Arthur Taylor, such a horrible name, isn't it? A name I'm stuck with for life. Mum could've called me something cool like, I dunno, Clark, Bruce, Peter, Barry. Yes, I am listing off super heroes names, but only because she gave me the crappiest one! Arthur! You know, Aquaman's name! Who likes Aquaman!? 

I shook my head in frustration then began to wonder why my mind started thinking about something as silly as my name. I have much bigger things to be worrying about. 

I reverse away from my desk then push myself towards my bed. 

Yeah, I'm in a wheelchair. It's the first and last thing people seem to notice about me, and I hate that. I'm so much more than that guy in the chair! 

The reason I'm in this stupid thing is because I have serious pain in my feet and legs, which the doctors still haven't diagnosed. And also because I lose consciousness a lot of the time. Mum and I call it ‘dozing off’, cause it's like I'm asleep, but I'm really not. And it's not narcolepsy because I can hear and feel everything going on around me. Confusing, right? 

I painfully transfer from my chair to my bed then roll onto my side. 

I really wish I didn't have all these things wrong about me. I was perfectly able five years ago. I could run, jump, go to school, do anything. But now my pain and dozing off are in the way, and I hate that. 

I can't even go to school anymore, well, I guess I'd be in college now. My old school isn't accessible for wheelchairs at all. There's literally one ramp in the entire school, and there are lifts, but no one would ever let you use them. God knows why. 

Mum went through a lot of hassle getting me out of school, and they still get on her case about it. But it's not her fault! They should have made more to make the school able to have me! 

I did hear about a load of schools that are for people with disabilities, but they were ages away, and Mum doesn't have a car. She can't afford one. They can do transport for people like me, but of course we didn't get that. They think we're lying about our troubles, who on earth would do such a thing? 

I huff then force my eyes closed as I hug my pillow. 

I hardly slept last night, thinking about all this. I'm so bored at home, I hardly ever get out of the house. The only life I have is on the computer as The Dark Swipe. 

I smile weakly, my eyes still closed as I imagine how cool it would be to take on his role as an anti hero. A bit like Batman, but with actual powers and special abilities. 

That'd be awesome… 

I fell asleep surprisingly easily, until I was rudely awakened by the joker laugh ringtone on my phone. 

Ugh… Who on earth is calling me!? 

I roll over then reach out for my bedside table, where my phone was vibrating. 

I hit answer then hold it to my ear whilst shielding my eyes from the sun, which was beaming through my window. 

“Hello?” I mumble. 

“Hey, man, whatcha up to?” Dennis says casually. 

My eyes widen in shock. 

Dennis? We haven't spoken since that fight we had last year. Why is he calling up all of a sudden, being so friendly? 

“Um, Dennis, why are you calling me?” I ask awkwardly. 

There was a slight pause. “Why not? You are my best bro.” 

I furrow my brows then shift on the bed so I sat up. “Your best bro? The same guy you said was useless ever since he had to be in a chair?” I say shortly, throwing his words back in his face. 

I hear him sigh. “Yeah, that was really bad of me to say, and I really regret that. Can I come over and apologise in person? And before you say no, I promise to not take the mick out of you, and I have something really important to tell you.”

I purse my lips. 

I would say no way, but now I'm really curious. This is the most exciting thing that's happened in my life for months. The last thing that actually happened in my life was when I finally got my hands on StormOCrash. The best game ever. Fullstop. 

“Okay, but-” 

“Yes! Do you still live at CherryTree?” He cuts off excitedly. 

“No, we finally got a bungalow, so we moved to Porters Way. I can text you the address. But-”

He cut me off again, making me sigh. 

He's terrible for doing that. It's a really annoying trait. 

“Awesome! I'm at Dean's, and he literally lives across the road. Convenient, huh? Give me the door number, I'll run over.”

My face falls. 

Crap, I thought I'd have time to clean my room before he comes. The living room will have to do. 

“Um, number 13, but, Dennis-”

“See ya in a sec!” 

