by Crisp, M. L.
Darryl stepped back and watched the doors being pushed against for a few moments. He walked back into the hallways of the school, and closed the door leading into the gym vestibule, and locked it.
Marla sat on one side of the library with her sister, and the other detention kids sat on the other side. Miss Carpenter sat behind the librarian desk and tried to call her parents. But there was no dial tone.
Mr. Kane entered the library, he was breathing heavy. “Miss Carpenter, Darryl and I have gotten the school locked down; he will be joining us shortly. Are the kids aware of what is going on?”
“Madison told them sir, but I haven’t allowed them to turn on the television or radio yet.”
“Ok, first, call the field house, see if any of the coaches are out there. Then start calling the parents of these children, they must be worried out of their minds.”
“I can’t get an outside line sir, I think the system must be overloaded.”
Mr. Kane sighed, “very well, just keep trying every little bit. And since we’re in this situation together, you might as well call me Tyrone.”
Miss Carpenter smiled, “alright, Tyrone it is, and you can call me Valerie.”
Mr. Kane nodded, and then stood in the middle of the room. “Attention please, I know Madison has told you generally what is going on. I’m afraid I don’t know anymore at this time. We are trying to call your parents, but so far, have not been able to get through. I will turn on the TV, and we will watch the news coverage together. Let me know if it is too much, and I will turn it off.”
Tyrone turned on the television at the media station, and the kids gathered around. The scenes of carnage startled Mr. Kane, and he almost turned it off, but the teens wanted to see what was going on. He sat beside Miss Carpenter at the desk. “Valerie, I was in Viet Nam, near the tail end of the war, I wasn’t deep in the shit or anything, pardon my French. The point is, I’ve seen a thing or two in my day, but I have never seen anything like what is going on now!”
Darryl entered the library, huffing and puffing, his bare belly hanging over his work pants. “Mr. Kane, I’ve done what I can to help out here, but I really need to be getting home to my mother.”
“Darryl, it’s up to you, but you should probably watch a little coverage of what’s going on out there first. If you still decide to leave, I understand, but we will have to figure out a way to get you out of here that won’t endanger the students in our charge.”
Darryl stood behind the students, and watched the events unfolding on television. He put his hand over his mouth. The thought of his mother at home, all alone during this terrified him.
He walked back to the desk, “sir, I’m sorry, but I have to try and get home.”
“Understood, but give me your keys, and we’ll need to find a spot that those people aren’t trying to break into.”
Darryl yanked the keys from his belt loop, and handed them to Tyrone, “I didn’t see none of those things at the doors by the band room.”
“Darryl, that’s the furthest point from the faculty parking lot, you’ll run right into them, and be right out in the open!”
“It’s the only door I saw where those things weren’t all ganged up. It’s the only chance I have sir.”
“Very well Darryl, I will escort you and lock the door behind you. Valerie, you are in charge until I return.”
Marla and Madison watched as footage of masses of bloody people swarmed the capitol building downtown. The picture got blurry, and Tess got up to adjust the antenna, “hey, Triple T, like, do you mind, I can’t see.”
Tess turned around and screamed, “don’t call me that!”
Marla smirked, “like, what are you going to do, sit on me?”
“I just might you bottle blonde bitch!”
Madison’s jaw dropped, and Marla’s smile turned upside down, “how dare you Orca, this is my real hair color!”
“Bullshit, God doesn’t even make that shade of blonde, it’s as fake as your personality and your stupid ‘valley girl‘ bullshit!”
“I know how you can prove it‘s real.” Rodney said, with a big, jowly smile across his face.
“Shut up dweeb!” Marla said, not taking her eyes off Tess.
Valerie ran over and stood between them, “please girls, knock this off! Now is not the time for this kind of behavior, just settle down.”
“Miss Carpenter, like, I just asked Triple T to move a little, her big butt was in the way of everybody, that’s all.” Marla said indignantly.
Tears streamed down Tess’ face, “I just wanted to adjust the rabbit ears, for better reception. I’m sorry everybody.”
