4:05pm

This ones gonna be a little...different

Au
—

Roman slumped on the uncomfortable chair he'd been sitting on for hours, this stupid bus drive seemingly never coming to an end. The school said they'd be there at twelve o'clock sharp, but after he checked his phone for the umpteenth time, it was nearing half past one. What made this drive the most unbearable, though, was the students. His friends were not here, and he was stuck with annoying kids he doesn't ever talk to in school.

The place they were all going to sectioned off students - only allowing twenty five people to come in at a time - not counting the teachers. Roman thought it was dumb - this stupid government funded scientist-building thingy invited them over! It wasn't like they were forcefully going over there, why can't whole classes go at once?

Nevertheless, he knew all of the people on this bus - he also knew them to be the people his friends group have bullied in the past. And they all made sure he knew that. Well, bar three students sitting at the front of the bus, Roman knew them too, unfortunately. They were named Virgil, Logan and Patton - ever since kindergarten they became friends and never split up once.

Roman longed for a friendship like that, it seemed like every year he had new friends, he just wanted people he could trust, and have best friends like those three. A day doesn't go by where he doesn't imagine himself hanging out with them, being their friend, having sleepovers, everything else friends do! He would give up everything to be their friend - his reputation, his current friends, everything.

He didn't care if he would turn into the bullied, he doesn't even want to bully anyone! He thinks it's cruel and inhumane - but until he could somehow befriend those three, he wouldn't say that to any of his friends, he can't handle being alone.

"Day dreaming again, Empire?" Roman rolled his eyes, forcing himself to not turn around and punch Nathan right in his balls. He was the most annoying child he had ever met - the only reason why Nathan was bothering him was because Roman's friend had beaten up Nathan in the past over something Roman didn't bother to learn about. It was probably a pathetic reason, anyway. It always was.

"Is Empire gonna cry?" A girl taunted this time. Roman scowled, he hated that girl - Erin. Her sister accused another one of Roman's friends of rape - and even if he doesn't particularly like his friends accusing someone of such vile acts is unforgivable. He never raped her, they both wanted it at the time, but because she didn't want to be known as a slut - she made up that stupid accusation.

Roman's friend was luckily let go as they couldn't find enough evidence, but Erin and her sister would do anything to remind Roman and his friends of what the "rapist" did. Fucking pathetic.

Also, Roman still wonders why people call him Empire. It rooted from one history lesson, they were learning about the Roman Empire, and he needed to get up and grab a pen. Coincidentally he tripped and fell, one student piping up that the "Empire has fallen" and the entire class went wild. He would agree it was a funny joke, he even laughed too, but why do they still call him Empire? That happened two years ago! And he thought it was an awesome nickname! He could think of much worse, which was why he never complained about said nickname, he just wondered why they hadn't realised the name doesn't bother him at all.

"C'mon guys, let him sulk" Joel piped up, flicking through the magazine he had rested on his lap. He loves winding Roman up, but he had had enough of the other students torturous laughter. Listening to Joel, they did, returning back to their conversations. Bar himself, Logan, Virgil and Patton the other students all knew each other, and were happy to start up a conversation that was shared between all twenty one of them. Impressive, but infuriatingly annoying.

Finally, the bus turned into the car park, parking close to the front doors where two guards stood. Roman narrowed his eyes on them, noticing guns poking out from their belts that was mostly hidden from their jackets. They didn't want them to know of their weapons. Noting that, he let everyone off before him, glaring at the few students who slapped the top of his head as they went by.

They all failed to realise Roman had never bullied them, just associated himself with the people who did. In the end, the bullied are just as worse as the bullies.

Hoisting himself up, he grabbed his bag but a teacher put a hand on his. "Rules state no bags allowed inside, or phones" they warned, giving him a look to show he was serious.

"Yeah, yeah" he sighed, dropping his bag back onto the seat. He waited until the teacher turned around before scooping his phone into a pocket inside his jacket, hands stuffed into his jeans as he jumped down the steep stairs to get off of the bus, landing on the black sidewalk below. Everyone else stood in a cluster, waiting until they were told to go inside.

Roman strayed from them, keeping to himself as he scanned the building over. He had seen this before, but when he was really young. This memory stuck out for some reason - he was in a car with his parents, driving to the airport ready to take a flight to their holiday destination. He had asked them what this place was, but they didn't even know themselves.

In fact, no one at his school had heard of this place before they invited them over - so he did find this situation a bit...odd.

