A/N: Hey Everyone! Wow I'm sorry about the late update. This chapter took a really long time and a lot of work. I believe I am going to keep the chapters long but they will most likely be spread apart. After a year of thought, I've decided to take a completely different route on the story but fortunately, the first chapter will remain the same either way. I don't want to give away too much but it doesn't take place in an AU. Also I hope you enjoy the third person POV. I am going to switch the narrative when I find it necessary to the storyline. I also believe only Rachel should be in first person since she is the key character in this story and by only giving her first person the story won't drag on or get to whiny if we hear the other Titans opinions. I really hope all you readers enjoy the next chapter. (especially since it took a year!) I really appreciate all the feedback! It honestly keeps me going so please make sure if you're enjoying this story to let me know! Please Enjoy:Chapter 2

Rachel

My eyes open but with the darkness that succumbs me it makes no difference. I can see nothing in the sea of pitch blackness, not even my hand when wavered in front of me. I was alone, or at least I thought I was alone until I heard a bloodcurdling scream not too far away. Not too far away. I thought to myself. Panic flooded my body. The screams became louder. Closer. I ran in the opposite direction, my hands outstretched in front to prevent from crashing into any unexpected walls. It was soon proven unnecessary though because a path had lit itself in front of me. Blue torches lined the sides of a long narrow hallway, further down than I could see. The torches seemed to give off the contrasting effect of a regular flame, leaving you with a cold and lonely perception. The torches and the screams gave the situation a haunted and eerie atmosphere. I ran faster as the cries became louder and more agonizing. It seemed like multiple people. Heavy footsteps echoed through the cascading tunnel making the setting even more terrifying. I glanced back to see if I could make out my pursuer but all I could see was a tall silhouette of a figure gaining on me. The hallway seemed to disappear behind the creature as it came for me.

I ran faster knowing the only way out was at the end. But as I continued to run, my thoughts lingered somewhere else, building with endless suggestions of doubt. What if the thing got to me first? What if there was no escape? What if the escape leads to another tunnel or something worse? What if the tunnel went on forever? What if- but my thoughts got cut off by the screams. They were becoming even louder and I could feel the vibrations of the footsteps on the dark stone. I tried to run faster but I was running out of breath. My vision was blurring and I was going to stop and give in to whatever lay behind me. It was over. There wasn't any hope or strength in my body to suffice any more.

But then I saw it. Just as my pace was beginning to decelerate, a door peaked out of the cold, depressing blue light, sparking something in me. Every burden I was carrying before was off my shoulders. I didn't care where it led to. Nothing mattered now except for the door. Somehow I was able to muster enough force to propel myself forward even more expeditiously than before. The door was approaching. I was gonna make it. I extended my hand to reach out for the cool metal knob. I could feel it graze my hand but not before a strong authoritative hand pulled me back.

"No!" I screamed out. I turned my head away and searched for where the door was. I immediately knew who the figure was but I refused to look at them. I could feel their breath on me, pulling in closer. I clawed at their grip and yelled trying to break free but their grasp on me was unyielding.

I saw the door behind me. I reached out to grab it but the figure pulled me back, dragging me away from the only promising escape. The shrieks of fear were unbearable now, making me want to claw at my ears. The figure held me now by my arms in a way that made it unavoidable to look at them. The screams stopped, but my breath ran short and my eyes widened when I looked at them. All I could feel was fear. My body had tensed up completely. The creature's face contorted into a sickening grin of triumph. It pushed a strand of hair behind my ear. It gave me a chance to escape but I was too petrified to move. But then the most unexpected thing happened..

It let go and I fell deep into blackness without anything illuminating where I was falling. I couldn't scream or talk. It was as if the air was knocked out of me. I braced myself for a hard impact on more stone ground but instead, I woke up.

My eyes snap open and I jolt upright in my bed. I curl my knees close to me and pull my shaking hands around them. I bury my head into the comforter hanging off my knees. My breathing begins to slow down and I check the time.

11:30.

It was later than usual but I don't have any plans until tonight that I was aware of. I get out of my bed and head to the bathroom to freshen up.

The dream, nightmare, now haunts my thoughts. I thought I knew who the creature was but I can't remember. The more I think about it, the more my head throbs, so I stop but I am unable to make their face clearly appear in my head. Strange.

I figure it is just how some dreams work and decide to follow the tantalizing scent of breakfast downstairs.

