CHAPTER 21
Alan had just returned to his dorm from meeting with the lawyer, collecting the instructions of Mr Winters life-time works and sending it back to the island with Kyrano. He knew it would be kept safe until he was ready to find someone to carry on, and he had given Kyrano permission to use and experiment with any part he thought would be beneficial towards its further development. The events of the last few weeks left him physically and mentally exhausted. He decided he would skip the few remaining afternoon classes and just rest, that way he reasoned to himself he would be ready to buckle down to the semester finals for all classes this week, especially the chemistry lab final. First; however, he need to call a very special person in his life...Grandma Ruth.
"Hi grandma how you doing?''
"I'm doing fine Alan, except for missing you and the rest of my family of course."
"I'm sorry I couldn't be there grandma. I wanted to be, but..."
"Oh Alan, it is okay, I totally understood and really this was not as serious as everyone made it out to be and there was nothing for you to do but sit and worry and trust me your father did enough of that for everyone.'' she chuckled. After a short pause she continued more seriously, "your father also told me about your Mr Winters... Alan, I am so sorry for your loss. I know you had truly made a good friend from what you had told me about him."
''He was. Grandma he left all his plant discoveries for me to keep safe till they can be presented to a group who will take care of them and use his discoveries as he meant them to be...he also told me in a letter that he thought of me as a grandson. I was kinda thinking of him in the same way grandma. He always listened to me and helped me figure things out. Would you be offended if I did think of him as a grandfather?"
"Well I guess if he felt that way it would explain why he gave you those things then wouldn't it. Alan, you never had the chance as did the other boys to know your grandpa. I am sure my Grant would have been happy if you were given an opportunity to know what having a grandfather would have been like, for even a short time."
"Thanks grandma. May be dad will let me come for a visit after finals this week, since he said you weren't allowed to fly for a while."
"That would be marvelous. I will be looking forward to a visit, but now you concentrate on your studies and not visiting me. Promise?"
"I promise grandma, and thank you for understanding. I'm going to meet up with the guys and go over the classes I missed today while I was at the lawyers office. Love you grandma."
"Love you too Alan."
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The week went by far faster than Alan could have imagined. He knew he had barely squeaked by his classes so far, but also knew if he had been applying himself and working up to his potential he could have had exceptional grades. He knew he would not be able to bring he grades up enough to make his dad happy before the next semester. He had however done well on his chemistry and other class written tests so he at least should be able to at least pass this year. Now if he could do the same on the actual lab application his grade might be good enough to convince his dad and brothers that he was capable of doing so much better and could make them proud of him. Also he hoped it would be enough that his dad would let him visit his grandmother during part of the break.
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Alan and Fermat joined the other boys for breakfast, everyone was excited talking about their plans for semester break. Most said they were going home, and a few were going on vacations to different places all over the country.
"What about you Alan and Fermat? What are you two planning?" asked Steve.
"Just returning to the island, though I hope to be able to visit my grandmother in Kansas if I do well on this chemistry lab final."
"Well if you have to pass chemistry before you can go, guess you'll be staying home." laughed Terry cruelly.
Alan immediately felt the anger come to the fore front, his fist clenched. "You should stay out of other peoples conversations! Besides what would you know about my grades?"
"It's well known you spend all your time day dreaming. I've seen some of the papers you've got back with big fat 'F's' on them.''
Alan's face grew red as he fought to stay in control of his anger. "Just shows you your not as smart as you think. I'm going to pass all my classes. Hope the same can be said about you!"
Angrily Terry retorted "ten bucks says you fail the chem lab final."
"You're on!" Alan grabbed his backpack and headed to class.
"Come on guys, let get going." Turning to Terry Steve said "quit trying to stir up trouble Terry."
"You just wait and see. He'll n-e-v-e-r finish the lab final and you'll see I was right! Alan Tracy is just a spoiled rich kid and you never should have let him in our group. You'll see." He too ran off toward the sciences building.
Toby asked Steve, "what do you suppose he meant by that?"
"Don't know and right now we don't have time to worry about it or we'll be the one's not getting finished. Come on Let's get going."