Yet, most students agreed to go. This was the last trip, the month filled with twenty five students going each day. They were forced to sign this paper of sorts which stopped them from legally telling anyone about their day. But they were dealing with kids, so of course some let out a few secrets. The biggest being the thing called "Experiment 46".

Roman didn't know anything other than that, but today he was sure to find out.

"Come along, everyone!" A teacher called, the students quickly hurrying into two lines at the front door where the guards stood. Roman felt his gut churn - he had a really bad feeling about this and always believed to trust his gut but he couldn't exactly back out now. Sighing, he dragged his feet to the back, standing a little ways away, not in any of the lines but he did notice Logan, Patton and Virgil standing at the back of the second line, chatting amongst each other. Stepping a bit closer, he could hear what they were saying.

"They better have food" Virgil huffed out, stretching his body that was cramped on a bus seat for too long. Logan sighed, shaking his head at his friend. "How can you be focused on food? We are entering a science lab! Think about everything they will have in there!" Logan exclaimed, suddenly seeming more excited than he was before.

He was the first student to bring back his slip allowing him to go. Even so, he was put to be apart of the last group to go, and he was furious, but instead of lashing out he silently seethed.

"Do you think they'll have aliens?! Unicorns!? Powerful radiation that will turn us into deformed beings?!" Patton blurted out loudly, bouncing on the balls of his feet as he beamed at his friends who both face-palmed. Roman held his hand over his mouth as he silently laughed, focusing on how adorable Patton was.

Roman wanted to speak up, but whenever he would try his confidence would flow out of him like water in an unplugged bath. He just couldn't do it. Before he could silently motivate himself again, the lines began to move, and he hurried along at the back, keeping locked into the guards who watched them all walk in. Their eyes were hidden behind a black pair of sunglasses - even so, Roman could tell the one on the right was staring at him closely.

The door closed behind them, and Roman flinched a little, slowly turning back forward and gasping. This was a big foyer. And everything was white. It was almost blinding. He let his imagination wonder, with the ideas of aliens and mythical creatures now prominent in his mind thanks to Patton, his eyes narrowed whenever they would focus down a hallway, almost seeing a door burst open and a naked alien wobbling out, dodging and weaving it's way past the scientists who tried to tranquillise it with darts.

His imagination was cut short, though, due to the sudden push he received from behind. He huffed as he fell against the floor, rolling onto his back to stare up at whoever did that. Glaring, Roman could tell it was another guard, who's lips moved into a snarl. How fucking dare he lay a hand on him - he was their guest!

Maybe he was taking his time, but he was imagining something cool!

Scrambling to his feet, Roman shot the guard another glare before moving into a jog to catch up with the others. This time, he kept his eyes locked on the glowing white ground, following the students who were lead around by the few scientists who seemed to run this school trip. He didn't really pay much attention to each room they entered, keen to rather stay back and watch them get up close.

Although, he did notice how entranced Logan was by nearly everything - apart from the vending machine. Virgil drooled over that and instantly bought himself some chocolate.

The few hours they were meant to stay there for whizzed by, and before Roman knew it they were in the last room.

This room was different from the others. The ceiling was higher than the rest, and had nothing inside apart from a stand directly in the middle holding what seemed to be a sphere. The colours inside swirled around, but they were only small strands, most of the ball was a shining white. It caught Roman's attention almost instantly, and since he couldn't seem to get his eyes away. This time, he listened to what the scientists had to say.

"This right here is Experiment 46" the female scientist spoke up, gesturing to the sphere. Some students awed allowed, teachers were told they had to stand by the door, letting the kids go in further on their own. Roman found this strange, but brushed it aside, to enthralled by this Experiment 46. Whatever it is.

"Scientists have worked on this for thousands of years" the Male scientist carried on, rounding the stand to stand behind it, smiling at the kids who were all silent in curiosity and amazement. Roman still kept his distance, cautious about all of this. "But...we need someone with a powerful imagination to work it" he explained, his tone dulling slightly.

The female scientist took a spot beside him, smiling at the kids softly. "You must be creative and be able to have vivid lucid dreams. If you have any of these qualities, please stand forward" after she spoke, every single student stood up apart from Logan, Virgil and Roman. Logan because he didn't have any of those aspects at all, and knew it would be a waste of time - Virgil because he would be way to anxious to stand up before all of these people and Roman because he would rather stand back and see what it did to others before doing it himself.

The two scientists shared a look, knowing most students who stood forward probably don't even know what ludic dreaming means, but nevertheless they put them into a line, letting the student in the beginning go first. Roman rolled his eyes, of course it would be Nathan. Self-centred ass.

