Lucas Ryan Versus: The Return

  Taylor’s house was almost as beautiful as he was. His parents were as close to being rich as financially possible. His house reflected that fact. Three-stories high, with spacious front and back yards, exquisite landscaping, and a majestic pool fit for a king.

  “Come on, guys, it’s the perfect day to swim,” Taylor said, walking up to us. Morgan was at his side with a playful smile.

  “Yeah, the water feels perfect,” she added.

  Still mad from the surprise tsunami, Roland pouted, “You almost ruined my computer, Tay!”

  “Easy, Ro, you’re sitting next to the finest electronics guru in the West!” Taylor smiled, and pointed at me. I just shrugged and leaned closer toward Olivia on our pool deck chair.

  “That’s not the point. We have serious business to discuss this afternoon. This visit wasn’t supposed to be a playdate,” Roland scolded.

  “Lighten up, Lil Bro, things have gotten crazy at school. We could all use some decompression time,” Morgan tried to ease her brother’s doubts. He was too upset by her choice of words. They were twins but she was born a minute before he was and liked to point that out every chance she got.

  “I’m not your little brother, Mo!” Roland cried out. We all tried our best not to laugh.

  “Okay, okay…let’s get down to business.” I stood up and offered my seat to Morgan. As she sat down, Taylor joined me in front of the rest of the group. Before the impromptu pool gathering, I had explained what had happened to Roland and I earlier in the day, and the freakish scene in Ms. Strickland’s classroom after school. We had all decided to meet and discuss our next step. Taylor and I exchanged a confident look before I turned to everyone else in our small circle.

  “T and I have a plan.”

  Morgan looked over at Olivia who was now very worried. “I still can’t believe what happened to you two. Do we really think Ms. Strickland is the cause of all the missing people? That she’s not from this world?”

  “I don’t know what to think, Mo. But I do know what we’ve seen. And, I remember everything we had to deal with before she showed up. The attack on the school, my mysterious new powers, getting lost and then found from another dimension. Now, innocent people are disappearing and no one seems to notice,” I said, cryptically.

  “We have to do something,” Taylor added.

  Olivia looked up at us. “Okay, what’s the plan?”

  Taylor and I said together, “Homecoming.”

  “Homecoming?” Roland asked, surprised.

  “Yes,” Taylor said.

  “Ro, that book we stumbled onto in the library has something to do with this whole thing, I know it. We need to investigate it thoroughly, without any distractions this time,” I explained.

  “And the Homecoming dance will be the perfect opportunity to do that,” Taylor said, with a smile.

  “I don’t understand,” Morgan expressed.

  “Tomorrow evening the school will be open all night for the dance. While everyone is distracted with their dates and dancing, I can sneak off to investigate the library.” I nodded toward Roland who still seemed unsure.

  Taylor said, worried, “You mean we. We will investigate.”

  I shook my head no. “I don’t know, T, you have a very important date that night.” I pointed towards Morgan who looked mildly upset. She had been planning for over a month to go to this event with Taylor. “Besides, I couldn’t forgive myself if something happened to you.”

  With a unknowing flex of his biceps, he grumbled, “I can take care of myself, Luc. And Morgan understands, this is important.”

  She didn’t understand. “You mean more important than us? More important than the biggest date of my life?” She flared with uneasy emotions and Taylor shrank a little in his stance.

  “I didn’t mean it that way, Morgan…” he tried to say.

  “Yes, you did!” she snapped.

  Trying to ignore her, Taylor turned to me. “Wait a sec, are you saying you don’t need me?”

  “No, not at all. I just don’t want to spoil your night, big guy.”

  “My night? What about yours? Aren’t you going with Olivia?” he asked, bluntly. Olivia’s eyes pulled my way. We hadn’t discussed going together yet. After all, she and her band were playing the event.

  “Well, her band is playing the dance, I didn’t think she would have the time to deal with me,” I mumbled. She looked at me a little hurt.

  “Deal with you?” she huffed.

  “I was just trying to keep you and Sophia out of this. She was going to be there helping you with your equipment, right?” I eased my voice, hoping she would understand.