I slowly descend down the stairs, each step is heavy on the wooden stairs and creaks under my groggy figure. I make it down into the kitchen to see a plate of steaming pancakes, eggs and bacon with a note:

I left to go run some errands. I'll be back later.

Love you.

-Mom

I fold the note and put it aside so I can begin devouring the delicious meal my mom had prepared for me. She must've left recently since the food seemed hot and fresh.

It's amazing.

I hadn't had a full home cooked meal since we began the moving process. My mom is an amazing cook and has always had a way with spices that gave her meals a unique, rich flavor that no one else could match. She used to have her own herb garden back at home but she brought a few of the most fruitful and lush plants to restart one here.

I finish the fulfilling breakfast and place it in the sink, then I make my way back upstairs to my room.

I hop onto my bed again and begin reading from where I left off, but as I continue to read, I get more and more anxious about something, though I'm not sure what it is. Finally it's too overwhelming that I have to put the book down.

It feels like something is escalating in my mind. Something isn't right but it's broken by a text from my phone.

It's Garfield. Of course.

Gar

Hey Rae

Ur still going tonite right?

Rae

Yes

Gar

K

Here r the deets:

...

See ya later:)

I read over the address and find that it's at the Jump City Mall. We're meeting at 7 so that gives me the entire day to kill. I can't read right now since my mind doesn't seem to want to, so I decide I'll do something that contrasts my usual behavior. I'll explore.

. . .

I close the front door gently behind me and set off to familiarize myself with the new neighborhood. I stare at Garfield's house as I leave my front porch and my mind wanders to later. What am I gonna say? But I try to save later for later and live in now.

The black streets absorb the sun's rays and the grass ripples as the tips of the blades catch the breeze. The houses stand still with empty dark windows, even houses with cars in their driveways.

Strange.

But as I keep walking through and find one thing in common with every block: everything is perfect.

The roads have no pot holes in them, the houses all perfectly lined and their lawns possess no flaws. The sky and sidewalks are clean and the air is fresh, Everything seems right and it feels all wrong to me. My head hurts again so I push the thought aside and decides to accept the perfection and beauty of the flawless environment.

I continue to walk and I pass by an opening in between two houses that clearly leads to a hidden forest. I can't stand staring at the all too perfect neighborhood for much longer so I decide that I'll enjoy nature instead. I look around me. Only one person swiftly rides by on a bicycle. They wave and smile at me and then disappear as briskly as they came. As soon as they leave, I go in.

I walk through the entrance between two giant maple trees. The opening of the trees quickly closes itself around me and the forest seems to consume me. I find it unusual to find a woods here in a town that is called a city, but it's a nice, natural refuge from the streets and houses. The forest is filled with beauty and color. Green, brown and gold streak the luscious terrain filling the land with life. Birds sing captivating melodies as the trees dance in the breeze to compliment their songs. Then I see something up ahead where the trees look much older than the ones circumjacent to them. I run over to the largest one and look up at the dark silhouette in the aged boughs. In its branches lies a large, wooden treehouse with two levels and rope ladder rolled up at the top. It appears to be abandoned so I do what any other person would've done and attempt to enter it.

I shake the lowest of the supporting beams to get the ladder to fall down. It slowly begins to budge and I quickly move out of the way as it drops down to me.

I pull on it to feel how safe it is and I'm surprised to find that the house is secure and sturdy as my weight barely makes the structure creak. I tightly grasp one of the wooden ladder bars and begin to pull myself up to the house. The ladder shifts and turns but I keep my balance as I ascend into the forgotten treehouse.

My hands are the first to reach the wooden floor and I pull myself up into the suspended house.

I look around and my breath falls short. The house is in fairly good condition considering how old it looks. The house is tall enough to stand in with a balcony and a ladder that leads to an upper level. But I realize that something feels familiar, as if I've been here before…

Nonsense I tell myself. It's probably just my curiosity getting the best of me.

I continue to look around the house and wonder why someone would want to leave this behind. It's obvious from the amount of leaves and acorns throughout the structure that it was abandoned. I just don't know why. I shrug it off and decide to stay in the tree house for a while, until I need to go to the mall later for laser tag.

So I clean out the house and listen to the sound of waves crashing in the distance.

Garfield

Garfield stares blankly at his phone's screen, waiting for a reply from his best friend.

