“Are you supposed to be here?”

Dares slowly opened his eyes, and they locked onto a pair of deep hazel ones that regarded him as if he were an interesting animal on display at the zoo. The grass was cool on his back in the shade of the bleachers he had nested behind. In the distance sat a monolithic building - a school perched on a cliff, overlooking a scenic ravine.

Am I supposed to be here? That’s an interesting question.

One eye half-lidded, the fog of sleep encircling the boy, eager to reclaim him. He didn’t suppose the nuisance would go away if he just ignored her, would it?

“Umm…” - an uncomfortable filler.

No. No it would not. Half yawning, half sighing, Dares brought himself up into a half-presentable slouch and resumed eye contact. The girl was about his age, with short auburn hair and a pouty face framed by a few dangling bangs. She was wearing an orange tank top and a pair of running shorts. Was she on the track team? There wasn’t a number pinned on her.

“I’m supposed to be here as much as anyone is supposed to be anywhere else. Is there a problem?” asked Dares.

“It’s just, classes are still in session and you don’t look like you’re part of any of the activities. Do you have a free period? If so, I don’t think this is an approved place to rest, maybe try study hall. If you have time to nap, you could always use that time to brush up on -”

Oh god he was sorry he asked.

“Ababa-buh - shush.” Dares pushed a finger to the girl’s cherry lips. “As a matter of fact, I was studying. Catching up on my dream classes. I’ve been falling behind you see, grades are slipping.” Dares offered what he supposed was a joke, but he neither felt into it nor felt that the nosy girl would understand it.

“You must be the new transfer, right? It was Dares, wasn’t it? That’s right, at orientation, Dares -”

Dares flashed a fearsome glare at her, one that froze the girl in her tracks.

“Just Dares is fine. And no offense, but it really isn’t any of your business what I choose to do with my free time.”

The girl crossed her arms and puffed out her cheeks. “It may be none of my business, but you really ought to spare a moment to consider how your choices reflect on everyone else. If the collective grade average for our year drops below the standard, we can get blacklisted from the school festivities!”

Dares had started tuning her out, quite used to the lectures he got from the teachers and staff, and getting one now from a peer was not so different. It was vexing though, that her rant on moral obligations to the collective will of the many was driving a wedge between him and the dream he was trying to climb back into. The details were becoming fuzzier, fading fast, like a shadow as the sun set on a sweltering day.

“Where do you think you’re going?” the girl snapped, nearly trembling with frustration.

“Might take your advice after all. The nice thing about study hall is it’s quiet.” Dares emphasized that last word pointedly.

The girl looked stung. Dares felt a brief pain of guilt that he quickly buried. She could have just minded her own business, after all.

But, Dares did not get far. The path between the bleachers was blocked by the imposing shadow of the track coach.

“Miss Koizumi, water breaks generally do not take longer than five minutes, am I right?”

The girl sheepishly looked away, blushing furiously. “I was uh, exceptionally thirsty?” she pleaded upward, eyes wincing against the stern frown etched into the large man’s sunburnt and whiskered face.

“And you’re chatting with a friend?” he inquired, scratching his chin.

“I was just on my way out, actually. I was hoping this girl could point me to Block C?” Dares contradicted casually enough. He wouldn’t bother correcting the big bear in front of him that that girl who Dares had just met was by no stretch of the imagination a friend. But, the authority saw what he saw, and what he saw became the accepted truth. When Dares was given a detention for truancy, he shrugged that off as well. He would have his nap one way or another, and there wasn’t anything God himself could do to keep his head off that hard desk waiting for him in the after-hours classroom. Admittedly, Dares felt a little peeved when the Koizumi girl was reprimanded and sentenced too, for what amounted only to a very liberal charge of class disruption.

Well, no good deed goes unpunished, that was they saying, wasn’t it?