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After everyone was in their proper places and Mr Easton had finished explaining what he expected them to accomplish and for them to explain back how they came to these conclusions and what might be expected if other chemicals were introduced. All the boys lined up and went over to gather the chemicals they were to use. All the boys had returned to their tables except for Terry and Tony. Terry gave William a nervous look and William gave him a glare that said in no uncertain terms that he had better deliver.
Terry walked up to get his chemicals when Tony suddenly pushed into him making him nearly drop his tubes.
"Hey! Watch where you're going!" shouted an angry Tony.
"ME!" shouted back Terry. "You're the one who'd better look out!"
The two boys had gotten everyone's attention with their angry voices. As everyone looked over, Tony suddenly threw punch and Terry jumped at him; which, was totally out of character for him and within seconds they were both punching at each other and falling to the ground. As they fell to the floor and rolled each tried to better the other. All of the other boys moved towards the quarreling boys some egging them on despite Mr Easton's shouts to stop as he tried in vain to gain control of the two boys. As the other boys watched the fracas they failed to notice the two boys who hung back and William signaling Benjamin to hurry. Ben reached Alan's table and quickly switched the blue tube with another slightly darker blue tube. Without them sitting side by side no one would know the difference. He quickly got back to his own table before Mr Easton had grabbed the two boys by their shirt collars.
"That is enough! Get to the office n-o-w!" he yelled. Not letting go he turned back to the rest of the class, "You will work on your hypothesis. When I return, we will begin the experiment." Then he escorted the two troublesome boys to Mr Lukehart's office.
"Now that was way to weird!" said Toby. "Who would have thought Terry would take on one of the thugs."
"Yeah," the others agreed as they wrote out what they expected to happen as they added each new chemical.
On Mr Easton's return they discussed they're expectations. "Good. Okay you may light you bunson burners now and begin to heat the first element."
Each of the boys did as instructed. Mr Easton walked around, after satisfying himself that all was well he instructed the boys to add the second ingridiate.
With in seconds of Alan adding his the beaker began to bubble and soon a thick smoke started to billow out.
"Mr Tracy what have you done?" he shouted.
"I-I j-just did what you said."
Suddenlly the beaker cracked and the chemicals spilled out. Coming in contact with the burner the chemicals burst into flames and smoke spread throughout the room.
"Everyone out! Get out of the room." shouted Easton.
Yells and cries of fear were everywhere as the boys scrambled to get out. Alan had ducked down just before the beaker broke. He cried out as a few drops of the burning liquid hit him. He saw Fermat at his table behind him. Fermat was coughing so hard that he was down on his knees, his eyes watering so that he was unable to see to get out. Alan quickly grabbed his arm and led him to the door. Just as he got Fermat out he heard a cry from inside the room. Realizing someone else was still trapped he crawled back in toward the voice. Meanwhile Mr Easton had grabbed a fire extinguisher, after he instructed the boys to get outside and to make sure the fire department had been called. The school alarm was now going off and the entire school was evacuating. Alan coughed as he continued to crawl toward the voice he sought.
"Ben?" cough, "come on this way." He grabbed his arm and together they coughed and crawled until they were safe out in the hallway.
Mr Easten was able to get most of the flames out though the smoke was still thick. He met the boys in the hall and helped Alan get Benjamin outside. As they waited for the fire department. Mr Lukehart arrived and a head count was taken. Several of the boys were treated on scene for minor smoke inhalation. Alan had a few minor burns that the paramedics suggested be looked at by a doctor, and they also recommended that Fermat and Benjamin also be taken for further evaluation as all three had smoke inhalation.
"The paramedics will transport you to the hospital. We will be contacting your familes for permission to treat." said Mr Lukehart. "Mr Tracy once everyone and everything is under control I will be speaking to your father on what has happened here tonight. Mr Easton has given me a prelimary report of what happened."
"But sir, I..."
"Not now Alan we will talk when your father or representative is able to be here with you. Luckily Mr Eastons quick response limited the damage to the lab itself."
"Yes sir." He hung his head. His father would be livid. Then there would be the rest of the family to deal with.