anny awoke to the sound of his mother's scolding and sighed as he fought the urge to try to go back to sleep.
"Come on, Danny, get up, you're going to be late for school!"
The night had passed slowly, sleep had refused to come and had only found him a few hours before he had to awaken. The events of the past few days haunted his thoughts and invaded his dreams, causing him more nightmares.
Throwing the blanket from his body, Danny wondered if everything had just been a bad dream, or a really good dream depending upon the point of view, but moving his pillow aside, finding the dragon-hilted dagger beneath it, he knew differently.
After a final warning from his mother, Danny got up, dressed and began his morning routine. Bursting through the front door with his right shoe halfway on, the bus was just about to pull away. With a shout and a wave, he halted its departure. Securing the dagger under his belt, he bolted for the bus.
He found a seat toward the back, sat down and sighed. Pulling the sheathed dagger free from his belt, he caressed the cool metal with his thumb, admiring the intricacies of its design.
The bus squeaked to a stop but Danny failed to notice anything because he was so engrossed with the gift from Tyramear. Seconds later, Alonso plopped down beside him.
"Wow, is that what I think it is?" his blue eyes were wide with awe.
Surprised, Danny swiveled in his seat and yanked the dagger behind his back. "If you think it's just a normal ink pen, then yes, it is what you think it is," said Danny, faking a smile.
"No, it wasn't," said Alonso, shaking his head. "That was a knife." Beckoning with his right hand, "Let me see it."
From the seat in front of them, a head peered over the hump. Danny recognized Michael Swaft, a plump boy with black hair trimmed in the shape of an upside-down bowl.
"You brought a knife to school, Danny?" Michael asked in a booming voice.
"No, I—" Danny tried to explain, but before he could come up with an answer, the bus ground to a halt.
Moments later, the bus driver stood over all three boys, glaring in Danny's direction. "Who has a knife?"
Michael and Alonso turned toward Danny, singling him out. Danny appeared to be the most likely culprit with his hand still behind his back.
"What's behind your back, Danny Firoth?" the bus driver asked, stabbing her pointer finger through the air.
Sighing, Danny took his arm from behind his back and presented the object in question.
"Is this some kind of joke, Danny?"
"No, Ms. Virginia."
"It's just a pen," said Michael Swaft, pointing out the obvious.
"No, it's not. It's a…"
"That's enough," said the bus driver, interrupting Alonso. "Bringing weapons on the bus is no laughing matter. I suggest you keep that in mind and refrain from such pranks in the future." Without waiting for Alonso's smart reply, the bus driver turned and stormed back to the front of the bus.
"But…"
Danny's arm shot out; he covered Alonso's mouth with his left hand before the boy could blurt out anything else. Placing the dagger on his lap, he held his finger to his lips indicating the need for silence.
Alonso's eyes narrowed in anger, but he nodded that he understood.
Once the bus resumed its course with a hum of the motor, Danny spoke softly. "You can see the dagger?" holding the object in question before him.
"Why did Michael and Ms. Virginia think it was a pen?"
Danny looked around to see if anyone else was eavesdropping. "I can't tell you anything here." After a moment of thought, he continued, "Can you meet me after school?"
Alonso nodded.
"Okay, meet me in front of the library after last period."
The bus stopped in front of the school.
"I'll see you after school, Danny, and I expect an explanation," Alonso said as both boys parted ways.
Danny sighed, making his way to the front entrance. Navigating the halls, he sighed again, this time with relief. Sabrina stood at her locker, placing a brown math book in her bag. Danny scurried to her left side and slumped against the lockers.
"Hey, Danny," said Sabrina, turning to look at him.
She seemed different from last night, carefree and light as opposed to focused and heavy. Danny concluded that this was her disguise.
"I think there's something you should know," said Danny after a moment of hesitation.
"What's up?" the silky skin of her cheeks creased in a smile.
"Alonso Martinez has the gift of sight as well."
Sabrina did a double-take, looked in either direction and slammed her locker shut. Dragging Danny by the arm, she shoved him into a corner by the stairs. "Are you sure?" her once-cheery demeanor returned to the serious state of the night before.
Feeling shocked and a little unnerved at her close proximity, Danny nodded. He could smell the intoxicating aroma of her perfume, wild roses.
"How do you know?"
"While we were on the bus, he could see the dagger your father gave me." Confirming his point, Danny pulled the slender dagger from his pocket.
Sabrina stared at the blade, lost in thought.
"I told him to meet me after school. I figured we could explain things to him then."