He smirked at the girls in the line who all giggled, watching him closely. "Just place your hand on the sphere" the Male scientist nodded. "What will happen?" Nathan replied back, hand hovering over the sphere, colours still swirling and coiling around each other. "You will see" the female scientist smiled, gesturing towards the sphere.

Nathan shrugged, letting his hand drop onto the object. Everyone in the room tensed and fell silent...

Nathan furrowed his eyebrows, lifting his hand and placing it back down. "Nothings happening!" He growled, slamming his hand on the sphere until the Male scientist grabbed his arm, stopping him from harming the ball.

"Well, if it makes you feel any better we have not found a single person who can work this - so, don't feel too down" the Male scientist let him go and Nathan huffed and puffed, kicking the ground and making a whole scene. The teachers had to take him to the doors, making him stand by them as he glared at the sphere.

"Next?"

The line went down one by one, after each student nothing happened.

Next was Joel, he sauntered up the sphere, instantly resting his hand on top of it. Jokingly, he let out a scream, making the scientist rush forward but he pulled back, laughing. "Kidding, Kidding" he smirked, drifting around on his foot back to the group of students who didn't get the sphere to work.

Last was Patton, he giggled and placed his hand on it. Yet, like every other time, nothing happened. He only shrugged, "oh well" he commented, patting the sphere with a smile before skipping to his friends.

"Well, it seems Experiment 46 is yet to find it's rightful owner" the female scientist spoke up, sighing out sadly.

"Hey, why doesn't Empire over there try?" Nathan called out, everyone turning to him. No one had noticed him standing in the corner by himself, watching everyone silently. He wouldn't mind having ago, now that he knew it was safe.

"Is he too scared?" Another kid - Corey - laughed. Roman rolled his eyes, pushing himself off of the wall and marching straight over to the sphere. If this was for creative minds, he assumed he had to image something up. But what?

"Hurry up, Empire!"

Roman ignored the voice, eyes falling shut as he focused. In his mind formed a field that stretched on for miles, he stood directly in the middle, sword in hand, before him standing the infamous creature he created when he was only a child. It haunted his dreams most nights, but the Prince he imagined himself to be always defeated it.

Breathing in, his left arm rose, hand unclenching as it hovered over the sphere. If this didn't work now, he would look like the biggest idiot in that school.

Breathing out, his hand delicately dropped onto the sphere, and at first nothing happened, until he heard gasps coming from his right. Where the students were all standing. Opening his eyes, he let out a gasp of his own, instead of standing on the white floor in the laboratory, he stood in a field, the long grass flowing back with the wind that hit against him. Lifting his head, he nearly screamed at what was before him.

The dragon witch...

The creature he never thought he would ever meet in real life...

It bared it's teeth, the witches hat atop it's head falling forward slightly as it tilted his head down, glowing red eyes piercing into Roman's bright amber ones. He didn't even realise he had a sword in his hand, or that instead of his usual clothes, he was wearing a white suit-like thing with a red sash across his chest.

The dragon witch opened it's mouth, letting out a roar that echoed across the land. The students all screamed and shouted, the scientists finally snapping from their trances as they rushed towards Roman and yanked his hand from the sphere. Like before, the room feel back to white, the dragon witch no longer ready to eat him.

"What the fuck, Roman?!" A girl cried.

"You could've killed us!"

"What was that?!"

But he wasn't focused on that, he barely even registered anyone was talking to him. He was staring at his hand closely, twisting it over a few times, but nothing was different. Why was he able to work whatever that ball was?

"Roman, was it?" Male scientist spoke up, the female one rushing forward with a weird device that seemed too be made to fit on heads. "Can you put this on quickly?" She asked, advancing towards him but he snapped back into action, ducking away from them. She cursed under her breath, letting the Male scientist near Roman slowly.

"We don't want to harm you, we just need to know why your brain is different from everyone else" he explained, holding his hands up like he was trying to catch a scared animal.

"Stay the fuck away from me" Roman snarled out, particularly protective over himself, especially after the many movies he's watched where evil government members do experiments on humans. They never turn out well, and he wasn't about to become one of them. Ducking out of their grasp once more, the teachers finally stepped up.

"I think it's time for us to go"

"He cannot leave, we need him" the Male scientist yelled back, trying to grab him but he manoeuvred himself away, the students parting when he got too close. "Technically that is illegal" Logan commented, adjusting his glasses, watching Roman easily get away from the two scientist who have seemingly never tried to catch a child before.

