outside of campus," announced Mr. Richardson.

"We're not dating," blurted Trudy. Lingyun was flustered.

"I don't date whores," he retaliates. Oh man! The class became a party, Trudy's a whore! Trudy drops the pencil for Luis on the floor. Luis sees this and proceeds to grab it before Trudy had picked it up. "Thanks, Trudy!" Luis had made her feel better. When Luis walked back one of the kids poked Lingyun's shoulder. "Hey bro are you lying? I was making a poster for her so she could say yes when I asked her for the eighth grade dance."

"Nah, Rian. She lets her dad rape her." The boy covered his mouth in awe.

Trudy heard this and started to shake. Rian was astounded. He began to whisper to his friends and his to theirs, and theirs to whomever. Pretty soon the rumor had already gone halfway around the room. Trudy watched as the rumor spread. She gathered her things immediately and marched out the class making sure she paid no attention to Luis. 

"Trudy, where are you going," asked Mr. Richardson. Her face completely red; she didn't even look at Mr. Richardson as she walked out the room. "That's gonna be a detention Trudy!" The rumor had got to Luis. "Hey," called his neighbor.

"Yea?"

"You heard about Trudy," asked the black hair girl. She was bad news. Luis never liked this one. She never eats and her body shows it. I hear she does cocaine in the bathrooms and fights with a bunch of girls in there. I don't know what actually goes on but she's always bruised and cut up. "No," said Luis. 

"Whore-of-a-girl, lets her dad rape her." Luis was confused, "who?" He didn't want to know, but this was out of the norm. Even for him. They were only in the eighth grade after all, and Luis never thinks about sex. 

"Lingyun says Trudy," she laughed as the instructor continued; "okay I'm giving you all twenty minutes." Luis looks around and sees the whole class muttering amongst themselves. He picks out words like father and Trudy. He knew what was going on and this wasn't fair for her. He stands and marches to Lingyun, "Lingyun," he started and stood over him. Lingyun had his wrists fall from his desk and chair with his ankles crossed.

"What, twerp?"

"You start that rumor about Trudy?"

"It ain't a rumor."

"Luis. Take your seat please." Luis looks at Mr. Heresay then back at Lingyun.

"Did you spread that comment?" 

"What comment?"

"Luis," Richardson was much more firm but nobody listened to him.

"About Trudy."

Lingyun lifts his shoulders, "word spreads fast."

"You little," Luis punches Lingyun's face, dropping him to the floor. There's a fight everyone! Oh crap! Fight! Fight! Fight! Fight!

"Luis! Stop this right now! Get back to your chair," Richardson orders Luis, but Luis kept pounding Lingyun's face. Lingyun grabs Luis's collar and headbutts his nose. Luis stumbles back and begins to kick the crap out of Lingyun. Lingyun groans and became more and more in pain. "You deserve this damn you," screams Luis! Mr. Richardson ran through the crowd, pushing some of the kids aside trying to deescalate the encounter. Fight! Fight! Fight! Someone delivers a blow to Luis's head from behind causing him to fall onto a students table. He turns and it was one of Lingyun's friends. The buddy tries to get on top of Luis but Luis quickly lays on his back and kicks his stomach. Luis stands and another kid runs into Luis tackling him into the crowd of kids. A lot of them get hurt. The new fighter starts delivering many blows at Luis's face while on the floor. Mr. Richardson was here with a ruler and thwacked the kids face. "Thats enough," he said. Fight! Fight! Fight! "I said enough! If I hear one more word about this situation everyone in this class will receive a failing grade for the semester! Do you hear me!" The class settles down. "Good. Luis. Lingyun. Noah. Spencer. Wait in the hall. The rest of you, sit back down and finish your assignment!" The accusers and Mr. Richardson advance to the front. The fighters go outside while Mr. Richardson calls into the intercom. "And that's fifteen points off!" The class moans. Beep! "Yes," says the intercom. 

"Enough," shouts Mr. Richardson!

"Is everything okay," the intercom adds. Mr. Richardson clears his throat.

"Yes," he smiles trying to calm down; "may I have an escort again. Four kids decided to brawl during our lecture." Beep! "Copy. We'll send one right away." Mr. Richardson scolds the class with his angry face, "very. Very disappointing you lot," Richardson heads to the brawlers.

"What was that," he started. None of the guilty kids said a word. "Luis. No. Really? You could hurt your career."