"So be it. Then I will discuss this at length with father later." Sabrina released Danny and added, "I'll see you in gym class," she turned and disappeared into the bustle of the hall.
Looking around, trying to act inconspicuous, Danny made his way to his locker.
To Danny's surprise, the first two periods, music and math, passed without incident. After making his way into the gym locker room, he threw on his clothes for P.E. Unwilling to leave Tyramear's gift behind, he stuffed the dagger into the folds created by his right sock and his shoe. Satisfied, he made his way into the gym and sat cross-legged in his assigned position next to Chris.
"Hey, Danny," said Chris, turning to acknowledge his friend. However, his eyes went wide with shock as he looked down at Danny's right leg. Chris scooted closer. "Danny, why do you have a dagger in your sock?" he asked in a whisper, pointing at the object in question.
"You can see it, too?" Danny questioned as he covered the dagger with his right hand.
"Danny Firoth," said a familiar voice.
Danny looked up to find Mr. Ingram standing above him, his right eyebrow raised.
"You know the rules, Mr. Firoth," said Mr. Ingram. "No pens or pencils are allowed on your person during gym class. Please go and put it in your locker now."
"Yes, Mr. Ingram," Danny said, as he stood up and walked back toward the locker room.
"And where do you think you are going, Mr. Greene?" the gym teacher asked in an authoritative voice.
"I have to use the restroom."
"Make it quick, Mr. Greene, or I'll count both of you tardy."
Chris moved at a jogging pace to catch up.
Danny spotted Sabrina exiting the girls' locker room. She shot him a questioning look. Danny shrugged in response as he passed through the boys' locker room doorway, Chris darting behind him.
"Okay, Danny, what's going on?" Chris asked, once they were alone.
"You wouldn't believe me even if I told you," taking the dagger out of his shoe.
"Why do you have a dagger with you and why did Mr. Ingram think it was a pen?"
"We don't have time to discuss it now," said Danny. Once his locker was open, he removed the belt from his pants and began strapping it around his waist, just above his belly button.
"What're you doing?"
After securing the belt, Danny reached around and slipped the dagger under it at the small of his back, pinning it in place. Turning, he showed Chris what he had done.
"Just put it in your locker."
"I can't."
"What do you mean, you can't?"
"I just can't," said Danny again, closing his locker. "Listen, can you meet me after school?"
Chris hesitated, "I guess so. I have football practice so I have to stay after school anyway. Why?"
Chris was Danny's best friend, now more than ever and it was killing him knowing that he couldn't tell him the truth right away. "Meet me in front of the library and I'll explain everything."
Chris shrugged, his face distorted in confusion, "Okay, whatever."
Together, both boys left the locker room and made their way back to their assigned seating.
Sitting back down, Danny found Sabrina questioning him with that certain look on her face. Knowing that he couldn't give her an answer here and now, he simply smiled.
She didn't return the gesture.
After gym, Danny dashed to his locker and gathered the books he needed for science class. Midway through his packing, Sabrina appeared beside him.
"Hey, I thought we could walk to science class together."
Danny saw right through her act. "Sure," he said, playing along. Gathering up his book bag, he set off with Sabrina strolling beside him.
Turning at the base of the stairs, Sabrina pulled him to the side, "What happened in gym?"
"Chris Greene has the gift of sight as well."
Sabrina took a single step back and dropped her head as if in thought. "Three in such a short amount of time and all in the same area," she whispered to herself.
"What is it?"
Sabrina's head snapped up and looked around to make sure that she wouldn't be overheard. Taking a step back toward Danny, she said, "Those with the gift of sight are rare enough, but to find three at the same time, within such a small area… It has never happened."
"What's that mean?"
"I don't know, perhaps Father will know."
Before Danny could say anything else, the warning bell rang. "We should get to class."
Sabrina nodded, both hurried to science class. The tardy bell rang just as they passed through the threshold of the science lab.
"Just in time," said Mrs. Turner from behind her black desk.
Danny faked a smile, made his way to his assigned seat and dropped his book bag down on top of his desk.
"You barely made it," whispered Matt, as he pushed his glasses further up the bridge of his nose.
"Yeah," said Danny, digging through his bag, pulling out his science book. Something shiny caught on the edge of the book, causing it to fall to the floor in front of Matt's desk. Danny's heart almost stopped as he watched the dagger bounce once before coming to a stop beside his friend's left shoe.
