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SRU: The Lovers (K)not By Morpheus and Raven Classes at Zenith Heights High School were finished for the day. Jake Preston, the senior class president, most popular student, and general BMOC (Big Man on Campus) was strolling casually toward his car, when he spotted a familiar face moving hurriedly to intercept him. He was a tall, athletic-looking black guy, wearing a school letterman jacket. "Hey Ty?" Jake cried out to his best friend, and, coincidently, the star player on the football team. "How's it going?" Jake waved a quirky little half wave, while he beamed widely and warmly at his oncoming counterpart. "Not bad," Tyrone Collins called back, a cocky grin on his own face. Ty recognized Jake's distinctively familiar hand gesture straightaway. Why wouldn't he? He and the slightly smaller Caucasian teenager had been fast friends since kindergarten. The black teenager ran the palm of his hand over the smoothly shaven scalp of his head, before asking Jake a question. It was the current fashion of nearly all young African- American males (and some white ones as well) to sport a completely bald pate. It looked good on Ty. The small hoop earrings in each of Ty's lobes only added to the aura of "hipness." "Are we still on for tomorrow night?" the athlete inquired in his booming bass voice. From the sheer size and musculature of the black student, the burgeoning facial hair that was sculpted into a goatee, and the timbre of his voice, it was easy to tell that he was further along the maturity into an adult. In a word, Ty was the most virile man on campus. These two friends, plus two others, made quite the elite clique. There were many the teenage girls dreaming of a way to become part of that clique. To make matters worse, Ty's skin tone was a little lighter than most black guys, which made him equally attractive to white girls as well as black! Jake was simply THE best looking guy in school, if not the city. He was generally thought to be the catch of the county. Jake slapped his friend on the back, replying, "Definitely...." The smaller guy winced in minor stinging pain at the contact with the bigger guy's knotted muscles. He almost regretted the gesture of male bonding friendship A moment later Jake added as an afterthought, ".... after you kick Chesterfields' ass all over the field tommorrow." It was a none too subtle reference to the big Thursday night football game against their arch-rival school. Tyrone strongly suspected that Jake had some kind of money riding on the game. That was one of the benefits of being the only son of the richest family in town. His buddy had lots of disposable cash to blow on gambling of high school football games. Despite Jake's ultra- conservative, preppy image he was drawn to dangerous things. It was one of the qualities that Ty liked most about Jake. The boy was a bundle of contradictions. "Of course," Ty quipped emphatically. The cocky, knowing grin remained fixed on his face. There wasn't much of a gamble to Jake's gambling on Zenith Heights. The outcome was all but a forgone conclusion with Ty in the game. He was all-conference, all-region and all-state, rushing for just over 200 yards a game. Hell, Tyrone was an unstoppable engine of destruction with a football in his hands. Several colleges that were national powers in football were recruiting him heavily. Ty still had to make his standard admonition, "If your father knew what you were doing with his money, he'd be even more pissed off than when he sees you with me!" Jake's smile contorted into a perfectly wicked little smirk. "Yeah? Well, what father doesn't know won't hurt him. Besides, it's about the only thing in my life that isn't scripted by his damned expectations for my life and future. A little adventure won't hurt anybody. It's not like I'm going to lose, am I?" The student body president cocked one eyebrow inquisitively at his companion. He looked him straight in the eye. Although Ty was about 6'3" and 250 lbs. of chisled ebony granite, Jake, at 6'1" and 185 lbs., was able to see "eye-to-eye" with his pal. Ty knew better to pursue a well known sore point with Jake. He decided to comment on the security of his friend's wager. "Just wait till I...." the running back began. He never got a chance to finish. Moreover, Jake intentionally tuned out what Ty was saying when he noticed two extremely pretty girls out of the corner of his eye. Ty followed his friend's roving eyes to drink in the approaching vision of loveliness, dressed as cheerleaders. Jake grinned in lusty recognition of the taller blonde... his girlfriend Kristi. "Hi," he uttered excitedly. Very few sights made Jake's blood boil like the radiant image of THE most popular girl in school. She had a reputation to prove it, but the class president didn't really mind. It was an other indication of his magnetic attraction to dangerous things. The fact that his father wouldn't think Kristi "appropriate" for his son only tied the package with a pretty little bow. Jake ran his hand through his medium length brown tresses. He kissed Kristi passionately. She responded quite eagerly. "Somebody get the riot hose," quipped Ty. "That's how my dad separates dogs when he finds 'em screwing on our lawn." "Oh you...." giggled Kristi, as she ineffectively slugged him on the arm. If it weren't for their VERY public display of sexual heat, you would have sworn the two teenage lovers were Ken and Barbie dolls come to life. Kristi was approximately 5'8" of golden blonde hair, curvy figure, generous breasts and heart-shaped face. Every boy in school wanted her. Quite a few had "gotten" her! This girl was an explosive mix of beauty and promiscuity. As pretty as she was, the Head Cheerleader could not hold a candle to the extremely well built black girl next to her. She smiled shyly at Jake, as was her nature, but gave Ty a quick peck on the lips. She was Cricket Allen, Ty's girlfriend and Kristi's best friend. Jake often joked that she was more Kristi's sidekick, protegee maybe, than a true friend. Cricket was the only junior in the clique of senior "movers and shakers." Kristi had, to her credit, "sort of" taken the petite African-American girl under her wing. Jake really suspected that it was Kristi's way to control the only other girl in school who challenged her control over the guys. Kristi had instinctively brought her only rival to heel under the guise of friendship. She had to do something! The white guys at school even ogled her when she moved to Zenith a month into the school year. Cricket didn't seem to mind either way. However, she did seem a little quiet or retiring most of the time. It was evidence of an insecurity that Kristi latched onto right away! The blonde had Cricket on the cheerleading team, and by her side within a week. It was a new land speed record. Admission to the clique, as well the attention of Ty followed closely on the heels. Shortly thereafter, it was Kristi who discovered the source of Cricket's insecurity. It wasn't grades, for her transcript showed a solid "B" student. (Those grades were much better than Kristi's own low "C" or high "D" average. Hey! She had social activities to attend to!). It wasn't Cricket's figure or good looks either. Cricket's family was poor. No matter what Cricket did, or how much she achieved, without a scholarship for college, she was going nowhere fast. Her grades were good enough to get into college, but not good enough for a scholarship. The small black girl was looking at a working career after high school just to help out her family. Membership in such an elite clique was a godsend for Cricket. It was also a constant reminder of what she could never have, and a perfect method for Kristi to control her potential rival. "Are we still on for tomorrow?" Kristi questioned