1 The Altercation That Started It All

Jacob was not the strongest of the boys in his class. Nor was the tallest or the fastest. He liked to think he was smart, but his own sister's success was proof to the contrary. That didn't mean he didn't try, though. Every night before he fell asleep, he whispered the same dream. One day, he'd prove it to everyone that he had a place in the world.

And every morning, that dream would be tested. It was how he found himself in an honors Chemistry class, furiously writing notes, even as the resident Behemoth Todd glared at him from across the room.

No one could tell why Todd was in honors Chem, but no one was brave, or foolish, enough to ask him. He looked like he could tear Jacob's head from his neck as easily as ripping a sheet of paper. If anything, that was an understatement. Other students said that Todd was a linebacker, though Jacob didn't honestly know all that much about what that meant. Other than he was trained to run other people over.

"Remember class. If you take nothing else from this class but this, I'll have at least some measure of peace. Atoms are the building blocks of the universe. Their individual differences mark the separate elements. And those elements are what breathe life and wonder into this universe. Remember that," Mr. Cedar said, drawing little diagrams on the board as he went through his lecture. This particular bit was an almost daily occurrence, a mantra of sorts. Every single one of Cedar's students knew it by heart.

The bell rang. Jacob picked up his bag, stuffing his notebook into it as he slung it over his shoulders. Thankfully, Chemistry was his final class of the day. Home beckoned, and with it, video games. The thought brought a smile to his face, and he sped towards the bicycle cage. He was halfway through unlocking his bike when he heard stomping from behind him.

Todd stalked across the cage, a grin plastered onto his face. His eyes did not match the expression, however. "I saw you looking at Jennifer, today. You gonna do that again?" he asked. Jacob's heart raced. What in the world was Todd talking about?

"I don't even know who that is, man. I promise. Cool?" Jacob stammered out, but Todd wasn't taking it.

"Liar! She told me that you were creeping her out. Well, we both know you'll never be doing that again," Todd approached. Jacob dropped his bag, placing his hands into the quintessential boxer's guard. He'd seen it in a few movies and he'd gone to a boxing lesson or two. The thing is, he never thought he'd have to use it!

For all his style, Jacob's guard didn't last longer than the first punch. Guard broken, Todd hammered Jacob's face. It was all Jacob could do to stand, but he wouldn't go down without a fight. Jacob swung, but Todd easily sidestepped. Off center, Jacob tipped forward, accelerated by a foot from behind. His head spun, and Todd loomed over him.

A rain of blows, then. All hope of resistance flew from his body, and his eyes shut. Eventually, he felt less and less of the pain the brute dealt. And finally, he felt nothing at all. A feeling that he'd never experienced, and a feeling he could never again do without. True peace.

And then, his mind was wrenched away from it. He couldn't see anything but a blinding light when a sudden vertigo overcame him. It passed as fast as it came.

When he opened his eyes, Jacob knew he wasn't at school any longer. Not unless his school had managed to hide an entire meadow.