Matt nearly crawled inside his house, as this sickening pain in his chest insisted on tearing him away. He retreated to his room, stripping his clothes away and throwing himself in an ice cold shower. He felt numb, five minutes of raining icicles on his pale skin and he stepped out, wrapping a towel around his waste as the cool air stinged his skin. He felt a little better.
Matt growled as he shoved on a pale green shirt and pajamas. He collapsed on the bed, aware of the orange light gleaming in his window. He sighed as he sat up and got on his laptop.
The phone rang.
Matt ignored the first two rings but he groaned, getting up and jumping down the stairs picking it up.
"Hello?"
"You were warned."
This voice was masked; somebody was stalking him. He glanced out his windows, seeing nobody but passing neighbors. He ducked as he closed the blinds and the curtains and headed back upstairs. The caller was fairly aware what he was doing.
"Whatever you're doing you can't hide from us." His voice smiled.
"Who are you?" Matt demanded. "What you mean us?"
"You'll find out soon enough." The voiced changed as the line cracked, "But I advise to call off the little brigade you got going up again. Or someone is going to get hurt." He threatened.
Matt clenched the phone, "I'm guessing this is Max."
"Maybe. Maybe not. Just think about that before you try to go back to Cyberspace. " The caller hung up.
Matt's blood was cold. He didn't know whether he should comfront the gang or do something. He didn't know where to start; nor thought it was safe to go outside.
No, he wants to scare me. Make me more paranoid than I'm already am. I'll just skip school tomorrow.
Matt tossed the phone in the corner with the pile of hats, wasting away until he saw the clock hit 10PM, and his eyes automatically closed.
/
Matt dreamt that night he was in Cyberspace. Except Inez was with him too. They were both wearing pajamas. Inez looked at Matt like there was a spider on his face.
"What are you doing? C'mon!" She called as she took off running barefooted. She wore a pink sweatshirt and jigsaw pajamas with her hair tied back. Matt's subconscious responded following her path. Around them was glass and other sharp metallic objects.
"Inez where are you going?" He tried calling her. She didn't respond, continuing running as she glanced back. Her eyes widened as she looked over Matt's head. He followed her eyes and saw the sillhouette of Hacker's ship. It was ten times the size before with lazers and more claws outstretched towards them.
"Hurry!" She said. Matt tried running faster, but his legs moved slower than usual, and was futile to struggle as eventually a claw clenched around his waist and a tightening feeling crushing his spine. There was no pain, but a numbness that mirrored the pain that would've been there if it was real.
"Matt!" Inez called, halting to a stop. Matt glared at her from above as he was being taken hostage.
"Keep running! I'll be fine!" Matt ordered as she abnormally obeyed. She ran off and dissappeared in thin air and his heart raced. He was yanked in immediately by the claw and thrown into a black room. Matt knew somewhere in the darkness Hacker was staring him down; trying to kill him with his own eyes.
"I know you're there." Matt spat as he slowly rose to his feet.
A light turned on, revealing the taller and more masculine figure standing. His face was shadowed and hidden, but his eyes were glowing red. He could see the sickly green shade of his skin and the flow of his deep purple cape.
"Hacker." He said with a bitter taste.
"Earth-ling" Hacker emphasized as he sneered. "Your place is no longer wanted here. Leave now."
"Never. We're coming back; and I'll have my revenge too." Matt threatened. Hacker chuckled as he clenched his edged teeth.
"I don't think you understand the circumstances. I am the absolute ruler of Cyberspace now. Along, with my NEW..."Motherboard"." He tapped rapid buttons on the neon keyboard. On the wide screen monitor was the static of what was supposed to be Motherboard's face. But that wasn't the case. Matt's chest fell ill. The animated face was a spikey hair black and red guy; with edgy features and yellow pointy teeth. It cackled and laughed; a filtered and more robotic voice like Hacker's.
"BEHOLD THE NEW MOTHERBOARD! CYRUS!" Hacker bellowed. He stared Matt down, "Do return, earthling. And if you fail to bring me down your world will be next. As well as your lives."
Cyrus jumped out at Matt and engulfed him in his black hand.
/
Matt woke up with a throbbing headache, a fast heart, and in cold sweat. He knew then that he had seen Hacker. That Hacker had somehow made a connection to his world through him and now is a potential threat. Where were their best chances at?
It was past 8AM and hew knew he was in for it when the gang stopped over straight after. He ran a hand through his hair. He saw the new "Motherboard". He felt weak and overwhelmed.
Matt took an ice cold shower; which contributed to his migranes. He nearly fell out the shower as he tried drying off. He stumbled out the bathroom, looking for his pills and swallowing 5 on accident; an overdose of his usual.
Matt needed to talk to someone; he would confront Inez but it would've been longer if Inez had decided to bring up about the letter. He bet that she already told Jackie and Jackie told Slyder; obviously.
He struggled to grab his phone; and text the three of them at once to avoid the one-sided favor:
Come over ASAP after school.