by M. A. Torres
“We’re just so glad everything went well!” said Olivia.
“Olivia! Amazing!” hollered a voice from behind them all. Matthew rolled his eyes, and Robbie sighed loudly.
Olivia turned. “Hi, Jimmy!”
Jimmy rushed in and hugged her. He was flanked by his minions, Joe and Rodney.
“You and Maria were the best out there,” said Joe.
“Yup,” agreed Rodney. His hands were buried in his pockets, and his teeth clattered in the cold.
“We aren’t lying! You killed it! I see an Oscar in your future,” continued Jimmy. He released his hug, but let his hand slide down into Olivia’s hand.
Jake and Kevin exchanged an annoyed side glance.
“That’s very nice of you to say, I know we’ve been working very hard,” she answered, glancing at Maria.
“Understatement!” she responded.
Olivia coolly pulled her hand away from Jimmy’s.
“I almost forgot my lines in the third act. Did any of you notice the uncomfortable pause in the cemetery scene?”
“No one did, Olivia,” Jimmy answered before anyone could speak. “I’m telling you, you were amazing! You’re definitely the best actress of them all!”
Maria cleared her throat and glanced towards the main doors. “Lance should be out soon. I’ll see you guys later.” She smiled and walked off.
“Bye, Maria!” Jake gave her a passionate goodbye wave.
Alexa’s arms were trembling in the cold. She wore a long coat but her thin dress underneath was not thick. She noticed her sister Megan waving her over from across the grounds. “I gotta leave too. I’ll see you guys at school. Bye, Olivia.”
“Bye Alexa!” she said.
Alexa rushed away, towards her sister.
Just then, Olivia’s parents walked up. Olivia had her mother’s blue eyes and gorgeous smile. Olivia’s stepfather was a tall and thick man with a muscular build, a black crew cut, dimpled chin, and a small thin mouth. His eyes were small slits, shrewd and untrusting. Kevin sensed him to be a man of control and authority—probably an ex-military officer.
“Honey! You were great up there!” Olivia’s mom embraced her.
“Thanks, Mom.”
Olivia’s stepfather seemed unimpressed. “Well, I heard her stutter a bit; that was distracting!”
“Oh, Phil, stop being so negative!” scolded her mother.
Olivia lowered her gaze, embarrassment flashing across her face. She looked up and forced out a smile. “That’s okay, Mom, I did my best.” Olivia turned to her friends. “Guys, this is my mom and my stepdad, Phil.”
Her mother waved and flashed her big smile. Her stepfather nodded.
Jimmy stepped forward, his hand outstretched. “Very nice to meet you, sir.”
Phil shook his hand but didn’t respond with words.
“Mrs. Andrews, I see where Olivia gets her good looks from,” he added.
“Oh, thank you, son,” she said, blushing. “I’m Mrs. Vincent, though. And what is your name?”
“Oh, sorry, Mrs. Vincent. I’m Jimmy Smith. I’m the quarterback for the seventh-grade football team.”
“Oh, good for you!”
Behind Olivia’s parents appeared two comely teenagers. They, too, approached smiling and giddy. The boy was tall and athletic, with a muscular build and straight, dark hair that flowed down and sideways, above his right eye. Beside him stood a thin girl with straight, black hair that parted on the left side of her head and flowed down right above her shoulders. The likeness of their faces left no doubt they were siblings—both had small, defined noses, high cheekbones, and dimpled chins. As to which was older, it was difficult to tell.
“Great job, Olivia!” said the boy, who came in straight for the hug. “You were the best of them all!”
“Yes, you were a natural up there!” added the girl.
“Oh, thanks, guys,” she answered. Then she turned to the others. “These are my step-siblings, Sage and Lorna.”
They exchanged hellos.
“Wait, you’re Sage Vincent? Wakefield High’s quarterback?” asked Jimmy, wide-eyed.
Sage nodded.
“Wow, Olivia, you never said Sage was your brother! I watch his highlights every Friday night!” He turned to Sage. “Maybe we can get together one day so you can teach me a few things?”
“Yeah... sure,” he responded in a dull tone. Then he turned to Olivia, Phil, and Vivian. “What do you say we all go celebrate Olivia’s stardom?”