His foot taps anxiously on his bed as he sits with the other foot on the floor of his room that contains the usual layer of clothes and garbage. He turns his phone off and leans back onto his bed in boredom. After not even a moment of falling into the pillows' comfort, his ears perk up at the knock on the door.

"Garfield." He hears a faint voice at the door and hastily scrambles to the floor to make it appear that he has been cleaning his room.

The door opens and his adoptive mom enters.

"I see you've been working hard all day at cleaning your room, right?" She asks with a smile that contradicts her words.

Garfield beams at her with an innocent smile but it slowly fades as Steve walks into his disorderly, chaotic room. He stands in the doorway wearing an unpleased glare as he stares the room down. Then his eyes lock onto Garfield's.

"What did we tell you Garfield?" He says in a condescending tone. "It was one simple thing."

"Steve, it's ok. He'll do it now. Right?"

Garfield breaks away from Steve's cold blue gaze and turns to his mother. "Yeah. I mean yes." Garfield hopes that will suffice Steve's wishes but his mother cuts in instead.

"Well then, I guess that's that. Garfield, why don't you get to work then?" He nods and Steve leaves room without another word,

"You know he doesn't mean to be that hard on you." Garfield jumps a little. He had assumed that she had exited with Steve.

"Yeah because yelling at me to clean my room wasn't what he meant." Garfield retorts with a bit of unintentional hurt in his voice.

"He's doing it to help you because," she pauses for a second but Garfield knew what she was going to say. "Because you're his son."

There is a moment of silence between the two that hides the emotion and doubt of her words. She ends it though with a calm but steady exit as she fiddles with her nervous fingers.

Garfiled's mind though, is not left with any calmness nor steadiness from her choice of words. Instead his mind wanders to other thoughts that he has always tried to push away. Since he was adopted by Rita and Steve he wonders if they truly love him as a son. Rita he is sure at least loved him at some point since she wanted to take him in, but Steve, he wonders if he ever did. He never shows any sort of affection let alone tolerance. There has always been a barrier between them that goes deeper than messy rooms. Rita knew this which is why she never said he loved Garfield, maybe since she didn't even know herself.

DING

Garfield is relieved to find his best friend finally answered yes and that he won't have to be trapped in his house all day.

Garfield hears Steve;s car drive away and finally goes into the kitchen to find his mom and tell her he's going out. When he briefly informs her he's leaving she gives him a look that tells him Steve isn't going to like coming back home to your messy room again.

Garfield smiles with pleading eyes and his mom rolls her eyes telling Garfield he's free to go.

As Garfield leaves the house he hears his mother say in a firm tone "Later" And he closes the door behind him.

. . .

"At least I'm not a 'vegetarian" Victor broke into a laughing fit over his own joke as Garfield scowled at him. Garfield and Victor walked down the sidewalk to the mall where the five of them had planned a night of arcade games and laser tag. The sun was setting on the horizon giving the sky a pink and orange hue casted brightly across the atmosphere.

"C'mon man that wasn't even that funny" Garfield retaliated as Victor wiped a joyful tear from his eye.

"Whatever you say little dude but just reme-" He stopped short but Garfield kept going unaware that his friend had stopped.

"Ha! See you can't even-"

"Shut up."

"What? Are you scared I'm gonna say something-"

"Garfield I said to be quiet." Victor pointed to the side of where they were walking, at the woods. Now Garfield could feel it, something was approaching the entrance. Something bigger than a squirrel, but how Garfield could sense it from this distance he didn't know. The two boys quickly hid behind the corner of the closest house by a cluster of bushes.

The two friends are greatly surprised at who comes out of the woods at that moment. Possibly one of the most bizarre choices of people in this scenario. But it ends up playing out for the best later on.

Rachel finds herself at the edge of the woods. Her black hair naturally tousled from the trees the boys supposed, due to all the leaves scattered throughout her locks.

Garfield couldn't help but smile when he saw her, the same smile he wore when he first saw her for the first time, gazing at him from across his street. Victor looked at him and he quickly tried to cover up his content with a confused goggle. He didn't seem to notice his change in facial expression and Victor asked him "gotta say I did not see that one comin'. What's she doing here?" Garfield shrugged because in all honesty he wasn't sure either.

