"You wouldn't believe me even if I told you," taking the dagger out of his shoe.

"Why do you have a dagger with you and why did Mr. Ingram think it was a pen?"

"We don't have time to discuss it now," said Danny. Once his locker was open, he removed the belt from his pants and began strapping it around his waist, just above his belly button.

"What're you doing?"

After securing the belt, Danny reached around and slipped the dagger under it at the small of his back, pinning it in place. Turning, he showed Chris what he had done.

"Just put it in your locker."

"I can't."

"What do you mean, you can't?"

"I just can't," said Danny again, closing his locker. "Listen, can you meet me after school?"

Chris hesitated, "I guess so. I have football practice so I have to stay after school anyway. Why?"

Chris was Danny's best friend, now more than ever and it was killing him knowing that he couldn't tell him the truth right away. "Meet me in front of the library and I'll explain everything."

Chris shrugged, his face distorted in confusion, "Okay, whatever."

Together, both boys left the locker room and made their way back to their assigned seating.

Sitting back down, Danny found Sabrina questioning him with that certain look on her face. Knowing that he couldn't give her an answer here and now, he simply smiled.

She didn't return the gesture.

After gym, Danny dashed to his locker and gathered the books he needed for science class. Midway through his packing, Sabrina appeared beside him.

"Hey, I thought we could walk to science class together."

Danny saw right through her act. "Sure," he said, playing along. Gathering up his book bag, he set off with Sabrina strolling beside him.

Turning at the base of the stairs, Sabrina pulled him to the side, "What happened in gym?"

"Chris Greene has the gift of sight as well."

Sabrina took a single step back and dropped her head as if in thought. "Three in such a short amount of time and all in the same area," she whispered to herself.

"What is it?"

Sabrina's head snapped up and looked around to make sure that she wouldn't be overheard. Taking a step back toward Danny, she said, "Those with the gift of sight are rare enough, but to find three at the same time, within such a small area... It has never happened."

"What's that mean?"

"I don't know, perhaps Father will know."

Before Danny could say anything else, the warning bell rang. "We should get to class."

Sabrina nodded, both hurried to science class. The tardy bell rang just as they passed through the threshold of the science lab.

"Just in time," said Mrs. Turner from behind her black desk.

Danny faked a smile, made his way to his assigned seat and dropped his book bag down on top of his desk.

"You barely made it," whispered Matt, as he pushed his glasses further up the bridge of his nose.

"Yeah," said Danny, digging through his bag, pulling out his science book. Something shiny caught on the edge of the book, causing it to fall to the floor in front of Matt's desk. Danny's heart almost stopped as he watched the dagger bounce once before coming to a stop beside his friend's left shoe.

"Wow," said Matt as he reached down and retrieved the blade. "Where did you get this dagger?" holding it up parallel to his eyes for a better look.

"Do you have a question, Mr. Mickler?" Mrs. Turner asked before Danny could say anything.

Shocked, Matt's eyes went wide with surprise as he held the dagger up before him. "Um, no?" said Matt with a squint, as if he was unsure of the answer.

"Then why are you holding your pen up?"

Matt's right eyebrow lifted as he looked at the dagger in his hand, "What pen?"

"...The pen in your hand, Mr. Mickler. Are you feeling all right?"

The exchange caused a sudden swell of giggling from the other students.

"It's not a pen," said Alonso, his voice unable to carry past the rising laughter.

Reaching forward, Danny punched Alonso in the back in an attempt to quiet him.

Not taking kindly to the gesture, Alonso angled his fist behind him, pencil in hand, and connected with Danny's lower left leg.

A sharp pain spread up Danny's shin, causing him to glance at Sabrina.

"Do something," she mouthed.

She was right. He had to do something. "It's my pen," said Danny, turning, and snatching the dagger from Matt's hand. "He was just giving it back to me."

Confused, Matt simply nodded and adjusted his glasses once again.

"Alright, settle down, class," said Mrs. Turner, buying the excuse. "Today, we are going to learn about mitochondria," regaining control, turning back toward the black board.

As soon as he felt it was safe, Matt leaned over and whispered, "What's going on?"

"I'll explain everything after class," whispered Danny, stuffing the dagger back into his pack.

"We're meeting at the library after school," said Alonso, matching the hushed tones of both boys.

"Shut up," said Danny, slapping Alonso on the back of the head with the tips of his fingers.

The encouragement caused Alonso to reach behind him once again in an attempt at retaliation. Danny moved his leg just in time, causing Alonso to hit the steel bar of the desk instead. Alonso winced from the pain of the impact. Turning, he eyed Danny with a look of revenge.

"Is there a problem, Mr. Martinez?"

Danny smiled, Alonso had no choice but to turn back to the front of the class and say, "No, Mrs. Turner."