Jake with a bubbly-sexy little smile. It was a promise of things yet to come. Her beau nodded, assuring them all, "Yeah. My parents are still going on that business trip 'til Saturday night. We'll have the house all to ourselves. Even the maid will be gone." "Awesome," exclaimed Ty enthusiastically. He just couldn't hide his glee at having Jake's huge house to use.... make that a chance for some time alone with the reluctant Cricket. "I think I can score some booze from a friend of mine," he proffered, adding, "although Coach will kill me if he finds out!" "Don't bother, my brother. I've got the 'sitch' handled," Jake told them confidently. He couldn't resist using slang around Ty and Kristi. "I lifted the keys to my dad's liquor cabinet before he left. I don't think he'd miss one bottle." There was further evidence of Jake's rebellion against his father. The others seemed to be satisfied with that arrangement, as they continued to plan their night of fun. "You're okay with all of this aren't you Cricket?" inquired Kristi rhetorically, with almost a maternal smile. Was there any doubt how the small, yet well endowed black girl would answer? They all looked... down... way down... at the junior cheerleader. Ty stared at Cricket's large firm breasts in particular, visions of fondling them dancing in his head. At only 5'1", EVERYBODY towered over her. Ty was like unto a giant when standing next to the reticent little beauty. The color of her skin, the shape of her face, and the cut of her longer relaxed black hair marked her as a dead ringer for Toni Braxon. Make that a MUCH prettier Toni Braxton. There was the hint of auburn highlights in Cricket's hair. THAT was Krist's delicate touch at improving her sidekick. It worked.... outrageously well. "Yeah...." Cricket almost whispered, her high little girl's voice trailing off. "It's settled then," nodded Ty. "I'll pick Sweetness up, and then head over to Jake's house." "Sweetness" was Ty's name for his girlfriend. The nickname fit like a glove, for she truly was as sweet as candy! "Sounds like a plan," agreed Jake. Kristi didn't bother to comment, choosing instead to hug Jake's arm in such a way as to press her luscious boobs into his chest. They talked for several more minutes, until Cricket interrupted reluctantly. "Kristi? If we don't hurry, we'll be late for practice." Kristi glanced lazily down at her watch. "What's the prob? They can't start without ME!" Unfortunately, when she saw the lateness of the hour her smug expression dropped like a curtain. Even she had to answer to a faculty advisor/ coach. She grabbed Cricket's hand, pulled the black girl along with her, and blurted over her shoulder, "Sorry guys... we've gotta run." The beautiful blonde turned and sauntered off, with Cricket following closely behind her. The guys admired the sight of well rounded bottoms wiggling away from them. "Damn!" Ty exclaimed, breaking their trance-like reverie. His eyes were still glued to Cricket's ass. "Now that's a sight." Jake whistled lowly in agreement. He had to admit, for a black girl, Cricket was one helluva babe. He idly wondered what his father would do if he brought Cricket home as his girlfriend. Jake laughed inside. His "holier than thou" dad would probably shit himself. Ty shook his head, as if to say "Absloutely!" then apologized to his childhood friend, "I'd better be going too. I'm late for practice, and Coach is gonna skin me alive. He's gonna have me running extra laps as it is." Jake merely chuckled. "See ya', Ty." Jake sighed once his friend was gone. No. He couldn't do that to Ty. He couldn't steal his best friend's girlfriend. Even though he made friends with a small black boy, many years ago in kindergarten just to piss off his dad, Jake genuinely liked Ty. Over the years, despite the disapproval of his Jake's father, the two had grown very close. There was something about Jake's dad that just couldn't accept a professional black family into their exclusive suburban neighborhood. That's what made Jake's friendship to Ty so... delicious. Jake lived to be a constant thorn in his controlling father's side! The young man continued on towards his car in the parking lot, pausing only occasionally to wave at one of the members of his high school kingdom. Even this wasn't entirely his own. It was simply one more step in his dad's carefully constructed game plan for Jake's future. Class President was just the means to an end. Jake put that out of his mind. He still had some things to take care of before their little party tomorrow night. ********** Strangely enough, Ty's thoughts also turned to that first fateful meeting with Jake, as he quickly dressed for practice. All of his other team mates were already out on the practice field. That gave him the full privacy of the locker room in which to reminisce. Being the only black kid in suburbia and kindergarten was hard. All of the other kids treated him like trash. Oh, Ty knew it wasn't their fault, but the careful conditioning of their social class. Ty was an outsider and treated as such. The exception was Jake. The preppy little boy, the richest kid in town, befriended him on that very first day. Ty remembered the look on the face of Jake's father when he found out, but still Jake insisted they remain friends. Over time, Ty grew to understand that he was part of Jake's rebellion of his dad's tight fisted control. The first clue was when they had to sneak around to play together. It wasn't as if Ty didn't understand either. He understood far to well. His father, despite the color of his skin, had more in common than one would think with Jake's father. Ty's dad also wanted him to follow in his footsteps... to become a professional. His dad envisioned that educational means as the correct way to elevate the status of the black man. Ty sought refuge in his athletics, even though HIS father disapproved. He considered athletics, particularly football, was one of the primary ways that black men were stereotyped. Ty didn't see it that way. Ty loved his sports, and in fact, was what he wanted to do with his life. The only difference between Ty and Jake was that Ty was strong enough to stand up for what he wanted. Jake wasn't that strong... yet. Ty was working with him, and one day, one day soon, he was sure that his friend would make a stand for what HE truly wanted. There were many a time that Ty wondered if Jake really considered him to be a friend. Those were fleeting thoughts at best. Jake had proven himself to be a true blue friend over the years... above reproach. There really wasn't any doubt in Ty's mind, despite the reckless things that Jake did, that the living contradiction in terms really liked him. There were time... oh yes, there were times... when Ty was just another little danger for Jake's amusement. Ty shook his head, a wide grin adorning hid chiseled mug. Now, if you wanted a true contradiction in terms, there was Cricket! She was sooooo sexy and beautiful, yet so afraid to share what she had with Ty. Ty truly liked her... a lot. Ty tried to imagine what her gorgeous body would look like with clothes. His manhood sprung to attention at the mental image. The running back gazed over to the bathroom stalls curiously. Maybe Coach wouldn't be too irate if he was a few more minutes late! ********** A short drive placed Jake at the local mall, Zenith Heights Mall. He jumped inside to look around... for something. The host of the party wasn't exactly sure of what it was that he wanted, but thought "Spencer's" was just as good a place to begin the search. The only thing that he knew for certain was that it had to be something that would liven their little get together. Ideally, under Jake's definition of "liven," it had to be... an item which their respective parents wouldn't approve of. Jake hoped that it