Lucas has been a Killjoy for three days.

In that short span of time,so much has happened that Lucas has been a bit overwhelmed byeverything. None of the events, though, have been boring or dull, like his life back in Battery City, so Lucas has welcomed every change that has come his way.

He has his own official bed now, in the apartment area of the hideout. Lucas shares a room with two other boys, by the names of Mixtape Menace and Battery Rat. Mixtape, Lucas learned, was the one on his rescue mission, who knocked him out. Lucas' new friend had apologized the first time they'd met. "We couldn't let you know where the hideout was, and it was best for you not to be awake for the whole kidnapping process, anyway," Mixtape had joked.

Lucas' roommates were not bad, but strange. They weren't like the others Lucas' age at home: they were loud, rambunctious, expressive. In Battery City, Lucas had barely conversed with other teens, and if he did, it was only to ask a question about a homework assignment, or something. Here, though, everyone talked freely. There were casual conversations, arguments, discussions, laughter. Strange things, but not unwelcome. Lucas knows he'll get used to it soon, but for now, he's just a newcomer.

For example, the whole hideout has been bustling with the news that two apparently legendary Killjoys, Party Poison and Fun Ghoul, are comingto the hideout. Lucas wants to share in the excitement of the others, but knows little about the founders, so he feels a bit left out. He's sure he'll fit in soon, it'll just take time and work.

Speaking of work, it's been tiring at his job. Lucas had never really been used to hard labor at home. He didn't need to be. Here, hard labor was most of what he did. When he arrived for his shift, which was from one o'clock to eight o'clock, he was greeted by his boss, Firework Parade. Firework was a tall, scrawny boy, a bit older than Lucas. His name matched his personality: it was almost explosive, his energy.

Anyway, Firework Parade would give Lucas his list ofassignments for the day. This mostly consisted of moving suppliesfrom the loading dock to various places in the hideout. He movedmedical supplies to the infirmary, clothes and shoes to theoutfitter's, and food to the kitchen. One of Lucas' favorite stops,though, was to the shop. The shop was about the size of Lucas' oldhouse, filled with wonderful things, some of which Lucas didn't knowexisted before now. Art supplies, books, radios, notebooks, music,games, Lucas loved bringing supplies to the shop, because he couldlook through at them as he walked. There were some unusual things inthose boxes, and Lucas couldn't help admiring them.

Every day,after Lucas' last delivery had been made, he was given one small paper slip signed by Firework Parade, stating that he had completed his work for the day. The paper was small, and pale gray, with a black spider printed over it. Lucas, like the other Killjoys, was allowed to exchange these slips, or vampire money, as they were affectionately called, for items at the shop. Lucas found it thrilling that he was able to acquire personal items for himself. He'd not been able to do that back in Battery City.

His first day, Lucas had almost antagonized over what to get. He'd been eyeing a small notebook, but Bulletproof Girl had given him his limited art things from home, which she'd apparently taken in the case he'd decided to stay. Lucas had been relieved that he still had something from home, especially the drawing of his family.

Instead, Lucas had saved his single slip of vampire money, and now, after earning his second and third, he is glad that he had. Mixtape Menace is at the shop with him, though he isn't buying anything.

Lucas' friend had shown and suggested an assortment of things to Lucas, though he'd passed them off. He wants his first purchase to be special, and while a can of red spray paint was interesting, it isn't particularly special to him.

Lucas is looking at some books ona shelf when something catches his eye. It is a small black and gray object, with unusual dials and buttons. It's about the size of Lucas' hand, and it's made out of plastic.

Curious, Lucas stops his search through the bookshelf and picks up the small object. He turns it over and around in his hands. It has a few small words near some of the dials, printed in white: "volume", "pause", "play", "skip", and "open". Intrigued, he presses the open button and nearly drops the object when the top half pops up.  

"Whatcha looking at, Johnny?" Mixtape Menace is standing behind him. He looks over Lucas' shoulder. "Oh, a Walkman. Nice."

"What's a Walkman?" Lucas asks, still looking at the device.

Mixtape smiles. "It plays music."

"Music?"

"Oh, damn, you've probably never heard music, have you?" Mixtape shakes hi shead in pity. "You've got to buy this."

Lucas has to admit that the object, the Walkman, intrigues him, and it does seem special... "Are you sure?"

"Positive." Mixtape says, a grin on his face. "You won't regret it."

........................

Lucas had exchanged his vampire money for the Walkman, and now he and Mixtape are in the room they share with Battery Rat, who is still working his shift in the computer lab, fixing machines nobody else understands.

Lucas sits on his bed with his Walkman in hand. "So, how does itwork?"

Mixtape is shuffling around in his chest of drawers. He pulls out something flat and shiny, similar in size to the books Lucas was looking at earlier, but shorter. He walks over to Lucas and hands the object to him. "Here. This is a CD."

Taking the object and holding it, Lucas looks it over. The CD shows a sandy, deserted landscape, with scraggly brush and grass. A large white spider hovers over the scene. The Danger Days Spider! Lucas learned about this from Bulletproof Girl.

The Danger Days Spider, or just The Spider, as it is sometimes known, is a symbol of the Killjoys. Their logo, if you will. It represents freedom, and the ability to make your own choices to weave your own web, like the spider. Lucas has seen many Killjoys with the spider printed onto their clothes, their bodies. His own shirt, in fact, sports the symbol.

In the middle of the spider's body are the words "Danger Days", and in smaller letters underneath, "The True Lives Of The Fabulous Killjoys". Lucas turns the CD over. On the back is a desert scene similar to the one on the front, but with a list of...Lucas isn't sure what. Names? Book titles? But why would you name a book "Na Na Na (Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na)?"

"What is this?"Lucas finally asks his friend.

Mixtape Menace gives Lucas agrin. "I'll show you."He sits next to Lucas and carefully takes both the Walkman and the CD from his friend. He presses the "open" button and pulls at the front of the CD until it pops open. Lucas worries, at first, that he's broken it; but no, he's just opened it up.

Mixtape takes a flat, circular object from one side ofthe CD and puts it inside the Walkman. It fits perfectly. Mixtape closes the Walkman. "Are you ready?"

Feeling nervous and excited at the same time, Lucas nods quickly. Mixtape presses "play".

Nothing happens.

But then....

A strange, quiet whirring noise fills the room, and a voice lifts up from the Walkman and finds it way to Lucas' ears. "Look alive, sunshine..." Lucas listens to the voice in awe. Mixtape just grins.

"109 in the sky but the pigs won't quit. You're here with me: Dr. Death Defying. I'll be your surgeon, your proctor, your helicopter. Pumpin'out the slaughtermatic sounds to keep you live. A system failure for the masses, antimatter for the master plan! Louder than God's revolver and twice as shiny. This one's for all you rock n' rollers, all you crash queens and motor babies. Listen up!"

Lucas has no idea what the voice from the Walkman is talking about, but somehow, the sounds it is creating makes his breath catch in his throat. He listens as the voice continues.

"The future isbulletproof, the aftermath is secondary. It's time to do it now and do it loud. Killjoys, make some noise!"