Hikari/Yami

Chapter 4: An Offer He Couldn't Refuse

by HA

The next day brought the blood drive, a charitable event organized by Degrassi's student council president, Marco Del Rossi. Held in the school gymnasium, participants sat in chairs as they donated their blood in order to help others they would less likely know personally. One notable thing was the student council vice-president doing her best to show school spirit by moving around the gym dressed as the Degrassi Panther and occasionally hugging Marco from behind.

However, that story has been told, and its end is indeed marked with sadness for Mr. Del Rossi. To her disgust, his vice-president knows another character who is in this story, but that has no consequence on what will transpire in this chapter. Instead, the focus shall go to the central player in another tale.


"You shouldn't be here, Gavin."

Spinner heard Mrs. Hatzilakos' words, but he didn't care. Holding tightly the flower pot he brought as a peacemaking present, he steadied himself as he spoke to the principal. "I...I didn't make an appointment. I was afraid you wouldn't see me. I just want you to know this being expelled, I'm not taking it like it's a vacation. I've been keeping up in my textbooks."

"You were supposed to return those," Mrs. Hatzilakos said.

"But I need them to write exams," Spinner said.

"You don't get to do that," she said firmly.

"So that's it?" Spinner stood his ground, but he felt like he had been punched in the stomach. "I just lose my whole year?" He didn't need this. He didn't want to be left behind academically. Even worse, he didn't want to get stuck serving old ladies who wanted water for their dogs and Jay. He'd rather be dead before that.

Mrs. Hatzilakos studied the young man's face carefully. "I'm willing to offer summer school," she said finally.

Spinner blinked unbelievingly. "But that only gives me two credits," he said knowingly. "That's not even enough to graduate. I mean, that's a whole year of my life I have to do over." His temper flared. "That's not fair!"

"What's not fair is that Rick Murray is dead as an indirect result of your bullying," Mrs. Hatzilakos stated.

"I need to finish my year, Ms. H!" Spinner pleaded.

"No."

That one word did it. Spinner clutched the flower pot and tossed it into the garbage can nearby. Without saying a word, he marched out of the principal's office. He couldn't wait to get back on his bike and head home. When he reached the fence where his bike was secured, he found Jay Hogart, his co-conspirator in the Rick Murray bullying and prank, grabbing his bike. Unable to remove it from the fence, Jay snarled in frustration and kicked it.

"Hey!" Spinner exclaimed as he ran for his bike.

Jay smiled upon seeing his fellow expelled student. "You want a kick, too?" he asked, gesturing to the recent recipient of his foot.

"That's my bike, goofbag," Spinner said, looking at him as if he wanted to kick as well as punch him a few times.

Jay paused. "Yeah, well, it's your fault I'm so bored!"

"So? I'm stuck with you! Haven't I been punished enough?" Spinner declared to the heavens.

"Not yet," Jay said.

Spinner frowned and recalled the meeting with Mrs. Hatzilakos. A grin formed on his face. "Know what...bike stealing? It's kid's stuff. But real stealing from Degrassi..."

"Been there, done that," Jay said.

"Okay then..." Spinner scratched his chin. "How about we redecorate the place? Maybe start with a little toilet paper around the hallways..."

"Oooo, vandalism," Jay said. "I can work with that." He paced in a small circle. "However, we have to sneak in first."

"Oh, that's easy," Spinner said. "Once, me and Jimmy..." He stopped. Even that moment of mischief with his friend at the expense of Mrs. Kwan was too much to handle. An awkward silence followed.

"Perhaps I can help?"

Both boys saw the man standing before them. He was wearing a spotless white jacket with twin coattails and pointed shoulders along with a matching vest and hat that covered his blond hair, which hung down his shoulders. A bolo tie adorned his neck, and a red buttonhole stood out. His hands were encased in white gloves, and he showed no sign of sweat. His white shoes were spotless. He grinned at them, exposing two rows of perfect white teeth.

Jay looked over the newcomer. "Who the hell are you?"

"A friend if you'll let me," the stranger in white answered.

Jay raised an eyebrow at the man. "Uh, sure. Whatever." He stared to walk away.

"Now hold on, kids." The stranger in white moved in front of Jay. "You wanna make some mischief, right?" he asked, looking at Spinner.

"Uh, right," Spinner said, backing away a little.

"Ah, kids." The stranger in white smiled again. "Always wanting to make mischief." He chuckled. "What if I told you boys I had something that can get you into that school without anyone noticing?"

"Uh, sorry, man. Not interested," Spinner said. "I know how to sneak into that school."

"Oh really?" The stranger in white kept his eyes on Spinner. "Ever wonder how you'd get out without leaving a trace of you being there?"

"Er..." Spinner blinked.

"Hey, we can wear gloves," Jay said.