was something... er... sexual, that wouldn't offend the girls TOO much. If he pissed Kristi off he wouldn't get "lucky." Then again, on second thought, Jake mused, nothing much seems to derail Kristi's sex drive! Nothing would bother her THAT much! The youth took his time to leisurely stroll through the mall in the general direction of Spencer's. There was no need to hurry home to the regimented discipline of his father's academic dungeon. Only he could make getting straight "A's" seem anti-climatic. Jake decided to enjoy this all too brief liberty as much as possible. Jake stopped at several stores, even though Spencer's was his ultimate destination. Nothing really caught his eye. However, in one those stores, he nearly bought a game of "Twister." Jake imagined that it would be a blast to play the traditional game naked, but quickly reconsidered when he remembered that Ty would be in the game. Ty was his best friend, but there was no WAY he'd be that close to Ty while naked! Friendship, even best friendship only goes so far. Jake walked right past the place where Spencer's "should" be, when he realized that something wasn't quite right. He couldn't really place what it was. The teen dream stopped in his tracks, scrutinized his surroundings, and then scratched his noggin. Jake counted off the stores all around him one by one. Then it hit him like a ton of bricks. Spencer's wasn't there anymore! A new shop sat in its place. The confused teenager immediately noticed that exterior of the shop was unlike all of the other homogenous storefronts in the mall, which really made Jake curious. In short, the new store looked like a very old store! "That's odd," Jake muttered aloud, to nobody in particular. He stared at the window display of crystal balls, small statues, and other "odds and ends." The quaint, weathered wooden door was outrageously out of place in a modern mall. It looked more like a General Store that you'd see out in the country. Jack decided instantly that it had to be some type of marketing gimmick. Nothing else made sense. The sign above the door announcing "Spells R' Us," only corroborated his brilliant observation. He'd never heard of it before. "It must be a fly-by-night operation," Jake snorted. There was no way that it would be here in another month. If the mall traffic couldn't support a popular store like Spencer's, there was no way a magic store could survive. How could such a small store replace a major establishment like Spencer's? It happened so quickly. Jake clearly remembered seeing Spencer's only last week when he was in the mall. Inside the store, the old man snickered to himself. There was one born every minute, and business was about to pick up. There was not a doubt in Jake's mind as to what type of merchandise the new/old store sold. It could only be a magic shop. However, the exact nature of the magic tricks located therein was still a mystery... a mystery that intrigued Jake. A magic trick could be fun... just what the doctor ordered. He'd never heard of any magic trick with the requisite sexual content he needed, but at least it was worth checking out the little boutique. Inside the store, the old man stirred from his place in the back room, and began to make his way to the front of the store. It always took longer than expected to traverse the length of a space with amorphous dimensions. Jake opened the door, stepping through the threshold of the place. A little bell "tinkled" overhead when the door closed behind him. The boy took the time to visually inspect the interior of the store, and, to that end, allowed his eyes to freely roam about. Jake was sincerely surprised of the amount of junk littering the displays. Many things, ranging from yard sale quality crap to genuine antiques, were strewn all around. There was no discernible order to the items. They were simply piled up on various shelves, one on top of the other. The clutter looked more like a garage sale than something that you'd find in a mall. The sheer level of disorganization was mind numbing. Almost every type of item that the mind could imagine, could be seen in the mess. In one corner Jake saw costumes hanging from a rack. In another he saw a grandfather clock. A statue of a naked woman decorated a spot on a wall, with piles of high tech children's toys shelved next to it. The incongruous variety wasn't even the most amazing aspect of the establishment. Most of the items were covered by a layer of dust! How could a store, only one week old, generate this much dust? These things appeared as if the hadn't been moved for years! Jake's cursory examination was suddenly interrupted by a loud, yet ancient voice nearby. "Ahem." Jake was so startled that he nearly jumped right out of his skin. Nevertheless he managed to steady himself, and turned to address the voice. "May I help you, young man?" asked a strangely dressed old man. He appeared, for all of the world, to be wearing an old ratty bathrobe. "Were you looking for something in particular Jake? Perhaps something a little... dangerous?" the proprietor followed up before his customer even had a chance to answer. "Wha...." Jake gasped, blinking his eyes. "H-how did you know my name?" The Old Man smiled faintly. How many times had he been asked the identical question over the years? He always had to employ such duplicity in his responses. Didn't mortals know that magicians can read minds? The shop attendant answered, "It's my business to know those things. Of course, it doesn't hurt that you're the President of the senior class over at Zenith Heights High School." The Old Man grinned at Jake. It prompted Jake to smile back. The wizard's explanation was... satisfactory. "By the way, good luck with Chesterfield tomorrow night," offered the wizard. Jake initially assumed that the old man was talking about the actual football game. He couldn't be talking about anything else... could he? There was no way he could know about the bet. Jake decided that the old man probably had a grand-kid, or something, that went to his school. He must have seen Jake at one of the assemblies or various other school functions. It wasn't the first time that a stranger recognized him. Jake shrugged it off. The old man had to be talking about the football game, and it was just his own paranoia talking to him. The Class President scanned his surroundings once more. He sincerely told the old man, "You know? I'm not really sure what I'm looking for." The Old Man nodded like he'd fully expected that response. He peered into his customer's face as if he were looking all of the way into his soul. "What are you looking for? Maybe you would like something for a party?" That took Jake aback. How could this old man know that? "Yeah. I'm searching for something unique and exciting for a party with my friends. It's tomorrow night. H-how did you know that?" The old man tossed off, almost as an aside, "Oh you young people are always having some kind of party. This isn't rocket science you know?" He had a point there. The explanation was again satisfactory. "Something different, you say? I assume there will be couples at this party, Jake?" "Uh.... sure," responded Jake slowly and warily. This was getting downright eerie. "Ahhhh!" eased Old Man, with a smile. "Different is the specialty of the house." There was no way that Jake was going to touch that one. The wizard continued, "Come right this way young man. I think I have just the thing." Jake followed the old man to the back of the store, despite his serious misgivings. The hairs were standing up on the back of his neck. "Just a moment," the Old Man apologized, pulling several things from a shelf. Finally, he retrieved a wooden box, simultaneously exclaiming, "Here it is." Jake stared at the box in the old man's outstretched hands for a moment. It was the approximate