by Orson B Wolf
David looked out the window and sighed. He wanted to be self-confident, easygoing, and with lots of friends. But he wasn’t. He had always preferred peace and quiet over loud parties. His only friend was “Red Eric,” as everyone called him, except David, who simply called him “Eric.” And even he wasn’t really able to understand David’s often melancholic nature.
Eric was a sort of clown. David enjoyed his friend’s sense of humor, although the only one mostly laughing from Eric’s jokes was Eric himself. Still, David had to admit his friend often had original ideas, just like the one he’d had a few days ago, when they had discovered the math teacher was a vegan.
Seemingly, there wasn’t anything too exciting about that fact—many people had gone vegan in recent years. Actually, most of the pupils in school did not consume meat, so any other sane person would have simply ignored that particular detail. But Eric wasn’t really sane.
Everyone knew that the math teacher used to involuntarily spit as he lectured during the lesson, and Eric recognized the potential inherent in connecting these two seemingly unrelated facts into a multi-casualty event. And so, just like that, in the middle of the lesson, Eric pointed and asked the teacher what he would be having for lunch. The embarrassed teacher, surprised by the unexpected question, merely answered, “Tofu,” and spit rained from his mouth all over the heads of the first-row students.
David held himself from laughing when Eric, feigning naivety, repeated his question, “I couldn’t hear you, could you maybe repeat that?”
“Tofu, tofu, I’m fegan!!” the teacher declared while spraying the entire area. The classroom was in an uproar of laughter as the first row students jumped from their seats and retreated to relative safety. One of them had even taken out an umbrella.
The math teacher sent David and Eric, both still laughing their heads off, to the principal’s office. David had truly believed his abdominal muscles would be torn to shreds from laughing so hard.
David’s introverted nature was even more prominent when compared with that of the boisterous Eric. “You’re so heavy, dude.” Eric would tell him time and again.
Perhaps that was why he hesitated and refrained from approaching Rachel—she might discover who he really was: a quiet and solitary teen, a real nerd.
Their meeting at the park now seemed like a distant dream; just the two of them, facing each other, talking and laughing. He wondered whether this had been the happiest moment of his life, and wanted more of that magic, but he was afraid of what might happen if he actually went to her.
He would call her name, she would turn around with a smile and then, when she’d realize it was him, the smile would vanish and she’d say she was in a hurry. Then she’d drift away from him with her friends whispering and pointing at him, laughing under their breaths. David didn’t know if he would be able to contain such pain. But perhaps he was wrong? Perhaps she would actually be happy to talk to him? His heart quickened by the thought.
A sharp tickle in his ear made him jump with a start. Red Eric, his desk neighbor, held a rolled up piece of paper in his hand and laughed loudly. The teacher stopped talking. She walked to their desk with a brisk step.
“David and Eric, would you be kind enough to explain what this commotion is all about?”
Eric quickly hid the piece of paper in his fist. “Oh, sorry, Ms. Johnson. David suddenly jumped and it made me laugh.”
David rubbed his ear and blurted the first sentence that came to his mind. “I had a fly in my ear.”
The classroom immediately echoed with the chuckles of the other students, obviously happy with the unexpected respite.
David looked at the students around him and stammered, “It was a particularly militant fly.”
The chuckles turned to open laughter and the students nudged each other and repeated, “Militant fly…” Red Eric looked at his friend curiously.
The school bell sounded and the teacher released them with a wave of her hand. The two grabbed their backpacks and left the classroom with the rest of the students.
As they walked down the stairs, Eric laughed and said, “You really killed me with that ‘militant fly’ thing. I didn’t see it coming.”
David noticed that the students weren’t pouring out into the schoolyard as usual. “Look, something happened,” he said, when they all turned toward the gym.
They squeezed their way inside and the excited murmurs around them strengthened the impression that something was indeed happening. Perhaps there was another update regarding the missile civil defense program?
A news bulletin was broadcast on the large screen and the voice of the reporter could be heard over the sound of the agitated students: “We still don’t know the exact number of the hostages.”
The school principal, Mr. Edward Castner, rose up to the stage and took the microphone. “Quiet please, we have an announcement.”
The noise died out after the students hushed each other for a good minute.
“For those of you still not updated—it seems as though a group of armed terrorists has taken over a Green Pines factory, Abrahms Metal Industries.”
A rustle of concern sounded from the crowd of students.
“Unfortunately, one of our classes was on a guided tour of the factory.”
The noise intensified and turned into a barrage of excited cries, “Oh my God, which class?” one girl cried.
The principal continued, raising his voice, “We are in constant contact with the student’s parents and the security forces.” He clapped his hands in an attempt to quiet down the students. “Dear students, now is the time to remain calm and listen to your teacher’s instructions.” He exchanged a whisper with Ms. Graham before continuing. “For those who asked, it is Mrs. Robeson’s class. We will update you as soon as we have more information.”