"C'mon."Garfield said confidently hoping they could catch up to her as nonchalantly as possible. Victor and him began to walk down the sidewalk behind Rachel but at a brisker and stealthy pace. Victor couldn't help but grin as his buddy strided toward Rachel with coolheadedness and his definition of "swag". It was clear to him that his friend wanted to at least impress her, though Victor knew he wasn't going to get very far; he still wanted to watch.

FInally Garfield was close enough to sneak up on her but unfortunately for him it didn't exactly work out the way he planned. As soon as he was about to pounce, the atmosphere of the situation seemed to shift as Rachel swiftly turned and punched him with a fierce blow square in the jaw. Garfield dumbfounded, stumbled back and fell onto the lawn of nearby house.

Rachel hand quickly went to her mouth in bewilderment. Victor quickly ran over to the scene of the crime where Garfield lay sprawled out on the lawn, recovering his unanticipated attack. Once Victor analyzed the scenario a shriek of laughter erupted from him that evolved into a full on uncontrollable laughing fit as Garfield and Rachel processed the recent events. Garfielf all too familiar smile eventually returned to his bruised face and he joined in on the hysterics.

Rachel, although still seemed confused by all of it, couldn't help but smile at the turn of events. It seemed that this was something unusual for her and that laughter didn't normally come after getting punched in the face.

Finally, their fit died down a bit, since the two boys were having trouble forgetting to breathe.

Rachel then had to take accountability of her actions. She felt it might be too uncomfortable to kneel next to him so she decided to take a less risky route.

"So, are you ok?"She asked him in an indifferent manner.

"Yeah I think so," He said, rubbing his new he noticed her concerned gape and quickly got up. "but remind me not to get on your bad side anytime soon." He quickly remarked and chuckled.

"Man, I gotta that's definitely going on the list, maybe in one of the top five." Victor with a snicker in voice, Rachel seemed to lift a brow.

"Oh man seriously."Garfield turned and hollered in frustration at Victor. He then lowered his voice so only he could hear. "She doesn't need to know."

"You sure. I think she'd like if we told her."He said in the same volume as Garfield. "Right Rachel? Wouldn't you like to know?" He asked Rachel with a wide grin.

Rachel shrugged but it was clear that she wasn't as indifferent as she appeared.

"Great she wants to know."Victor said with a light in his dark eyes.

"But-"Garfield said, attempting to defend himself but he knew Victor had won.

"So Garfield and I-"

"You mean you." Garfield retorted.

"Yeah whatever. Made a list of 'Garfield's Greatest Moments" He delivered with a hand motion that advertised his words.

"Alright, well she knows. We're done, now let's go to the mall. I'm sure Kori and-"

"You know what little dude, you're right, but let's at least tell Rachel here some of the best, shall we?" Rachel grinned with a smile that cast a grim look on the situation for Garfield. He sighed as the friends began to walk into a sun that had almost disappeared.

"So the first one happened while Garfield was in 6th grade..." Victor began. Even though he was the main target of interest, Garfield couldn't help but feel a bit of comfort as Rachel and Victor's friendship began to blossom as the two tortured Garfield to hell.

It was going to be one long night.

. . .

Garfield saw the light in Rachel's eyes burn out as they approached the mall's doors. He knew Victor well and that he wouldn't bring back take yesterday's events, especially considering he got a free bagel. But he didn't know Kori and Dick as well. He could only hope they were like Victor, for Rachel and his sake, since he had told her that they'd be fine with her joining them.

Victor told a few of the best of Garfield's Greatest Moments as Rachel slipped sarcastic jokes and comments the entire way through. Victor seemed to laugh at all of them while Garfield didn't seem to quite catch on.

A chilling blast of cool air erupted from the mall's sliding doors and lured the three friends further into the shopping center. The route they had taken into the building gave them a short stroll to the arcade and laser tag area. The mall was clean and bright. Every surface reflected light back as if they were inside one giant disco ball. The stores all advertising new, trendy clothes. The food court hosted a wide variety of food ranging from pizza to sushi. Garfield could only imagine what the new gaming center had to offer for them.

Garfield recognized quite a few clusters of kids from his school as they walked but he decided to remain silent as to not embarrass himself in front of Rachel and Victor, especially since they had just mocked him for the last half hour.