  “Lucas, you understand that whatever you deal with, I deal with…right? After all we’ve been through, you should never doubt that.” She was mad. Roland shrank back in his chair, ducking from all the messy relationship zingers.

  “I don’t doubt you, O,” I sighed.

  “Well, I hate this plan,” Olivia said, too loud. “First off, you shouldn’t be sneaking off by yourself. You need us. Secondly, you know Sophia, if she gets wind of this plan, she’ll be impossible to stop from joining in.” Olivia stood up and looked directly at me and placed a hand on my tattooed forearm. “Lucas, she’s your biggest fan, and you two are still connected.”

  She was right. Sophia would be a problem if she knew what I was up to. Thankfully, Roland chimed in.

  “It’ll work, Olivia. It’s a good plan.”

  “You can’t be serious?” Morgan fumed, at her brother.

  “Hear me out, Sis. You and Taylor enjoy the night together. Keep an eye out for anything not quite right. I’ll go with Lucas to the library.”

  “And Sophia?” Olivia scolded.

  “Tay and Mo won’t let her out of their sights, right?” he said, with a nod toward Taylor. It eased Morgan a little bit but Taylor wasn’t so sure. He shook his head still upset and turned toward his house.

  “Anyone else thirsty? I’ll get us some drinks,” he said, in defeat. Slowly, he lumbered off in the direction of the kitchen doors.

  “Lucas, what happens if you find something even worse in the library?” Olivia asked, quietly. I looked at her long and hard before turning my attention to Taylor as he entered his house.

  “I don’t know. I hope I find some answers…any answers.”

  Morgan injected sarcastically, “Why don’t we just go into the school tomorrow, walk right into the library and check out this magical book with a library card?”

  Roland snapped back, “Because the school’s librarian is one of the missing people, and they locked up the library yesterday, at least until next week.”

  “So, it’s settled. Tomorrow night at the dance, Olivia, you and your band play the show like everything’s normal. Obviously you’ll have a perfect opportunity to survey the whole layout of the dance floor and gymnasium. Mo, you and Tay enjoy your evening but keep Sophia away from any and all activities that could involve her. And I’ll get Lucas into the locked library and help him with the mysterious book. Sound about right?” he asked us all. Morgan nodded yes, followed by a reluctant Olivia. He looked at me and I sighed.

  “I’ll be right back.”

  Urgently, I ran up to the house. I needed to talk to Taylor. His strength was matched only by his delicate ego. I wanted to make sure he was really okay with the new plan. After all, he had to play in the biggest game of the year just hours before the dance. Our high school football team was a lock for another championship, thanks to him. He was also more than likely the future MVP of the game, but I didn’t want any of this drama to mess with his head before the championship.

  As I walked up to the kitchen doors that opened up to the backyard, I could hear both of his parents talking with him. They weren’t my biggest fans. His mom, Barbara, was always nice to me but the snob in her never fully accepted me as his best friend. As for Taylor’s father, James, well, let’s just say that he disliked me and leave it at that. I was from the wrong side of town, the wrong kind of fam
ily, and was basically leeching off his greatness. Yeah, his dad pretty much hated the sight of me. I stopped walking just as I reached the slightly opened kitchen door. I could see both of his parents in the reflection of the glass within the door, and they were having a heated conversation with Taylor…about me.

  “Not too much longer with the pool shenanigans, Son, you have a very important day tomorrow. Your friends will just have to understand that,” his mother said, almost sweetly.

  “Don’t worry, Mom, they’re all leaving soon. After we have our drinks,” he said, annoyed. His hands were filled with frosty cold bottles of water. Their glass bodies gently chimed as they bumped into each other. His father spoke up, defiantly.

  “Is he here?”

  “Yes…he’s my best friend,” Taylor said, upset.

  “You know how I feel about Lucas. He’s bad news.”

  “No, he’s not, Dad.”

  “You don’t know what you’re talking about. I’ve known people like him. He’s a hanger on, a wannabe, a mooch.”

  Taylor growled, “That’s not true.”

