(Author's Note: Story takes place, mid-series, well after Ralph and Bill meet Beck, the former wearer of a suit much like theirs. Thanks to TigreMalabarista and kosmic.child for beta'ing. Any errors are strictly my own.)
Rated M for violence. Not suitable for children or teens below the age of 16. Contains possible strong but non-explicit adult themes, references to violence, and strong coarse language.
Disclaimer: I don't own the characters or situations created for tGAH; I am borrowing them purely for entertainment purposes and make no profit from their use.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chapter 1. The Report.
Looking up from his desk, special education teacher Ralph Hinkley raised his eyebrows and shook his head at his class. Hoping the whole semester was not a waste of everyone's time, he repeated his question.
"Does everybody... no, does anybody have their book report ready?"
Aside from the restless rustle of students shifting uncomfortably in their chairs, the room was silent. One student rolled some papers into a trumpet, and began to blow Taps. A few others slapped thin reports on their desks in protest, more than in compliance.
Ralph always hoped that he could somehow get through to his special ed class at Whitney High School. But today, that seemed like a remote dream. Finally, after a few awkward moments, one student raised her hand.
"Yes Rhonda. What is it?"
"Well, Mr. H, it's like this." The pretty blonde was sincere as she spoke. "A lot of us didn't really understand the assignment, ya know?"
Ralph shook his head once again, this time while running his fingers through his blond curls. The teacher got up from his seat, walked in front of his desk, and leaned against it. The desk might physically hold him up for a few more moments, but in the long run, Ralph was afraid that a mere desk would not keep himself from collapsing. It was clear that he was emotionally demoralized and physically exhausted.
"The assignment, Rhonda, was to write a book report. A summary. A review. A synopsis." Ralph's voice was speeding up, in obvious annoyance. "You read the book, then you tell me about it!" Checking himself, he continued. "The only thing I ask is that you choose a science fiction or fantasy book."
Seated way in the back row, Tony Villacana smiled. "Yeah, I found some stories like that..." Not wanting to get his hopes up too high, Ralph barely looked at the student in the leather jacket seated in the back of the room.
"Yeah, Tony, what book is that?"
The dark haired teen was smiling. In Ralph's opinion, he was smiling just a little too much. Annoyed, he looked up at the teenager, and met his dark eyes with his own. This was an academic game of chicken, one that this pair played over and over again.
"Yeah, Mr. H!" Tony began with a devilish smile, as he glanced back and forth at his fellow classmates. "It's a magazine all about fantasy. It's called Playboy." The class erupted in a chorus of loud laughter. Egged on by his peers, the cocky teen smiled, then nodded his head up and down, just slightly, in an attempt to act cool.
"Aw, come on, Tony, you know what I wanted!" In anger, Ralph turned his back to his students. Throwing his arms up into the air, Ralph began to list some options. "Tolkien's "Lord of the Rings"! H.G. Well's "Time Machine!" or even Adams' "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy"!
" Tony, You knew what I meant! There was no reason for that."
"Whaa?" Tony asked, feigning innocence.
Ralph quickly looked up at Tony, and shook his head. He simply was not getting through. This class was out of control. After a stern glare, Ralph pointed at Tony, and calmly said just one letter. "F."
Before Tony could respond, Ralph turned and approached another student.
"Cyler."
"Look, Mr. H. Before you say anything," Cyler pleaded, "I gotta say something first." Honest and bright, he looked up at his teacher. "Like Rhonda said, maybe I didn't really understand the assignment. I don't know if you're gonna like the book I chose."
"Where's your report, Cyler?" Ralph asked, rubbing his forehead with his right hand.
"I didn't get a chance to write it, man," Cyler responded. "But I picked out a book!" Cyler pointed to a large black book that was sitting on his desk. "I'm gonna read it, Mr. H. I really am! As long as you say it's a good book and all."
Estimating the book was about 500 pages long, Ralph was incredulous. He quickly grabbed the book and read the front cover. In surprise, he turned his eyes and looked briefly at his student. He hoped his surprise was not given away by the look on his face. He slowly opened the book and turned to the introduction. Reading to himself, he skimmed through the first few paragraphs, growing increasingly uncomfortable the more he read. He wasn't familiar with the book's title, but the topic was one that Ralph had become an expert on over the past year.
"Let me borrow it for a couple of days," Ralph said casually, as he tucked the book underneath his left arm. He was a little too calm, apparently overcompensating for something. "I'll read it, and see if it fits within the scope of the assignment."
"Sure, Mr. H." Cyler responded as the bell rang, signaling the change of classes. "It's from the library, you know, so I'll have to get it back to them real soon."
"After you read it, you mean. Right?"
Throwing his pack over his shoulder, Cyler nodded his head. He was visibly annoyed at Ralph's lack of confidence in him. "Yeah, Mr. H. After I read it!"
As the class poured out of the classroom, Ralph gathered up the small collection of reports left on his desk. Then checking over his shoulder to make sure everyone left the room, Ralph pulled out the hard covered book. Holding it tightly in his hand, he read the title over and over again.
"Drawn Into the Light: The Fact and Fantasy of Alien Abductions."
– continued –