Valerie put her arm around Tess, “come on, come sit with me at the desk, ok?”
Tess sniffled, “ok.”
They walked off, and Marla grinned. Rodney shook his head, “man, as fine as you are on the outside, you’re butt ugly on the inside.”
“Whatever Fat Albert.” Marla said.
“Oh, how original, kids have been calling me that since first grade. If you want to make me cry, you’re going to have to do better than that!”
“Guys, look!” Kyle said, pointing at the TV.
Rodney stared at the TV and narrowed his eyes, “is that the governor?” He asked.
There was a well dressed man outside the capitol building, entrails hanging out, wandering around aimlessly.
“I think it is.” Kyle said.
“Zombies.” Rodney said.
“What are you babbling about?” Marla spat.
“It’s the living dead, like in Night Of The Living Dead, and Dawn Of The Dead, but in those movies they were slow and lumbering. So maybe they’re not zombies, but they’re definitely dead.”
Marla rolled her eyes. “That is like, totally stupid!”
“Do you have a better explanation, I mean; we can clearly see mutilated people up and running around.” Madison pointed out. Marla shot her an icy look, and Madison looked down.
“Wait, there were running zombies in that one movie, I think it was a sequel to those other ones you mentioned.” Kyle said.
Rodney shook his head, “nah, I know what you’re talking about, but that one was a comedy, not real zombies.”
Kyle looked at the TV, “it looks like the police aren’t having much luck putting them down.”
“They need to try head shots, that’s what worked in the movies.”
“Not in that funny one though.” Kyle observed.
“I don’t think that one is canon, besides, nothing else seems to be working. Maybe they should call George Romero and ask for his help.”
“Who?” Madison asked.
“He made those movies, it couldn’t hurt anyway.” Rodney said.
Marla let out an exasperated sigh and motioned for Madison to follow her across the room. They walked behind some bookshelves. “God Madison, we’re stuck in here with the fucking nerd herd. I hope mom can pick us up soon.” Marla whispered.
“I don’t know Marla, did you see that stuff going on? I think we might be here awhile. I don’t know if I would even want mom to try and get out in all of this.”
Valerie comforted Tess, wiping her face with a tissue. “Thanks Miss Carpenter, that Marla really knows how to push my buttons.”
“What does Triple T even mean?” Valerie asked.
Tess was silent for a moment, and then she looked away, “two ton Tessie.” She replied, in almost a whisper. Miss Carpenter didn’t know what to say, she just hugged Tess and held her.
CHAPTER 14
Tyrone and Darryl arrived at the door by the stairs leading down to the band room. “Well, you’re right; so far I don’t see any of those things out here.” Mr. Kane said, peering out the window.
“Mr. Kane, thanks for understanding why I have to go. I hate to leave you in the lurch like this, but my mother is all alone.”
“Don’t worry Darryl, Miss Carpenter and I have everything under control. Hopefully this will all be over soon.”
Dar
ryl nodded. “I just wish I had a weapon, all the baseball bats are either in the gym or the field house.”
“Did you check the locker room?” Mr. Kane asked.
“I did, nothing there neither.”
Mr. Kane looked thoughtful for a moment, and then looked like a light bulb went on over his head. “Hold that thought Darryl, I’ll be right back.”
Tyrone descended the stairs to the door of the band room, fiddled with the keys, and opened the door. He came back up the stairs a few moments later, holding a saxophone. “Here Darryl, I know it’s not perfect, but maybe you can hit them with it if it comes to that, better than nothing.”
“Thanks sir, but is this some kid’s instrument?”
“Don’t worry, if, for some reason you can’t return it, the school will pay for a replacement. Now you best get going before those things make it back here.” Mr. Kane said, unlocking the door.
Darryl forced a weak smile, and started to open the door. Mr. Kane put his hand on his shoulder, “Darryl, if you think you can’t make it, hightail it back here, I’ll let you back in.”
