Chapter 21-Ms. Abijar's farewell
Crystal smiled as she walked into the classroom. "Austin," she whispered, "Stay in the bag, no matter how stuffy, hungry, curious, or anything else you feel. I'll sneak you some honey and cherries at lunch."
A loud smack was heard. "No noise, either!"
Repentant silence. A smile. "Good. it's only until noon."
Crystal walked into class, nodded at Eli and Li, then ignored Li as she sat and talked with Eli and Nikki. Li stalked across the room to her desk.
"I was not chosen by your little bird. Why?" Crystal smiled brightly in the face of Li Showron, who wanted one answer that she knew she couldn't give him. "Robyn's had a hard time, wherever she's come from."
Li's eyes widened. "How do you spell Robyn?" He asked, gripping Crystal's shoulders. Both Alex and Eli tensed. Crystal sent them reassuring sendings. Eli didn't relax.
"R-O-B-Y-N. Robyn." Li took a slow, deep breath, and let go of Crystal. "Robyn Reed is my first cousin, and she disappeared a few months ago after her father disappeared with a fake set of Clow Cards."
Crystal's eyes grew bright. "Fake? Why do you say that?" Li looked straight through her eyes as Eli answered, "There were three sets of cards planned. What Li does not know is that Robyn is a closer descendant of Clow Reed than either he or Sakura will ever be."
Crystal shivered, and Alex tapped her on the shoulder. "Don't let that bother you. Whoever this Robyn girl was-" Li glared at the interrupter, "IS!" Alex continued, ignoring Li. "-is, was, same difference, she's delivered her message, and is satisfied, right?" Crystal smiled. "I don't know about satisfied, but she's a calmer bird than she was two days ago, that's for sure."
Sakura, Meilin, and Madison all came over, trying to understand what was going on. Alyson came stalking up, mad her sister had messed up her plans again.
Ms. Abijar walked in, and glared at Sakura and Li. "Loitering around while homework should be in the process of correcting itself! Thanks to Li and Sakura, you shall miss break at 10:05, and write, 'I will not procrastinate and loiter' 50 times on a sheet, and it shall be handed in to me. Exempted from this are those who were in their own seats when I walked in!"
Crystal sighed a breath of relief. She whispered to Sakura's back, at the exact moment Alyson whispered to Meilin's, "I'll get you a snack at break." Alyson smiled at her sister, and winked.
"Ms. Abijar? We don't know what they were talking about. May Alex and I be exempted from punishment?" Alyson tossed her head, and batted her eyelashes, a cute little child, new to the rules. Ms. Abijar smiled. "Technically, Alex was in his seat, and you ARE from America, so, I guess...I'll make a one time exception. No candy will be permitted in here during break."
Alyson's head dropped, and when she raised it, a red, puffy face assaulted the teacher. "So, I can't eat my snack in here during break?" Ms. Abijar smiled. "No, I am referring to those in trouble. No candy will be permitted in my classroom while work is being done. You are free to eat in here while on break, Alyson." Alyson beamed, her face lightening.
"Now. We will start on correcting our math assignments from last night. This should have started before I entered, but as this is our second week, I'll permit you this free day since those loitering will be punished."
~*~*~*~
At break, Alyson, Alex, Crystal, and Eli walked out, and the others who had been in their seats stayed to talk. Ms. Abijar murmured the word loiter, and they left quickly. A secret smile crossed her face.
Sakura wrote her 50 sentences dutifully, not enjoying her punishment, but not despising it, either. Crystal casually walked in, sat down in Zachary's seat, and secretly passed Sakura a note. Sakura noted the teacher speaking to Alyson, and ducked her head, and read the note.
'Alyson will convince Abijar to let you out when you finish. 10 minute break, we can spend 5 eating cinnamon rolls in the cafeteria?'
Sakura smiled, and wrote faster.
3 minutes later, Alyson had won her case, and Meilin, Li and Sakura were only a few sentences away from finishing. Sakura smiled. Alyson was quickly becoming teacher's pet.
"Miss Glass, please report to the office. Your mother is here to see you." Ms. Abijar smiled cruelly, knowing that this was a trick.
In record time, Eli finished writing 7 sentences. "Ms. Abijar, as I have finished my 50 sentences, may I accompany her to the office?" Ms. Abijar smiled. "Yes, you may, but you will not talk until you return to this room. Understood?" Eli started to speak, but choked instead. Sakura looked curiously at him, but was eager to finish her sentences so she could accompany Crystal down, also.
