The gang was gathered in the dojo stretching out in a circle on the mat as they waited for Rudy to begin the lesson. Rudy walked out of his office in a bright green, karate-themed, Hawaiian shirt, swimming trunks, and flip-flops. He had a black duffle bag slung casually over his shoulder and a thick swab of sunscreen on his nose.
"Uh, Rudy, isn't it going to be hard to do karate in flip-flops?" Jerry asked from his seat on the mat. Rudy grinned widely and shifted the duffle straps on his shoulder.
"I'm not going to be teaching in these," he wiggled his toes for emphasis, "because I just won a week-long trip to the Aloha State!" As the group of teens congratulated Rudy on his good fortune, Jerry raised his hairy eyebrows in confusion.
"There's a new state? Wasn't 50 enough?!" The cluster of friends shook their heads and sighed.
"No Jerry, Hawaii is the Aloha State," Milton informed. As Jerry processed the new information, Kim spoke up.
"So, does this mean that the dojo will be closed while you're gone?" Rudy flashed his iconic smile and set down his duffle bag.
"An old friend from the dojo I trained in just came to town. He offered to run the dojo while I'm gone. And, if all goes well, I might even make him a co-sensei," Rudy explained.
"That's awesome, Rudy! When do we get to meet him?" Jack asked, eager to see what new moves he could learn from an au courant teacher. The bell over the door tinkled as a lean man in a sharp suit entered. His black hair was cut short, his sideburns tapered off to put his strong jaw on display. What stood out the most was his piercing hazel eyes, which were nearly predatory in their intensity. Rudy met the man halfway and shook his hand with zeal.
"Dave! It's so great to see you," Rudy greeted. Dave matched his excited expression and patted Rudy's shoulder in a friendly manner.
"It's been too long since our last meeting." Dave's voice was smooth with a commanding undertone. It made you want to listen to every word he said. Rudy turned to his students.
"Guys, this is Dave. He's going to be your temporary sensei." The teens greeted him in their ways. Dave's eyes scanned them as if they were looking for something. They landed on Jack and stayed there.
"It's an honor to be teaching you all. I look forward to getting to know you as both students and friends." Dave's eyes remained fixed on Jack as he spoke. Jack shifted uncomfortably, locked in a nonconsensual staring contest. Rudy unwittingly saved Jack by leading Dave away to show him the rest of the dojo and explain his duties. It wasn't until both men were out of sight that Jack found his ability to speak.
"Did something about that guy feel," he paused to find the right phrasing, "off?" Jack asked hesitantly, not wanting to cause trouble for someone he just met.
"He seems fine to me," Eddie responded with a shrug, and the others agreed.
"Maybe you're just scared you might not be the class favorite for a whole week," Kim teased and lightly punched Jack's arm. Jack didn't laugh like he usually did, he was too lost in thought. Kim called his name to get his attention. Jack looked up to see his friends' worried faces, he quickly simpered and rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly.
"You guys are right. It's probably nothing." Rudy returned to the main room of the dojo followed by Dave. They all said their goodbyes and well wishes before Rudy left. Dave began class and everything was almost normal— the keyword "almost." Those falcon eyes were seemingly glued to Jack. While paired up, Jack demonstrated a roundhouse kick for Jerry. He moved deliberately so Jerry could easily follow along. As Jack did the kick, his heel slipped on the mat causing him to momentarily lose his footing. Jack's triple black belt reflexes kicked in and he shifted his weight to save his balance, pulling his calf muscle in the process. The teen gasped and stooped down, rubbing his strained leg. Dave instantly knelt by his side.
"What happened?" Dave probed with concern. His hand rested firmly on Jack's shoulder. The touch made an involuntary shiver run down the teen's spine.
"I just pulled my calf, I'll be okay." Jack quickly moved away from the older man.
"Go lay down in Rudy's office. I'll help ease the tension," Dave instructed. Jack choked on his breath from the dirty-sounding request.
"E-excuse me?" Jack sputtered with surprise.
"I'm a licensed physical therapist. I deal with sports injuries all the time," Dave elucidated casually with a light huff of laughter at Jack's reaction. Jack hesitated, every instinct in his body was screaming at him to run for the hills; however, Dave left no room for argument. Jack didn't want to cause a scene, especially when Dave was offering to help him. The teen nodded and limped to Rudy's office. He laid down on the couch and waited with a churning stomach. Dave started the rest of the class on a new exercise and left them to practice it while he stepped into Rudy's office. Dave made sure to lock the door behind him.