Eventually, they made it to the new section of the mall where their destination consumed most of the new area. From what Garfiled could attain, the laser tag and arcade would not be missed by those passing by. For one, the entrance was covered in glass that revealed rows of flashing, vibrant arcade games. Then, they showcased a room full of eye catching, unique prizes that could attract even those who don't take pleasure in games. A staircase and escalator could be seen as well with a sign that posted there were bowling alleys, karaoke and laser tag on the lower level.

Garfield could almost scream with amusement. He couldn't have asked for a more perfect place to be.

Garfield would have stood in amazement at the place of his fantasies all day, however his other two friends were already inside, admiring the interior. Garfield went after them as nonchalantly as possible but with a hint of embarrassment at his dumbfoundedness.

Rachel glanced over at him with suspicion due to his uncommon imperturbable disposition which was usually replaced with his well known awkward and clumsy behavior. He hoped to cover it up with a bright and innocent smile, the same he had flashed to his mom but Rachel had turned away from him already to assess the colorful and vibrant room.

The arcade had the usual black walls and crimson carpet but the games lit the interior up. They had the classics such as Pac-Man and Space Invaders but they also hosted new tech games that used virtual reality while the claw machines contained new prizes that lured you into the rigged games. He couldn't even imagine what the downstairs looked like.

Garfield looked at Victor and Victor looked back at him. As if reading one another's minds, they raced to the counter as quickly as possible to begin the night with an endless wave of blinking lights and tickets.

Victor clearly won, though Garfield pleaded for a rematch even though he knew he would most likely lose again, but they ceased their bickering when the suspense of waiting to play games found its way to their big heads.

"100 credits please" Victor said confidently, slamming his cash on the counter.

The fatigued teen cashier looked up at the pair with a look that indicated he would rather be anywhere but here. "Over there." He gestured to a machine that resembled an ATM but it gleamed with a new shine and looked a lot like an arcade game. The two boys rushed over with the cash and slid it into the machine that gave them a card which stored their points, instead of carrying around tokens or tickets. It was convenient but made Garfield reminisce how it used to be.

"Uhh, Garfield, we didn't just leave Rachel, right?" Victor said skeptically.

"No, I mean she's probably fine. Right?"Garfield shrugged but carried some uncertainty in his tone.

Damn it. He thought to himself. He knows she'll most likely be fine with them going off but he can't help but feel bad about forgetting that she wasn't with them.

So the two went back by the entrance where they left her, but the pair were surprised to find that she wasn't alone like when they had left her.

Kori's long, fiery red blazed behind her and Dick as she giggled at one of his witty remarks. Rachel stood with them as she continuously shifted her weight from side to side, revealing her tenseness and unsteadiness of being in the presence of the two of them,

Garfield felt a feeling in his gut he couldn't quite determine or ignore, but it urged him to go and help Rachel. Victor was already one step ahead of him (as usual) and was making his way over to the trio. Garfield tried to walk at a faster pace to reach her first.

"Hey Rae. What's up?" He asked in the most nonchalant tone he could produce. He slung his arm over her shoulder trying to make it appear as something common for them to do and prayed she would play along.

"Garfield, I'm confused. Who is the 'Rae' that you speak of?" Kori asked innocently.

"Umm...Rachel." He indicated toward her, not understanding why she would ask that.

"But I'm perplexed. Why do you call her the Rae and not Rachel?"

"Uhhhh.." He trailed off not understanding what she was trying to say, but instead of moving on Dick straightened out the mess of a conversation.

"Kori, do you know what a nickname is?"He asked in an unreadable manner since his black shades prevented you from reading his true emotions. Knowing Dick, it's probably why he had him. His father appears to be the same way since Garfield has only heard about him from others. He's gotten mixed reviews but the two are alike in the sense that they have adoptive parents.

"A Nick's name?" She wondered in a perky and questionable vibrato.

"You know a nickname, like a name you give someone." Garfield suggested but it was clear that they weren't on the same page. "Uh, Vic help me out here."

"So Kori, my name is really Victor, right? But you guys me Vic,. It's a name y'all have given me."

"So if I am understanding correctly, The nickname is a name bestowed on a friend by another friend." Kori asked beginning to fathom the idea.

Everyone showed their own sign of approval.

"So if we are 'the friends,' why have I not been given the nickname." She looked to Dick for a response but none of them could give an answer.

"Hey Kori, why don't we go check out downstairs?" Rachel finally chimed in, saving them from a lot of potential trouble with their foreign friend.