“Yes! Let’s go to Arcade Rock!” suggested Lorna.
“Yes! Lets do it!” said Olivia.
“Arcade Rock? Your dad and I are too old for that place,” said Olivia’s mom. “And it’s a school night.”
“Oh c’mon, Vivian. Olivia needs to let loose, I’m sure she’s been a nervous wreck all week!” chimed Sage.
Olivia nodded. “He’s not lying, Mom.”
Vivian Vincent looked at her husband. Phil shook his head in disapproval.
“Oh, don’t look at my father, you know he’s never down for anything fun,” said Lorna. “We wouldn’t want him there, anyway; he’ll just suck the fun outta the place.”
“Yes, he’s the black hole where fun goes, never to be seen again,” added Sage.
“He’s the land where fun goes to die,” said Lorna.
“Enough! Zip it!” growled Phil.
Olivia’s mother sighed. “I’ll tell you what, I’ll drop her off, and when you’re all ready to leave, call me, and I’ll pick her up.”
Olivia smiled.
“No need,” Sage interjected. “We’ll take her and bring her back.”
“Are you sure, Sage?” Vivian asked with a guilty tone.
“Yes! It’s no trouble. We need to hang out; we haven’t seen each other in months.”
“Well, okay. She has to be home by eleven, though.”
Olivia smiled even wider, then turned to Kevin’s group. “Can you guys come too?”
Kevin looked at Jake, who glanced at Matthew, who then turned to Robbie.
“Huh, we’ll ask our parents; right, guys?” asked Jake.
“Yes,” said Matthew.
“Uh-huh. I’ll call my dad right now!” answered Robbie. “Kevin, you in?”
Kevin nodded. “That sounds fun!” Deep down, he was in no mood. Charlie’s warning was weighing on his mind. He was also concerned for Jenny, who he assumed was consumed with thoughts of Charlie’s words. But Olivia’s smile still gripped at his heart, and he had to inquire about the crystal plant he had gifted her.
“I think we can go too,” spoke Jimmy, reminding everyone that he was still present. He looked back at his friends.
“I’m kind of tired,” said Joe.
Jimmy shot him a stern look.
“But I’ll go with you. I’m craving one of their burgers.”
“Can’t do it, I gotta get home,” said Rodney, still shaking from the cold.
“That’s too bad, Rodney. Joe and I will see you there, Olivia.”
Olivia smiled and nodded.
They dispersed moments later. Kevin and his friends found a nearby bench and waited for Robbie’s dad.
“Me aNd JoE WiLl SeE yOu ThErE OLiViA,” Jake mimicked. “Man, that guy sucks!”
“Jimmy’s a nincompoop!” added Robbie.
The others exchanged a confused glance.
“Robbie, what the heck is a nincompoop?” asked Matthew as Kevin laughed.
“A nincompoop is Jimmy... and Jimmy is a nincompoop. That’s all I will say!”
ARCADE ROCK WAS WAKEFIELD Falls’ hip, high school hang-out spot. It was home to the best burgers and shakes in town. They played ’80s and ’90s rock music, and was home all the popular ’80s-era arcades and pinball machines. Kevin’s group loved the place, but they hadn’t been there for months—ever since their addiction to Fortnite had consumed them.
The parking lot was a busy mess as Robbie’s father drove up with the crew. He stopped his red truck by the front e
ntrance, and the friends came spilling out.
“Thanks for the ride!” said Jake.
“Yes, thanks, Mr. Reynolds!” said Kevin.
“You got it! I’ll be back at ten-thirty.”
The boys grabbed their bags from the truck’s bed and met with Robbie by the entrance.
“Wow, this place looks cool!” Robbie gawked excitedly.
“Oh, it’s so much fun. The burgers and shakes are the best in town,” informed Kevin.
Booming rock music, old-school arcade beeps, and the scents of greasy food greeted them as they opened the double glass doors.
Jake closed his eyes and inhaled deeply. “Boys, take it all in! The smells and sounds of heaven!”
Robbie’s smile had never been wider.