size of a checkerboard, except for its thickness, which was about 3 inches. The object was carved of a very dark wood. The item presented was otherwise completely unremarkable. "What is it?" Jake inquired. He tried hard not to sneeze from the copious amount of dust the Old Man blew from the surface of the box. "This," began the Old Man, slowly, "is something completely different than anything you have known. This is a game unlike any other. It's a one of a kind, and very, very old." "Sounds.... interesting," Jake commented. His curiosity was definitely piqued, but he sincerely suspected that the old guy in the bathrobe was exaggerating. "Oh, it is. Of that I can guarantee!" the proprietor chuckled under his breath. "Very interesting indeed. This is a game that will test the boundaries of friendships and relationships. It will stretch some ties, maybe even breaking them, while it pulls others still closer. There is salvation, there is redemption, there is treachery, and ultimately there is betrayal. This game contains all of the elements of a great game. It is very, very dangerous." The Old Man walked back to the front of the store, carrying the wooden box with him. Jake followed behind him. The elusive element of danger was all that Jake needed to hear. "Tell me more," he begged the owner of the magical store. The Old Man gently laid the game upon the counter, before stating, "Think of it as.... the ultimate game of truth or dare." "Is sex involved?" a wide-eyed Jake needed to know. "Oh yes," nodded the wizard. "Most definitely. That is why it should be played by two couples who are also friends." The Old Man wiped the remainder of the dust from the wooden box with a rag. Jake hadn't even noticed the rag in his hand until this very instant. The elderly gentleman removed his hands, which afforded the younger man the chance to inspect the game. The box was carefully carved with slight images around the outside edge. Jake thought they were rope, and several people seemed to be entangled within it at various points. The hinges on the sides were ornate... they were golden in color. The clasp on top matched the hinges. The Old Man undid the clasp, without even speaking a word, and then unfolded the top. The game opened on both sides, revealing the contents within. The unfolded box doubled the size of the playing field, for the body of the box was the actual board. The playing area was carved from the same wood as the exterior, but had a lighter wood running around the inside in several tangled paths. Obviously, it was a board game that looked a lot like other board games. Jake thought there was something vaguely familiar about the game. It looked a LOT like the board game that was featured in the movie "Jumanji." There were four circles, one on each corner of the board, that were carved of the lighter wood. Each circle had a path that led towards another circle in the middle of the board where they all intersected. The circles were all connected by an arc that created the overall picture of a wheel with spokes. That wasn't all. Separate paths branched out from the each main path at random. They crossed over and under like some impossible knot of rope. The center circle had a slightly raised area, a shallow mound really, whose purpose Jake couldn't guess. Jake eyes wandered to the top half of the box, where the split folded to form the sides of the board. One side was also light wood, bearing writing for half of its overall length. He suspected they were the rules of the game. Jake wondered why they wasted the remaining space by leaving it blank? Curiouser and curiouser! The other lid was lined in dark red velvet, with several carved slots. Four game pieces fit therein, so perfectly, in fact, that nothing was required to hold them in place. Each piece was a human figure, that stood near four inches tall. Two of the figures were women, the other two were men. There was a couple made of a golden metal, one of silver. "Wow," was all Jake could think to say. Within a fold of red velvet, secured by a leather strap, resided a stack of white cards. There were several bulges in the small pocket in the cloth. Jake's guessed they were probably the dice. The Old Man permitted Jake to study the merchandise a few minutes more. "Interesting, isn't it, Jake?" posed the wizard. "Um... yeah," Jake admitted. The game definitely looked old, meaning that it was likely worth a bit of money. It appeared simplistic, and required no degree of skill to play. Jake wondered what could be so dangerous about this game? Players roll the dice, move their pieces toward the center circle, and occasionally had to draw ards. The objects was to get to the center circle. Easy! "What is it called?" questioned Jake in an effort to determine exactly what was so difficult with the game. "The Lovers (K)not," informed the Old Man, simply. It did take him a few moments to explain the double entendre. "That's what it's called. It is a game, as I said before, that was designed for two couples, of lovers and friends. You take turns, rolling the die, then drawing a card. Each card asks rather... personal...questions." The Old Man winked at Jake. "Questions about... sex?" "Yes, my young man, and if you answer the question truthfully, you move forward as many spaces as your die indicates." "Yeah," Jake snorted, "and whoever gets to the center first, wins." The Old Man's smile deepened when he said, "Sort of. Not exactly. That's when part two of the game begins." "Part two?" Jake stared at the game once more, wondering what more there could be? The Old Man replied cryptically, "Oh yes. There's much, much more, but that would be telling. That, along with the rules of the second part is for the players to discover on their own. That is what makes the game perilous! I have told you too much already, but I give you one clue further. Once the last card is turned, and the winner's spin is spun, the true game has only just begun!" "Why is it called the Lover's (K)not? I don't understand that part." "Okay. Okay. One further clue. The game is based upon the infamous Gordian Knot of mythology." "The Gordian Knot?" Jake was truly confused. Kids these days, thought the wizard to himself. No appreciation for history! Still, what he said was, "It is a strange little knot. The more that you try to untie it, the tighter it becomes. That is all I will tell you." Jake was intrigued, in spite of himself. "How much?" he asked, simultaneously running a light hand over the wooden case. He didn't notice the slightly odd smile on the Old Man's elderly lips. "As I said. The game is a one of a kind, and very old. The least that I could accept for it is four hundred dollars." Jake groaned slightly. That was a lot... far too expensive for a board game. It WAS an antique, which would justify it's price. The youth tried to think of it in terms of an investment. "Do you take credit cards?" he asked hopefully. He didn't want to fill out a check. "Of course." Several minutes later, Jake finished the transaction, and genuinely thanked the Old Man. "No. Thank you," he told Jake. "I just know that you and your friends will get 'caught up' in the game." The Old Man chuckled to himself, at the private joke. Jake just shrugged, picked up the bag containing the game, and departed for home. He couldn't wait to play the odd game, with the funny name, with his friends. ********** Meanwhile, Kristi and Cricket were busy rehearsing their routines with the rest of the cheerleading squad over on one of the practice fields of Zenith Heights High School. Kristi grinned, although she wanted to scowl, at the petite black girl's tumbling routine. Cricket, as the smallest girl on the squad, was the one they tossed around in the various acrobatic cheers. She was fortunately blessed with extraordinary gymnastic