"Oh yes! That would be delightful!" She cheered, obviously forgetting her previous question.

Rachel slipped out from Garfield grip and seemed relieved to do so. He could feel that she was trembling the entire time they stood, although he wasn't sure if it was partly him too. Garfield had to confess though, he liked the feeling of having her under his arm, even if she was still a bit taller than he was.

The two girls left but not before Rachel threw him a we'll talk about this later glare resulting in him to feel dread and gratefulness at her gesture.

. . .

"No I don't. I just met her." Dick protested as the other two proceeded to peck away at his impossible emotional exterior. The three had been talking since the girls had left about the additions to their friend group.

"Aw man, you had'a felt something. You were making goo goo eyes at her as soon as she went up to you in class."Victor retaliated with good nature. Dick then indicated to his shades at Victor's comment.

"Aw, you know what I mean." He dismissed playfully.

"Actually I was surprised about what Rachel did, especially after yesterday." Dick added, but it was apparent that he was trying to change the conversation.

"Ya. She kinda saved our butts." Victor commented regardless of Dick's intention.

"No, I mean that she came here at all. She didn't seem like the type."

"But you just met her." Garfield said defensively, but regretted it after Victor's smile shined brighter than the new dance game. But fortunately for Garfield's sake, he was saved by her once again.

"Hello friends!" Kori exclaimed. "We have bought a time for the game of the laser tag." Now Victor's smile was a dim star next to Kori's exhilarated demeanor.

"We got a later time so you all could play your 'games" Rachel put a special emphasis on games that revealed that she wasn't very enthused by playing them. Garfield was gonna change that though, or at least try to.

"Thanks, you guys."Garfield said, expressing his gratitude for more than one reason. Victor clearly wasn't as grateful for their convenient timing, but Garfield realized it didn't matter to him, as long as he was here, life was good for the both of them.

Victor rushed over to one of the newer games that neither had seen before and Garfield went after him but not before grabbing Rachel hand and running over with her too. She pulled away as soon as they got there but he was content with the fact that she didn't let go sooner.

"Rae, there's no way that you can resist the urge to play an arcade game when you're at an arcade."Garfield challenged. "So we're gonna help you..." He paused for dramatics. "Find the best games to play, right Vic?"

"Huh? Oh, ya sure." Victor's attention had been consumed by the new game he had spotted and rushed over to before.

"Alright then, Rae, let's go find'em, shall we?"Garfield suggested, with mock superiority.

Rachel with obviously little to no say in this situation shrugged with a sigh. "Sure, why not?" Not knowing what she had gotten herself into. Garfield swiped the card with the credits on it from Victors game without him being the wiser, and ushered Rachel off to a night of what she might consider "mindless joy rides."

. . .

"Are you serious? I bought another card while you and your girlfriend had it the entire time." Victor had pulled Garfield aside and was now whisper-scolding him so Rachel couldn't hear. Garfield could feel the heat rise to his cheeks in discomfiture.

"We're just friends." He said in retaliation.

"Your face would say otherwise." Victor grinned but Garfield's face wore the opposite countenance.

"Look man, I'm sorry if I used your card, but now's a bad time." His face could say it all. It was Victor's turn to feel bad in the game of who can feel worse, so he decided to take the fault and let it go. Besides it was just a card. There are worse things.

"Fine. But only this time. Don't let me catch you stealing my stuff again." Victor settles the argument down easily and then continues to join the two like he had "agreed to" previously.

After an hour of forcing or what Garfield likes to call encouraging Rachel to play games with them, he came out with a giant stuffed orange dinosaur with a purple bow tie that he gave to Rachel, so she could remember her first arcade experience. The first part of the night went as perfectly as Garfield could've hoped with laughs, fights, wins and losses. The three of them eventually regrouped with Kori and Dick who had gone and got ice cream from downstairs and played a round of bowling. Apparently it was Kori's first time but she unexpectedly crushed Dick. Eventually the hour arrived for the five of them to enter a dark arena with laser guns and try to shoot the other teams and bases as many times to the best of their ability and not get shot back at.

Their opponents were five students from their school except the Hispanic twins who were from the middle school. Victor knew them well and was friends with the group in the past. None of them really knew what happened, but Victor never mentioned it, and Garfield never pressures him to do so.

The ten of them pile in and sit in a room with a safety video of rules that none of them intend to follow.