Jack stepped out of the office as his friends were packing up to go home.
"How's your leg?" Eddie asked as he closed his locker. Jack didn't answer for a moment, he focused on gathering his things so he could leave as speedily as possible.
"It's fine," Jack mumbled. He shouldered his bag and promptly walked out, not even bothering to change out of his gi.
"Well, that was weird," Kim thought aloud.
"Maybe he's just embarrassed about getting hurt in front of everyone," Milton suggested. They decided that was the reason and continued with their days.
"You ask him," Jerry told Kim in a whisper. She glared at him.
"No, you ask him. You're his best friend," she hissed in response. Jack had been nearly mute all day, he had dark circles under his eyes and jittery energy about him. Kim continued to glare at Jerry until he inevitably broke.
"So, uh, Jack," he began. Jack didn't seem to hear him. Jerry snapped his fingers by Jack's ear, startling the teen so badly he nearly fell out of his seat.
"Woah man, I didn't mean to scare you," Jerry apologized, his brow furrowed with concern, "what's going on with you?" Jack shook his head dejectedly.
"It's nothing, I just didn't sleep well last night." It was the easiest excuse because nobody could deny it. Jack knew he looked like death warmed over. Perhaps if he convinced his friends he was sick, they wouldn't question him. He might even be able to skip karate. Jack's stomach twisted at the thought of stepping foot in that dojo; however, another voice in his head worried about his friends. He couldn't protect them from a man they didn't know was a threat if Jack wasn't there. Just as he resolved to go to karate after school, Jack heard his name being called.
"Jack!" Milton shouted. He and Eddie had joined them at the lunch table, and judging by the half-eaten food on their trays, it had been a while ago. Jerry grabbed Jack's shoulder. Jack's heart leaped into his throat as visions of yesterday flashed before his eyes. He instinctively pulled away. All of his friends' eyes were on him, the air of solicitude was so heavy that it was crushing him.
"Sorry, I'm not feeling too well," Jack muttered and abruptly stood up. He grabbed his backpack and quickly exited the lunchroom. Jerry got up to follow him, but Kim grabbed Jerry's wrist.
"He needs a minute to calm down," she explained. Jerry reluctantly sat back down, muttering curses in Spanish under his breath.
"Something's definitely up with Jack. Did you see the way he reacted when Jerry touched his shoulder?" Eddie voiced his worry and the others agreed.
"I've never seen Jack flinch before," Milton chimed in, "at anything." The bell rang, ending the lunch period and their discussion.
Jack faltered in front of the dojo doors. He could see his friends inside already warming up; meanwhile, feet were cemented to the ground. Jack broke free from the spell and stepped inside. He greeted his friend, lacking his usual cheer, and briskly changed into his gi. Practice went along normally, there were no injuries and nothing from Dave to indicate anything had happened the previous day. For a while, it felt like yesterday had all been some horrifically vivid nightmare. It wasn't until they were getting ready to leave that things took a turn for the worse.
"Jack, before you go, I'd like to speak with you about your performance." Jack immediately paled, his heart hammered in his chest. The teen swallowed thickly and nodded. If he said no, Dave might ask one of his friends to stay instead.
"I'll catch up with you guys later," Jack lied. He gave them a reassuring grin that they seemed to buy.
"We'll save you some falafel balls," Kim said with a small smile before heading out with the rest of the gang. Once they were out of sight, he slowly turned to face Dave. The man's face darkened into a menacing look that made Jack's blood run cold.
Jack walked into the dojo and took a seat on the mat. He had changed into his gi before coming to karate class, not wanting to risk anyone seeing the suspicious bruises that littered his skin.
"How come you never joined us last night?" Milton asked, they waited around until Phil kicked them out. Jack shrugged as he tried to think of a decent excuse. Something that wasn't "the sensei Rudy welcomed into our dojo is a rapist who invited some equally disgusting friends over on a Friday night because he knew I didn't have to be home early."
"I was tired." It was a lame excuse, but he didn't have anything else.
"You could've at least texted us to tell us you weren't coming," Kim argued, obviously irate about Jack ditching them. Jack shrugged again.
"I forgot," he responded simply. The blonde teen scoffed and closed her locker a little harder than necessary.
"Uh oh, friend argument?" Dave asked as he stepped out of Rudy's office. Jack tensed and looked down at his bare feet.