After class, Danny, Alonso, Sabrina, and Matt met up at the back of the science labs, where they were unlikely to be overheard.

"What does she have to do with this?" Alonso asked, pointing at Sabrina.

If looks could kill, Sabrina would have slain Alonso on the spot.

"More than you know," said Danny, intervening before Sabrina could retaliate. "But now isn't the time or the place to discuss it."

Alonso crossed his arms, shrugged, and said, "Whatever."

Turning toward Matt, Danny continued, "Meet us in front of the library after school, and I'll explain everything."

"Told you so," said Alonso with a smug smile on his face.

Both Danny and Sabrina glared at Alonso this time, if it had any effect, Alonso did not show it.

"Alright," said Matt, "but this better be good."

"Yeah," agreed Alonso.

Danny smiled, "Oh, you two have no idea."

Before anything else was said, the warning bell rang, forcing all four to fret about being tardy, rather than about the events of the day. With little time to spare, all four made a beeline for their individual lockers.

To Danny's relief, the rest of his classes passed without any more surprises. Sitting in English class, he watched the clock with a mesmerized focus and sighed with a sense of liberation as the big hand clunked over the designated number. The final bell rang through the school speakers, marking the end of the last period. He had already gathered his belongings in his book bag so he raced through the door almost before the bell stopped ringing. He walked quickly to his locker, secured his belongings and headed straight for the front entrance of the library. Waiting just outside the double glass doors, Danny scanned the crowd of students as they darted through the halls. A familiar face caught his eye; he turned to see Chris Greene.

"Alright, I have about ten minutes before practice starts," said Chris, stopping before Danny. "What's this all about?"

"We have to wait for Matt Mickler, Alonso Martinez and Sabrina Drake."

"Why?"

"I'll explain everything when they get here."

"Well, at least let me see that dagger of yours," Chris said, holding out his hand.

"Okay," said Danny, digging through the contents of his bag, pulling out the dragon-hilted dagger. Danny hesitated for a moment and handed it over.

Taking the blade, Chris turned it end over end in his hands, admiring the intricate artisanship. "It's beautiful." He pulled the brand free of the sheath with a subtle ring of steel. Greeted with the sudden halo of soft white light, Chris gasped in amazement. "Where'd you get this?"

"Wow, you didn't say that it glowed," Alonso said before Danny could respond.

"Does it use batteries?" Matt asked, standing beside Alonso.

Looking past Matt and Alonso, Danny spotted Sabrina rounding the corner of the hall.

"Let me see it," said Alonso, reaching out in an attempt to snatch the blade from Chris's hand.

"What's your problem, man, just wait," said Chris, pulling the dagger closer to his chest, smacking Alonso's hand away.

Danny suddenly realized that he'd created a mess. "Here, give it back to me," he said, knowing that taking the dagger out in the first place had been a mistake. He knew that if Sabrina saw this, she would be upset. Her father might even take back his gift.

"I wanna see it, too," said Matt in a whiny voice while pushing his glasses further up the slope of his nose.

"Just give it back, for now," argued Danny, but he was too late. Sabrina had entered the circle.

"What is going on here?" she asked, glaring at Danny.

"I, uh..." said Danny, trying to think of a valid excuse.

He failed.

"This is not the time or place for this," scolded Sabrina. "Give it..."

"Epic looking dagger," said a voice from beyond the group, interrupting Sabrina.

All five turned to regard the new arrival with confusion and curiosity.

Confronted with their attention, Doug Garrett smiled.

"You can see the dagger?" Danny asked.

Doug's face contorted with confusion, "Of course I can. Why wouldn't I be able to see it?"

Taking advantage of the focused attention, Danny seized the blade and scabbard from Chris's hands, sheathed it and placed it back in his bag. "Come on, we need a place to talk."

"Can I come, too?" Doug asked.

"Yes, Doug, you, too," said Danny, turning and walking into the library without waiting to see if he was being followed.

They found a circular table in the back, it was secluded behind two shelves stacked with books.

Danny positioned the dagger in the middle of the table. Once everyone was seated, he began. He told them what happened the night following his fight with Steven Rooney. He described the event, how Sabrina fought the Shadow, as best he could. Then he explained his second encounter with the Shadow, his discussion with Sabrina's father and his choice to become a Knight of the Light. During the explanation, Sabrina filled in with things that Danny had trouble remembering.

As soon as Danny and Sabrina were finished, all four boys stared with wide-eyed amazement, switching their gazes from Sabrina to Danny and then back to Sabrina.

Alonso, as was common to his nature, was the first to speak. "You're a terrible liar," looking back at Danny.

"That's a good one, coming from you," said Danny, his voice hinted of anger.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"You know exactly what it means."