In the Dark

An almost indescribable storm of noise blared at Joe through the sudden pitch-blackness. He could hear the yells of terror, the rattling of the bleachers as people tried to get away, and the pounding feet on the floor of the court.

Joe also caught the sickening sound of bodies falling as people tripped in the darkness. Then came the even worse screams of pain.

It felt like a nightmare come true, and Joe had no idea how long the confusion continued. Then, at last, a calm but Finn voice rang out over the tumult. “Hold it! Hold it! This is Police Chief Collig. Remain in your seats. There’s no reason to panic. We’ve just got a power failure of some sort.”

The noise lessened as the chief continued. This time he gave orders. “Will the security guards nearest the double exit doors please open them?”

Joe heard a metallic rattle as the school security officers hit the crash bars on the emergency exit. The large double doors swung open. Though the wintry afternoon sky was fading fast into dusk, a dim light filtered into the gym.

Even Joe had to admit to feeling a little relief at the return of illumination. Now he could see the police and security guards heading toward the bleachers. Assisted by school officials, they care fully began moving the sports fans out of their seats and down to the court. Though the spectators could not see where they were going, they filed out in a more orderly way. Officers were also attempting to help those who’d been injured in the brief panic.

Chet began handing out warm-up suits to Joe and his teammates. “I can’t tell whose is whose in this light,” Chet said. “Just put ‘em on and let’s get out of here.”

Joining the thinning crowd outside, the Bombers stared back at the deserted gymnasium.

“What happened in there?” Buff Hooper won dared.

“More important, what does it mean to the game?” Tony Prito wanted to know.

“I made that last shot, just as the lights went out,” Frank said. “I heard the ball swish into the net. But I don’t know if that’s proof enough that we won the game.”

“We definitely won,” Joe said. “Only once again, something—or someone—stands in our way of the championship.”

“Hmm No lights in the school—or the parking lot,” Frank observed.

“But the streetlights are on,” Joe observed. “And those houses across the street are lit up,” he added, pointing.

“So it’s not a blackout or anything,” Frank concluded.

Joe glanced at his brother. “I don’t know about you, but I don’t plan to just stand here letting my sweat freeze.”

“Me, neither,” Frank agreed. “Let’s go.”

“Where?”

“What do we do in our own house when the lights go out?”

Joe brightened. “Check the circuit breaker?”

“That’s right,” Frank said with a nod. “Where there’s electricity, there’s got to be a circuit break er. So let’s go find it.”

Frank and Joe told their friends they’d be back and then made their way around to the side of the school. Weaving through the exiting vehicles, they picked up a flashlight from their van and headed back to the building.