Darryl nodded, took a deep breath, and ran outside. Tyrone quickly locked the door and watched Darryl disappear around the corner. He couldn’t see what was going on, this was the farthest end of the school building. Mr. Kane waited for an hour, Darryl either made it to his car, or he didn’t. Tyrone pulled at the door one more time to make sure it was locked, and went back to the library.
Mr. Kane re-entered the library and saw Tess sitting at the desk with Valerie; Tess looked as though she had been crying. “Did Darryl make it to his car?” Valerie asked.
“I don’t know. Valerie, I need to have a word with you alone.”
Miss Carpenter stepped out into the hallway with Tyrone. “Valerie, I think it’s clear this will last through at least today. We need to sort out sleeping arrangements; I was thinking the ladies could sleep in the library. There’s a couch in my office, one in the principal’s office, and two in the teacher’s lounge. I’ll have Kyle and Rodney bring them to the library.”
“Where will you and the boys sleep?”
“I suppose we will go to the office, sack out on some chairs.”
“If this does go on awhile, we can rotate on the couches.” Valerie suggested.
“Agreed. Next item, food, it’s almost lunch time.”
“I brought my lunch, and so did the kids.”
“As did I, but we will have to prepare something for dinner. I’ll see if I can scrounge up some sandwiches. Oh, and what was going on in there with Tess? She looked like she had been crying. Is the stress of the situation getting to her?”
“I’m sure that’s part of it, but there’s also some animosity between her and Marla, they apparently don’t get along very well.”
“Hmm, we need to keep an eye on them, we don’t need any more problems on top of the obvious one.”
“And Tyrone, I think they’ve seen enough of the news coverage for now. It’s nonstop gore. It can’t be good for them to see these kinds of images over and over again.”
“Agreed. I wish Mrs. Pembleton, the school counselor, was here, she would be really useful right about now. Man, I never thought that‘s something I would say.”
Miss Carpenter laughed, and then Mr. Kane started laughing. “You didn’t hear me say that Miss Carpenter.”
“I didn’t hear a thing.” Valerie said.
Mr. Kane composed himself and went back into the library, Miss Carpenter following behind him. He turned off the television, “time for lunch folks, we’re going to the cafeteria.”
“Can’t we eat and watch TV?” Kyle asked.
“”No, let’s take a break from it for now.”
The students gathered their lunches, and Tyrone pulled Valerie aside. “Keep trying to call their parents, maybe we’ll luck out and you’ll get an open line.”
The students trailed out of the library behind Mr. Kane. Valerie picked up the phone and put the receiver to her ear. Still no dial tone.
Valerie put down the phone and walked to the window, which looked out upon the lake. She looked down and saw more of those creatures at the base of the school. She sighed and gazed out over the lake, the sun sparkled on the water. In the distance, she saw a small boat, she wondered if its occupants were aware of what was going on. In a way, she hoped not, somebody should be enjoying the beautiful day.
CHAPTER 15
“So what are you in for?” Rodney asked, in between bites of cheetos, the orange dust crumbs building up around his mouth, and on his fingers.
Marla rolled her eyes, “it is so, like, not even your business.”
Rodney’s unibrow furrowed, and he sneered, “what is your malfunction? Don’t you ever take a break from being a bitch?”
Marla threw down her apple slices and got up to leave. Madison ran after her, “sis, hold on!”
Marla turned around, looking furious. “I am so not going to take shit from the school dweebs!”
Madison whispered, “Marla, in case you haven’t noticed, we’re stuck in here with all these people. And who knows for how long, I think you really should try to get along with these people, at least for now.”
Marla pursed her lips and pouted. “It’s like, so totally not fair, if we had just stayed home like I wanted, we wouldn’t even have to deal with this.”
“Ok, I get it, it’s my fault, but come on, just turn on that famous Marla Masters personality. You know, the one that got you voted miss popularity. Everybody loves that Marla!”
Marla stewed, “Gawd Maddison, it’s just, like, so hard to be nice to these losers.”