"Yeah, something like that," Kim grumbled bitterly and crossed her arms.
"Well, you can confide in me anytime you need. My door is always open." Dave offered with a friendly grin. Jack bit down on his tongue to keep himself from vomiting on the mat. Kim beamed with delight from the seemingly positive attention she was receiving.
"Thanks, Sensei Dave." She went to stretch out some more, not noticing Dave lean in to whisper in Jack's ear.
"Do a better job of keeping our secret or I'll move on to someone who can," the man threatened before smoothly walking past Jack to begin the lesson.
Before Rudy left, Jack would usually stay late into the evening training in the dojo— both by himself and with Rudy. For a reason called Dave, Jack refused to stay a minute longer than he had to. Once Dave unlocked the office door, Jack hastily grabbed his belongings and left. His body ached, but his pent-up emotions were ready to boil over. Jack stopped in front of the Black Dragons' Dojo and peered through the glass doors. It was empty. The class had ended half an hour ago. Jack opened the door and stepped inside, not feeling the same anxiety he felt in the other dojo. Jack looked around for a moment, admiring the collection of trophies.
"Can I help you?" Jack turned on heel to face Sensei Ty.
"Uh, can I," he paused, wondering how to ask the owner of the rivaling dojo if he could train there for the day. "Can I borrow some of your equipment for the day?" Ty looked confused and rightfully so.
"Don't you have plenty of equipment at that sweaty, little dojo of yours?" Jack huffed at Ty's attitude but didn't fight back.
"I don't really feel comfortable training there right now," Jack answered. The words left his mouth before he could fully think them through. Ty's usual mocking demeanor suddenly shifted, his face softened as he stepped towards Jack.
"Is everything okay?" Ty's caring, nearly fatherly tone caught Jack off-guard. He wasn't sure if it was the timing or some kind of secret superpower Ty possessed, but Jack found himself on the verge of tears.
"No," Jack whispered as he shook his head. Ty flipped the sign on his door so it read "closed."
"Do you want to talk about it?" Ty's tone remained unchanged and genuine. Any thoughts of this being a trick to get Jack to join the Black Dragons left the teen's mind.
"I can't." That was all Jack could bring himself to say. He nearly sighed with relief when Ty didn't push him any further.
"You can practice in here as long as you want. I'll be in my office if you need anything." Ty left Jack to practice, not bothering him except to offer a cold bottle of water from his minifridge. As Jack drank the offered beverage, Ty sat next to him on the bench.
"You don't have to tell me anything, but if you change your mind I'm right here."
"I want to, but I can't," Jack sighed dejectedly. Dave had already threatened to hurt his friends if he told anyone.
"Is there someone at the dojo giving you trouble?" Ty asked, watching Jack carefully. The teen didn't answer, his jaw clenched with anxiety. Ty nodded and stood up.
"Okay then, I won't push you anymore. Come in and train tomorrow if you want, I only have one Sunday class. You can join them if you feel like it, no charge." The offer was generous, Jack nodded slowly.
"Thanks, I'll keep that in mind." Jack packed up his bag and thanked Sensei Ty again before leaving. As he walked out of the dojo, he heard a familiar voice shout his name. Jack turned to see his friends sitting at a table in the courtyard.
"What were you doing at the Black Dragons'?" Kim asked with a huff of disbelief. His friends gave him the same look of betrayal.
"I can't explain right now, but it's not what it looks like," Jack defended as he approached their table.
"Really? Because it looks like you were training," Milton retorted.
"Okay, so it's kind of what it looks like. But, not for the reason you think," Jack tried. Eddie shook his head with doubt.
"I don't know what's going on with you, man. First, you get all weird, then you blow us off, and now you're training with our karate nemeses! Not to mention all those wacko private training lessons with Sensei Dave, you didn't even train with Rudy that much." Jerry exclaimed, throwing up his hands for emphasis. Jack opened his mouth to explain himself before realizing he couldn't— not without endangering his friends.
"I can't explain why." That was all he could think to say.
"Why not?! Friends don't keep secrets from each other, Jack!" Kim raised her voice, showing her frustration. Jack stepped back with shock. It was a rare sight for Kim to be so outwardly enraged with him.
"I can't," Jack repeated before hurriedly walking away. Jerry debated going after Jack, he crossed his arms and rested them on the table in defeat.
"I want my best friend back," Jerry groaned. Eddie patted Jerry's back comfortingly.