He hung up. I let out a big sigh then lift myself back into my wheelchair. I set my phone on my lap then strap myself in. 

Mum will go mental if I don't do it. To be honest, it stops me from falling out of the wheelchair when I doze off, but I just feel like a baby in a pram. And I hate that. 

After securing the ones around my chest, I wheel myself out of my room, awkwardly shutting the door behind me. 

Mum's at work at the moment, and she won't be back ‘till late tonight. Thankfully, she premade me some curry so I can reheat it for dinner. I've got microwave rice to go with it. 

As I grow closer to the front door, I feel really nervous. 

The only people I talk to are online, and I have to deal with them talking trash and being salty. At least I can just mute them or leave the party. I can't do that in real life. If only… 

Dennis was the only friend I managed to keep from school last year. Everyone else just laughed and looked down their noses at me. But I've always thought that the reason he snapped at me was because people started to bully him for being friends with me. I still hope that's the case. 

Obviously, I don't want him to be bullied. But it's easier to accept that, compared to him hating my disability. And to be honest, he wouldn't be the only one to hate it. My disabilities are at the top of my ‘hate’ list. 

The doorbell rings as I approach it. I take a deep shaky breath then unlock the door. 

After backing up to open it, Dennis stands there with a massive grin on his face. 

He's much taller than I remember. His light brown hair is longer, too, but the sides of his head are shaved. The longer middle portion slicked back with a ton of gel. 

“Hey, man, it's been too long, but I'm to blame for that.” He exclaims.

I force a smile, but then feel myself staring into space. 

Aw, crap. Don't doze off now! 

Then bang, my head drops, my arms fall limp, and my eyes clamp down shut. 

I never feel when it is coming. But there are times where I stare into space like that, and normally I do doze off right after. 

Strangely, I don't sense panic from Dennis. He's not trying to shake me awake or scream my name, or call an ambulance. 

He hasn't seen this happen to me before, I don't understand why he's so calm. 

I feel him place my hands on my lap and gently move my head to my shoulder so it rests on it rather than hanging down. Which I'm thankful for. 

It's always so uncomfortable when I go, it's nice for someone to help me be more comfortable. But it's also really weird. I only started dozing off about eight months ago, way after our argument. 

I hear him walk around, then a soft material tucks around my arms. I think he's tucking a blanket around me. 

“Are you seriously alone here?” He mutters. I gulp.

Mum doesn't like leaving me, but she needs to work, otherwise we'll be homeless and starving. 

He shuts the door quietly then pushes me into what I think is the living room. 

“Right, don't freak out, Arthur, I'm going to call someone who can help. I know you can hear me, so try not to panic.” He tries to assure me, just leaving me even more puzzled. 

How does he know? And who's he gonna call? No one, not even a doctor can help me come out of it. It just happens. I can be out for hours sometimes. 

“Hey, Eve- No! Don't hang up, this is important! I know I messed up, but I can make it up to you…” His voice trails off as he walks away. Now I'm a bit scared. 

What is going on…? I know I said I wanted more to happen in my life, but not whatever the hell this is! 

I groan then force my eyes open. I'm finally coming out of it! Yes! 

Dizziness attacks me as I lift my head, and my hands ache from being clenched into fists. 

I don't know why, but my hands do that when I'm out. 

Pulling the blanket down from my arms, I then wheel myself towards the back door, where Dennis is standing with a grin on his face. “No, I promise I won't screw this up!”

He hangs up his phone then turns to look at me. He seems nervous now. “Oh, you came out of that quick.” He says with a forced laugh. 

The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

“How do you even know about that, Dennis?” I question. 

He sighs then scratches the back of his head. “Long story, man… Where's your mum or carer?” He asks, conveniently changing the subject. 

“Mum's at work, and the carer is next door.” I lie. Well, half lie. 

Mum is at work, but I don't have a carer. I've never had one. Mum will get in a lot of trouble if someone found out I was here alone. Again, we have no choice. Mum hasn't got the money. 