"Well, Ling was-"

"Up-up-up-up-up. We are not going to play this game." Lingyun snickers. Mr. Richardson notices but chooses to do nothing. "You can take it up with Principal Ladybug. I'm gonna wait here until security comes." He studies them a bit longer before saying anything, "you guys are so smart. You can have the whole world if you make the right choices. Bad choices don't make you bad kids, and I will stress it till' my ear falls. Don’t waste your life for a bad choice." None of the delinquents seemed to care. Slam. Security had let the door shut behind him. "Well, I rest my case," he turned to the security. "Jo!" 

"Was going on Richardson?"

"Inciting knowledge. Huh, guys?" Noah and Spencer were thumb wrestling whereas Luis, and Ling paid attention to their separate walls. Theres a school dance? Luis wondered.

"Take them away boss."

"Alright, man. See ya later," he focuses on the boys as Mr. Richardson leaves. "Follow me to the office." Man, grunted Noah. I know we coulda' smacked the hell outta Luis, followed Spencer.

"What was that," rebuked Jo. No one said a word. "Thats what I thought." Lingyuns crew were a bunch of jerks. All they ever thought about was girls. It was not a secret, they were pretty loud about it. Sometimes even disgusting. They would talk on and on how they would lead a poor girl to a recluse area and do the worst. Nothing ever happened so they never get in trouble but Luis always kept an eye out. Just in case. Though, from time to time girls go missing. Boys too. But Luis already had a couple of suspects if anything suspicious happened around him. He didn't care to be a hero, nevertheless, a part of him always had empathy for people and never wanted to see anyone get hurt in front of him. This was his biggest fear. He'd witness the worst possible thing imaginable and he would be in its vicinity. He always heard horror stories about people and what they do to each other. Some of those stories even came from his school. But Luis knew all he needed to do was focus on basketball. That's it. Basketball. And everything will be right as rain.

    A weird name. Principal King Ladybug? The principal sat in his comfortable black leather chair writing his final notes and gives each of the four a slip, "please sign this. Pink copy is for you to keep. They each sign except Luis. Luis reads his note then raises an eyebrow. "Excuse me."

King Ladybug multitasks with his rubik's and their conversation. "My Paper says I'll be suspended for two weeks."

"Two weeks," bellowed Ling! "Why are you suspending me for a month?"

"I believe there's been a mistake. You see, I have a game tomorrow night-"

"From everything I've recorded it seems you all were fighting, so you all will be getting suspended. Noah, Spencer, Luis; you will be suspended for two weeks for fighting and disrupting an on-going lecture. Ling I'll be suspending you for a month for the same reasons and creating rumors. I will find an adequate punishment for the rest of the class concerning the spreading of said rumor.”

“This wouldn’t affect my game will it?” Noah and Spencer talked about their plans for their ‘vacation.’

“A suspension will not allow you to attend school nor attend any school activities. I apologize.” 

“Sir, these are the finals. You can’t do this to me.”

“You decided when you chose to disrupt your class from learning.” 

“Your just going to let the team suffer?” 

“I saw your history. Your a good player. And it’s true you make most of the Coyotes points but you got a whole benchwarmer team waiting in case something like this were to happen.” 

“Nothing happened.” 

The principal rose a brow, “come on Luis, let’s not play merrie-go-round. You got in a fight with your colleagues, that’s unacceptable.” 

“Ling was spreading rumors.” 

“Let’s not point fingers.”

“But sir-“ 

“If you want to continue debating we can extend your suspension to one month, and I can guarantee you won’t be touching another ball for half a season this next school year. Do I make myself clear?” 

Luis couldn’t find a way to save himself, “yes sir.” 

“Good. Your all free to go,” he smiled. That cocky bastard. 

