Into the Shadows by Karly Kirkpatrick

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  Paivi’s first day of basketball tryouts had gone very well. She’d hit a few good shots and done everything the coaches had asked. At the end of the tryout, she was sore and all her muscles ached, but it was a good ache. She was pretty satisfied with her effort. Paivi went to bed early that night, completely worn out. Her head barely hit the pillow before she drifted off into a deep sleep.

  Suddenly, she was walking down the hallway at school. She looked down and noticed she was dressed for practice. She entered the large gym, where groups of girls were practicing out on the basketball courts. The freshman team coach, Ms. Jensen, was talking with the head coach, Mrs. Espinosa. They both turned to her as she walked up.

  “I was just telling your coach that I’m afraid we’re going to need you on varsity,” Mrs. Espinosa patted Paivi on the shoulder. “My center just quit on me. I’ve seen you play. You look perfect for the job. Now, I know it’s a lot to ask, and it’ll be rough in the beginning, getting used to the speed of varsity. Are you up for the challenge?”

  “Oh my god, yes! Of course!” Paivi could hardly get the words out; she was so excited.

  The picture changed. There was a man standing on a stage, but she couldn’t see his face. Music played and confetti fell from somewhere up above. People cheered loudly, waving signs bearing the name ‘Stevens.’

  Paivi awoke suddenly with a gasp. She rolled over and checked the clock. The neon green numbers showed 2:37. The house was still, silent and dark.

  She smiled to herself. She was going to be on varsity! She had thought she would make the freshman team, but varsity! This was unbelievable! She hugged the nearest teddy bear, Mr. Stinky. She lay back down and rolled onto her side, snuggling into her pillow. Her mind fell briefly on the other vision.

  So the jerk wins, she thought. Maybe Crystal wasn’t half wrong. Maybe the guy could at least stop the terrorists.

  Paivi pushed the thoughts to the back of her mind, closed her eyes, and drifted off into a peaceful sleep.