He raises an eyebrow at me, as if he knows I'm lying. I gulp then turn and push myself into the living room. 

“Well, isn't the whole reason they're paid is to keep an eye on you?” He remarks. 

I can't question that logic. He's completely right.

“You haven't got one, have you?” He continues to question. 

My head bows as panic spreads through my chest. I'm about to doze off again. Anxiety is the worst trigger for it. 

“Why do you care all of a sudden?” I grumble, fighting to keep my eyes open. 

“I've always cared. I just didn't realise you weren't being looked after here, but that can change.”

My face screws up in confusion. 

What's he on about? 

I manage to lift my head slightly to look at him, but it quickly fell forward again. 

Argh… this is so frustrating… 

“I can help you get out of here, Arthur, actually have a life!” He exclaims. 

I scowl. “You're insane, Dennis, living in a dream world!”

He laughs really hard, puzzling me. “Wow, if only you knew how close to the truth you really are!” 

I shake my head in disbelief. 

He's insane. He always has been.

“Look, Arthur, I'm gonna be truthful here, I know why you faint like that. And it's gonna be one hell of an explanation, so prepare yourself.”

I pull a face. 

He knows? That's impossible. Even the most qualified doctors don't have a clue! 

I try my hardest to lift my head up. It won't budge. 

Argh… I just wanna look up! Why is that so hard!? 

“Right, where do I start…? Oh, I'll start with myself. You know when I stopped seeing you and wouldn't contact you? That's because I was going through the same crap you are now. I didn't know who I was, until I met this chick called Eve. You with me so far?”

My jaw drops. 

He was…? How is that possible…? 

“We're called Surfers, man, we're not human!” He stresses. I laugh in disbelief. 

Wow, now he's definitely talking a load of BS!

“Ha, ha, laugh it up! Man, it's true! I can prove it!” 

He rushes over then grabs my left hand and holds it tightly, like we were about to arm wrestle. 

I finally manage to lift my head. I gasp when I don't feel sleepy or spaced out at all! 

I send him a wide-eyed stare, then look at our hands. 

It was like our veins were glowing a deep blue, pulsing with each heartbeat. 

Whoa! That is NOT normal! 

“This is called Pulseless. You can't travel to the other dimension without doing this. The reason you pass out is because you've never done this with someone.” He states, leaving me speechless. 

Another dimension…? This is getting beyond insane… 

Suddenly, someone pounds their fists against the front door, scaring the life out of me. Dennis breathes a sigh of relief, releases my hand, then he rushes over to open it. “That should be Eve. Don't panic, she can be alright sometimes.” 

Sometimes!? Who the hell is he letting into MY home!? 

He pulls the door open, and a blonde haired lady marches inside. She had a lot of makeup on, and is smothered in tattoos, and wearing a leather outfit, like she's cosplaying as Catwoman or something. 

She looks down her nose at me, eyeing my wheelchair with disgust. I narrow my eyes at her. 

I don't like her already. 

“What's with the chair?” She spits as she kicks the wheel. 

Dennis rolls his eyes. “The chair is ‘cause of the Fazing out. You know, like I had?” 

She shrugs carelessly then begins to question me. “So, wheelchair boy, how long you been Fazing out?” She questions, deeply offending me. 

Wheelchair boy? Does she have any manners at all!? 

“I don't know what that means, and my name is Arthur.” I snap, quite bravely. 

Wow, that's so unlike me, but nothing that's happening right now is normal! 

She just rolls her eyes at me and gestures towards the hallway to the bedrooms. “Okay, Arthur, pack some things, then.”

I furrow my brows, completely confused. Dennis raises an eyebrow at her. “He has got a mum, you know, we can't just cart him off.” He states, escalating my panic. 

Cart me off!? Do they plan on taking me somewhere!? 

“No way. Sorry, Dennis, but this is crazy, and I'm not going anywhere.” I stress then begin to push myself towards the front door to lead them out. Sadly, that nasty girl Eve has other ideas. 