The principal got off the stage with a heavy step and went to the army officer, whom David recognized from yesterday’s briefing.
The speakers returned to play the news reporter. “It is not yet clear how a terrorist squad had managed to take over such a secure facility.”
One of the girls shouted, “They should check with the factory manager!”
Her words brought loud mocking remarks from the kids around her. “They should check with the factory janitor!” someone imitated her.
David took a step back, elbowed his way to the side exit, and went outside.
Someone else turned and left after him.
David needed a private corner and hurried to the computer class adjacent to the gym. He took out his cell phone and typed the usual password for activating the device. Then he looked both ways and coughed for the integrated audio-visual identification. He quickly entered the “instructions” and sent a clear message to his people: “Check the involvement of the Abrahms Metal Industries factory manager.”
Suddenly he heard a rustle. He turned and saw Jackie. The oversized teen stood close to him and declared excitedly, “I knew it!”
David’s heart pounded in his chest. “Know what?” He took a step back.
Jackie approached with an assured step, baring his teeth like a predator. David hurried to return the phone to his pocket and desperately sought an escape route.
“Guys, do you belong in here?” a voice sounded. The computer science teacher entered the classroom, accompanied by two students. “Come on, set up the tables in a U shape.”
The teacher looked at David and Jackie. “How about you two? If you have nothing to do here, clear the room. Come on, hurry up.”
David sighed with relief. He went to one of the tables and began to drag it. “I don’t have a problem helping you guys.”
The teacher smiled with appreciation. “Well done, David. Not only a straight A student, but also lends a helping hand. Very nice.”
David glanced back—Jackie wasn’t there.
15
Blue Tracksuit
Paul stood outside the school and spoke with the guard at the gate.
Black clouds gathered in the sky, the sun vanished, and the chill bit its way through his coat. A broadcast vehicle was parked next to them, and a team of journalists reported from the field. The guard at the entrance assumed Paul was the father of one of the school children and updated him with the latest news.
“Everyone here is going nuts. Just think about it. Thirty-five abducted children.” He clucked his tongue. “Man, I can’t even imagine what the parents are going through.”
Paul nodded and looked at the school gymnasium. From where he stood, he could clearly see the entrance. Earlier, he had noticed David and his redheaded friend as they squeezed their way inside with the rest of the students.
The guard continued. “They have this special meeting now with the parents of the abducted kids.” He paused for a moment and asked with embarrassment, “Say, your kid isn’t one of those that—”
“No, thank God.”
The guard sighed with relief and continued talking. “What a world we live in, I’m telling you. Everything is all screwed up as it is, now this?”
“So school is done for today, or what?” asked Paul.
“Not yet. Not that I know of, anyway.”
The students began to leave the gymnasium in groups of boys and girls. They seemed agitated. Paul saw David’s redheaded friend among them. A few girls left the gymnasium, their eyes puffy with tears. One of the teachers went to try and console them. Among the boys were two members of the gang that had earlier followed David. Their leader, Jackie, wasn’t with them. Paul sought David with his eyes, but the boy was nowhere to be seen.
The phone in his pocket vibrated. Paul took it out and examined the incoming message. “Your target is in danger.”
He tensed. “I can’t see my son,” he told the guard and began to advance toward the gymnasium. “Say, is there another exit from the gym?” he called over his shoulder.
“I think there’s a side exit next to the restrooms.”
“Okay, thanks.”
Paul quickly marched into the yard and walked around the gymnasium. He didn’t fear exposure. To the onlooker, he seemed just like another concerned parent. He located the side door and went in. A few students and teachers were still inside, watching the news reports on the screen. David wasn’t there. He went outside and scanned the area around the gym.
Then he saw David. He was leaning against the fence, arguing with someone. They were standing outside the school grounds, hidden by the building wall. The boy seemed very upset and shouted something.
Paul drew closer and stretched his neck in an attempt to see who David was arguing with. He paused, startled, when he discovered who the person on the other side of the fence was. He had already seen that blue tracksuit and bright fedora hat. Now he realized what had made him pay so much attention to the man at the coffee shop. It wasn’t anything unusual about his appearance, but the fact that he, too, had occasionally looked up to steal a glance at David’s classroom window.
The two were in the middle of a heated argument. David took out his cell phone from his pocket and typed something. Then he simply turned around, marched off, and disappeared inside the main building.
Paul returned his eyes to the man wearing a fedora hat. He turned around and began to walk away. He seemed agitated as well. The school bell tolled and the students began to rush back to the classrooms.
Paul decided to follow the man. The latter turned into a side alley and advanced quickly. Paul hurried after him. A short walk later, the two arrived at the bus station, and a minute after that the bus arrived and the man hurried to board it. A noisy group of teenagers boarded the bus as well, and Paul sneaked on after them.