    Oddly enough, Lingyun, Noah, Luis and Spencer walked out the school together in a fair manner. Luis never spoke whilst the others babbled on about why politics was stupid and why Lingyun would be a better leader than any other person living. Luis also caught them saying if Lingyun was ever going to steal more fish, but Ling squeezed the dudes hand so hard, Luis wondered if it was a signal to shut him up. You see, one time, someone was putting dead goldfish in all the girls bathrooms every other day or so. Administrators said the perpetrator who did it probably shook the fish so violently all the water produced which had surrounded the toilets were from the fixation of the fish murder scene. They never found the guy. When the four reached a path which splits into three roads Ling spoke to Luis, "gonna follow us all day," he scolded. Luis didn't need to look at him for him to know who he was aiming for. He didn't care but he tried to show sympathy. Lingyun was after-all, a member of one of the best basketball teams in the school district. Luis interrupted his stroll. "Lin-g," he was reluctant; "wanna play some Explosion Menaces." Everyone likes that game. Is all I hear people talking about at school. Spence and Noah expressed glee on their noses from crinkling. They liked this idea. "It's a game for up to six. We can team up or-"

"I know what it is," Ling barked, "seeing you at court is already too much!" Luis snickers at his screwed comment and leaves for home separating paths from his crew. Spencer seemed disappointed. His bottom lip, pursed, "Aw, Ling; they don't sell that game anymore.

"Shut your trap," Ling snapped!

Noah rebutes, "damn Lingyun. Spencers got your back no matter whatever." Spencer liked to squeeze his pocket when he got nervous like today.

“Yea, man. Change the course. I’m at the door,” he smiled. “Always.” Lingyun liked what he had said. He always knew his boys would always be there. 

“Noah?” 

“Huh?”

“And you?” 

“What do you mean?” 

“Don’t play stupid! Change the coarse. Your at the door,” Ling mumbled.

“Sorry what?”

“You heard me! Change the coarse and your at the door, right?!” Noah burst in laughter!

“Yea man, your door, my door, it doesn’t matter,” he chuckles some more; “I’ll be there. They pass a corner with nice flowers and grass. 

    A shattered glass with some change, accompanied by a dirty hand with black smudges disrupts their company. He shakes the glass as if it was too heavy for his cut fingers. Noah pukes, “sorry! We already used it for drugs!” Spencer couldn’t care less. And the person in need refuses to put down his glass. On the other hand, Lingyun began to feel enlightened. Angry at the man who’s eye was colder than his. “A soul on his last stand is a man willing to run the marathon for crumbs.” Spencer lifted his chin showing interest. The actor philosopher, “boys… I know my fathers combo.” Noah had his jaw drop.

“You mean,” Noah stutters. 

“I hate our school. Not to mention our damn principal is named after a bug. Disgusting. And my parents refuse to give me better help. Their useless.” Ling looks towards the sky. The homeless drops his arm a bit father down. Now his entire arm began to shake. 

“I say. We go into his safe.”

Spencer interjects, “Melodramatic?” 

Luis snaps, “aren’t you bored? And Noah. Your not worthless. I know you’ll always be there,” he let out a conniving smile; “the both of you.” He grabbed onto their shoulders like brothers. They take a moment and he looks back at the helpless human on the grass. “You ever fire a weapon?” 

The homeless smiles, showing his green and yellow teeth. 

    “Hermosa? The broccolis gone bad.” 

“Hm,” curiously, Amelia, Luis’s mother; inspects her husbands broccoli. “Mmmm. It does that when it ages, it’s okay to eat, just give Luis the green pieces.” Their kitchen was nice. Marbled tops, fruit in baskets and tiled floor. The husband, Rudolph; was cutting the vegetables. Amelia stirs the saucy chicken bites and watches the rice. 

“What would I do without you,” he kisses her.

“Fail our son,” she mocked. Amelia goes back to stirring the chicken. Rudolph, feeling offended, watches her walk back to her food thinking she was gonna intrigue his thought. “Excuse me,” he played.

“Hm,” she pretends she doesn’t hear him. 

“The only person our son is going to fail is himself.” 

“Which is why we give him a healthy push from his parents.” 

Chop. Rudolph finished the broccoli and dumps the remaining pieces into a bowl containing a variety of veggies. He pours a gold dressing and tosses it.

“He doesn’t need to be pushed. He’s smart. It’s because of our involvement his minds focused on games.” He pauses his tossing to throw in some vinegar and tosses it again. 

Amelia darts away from her food and faces Rudolph. “Rudolph,” she’s stern. “He doesn’t eat at the dinner table and his sentences are usually incomplete. He is sick of us Rudolph! We need to do more.” Rudolph finishes the final touches with a garnish while Amelias food smokes.

“Honey,” he’s cheerful. Rudolph dances his way to her side. He sways her hips. He swoops his arms around her stomach and picks up a wooden spoon and the pan handle with the other. He stirs, “wow, this is such an exquisite smell!” Amelia loses her conscious in his arms then quickly feels discomfort; her eyebrows become more narrow. Rudolph lowers the heat, takes the pan off the heat, and hums to soothe her discomfort but fails to accomplish this. Rudolph spins her. 

