"Dude, that was awesome!" Liam fist-bumped Charles as he snuck behind the hedge. "Totally." Hannah smiled, and Charles hoped the twilight would hide his blush.

"Awright," Kev shouted, "Chas the Spaz comes through!"

Charles winced. "Maybe you could call me Charles?"

"Yeah, man," Liam said. "Be cool."

"Sure, man. So, what'd the creepy old dude have?" Kev snatched the bag from Charles. "Oxys?"

"Looks like Cody to me," Hannah said. "Or Bennies."

Liam grabbed one capsule and cracked it open, spilling the powder onto his student ID. "Bottoms up!" He snorted the batch. Hannah and Kev followed suit, and watching them watch him, Charles did the same. The powder stung, then burned deep between his eyes. He felt nauseous, and closed his eyes in discomfort.

One of the others moaned, Charles wasn't sure which. "Anyone else seeing purple shapes?" Hannah asked.

"Way to go, Spaz." Kev punched Charles as if between friends, but harder. Charles fell on his butt. "What are these?"

Charles opened his eyes, seeing the street through a purple filter. Lilac figures stood around them. Some were ancient, others bore horrific wounds.

You've done something foolish. The thought resounded in their heads. Sadly, you can't go back.