An island bar and kitchen stood at mid restaurant, where a line of people waited to place their orders. A generous number of wide-screen televisions were mounted throughout the venue, airing sports highlights and family friendly movies. The old-school arcade cabinets were visible by the back-end, with their colorful flicking lights calling players towards them like lighthouses at sea.
“What are we waiting for, let’s go!” urged Matthew.
They scanned the crowd, trying to spot Olivia and her cool siblings. Rowdy teenagers and loud families occupied most of the booths, complicating their search. Jake led the way, tiptoeing over the crowd. “They’re over there!” he hollered.
They reachedd Olivia’s table, next to the arcade section. She was conversing with Lorna, who sat to her left. Jimmy was already present, sitting to her right.
“We’re here!” announced Jake.
“Hi!” she said.
Sage brought a large tray of milkshakes. A generous amount of foaming whipped cream dripped down the sides, and they were topped with enormous red cherries.
“Grab a shake, everyone!”
“Wow, Sage, how much do we owe you?” asked Jake.
“Nothing, it’s all on me,” he answered. Then he whispered to Kevin, “I have a buddy that works here.” He winked.
Kevin smiled.
They slurped their shakes—all crowded around the same small table. Joe took the empty table beside them, his plate holding the biggest burger and pile of greasy french fries around. He gripped the burger with both hands, and chomped down as best he could. The ketchup and mustard dripped off the sides. A bacon strip flaked off the back end, which he used to scoop the glob of spilled ketchup, before popping it in his mouth.
“I’m so glad you all made it!” Olivia said in between slurps.
“Thanks for inviting us! Hadn’t been here in a while!” said Jake.
“I’ve never been here, ever,” added Robbie as he licked whipped cream off his hand.
“You’ve never been here? Really? Where have you been living, under a rock?” mocked Jimmy.
“No, I’ve been living in Alaska. I’ve only been here since September, Jimmy.”
“Alaska, I would love to go there,” said Lorna. “It’s my dream to live in a cabin in the woods and get lost in nature.”
“I tell you, Lorna, you can do that here,” said Sage.
“It’s not the same. There are too many people here. I’m sure Alaska is far more secluded and peaceful.”
“It definitely is—there are plenty of cabins out in the middle of nowhere,” said Robbie between gulps.
After devouring their shakes, the friends scattered into the arcade area. Kevin strolled alongside Robbie, describing each arcade cabinet. He introduced him to Q-Bert, Centipede, Ms. Pac-Man, Spy Hunter, and others. Robbie took an interest in Hogan’s Alley—a shooter game, which used a handgun that could be aimed and shot towards the screen.
After a game of Ms. Pac-Man, Kevin immersed himself into Dig-Dug, controlling a tiny excavator through the earth and pumping small monsters with air until they blew. His mind wasn’t into it, though, and he failed to clear the second stage.
Kevin looked around. Jake was a few cabinets down, struggling with Donkey Kong Jr. He was jerking the joystick side to side, then up and down, the perspiration glistening on his forehead. Then he slammed his fist onto the panel. “How can these games look so simple yet be so hard!” he fumed.
Further down, he noticed Olivia was alone, playing a game called Tapper, one of Kevin’s favorites. He approached her.
“You like this game too, huh?”
“Oh, hi, Kevin. Yes, I do.” She kept her eye on the screen, moving the bartender up and down the tables, serving and sliding root beers to the thirsty clients. Seconds later, a client reached the edge of the bar without being served; he grabbed the bartender and flung him down the table. Olivia sighed with frustration.
“This level always gets me!”
“Olivia, can I ask you something?”
“Of course!”
“Do you still have the crystal plant I gave you?”
“Oh, yes, I do... in fact, it just sprouted new branches!” she said. “I keep it in my windowsill. It reminds me of you.”
“Have you given any part of it away?”
She frowned. “No, why do you ask?”
Kevin sighed with relief. “Olivia, I’m really sorry, but promise me you’ll destroy it.”
“Destroy it? Why?”
“I think the plant is dangerous. The leaves might be a link between our world and Derathiel. Did you hear about the two guys that disappeared a few days back?”
“I... I think I heard something about it.”
