Disclaimer: I do not own any part of The Real Adventures
of Jonny Quest.
I do own my
original characters and they cannot be used without my permission, nor can my
story be reproduced or used without my say so.
Chapter Six
Jessie slumped down in the hard plastic chair. She was waiting for Claire. Claire, who was as good at being on time as Jonny.
Jessie smiled.
What would happen if Jonny and Claire ever tried to go on a date? Jessie could just imagine the disaster that could be. Claire and Jonny would never be on time for anything.
Jessie looked around and noticed she was the only one left in the library. It was so quiet she could hear a pin drop.
"Come on Clair,." Jessie moaned tiredly as she drummed her fingers on the table.
Suddenly, the library doors flew open. .
"Finally," Jessie started to rise to her feet and lift her book bag from the floor when she stopped.
"I'm just saying it's really strange."
"What do you mean?"
Jessie sat back down. Neither of the voices belonged to Claire. One was Mrs. Lewis, the school librarian, and the other was a teacher Jessie didn't know.
"You'd think that family wouldn't want to live here again. It was so terrible!" Mrs. Lewis continued.
"I guess this was before I moved here," the other woman replied.
"Oh, I shouldn't gossip – especially when it's one of our students." Mrs. Lewis lowered her voice slightly and Jessie found herself straining to hear a few of the words that escaped past Mrs. Lewis cautious whisper." Tragic really . . . shot . . . on the news . . . poor family . . . Mrs. Ellison. . . "
Jessie lit
up.
Did Mrs. Lewis just say Mrs. Ellison? Ellison? As in Maria Ellison's mother? Jessie closed her open mouth as she realized the two women were moving further away. If she wanted to hear anymore she was going to have to get up and move fast.
Jessie scooted out of her seat and cautiously walked through the deserted aisles as she tried to get as close as she could without being seen. She was just about to get close enough to hear them continue when the doors of the library opened.
Claire! Jessie ran to her table where her things had been left. Now she comes!
Claire glided around the corner just as Jessie reached the table. Jessie was almost positive that Mrs. Lewis heard her running. The thought that she might have been caught ease dropping made feelings of guilt edged up her back.
I really should get a life. Jessie scolded herself. Then I wouldn't be so interested in everyone else's. Still . . .
"Hi!" Claire glowed warmly. Claire's bold pink hair caused Jessie to pause before she could respond. " I'm sorry I'm late."
"It's okay," Jessie picked up her bag and slung it over her shoulder.
"Are you mad?" Claire's expression shifted completely. Her smile had evaporated and her outgoing bright eyes seemed clouded. Jessie actually felt slightly uncomfortable.
"Of course not!" Jessie smiled. "I live with Jonny. He's never on time for anything. Except maybe for dinner."
"Hmmm, Jonny," Claire returned to her upbeat self and her eyes looked dreamily off into space.
"Right," Jessie roller her eyes and pulled some loose strands of red hair behind her ear. She was starting to get an idea. " Do you mind if we go to the computer lab before we leave for your house?"
"No," Claire sighed. "Why?"
Jessie smiled.
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Jonny made another complete run around the track, his third. He was still feeling really good and his breathing was normal. If he kept this up for three more laps he would definitely meet his goal and breeze through the race.
Maybe not breeze through. He smiled as he made another turn. But I will definitely beat my time from last year.
As he made his way to the other end of the track, several people caught his eye. He slowed down and followed them as they headed out to the football field.
They were walking towards the smoke.
What? Jonny picked up his pace and jogged over to the other side of the school. There were several teachers and a very solemn group of football players. They were all watching a bonfire that sat in the center of the field.
As Jonny got closer her realized the 'bonfire' was actually a stuffed dummy in a football uniform complete with a helmet and shoes. It had been crucified on a cross and set on fire. The smoke thickened and became black in the sky. Small sparks jumped out and died quickly in the air. The smell of the plastic shoes and burning helmet was becoming unbearable.
Jonny blended into the group perfectly. He inched his way to the front and covered his nose with his hand. His eyes looked over to the football team and rested on Michael. Michael was the only one not in his uniform. Jonny could guess what happened.
At least he wasn't in his uniform when the person decided to set it on fire. Jonny returned his attention to the flames and in the distance he could hear the sirens of the fire truck as it came near.
Jonny noticed a piece of paper on the ground held down by what looked like the cafeteria forks. The letters were bold and dark. Just like the message it spelled out.
Rule # 5 . . . Never
talk about the meetings
Jonny
felt cold inside. He looked over to
Michael and saw a hollow look in the big kid's eyes.
Michael
was afraid.
The
helmet cracked under the heat and more sparks flew free from the blaze. Jonny started back towards the school.
Jessie stared at the glowing computer screen. Claire sat nervously at her side.
"Are you sure we're allowed in here without supervision?" Claire whispered.
"No," Jessie replied as her fingers glided across the keyboard.
"Wonder what kind of trouble we would get into if someone walked by?" Claire looked at the doors.
"Okay, Great Pink Hair One," Jessie teased. " I found what I'm looking for. I'll print it up and we can leave."
Claire sighed loudly and pulled on her beige sweater duster over her blue top. Jessie walked to the printer and waited for her print out.
"Do you hear sirens?" Claire stood up slowly and looked over to Jessie.
"I think you're really acting paranoid," Jessie smiled. Claire wouldn't last a week in the Quest household. The excitement would kill her.
"I'm positive!" Claire ran to the window. "There's a fire on the field!"
"What?" Jessie ran to the window and gaped at the small fire at the center of the field. She could guess what was happening. Especially, when she saw Jonny break away from the group and head towards the building, it had to be another message sent by the mysterious rules guy.
"Let's go find out," Jessie gathered her papers from the printer and shoved them into her backpack. Without saying a word, she and Claire ran to the locker room to meet up with Jonny.
"You can't just walk in there," Claire replied as the two stopped at the locker room doors.
"I'm not going to." Jessie cracked open the door. " I'll warn him first. Jonny?!"
"Jess?" Jonny sounded slightly surprised as he turned his shower off. Claire muffled a laugh and peaked over Jessie's shoulder in hopes of catching a glimpse. "Hold on."
"Is there anyone else in here?" Jessie waited a second and when she didn't get a response she walked right in.
"Where are you?" Jessie looked up and down the empty lockers. She and Claire raised eyebrows at the dirty socks and scattered personal items left on the benches.
"Over here," Jonny's voice was low and not in his usual energetic tone.
"Nice," Claire smiled from ear to ear and winked at Jonny as he sat topless with his dark jeans on straddling the bench. He looked up at her and blushed.
"Was the fire for Michael?" Jessie asked directly. She didn't care how good Jonny might look without his shirt on. His ego didn't need anymore boosting as far as she was concerned.
"Yep," Jonny slid his t-shirt on over his wet head. " Rule #5. Don't talk about the meetings."
"How many rules are there?" Claire asked hoping to catch another look from Jonny.
"Good question," Jessie leaned against the locker. " How many does he have left? How long?"
"Randy went pretty quick," Claire pointed out. " I guess within 24 hrs. Right?"
"Wow," Jonny slid his socks on and Jessie could practically see the wheels in his brain turning. " Say there aren't too many more. That would leave Claire's party or soon after."
"Do you really think he'll still go?" Jessie asked.
"Well, he can stay home and be alone. Or he can skip town and never come
back . . ."
"OR he can come to a party where he'll be surrounded by people he knows," Claire added. Her blue eyes seemed troubled. "Great."
Jessie bit her lip. This was going to be one hell of a night.