Notes before reading: this story is very important to me and very straightforward about it's themes. I really wanted to do this the way I wanted to do it and that ended up meaning this story is going to be riddled with dark themes and edgy subject matter. Readers can expect to see language, death, drug use, extreme violence, and situations that could make the reader otherwise uncomfortable. If you are not ready to read about these types of things I suggest you read something else though I hope you still give this a chance. Being that this story is so intricate and long the beginning may seem really slow, I apologize for that. I know it takes a while to get into the more interesting part of the story but this is only book one of what will end up being at least a 5 part series. Anyways enjoy, any and all feedback is welcome!

I keep having this dream. It starts with me and this girl. I've never seen her before in real life but I know her... She seems so familiar. We're sitting on a roof holding hands laughing at nothing. She looks at me with her big grey eyes and I brush her hair to the side before kissing her forehead.

"I love you." She would say. My heart would skip a beat, as if I had been waiting forever for her to say that.

Everything goes black. I'm all alone, standing in pure darkness everything is empty. A vacuum. Suddenly, the silence changes to a roar. I am no longer standing alone, a crowd surrounds me. There were easily a hundred people all staring at me, yelling my name. Aggressively fighting each other for my attention. I care not for the mob. I ignore them. Where was she? An echo of her voice can be heard over the crowd. The same three words repeat, louder each time. The tone of her voice never changes though, she sounds sweet and caring. The crowd disappears and I am alone in the darkness again. I hear her voice one last time.

"I love you."

CHAPTER 1

I woke up in a cold sweat. My head hurt, as it always did after that dream. I was having it once a week at this point. I don't know what it means, who she is or why I feel this way about her. I am in a relationship. Been going strong with my girlfriend for two years now. I love her unconditionally but I can't help but have feelings for this girl, this figment of my imagination. I'm sure she doesn't exist. She can't. No one is that perfect.

She's short with pure black hair. She has a perfect hour glass figure with curves in all the right places. She has deep beautiful grey eyes, and the bangs of her hair frame them perfectly. She always has a black cloak and tight black pants on. Her gaze cuts right through me as if she could see my entire past. Every mistake I've ever made laid out in front of her and she loves me despite this. Every time I have this dream I find myself falling harder for her.

I got ready for my day and decided to head down stairs.

"What up Fucker?" My roommate Kyle yelled at me from the kitchen table.

"Morning Alex." My sister says from the seat beside him. Half greeting me half correcting kyle on how to greet some one. They don't get along very well and they never have, I always thought of them as exact opposites like oil and water. My twin sister Ashley is meek and proper and quiet. Where Kyle is loud and improper and confident. Its almost like they were made to never get along. "Breakfast is made," she offered. "Kyle got high and drank all the milk though."she added angrily.

" Hey guys." I responded groggily.

"You look like death." Kyle said observantly.

"And you look like a bleached asshole." I said.

"ALEX!" Ashley yelled at me. Kyle burst out laughing, almost spilling his tray of weed on his lap. Kyle and I both smoke entirely too much weed. He sells out of our house and always has an abundance so we might as well. "What are you laughing at?" She turned her attention to Kyle. Ashley always gets upset at our inappropriate humour. Our dad made her take etiquette classes a few years back and it had a permanent impact.

"Chill." I say as I grabbed a piece of bacon and one of Kyle's nugs off of the table."I'm gonna head out. You two place nice."

"Aw bro. C'mon burn one with me first" Kyle pleaded.

"Nah man I don't wanna be late" I walk out of the kitchen and stepped over Kyle's mess in the living room. He'd been staying on our couch for about a year now and I've never known him once to pick up his shit.

"Have a good day Alex!" Ashley called out as I left "And tell Arty hi for me!"

I got to my girlfriend's house at about ten. I always spent my Saturdays there. Kyle likes to say I live on too tight of a schedule. I tend to do things exactly as I plan to exactly when I plan to all the time. Whatever though, it works for me.