ability. THAT was what made the Head Cheerleader grumble inwardly. You would never be able to tell what she was REALLY thinking from her congenial exterior. She smiled expansively, warmly, and friendly when she complimented her sidekick on the routine. "Great job, Cricket. You are SUCH a great gymnast." Kristi was spitting like a cobra on the inside. It just wasn't fair. This girl was prettier than she was, had bigger boobs then she did, had a better figure then she did, was smarter than she was, and could now tumble on top of it all. Shit! The only thing that Kristi had on Cricket was about 7 inches of height, and the knowledge of how to best use feminine assets to get ahead! That was exactly why Kristi knew, deep down inside, that she had to keep Cricket close. What was that famous saying? "Hold your friends close, but your enemies closer?" Cricket was exactly the type of dangerous commodity that was likely to attract Jake. Jake, with his rebellious streak, was likely to go for a black girl like Cricket just to aggravate his controlling father. Isn't that why Jake was best friends with Ty, Kristi mused? Manipulating the circumstances to get Cricket and Ty together was the best course of action here! Jake would NEVER betray his friend for the sake of a woman. So, for the time being, Kristi felt fairly secure. She had the one commodity in abundance... nobody, but nobody was better in bed than she. As long as Jake was "getting it" he wouldn't stray. Still, Cricket was a threat. Kristi had to make absolutely sure that the black girl didn't get her hooks into Jake. Kristi was going to marry Jake after all! That was her only ticket out her insufferable middle class existence. No. College was not in her future. You couldn't call Kristi smart in any conventional sense, but she was clever in a manipulative sort of way! The tall blonde was the embodiment of feminine wiles. She would scheme her way all the way to the penthouse if she had to. In this case, it would be Jake's bed at some Ivy League school. Jake's father had no idea how strong an ally that he had in Kristi. However, instead of pushing him relentlessly, she lured him with sexual favors. Pavlov would have been very proud of her. Nature was taking its course between Cricket and Ty. It wasn't fast enough by a longshot, and THAT was something that Kristi intended to remedy as soon as she could. Cricket caught her breath following the last series of flips and tumbles. She thanked her best friend for the compliment. "Thanks, Kristi. You're the best." She had no reason to doubt the sincerity of her best friend... at least nothing obvious. Cricket just had that... vague feeling... that if she crossed Kristi, her high school life was over. So, she had to play along. Cricket's thought turned to Ty. He was handsome, from a good family, and had the prospect of a great pro football career. He was perfect for her... wasn't he? It was just that... well... Cricket could tell in her heart of hearts that he wasn't the one. He was a nice guy and all, but he wasn't the ONE. Cricket promised herself a long time ago that she wasn't going to give her virtue away to just anyone. He had to be THE one... her one true love. The problem was threefold. Her beautiful face and sexy body screamed out that she wasn't a "good girl." Everybody assumed she was screwing somebody! Secondly, everybody in her clique was trying a bit TOO hard to get her together with Ty. Last, but not least, Ty was growing increasingly frustrated with simple hand-holding and kissing. He wanted more, much more. Cricket could see the lust for her in his deep brown eyes. It was harder and harder for her to ignore the profound effect of Ty's masculinity upon her volatile teenage hormones! Things were moving much too fast. There were times that Cricket felt that she was on a speeding train, with no brakes. How could she resolve this without stepping on the toes of the clique which was her high school life's blood? How would this all end? ********** The Zenith Heights Wizards recorded a smashing victory over Chesterfield Wildcats... to nobody's particular surprise. It was a fitting revenge for last year's defeat at Ty rushed for 240 yards during the ball game, rushed for two touchdowns, and caught another. Needless to say, Ty was pumped up on adrenaline, and more than ready for Jake's little get together. He even had to turn down a couple of offers to party with his teammates. Jake's party had one thing their parties did not. Cricket. "Sorry, Man," he made his excuse to Chet Stevens, the team's fullback, Ty's blocking back. "I've got other plans, if you know what I mean." Ty gave his bulky white friend a wink. "That would be the bodacious Cricket, I assume. Good luck with that, Bull." Chet chuckled. "Bull" was Ty's nickname on the team, as he was almost like a Brahma Bull out on the field. Ty finished shedding his football uniform, showered, and changed back into his street clothes. "I'll see you guys later... much later," he called out to his remaining teammates. Ty grabbed his gym bag, and dashed out the door of the locker room. Ty drove home home, dropped off his game gear, exchanged a few pleasantries with his parents, and derparted to pick up Cricket. It didn't take him very long to get to her home because she only lived a couple of miles away. Her neighborhood appeared as though it were actually world's away from the one in which Ty resided. Ty pulled his vehicle to a stop along the curb of a run-down apartment building. He sighed at the very sight of it. The sigh wasn't for himself, as Cricket's financial or social status mattered very little. No. It was for Cricket. Ty knew that it had to be hard on her to live in this type of neighborhood. The big black teenager hopped out of his car. He strode the broken sidewalk to the stairs, and bounded up, two steps at a time. He almost tripped over the drunk who was sleeping there. Ty finally made it to Cricket's door, despite the obstacle, but he consciously slowed to a more respectable pace. He didn't want his date to think he was in any kind of a hurry! That just wouldn't be cool. He rapped rather loudly on the door, and waited impatiently. "Just like a chick to be late," he muttered, ignoring the fact that he was actually several minutes early. Eventually the door opened to reveal Cricket's somewhat overweight mom. "She'll be out in a minute," the woman said, gesturing for Ty to enter. Ty did as requested. He looked the small place, in spite of the fact he'd been there plenty of times. Ty glanced at Cricket's Mom, wondering how such a "fat-assed" broad could have so fine a daughter? Cricket's mother attempted to make small talk. "I heard your game on the radio, Ty. You done good. What college are you thinkin' on goin' to? Maybe you can go straight to the pros?" She didn't even disguise her desire to hook her daughter up with the potential star. There was no doubt in Ty's mind that she saw it as a way out of their circumstances. Fortunately Ty's response was obviated by the sudden entrance of her daughter into the room. "Hello Ty," Cricket said softy. Ty gasped. He had to close his mouth to keep from drooling. "Damn. Ooops! Sorry Mrs. Allen. You look fine, girl," he complimented her. Cricket was slightly embarrassed, and her mom gave him a disapproving look for his language. The Allens were a god-fearing, church-going family, and the mild profanity was inappropriate. Ty knew that as soon as it left his mouth, thus, his apology. "Ready to go?" he tried to reverse course. "Actually, I've still got to change my clothes," she said sweetly. "I hope you don't mind waiting a little longer." Cricket saw the disappointed look on her boyfriend's face. He liked her outfit. However she didn't want him to like it enough to remove it from her body! That was not the effect she was striving