Dares would have his rest, but he now severely doubted he would return to the wonderful dream he had been having. And for that, his bitterness won out over any sympathy he may have had for the girl that was lumped in with his delinquency. As both were being led out of the track field and into the main office to be processed, Dares spared a long glance at the girl dragging her feet pitifully behind, bringing up the rear of this strange human train of shame. Her fists were balled up tight, wrists cocked out, and hot, bitter tears welling up in her eyes. Dares felt, rather than heard her overwhelming, desperate sentiment -

This isn’t fair!

Dares felt pensive now, some part of him reaching out to share in that crippling burden, but a part he was largely unconscious of.

“This isn’t fair”… How many times…? How many times have I told myself those same words over all these years?

“Hehehe…” - a soft giggle, so soft it might have been the wind. The instructor never looked back as he marched his charges inexorably towards their place of punishment.

But the girl caught it on the wind, and looked up, hurt and confused, but also curious. And to her shock, she saw Dares had thrown back his head and was cackling hysterically. It was absurdly riotous to hear this little perfectionist declare something “unfair”. Oh, the world, the world was so vast.

The main offices were undergoing renovations, which relocated disciplinary measures to the spare attendance office where the two children were seated and awaited judgment from the vice principal. The girl, whose first name was Jun, Dares soon learned, squirmed uncomfortably in her seat, desperately wanting more than anything to disappear. She had clearly never gotten in trouble before. Their judge, a tired woman who looked like she couldn’t wait another day for retirement, remanded them to serve out their detentions in study hall with the others. At this, Dares smiled serenely.

Exactly what I wanted.

The room was meant to contain and deprive naughty children. They were to be kept inside, but the room couldn’t control their thoughts. Dares was as free in his head as any bird spreading its wings upon the sky. He saw himself among the clouds with them, soaring as high as the sun, an eagle of light. He smiled. This will be a good dream.

As Dares drifted off, the smells of cherry bubble gum and menthol cigarettes drifted up from the back of the classroom. Dares peaked over his shoulder at an older girl dressed somewhere between a goth and a punk rocker, with slashed jeans and a frayed purple blouse that slid down on one shoulder. Her wrists were clapped in spiked gauntlets, matched by the studded choker she wore, a purple heart dangling from it on a chain. Her straight hair was dyed silver, and one side grew longer than the other, covering her eye. The visible eye was icy and disinterested.

Wonder what she’s in for. That’s a lot to work with. Dress code violation? Fighting?

Dares went over the possibilities, conjuring each individual scenario and playing it out to see where it went. Whatever branching path the narrative took, it inevitably ended in confrontation with an authority figure, the same as Dares’ had.

He looked to another desk a few rows over. The overpowering musk of body spray and antiperspirant hit him before he processed the boy’s physical dimensions. A broad, caramel-skinned boy, seventeen-going-on-twenty-three, with slicked back, shiny black hair, and a gold chain hanging around his thick, corded neck. His extra-large basketball shirt still strained against his bulging muscles, and his biceps looked as thick as a kangaroo’s legs. He was dozing away peacefully, looking much like an overgrown baby despite his form.

Lucky. Dares envied the older boy. There was too much energy in the room, Dares couldn’t find his peace. The nap it seemed, would have to wait, blasphemous boasts to the contrary aside.

Not really thinking about it, Dares turned his head over on the smooth desk to his left, where Jun sat miserably. She looked more like she were strapped into an electric chair than being held for twenty or so minutes in the same desk she’d normally be studying in anyway. Her head was cast down, burdened by great weight. She could only stare into her lap and wait for the time to pass. Was that the real reason Dares couldn’t sleep? Her stress and shame radiated out of her, hitting him like a wave.

I feel stir-crazy just being in the same room with this girl.

Dares began impatiently tapping on his desk. Viscous black despair twisted up through his body, an unfamiliar sensation he couldn’t place.

“H-Hey…” Dares whispered. The girl looked at him like a kicked puppy. Hey… Hey what? What did I want to say? Did I even think it through before the words left my lips?

He saw a book in her hand. So, she was using the time to study. Her fingers gripped, pressed into the leatherback as she scowled, mistrust in her eyes. He read the message loud and clear - This is your fault.