"Hey Dumbass!" My girlfriend shouts as she tackles me off of her porch. Arty is tall and radiantly beautiful. Her golden blonde hair extends past the small of her back and is always perfect and straight. Her bright blue eyes cut through my peripheral when I look up from her yard where I now lay. Her embrace and affection almost made hitting the ground not hurt. She started pecking my face with a flurry of kisses while I tried to sit up. She's quirky and full of energy almost directly opposing my generally serious attitude. I'm too busy to be laid back like the people I chose to acquaint myself with. I'm the captain of my school's varsity football team. I also participate in the kendo club and a magic the gathering tournament group. Keeping up with all of that a girlfriend and trying to sleep usually fucks with me. Might explain my dreams.

"Arty, babe." I said happily while nudging her away. The sooner we got inside the sooner I'd let her resume her affection so I tried to move things along. "I brought you some Treah* " I pulled out a pouch of drink mix and motioned toward her house. She was obsessed with this Treah shit. It's a name brand drink mix made like tea you boil the water and add the mix. It's been increasingly popular recently, though I've never liked it. She yanked the pouch out of my hand and ran inside without a word. "No quicker way to your heart than sweets." I said playfully.

"No quicker way into my pants than sweets." She corrected me as I followed her into her house. Being the only 17 year old I know with a full time job she's probably the most self sufficient person I know. She actually owns this house herself and is completely independent despite her age. It's a quaint one bedroom with one bath and very little furniture. She does have a couch a bed and a TV though. By the time I walked in she was already in the kitchen starting her kettle for her drink.

I sat down and turned her active TV off. I pulled my small metal pipe named ratchet out of my pocket and loaded the small nug of weed from this morning. "Brought me something?" She said as she came in and sat next to me. I take a toke from my pipe ratchet and lean in close to Arty and we kiss as I pass the hit to her. She coughs out the hit.

"So are you going up to the mountains? Everyone's gonna be there." I ask referring to the upcoming ski trip our class was going to.

"Yeah and publicly humiliate myself when I fall on my ass?" She responded harshly.

"Sorry, I just thought we would have fun." My words fell through the air as if they weren't said.

"Besides I'm ging to be out of town then." She shrugs her shoulders as she says this. " My granny won't have anyone to take care of her for four days. I'm going to the springs for a while." She leaned over and kissed me on the forehead and took my pipe out of my hands. "Sorry dumbass." She takes a hit from ratchet, leans over and kisses me passing me her hit. "You're going to have kyle there though. Go have fun!" I exhale and she kisses me on the cheek again.

" You're right. You're missing out though." I said.

"Are you ok?" She asked concerned. " Is there something on your mind?"

" I had the dream again..." I trailed off.

"Oh is that it?" She ran her hand up my leg toward my zipper. " I can get your mind off of that really easily."

The next Monday I met up with Kyle and Arty at the school cafeteria for lunch. The three of us usually ate together with Ashley and one of her friends but the two of them were nowhere to be found.

"Can't you use your twin telepathy?" Kyle asked from across the table. "I heard twins can sense eachother That their linked mentally and can always find each other."

"Oh shut up friend. We aren't even identical plus all of that's made up anyway." I respond defensively. Its always those closest to you that bully you the most.

"What if it is true? You'll never know if you don't try. Come on call out to her!" Arty jumped in with him. "Plus I've never met anyone with crazy red hair like the two of you have. The shade of blood. There must be something special about you!"

"Still haven't figured out what? We've been together for two years now. What don't you know about me by now?" I ask confused.

" You're mysterious without even trying to be. Maybe that's why I love you." She said smiling at me. Kyle made gagging motions across the table.

"And when the mystery runs out?" I asked.

"Let's hope it doesn't." She said as if challenging me. She stared me dead in the eyes and Kyle looked away and ate his lunch minding his own business. She then smiled and dropped her gaze as if this were all just a joke. "Don't be a dumbass. I love you."

" What's going on guys?" Tyler Trettz stood behind Kyle. He was a classmate of ours who was a stickler for the rules. He was a douche and he hated Kyle. He stood six feet tall and had semi-long dark brown hair. He has a skimpy mustache and too many muscles for his own good. Tyler trained with a military facility for three years though and even I am a little intimidated to take him on. We all go quiet when he walked up. " So Kyle, I smell something illegal. You aren't holding are you?"

"Not today Titfuck. I left it at home." He said smirking.

" And what's stopping me from calling a teacher over here and having you searched to call your bluff?" Tyler said snobbily.