After the seemingly ceaseless video comes to an end, an arrow vaporizes on the screen, urging them to go into the next room to gear up with laser guns and vests that allow them to choose their own name.

"Rachel? C'mon do something a little more interesting than that." Garfield complained.

"I am the confused. How do we choose our names?" Kori questioned and Dick took the cue and went over to help her.

Garfield turned back to Rachel only to find that she hadn't changed her name, so he decided to take matters into his own hands and pick for her. He handed the gun back to her after he had given her a better name.

"Rae. Yep that's a big step up from Rachel." She teased in her sarcastic monotone, but she smiled at him briefly and didn't change her name before heading into the battle zone.

The arena was pitch black, only illuminated by the neon scattered throughout the blockades. The black lights barely did anything for light, but instead made their team glow. Garfield cursed at himself for forgetting to wear dark colors. At least he was still light and tall enough to mount the blockades without them creaking or falling beneath his weight.

The countdown that would enable their lasers and thus beginning the game began counting down. He and Victor had already found a spot where they could get to the other team's base and shoot it without getting caught, due to the window in the blockade.

5

4

3

2

1

The neon on their guns glowed even brighter than before and futuristic music began to play.

"Aight. Now you gotta get up there so we can have the vantage point."Victor whispered and pointed to the top of the structure.

Garfield struggled to get to the top since his sneakers weren't able to get a good enough grip and continued to slip. Victor then proceeded to push him up but it wasn't working. The people who designed this place had probably figured teens would be stupid enough to do what they were doing now and decided to be a step ahead of the game and prevent that from happening.

"Hey geniuses!" The two of them immediately stopped for the fear that it was a worker but instead they heard the siren for the orange teams base go off and saw Rachel coming around the blockade while the two of them stood caught in their tracks.

"C'mon! Or would you rather get caught doing that?" She asked with a smirk that looked sinister from the constantly glowing and fading light on her gun. The two of them opted for not getting caught again and joined her.

The siren for their base goes off on the other side of the arena, luring them toward their base but Rachel unlike the other two knows better.

"It's a trap." She says and stealthily leads them to an upstairs area that neither of the boys expected and instead leaves them with amazement and elation at what this gaming center has to offer.

Halfway up the stairs Victor is shot from an orange team member and sees the neon of the orange vest trail off into the arena. He leaves Garfield and Rachel and darts off to catch his sniper. This gives Garfield an ounce of both stress and relief for reasons he would never disclose to his best friend. He puts aside his thoughts for a moment and follows Rachel up the rest of the staircase.

The upstairs is small and fenced but it serves its purpose as a higher point to shoot opponents, although you can't shoot the bases from this angle.

When Garfield reaches the corner that overlooks the location of their base he has to take a moment and admire the view.

The neon around the arena shines through the pitch black like stars in the night sky. But instead of looking up to see the sky, it lies underneath him and Rachel who stands next to him in a similar state.

All he wants to do right now is stay up here with her in bliss and astonishment. But he needs to welcome in the chilling and unpredictable wave of reality and help out his team instead of enjoying a moment that almost seems fabricated to his perfection. His raises the balanced, laser gun and points it into the direction he faces and detects an orange vest. He aims and shoots with accurate precision that ends up hitting his target. He sees the orange vest he shot move away from the spot, most likely in the pursuit of finding tofuwafL.

Rachel sees his successful shot and proceeds to shoot another orange vested enemy that also lurked near their base and takes off from his previous position just as the other had done.

The two stand there for a moment to gaze at the upside down atmosphere before they leave, but as soon as they decide to turn and descend the stairs, they are shot briskly by two bright orange foes that are too quick to be seen as they hastily sprint down the steps as oranges flashes.

They read their guns quickly and learn they are shot by the speedy, Spanish twins.

Rachel and Garfield look at one another and dash after the twins as swiftly as they could muster.

After chasing the pair around the arena for long enough that Rachel and Garfield could barely breathe, they decided, or more specifically Rachel decided they needed a new technique, the same one their team tried to pull on them.