Crystal stalled, knowing her 'parents' would not be pleasant to deal with alone. "Ms. Abijar, will I be leaving?"
The teacher smiled, her blue lipstick sparkling. "How would I know?" she asked innocently.
Crystal smiled just as infuriatingly back. "Well, I am just wondering if I should save disrupting the class for coming back for my bag. You do have a guest speaking, and I wouldn't want to interrupt his lovely version-"
The teacher held up her hand. "Will you be leaving? I'll check."
At the intercom, Alyson was sickened to hear the class's fears confirmed. Mr. Grey's voice was heard.
The teacher continued playing the smiling game. "I made a mistake. Your mother AND father are here. You are returning to America, as their business trip has finished early."
Alex did the amazing: he leaped up, and started screaming, "NO! NO! NO! THEY'RE GOING TO KILL HER! KILL HER!!!" Ms. Abijar strained for a smile, but one did not appear.
A monitor passed by, and poked his head in the door. "Everything all right, Ms. Abijar?" A very small smile appeared. "Yes. Alex is merely over-reacting. If it will comfort the class, whoever wishes may walk down and question Mr. and Mrs. Glass about their plans."
Crystal smiled. Sakura, Meilin, Madison and Li leapt up, and dragged Crystal out. Eli followed, still choking, trying to speak.
*How is her magic stronger than mine?*
In the office, Mr. and Mrs. Grey were disturbed when a train of 7 appeared with their victim. Among those were Alex Brennen and Alyson Raphael. The Grey's smiled, knowing they would have to write Alyson off as seeing things, and that wouldn't be easily accomplished. She hadn't died in the ally, and they'd been shoved back to the border of Canada.
Alyson smiled. "Hello, Mrs. Grey! Mr. Grey, I didn't know you were still here!" The already suspicious secretary had her doubts confirmed as a girl greeted them by a different name.
The secretary turned to Crystal, who was ash white, and leaning on two very happy boys.
She turned to Alyson. "Young lady, do you know these two?" Alyson nodded. "Yes, very well! they recently lost their only daughter, who'd been comatose for years. I thought they'd returned home to the comfort of our home church. Our pastor helped them a lot during the years their daughter was in her coma. Her passing last month was very hard on them."
They forced smiles. "She must be mistaken-" The secretary glared, and they were silent.
"Can you tell me their first names, if you know them so well?" Alyson smiled, partly to appear oblivious, and partly in victory. Pain to the hypocrites! They wouldn't take her sister legally!
"Of course! Mr. Grey's first name is Charles, and his wife's name is Barbara. Mrs. Grey and my mother were very close in high school. My mother would know Barbara anywhere, and I've been in America long enough to know how rich they are-"
Mr. Grey hurried to cut her off. "Spiritually! The Grey's are very famous in America. Why are we cursed with never being able to appear anywhere without being confused?"
The secretary forced a smile. "I'm afraid with this young woman's account to consider, either Mrs. Raphael-" Alyson was quick to interrupt, "Ms. Raphael." The secretary smiled. "Well, unless Ms. Raphael were called to confirm your account, or the girl were alert enough to consciously confirm your identity, I can't allow you to take your 'daughter.'" the secretary emphasized daughter, clearly not believing the story.
The Grey's left, and a silent breath of relief was exhaled. The secretary turned to Alyson. "If I find your story to be false, you will be in immense trouble." Alyson smiled sweetly, and the stern face melted. "I was worried, so I brought my friends, and the reason we were so worried is the fact that Crystal's an-orphan." The secretary looked at the weak Crystal. "Were the two supposed Glass people your parents?" Crystal smiled faintly. "Never seen them before. I was terrified they'd take me again." The secretary looked at Alyson. Alyson's eyes widened.
*You're delirious, but you can't keep the truth from the false?*
"You've never seen them before, but they've taken you before?"
Crystal ended the argument by fainting. Eli and Alex were persistent in staying with her, but the secretary allowed only Alyson, as Sakura hadn't confessed friendship. The group went back, slightly worried, but mostly relieved.
Alyson watched Eli and Alex go after they'd moved Crystal to the Nurse's bed.
*Some love you have! The minute true danger comes, you ignore me, and go for my sister!*
Crystal's eyelids fluttered as a smile appeared on her face.
No, he's now even. The matron went after me instead of you.
Alyson laughed softly. "I can't stay mad at you, sister. You do realize you're going to have to uncover their plot, and bring them to justice, don't you?"
