Not Present

Chapter 2: New Companions

"Bill! Bill!" Yelled Joe excitedly as he ran into the clump of trees. Instead of seeing his beloved cousin, there was Greg. "Hey, Greg! Where's Bill?"

"He's already left," said Greg with a stern voice. "But he left you this," he said, holding out the Not Present sticker.

"His sticker… I wonder why he left that. Oh well." Suddenly, the Goth jumped up.

"I must leave, my dear Joe." Greg closed Joe's hand around the sticker. "Keep it secret. Keep it safe." And with that, Greg dashed out, leaving Joe speechless. He looked down at the sticker, full of mystery and wonder.

Many a day later, Greg returned to Joe. His face was full of anticipation. "Is it secret? Is it safe?

"Listen, there is a huge danger inside this sticker. At all costs, you mustn't ever, ever put it on."

"What? Why? Greg, I'm confused. Explain."

"Ok. A long, long time ago, this sticker was made. Anyone who puts it on will blank out completely. I'm sure you've heard of the fight with Saion?"

"Yes, but what does that have to do with—"

"Listen, anyone who wears this sticker will become possessed. The sticker will take over them, and control their mind and body."

"Poor Bill!"

"Bill is fine. He gave up the sticker."

"But what about me? Will I be ok?" pleaded Joe.

"Yes, as long as you don't put it on. But be warned, since this sticker has a mind of its own."

"Listen, I can't take this responsibility. This is all too much. Greg, take this sticker, please, I don't—"

"No!" Greg abruptly snapped. "No… don't tempt me. With this sticker, I will be too powerful, unstoppable. You're just a nerd, what can you do? Er… no offense."

"None taken, I'm used to it. But, what do you want me to do with this? And why does Saion desire this sticker?" Joe wondered.

"Joe, let me ask you this, and answer honestly. Would you punch a retarded kid?"

"A tard? No, that'd be awful."

"Right. And what about a blanked out person?" Joe didn't say anything. "Listen, with this power, Saion will be able to conquer Paulmer Middle School and rule over everything. You can't attack him if he's blanked. So, with this sticker, he will be an invincible fighter. PMS will be no more. It took a will so strong of Harold to rip the sticker off Saion's head, that he nearly collapsed right then, but most wouldn't even make it that far. Oh, and one more thing. Saion has sent spies everywhere. Don't talk to people you can't trust, and, as a matter of fact, talk to as little people as possible."

"I see, but what do you want me to do with this?" Joe asked again. Greg started to talk, but then he was interrupted from a rustle from a nearby bush.

"Stay down, Joe!" Greg urged. He took off one of his chain-link necklaces and held it out in front of him for defense. He cautiously edged forward little by little. Then, the Goth reached into the hedge and yanked out a being. Joe couldn't see a face, since Greg's back was towards him. Greg the Goth slammed the being against a nearby tree and pinned him.

"Dan Angie, what do you think you are doing?!?" Greg demanded. Joe rolled his eyes. Just ol' Dan, or Danny, as some people called him. He was one of those people who didn't give a Twinkie what they were called. Joe should have guessed it would be him.

"How much did you hear?" Greg demanded again.

"N-not m-m-much, s-s-sir," Dan said nervously. Greg could feel him shaking. "Just about mind controlling stickers, retards, and the end of the school. P-p-please don't turn me into hair gel."

"I should after what you did," growled Greg, "but I won't." A smile curled on the Goth's lips. "I have a better idea."

"Hurry, there's no time to lose," Greg said hastily. "Grab some food and anything else you can carry. A walking stick is handy. Load your backpack. Not your schoolbooks, Joe. Maybe fifty cents."

"I don't understand still," Dan whined. "Where are we going?"

"For the last time, you are to make your way to Trippin' Dell, the land of the preps. It's just towards the direction of the playground, but that way is too risky. You may get caught. You will work your way through the woods behind the school and go around before going to Trippin' Dell. Talk to only those you can trust. Leave now! I shall meet up with you at Trippin' Dell. Go!" Joe and Dan dashed out of the area into the uncharted regions of the woodsy-area behind the school.

It was a long time later before anything remotely interesting happened. They were walking along merrily when there was a faint rustling sound. They stopped and listened. Nothing was to be heard. They continued walking, and the noise started again. Once they stopped, it stopped, too.

"Joe… I think we're being followed," said Dan.

"Oh, bother this stupid hiding game," said a voice. Out popped two more nerds. They were the friends of Joe and Dan, and their names were Jerry Brandyluk and Peter Wikkin, but everyone just called him Wikkin.

"What are you two doing? Go away! Let us walk in peace!" Joe angrily yelled.

"Sorry, not now. Listen, you're being followed. There's this gangster coming, and he's on a Schwinn."

"YEEEEEEEEEE-HAAAAAAAAAAWWW!" came a scream from behind the woods.

"A… a gangster?" Dan asked.

"Get down!" Joe screamed. They quickly ducked inside a space between two tree roots. "Don't move, and don't talk," he whispered. They heard the sound of bike treads on crunching leaves, then the sound of a bike falling down, and then the sound of walking on leaves.

"Where is that *censor* *censor* *censor* of a sticker?" muttered the gangster, now really close. Dan, Jerry, and Wikkin closed their eyes. Joe pulled the sticker out of his pocket and stared at it. So perfectly round and shiny, the font so neatly printed. It wouldn't hurt to put it on, just one time? It was possession or his life. Why not? His thoughts were interrupted as Dan put his hand on Joe's arm and shook his head. Joe shoved the sticker back in his pocket. The gangster walked up and was nearly on top of the nerds.

Suddenly, there was a blaring siren. "Oh, *sensor*! The *sensor* coppers are here!" grabbing his bike, he ran off at full speed.

"Come on, it's not safe here," Joe said. "Let's go!"

And so the four nerds dashed off into the woods together, danger at every corner.