for. She'd failed miserably. Nevertheless Cricket laughed, and told him, "Just kidding. I'm ready." Ty just let out a sigh of relief, took her hand into his, and then spirited her away to Jake's little party. ********** The sweethearts arrived at Jake's house a short time later. Ty prayed, as he and Cricket walked hand in hand to the front door, that Jake was right. He hoped that Jake's parents weren't at home. He'd been over to the house a couple times in the last few months. Ty still got the impression, after all of this time, and after all of his athletic glory, that Jake's parents didn't approve of him as Jake's friend. They never actually said anything. It was the way they looked at him as a criminal. Ty wondered again, offhandely, if their reaction was one of the reasons Jake remained his friend. Jake's friendship to a black jock, and his poor black girlfriend, clearly irritated his parents. Nah, Ty decided. Jake probably just considered it to be one of the fringe benefits of their friendship. The mountain of a man noticed that Cricket looked a little nervous, as they stood outside the front door. He grinned to reassure her that everything was okay. He knew that the petite girl had only been to Jake's place once before. It was shortly after Kristi introduced her to the clique. Ty recalled Cricket telling him that she wasn't comfortable going to Jake's house. She seemed to feel that a poor black girl just didn't belong in a rich white boy's house. She felt SO out of place there. That was a couple of weeks ago. Ty had hoped that she'd gotten over her discomfort, but now that clearly wasn't so. All of those feelings were rushing back, despite the close friendship of the clique. "Common. Enjoy yourself," he told her. "Lighten up. I promise that nothing bad will happen in there. We all want you to be here." The thoughtful and considerate youth gave his date a kiss, which seemed to lighten her mood. "I'll be fine," she said a moment later. "Besides, Kristi will be here." Then, as if to show how confident she was, Cricket depressed the doorbell with her sculpted fingernail. The door swung open and Jake stood there, a wide grin on his handsome face. Kristi stood right behind him, with a can of diet Coke in her hand. "C'mon in," he invited, gesturing with a simple hand motion. "We can use the living room." Jake led the way, as the other three followed close behind. They all settled comfortably into the living room, and Jake, the perfect host asked the ultimate question. "Anybody want a beer?" Cricket hesitated for just a moment. The others were all going to have one, so she relented with a fetching nod of her head. Jake smirked evilly once everybody had a drink in hand. "I've bought something new I thought we could all try out." "What is it THIS time?" Ty sighed. "Another video game?" "Nah. It's something a little less high tech, but a lot more exciting," Jake promised. He got up from his chair, went into a corner, picked up the wooden box, and returned to the coffee table. He sat the game down in the center of the table, and then undid a latch on top. The host paused dramatically before he continued, "The guy who sold it to me told me that it was a one of a kind. It's an antique... a pornographic antique game!" Kristi blushed, while Ty chuckled. "You're kidding? Right?" Kristi giggled, looking down at the game. "Well...." Jake paused. ".... he never really said the word 'porn'... He kind of suggested it." Ty groaned. Everybody else remained silent, awaiting some type of explanation. Jake finally took the hint. "I hadn't really looked at it myself. I was waiting for all of you before I checked it out." "Let's get going then," Ty remarked, while inwardly wondering what kind of stupid thing Jake had got them into. He hoped it wasn't as lame as it sounded. Then again, if it really was some sort of porn game... it would have... possibilities. Ty changed his mind as soon as Jake spread open the lid, and he got a good look at the board. The game appeared sort of boring, although it was rather well made. Jake pulled out one of the little figurine playing pieces, cradling it in his hand. It was the little silver metal man. He carefully placed into the closest light colored circle. "I've got my piece," he told the other players. "This is a game for couples so we should stay with the correct color scheme." Kristi immediately snapped up the silver metal woman, setting it in the circle on her corner of the board. That left the gold figures for Ty and Cricket. Ty had no intention of using a female playing piece, so he grabbed the tiny golden man. Cricket cautiously placed the remaining figurine in the closest circle. Jake repeated all of the "clues" that were given to him by the old man about the nature of the game. He pulled out a small stack of cards, and shuffled them without looking at their contents. "What kind of questions are on those cards," asked Cricket nervously. She REALLy didn't want any questions of a sexual nature. She was REALLY trying to avoid that subject around Ty. "I don't know... only that they are personal. Let's keep it a surprise," Jake replied. He place the cards in a small wooden tray on the edge of the board, which was their obvious intended place. "What's in here?" Kristi questioned further, while opening the red velvet pouch. She removed the contents with one graceful motion, and held them out for all to see. There was a single hand-carved dice, that was made of ivory or marble. There were also four gold rings resting neatly in her palm. The rings were designed to look like knotted ropes. "These are kinda cute!" she remarked, handing one to each of her fellow players. The rings were a new, unexpected, element to the game, so the host checked the printed rules on the lid. "It says that we each have to put on a ring." He held his ring up to emphasize before continuing with the dissertation, "We roll the dice, and then pick a card after each roll. Only by answering the question on the card, can we move our piece forward. The first to the center wins the first round. Then we start the next part." Jake frowned, then wondered aloud, "First round? Next part?" He shook his head and chuckled. "Well... the guy that sold it to me said that there was more to it. I have no idea what it is!" Jake looked closely at his ring. He noticed that Kristi wore hers around her finger, and it fit her just right. He shrugged casually, slipping his own ring into place. It fit TOO perfectly, almost as if made just for him. Ty and Cricket followed suit. Jake, the gamesmaster, announced, once everybody had their rings on, "Alright. Let's roll to see who goes first." The order of play was established a minute later. Ty went first, followed by Kristi, Jake and finally Cricket. "Momma needs a new pair a shoes," Ty joked as he rolled the die onto the board. It bounced twice, then came to a rest on the 2. "Oh man," Ty groaned, "I shoulda' got a six!" Everybody was starting to get into the spirit of the game. Kristi excitedly blurted, "Draw a card already. I want to see what kind of dumb questions they ask?" "Yeah. Hurry up, Mr. Star Running Back. You move a lot faster on the field," Jake urged him. "All right, already," Ty grimaced, feigning actual hurt. Ty picked up the top card from the stack, turned it over, and read aloud, "Describe in detail, the first time that you ever...." He paled as much as his dark skin would allow. The true nature of the type of questions they would be asked was apparent to all. Ty was but the first victim. He looked embarrassed enough to prove it. Kristi urged him to finish. ".... first time you ever had sex," he finally managed. It drew some laughs from his friends, but none from Cricket. Ty looked over at the distraught Cricket, who asked in barely a whisper, "Do the rules say what happens if we refuse to