Crystal's smile vanished. Not yet. Anomalous will be a foster child in their home. I have to hope she can reach them. Just a little more time...
Alyson's temper burst. "Why? So they can succeed in killing you? I don't think so! Mom wouldn't like this game any more than I would, Crystal!"
Crystal smiled again. You don't have a choice, Alyson. Mom can't enter here. It's not part of my test. The Grey's are. And this is as much a game as my other tests will be.
Color now drained from Alyson's face as Crystal's regained color. "What are you being tested for?"
A cloud passed over Crystal's face. I do not know anything other than the fact that the bird has told me who I must bring to my next, and I have not truly woken from my coma. Back at home, I'm being given this vision.
Alyson shivered. "Crystal?" ...
Crystal was now out. Alyson smiled. "Sleep well, little sister."
~*~*~
When Crystal woke, Alyson had gone, and the nurse stood over her. "I told your faithful friend to go home for dinner. Now it's time for you to answer some questions."
Crystal smiled. "The Grey's are not my parents, but my last name is not Glass. It is Raphael. You may call Ms. Raphael and confirm that. She thinks I am still in a coma in an unknown hospital, as the Grey's have been telling her that. I am thankful Alyson recognized the Grey's. I've been afraid they'd find me again, and try to kill me again."
The secretary gasped, and recovered. "But you said you'd never seen them!"
Crystal smiled. "I was born as all other infants are, unable to open my eyes. The Grey's paid a nurse to put a certain kind of poison in my body, and instead of killing me, it made me comatose. They've been trying to poison me for years, but I just 'slept' it off. Sakura Avalon found me, woke me up, and chose a last name for me. I was fortunate my sister chose to follow the Grey's, thinking it would lead her to me. I don't know what I would have done if she hadn't stepped in."
the secretary gulped, and said, "I think you should lie down while I call your mother. That was a large dialogue."
Crystal gladly accepted, as she wasn't sure that she could stand hearing her mother's voice, knowing she wouldn't see her.
A few minutes later, the secretary returned, upset. "Your mother will bring the documents in tomorrow, but you are to stay with your sister until further notice." Crystal smiled. "May I call my sister?" The secretary smiled. "No, but you can call your temporary guardian."
Crystal smiled.
*Li and Meilin are living alone.*
"Okay, but I do not know the Rae number. I do know my sister's cell phone number."
The next scene shocked the secretary, but Crystal wasn't really surprised.
Ms. Abijar didn't see anyone in the office, and made a phone call. "What do you mean, you couldn't take the brat? Two kids you knew were there? Well, you should have interrupted them before they spoke! The secretary was suspicious? Didn't you flash your fake identity? Fools! You let her examine it? Must I do everything myself? YES I KNOW I CAN'T!!! Kill the brat next time you see her! Leave Alyson alone. She's innocent. SHE gave you away? You're lying! You just don't like her! FOOLS! If you don't kill Crystal, I'll find someone else! Good? GOOD? YOU !@#$%^!!!! Can you do ANYTHING right?"
The secretary appeared, and Ms. Abijar abruptly hung up. The phone rang, and Abigail viciously ripped the cord from the base. The phones on the other desks continued to ring. "Ms. Jones! I didn't know you were still here!" The old woman smiled. "Who were you talking to?" Abigail Abijar blushed. "Well...um..hmm...a friend?" Ms. Jones smiled condescendingly. "You called your friend a fool twice, plus a word not allowed spoken by our students."
Ms. Abijar smiled. "You have no way of proving this!" Crystal popped up. "Yes, she does." Crystal held a case for a recorder. Abigail gently removed the box from Crystal's hands, shaking with effort, trying to break free of a constrainment that held her from ripping the girl apart. As soon as she'd backed 5 feet away, she threw the box at the floor, and stomped on her. A stupid grin appeared. "Fools! Your plan's been ruined!" Crystal smiled. "I wouldn't be so sure." Abigail pulled the recorder out of the case. She took the tape out, and ripped the ribbon apart. She then broke the tape in half. She threw the box in the trash. "One more thing, teacher. What was the number you called?" Ms. Abijar smiled. "You know."
"Say it."
"1-800-GREY-CHARITY"
"Or?"
"1-800-4739-2427489"
"And which trash can did you throw the tape in?"
"The one by the door."
"You are trying to kill me?"
"Yes."
"Name all of your victims."
"Crystal Glass, Eli Moon, Li Showron, Meilin Rae, Madison Taylor, and Sakura Avalon."