“Okay, you win. I’ll talk to him when he comes by.” Amelia shines a smile, “there she is,” he beamed.

“You’ll try?” 

“Yea,” they kiss again. Distracted by their infatuation, they didn’t notice the fire that had begun from leaving the food. “Oh no,” she worried. She tapped Rudolph’s back over and over again, “Rudolph, Rudolph, oh my- oh my god!”

“What-what’s wrong,” the flame enrages larger! “Oh crap!” Rudolph scrambles for a dry cloth and smacks the flame to prevent it from spreading! 

    Creak. From the commotion Luis arrives to his home and finds the opportunity to run upstairs into his bedroom successfully unnoticed. The basketball posters of star players, signed balls scattered, and the trophies in his closet were all elements that made Luis’s room youthful. Entering his room, Luis first throws his bag onto his computer chair and jumps onto his bed to start throwing his ball into the air and back into his palm, and up again.

Bump bump bump. “Sport.” His father peeks his head in, “how you doing? I knew I heard something;” he was warm.

“Hey dad.” 

“May-“

“You can come in.” His father closes the door behind. “Getting better with your shots?” Luis maintains a steady pace with his basketball. 

“I’m always getting better dad.” Luis wasn’t impressed by his break-the-ice moment.

“And school?” 

“What do you think.” 

“Good.” Luis caught his ball and faces opposite of his father. Rudolph sits next to Luis. “Your moms worried.” 

“Isn’t the whole world?” 

“Are you?” 

“What? Am I worried too?” 

“Is my world annoyed?” Luis couldn’t help but smile, although, he didn’t like this very much. “Why aren’t you in school?” Luis was cautious at first but he’s a good kid with astonishing grades, so he thought he could get away with it.

“I got suspended.”

Rudolph was flabbergasted! “Wha-what, wh-why ?” He stood up and got father mode. “Do I need to walk up to the school in bear feet and fight for my sons right for an education?” Luis laughed.

“No dad,” he was blushing. “This kid was bullying a girl and I decided to punch him, so they suspended me.” 

“Son,” he stated. “You are way to mature to be getting into fights.” 

“You expect me to watch and let people get bullied?”

“No. Yes. No. I- no. We.” He took a breath. “Luis, your mother and I do not want you to get in any fights. No matter the circumstance and that is final.” 

“You always tell me to stand up for what’s right. To be brave!” 

“I never said to get killed!” 

“I’m not getting killed!” 

“We are not having this conversation any longer.  If you want to continue this then I will take away all your sport privileges, understand?” Luis recalled his next sentences, but was obviously upset. He turned away from his father once more. His father was taken a bit back. “I’m headed off into the office soon. Just wanted to check on you.” Luis wouldn’t face him. “We’ll, dinners almost ready. It would have been ready but your mother wanted to cook.” Luis was chuckling, Rudolph considered this a win. 

“Yea I smell the burning up here.” They laughed together. When it turned more calm, Rudolph felt it was appropriate.

“Did you decide on a career?” Luis shook his head.

“You already know what I wanna do.” 

“Basketball?” Rudolph again, was disappointed. “Luis, I want to make sure your okay. You have a lot of time before college so now is the best to decide on a career. You can get ahead of your peers and put less time on games.” 

“Games,” questioned Luis. He sits up and faces his father. 

“Football, tag, basketball. Sports aren’t reliable son.” 

“Tags not a sport.” 

“You know what I mean.”

“I don’t.” 

His father sighed. He was beginning to leave but left his last remark. “You always have a home here. Stop choosing the harder route sport. Don’t get trapped. I did alright with you and your mother, insurance is not a bad gig.” 

“Maybe, but you don’t ever see me.” 

Rudolph became very sad. He had to rub his nose so he could not tear up. He creaked Luis’s door to exit. “I’m just glad you’re okay sport.”

“Get out.” There was a pause before his father spoke again.

“Hey Luis. We’ll tell your mother it’s a school holiday.” 

“I’m suspended for two weeks.”

“Oh? A school vacation then,” he smiled and Rudolph was gone. Leaving Luis crying to sleep in his pillow, alone. For the next few hours.