She yanks at the handles on the back of my chair, pulling me back. I gasp in horror. 

What is wrong with her!? 

“What is your problem!? And who are you anyway!?” I demand. 

She kisses her teeth, annoying me, then crosses her arms. “Eve, commander of Disruled, a rogue group of Surfers. If you don’t want to get on my bad side, I’d go pack some things to join us.” 

Gobsmacked, I take a while to respond as my mind runs wild. 

What!? I'm not going anywhere with this insane woman! She's a gang leader by the sounds of it! 

“I'm not joining your gang. Can you please leave?” I say awkwardly. 

She laughs at me then shakes her head. Dennis sighs. “It's not a gang, Arthur, trust me, you won't regret joining. We're a big family, we all look out for each other and do some work, which means you get paid a lotta dough.” He pleads. 

I laugh very nervously. “You're describing a gang. Look, I have no idea about what the hell is going on right now, and my mum will be home any second now, so you better leave.” I threaten, trying to sound confident. 

Yeah, Mum isn't coming home any time soon, but they don't know that! What other choices do I have to get them to leave!?

Eve laughs harder at my weak attempt. “Really? Your human mum will kick our superhero asses out of here?” She remarks. 

She's got a point… Even though I still find it hard to believe… 

Suddenly, at that moment, a miracle began! I spot Mum walking up the pathway, and hastily point in her direction. 

"Look, you better run." I warn. 

She rolls her eyes for the hundredth time. "Keep an eye on him, Dennis, keep me updated." She orders then disappears into thin air, leaving me stunned. 

Whoa! How the hell!? How!? 

I send Dennis my baffled look, he shrugs with a chuckle. "Crazy shit, right?" 

I shake my head in disbelief. 

Just a bit… Did I fall asleep earlier? Am I dreaming this crazy crap?

Mum enters in a state. That's when I realise the door is still wide open. I quickly push myself into her view, she breathes a massive sigh of relief, holding her hand to her heart. 

"Arthur! You nearly gave me a heart attack!" She gasps. 

"I'm so sorry! I didn't realise it was still open." I stress, waving my hands in panic. 

With her initial shock passing, her eyes narrow towards me. "Why was it open in the first place!? I've told you before, it's not safe for you to answer the door!" She exclaims in anger. I gulp, unsure of how to respond. 

I can hardly tell her what actually happened… This is ridiculous. 

Dennis hastily shuffles into view, sending Mum a nervous wave. Extremely taken aback, she looks at him with wide eyes. "Sorry about that, Miss Taylor, I left it open. Silly me." He forces a not so confident grin. 

Mum is clearly still baffled. "Dennis?" She then looks back over at me, rudely pointing at him. "Isn't he the one who called you a retard?" She demands. 

I wince from hearing that word, quickly shaking my head. "No, that was Daniel. Dennis is the one I had a falling out with a year ago. He called me apologising and asked to come over." I tell her. 

Not convinced, Mum stares him down. This doesn't really bother Dennis, he really can't read the room, as I remember. 

"I know you're desperate for a friend, Arthur, but that doesn't mean you just trust him again." She scolds. 

My cheeks flush from the humiliation. "Mum." I complain. "He's not Daniel, trust me, I wouldn't want to be anywhere near him. Dennis is just trying to be nice and admit what he said was wrong, which is a hell of a lot more than any other person has done." 

Dennis' brow raises. He seems pleasantly surprised to hear that. 

Mum's lips press into a thin line. She examines my expression closely before huffing and grabbing her coat she must have left behind. "I need to get back to work, so you." She wags her finger at Dennis. "Don't say anything to upset my little boy, otherwise you'll regret it." She seethes before turning on her heel to leave, slamming the door behind her. 

Oh, my god, she didn't just say that!

I facepalm hard. Dennis laughs his head off, placing a hand on my shoulder. "It's alright, man, mums are embarrassing."

He's not wrong there.

