Visiting Francis: Part 1
"Yea!" screamed Dewey, as he raced outside to hop into the beat up old station wagon. He was not the only enthusiastic one in the family. Hal, Lois, Reese, and Malcolm were ecstatic as well. After 5 long months, they were going to Marlin Academy to visit the loveable but troublemaking Francis.
"I miss him sooooo much!" Malcolm said, "this is gonna be sooo cool!"
"I miss him more than you do!" Reese argued.
"Do not!"
"Do to!"
"BOYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Lois turned around so that she was facing her sons. "There will be absolutely no arguing on this trip!"
The boys quieted down for all of 13 seconds, and then began talking excitedly again. They didn't stop for the rest of the trip.
After what seemed like weeks of driving, the family pulled up at the stern looking Marlin Academy. It was a dreary place, nothing friendly about it. No trees, flowers, or plants grew. No one was outside. All was silent.
Hal turned to his wife, "Do you think we were wrong to send Francis to this place? It's kind of spooky." Lois shot him a withering look, and continued on through the large wooden doors.
Inside, it was much more lively. Noise boomed out of every corner. Cigarette smoke filled the air. Boys talked and laughed as they played pool. In one corner, rap music was blaring from a speaker. In another corner, a group of boys were cheering on the guests on Jerry Springer. Francis was shooting pool, as usual. He spotted his family and ran up to them.
"Hi honey! We've missed you so much! Did you get the cookies I sent you? Have you been eating right? Have you been smoking? Why do you smell like smoke? How are you?" Lois said in one breath. She happily hugged her first-born son.
Francis smiled. "I'm pretty good. I've missed you guys too. Hey, Dad, what's up?"
"This is quite a place you've got here. Isn't there supposed to be someone in charge, though?" Hal questioned.
At that very moment, the sound of loud footsteps was heard. The television was turned off, as was the music. Cigarettes were stomped out, and the air was fanned to get rid of the smoke. All the members of Marlin Academy stood at attention.
"What's going on?" asked Reese.
"You don't want to know!" whispered Francis, "You're about to meet my arch enemy."
"Wow, cool," Malcolm said. He put his arm around Dewey, who looked very scared. All eyes turned to the big double door. Slowly, it opened, and a hated figure stepped into the room.
To be continued……………………………………………