“Well, they used crushed up crystal leaves, spread them on a mirror, and roots came out of it. The roots sucked them up and turned them into twigs.”
“What? How do you know this, Kevin?”
“Zander was there when it happened. He told me.”
“Zander? Bully Zander?”
“Yes.”
Olivia stared at the floor in contemplation. “I’ll destroy it as soon as I get home, I promise you.”
Kevin smiled with relief. “Thank you, Olivia.”
“You know what that means, though, right?” she asked.
“No. What does that mean?”
“That means someone else in Wakefield Falls has access to Derathiel... Kevin, this is more serious than people realize!” She looked down at Kevin’s bag. “Is your sword in there?”
Kevin nodded. “Just in case.”
“When are you guys returning to Derathiel?”
“Saturday morning.”
“From the forest?”
“Yes... it’s the safest place to keep the mirror.”
“I’ll help Robbie protect it.”
Kevin smiled. “Thanks, Olivia.”
“Yes, you’re welcome.”
Just then, Robbie called out. “Kevin, my dad’s here!”
Kevin turned back to Olivia. “See you at school?”
Olivia smiled and nodded.
Kevin walked off, but a moment later, he paused and jogged back. “I need you to promise me one more thing.”
“Yes?”
“Promise me you will never wear an auburn wig again.”
“Auburn?”
“Red... it means red. Please, no red wigs again.”
“Okaaay... Why?”
“One of the prophecies I received from the Lady in the Rocks... it said there would be a beautiful girl...” he froze and felt the burn of embarrassment flush across his cheeks. He had just revealed that he thought she was beautiful.
A small smile edged into Olivia’s face.
Kevin cleared his throat and forced himself to continue, “...with auburn hair, up on a pedestal for all to see and honor, will be turned to a twisted form in front of all to see in horror... That’s it. That’s what she told me,” he mumbled.
Olivia gazed at his duffle bag in realization. “You thought that could have been tonight?”
“Well, maybe... yes.”
“Kevin, let’s go!” hollered Robbie from the entrance doors.
Olivia looked at Kevin. “Kevin... that’s... that’s...”
“KEVIN, my dad’s honking!”
“I need to go... bye,” he told her.
Olivia was stunned. She watched Kevin as he rushed out the double doors, weave through the parked cars, and out of view.
A few cabinets down, Jimmy looked on, jealous and angry.
Chapter Eight:
Battleground: Wakefield Middle
The tension in the air was palpable the moment Kevin set foot on school grounds that morning and seemed to intensify as he entered the school building. There was urgency in people’s demeanor—they moved faster and more purposeful, like civilians desperate for shelter before impending war. Kevin felt it the entire way to his locker and to Mr. Bruily’s history class.
He sat at his desk and observed his classmates. The classroom was quiet, when usually it was loud and rowdy, especially on a Friday morning like this one.
Zander sat in his new spot at the front of the class. Eric Miller, the previous claimant of the desk, was relegated to Zander’s old desk at the rear of the class, a spot Kevin knew he didn’t like. Moments later, the class was full, and ‘Today at Wakefield Middle’ aired. Normalcy was restored—to a point.
After class, Kevin walked towards his locker when he spotted Jimmy, Rodney, and big Joe Villa standing by theirs. Jimmy was glaring at him from the moment he turned the corner, so he braced himself for the verbal insult.
“Hey, here comes Santa’s Special Boy!” mocked Jimmy. Joe and Rodney laughed.
Kevin sped up, attempting to pass his new tormentor as fast as he could, but it seemed to make Jimmy louder.
“HEY! I’m talking to you, four-eyes! Is Santa’s Special Boy gonna sit on his lap today? Is Santa’s Special...”
SLAM!
The loud bang startled Kevin and those nearby. Kevin spun to see Jimmy pinned against the lockers by Zander’s thick forearm. He rushed back as a crowd formed around them.
“Hey man, I wasn’t talking to you!” pleaded Jimmy as he struggled to free himself from Zander’s grasp.
“Yeah, I know! You wouldn’t talk to me like that!”
“What do you care! Let me go!”
Zander pulled him closer. “You’re nothing but a coward. Picking on kids you know won’t fight back!”
