It was August 28, and school was drawing nearer and nearer. Celina still refused to acknowledge Noah. He hated to admit it, but he'd grown use to her silence.

Lear had seemed to go off the radar since Lottie, but Noah didn't dare think Lear was gone. Since he didn't have Lear disturbances to occupy him, Noah discovered he was quite bored.

He paced anxiously around his room. I should do something to clear my head, Noah thought. He whipped out his phone and sent a text to his friend Marcus.

Whatcha doin?

Locking my brother out of our room

Which one?

You think you're hilarious don't you?

Yes, yes I do

Can I  come over? I'm so booorrred

Sure, then my brother has to stay out

I'm coming now

K

With that Noah shoved his phone in his pocket, and dashed downstairs.

"Can I take the car?" Noah asked his mom.

"For?"

"I'm going to Marcus's,"

"Fine," she said tossing him the keys. "Just don't crash it."

"I won't," Noah rolled his eyes. He hopped in the car and drove to Marcus's house.

******************

"What took you so long," Marcus complained. He was standing in the doorway, sporting what would soon be a black eye.

Marcus had six brothers. Three older and, three younger. Middle child blues. Marcus was just glad his oldest brother was moving out soon.

Noah went inside, and they were able to reach the basement without being noticed.

"My lucky day," Marcus muttered shaking his head.

They sat on a small couch. Turning on the TV. They put in a simple combat game. Noah bashed the buttons, trying to stay completely focused on it.

"How are you doing that?" Marcus said, trying to look at Noah's controller.

Noah didn't want to admit that he was just kind of winging it, so he leaned away pretending to guard the controller. They played for awhile longer Noah beat Marcus almost every time.

They started to put the controllers away, when Noah got a phone call. It was Ty.

"Hey, what's up?" Noah said.

Ty was breathing rather hard. "Noah, some strange shit is happening man... I-I don't even know..."

"Ty what are you talking about?"

"Max!" Ty exclaimed. "We went down to the basketball courts in Central Park, and he just started flipping out. Screaming, and throwing things..."

"Ty calm down," Noah persisted, but a sick feeling was rising in his stomach.

"I don't know what's happening man... This is fucked up. Get down here please!" Ty begged.

"We'll be right there," Noah said, and he hung up.

"What's going on?" Marcus asked, but Noah ignored him.

Noah was refreshing his email. Sure enough, one new email. Sent 5 minutes ago...

From: fhskxksdjrdlxa>
To: Noah Elder
Subject: First Strike

August 28, 2055, at 12:26 pm

Hello Noah!
How are you? I've been particularly bored. Thought I'd try out my pitch. Who's up to bat? Why Noah, you are. Unfortunately, you missed, and your poor friend Max is about to feel the full power of your first strike. Only two left Noah, you really need to be more careful. I would hurry up. By the time you get there your friend won't be the same he used to be... Well, you always can hope he won't kill himself or your other friend.

Have fun!
-Lear

"Noah? Are you listening to me?" Marcus demanded.

"We need to go!" Noah grabbed Marcus's wrist and dragged him outside. "Get in the car!"

Marcus looked frightened, but got in as Noah raced to Central Park. They arrived, and Noah practically jumped out.

There Ty was standing petrified as Max was howling like a madman. Animalistic noises were the only things he was saying.

"Ty!" Noah called. Ty turned towards them.

"Help!" he called.

"What the fuck is wrong with Max?" Marcus said coming up from behind him.

"I'll distract him, you grab him and hold him down," Noah said.

Marcus raised an eyebrow, "Seriously? Max is our friend!"

"He's not sane," Noah said forcefully. "We need to keep him from hurting himself or anyone else."

Unfortunately when Ty had called to Noah he attracted Max's attention and he was starting towards Ty.

Noah ran out onto the basketball court. "Hey! Max! Over here!"

Max turned making strange noises, and began to run towards Noah. Max got closer and closer, and Noah was filled with dread. Marcus isn't coming, why isn't he coming?!

Max jumped towards Noah, and he jerked back. Then, Max was pulled back his arms pinned behind him. Marcus stood there with a slight sweat going, as well as a pant.

"That was close," he said securing Max.

Ty came up to them, "What happened to him?"

It was right then that Noah considered telling them, surely they would get it, right? No, he thought, I can't risk Lear going after them to. So, Noah just shrugged.

"Let's get him to a hospital," he said.

Marcus and Ty nodded, "I'll call his parents," Ty said.

They got into Noah's car. Marcus in the back pinning Max down.

They arrived at the hospital, and the doctors put him in urgent mental care. Max's parents were too busy worrying to ask many questions. Noah was glad for that. He sat in the hospital waiting room sending a quick text to his parents.

Lear was getting serious, and Noah began to wonder if he could do this on his own.