"Your accomplices?"
"Barbara and Charles Grey."
"Thank you."
"You're not welcome. I'll kill you yet, brat."
Abigail Abijar walked out.
Crystal smiled, and picked up her recorder, and spoke into it. "This is Crystal Glass's taping of Abigail Abijar's confession. It is witnessed by- " Crystal nodded to Ms. Jones.
"Sharla Jones, secretary."
"This tape recorder was hidden on the desk, taping all that occurred from 10:08 am to-" Crystal glanced at the clock. "5:37."
Crystal hit the stop button. She handed the tape to Ms. Jones. "I assume we'll have a substitute tomorrow?"
The old woman smiled. "You and your sister are amazing young women. Your mother has done a spectacular job." Crystal smiled, bittersweet. "A shame I can't meet her yet. I'll see you tomorrow afternoon to hear about Ms. Abijar's exit."
The woman allowed the girl to leave. She'd just masterminded a criminal plot that had been planning to kill her. The child could be forgiven for turning white in fear. *For all I know, that may be an act to keep them from believing she's the reason they were caught.*
Crystal smiled as she walked into the classroom. "Austin," she whispered, "Stay in the bag, no matter how stuffy, hungry, curious, or anything else you feel. I'll sneak you some honey and cherries at lunch."
A loud smack was heard. "No noise, either!"
Repentant silence. A smile. "Good. it's only until noon."
Crystal walked into class, nodded at Eli and Li, then ignored Li as she sat and talked with Eli and Nikki. Li stalked across the room to her desk.
"I was not chosen by your little bird. Why?" Crystal smiled brightly in the face of Li Showron, who wanted one answer that she knew she couldn't give him. "Robyn's had a hard time, wherever she's come from."
Li's eyes widened. "How do you spell Robyn?" He asked, gripping Crystal's shoulders. Both Alex and Eli tensed. Crystal sent them reassuring sendings. Eli didn't relax.
"R-O-B-Y-N. Robyn." Li took a slow, deep breath, and let go of Crystal. "Robyn Reed is my first cousin, and she disappeared a few months ago after her father disappeared with a fake set of Clow Cards."
Crystal's eyes grew bright. "Fake? Why do you say that?" Li looked straight through her eyes as Eli answered, "There were three sets of cards planned. What Li does not know is that Robyn is a closer descendant of Clow Reed than either he or Sakura will ever be."
Crystal shivered, and Alex tapped her on the shoulder. "Don't let that bother you. Whoever this Robyn girl was-" Li glared at the interrupter, "IS!" Alex continued, ignoring Li. "-is, was, same difference, she's delivered her message, and is satisfied, right?" Crystal smiled. "I don't know about satisfied, but she's a calmer bird than she was two days ago, that's for sure."
Sakura, Meilin, and Madison all came over, trying to understand what was going on. Alyson came stalking up, mad her sister had messed up her plans again.
Ms. Abijar walked in, and glared at Sakura and Li. "Loitering around while homework should be in the process of correcting itself! Thanks to Li and Sakura, you shall miss break at 10:05, and write, 'I will not procrastinate and loiter' 50 times on a sheet, and it shall be handed in to me. Exempted from this are those who were in their own seats when I walked in!"
Crystal sighed a breath of relief. She whispered to Sakura's back, at the exact moment Alyson whispered to Meilin's, "I'll get you a snack at break." Alyson smiled at her sister, and winked.
"Ms. Abijar? We don't know what they were talking about. May Alex and I be exempted from punishment?" Alyson tossed her head, and batted her eyelashes, a cute little child, new to the rules. Ms. Abijar smiled. "Technically, Alex was in his seat, and you ARE from America, so, I guess...I'll make a one time exception. No candy will be permitted in here during break."
Alyson's head dropped, and when she raised it, a red, puffy face assaulted the teacher. "So, I can't eat my snack in here during break?" Ms. Abijar smiled. "No, I am referring to those in trouble. No candy will be permitted in my classroom while work is being done. You are free to eat in here while on break, Alyson." Alyson beamed, her face lightening.
"Now. We will start on correcting our math assignments from last night. This should have started before I entered, but as this is our second week, I'll permit you this free day since those loitering will be punished."
~*~*~*~
At break, Alyson, Alex, Crystal, and Eli walked out, and the others who had been in their seats stayed to talk. Ms. Abijar murmured the word loiter, and they left quickly. A secret smile crossed her face.