"What's stopping you from fucking yourself homie?" Kyle yelled and stood up opposite from Tyler.

"Your a junior in high school Tyler grow up." Arty added. "Telling on people will get you nowhere."

"Plus I'll kick your ass." I throw in for extra measure. I take a bite of my food and look away confidently. I don't get in fights often but I've never lost one and don't plan to any time soon.

" Well aren't you doing that tonight anyway Alex?" Tyler asked.

" What are you talking about?" I responded.

" Kendo club tonight. It's going to finally be our match. The winner gets a chance at Mike." I knew exactly what he was talking about. I was new to this club but I have a perfect record so far and my next two matches are crucial to my progression in rank. Only one of the two of us can face Mike and after he's beaten the victor will be recognized as a master along with the other alumni of the club. I have to be an alumni for my senior year next year. I gaze over at Tyler intensely."I wanted to place a friendly wager on our match."

"Go on." I said. He had my attention.

"You really gonna listen to this kid Alex?" Kyle asked. I raised my hand to signal him to quiet.

" If I win this match today I want you to leave Kendo club for good!" Tyler yelled dramatically.

"Why would I do that ?" Tyler takes a sword and places it on the table.

"An original Masamunay. Durable and over a century old. Perfectly usable as decoration or for active combat. It's lightweight and one hundred percent your style. All yours if you beat me tonight. But if I do manage to beat you, you must quit the team and never return!"

"Deal." I said matter-of-factly.

"That's it?" Kyle asked confused. "Deal?" He looked at Tyler who was picking his sword up from our table.

"Thank you. I will see you tonight." He bowed to me before starting to walk away.

"Weirdo. " Arty called to him as he left. Kyle's sat back down and looked at me with exasperation.

"Why Alex, why do you humor him?" He asked with way too much stress.

"It amuses me."

"What if you lose?" He asked.

"He won't ." Arty responded for me.

" If I lose I'll just have more free time." I said shrugging off the whole ordeal. "I'll survive without Kendo."

"It was a nice sword though." Art said while placing her hand on my thigh, nodding to Kyle smirking. "Bet you he payed top dollar." She added before taking a bite of her food.

"Why? What's his problem with you that's so bad he'd bet something like that just to get you to leave?" Kyle asked in an irritated tone.

"It's not about me quitting kendo. It's about shaming me and proving he's better than me." I look down at my food. "Tyler isn't just some asshole he follows a code of honor. It's what he was taught in boot camp and from his father." I said putting emphasis on the words 'boot camp'. Tyler's dad served as one of the most disciplined and well groomed soldiers in e united states until he got his leg blown off. Now he's just an old drunk. " He just wants to prove to everyone that he's better than them by being better than me."

"Creep." Kyle said looking in the direction Tyler left in. The rest of the school day was uneventful. And went by too slowly with all the anticipation for tonight's match. I fell asleep in English, which is my last class of the day. Then I had to run half awake to Kendo. Once I got there I noticed a much bigger crowd than I anticipated. I guess word got out that this was happening. 'Jock against Soldier' they shouted waiting. I scan the room and find Kyle sitting on the bottom row of the bleachers. Before I can go to say hi I'm cut off by James our club president.

"Oh you look like death." He said concerned. Why is that the go to phrase to describe me right after I woke up?

"Everyone says that."

"Are you ready? Can you win?" He asked at a high volume, speaking over the crowd of students in the bleachers.

"Not yet." I said honestly while looking away from him, surveying the crowd. "Where's my girls?" I scanned the entire gymnasium until I finally caught them with the corner of my eye. Arty and Ashley were in line for snacks. But since when are there concessions open for a small kendo match? James grabs both of my shoulders and faces me back toward him.

"You don't have time to talk to them. Go get dressed" Arty looked at me with a big smile and waved as he said this.I smiled and nodded at her then went to get ready.

The crowd flared up as I came back into the gym. At this point all of the bets were placed. The people had decided to split onto sides of the gymnasium according to who they were rooting for like in a basketball game. The ones who thought would win along with Kyle, Ashley, and Arty were on the side closest to where I entered from, and those who supported Tyler were on the bleachers on the far side. My side was littered with red signs that read 'JOCK' signifying that yes I am on the football team. I guess they were all red due to my hair color? I didn't know so many people cared about kendo.