"Wow," said Matt as he reached down and retrieved the blade. "Where did you get this dagger?" holding it up parallel to his eyes for a better look.
"Do you have a question, Mr. Mickler?" Mrs. Turner asked before Danny could say anything.
Shocked, Matt's eyes went wide with surprise as he held the dagger up before him. "Um, no?" said Matt with a squint, as if he was unsure of the answer.
"Then why are you holding your pen up?"
Matt's right eyebrow lifted as he looked at the dagger in his hand, "What pen?"
"…The pen in your hand, Mr. Mickler. Are you feeling all right?"
The exchange caused a sudden swell of giggling from the other students.
"It's not a pen," said Alonso, his voice unable to carry past the rising laughter.
Reaching forward, Danny punched Alonso in the back in an attempt to quiet him.
Not taking kindly to the gesture, Alonso angled his fist behind him, pencil in hand, and connected with Danny's lower left leg.
A sharp pain spread up Danny's shin, causing him to glance at Sabrina.
"Do something," she mouthed.
She was right. He had to do something. "It's my pen," said Danny, turning, and snatching the dagger from Matt's hand. "He was just giving it back to me."
Confused, Matt simply nodded and adjusted his glasses once again.
"Alright, settle down, class," said Mrs. Turner, buying the excuse. "Today, we are going to learn about mitochondria," regaining control, turning back toward the black board.
As soon as he felt it was safe, Matt leaned over and whispered, "What's going on?"
"I'll explain everything after class," whispered Danny, stuffing the dagger back into his pack.
"We're meeting at the library after school," said Alonso, matching the hushed tones of both boys.
"Shut up," said Danny, slapping Alonso on the back of the head with the tips of his fingers.
The encouragement caused Alonso to reach behind him once again in an attempt at retaliation. Danny moved his leg just in time, causing Alonso to hit the steel bar of the desk instead. Alonso winced from the pain of the impact. Turning, he eyed Danny with a look of revenge.
"Is there a problem, Mr. Martinez?"
Danny smiled, Alonso had no choice but to turn back to the front of the class and say, "No, Mrs. Turner."
After class, Danny, Alonso, Sabrina, and Matt met up at the back of the science labs, where they were unlikely to be overheard.
"What does she have to do with this?" Alonso asked, pointing at Sabrina.
If looks could kill, Sabrina would have slain Alonso on the spot.
"More than you know," said Danny, intervening before Sabrina could retaliate. "But now isn't the time or the place to discuss it."
Alonso crossed his arms, shrugged, and said, "Whatever."
Turning toward Matt, Danny continued, "Meet us in front of the library after school, and I'll explain everything."
"Told you so," said Alonso with a smug smile on his face.
Both Danny and Sabrina glared at Alonso this time, if it had any effect, Alonso did not show it.
"Alright," said Matt, "but this better be good."
"Yeah," agreed Alonso.
Danny smiled, "Oh, you two have no idea."
Before anything else was said, the warning bell rang, forcing all four to fret about being tardy, rather than about the events of the day. With little time to spare, all four made a beeline for their individual lockers.
To Danny's relief, the rest of his classes passed without any more surprises. Sitting in English class, he watched the clock with a mesmerized focus and sighed with a sense of liberation as the big hand clunked over the designated number. The final bell rang through the school speakers, marking the end of the last period. He had already gathered his belongings in his book bag so he raced through the door almost before the bell stopped ringing. He walked quickly to his locker, secured his belongings and headed straight for the front entrance of the library. Waiting just outside the double glass doors, Danny scanned the crowd of students as they darted through the halls. A familiar face caught his eye; he turned to see Chris Greene.
"Alright, I have about ten minutes before practice starts," said Chris, stopping before Danny. "What's this all about?"
"We have to wait for Matt Mickler, Alonso Martinez and Sabrina Drake."
"Why?"
"I'll explain everything when they get here."
"Well, at least let me see that dagger of yours," Chris said, holding out his hand.
"Okay," said Danny, digging through the contents of his bag, pulling out the dragon-hilted dagger. Danny hesitated for a moment and handed it over.
Taking the blade, Chris turned it end over end in his hands, admiring the intricate artisanship. "It's beautiful." He pulled the brand free of the sheath with a subtle ring of steel. Greeted with the sudden halo of soft white light, Chris gasped in amazement. "Where'd you get this?"
"Wow, you didn't say that it glowed," Alonso said before Danny could respond.
"Does it use batteries?" Matt asked, standing beside Alonso.