answer?" "No," Jake stated firmly after checking the rules. "There is no mention. I guess that isn't an option." "Well then," Ty asserted confidently. "I ain't talking!" Unfortunately, less than a second later, and to the surprise of everyone, Ty did exactly that. He started talking. It was like he wouldn't shut. Nobody was more shocked than the man himself! "It was with Denise Jackson from my history class. She'd just broken up with Malcolm Lawrence 'cause he was cheatin' on her. She was pretty pissed off. Well, I asked her for a date, figuring to catch her on the rebound. She grabbed me and practically dragged me to the broom closet in the school hallway." Ty wanted to stop talking, since this was far too embarrassing. He tried to stop, but couldn't. Try as he might, his mouth kept right on talking as if he were compelled to do so. He told them all about how he'd shot his load instantly, before Denise even got her clothes off. Ty told them about how Denise was so pissed. She was so angry that she took a wad of his cum, and smeared it across his face with her fingers. She left the closet, but not before calling him an immature "Little Boy." She won't talk to him to this day. It was THE most humiliating experience of his young life. Now they all knew! Ty saw that his friends just staring at him when the compulsion to talk released him. Cricket, in particular, looked embarrassed. "Jeez man...." Jake gasped, obviously startled by Ty's embarrassing story. He was stunned by Ty apparent eagerness to admit after saying that he wouldn't talk. That wasn't the only odd thing. Ty's eyes noticed that his golden figurine was moving of its own volition. "Holy shit," he exclaimed, while everybody watching the little figurine slide two spaces then stop. "How'd it do that?" Ty tried to pick the piece up, to check for magnets or something. He figured that Jake had lied about the game being an antique. All he found was figurine stubbornly stuck to the board. The game piece refused to budge, and it was as if it were carved from the same piece of wood as the board itself. "Fuck!" he swore. The others tried moving their pieces from their respective starting circles, to no avail. They all met with the same results as Ty. The figurines refused to budge. "I don't think I like this game," Cricket said, eyeing it nervously. "It's too damned weird." Jake agreed, but he refused to admit it. "It's just a game," he told them, then he reminded Kristi, "It's your turn." The host now understood the danger of the game. He liked this. Jake imagined what kind of thing his girlfriend would be asked to tell. She glared at him, but picked up the die from the board anyway. "Here goes nothing." It came up with a 5, causing Ty to groan a little more. Kristi grinned smugly at him. "Ha!" she triumphed, then drew a card. Kristi read, "What is your most erotic sexual fantasy?" She looked slightly embarrassed, but Jake was nearly drooling. "Men!" she whispered under her breath. She's tell him something that would horrify him! Kristi found herself saying against her will: "Lying in a pile of silk cushions, dressed in wispy silks. I'm with three naked, big, muscular men. They are kissing each of my breasts, licking and playing with my nipples, while the third one eats me out. Oh, God! They are bringing me to orgasm after orgasm. They are sticking their huge cocks into me over and over. The men are filling me completely... like never before." Kristi was breathless by the time she finished. You could have sworn that she was having an orgasm just by indulging in the fantasy. She blushed deeply when it dawned upon her what she'd just confessed. It was her most secret fantasy. That WASN'T what she intended to say. Kristi no idea what came over her to make her admit it. She'd never even told Jake about that one. "Wow," Jake commented finally. Ty smirked. He had to say something as well, but Cricket elbowed him in the ribs. That was enough to keep him mute. The smirk stayed. The players watched Kristi's piece, like Ty's, was moving on its own. None of them uttered a single word. After a minute, Jake vocalized what the were all thinking. It was his thought back in the store where he bought the game. "This is just like the game in the movie, 'Jumanji.' The only thing missing is the animals." "Yeah," quipped the other guy, "unless you have a fantasy about sex with animals." THAT was a sobering thought! "Anyway, it looks harmless enough. It's just like truth ot dare, like the old man said. Let's keep playing." "Harmless?" shrieked Kristi. "How can you say that? You didn't have to answer a question yet. That wasn't what I wanted to say at all. Something forced me to say what was really on my mind. It was freaky!" "You too?" added Ty. "I thought I was just imagining it. There's something wrong with this game. I don't know if we should go any further. I don't like this." Cricket nodded in the affirmative. She wanted this thing to end before it got to them. Jake was the dissenting voice. "Let's at least complete one round. We can always stop after that if we want to. Besides, it wouldn't be fair to you two if Cricket and I didn't admit something embarrassing. All we have to do is make a pact that whatever is said here doesn't go beyond these walls." Both Ty and Kristi liked the idea of equality in this embarrassing game. They quickly agrred to the promise in order to hear what Jake and Cricket had to answer. Cricket slowly relented, "I promise too." Everybody could tell that she REALLY didn't want to do this. However, they were all in this together. "I promise too," muttered Jake. "I guess it's my turn now." Jake rolled a four. He quietly drew a card, but bravely read it aloud. "Who is the person that you most greatly desire to have sex with?" Kristi looked smug and blew on her fingernails, expecting the obvious answer. Jake HAD to name her. In fact, Jake tried to name Kristi. The name "Michelle Phillips" slipped from his lips instead. "WHAT?!" Kristi demanded, shocked and insulted. "That stuck up bitch?" Jake just gaped, and tried to protest, "But...." It had no effect. Michelle Phillips was the last person he should have said, but they now knew the rule of the compulsion. Now that it was said, Jake realized it was true. He did want her... bad. Unfortunately, she and Kristi were bitter rivals in school. They hated enemies. The expression on Kristi's face spoke volumes. Jake sighed in defeat, knowing that he wouldn't get laid from his admission. Now he knew the consequences of this infernal game. Again, his piece moved forward four spaces of its own violation. A sulking Jake paid it little attention this time. "Your turn, Sweetness," Ty told Cricket, in a futile effort to change the subject. She her familiar shy smile, then rolled the die. Cricket's roll came a two. The petite black girl drew her card ever so slowly. Cricket blushed, but read anyway. "Who was the first person you ever had sex with?" Ty's eyes were riveted to her, while Jake just grinned. He already guessed that Ty would be named. After all, Ty had told him all about how good she was in bed. Ty was eager to find out something... anything... about his girlfriend's sexual past. She'd been so secretive up until now. Cricket said, to everyone's astonishment, "No one. I've never had sex before." She looked down in humiliation, for NOBODY likes to admit they are a virgin, even as her piece moved forward on it's own. "But...." Jake attempted to ask about Ty's story, only to have Kristi kick him in the shin. It prompted a painful "Ow" from her boyfriend, yet otherwise produced the silence that she desired. It turned out that the blonde had some compassion for her sidekick after all. She'd effectively quelled a painful admission about her boyfriend's stories. A quick discussion ensued, and the foursome decided to go