I relayed the grim account to Tyson, Kenny and Hilary at the Granger dojo that late afternoon. They were shocked at Victor's heartlessness.
"He's more dangerous than we first thought," Kenny remarked. "We still don't know what he's after."
"I think I do," I answered quietly. "Victor targeted Sam because he wanted to get rid of him to become head boy and head school councillor in his place."
Hilary was puzzled. "Why would he want to do that?"
"So he can get to me more easily. In a more authoritive position, he'll be able to get away with a lot more things. Hopefully, Sam will be okay - he was lucky not to have died from that fall. Next time Victor might just succeed."
Hilary shuddered with revulsion. Tyson put an arm around her shoulders comfortingly, his dark brown eyes filled with anger and disgust.
Kenny's face was bleak. "We need to tell Mr. Dickenson about this right away, Alana. Victor almost killed that boy at your school - who knows what he'll try next!"
I nodded curtly. "I know. The BBA might have some information on him that we can use to figure out his next move."
Hilary stood up resolutely. "Let's go."
"We've gotta split, Grandpa!" exclaimed Tyson as we rushed for the door.
"What's the hurry, dogs?" Mister Granger asked.
"We've got something to tell Mr. Dickenson," Hilary explained. "It's very important and he's got to know as soon as possible."
"You can come with us if you like and we'll tell you on the way," I offered.
Mister Granger agreed and we pelted at top speed to the BBA Headquarters. We rushed up two flights of stairs to reach Mr. Dickenson's office and burst through the doors.
The old man looked up in surprise. "What can I do for you, girls and boys?"
"It's…urgent, Mr. D!" panted Tyson.
"Something bad's…happened!" gasped Kenny.
"In Alana's universe," Hilary added.
They looked at me expectantly. I took a deep breath and recalled everything that had happened earlier that afternoon. Mr. Dickenson's face was unsettled when I had finished my story.
"My, what a predicament we're in," he sighed, raising a handkerchief to his glistening forehead. "It sounds like that fellow is up to something dreadful. There's no doubt he's a danger to both our worlds. I'll alert the BBA network at once - we'll keep an eye on him."
"Thank you, Mr. Dickenson," I replied gratefully.
"You're welcome, my girl. In the meantime, you kids be careful."
"We will," promised the Chief firmly.
"Get the lowdown on this dude if you can, Mr. D," Tyson's grandfather added. "The dogs need to know what they're up against."
"I'll try my best, Mister Granger."
We left the BBA Headquarters in silence. So Victor's a complete unknown to the BBA, I mused. Just like the Black Hell Bladers. With any luck though, we should be able to get more information on him. I just hope Max, Ray, Daichi and Kai don't get attacked where they are. I don't know what I'd do if one of them got dealt a blow like Sam's or worse…The very notion made me shiver involuntarily. What will Rebecca think of all this? There could be other Black Hell Bladers around. Maybe the same has happened to someone at her school.
"I'm going to contact Ray, Max and Daichi about Victor as soon as we get back to the dojo." Kenny broke the quiteness. "Now that he has struck in Alana's universe, who knows where or when he'll do it again!"
"Right on, Chief," agreed Tyson. "There's no way we want them caught off-guard. It could cost them everything, even…"
"…Their lives," Hilary finished for him, her voice quavering with fright.
I phoned Rebecca when I returned to my universe. "Something terrible at school today," I informed her. "Sam the head boy was thrown from the top floor of the maths block. He was almost killed, Rebecca! That Victor guy I told you about - I know it was him. I saw him laughing at what he'd done and then he disappeared."
"That's horrible!" exclaimed my friend. "I saw it on the news just now. They're saying it could be a suicide attempt but I agree with you. I wouldn't put it past Victor to do this kind of thing. We can only hope these murder attempts don't become national or even global!"
"Or across universes," I added. "Since the Black Hell Bladers can travel between worlds, the Bladebreakers are in danger too so Kenny's going to contact the others. The BBA has been told about what happened and will be keeping an eye on things but we still have to be careful. Damon the leader, Victor and no doubt the rest of them are more dangerous than we first thought. Underestimating them could prove fatal."
"Yes," Rebecca replied grimly. "Let's hope no one's killed next time they attack. We'll stop them if they try, won't we?"
"Bet on it! Goldflame and I will do everything we can to prevent any more attacks at school and protect Kai and Dranzer!"
My friend chuckled. "Sounds like you're fired up already! Good luck, Alana."
"You too. We'll show them. I'll see you later. Bye."
I put the receiver down, reflecting on the magnitude of the problem facing the Bladebreakers. Billions of lives were at stake, just as there had been in the Olympic final. The power Kai and I had called upon had only been enough to render Damon and his female partner unconscious and to defeat the Black Hell Bladers temporarily. We had used all our power and more to beat them but it had not finished them off for good.
Now they were not just attacking the Bladebreakers and Beybladers in official tournaments, they were targeting innocent people and striking to kill. The stakes were even higher than before - which was why the next time the Bladebreakers clashed with the dark team we would aim to destroy them. How many more lives would be threatened before that time came? I wondered. I had witnessed one attempt already. I did not want to see any more.
"Why the long face?" Mum asked as she entered the living room. "You shouldn't be so gloomy - you're going to be fifteen soon."
"I know…" I sighed. "It's just that I can't stop thinking about what happened at school. Rebecca was horrified when I told her…I mean, what if there are more murder attempts in other schools too?"
"The police are on it so there's no need to worry just yet," Mum reassured me. "They'll find out what's going on soon enough, I'm sure. I know you and the other kids will find it hard and scary going to school with the possibility of another attack but if you're careful you'll be okay."
"You're right. Thanks, Mum." I smiled with a confidence I did not feel. At least I hope so. With Victor in line for head boy and head school councillor to replace Sam, it doesn't look good.
The next day, Thursday, was unnervingly uneventful. Though some students were subdued, most were nervous and theories about Sam's near-death experience were thrown about like the wind tossed about the autumn leaves. Tension reigned in every lesson I attended and every fibre of my being was acutely attuned to all the activity around me, searching for something, anything out of the ordinary.
Victor did nothing abnormal although I was very aware of his presence whenever he was near me; my heart beat uneasily in my chest, my breath caught in my throat and the same terror I had felt when he had tried to suffocate me returned. I remained my normal cheerful, kind self on the outside so as not to rouse any suspicion from students, teachers or the Black Hell Blader himself so he would not get the satisfaction.
"Sam is in a coma at the hospital but they say his condition's stable," my tutor announced to my class at afternoon registration. "His injuries were serious and will take some time to heal and they won't know if any permanent damage has been done until he wakes up. There is a chance, though, he might not. We can only hope he'll be okay."
It's good to know Sam's still alive, I reflected. Victor hasn't succeeded yet! Although his condition does make him more vulnerable to attacks…I suppose I just have to hope Victor doesn't decide to finish him off. With everything being so normal today, I can't help but suspect he's plotting something. It's been too quiet; like he's trying to lull me into a false sense of security. But what I don't understand is…why are the Black Hell Bladers targeting me in particular when they're after the four Sacred Bit Beasts as well as the Guardians?