I picked up my wooden sword and stood across from Tyler on the 'arena' the club made from a mat. James stood between us holding our wooden swords together. "Tyler Trettz against Alex Terment, each contact is one point and this is a five point match. No headshots or nutshots. Ready?" He looked us both dead in the eye. We nodded in confirmation. "Fight!" He said letting go of our sticks and jumping out of the way.

The match started quickly, right as James was out of the way Tyler's first motion was circular. Trying to dissarm me right off the bat. My only reaction was to tighten my grip and step aside. Tyler lunged forward as I stepped and nearly hit my chest before I whipped around hit his sword down. Now that I was at his side I had a second to collect my thoughts.

My first real sword. I win this and I get a real blade. My entire life I've accomplished everything I've set my mind to. I'm naturally talented at art, sports, math, music. But to wield a sword is my dream. My father never let me, claiming their dangerous and not useful in real combat anymore. But ever since I was a young boy I've been fascinated by things like samurai and knights.

As my mind trails I look up to see myself sitting on the ground, a sharp pain in my ass and shin. "Point Trettz" James announced. He must have swept my feet. I can't let myself get distracted like that. I stand up and hold up my kendo stick.

"That hurt Alex?" Tyler said pointing his kendo stick at me. He was boasting and cocky, now would be a great time to make him look stupid. I circle around him but he doesn't take his eyes off of me or lower his guard for a second.I swing right and he deflects, I swing left and he deflects. I come from an angle and he deflects. A rhythm is made with our swings. Every time I attack he bats me away like a child. All of his deflections are twice as strong as my attacks and he blocks as if he already knows where I'm going to come from. I know I've got this.

I tightened my grip on the hilt of my wooden sword with both of my hands and take a deep breath. The two of us lock eyes as we circle around each other. The entire crowd grew silent. I jump forward with an over head strike and missed by an inch. He sidestepped and slammed the hilt of his stick into my stomach so hard I almost threw up in front of everyone.I fell down to my hands and dropped my fake sword. It felt like the world paused for a solid minute. I couldn't see or hear anything.

"Fuck!" Kyle interrupted the dead silence. The shock of his response broke me from my trance. The crowd went insane as I forced myself onto my feet. Of coarse I can take a hit I get wrecked on the football field every day. Still though, Tyler hits like he benches wildebeests.

"Can you continue?" James asked from the sideline.

"Yeah." I squeezed out, even though my voice felt broken.I leaned over and picked up my kendo stick.

"Very well. Point Trettz!" He yelled loud enough for the now muttering crowd to hear. He looked and nodded at each of us separately. "You may proceed." I stand still and watch Tyler's movements. My vision was blurry, like everything is just color and shapes. I love when this happens. I felt a rush of adrenaline push through my body. Tyler stepped forward and swung. I let his stick glide across mine as I blocked with it I punched him in the face with my left.

Tyler fell to the ground and drooped his kendo stick. He looked up angry and then darts his gaze to James. "Is that legal?"

"Yes and no." He shrugged his shoulders. "But you weren't penalized for your hit earlier either. Point Terment!" Tyler got back onto his feet and scoffed at me.

"That was dirty and you know it." He said sounding offended.

Tyler ran at me full speed and I gripped my kendo stick steadying myself. I had to be ready for anything. One more point and he wins. I had one chance and I couldn't let this adraneline rush die. I moved without thinking and went in stabbing. My stick was heading straight for his face and I could see him wince right as he barely reflected it at the last second. My body knew what to do though, when he hit my sword away it gave me momentum and I twisted around with it and slammed the kendo stick across his chest. He took two steps back and clutched his chest and gasped.

"Point Terment." James called out, I looked over at him distracted and Tyler came at me full force. I lifted my kendo stick to block and Tyler's kendo stick came crashing down on it. I didn't let go and I felt a ripple of pain travel up my arm as my kendo stick broke in half wood splinters flew to the ground. I saw Tyler dropping his kendo stick. He must have expected this about as much as I had but I only had one shot and I took it. I caught it with my now numb arm and hit him in the shoulder with it.

"Game point Terment."