Garfield was used as the bait because he was supposedly faster than she was. So he followed her plan and waited till they were on the other side of the area and triggered the base's alarms. Rachel who was in the upper level stayed low and watched as the orange moved slowly but surely to their home base. She gave Garfield the signal that the plan had worked and issued him to find a good spot for hiding and attacking. The twins made their way to the sound of the alarms but they were cautious and alert of enemies on the ground, giving Rachel the golden opportunity for a perfect shot. She aimed her laser at the area where Garfield and her planned would be the best place they could target them. They fell into the designated area and she pulled the trigger. As soon as it connected with her point of interest, Garfield launched himself from his hiding spot and popped out from behind them and shoots the other twin. The two try and run but Rachel continues to fire a flurry of lasers before the lights switch on and the game ends.

The twisted view of the sky is now a black carpet with bright colorful lights and the fun the team had created tonight in the room seemed to melt when being brought back into the rest of the world. Garfield's anticipation longed for the satisfaction of the results to ease his expectations.

. . .

"Dude! We totally kicked their sorry butts!" Garfield hollered after the positive results were revealed to them all. Garfield's night went more magnificently then he could've envisioned. His perfect interpretation of the night was overshadowed by reality. He felt as though he had won, which he had, in more ways than one.

"Yeah, I guess we make a pretty good team." Dick inferred with a rare grin upon his shadowed visage.

"I must agree!" Kori cheered with delight. She was having the time of her life among her new friends. Garfield felt a warmth within himself that was kindled by the presence of the five of them together. It was as if something stronger than fate was pulling them to one another, like it was meant to be.

The group commended one another on their victories and shared some of the best moments and small victories they experienced during the game.

"Oh yeah so Rachel and Garfield you remember when I got shot on the stairs.''The two nodded as Kori and Dick leaned closer in interest to hear Victor's story. "Well I chased'em down and cornered'em and well you can guess what happened next."

"Wow Vic, I wasn't aware your head was as big as your mouth." Karen Beecher walked up from behind while the rest of her group followed. "You want me to tell you what really happened?" Garfield couldn't help but wonder if Vic was telling the truth, but he also wanted to hear what she had to say.

"Kar, I don't really think that's nec-"

"After he cornered me,"She rolled her eyes. "I quickly realized I could easily escape but Vic here, didn't know that cause he was too busy messing with the gun, so I snuck past him while he was trying to...what did you call it, Vic?"

Victor scowled at her and sighed in exasperation at her teasing.

"Oh I remember. Testing. Right? Well anyway, while Vic was testing his gun, I went behind and shot him and ran off while he was still messing with his laser."Karen laughed as Victor's face turned red in embarrassment. As guilty as he felt about it, Garfield was relieved to finally have something against his friend, especially considering that Victor had a lot to work from.

In the midst of Karen's laughter and Victor's vanquish, Victor looked at her with a brief expression that Garfield couldn't quite translate to one emotion. It almost looked like reassurance or ease, but he wasn't quite certain. He overlooked it as soon as it had passed, unaware of how much he actually misunderstood.

Victor

Victor threw himself onto his bed in exhaustion as soon as he closed his bedroom's door. He stared up at his ceiling pondering over the night's outcome. He had to commend Garfield on his suggestion of meeting at the arcade. Victor didn't think he could connect with their new female additions so smoothly and quickly, especially Rachel, but as it turns out, they both take pleasure in torturing his best friend. Kori he couldn't not get along with, since they both seem to have a bottomless stomach and not to mention her perpetual generosity and jubilation that gave her an almost too friendly demeanor. Victor had no problem with any of them, he too agreed the five of them were a great team as Dick had previously said. But he knew he would always have ties to Karen.

DING

Karen

Thanks for playing along tonight. I promise I won't tell anyone :)

Victor

Yeah but why'd I have to be the stupid one?

Karen

It's more believable. Lol. See you tomorrow!

He clicked off his phone and began ruminating again, about her. He wasn't going to deny the fact that he missed her company. As much as they teased and competed against one another they both knew they preferred each other's presence more than anyone they knew. Victor admired her fiery and sassy spirit which complimented his competitive nature, although she did give him some competition. But he knew when it was time to get serious, he could confide in her, he was always able to. It seemed to work both ways considering she disclosed secrets to him that she hadn't revealed to anyone else that he was aware of. Their faith in one another was proven to be stronger than they thought since neither of them divulged in what had happened in the arena earlier, it could change the way everything was if they knew, not just for them, but the entire city. Victor knew he and Karen needed to tell them all, just not yet

I hope you enjoyed this chapter. I will do my best to update ASAP. Please tell me what you think. And as always, Stay schwifty.

-AlexSpence