The teachers went to advance when guards grabbed them, shoving them out of the room. They screamed out protests but they were locked out, the guards drawing their guns and pointing them at Roman who gasped, bumping into the stand.

"No, we need him alive!" Female scientist yelled, the students were going crazy, running to the doors to try and escape, the guards were too busy with Roman as they slowly neared.

Shit, Roman, think!

The sphere...

Turning around, he grabbed it from it's place in the stand, the room turning into the field once more. This time, his eyes narrowed on the dragon witch, imagining it to be on his side. "Keep me safe" Roman ordered, pointing to the adults who desperately tried to get at him. The dragon nodded, letting out a roar that nearly knocked the adults down.

Roman ran across the field, but smacked into a wall. He was still in the room, and even if it looked like the land stretched for forever, he was stuck, hands pressed against the invisible wall. He looked down at the sphere once more, watching as the colours pushed against the side of the ball closest to his hand, as if trying to get to him.

From looking down, he finally noticed his Prince-like get up, drawing the sword from it's holster. Now he could protect himself, but the dragon witch seemed to be doing fine. He looked over and saw the terrified kids slamming against the invisible wall on the other side of the room. Clenching his eyes shut, the field slowly changed from a field to a library...for some reason. It was the first room Roman could think of! Besides, the last student he saw before his eyes closed was Logan. It was his fault! Totally...

Looking around, his right arm grabbed a book from the shelf...so, he could interact with this...

Changing hands, the ball now in his right, his left hand threw the book at one of the scientists, making them collapse to the ground and drop the headgear. Sprinting over, he ducked under the dragon witches tail, grabbing the device and smashing it against the wall.

"No!" Cried a female voice, but he was more focused on getting out of here. He knew he wouldn't be able to leave the room, so he backed himself into the wall, eyes screwed shut as he imagined the forest outside this building, he imagined himself standing there, far away from the lab, able to run and hide with the sphere still clasped tight in his hands.

He didn't notice his feet had lifted from the ground until his body began to swirl around in the air.

"O-oh Disney!" He exclaimed, both hands gripping the ball as he spun around vertically in the air, letting out a scream until it stopped. He landed on the ground in a heap, spitting some dried, brown leaves from his mouth. Sitting up, he slowly opened his eyes, mouth parting. It worked...? He teleported himself out of there! With the power of his imagination!

Jumping up, he was ready to squeal in glee when he heard groaning from behind him. Spinning around, he went to grab his sword but he realised he was back in his normal clothing. He should change that later, then he could finally look like he Prince from his dreams! Oh how exhilarating!

Roman shook his head, focusing on the three bodies that slowly pushed themselves from the ground.

The one on the far left cleared his throat, placing his glasses back on his face and straightening out his tie. Roman gasped, taking a small step back. "Logan?" Said boy looked up, staring with wide eyes at Roman. Never before had he seen anything like what had happened in that room - nor did he know how he got out here. Was he drugged and left here to rot!?

Next to stand up was also another boy, he shifted his cardigan back onto his back, adjusting his crooked glasses. "Patton?" Roman whispered, catching his attention. He stared at Roman for a few seconds, a smile stretching across his face. What happened in there was amazing! And he couldn't believe Roman could use that sphere to teleport outside!

"Virgil..." Roman drifted, spotting the last boy to stand up. He glared at Roman, crossing his arms over his chest.

"What the hell, dude? Where are we?!" He demanded angrily, nearing Roman with a dangerous expression. "We are only outside, no need to worry" Logan quickly butted in, motioning to the lab in the near distance. Virgil clicked his tongue, glaring at Roman once again. He didn't know why Virgil seemed to be so mad, really Roman saved them from being locked in that room with armed guards.

"Why didn't you let them put that...weird... thingy on your head?! They wouldn't of gotten mad!"

Roman's jaw dropped with shock. He thought this was his fault!?

"Oh, I do apologise Virgil, next time I'll let them put a brain-reading thingy on my head so they can experiment on me!" He fired back, eyes narrowed into a dagger-shooting glare closely resembling Virgil's.

"Now, let's not fight, we don't know what they would've done to Roman-"

"Why do you care? He's a bully" Virgil cut Patton off quickly, turning to face his friend who bit his lip, deciding to stay quiet as his friend whipped back to face Roman.

"Whatever that thing is, give it back-" he stopped himself, glancing around the area. "Why did you only bring us out, too?" He questioned, but Roman didn't respond, for he didn't entirely know himself. Maybe he was too scared to be alone and brought along the people he felt safe with? It was a possibility, but right now he didn't feel safe with Virgil.