Yeah. It’s my fault. Maybe he meant to say that. Instead, he heard himself say “What are you reading?”

“Huh?” Jun’s resentment broke a moment to let genuine surprise bleed through. “This? It’s an allegory. It’s about old men chained up in a cave, ever since birth, never seeing the outside world, only knowing the shadows that moved on the wall from things that passed behind them in the light.”

Only shadows.

The back door burst open and a booming voice called it’s welcome into the quiet chamber, where the echo resounded like a pistol shot.

“Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen, how are we all on this lovely sunny day? Why are we all inside when daylight’s burning?” a boy known as Shunpei stood in the doorway, arms outstretched, radiating like the sun. The light shone in from behind him, framing him in the heavenly glow. He was somewhat taller than Dares, with spiky, dirty blonde hair, and a white vest slashed open to accentuate his boyish abs. On his sneaker was a smudge of black ink.

“Hey, close that door! You’re blinding us in here!” Dares snapped, his eyes covered. Had it been so dark in the room that their eyes had become this sensitive to the outside light? Perhaps. What was detention but sensory deprivation?

“No worries, your eyes will adjust. So, is this where the party’s at? Who’ve we got here? Hey, skimpy’s here! Spare a stick of gum?” Shunpei immediately sidled up to the punk girl’s desk.

Those icy eyes narrowed. “I doubt it.”

“Say, love the hair, you do this yourself?” the boy didn’t even stumble, and boldly reached out a hand to run through the silver strands. The aloof girl’s pupils narrowed in disbelief.

The muscle-bound boy to the right stood up and approached Shunpei, cracking his knuckles.

“Bro, you’ve got two seconds to-”

“Easy, big guy, I’m just people-greeting, trying to get a feel for the room!” Shunpei laughed, ruffling the girl’s hair. Her haunches raised like a feral cat ready to strike. Shunpei broke away at the apex of that tension and turned his head up to the adolescent staring him down. “Wow, you are a tall bastard. So tell me, did you have to duck under the doorway coming in here, or did you just let it hit you in the face? Cause that would explain the loo-”

Shunpei ducked under the swing of the older boy’s arm and cocked his head to one side in mock confusion. “Was it something I said?”

“Mr. Sato, I think that’s quite enough. Won’t you please have a seat and wait out your time quietly?” the woman at the desk half-pleaded, pinching the bridge of her nose.

“Hey, I’m here under protest. I was NOT responsible for what happened to that window.” Shunpei announced, hands on hips. He quickly became bored with defending himself though, and turned towards Dares. Their eyes met, and in that brief instant, Dares saw a cunning slyness in those cyan orbs. “Well, a new face. What can I call you, good sir?”

“Uh… Dares...”

“I dig it. So Dares, want to see a magic trick?” Shunpei’s eyes glinted as his toothy grin lit up the room. Without waiting for an answer - “Nothing up my sleeve!” - he slipped a pack of gum from his vest.

The punk girl blanched. “What the?!” and began frantically searching her many pockets.

“Who wants one?” Shunpei giggled, and clasped Dares’ hand familiarly, pressing a gum stick into his palm. He casually tossed the remaining sticks across the classroom to anyone who would receive. The one he tossed to Jun merely bounced off her head, and she offered no reaction.

“Teach?” Shunpei called out, tossing a remaining stick to their utterly baffled supervisor. “I would consider it a personal favor if you accepted this.”

Dares couldn’t believe what he was seeing and hearing. What kind of iron security did this guy have that he could just parade around like he owned the room where he was supposed to be suffering?

“Oh, and,” Shunpei tossed a roll of cash at the teacher. “here’s what you made off of my last game. There’s the door.” Shunpei winked, pointing a thumb over his shoulder.

“...What the hell…” It was Dares’ turn to cock his head.

Once they all had the room to themselves, Shunpei kicked his legs back up on the desk. “So, I’ve got another game coming up this week, I think I can get you all ticket discounts, who wants in?”

Dead silence.