    When Luis woke some hours later, he looked towards the window. A bit of red light tried to seep in. It was sunset time. Luis gets up puts on his gym clothes and regular clothes over them then leaves his home. "What kind of a teammate would I be if I didn't  support my team." Luis was planning on attending the game even with his suspension in midst. Luckily, his parents were watching television, so they never saw Luis go.

"Was that Luis," asked the mother.

"Probably going to a friend's house," pondered Rudolph.

"So your not sure?"

"He was telling me about some birthday party."

"Oh." Amelia didn't entertain the thought any longer.

    Luis felt his gray hoodie and joggers were subtle enough. When he got to the back of the school he saw how there were many people entering from the back so they weren't checking id. Luis followed a couple of nerds from behind. He got to the front, and before sneaking in Luis looks around his vicinity. He spots Lingyun and his crew in mute clothing. They were discussing something before splitting up except Ling. Odd, Luis thought. He didn't mind the situation and goes into the building. Many kids were just conversing amongst themselves and two officers surveyed the area. Luis leaves the line that would have led him the ticket booth and tries to find a way into the gym. He knew their were two sets of double doors before the gym. The second set were closed and in the first set, there was someone checking tickets. 

    Luis steps out the building and steps into a dark corner and takes off his clothes, leaving his gym clothes. He jogs in place, huffs and licks his thumb to rub saliva on his cheeks and forehead. As if running late, Luis sprints for the gym.

"Excuse me!" The ticket checker calls Luis and he stops his run. Luis pretends to breath heavy and power walks to her, "yes?"

"Ticket?" 

"I'm sorry, I don't have one; I'm running late for the game." He made sure to sound desperate. She checks him up and down and gives in.

"Get me a free game some time. Good luck!" Luis waves and enters the gym. He sticks to the side, keeping his head low. Some kids already took notice to his Coyote uniform. Luis starts up the stairs making his way to the top. On his way, Luis puts his hoodie on. One kid was already tugging  on his hoodie on the way up. Luis looks at the lonely child. You could tell by how no one sat beside him.

"You play," he asked.

"Nah, I told him," Luis told him.

"Oh. You look like one of them."

Luis smiles and continued his walk upwards. The game wasn't too far in. Luis takes his seat as far up as you could go. In these rows, administrators usually sat here and little students. Luis felt this was his best bet. To blend with the kids who felt safe in the same row with their teachers. Though, the smell was a bit musty. The score was 8-4, Coyotes in lead. The announcer shouts, "Mark Velloneise scores another point for the coyotes! Making it 10-4!"

    Luis was already studying the game on firsts notice. What is he talking about? This is supposed to be the Coyotes greatest advisory. Grievous Gazelles. It's no secret why we dominate the youth tournament. We train hard. But. Luis grits his teeth. I keep tellin' Melvin to hold the ball on its side before shooting. He could sharpen his trajectory that way. Damien has a higher chance in making the shot during our s-play. I have no idea why he's a guard during low-point. Makes no sense. Caleb makes a better guard. He's a giant for crying out loud! I'm glad the new guy is off the bench. I see what he could work on... I'll challenge him as my first comeback match. He's short so when Theo runs into the inner key his ball gets taken. An easy fix is to hug your ball. Protect it then make the shot.

Ba! ba-ba! Clear shots are heard from outside the glass. Luis jerks his head to the sound. Some of the kids begin to scream and run down the steps! "No," called the announcer! "Please everyone single file lines," he gulped.

Slam! Three men walk in with t-shirt masks. They held black uzi's and began to spray at administrators and children. Bam! Ba! Ba-ba-ba-bubububbu! Multitudes of bullets triggered by the spark of fire propels the alloy killer into wood. Metal. And flesh. Of the children we care for. Dropping as flies would. Luis knew he was safer than anyone. The bullets would need to travel farther, granting more time. Terrifying rightfully so. He couldn’t believe it!  Here? Now? I play basketball. This is what I’m supposed to be doing and this is what’s happening? Luis ran for the other end of the bleachers, when he made it he dropped between seats like a lot of the students did. And used the seat walls as cover. Some were getting shot. The cover was far too low and Luis only came here to play dead. This is the worst idea ever, he thought. He saw the children pile against the front doors, struggling to escape, screaming and crying. This is horrid. I should be doing something, it’s not right for me to just lay here! The kids started to run to the other end of the gym as well, since there were exit doors there. But the bullets were faster than man. They couldn't escape, some did, but very little.

