Person Unknown - 2. The Meeting

Justin’s POV

It was five minutes to 4 pm, the time when school ends. I felt my heart rate increase and my palms started to sweat as it got closer and closer to meeting Dash like he wanted me to. The bell rang, sounding the end of the school day. I’d gotten up and started walking out of the library when I suddenly remembered I had to call Dad and tell him I’d be staying to study for a test. I dialed his cell number and listened to the phone ringing

“Hey, Dad, I have a test later this week I need to study for. Can I stay at school for a bit longer?”

“Sure, but how are you planning on getting home, Buddy.”

“I could take the bus - I have some cash - or I could walk. It’s just an hour walk to the house, and I could use the exercise. I’ve wanted to get a better build anyway.”

“Alright, stay safe, OK, Son?”

“I will, Dad. Love you.”

“Love you too,” said Dad.

I hit the end button, slipping my phone back into my pocket. Once I got outside, I could see several silhouettes at the meeting spot. I slowed down to a stop nervously when I neared the group, as they all turned in sync, their predatory eyes fixing me in place like a deer that had wandered into an occupied wolf den.

“Guys, chill, it’s just our good buddy Justin,” said Dash with a smirk.

He walked through the group towards me, spreading his arms in a welcoming way. I slowly stepped forward, still nervous about the whole situation.

“So…um…why did you want to meet with me?” I asked.

“Why would I not want to meet you, Justin? You’re so cool in your own unique way. Besides, I like how you carry yourself,” Dash said, smiling.

“Do you really mean that, Dash?” I said with a blush, looking Dash in the eye.

“Of course,” he said, smiling. “You are pretty much at my level of popularity at school. Among other reasons, that’s why I invited you to this meeting.” He turned serious. “Now, let’s start this meeting. Our first order of business is to discuss settling the score with the football team. They have beaten up our youngest member, Josh. Isn’t that right, Josh?” he said, looking to a short blond haired boy.

Josh nodded in agreement, holding his new black eye, and trying to clean off dried blood with the other.

“Then it’s decided. We will take them down Saturday after their football game.” Dash looked at his watch. “We can talk more later, for now you guys can go home.”

I turned to start walking towards home.

“Hey! Justin, wait, we still need to chat some. I’ll walk with you to your house.”

I just shrugged, continuing to walk while he sped up to walk beside me.

“So, what did you think of the meeting?” he asked.

“It was OK, but I still don’t understand why you wanted me there. I mean, I’m not that important, am I?”

“In fact, you are much more important then you realize, and I hope to convince you of that by the time we get to your house.”

“O.K., I’m listening,” I said, looking at him.

“Well, let me ask this. How many friends do you have?”

I looked over at him, frowning, “Well, not very many, even though I’m nice to pretty much everyone I meet. It’s like I’m invisible to them,” I said, looking down at the sidewalk now.

“How about we change that, Justin? I can unlock many doors for you. All you have to do is ask and it will be done.”

I stopped and looked at him in shock. “Really? Just like that, no strings attached?”

He looked me in the eyes. “Well…one condition…. you have to be my friend first, ‘K?” he said with a smirk.

“Of course I’ll be your friend!” I said, giving him a bear hug. “Thank you, thank you, thank you!” I told him, smiling ear to ear.

“No prob,” he said, hugging me back just as tightly.

Finally, I let him go. “Sorry, I sort of lost it… I was just so excited to hear that you’d be my friend,” I told him, blushing.

“It’s cool. I’m happy too, and you can hug me anytime. I don’t mind… I like hugs.”

Smiling, I started walking again. “I am glad we’re friends now. I can’t wait tell this weekend. Maybe you could spend the night?”

“Yeah, I’ll definitely do that; I’ll come over Friday and stay until Saturday night that cool with you?”

“Perfectly fine with me,” I said as we turned a corner to go down another street. We were nearing my house; I remembered there was a park down this street. I used to play here a lot when I was younger, but since middle school, I haven’t been here at all.

As we got half way past the park, I heard a twig breaking and naturally stopped and looked around quickly, alert and slightly panicked. “What was that?”

Dash looks around, alert for a sec, silently searching the area for signs of movement or disturbances of any kind.

“It’s nothing.”, “Probably just a squirrel or rabbit. Come on, let’s go,” he said, turning to continue walking home. “So how much farth…..”

Dash and I stood frozen, as we looked a few steps in front of us, at the silhouette with red eyes looking at us from the darkness. It growled sending chills down my spine as I could see its eyes increase in its red glow.

“Stand behind me, Justin!” Dash said, holding his left arm out and pushing me behind him.

As Dash pushed me behind him, I noticed his arm. His nails were sticking out almost like claws, and he started to get into a stance almost like a cat ready to pounce on its prey.

“Cover your ears and close your eyes, Justin!” he ordered.

“But…..”

“Just do it!”

I closed my eyes, stuck, shaking in the darkness, feeling alone.

Then, suddenly, something hit me, and everything went dark, as I hit the ground unconscious.