Madison sighed, and then she looked like a light bulb went on over her head. “You want to be homecoming queen this year don’t you?”
Marla looked confused, “yeah, what do you mean?”
“Marla, when this is all over, the news is going to be talking about everybody’s experiences during this crisis. This will probably be one of the bigger stories. A real life breakfast club, trapped in the school.” Madison stuck her hand out, like she was holding a microphone. “What was it like Miss Masters, did you form bonds with the other students? ‘Well gee Miss Lunden, I thought they were all dorks and losers.’”
Marla stared at her for a moment, and then smiled. “You really think Joan Lunden would interview me on Good Morning America?”
Madison looked her in the eye, “Marla, if you play this right, I bet you could get a Carson appearance! But if you keep acting like this, nobody will have anything good to say about you, it’ll get around the school, and the next thing you know Jana Dillon will be elected homecoming queen. Heck, Tess will probably be the one that gets all the interviews, even as chubby as she is, she still has a pretty face.”
Marla looked like she was about to explode. “Over my dead body Jana Dillon will be homecoming queen! And Triple T will not be the one everybody remembers about this, not by a long shot!” She said, and walked past Madison, back toward the lunch tables, whispering her response to Joan Lunden’s questions as she strode away.
Madison grinned, she loved her sister, but she could be a real pill sometimes, luckily, she knew just how to deal with her.
Marla sat back down, and looked at Rodney, by this time, orange dust ringed his mouth, and he was taking a drink of chocolate milk, leaving a dark film above his upper lip. She almost got back up and left, but then imagined herself on Johnny’s couch. “Our next guest is a lovely young lady from Oklahoma, during the terrible crisis last month, she was trapped in her school with other students. Tell me Marla, what was it like? ‘Well Mr. Carson it was…’ Please, call me Johnny.”
“Call me Johnny” Marla thought to herself, and stayed seated. “Oh Rodney, like, I’m totally sorry, it’s just this whole crisis is scaring me. Can you please forgive me?”
Rodney straightened up, and tried to suck in his gut. Not much more than an hour ago, he had decided Marla Masters was just a bitch, but now the school goddess was smiling at him and
even asking his forgiveness. “Oh, um, no problem…I mean, I guess I was kind of being a dickwad myself.”
Marla shook her head, “no, it was me, really I’m sorry. The reason I’m in detention today is…” Marla dramatically looked around, and motioned for him to lean in. Rodney leaned in closer, and Marla whispered, “I got caught making out with coach Wilkens in the coaching office.”
Rodney’s eyes nearly bulged out of his head, “no shit?”
Marla winked at him, “don’t tell anybody.”
“Um, no, of course not, it’ll just be between you and me.”
Marla smiled a thousand watt smile. “So what did you do to get Saturday detention?” Marla asked, faking sincerity.
“Oh, nothing as cool as yours, I got caught with Kyle here, smoking weed in his car.”
Marla smiled again, this time sincerely, she leaned in again. “You holding any now?”
Rodney whispered, “it’s Kyle’s.”
Marla looked at Kyle, “well?”
Kyle pushed his glasses up, “well, no, I mean, I do but, I mean, it’s in my car.”
Marla almost frowned, but stopped herself, “you know Kyle, you’re kind of cute.”
Tess was sitting at the end of the table with Miss Carpenter, and saw Kyle and Rodney making asses of themselves, trying to flirt with Marla Masters. Great, now Marla will probably have even them making fun of her. She remembered, before she put on all this weight, she was dating one of the football players, it was just after Marla rejected her for the cheerleading squad. Marla would always interrupt them in the hall, and say she had to talk to him about, how did she put it, ‘football business.’ Yeah, right, football business, what kind of bullshit is that?
One night, they were supposed to have a date, but he didn’t show up, she called his house, and Marla answered. She acted all apologetic, ‘like, I’m totally sorry you had to find out this way.’ Typical Marla Masters crapola, she handed him the phone and he broke up with her, nothing personal, but he was in love with Marla.