Bu-baba!

    Donald was always stupid folk. I swear, he was the only whom ever tried to help anyone out. Even the bullies. There was this kid one time who would chew gum any chance he got. What was his name? Henry? I think, but he would only chew for a couple minutes before spitting his gum onto a strangers hair. Honestly, it looked hilarious but thats why no one said anything. Say something, he'll gum your hair again. He picked on Donald a lot of the time. He seemed to be the only one giving a reaction to the bully. Of course he was big so no one could do anything and snitches end in ditches, so no one told any of the teachers. You get in a fight, you both get suspended. It's crazy! But what was really crazy... Henry didn't know how to swim. He was drowning in one of the lakes, and Donald just happened to be there. He had always liked the water, I don't know why any of the lifeguards didn't save Henry, but Donald went in, took his surfboard and paddled to Henry. Donald saved him and they paddled back together. Ever since then Henry stayed to himself. Never picked on anyone. Never tried to help anyone. Then he went to jail for robbery and was expelled. Why couldn't anyone save Donald like he did to Henry. He deserved that didn't he? I was furious! Donald your not a hero! How dare you try and flank the shooter! Your human! Why did he try to tackle on of the shooters, if he hadn't, they wouldn't have shot him four times.

    Donald had died in the middle of the gym as he tried to save the children by running from behind using his backpack as cover but was stopped when a barrage of solder penetrated his bag and into his body, making him fall backwards. The killers then continued their massacre throughout the gym. Nobody could get close when three of them were present and covered their blind spots. This was a planned shooting. Luis, inflamed, decides to lose his life and runs for the killers! He skips benches trying to get down as quickly as possible. To Luis, it was completely unfair for him to be left alive when his best friend had just died protecting everyone who disliked him. Some of the kids he protected were the likes of Samson Auburn. Notorious, a womanizer and liked to steal the tires of bikes and leave them on top of computers. Very odd. But the tires were always flat afterwards so most of the kids lost their bikes. Another one was, Jeffrey Abel, he was another odd one. He and all his things always stenches in death. It was rumor he'd keep dead animals in his bag. Some of the kids even say they witnessed tails coming out the bag. Very odd. Nonetheless, Donald is a great kid and deserved not to be in vain. What can I do? I'm gonna get shot! I'm gonna die and my dreams with it!

Bu-ba!

    Luis is shot in the shoulder and swings back falling on his backside. Luis was still only halfway down the bleachers. The children screams continued and more people began dropping to the floor. As the sheer amount of children is vast, more kids seemed to be escaping the horror. Luis lifts his head. He looks to his shoulder. Blood. Everywhere on his side. He tried to get up with one arm and notices how his right arm is completely underwhelmed. He couldn't move it. The only neurons that seemed to be working were the jerks and jitters from the bullets vengeance, making his arm twitch. With little speed, he ran for the stairs and goes down to see if there was anything he could do. Anything at all. Just one thing. He reached the bottom steps when--

Ba-Bu-bam! Another set of bullets whizzing through his body, his chest and belly. His breathing was off. The man who shot him walked up to Luis and looks down on him. His eyes were brown and was the tallest member of the killers. Luis knew who he was. He looked around the gym, and felt more and more correct; he managed to squeeze a breath, "Spence?" The killer squinted his eyes and you could see his smirk from his tight mask. It was Spencer. I knew something was wrong? They always were together. Why split-up when you were all suspended. I get it. It was all a plan to shoot the school. Not. Oh man.... My thoughts. I'm dying... They... They weren't here to watch the game, huh? "Spence. I- I- I'm gonna walk up from my grave and haunt you. I'm gonna take your skin and teeth and I will make you eat your brethren! I will be your friends living nightmare, I'm going to be darkness! I'm going to be death and I'm going to tear you apart for eternity! You hear me! You took my friend," he cried! "You-you took my-my," his voice breaking; dreams..." Ba-bu!

    Spencer walks off from Luis's supposed dead body and continues his massacre. Luis only had an eye left. He sees the killing. His breathing now stops but his visuals from his one eye is fine, he's losing conscious. Nice, he thought. Cops come from the crowd and shoot each of the perpetrators, unfortunately, for them to carry out their successful kill they were at a crouch among the raging crowd of blood and cover that saved the remaining children. Before Luis's passing, he heard they caught one shooter who was defending the front of the school. If only I could've done more, were his final thoughts.