He sat at the front and carefully observed the man with the hat. Two stations later the man disembarked—and Paul followed. They reached a quiet street. Paul walked on the other side of the street, careful to keep a safe distance. The man went to one of the houses: a fine looking house with a wide grass lawn and a red door. He approached the door while taking a set of keys from his pocket. When he was unable to open it, he rang the doorbell.
Through the wide windows, Paul was able to see a young woman holding a baby. She went to the door and opened it. The man leaned to her and they kissed. The baby stretched out a hand and grabbed the man’s hat. The man laughed, removed his hat, and handed it to the baby while the woman echoed her child’s laughter.
Paul carefully approached the front of the house and inspected the writing on the mailbox: Donna and Raphael Greene. Then he took his phone out of his pocket, looked both ways and took a picture of the mailbox.
“I’m going to find out exactly who you are, Mr. Raphael Greene.”
16
An Off-Road Dog
David ran at a tremendous speed while holding Max’s leash.
Jackie and three of his gang members were chasing him. A few passersby on the street stared at the unusual sight: a boy and his dog rushing down the street with four other teenagers racing after them.
David was tired. A sharp pain pierced his hip, and he knew that his luck was running out. He looked back and was alarmed to see his pursuers closing in on him. Barring a miracle, they would soon catch him. He ran into a narrow alley, looked both ways and sought out Paul.
After all, David had hired his services for these exact situations. So far, Paul had definitely proven his worth, and David had even wired a generous bonus to his account for having so wisely alerted his giant policeman friend to help him in the park. But where was Paul now?
David desperately needed him. The detective had received strict instructions never to expose himself, but these were unusual circumstances.
He went out running from the alley and found himself in the city’s industrial district. The openings of various garages lined the narrow street. Vehicles with their hoods open were parked on the road and the sidewalks. Pipes, scraps of metal, and various auto parts rested on the ground.
David slalomed his way between the parts, took a sharp turn left, and then another turn right, each breath filling his lungs with fire. Max ran by his side all that time.
The large dog lightly bounded over the various obstacles. David suddenly bumped into the curb and almost fell flat on his face. A sharp pain exploded in his ankle, but he knew he mustn’t stop. He kept running.
He heard a loud scream behind him. He glanced behind his shoulder and saw one of his pursuers lying sprawled on the road and grabbing his knee. His friends slowed down for a moment, and it seemed as if they were considering whether they should offer a helping hand to their whining, squirming friend.
But Jackie didn’t slow down, not for a second, and he angrily screamed at his friends not to stop. They resumed the chase with an even greater intensity. The small advantage David had gained quickly vanished. The pain in his hip became unendurable as he took another turn and immediately realized he’d made a grave mistake: a steep incline lay ahead of him. There was no chance that he could run up quickly enough, not in his current condition. His lungs stung with every breath.
He looked back and saw Jackie closer to him than ever. Jackie snarled and drew nearer with every step. David realized he had no chance of escaping, and he was filled with desperation.
But there was someone who had a different idea in mind. Max smelled danger, and some primal instinct awoke in him. The mass of muscle was spurred on by fear and an intense desire to get his pack members far from danger. The large dog stormed onward. His pupils dilated and his mouth foamed. He strained with all his might to pull both their weights up the steep slope of the street.
David suddenly felt an outburst of power exploding at the end of the leash which was nearly torn from his hand. He desperately clung to it with both hands and let Max pull them both.
Truly an off-road dog,
four by four, thought David as they skipped over a puddle. Max panted and strained with his tongue lolling sideways. The street narrowed and it seemed as if its walls closed in on them left and right.
David looked back and saw that Jackie and his friends had not let go. He looked at Max and realized that his loyal dog was beginning to tire as well.
David realized the only way out of the alley was a large opening in front of him, possibly the rear exit of one of the garages. He continued to advance and examined the opening. He was dismayed to discover that it was blocked by a large ATV, which stood there with its engine rattling. The vehicle’s headlights illuminated its surrounding area with a blinding light.
David climbed into the opening, and when he realized he wouldn’t be able to squeeze his way around the ATV, he turned right and reached a small iron gate. This was the end of the line: the gate was locked with a rusty chain.
There was no way to escape. David turned back and looked at his pursuers with horror.
Jackie and his friends were only a few feet away. They climbed up toward him, panting with flushed faces. They smiled victoriously and closed the small gap separating them from the boy and his dog.
Jackie was closest. He wiped the sweat from his face and was about to say something. Suddenly his eyes widened with terror. He immediately turned and ran away, making his way between his stunned friends. A moment later, the two others turned as well and ran after him.
David stared at the three teenagers with bewilderment as they drifted away, a moment later he realized what had happened when he saw the heavy ATV rolling after them down the steep street. They screamed in panic as the metal body accelerated its speed. It scratched down the walls of the narrow alley, spraying sparks as the three pursuers retreated.
David sighed with relief.