Looking past Matt and Alonso, Danny spotted Sabrina rounding the corner of the hall.
"Let me see it," said Alonso, reaching out in an attempt to snatch the blade from Chris's hand.
"What's your problem, man, just wait," said Chris, pulling the dagger closer to his chest, smacking Alonso's hand away.
Danny suddenly realized that he'd created a mess. "Here, give it back to me," he said, knowing that taking the dagger out in the first place had been a mistake. He knew that if Sabrina saw this, she would be upset. Her father might even take back his gift.
"I wanna see it, too," said Matt in a whiny voice while pushing his glasses further up the slope of his nose.
"Just give it back, for now," argued Danny, but he was too late. Sabrina had entered the circle.
"What is going on here?" she asked, glaring at Danny.
"I, uh…" said Danny, trying to think of a valid excuse.
He failed.
"This is not the time or place for this," scolded Sabrina. "Give it…"
"Epic looking dagger," said a voice from beyond the group, interrupting Sabrina.
All five turned to regard the new arrival with confusion and curiosity.
Confronted with their attention, Doug Garrett smiled.
"You can see the dagger?" Danny asked.
Doug's face contorted with confusion, "Of course I can. Why wouldn't I be able to see it?"
Taking advantage of the focused attention, Danny seized the blade and scabbard from Chris's hands, sheathed it and placed it back in his bag. "Come on, we need a place to talk."
"Can I come, too?" Doug asked.
"Yes, Doug, you, too," said Danny, turning and walking into the library without waiting to see if he was being followed.
They found a circular table in the back, it was secluded behind two shelves stacked with books.
Danny positioned the dagger in the middle of the table. Once everyone was seated, he began. He told them what happened the night following his fight with Steven Rooney. He described the event, how Sabrina fought the Shadow, as best he could. Then he explained his second encounter with the Shadow, his discussion with Sabrina's father and his choice to become a Knight of the Light. During the explanation, Sabrina filled in with things that Danny had trouble remembering.
As soon as Danny and Sabrina were finished, all four boys stared with wide-eyed amazement, switching their gazes from Sabrina to Danny and then back to Sabrina.
Alonso, as was common to his nature, was the first to speak. "You're a terrible liar," looking back at Danny.
"That's a good one, coming from you," said Danny, his voice hinted of anger.
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"You know exactly what it means."
"I have never…"
"That's enough, Alonso," interrupted Chris.
Alonso crossed his arms, "Whatever."
Danny guessed that Alonso's sudden submission was because Chris knew him better than anyone else sitting at the table. Both were on the football team as well as the wrestling team. Danny had always thought that Alonso looked up to Chris because most of his lies tended to coincide with whatever endeavor Chris was currently chasing.
"Are you telling the truth, Danny?" Chris asked softly.
"Of course I am. Why would I lie about his? All of you have seen the proof with your own eyes," he said, pointing at the dagger in the center of the table. "Everyone else saw a pen while you saw a dagger. How could I make such a thing happen?"
"Okay, now what?" Chris asked.
Before Danny could answer, Matt raised his hand in question.
"What?" Danny asked. "You don't have to raise your hand," he added.
Matt put his hand down. "Can I look at it now?"
"Yes."
Matt took up the blade and unsheathed it, bathing the corner of the library in a soft white light. "Is it really magical?"
"You tell me."
Motivated by Danny's comment, Matt placed the sheath tip-first on the tabletop, pushed his glasses up, and held the glowing brand before his eyes for a closer inspection. Flicking the edge, causing the steel to sing from the vibration, he said, "It's definitely made of metal." Touching the tip with his finger, he added, "Sharp, too." Then, after attempting to twist the hilt, he said, "Well, there's no place to put batteries." Matt sheathed the dagger, placed it back in the middle of the table and said, "It seems real to me."
"…So, what now?" Chris asked once again.
"You must all decide," said Danny, looking from face to face, meeting the eyes of each friend in turn. "Whether you believe me or not, all of you have the gift of sight. So you can either choose to live a normal life or be tested to become a Knight of the Light just as I have chosen."
"I believe you, Danny," said Chris with a steady tone. "I choose to be tested."
"Me, too," said Matt.
"Count me in," said Doug.
All eyes locked on Alonso, awaiting an answer.
"Give me a minute," the black-haired boy said. Silence passed as Alonso looked at the dagger, Danny, Sabrina, and then finally, Chris.
"Well?" Danny asked.
"Whatever… fine… yes."
"I shall let my father know," Sabrina said with finality.