Bright rays of sunlight baked the asphalt of the park's basketball court. Heavy summer air burned the inside of Marshal’s lungs as he forced himself to keep running. The score was tied, and it was over if either team scored. Unfortunately, the other team had possession. 

A youth who was well past six foot tall dribbled his way down the court, closer and closer to the basket. However, no one on Marshal’s team looked worried. 

Bang!

All of a sudden a hand shot out and snatched the ball mid bounce. The tall yourh’s eyes widened in confusion as a blurry figure ran past him. 

“Alex has got the ball!”

“Shit, don’t let him get passed half court.”

A smile cracked on Alex’s face as he dribbled his way past a defender. Despite his slightly below average height and average build, he moved like a flash of lightning. If anyone tried to get in his way, he would break their ankles with ease. 

It wasn’t long before Marshal heard the sweet sound of the net swishing. The tension left his body as he slumped to the ground. He was absolutely gassed, but excited nonetheless. A smirk crept into his face as he listened to the post game banter between friends. 

“Damn! How’d we lose with a man up on them?”

“Alex is a beast.”

“Naw you guys just suck!”

“Shut up Sam, you didn’t make a basket all game.”

“Let’s go! That’s what I’m talking about.”

“Marshal!”

Tilting his head back, Marshal looked up to see Alex offering him a sweat covered hand. Taking it, he felt a strong force that brought him to his feet. Sometimes he could barely believe how strong his friend had gotten over the summer break. 

“Dude, you have to tell me how you got so strong,” Marshal gasped. “I mean look at me. I’m dying out here. Take pity on me and clue me in on your secret!”

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Sam’s ears twitched and he zoomed over. Looping his arm around Alex’s neck, he tried to give him a knuckle sandwich, only to have his fist blocked. 

“Get off me, Sam,” Alex said as he shoved him off and evened out his long blond hair. “Like I said before, all I really did was run and lift some weights.”

Marshal rolled his eyes and took out his phone. “I better get going. My mom told me to be back before it gets dark.”

Saying goodbye to his friends, Marshal hopped onto his bike and rode home.

 All the lights were off as he entered the house. He couldn’t help letting out a heavy sigh and went to the kitchen. 

Sure enough, a plate of microwaveable dinner sat on the dining table. Next to it was a simple note telling him to eat and go to bed early. 

“She could at least tell me when she’d be coming back,” Marshal sighed. He stuck a finger in the mashed potatoes and frowned. “Why microwave a frozen dinner that I’ll have to microwave again anyways?” 

On the way to warm up his meal, he crumpled up the note and lazily tossed it in the trash. 

He had to force himself to eat the mushy food, but felt lucky that there was at least something to eat. 

After taking a quick shower, Marshal hopped into bed and scrolled on his phone for a bit. With a yawn, he pulled up his blanket and closed his eyes. It didn’t take long for sleep to take over. 

“Ma.”

“Mar.”

“Shal.”

“Marshal.”

“Marshal!”

In a stupor, Marshal rubbed his eyes as he forced himself up. It was strange, he could have sworn he had set an alarm. Regardless, he knew he had to get up soon, or he would be late. Yet when he opened his eyes, he was met with an unfamiliar sight. 

Gentle rays of light filtered through a heavy canopy of leaves that swayed with the wind. Marshal squinted his eyes trying to recall what kind of trees they were. Each one seemed to be as large as a forty story skyscraper. They were so tall that it made sequoia trees look like saplings. 

“Is this a dream?” Marshal muttered as he felt the soft bed of plant matter that made up the forest floor. 

“Unfortunately, it isn’t.”

Recognizing the voice, Marshal craned his neck back to see Alex standing over him. He looked worse for wear, covered with small wounds and crusted blood. The worst was a long scar that started at his left shoulder and traveled all the way down to his hand. He was smiling, but his face betrayed how he really felt, haggard and afraid. 

Unease swirled in Marshal’s stomach as he kept looking around. Everything was so vivid. Whether it be the warm breeze or the smell of damp earth, this all felt so real. It was all too real to be a dream; which only increased his anxiety.

“What the hell? Dude, did you kidnap me? Where are we, and why are you hurt?” Marshal asked as he scooted away from his friend. “

Alex let out a sigh and sat next to him. “It’s kind of hard to explain. I mean in a sense I think I sort of did kidnap you, but it’s not what you think! I also wasn’t expecting this.”

“Is this some kind of prank?” Marshal asked. “Because if it is, it ain’t funny. My mom will kill me if I’m late for the first day of school.”

“Trust me, school is the last of our worries, and this isn’t some prank.” Alex said while making a large sweeping gesture. “If you need proof, look around you. Trees don’t grow this big where we’re from.”

Marshal paused as he took everything in. As far as he could tell, his friend was telling the truth. He had none of the usual tells that he would normally show when trying to bullshit. Plus he had to concede to the logic behind the last part. Nothing seemed remotely familiar. I’m fact, it looked like he had been teleported for an alien planet. 

“So, where are we?”

An expression that Marshal could only describe as a mix of fear and excitement worked its way onto Alex’s face. “This is the place where the the impossible is possible. Welcome to Parcaeland."