  “Sure it is. He’s just using you, Son,” his father said, as fact.

  “Using me? Are you nuts?”

  “Yes, using you. Using your good name to better himself in his social circles. Using you to protect all his lies. Come on, he disappeared for month with those young ladies for his own selfish reasons. Heaven knows what he did with those poor innocent girls. I can’t believe you even still talk with him!” his fathered roared.

  Taylor slammed the bottles of water down on the expensive kitchen counter. “First off, those four people sitting outside are my social circle! My only circle. Secondly, Lucas is the only person who’s never lied to me. Ever. He’s the only person who’s never asked anything of me. He’s my best friend!”

  “Ugh, quit saying that. I know you can’t see it, Taylor, but he’s using you. His kind always do…always will,” James declared, unfazed.

  “Let me tell you something, Father…” Taylor rose up extending his tall torso straight up, ready to fight. “His kind is what makes the world a better place…a safer place. If you only knew what he’s had to overcome in his life. He’s a hero,” Taylor said, flustered. He took a moment to center himself. His voice returned to normal but much softer than before. “I wish I was as strong as Lucas is. I’m the one sponging off of him. He’s my hero! Always has been. Always will be.” With a swift scoop of his arm he snatched up the waters and proceeded to march out the door, directly into me with the most stunned look on my face.

  “Hey, T…” I stuttered, trying to seem like I wasn’t spying on him.

  “Lucas? Umm…did you hear all that?”

  “Umm, maybe a little bit…or, pretty much all of it.”

  “I’m sorry, man,” he sulked, embarrassed. I wrestled with my words for a moment, not sure what to say. Finally, I smacked him on the arm with my hand and smiled.

  “I was wrong. I do need you to help me tomorrow night.”

  He fought a silly smile, “What about Roland?”

  “He’ll understand,” I teased. “What about Mo? She’s not going to like this.”

  “I’ll worry about that tomorrow night,” he winced.

  I snatched a bottle from his arms and took a long swig from it. We both turned to our friends who were watching us from a distance. Olivia sent me a concerned wave of her hand and I quickly waved back.

  “Sounds like we have ourselves a plan.”

  “Do you really think it’ll work?” Taylor reluctantly asked.

  “Probably not.”

  LEVEL 17

  EVERY DAY IS EXACTLY THE SAME

  Another dawn, another day. Surprisingly, the morning went by quick and without too many strange happenings. Vice Principal Chan was absent today. No one seemed to find that weird, even though it was Homecoming day. The biggest football game of the year was just hours away and Ms. Chan was one of the team’s loudest supporters. She’d never miss a game, let alone the biggest one of the season.

  As my school day flew by, I realized another dozen or so students were absent as well, and that was just in my classes. Roland and Morgan both kept count of the empty desks in each of their different classes. They accounted for at least eight other students missing. Just like all the other absentees, no one but us seemed to notice or even care about the mysterious vanishing plague.

  Thankfully, Ms. Strickland’s class was cancelled due to the mandatory school spirit assembly held in the gym before the yearly Homecoming game. That was fine by me though, I didn’t think I could handle another afternoon with her. Roland, Morgan, Olivia and I parked ourselves at the top of the bleachers trying our best not to seem too distracted.

  “It’s a ghost town,” Roland said.

  “I was thinking the same thing,” Morgan agreed. She quickly waved to Taylor who was surrounded by his teammates at the back of the gym. He waved back and shot me a concerned glance.

  The bleachers looked only sixty-percent full with all the missing bodies. Still, no one but me and my ragtag crew seemed to notice. Ms. Strickland stood at the back of the gymnasium with her arms crossed and one foot tapping the floor. Her extended heels clicked loudly against the scuffed wood below her as her steel eyes surveyed the weathered crowd. It almost seemed like she was taking inventory, mentally checking off the students as she investigated the leftovers. She made sure to make eye contact with Olivia and I whenever possible. Olivia would squeeze my hand tighter every time Ms. Strickland locked onto us. To calm her fears I reached out telepathically with a faint glow of my tattoo.

