Chapter 1: Fall
New York, Manhattan
10:42 AM
Siren High School – Basketball Court
The ball swished through the net.
Wally caught it bounced it around, turned, and took another shot. Practice was the only time his thoughts lined up properly.
"Hey, Wally!"
A short kid with messy brown hair jogged toward the edge of the court, waving both arms. Mael. Always restless
Wally let the ball roll away and wiped his forehead. "What is it, Mael? I'm in the middle of practice."
"It's not me." Mael's voice shook. His eyes kept drifting toward the school building. "It's Chris. He's at it again. Back of the gym. You need to hurry. I don't think that kid's gonna last much longer."
Something tightened in Wally's chest. Chris and his crew had been crossing lines all semester.
"Lead the way."
They moved past the empty court and around the side of the building. The alley behind the gym was quiet, forgotten.
"Where are they?" Wally asked.
Mael stopped a few steps behind him. "I'm sorry, man. I didn't have a choice."
Wally turned. "What the hell are you—"
Pain struck the back of his head. Not giving a moment to think,he went totally unconscious
Everything went dark.
...
Splash
Cold water snapped him awake.
Wally sucked in a breath,his eyes slowly opening, his head banging him, a reddish liquid at the side of his face, sticking to his hair. When his vision cleared, the truth settled in.
The school roof.
Seven stories up.
His hands were tied behind his back. Blood ran from his mouth.
Christian stood in front of him, tossing an empty water bottle aside. White hair. Clean uniform. The same lazy smile.almost looking like a main character himself.
"Finally awake," Chris said. "That was easier than I expected."
Wally spat blood. "You're sick."
Chris chuckled. " Like you didn't already know that,"
Wally tested the binding around his wrists. Not perfect.
You are already thinking of a way to escape,aren't you,
You've prolly noticed the binding isn't strong,haven't you..
Chris swung.
Wally shifted just enough but the punch connected to his cheek, causing blood to fill up in his mouth
Another swing. Harder.
Wally took it on the shoulder and drove his knee into Chris's stomach while he was off balance. Chris stumbled back, gasping.
The other two rushed in to help,
Wally's vision blurred, but his body moved on instinct. Twisting his body he smashed the first with the chair he was tied too. The other one tried punching wally but was head butted,
Chris recovered fast. Too fast.
He charged.
Wally tried to dodge, but his tied hands betrayed him. Chris slammed into him, driving them both into the low railing at the edge of the roof.
Metal strained.
Time thinned.
The railing gave way.
Chris grabbed Wally's shirt, panic flashing across his face.
They fell.
Wind tore past them. The ground rose.
Wally's last thought was simple.
This is it.