“Tough crowd. No sports fans?” Shunpei chuckled. “What about you, tiny, I’ve seen you shooting hoops down at the court. Wanna expand your horizon?”

The large boy grunted curtly.

“For the love of God, someone shut him up.” the punk girl grumbled irritably. Dares noticed dark circles under her eyes.

“Hey, I know! Since we’re all stuck here together, let’s form a club? Heh, who’s in?” Shunpei suggested excitedly.

The two desks in the back loudly pushed back.

“Hurry now, spots are closing quick.” Shunpei rolled his eyes.

Dares glanced longingly at the clock on the wall, where the minute hands seemed to be going backwards. Now detention was unpleasant.

Shunpei pushed himself up onto Dares’ desk and sat there, feet kicking off the sides like a little kid.

“What the hell do you thi-mmf!” Dares was silenced when Shunpei shoved the stick of gum practically down his throat.

“Don’t talk, just listen. Dares, right?” Shunpei cocked his head, grinning audaciously.

Dares silently nodded, disbelieving.

“I want you.” Shunpei said fondly.

Dares swallowed his gum. He heard a fake cough in the back - the punk girl? Did he hear this guy correctly? “Are you a homo?” Dares blurted out thoughtlessly.

Shunpei threw his head back and laughed up a storm, from deep within the belly. “Not one to mince words, are you? Here’s my offer - join my troupe.”

“What are you talking about?”

“I’m putting together a motley crue to go turn the world upside down. Let’s go down to the beach, grab some logs, put a raft together, and take it down that river to see what waits at the end of the horizon!” Shunpei announced boldly, as if he were asking Dares to go catch a movie.

“Hell no! I’m not going to be your go-fer!”

Shunpei put out a silencing palm. “I refuse.”

“What?!” said Dares, feeling pressure build inside him.

“I refuse your refusal. This is a draft, boyo. I demand your sword at my side. I can count on you, right?” Shunpei playfully punched Dares’ shoulder.

Dares stood up from his desk and walked away. As his hand touched the door handle, Jun’s voice peaked up. “You can’t just leave, you’re going to get in bigger trouble!”

“I don’t see anyone stopping me. Are you going to?” Dares eyed a challenge at the timid girl. Jun frantically whipped her head back and forth across the room, seeking rational assistance to talk this rebel out of his crime, and found none. So, she stayed in her seat and stayed silent, merely glaring at him.

“Then if there are no objections-”

“My next game is this Saturday. Come see it.” Shunpei interrupted.

“Huh? Excuse me?” Dares paused at the door. “Look, I’m not interested in your little discounts, so-”

“Admission free.” Shunpei cut in.

“What are you trying to pull?” Dares eyed him suspiciously.

Shunpei winked. “Let’s just say I’m protecting my interests.”

Dares stared at him, pondering. Why should the clown go so far just to get a hired hand?

“Whatever.” Dares sighed. He was never going to get that nap.

The punk girl and the large boy both stood up from their desks. Apparently, Dares had given them an idea. They stood patiently behind him, waiting for him to open the door and walk out, clearing the path for their escape.

“I believe we’re going your way.” said the punk girl, already slipping her pack of menthols from her cleavage, content that there was no security to reprimand her - Shunpei had seen to that.

“Do me a favor.” Shunpei called out. Dares looked up to meet his gaze. “Think it over, okay? If you don’t show up, my heart just might not be in it. The team’s really counting on me for this one.” he grinned.

Stop grinning at me like that. There was that palpable, nauseating feeling welling up in Dares again, putting pressure on his chest.

“Come on, squirt, what’s the holdup?” said the punk girl, anxiously playing with the heart dangling off her choker.

Dares swallowed heavily, and that choking feeling was gone. “No hold up. I’m out, you guys do what you want.” And then he marched deliberately through the open frame, never once looking back or sparing second thoughts on his decision. As the door swung slowly closed behind him, he thought for a moment that he could see that gleaming smile just out of the corner of his eye. And then the crack was closed, and Dares stood alone in the hall. Or, so he thought.