"Oh, yeah. Gloves." The stranger in white wiggled his glove-covered fingers in the air. "So they won't have your prints. Ever wonder about security cameras?"

"Uh..." Jay blinked.

"Hey, they can take your footprints from the scene of the crime." The stranger in white crossed his arms and sneered at Jay. "Contrary to what you think, smart guy, cops can be smart."

Jay glared at the stranger in white. "And what do you have that'll help us? Something to make us invisible?"

The stranger in white chuckled. "Funny you should say that." He pointed towards the nearby alley. "Walk with me, boys. I'll show ya something."

As the man walked towards the alley, Spinner took a step forward to follow him. He felt someone grab his arm, and when he turned around, he found Jay staring at him.

"Are you nuts?" he said, tightening his grip on Spinner's arm.

Spinner grabbed Jay's hand and threw it off his arm. He walked towards the alley where the man was waiting. Jay grunted his frustration as he followed Spinner.

"Okay, what is it you want to show us?" Spinner asked.

The stranger in white reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out something. Before Spinner and Jay could see what it was, the man disappeared before their eyes.

"What the hell?" Jay exclaimed as Spinner looked for the man. "Where'd he go?"

Laughter broke out around the alley. A blurry white shape appeared before the two boys, and seconds later, the stranger in white stood in front of them. "See what I mean?" he said, holding out his hand to show them something.

Spinner and Jay stared at the small object in the stranger's gloved hand. Their eyes beheld a black statue of what seemed to them a genie with a muscular torso and a pair of eyes on a head that seemed to be a single flame.

"What is it?" Spinner asked.

The stranger in white pulled the statue away. "This, boys, is the Shadowmyst," he answered. "Delightful object. Not only can it make its user disappear, but also whatever you desire." He pointed it at a patch of grass, rubbed it, and seconds later, all the blades there vanished. "Fortunately," he said to the awed teens, "they don't have to stay gone for long." He rubbed the statue again, and the grass reappeared. "In fact, it can do much more."

"Like what?" Spinner asked.

"Yeah, like what?" Jay asked.

"You'll know when you use it." The stranger's eyes fell on Spinner as he twirled the Shadowmyst in his hand. "All yours, kid."

Spinner blinked. "Mine?"

"Huh?" Jay stared at the stranger in white. "Why him?" he said, jabbing his thumb at Spinner.

"Whoa," Spinner said. "How much?" he said, reaching into his pocket.

The stranger in white wagged his finger. "Uh uh uh. Keep your money. Consider it a gift." He tossed the Shadowmyst to Spinner, who caught it with both hands.

"A gift?" Jay narrowed his eyes at the stranger. "What's the catch?"

"Catch?" the stranger in white said, smiling.

"Yeah," Jay said. "These days, nothing is free."

"Oh ye of little faith, my little thug," the stranger in white said. "When I next see you, you'll know." He looked at Spinner. "Enjoy your gift, kid. Have some fun with it," he said as he walked out of the alley.

For a while, both boys stared at the Shadowmyst in Spinner's hand. Spinner raised his head. "Hey!" he yelled, and he and Jay took off after the man. They turned the corner and found no one there.

"Okay," Jay said as he caught his breath, "that was weird."

"Yeah," Spinner said as he looked at the Shadowmyst.

"Hold on, man," Jay said, pointing to the Shadowmyst. "Don't tell me we're going to use this thing."

Spinner thought of Mrs. Hatzilakos and her "no." He saw his friends rejecting him. He saw Kendra being shunned. He had to fight the urge to crush the Shadowmyst. "Yeah, we are." He looked around before leaning towards Jay. "Okay, here's the plan..."

As Spinner and Jay plotted their revenge on the school, they failed to notice the red glow in the Shadowmyst's eyes.


"Perfect," the stranger in white said as he watched the two boys from another alley across the street. He grinned as they began talking.

"Blargggg?"

The stranger in white looked behind him and addressed someone in a large trenchcoat and hat. "Relax. He'll use it, and after he has his fun, we'll have him."

"Braaaaakkkkk?" the other asked.

"Yeah, I'm sure he'll use the Shadowmyst." The stranger in white cupped his pointed chin with his gloved hand. "Funny thing is I don't think we had to step in." He chuckled with his teeth showing. "Oh well, might as well give him a little push before we get him, right?"

The other gurgled his agreement.

"Come on," the stranger in white said with a sneer as he adjusted his hat. "We'll see him after he's had his fun."

The other nodded and let his comrade walk by him. They faced the other end of the alley.

The stranger turned around to look at the boys one last time. "See you later, Gavin," he said with a chuckle, flashing his white teeth once again.

The other gurgled loudly as he and the stranger disappeared into the darkness. The sound of footsteps and squishing faded away. Behind them, drips and puddles of a green substance remained on the ground.