"You've got a hell of a lot of explaining to do. So you better start now." I practically order. He continues to chuckle and makes himself comfortable on the sofa. 

I raise a brow and push myself next to the chair. "Make yourself at home." I quip, gesturing at his feet up on the coffee table and his slouched back. 

He rolls his eyes, begrudgingly removing his feet from the table with a pout. "So, what do you wanna ask first?" 

"What did you call your kind?" I ask, still in utter disbelief that I was asking such a thing. 

"Our kind." He corrects, causing my eyes to widen. 

Why didn't I even consider that? What he was saying before, I can't have been taking it in properly. Granted, it is ridiculous. 

I must've been staring into space, because the sound of a click brings me back to reality. 

Huh, what? 

I look up to find Dennis standing over me, undoing the strap around my shoulders and gently moving my arms out of them.

I stare at him with a mix of awe and confusion. And even more so when he scoops me up into his arms and sits me on the comfy sofa. 

Whoa…

He notices me staring and flexes his non-existent muscles, causing me to burst into a fit of laughter. He pouts as I struggle to hold in my natural laugh. "I'm strong! Lifting you just proved it!" He complains. My eyes widen, and my natural laugh slips its way out. 

"I'm not fat, nowhere near!" I cry, not even offended. This is hilarious, I can't remember the last time I was this happy.

He groans dramatically, falling onto the sofa beside me. With a cheeky smirk, I ruffle his gelled hair to wind him up, only to bother myself. 

Ew! It feels awful! 

I stare at my hand in disgust, and he takes this opportunity to turn the tables and laugh at me. "Nice try. It's clearly booby trapped." He taunts, jumping up from his seat to pass me a tissue from the TV stand to wipe my hand. 

I gladly reach out to take the tissue, which he doesn’t allow. He wipes my hand himself then stands to bin it. A blush invades my cheeks. 

"Next question?" He urges as he takes his seat back next to me. 

"I don't think you answered the first one." I pointed out. 

Realisation hit his face. "Ah, yeah, we're called Surfers. We can travel between this dimension, and the one our kind is from, which is called the Paramension. Sick, right? We surf the dimensions." He explains proudly. 

Whoa… 

"What does Fazing out mean? And what was that arm wrestling thing we did again?" 

"Fazing out is when you've been in the human dimension too long. Once you hit seventeen, you gain the ability to Surf, so that's why human raised one's like us start Fazing out. It's actually illegal in Paramension law to give birth here and for the child to be raised here. Controlling bastards haven't got ties in every little thing in this dimension." He rolls his eyes as I struggle to take it all in. 

Okay, this must be real, my imagination isn't anywhere near good to think this shit up. But how is it? If all he's saying is true, does that mean Mum isn't my biological one? Or does it mean she is, and is a Surfer, too? 

"I don't know how you would know, but…" I sigh before continuing. "Is Mum a Surfer?" 

He places a comforting hand on my shoulder, his lips pursed. "No, man, otherwise she'd either be Fazing out, or leaving you for months on end. Only people incredibly high on the ladder can come and go as they please. Others have to earn permits and they get a maximum of a week's stay every six months."

Whoa, that's insane… 

I grew quiet. All the other questions I want to ask swirl around in my head, though all I can think about is who is my mum then? 

“I’m sorry, this is a lot to spring onto you. Should I come back tomorrow?” He suggests softly, breaking me out of my thoughts. 

I quickly shake my head. The last thing I want is to be alone right now.

With a sad nod in return, he wound his arm around my shoulders and gently drew me to his chest. My eyes widen a little, releasing the tears I didn’t even feel welling up. 

I’ve never been so close to Dennis before… He’s always been caring, which is why it was so hard when he ended our friendship, especially in the way he did it.

I warily wrap my arm around his waist to hug him, hoping he won’t mind. To my surprise, he shifts closer and trails the back of his free hand down my cheek, wiping my tears. My face burns brightly in embarrassment. I cry into his chest, feeling safe in his arms.