on for another round. "Um... your turn Ty," Cricket spoke up. Ty nodded, rolled the die, and drew his card. He read it aloud as before, only to find himself describing one of HIS fantasies. He described in lurid detail, his fantasy of having Cricket give him a slow blow job, and swallowing it. He felt that he was going to die. Though he tried to stop, he just couldn't. Cricket gasped and paled during the entire description. She refused to look at him when he'd finished. "Sorry," he apologized, then looked away. He'd greatly embarrassed himself once again. That was enough for one of the players, albeit the player everybody assumed would be the least offended. "Well. I'm not playing this anymore," Kristi announced firmly. She started to get up, adding, "I'm not going to answer any more of those questions." Cricket and Jake both nodded faintly in agreement. However, as Kristi tried to move away from the board, she found herself completely unable to do so. Her muscles betrayed her, forcing her to sit back down once more. "Wha... ?" she exclaimed in confusion. She stared at the die. "I can't get up!?!" "I can't either," Cricket confirmed. Ty and Jake tried as well, yet the both ended up admitting they too couldn't move. None of the players could move more than several feet from the board. "We're stuck," Ty confessed dumbly. It simply echoed what the others were thinking. They all tried again in vain. It was Cricket who logically suggested, "This game is obviously doing it. Maybe we just have to finish the game. Maybe that's what it wants." Kristi snorted. "That's stupid." "No," Jake considered the reasoning slowly, "I don't think it is. I think that Cricket has a point. We have to finish the game." They stared blankly at each other, then at the game board. The players finally agreed that it was worth a shot. They'd finish the game, but their promises would still hold. Nobody could tell an outsider what was revealed inside the room. They agreed to keep an open mind, and to not hold any answer against the player who says it. They promised to openly discuss ANY shocking admission... after the game was over. Kristi sighed, their pact complete. She wordlessly picked up the die for her roll. Kristi took her turn, then Jake went. Slowly, the turns mounted, as did the escalating questions (and answers) about sex. The figurines went around the board, moving ever closer to the center. The feeling of dread began to lift as the gold and silver game pieces neared the raised middle circle. The end of the game was close at hand! The blonde cheerleader was in the lead, needing merely 2 more spaces reach the goal. Cricket and Ty followed closely behind with four spaces to go. Jake was last, at six spaces to go. Kristi's turn came around again, and with it a chance to end the game from Hell once and for all. Many secrets were revealed this night. Each players secretly wondered if their clique as well as the individual relationships between its members, could survive this trial? Only Jake and Ty's friendship seemed to have come through this intact. Still, the Head Cheerleader was about as competitive as they come, so she glanced at the others smugly. "This should do it," she crowed. "All I need is a two to win." "Get on with it already," Jake snapped, annoyed at being in last place. "Let's get this thing over with!" His girlfriend just stuck out her tongue at him, in humorous defiance, and rolled the dice. She eagerly anticipated her win, although dreaded the card she'd have to draw. Kristi exclaimed, "SHIT!!" rather vocally when the die stopped on the number one. "Such language from a lady," Ty teased her. If anything, Kristi's responses to the explicit question proved that she was NOT a lady. Jake learned much more about her sexual past than he ever cared to know. Cricket smiled as well. She'd come through this ordeal lightly. Kristi had gotten the worst of the questions by a wide margin, and she was thankful that the game would probably end before her turn came up again. "Well go on. Draw a card," urged last place Jake. "Easy for you to say," Kristi snapped. "You probably won't have to do it again." She quickly grabbed a card from the top of the pile, then glared at everyone before she read it. "Have you ever faked an orgasm during sex, and if so, describe the last time that you did so." Cricket giggled, in spite of herself, and, in a quiet voice whispered, "I guess that one's for girls only." Kristi sighed, "Yes I have." She didn't want to say what come next, but knew by this point in the game she didn't have a choice. "The night before last, when Jake and I were making out on my living room couch." "Oooh," Ty teased Jake, especially after seeing the pained expression on his best friend's face, "that's gonna' leave a mark! I guess you aren't the red hot Cassanova you thought." Kristi couldn't bring herself to look Jake in the eyes. She settled for watching her figurine move one space forward. "Shut up pre-mature ejaculation boy," Jake returned the volley. They all broke out laughing... even Kristi. The worst was over, and the clique was back together again. Your turn buddy," snickered Ty. Jake just grunted and rolled. To everyone's surprise, the die landed on a six, prompting Jake to grin widely. "All right!" he exclaimed excitedly. "And the game is over. The winnah and NEW champion!" Unfortunately, he found that he still couldn't leave. "I guess I've still got to do the card thing." A quick draw and a moment later, Jake read, "What was your most embarrassing sexual moment?" Jake groaned achingly, then told the story of the gorgeous Laurie McPhellan. He'd finally managed to talk her into having sex with him. He creamed in his pants before they could even do anything. To add injury to insult, he couldn't get it back up again. "Shit," Ty offered sympathetically. He would know. The girls both giggled, so Jake knew his face was bright red. He suspected that he'd been blushing non-stop since the game had begun. For once, he actually envied Ty his dark skin. Speaking of Ty, he couldn't resist taking the final shot, "Now who's pre- mature ejaculation boy?" They all watched Jake's figurine slowly slide down the board, until it entered the raised light colored circle in the middle. It stopped. "I win!" Jake bragged proudly. Everyone sighed in relief that the game was finally over. Kristi tried to put the pieces away, only to discover that the figurines were still stuck in place. Something else seemed wrong, although none of them could put a finger on exactly what it was. "I-I don't like this," Cricket stammered. "N-not at all." Ty suddenly pointed to the center of the board, where there was an ethereal green glow. It emanated directly underneath Jake's piece. "Um... guys?" he breathed, drawing their attentions. The green glow in the center of the board intensified, filling up the entire circle. The glow was gone as rapidly as it came. So was Jake's figurine. The light colored circle in the center of the board was now replaced by a dark metal arrow, sitting on a spinner. "Fuck me!" Ty managed, while staring in surprise. They all stared at it for a moment. Jake's game piece had actually transformed into the arrow, and fused with the center mound to form a spinner. Such things just weren't possible. Jake touched it nervously, feeling a tingle along his fingertip. "I wonder what it's for?" he asked, not paying attention as Cricket repeated the old man's clue about the spinner. That refreshed Jake's memory. He spun it, since the arrow was obviously meant for spinning. Around and around the arrow went, before it began to slow down. Finally, the arrow came to a in such a position that it was stop, pointing directly at Cricket. Kristi joked, "What? Is this spin the bottle now?" The intense green glow returned, ten times brighter than before, before a