  Olivia, no worries. Our plan will work.

  Olivia took a moment to settle herself. She loved sharing thoughts like this, no words, just our minds. Softly, she answered back. * I trust you, Lucas. *

  I hope so.

  She smiled. * No worries, I believe in you. *

  Her words filled me with strength. Without any other thoughts, I scooted as close as possible to her, and whispered, “You too.”

  3:24 p.m.

  The final bell rang, signaling the end of school and the beginning of the nights festivities. First stop, the most important football game of the season. At my locker I waited for the rest of my gang to meet me. We were all going to the game together, except for Olivia. She was picking up Sophia and then meeting her bandmates to set up for the dance. Looking into my locker I noticed one of her guitar picks staring up at me. It was blood red with a skull and crossbones painted across it. I picked it up between my index finger and thumb, and stared at it for a moment. With the first hint of Roland and Morgan coming down the hallway, I tucked the pick into my front pocket.

  “Big game today!” Morgan announced, as she strolled up. She was already wearing one of Taylor’s football jerseys. It looked huge hanging along her frame.

  Roland added, “And tonight, we get some answers.” I slammed my locker closed and it barely made a sound, like it was covered in pillows. All three of us looked at the locker door and paused.

  “That was weird,” I said, dryly. Remembering the trouble I had with my locker when I first found Ripley wrapped in a magical stone, I blushed.

  “Yeah, you don’t have the best luck with lockers, Lucas,” Morgan laughed.

  Playfully, I snorted, “Shut up.”

  We swiftly made our way to the football field of the unbeaten Desert Vista Thunder, or as I always referred to it, the Holy Lands. Captain of the team, and Thor look-a-like, Taylor, was the driving force of the Holy Lands. When he stepped upon that emerald shaded grass, the clouds would part and the sky would shine down on him and his talent. As we ran up to Taylor to wish him good luck, something grabbed my attention immediately.

  The grass felt sticky as we walked, almost as if it was made of velcro. When I looked down to check the soles of my sneakers Taylor stared at me nervously.

  “Everything okay, Lucas?” he asked.

  “Do you feel that?” I mumbled. Taylor looked over at Morgan for some clarity but sh
e had no idea what I was talking about.

  “Feel what?”

  “The grass,” I said, flustered. “It’s sticky.” Morgan and Roland simultaneously checked their shoes and everything was fine. It confused me as I checked my shoes again. Now, everything was back to normal. Taylor pulled me closer to him and tried to ease my new panic.

  “Dude, you’re putting too much pressure on yourself. You need to sit back and enjoy the show. Try to relax.” He patted me on the shoulder, and continued, “I feel another championship trophy in the near future.”

  As his giant smile, built from confidence and perfect teeth, greeted me, I inhaled a deep and soothing breath. “Okay, Tay, you’re right. I’m just overthinking everything lately. My imagination was always a bit of an overachiever.” I looked around me as if I was being watched. Taylor shook his head and nudged Roland.

  “All right, Ro, find this guy a seat and go over the plan for the dance one more time. I’ve got to handle some business.” Almost on cue the whistle blew across the field, signaling the start of the game. Taylor scooped up Morgan in one arm and planted a soft and sweet kiss upon her lips. She melted accordingly and he ran off. The cheerleaders chanted and the crowd roared to life with every step of Taylor’s stride.

  “Come on, Luc,” Roland insisted.

  All three of us ran up to the packed bleachers, dodging the incoming stream of parents and sport fanatics. It was obvious we wouldn’t find any free seating, at least not three seats together. Roland pushed through the mob anyways as I filled with doubt. Suddenly, a buzzing filled my head, drowning out the noise of the crowd. I stopped and closed my eyes as the buzzing intensified.

  “Ugh…what the…” I grimaced. Morgan ran up to me.

  “What’s wrong?”

  I didn’t want to worry her so I lied, “Headache.”

  “You need me to get you some aspirin? I think they sell it at the concession booth…”

  “No, Mo, I’ll get it.” Another rush of vibrating pain hummed along my skull. I bit down hard and tried to focus through it.