AAOOOSC! Wheatie Bits!

E. 7. "Swapping Powers" (3/6)

The first session of development camp comes and goes. All the attendees have dressed out and left the locker room, leaving Nolan in a much-needed silence.

From his stall, Nolan contently stares out at the still, vacant locker room.

"Finally, I'm all alone." He removes his compression shirt and folds it neatly. "I don't have anyone to bother me with their annoying chit-chat or annoying music!" He exchanges his compression shirt for his T-shirt and pulls it over his torso. "It's so nice to be in peace all by myself."

He then places his hands on his jean-clad thighs and closes his eyes, taking in the tranquillity of the scene after nonstop cacophony.

"You're not alone," Carter is heard stating from next to him.

Nolan instantly flutters his eyes open with surprise. "Wha—?"

Suddenly, ribbons of smooth silver flies at his wrists, torso, and ankles, pushing and strapping against his stall.

Nolan's eyes fly open at the sight of the foreign object clinging to his clothes and skin. "AH! What is THIS?!" He pushes against the restraints, yet they maintain their hard grasp on him. "Ugh!" He writhes against them. "Get! It! OFF!"

A shadow instantly sweeps over him, making him halt. "No use, you're in silver," he hears Carter telling him.

Nolan flicks his eyes up, spotting Carter himself looming above him. A scowl instantly takes over his face. "Halloween's over!" He gives another push against the sturdy, silver bars. "Get me out!"

Carter lets out a hearty chuckle with crossed arms, taking pleasure in his struggle. "I didn't do that costume-switcharoo thing just for Halloween." He holds a hand out at him. "I mean, I did choose to do it on that date since it'd be perfect with the theme and all, but I didn't reach my goal because you threw it off track, so it's now take two."

The forward shoots him an unamused expression. "Well, keep it for just Halloween."

"Maybe you should keep your attitude for Halloween too."

He gawks at him. "Excuse me?!"

Carter waves his hands out in front of him. "Look, this is gonna be quick and easy if you just cooperate with me for once."

"What's gonna be 'quick and easy'?"

"This." Carter opens his lifted hand, conjuring the familiar silver bottle into view through streaks of green energy. He holds it out at him. "Take it."

Nolan eyes the bottle with suspiciousness, remembering its harmfulness and benefits. "Why?"

"Look, I'll take it." He takes a swig of it.

He gives him a look of annoyance. "I didn't tell you to drink it, I asked you why."

Carter lifts the bottle from his red lips. "I needed to drink it anyway. "

"Why do you want me to drink it, Carter?"

He holds the bottle out toward him. "Why did I want you to drink it last time?"

He shoves himself against the silver restraints once again. "I asked the question first."

Carter sticks his face into his. "I'm giving you a hint."

Nolan does the same, glaring inches from his face. "I asked for an answer, not a hint!" He then pulls away from him, maintaining his deadly look. "Do you see WHY I don't want to cooperate with you?! You're not even cooperating with me!"

Returning him the same expression, the goalie closes his hand on the bottle, compressing it into green, flickering mist. His hand instantly opens up again, revealing a brand new silver bottle. "Shut up and take it." He holds it out to him.