“Later, little buddy.” a blaise voice cut the pensive silence as Dares felt a large, powerful hand grip his shoulder. Images that he didn't recognize flashed through his mind and his body spasmed. His eyes changed. Dares instinctively grabbed that tanned wrist and twisted, yanking the thuggish hand away from his shoulder. He locked eyes with the older, hulking boy. “Don’t touch me. Don’t ever touch me.” he growled, teeth grinding and bared like fangs.

The caramel-skinned boy backed up, hands in front of him. “Hey bro, no problem, chill out, alright?”

Dares slowly eased the tension out of his body. “I like my personal space, ok?”

“Hey man, you don’t have to explain zilch to me.” the boy shrugged, waltz-lumbering over to the vending machine. He nonchalantly smacked the box with his rock-solid and calloused fist, sending a deep tremor through the machine. An energy drink came tumbling out into the reception tray. The boy grabbed the can, which looked like a dixie cup in his gorilla-hand, and popped the lid, knocking back a huge gulp that must have drained half the contents. Wiping away the green residue on his thick lips with the hairy back of one of those monstrous hands, he threw a “not-half-bad” look at Dares. “You know, for a skinny little twerp, you’ve got quite a grip. Maybe we could arm wrestle over some drinks sometime.”

“Maybe.” Dares answered dryly.

Shrugging again, the boy dragged himself off down the hall.

“Not very social, are you?” the punk girl looked Dares up and down.

“I don’t hate people. It’s this place. It’s so cramped. There’s nowhere to go to get away from everyone. I can take socialization in small doses, but being cooped up with the same faces for hours on end is exhausting.” Dares sighed, scratching his head.

“An overwatered wallflower?” the girl smiled slyly. She poked Dares’ chest with one purple-painted nail.

“Hey, don’t touch-”

“Zip it, little boy. I didn’t forget you took my gum from me without permission.”

“If you want to blame someone, blame Sunshine in there.” Dares thumbed to the door behind them.

“Guilt by association.” the girl sighed. “But I suppose that kid’s connections did give us a get-out-of-jail-free card, so I’ll consider us even for now. It’s Claire, by the way. Ryder and I are step-cousins, just moved into the trailer park at the edge of town.”

“Uh, I’m-”

“Dares, I know. We’re still unpacking, maybe you’d like to lend a hand? I like to see a man work.” the girl traced a slow circle on Dares’ chest that made his flesh quiver. In disgust. Definitely in disgust.

Dares batted her hand away. “Maybe another day.”

“Maybe you’re more into -” Claire rolled her eyes at the door. “-that… Well,” she threw her hands behind her head. “suit yourself.” and she strutted toward the nearest exit. “A word of advice from someone older and more experienced.” Claire glanced back, her icy eyes flashing chillingly. “Sooner or later, you’re going to have to decide who your friends are. Pick wisely.”

And with that, she sauntered out into the sunlit day. Dares stood alone in the hallway again, and felt the air was suddenly frigid and drafty. He rubbed his shoulder, numbly trying to work some heat into his flesh. He turned to the back exit, deciding he didn’t want to tail those two on his way home.

As he turned the corner into an adjacent hall, he passed by someone whose face he didn’t see. In that moment, time was frozen. The pulse of the air petrified in place, the flicker of a faulty light stayed static in place, casting odd, dancing shadows on the wall that moved like living things. A hand brushed his, and a powerful force exploded out of them both, coloring the room in negative, where the angles met each other in strange and distorted aberrations of geometry. The ground felt sloped, even as Dares stood centered on it. A moth swam through the inverted colors, dust trailing off its wings.

“...”

What?

Rippling flares of deep blue. The tickle of raven hair brushing his face. The heavy aroma of fresh coffee grounds. A tide of emotions and sensations washed over Dares in this place where time stood still. A tickle at his nose. A buildup of pressure and anticipation, and then,

Achoo!

He sneezed. It pierced the illusion and split the deep azure. The flow of time resumed, the angles of the building again conformed to euclidian expectation, and only the echo of footsteps out of sight implied the ethereal encounter.