Just want to say that I did not write this story and claim no credit for it what-so-ever. My friend wrote it and asked me to upload it. So I did. Still any comments would be greatly appreciated and I'll be sure to pass them along. Now both me and my friend are aware that this chapter is rather boring and not much happens, but rest assured that it gets a lot more interesting down the line. Chapters should *hopefully* be updated weekly. Now on with the story!
Unfortunately I don not own the Thunderbirds, much to my dismay.
Tracy's Never Panic
"I don't like this John," Virgil said as he watched his brother peer around the corner and down the corridor which led to the Senior Area. "I really don't like this at all."
John turned his head and glared at him "I know Virg," he snapped. "You've already told me...about fifty times!"
Virgil sighed, John was exaggerating, he hadn't said it that often. "Remind me again why we're doing this?"
"Because Dad asked us too!"
"Technically Dad asked you," he muttered under his breath. "I was never consulted on the matter." He was trying to be quiet but unfortunately John heard him moaning.
"Then stay here," he stated as he started off down the corridor "You don't have to come."
Virgil caught up with him halfway down the corridor and pulled him to a stop. "Think about this for a minute John, think about where you are heading. Do you know what some of my classmates call the Senior Area? I'll tell you shall I? ...They call it Hell and do you know what...I think they are right."
"Come on Virg, it can't be that bad."
Virgil nodded "Oh yes it can. That courtyard is for Senior's only, not even the Junior Year are allowed in there and as for us of the Lower School, well lets just say we of the Lower School are advised to stay well away."
John shrugged "Doesn't matter."
"Doesn't matter!?" Virgil was almost beside himself "John..."
"Then you stay here." John interrupted him angrily. "I'll go on my own." And he stormed off down the corridor.
Virgil watched him go feeling slightly guilty. He didn't think he was a coward but he did try and stay away from conflict and confrontations, preferring instead to walk away rather than fight. But as much as he didn't want to follow his brother he knew he would never let John go on his own.
Muttering under his breath he headed after John and arrived at the door leading into the courtyard just in time to see John being surrounded by a group of older boys. Great, thought Virgil, this is what we didn't want.
It looked like John had been heading for Scott on the far side of the courtyard and had taken a shortcut over the square of grass in the middle. The older boys seemed to tower over John and as he watched, Virgil saw one of them step forward. He seemed to be speaking but he couldn't hear what was being said. Then, out of the blue he gave his brother a sharp push. John stumbled slightly but managed to stay on his feet and they all laughed.
Virgil felt himself getting angry, no-one but a Tracy could push another Tracy around and he stormed across the courtyard placing himself between the older boy and John. Now he was closer Virgil could see who the older boys were, they were the School football team and the boy stood in front of him was the star quarterback, Rob something-or-other. Virgil gave an inward groan; trust John to antagonise one of the most popular boys in the School. "Leave him alone."
The quarterback laughed "Here's another one, what are they doing, coming out of the woodwork?"
"Please let us pass," Virgil could see Scott sitting with his back to them, oblivious to what was going on around him and he didn't want to have to call him for help. "We don't want any trouble."
"Oh...You don't want any trouble." The quarterback was mocking him now. "Do you hear that guys? He doesn't want any trouble." The rest of the team started laughing again. "Well, you should have thought about that before your friend walked straight through the middle or our game."
Great. John has really messed up big time. He glanced behind him, John didn't look bothered by the situation but Virgil knew otherwise, he could see him biting his bottom lip. John was worried.
"Now, if you want to leave..." the older boy was still talking "...You are going to have to go through us."
No way, Virgil shook his head and grabbed John's hand. "We're leaving. Now!" Pushing John ahead of him he headed back towards the safety of the doorway. He had hardly taken a step when he felt a hand on his shoulder and Virgil finally lost his temper.
His arm went back and his elbow caught the quarterback in his stomach, he then lifted his foot and brought it down as hard as he could on the other boy's foot. Before he had a chance to recover, Virgil turned and, keeping his hand flat, he brought it up sharply, his wrist connecting hard with the other boy's nose. The satisfaction Virgil felt as quarterback Rob sank to his knees was short lived as the rest of the team, who's laughter had slowly faded away, moved in closer.
"Well done Virg," he head John mutter behind him. "Now we're gonna die."
Don't panic, he thought. I'm a Tracy and a Tracy never panics.
Unexpectedly, his way out came from the boy on the ground "Leave them!"
The rest of the team were also surprised and one turned to him "Rob?"
Quarterback Rob picked himself up off the ground "I said leave them."
Virgil was slightly worried when he saw him smile. What was going on?
Rob's smile grew "Don't look so worried."
Virgil hadn't realised he was actually looking worried.
Rob turned to rest of the team "These Junior squirts did what we asked them, they 'went through us' and we should honour our word and let them go."
The rest of the team didn't look happy but they parted like the red sea and Virgil could see the way through to Scott. Once again he grabbed John's hand and walked through the sea of people.
"If you squirts ever need us..." Rob's voice followed them "...Just yell."
Virgil nodded vaguely, he didn't think he would be needing the help of the school football team any time soon. They had nearly reached Scott when he felt John stop and as he watched his brother turned and called back to the team.
"I think you'd better know," Virgil cringed, he knew what John was going to say. "We're not actually Juniors, we're from the Lower School."
There was silence from the older boys for a moment before they all started laughing.
Virgil kept his head down, he could feel himself going red. "Why'd you say that?" he asked angrily.
John shrugged back "Just setting the record straight," he replied before he sprinted the last few yards to reach Scott.