Chosen: The Path of Heroes

Five

Two days.

It had been that long since anything weird occurred, since the visions of the reptilian men and the dream on Tuesday. And it wasn't as if Zuri hadn't tried to tap into the strangeness. He attempted to make the pen move again multiple times since it first happened, but to no avail. He spent over an hour last night sitting at his desk and staring at the pen, concentrating, trying to get some reaction. Nothing happened though.

Maybe he was going nuts. Maybe everything that happened that week were figments of his psyche. Very intense figments. Yet no matter how many times Zuri told himself this, he still didn't believe it.

Coach Ted Hundmann's whistle shrilled through the gym, further amplified by the structure's high ceiling. He clapped his hands a few times. "Let's go! Let's go! Form a line in front of the bleachers."

The whistle chirped again.

Zuri, who leaned to the wall rolling in his thoughts, snapped out of it and lined up with the others. It was just his luck that Brett the Barbarian had this P.E. class too, the last class of the day. The period was usually unisex, but twice a week male and female students split to their respective instructors for sport activities.

Brett's face slowly molded into a thick smirk as Zuri passed him. Zuri didn't pay any attention, though he could almost feel the heat of the other boy's glare. He sighed inwardly and wished he were bigger. Brett wouldn't bother him then.

Zuri stepped in line, facing out into the gymnasium with his fellow students. He shifted his weight on one leg, scratching at the calf with his other foot. His t-shirt reached down past his waist, his shorts just below his knees. That was the standard P.E. attire for all students.

Coach Hundmann's eyes roamed over each of them. He went to one end of the line and handed a clipboard to the student there. As they all knew by now, they were expected to find their name and sign next to it.

While the guys passed the board along, Hundmann spoke.

"Today you're going to split into teams and play some basketball." He served as coach for the school's team, the Defenders. "I know that not all of you play a lot of basketball, but I'm sure you all know how to play—you toss a ball through a hoop. Quite simple."

Hundmann smiled, and bushy brows shifted over his twinkling eyes. He was in his late forties and had a buzz-cut that probably made most people relate him to a military sergeant or something. He pointed to one end of the line.

"Count off as one and two starting there."

The boys counted.

Hundmann collected the clipboard and set it aside.

"Alright," the instructor said, "I want all the ones to take a vest off the rack by the basketballs."

Zuri was a two, so he remained where he stood. However, his stomach performed a few somersaults when he noted that, down the line, Brett hadn't moved either. They were on the same team.

Brett gave Zuri another dirty look, and Zuri remained calm. He wasn't scared of Brett; he just didn't like to be bothered.

The ones had donned their flimsy bright-orange vests.

Coach Hundmann blew his whistle.

"On the court! As I said, I know not everyone here plays basketball, so most of the rules will be waved. The most important rule is teamwork. Utilize your fellow teammates. You see an opening, you take it and pass to someone on your team. Also, no traveling. For those of you who don't know what that is, it's running with the ball in your hands. Always dribble unless you're going to shoot. Now, let's see what you got! Team One, west hoop. Team Two, east."