"Look I...I don't know" Roman sighed, tapping the ball. "But I don't want to give this back" he turned his head towards the road, pushing through the vegetation as the other three followed, Logan and Virgil both demanding why he wants to keep whatever the scientist built so badly.

He ignored them, and reached the small side walk on the edge of the mostly empty road. They were in the middle of nowhere, and Roman definitely wasn't getting back home on the bus. "Dude, are you even listening to us?" Virgil growled, finally gaining Roman's attention. He whirled around to face the darkly dressed boy, surprising him a little.

"Will you shut up? I saved you from that lab, and if you so desperately don't want to get involved in this, go back to the bus and leave me alone" Virgil blinked, unable to respond to his harsh tone. He...didn't mean to make him so angry. He must still be confused and scared about what happened inside, and now he was making matters worse.

Looking down, he felt Patton wrap an arm around his shoulders comfortingly.

"Can you use that thing out of the room?" Logan questioned, watching Roman hold the ball with both hands, eyes closed shut tightly. "Shh..." he replied, in his mind creating a car, a car that could fit them all if they decided to join. He imagined himself a drivers license and a set of keys in his back pocket. When he opened his eyes, he grinned at the sight.

Parked right in front of them was black car with blackout windows. How perfect.

"Woah!" Patton whispered in awe, gently sliding his hand down the side of the door, grinning in excitement. "That thing is awesome!" He exclaimed, but before Roman could reply in the same excitement, they heard sirens in the distance, and yells from the lab. Roman whipped open the door, turning to the three boys who felt fear claw around inside them.

"If you go back, I don't know what they'll do to you, stay with me, and I'll do my best to keep you all protected"

They all glanced at each other, staring at the guards and scientists who quickly ran over. Virgil sighed out, dragging s hand through his hair. He was going to deeply regret this in the future.

"We'll come with you"

Roman nodded and the four boys fell into the car, Roman quickly locking the doors. "Wait, do you have keys?" Logan fretted, but as soon as he said this roman whipped out the keys from his back pocket, slamming them into the socket and twisting them viciously. The car roared to life, Roman placing the ball in his lap, hands on the steering wheel, feet on the peddles.

"You don't even know how to drive!" Logan yelled out but Roman slammed down and the car sped off into the road, Patton and Virgil letting out short yelps as he did, the sudden movement making them slam against the back of their seats.

Roman grabbed his "drivers license" from the dash board, waving it in Logan's face with a smirk. The smarter boy snatched it from his hands with a sneer, reading it over quickly. "You can imagine a license up all you want - it doesn't give you the ability to drive" Logan commented, eyes drifting across the road they landed on another car coming straight for them. A police car.

"Roman!" He yelled, but the boy was already on it, swerving to the left to avoid them.

"We have to do something else!" Virgil called out, looking behind him to see black cars gaining on them. They must be from the government, the police were the least of their worries. Roman chewed his lip, grabbing the ball and closing his eyes for a few seconds. He imagined the car being able to go faster than the cars chasing them and it worked, but with the cars coming for them in front, he didn't know how much longer he could steer out of their way.

"Any ideas!?" Roman yelled, gritting his teeth at the near miss of the police vehicle. "You're the guy with the imagination!" Virgil yelled back, Logan joining in saying bickering would not help this situation. Suddenly, Patton's eyes widened, he sat forwards in his seat, grabbing Roman's attention by tapping his shoulder.

"I have an idea!"

"I'm open to hear it!" Roman nearly screamed, crashing through a hedge and onto the field next to the road. That didn't stop the cars from chasing them at top speeds, even so Roman was faster, and closed his eyes after his car drove straight through another hedge, leading to a different field that had to hold cows.

As he was dodging past them, Patton hurriedly explained what he had in mind.

"We can be like the car from chitty chitty bang bang!" Patton giggled, everyone in the car going silent for a few seconds.

"Are you suggesting Roman gives this car the ability to fly?" Logan replied, cocking one eyebrow. Patton nodded brightly, staring at the side of Roman's face as he waited in silence.

"Well..." he sighed, glancing in his mirror at the cars that seemed to multiply. "It's all we have"

Using his left hand, he clenched his eyes shut, imagining the car lifting from the ground and flying through the air, hidden by the clouds that hung high up above. And, like it worked before, the car did as what he imagined, and the wheels lifted from the ground, shooting off upwards so fast the four could barely move from being pressed into their seats, each of them screaming in fear.

Well, this day did not turn out how Roman expected.

—

6:07pm