Chapter 9

As the bus approached the stop in front of the high school, Sam noticed Dean leaning against the post of the sign. He could tell by just looking at him that something was not quite right. Then he saw as he climbed aboard that he walked with a slight limp. Dean walked to the seat in front of Sam and Kellie, and gingerly sat down with a grimace on his face. Then, he laid his head back against the window and let out a deep sigh.

"Dude, what's wrong? Bad day or something?"

"The worst," replied Dean.

"What happened?" asked Sam.

"I got paddled for not completing two homework assignments."

"Is that all?"

"Sam, you don't understand. My ass was grass. Instructor Beauchamp basically used my rear for batting practice. I guarantee you that it is black and blue back there. If that wasn't bad enough, I have a note informing dad about the incident that I have to get signed and returned tomorrow. If I don't bring it back, I get another paddling. I'm so dead."

"Dean, maybe dad will let it slide since it was your first one," said Kellie.

"Whose dad are you talking about? You know his rule. The problem is that I'm so sore from today's paddling, I don't know if I can take a whipping from dad too. But you know what was really weird? At the end of the day, I was called to the office for the note to bring home. Of course Mrs. Pascal was standing there behind that big desk with the envelope addressed to dad in her hand. As I walked up to her, she began shaking her head and clucking her tongue. Finally she said, "Oh Mr. Winchester, I'm so sorry that you have received a discipline referral so soon upon arriving at Beauregard High School. I hope that you will learn quickly from your punishment." Then she looked at me very strangely and said, "You wouldn't want the boogey man to get you; now would you?"

Sam looked at Dean and asked, "Well, what did you say?"

"What could I say? It was really odd. I mean, I've heard people say that to little kids when they are trying to get them to behave, but this is a high school for goodness sake. I just stared at her for a second, but she had this really serene look on her face; almost like a blank stare. It was very creepy. Finally, I just said, 'Yes ma'am. I will.' Then she put on that really large smile of hers and said, 'Oh Wonderful. I know you are going to just love it here, eventually.'

"I'm telling you, man, it was strange. The whole day was different than any place that I've ever been. First of all, Instructor Beauchamp takes me into the hallway and starts complementing me on how mannerly I am. Next thing I know, he has me bent over grabbing my ankles while he sadistically beats the crap out of me. It was almost as if he enjoyed it. It's like he has been trained in the art of paddling wayward boys until they cringe in submission. Then, not one student even looked at me when I came back in the classroom from getting my butt pounded; it was like they were oblivious to the whole matter. I just knew that they would be laughing, snickering, and pointing fingers at me, but not a thing was mentioned by anyone all day long. Then, finally, that weird encounter with Mrs. Pascal at the end of the day. Oh, I forgot to tell you, later after lunch, I bumped into Instructor Beauchamp, and he said, 'Ah, Mr. Winchester, I hope you are having a great day!' I'm telling you both, there is some serious witchcraft going on here.

It wasn't long before the bus stopped at the driveway, and Dean, Sam and Kellie began the two-mile walk down the gravel road. They walked slower than usual since Dean was so sore from the paddling. Sam finally said, "Dean, you've got to tell dad everything about this. Maybe this school has something to do with the hoodoo that he has been following. He hasn't really told us anything about this case or what he is looking for. Hopefully, he'll have some answers to your questions."

"That would be great if he does, but right now I'm just hoping he has some sympathy."

The Winchester trio arrived at their shack and went to begin their chores. Sam told Dean that he would do his for him and told him to go rest until dad got home. So Dean stiffly climbed the ladder to the loft and lay on his stomach on his mat. He had not been there long before he drifted off into a fitful sleep. He dreamed that he was back at school in the hallway waiting to be paddled, but instead of Instructor Beauchamp holding the paddle, it was an ugly monster preparing to beat Dean's backside. He dreamed that he was crying and begging for his dad to come and save him, but the creature just laughed a heinous laugh and told him that his dad would never come to save him. There was no saving from the boogey monster.

Dean woke up in a cold sweat. The dream had seemed so very real. He could not believe that he had let the people at this school get into his head this badly. A boogey man? Dean knew that the boogey man was just an old urban legend that parents used to frighten children; why was this bothering him so much? He thought maybe it was just his nervousness of giving the note to his dad. He didn't figure that his dad would be too mad about something as small as two homework assignments, but he also wouldn't be too happy that Dean had called attention to himself after only three days. Besides, his dad was a man of principle, and if he told you something, you could count on his word. Dean knew that he was in for a rough evening.