Sakura wrote her 50 sentences dutifully, not enjoying her punishment, but not despising it, either. Crystal casually walked in, sat down in Zachary's seat, and secretly passed Sakura a note. Sakura noted the teacher speaking to Alyson, and ducked her head, and read the note.
'Alyson will convince Abijar to let you out when you finish. 10 minute break, we can spend 5 eating cinnamon rolls in the cafeteria?'
Sakura smiled, and wrote faster.
3 minutes later, Alyson had won her case, and Meilin, Li and Sakura were only a few sentences away from finishing. Sakura smiled. Alyson was quickly becoming teacher's pet.
"Miss Glass, please report to the office. Your mother is here to see you." Ms. Abijar smiled cruelly, knowing that this was a trick.
In record time, Eli finished writing 7 sentences. "Ms. Abijar, as I have finished my 50 sentences, may I accompany her to the office?" Ms. Abijar smiled. "Yes, you may, but you will not talk until you return to this room. Understood?" Eli started to speak, but choked instead. Sakura looked curiously at him, but was eager to finish her sentences so she could accompany Crystal down, also.
Crystal stalled, knowing her 'parents' would not be pleasant to deal with alone. "Ms. Abijar, will I be leaving?"
The teacher smiled, her blue lipstick sparkling. "How would I know?" she asked innocently.
Crystal smiled just as infuriatingly back. "Well, I am just wondering if I should save disrupting the class for coming back for my bag. You do have a guest speaking, and I wouldn't want to interrupt his lovely version-"
The teacher held up her hand. "Will you be leaving? I'll check."
At the intercom, Alyson was sickened to hear the class's fears confirmed. Mr. Grey's voice was heard.
The teacher continued playing the smiling game. "I made a mistake. Your mother AND father are here. You are returning to America, as their business trip has finished early."
Alex did the amazing: he leaped up, and started screaming, "NO! NO! NO! THEY'RE GOING TO KILL HER! KILL HER!!!" Ms. Abijar strained for a smile, but one did not appear.
A monitor passed by, and poked his head in the door. "Everything all right, Ms. Abijar?" A very small smile appeared. "Yes. Alex is merely over-reacting. If it will comfort the class, whoever wishes may walk down and question Mr. and Mrs. Glass about their plans."
Crystal smiled. Sakura, Meilin, Madison and Li leapt up, and dragged Crystal out. Eli followed, still choking, trying to speak.
*How is her magic stronger than mine?*
In the office, Mr. and Mrs. Grey were disturbed when a train of 7 appeared with their victim. Among those were Alex Brennen and Alyson Raphael. The Grey's smiled, knowing they would have to write Alyson off as seeing things, and that wouldn't be easily accomplished. She hadn't died in the ally, and they'd been shoved back to the border of Canada.
Alyson smiled. "Hello, Mrs. Grey! Mr. Grey, I didn't know you were still here!" The already suspicious secretary had her doubts confirmed as a girl greeted them by a different name.
The secretary turned to Crystal, who was ash white, and leaning on two very happy boys.
She turned to Alyson. "Young lady, do you know these two?" Alyson nodded. "Yes, very well! they recently lost their only daughter, who'd been comatose for years. I thought they'd returned home to the comfort of our home church. Our pastor helped them a lot during the years their daughter was in her coma. Her passing last month was very hard on them."
They forced smiles. "She must be mistaken-" The secretary glared, and they were silent.
"Can you tell me their first names, if you know them so well?" Alyson smiled, partly to appear oblivious, and partly in victory. Pain to the hypocrites! They wouldn't take her sister legally!
"Of course! Mr. Grey's first name is Charles, and his wife's name is Barbara. Mrs. Grey and my mother were very close in high school. My mother would know Barbara anywhere, and I've been in America long enough to know how rich they are-"
Mr. Grey hurried to cut her off. "Spiritually! The Grey's are very famous in America. Why are we cursed with never being able to appear anywhere without being confused?"
The secretary forced a smile. "I'm afraid with this young woman's account to consider, either Mrs. Raphael-" Alyson was quick to interrupt, "Ms. Raphael." The secretary smiled. "Well, unless Ms. Raphael were called to confirm your account, or the girl were alert enough to consciously confirm your identity, I can't allow you to take your 'daughter.'" the secretary emphasized daughter, clearly not believing the story.
The Grey's left, and a silent breath of relief was exhaled. The secretary turned to Alyson. "If I find your story to be false, you will be in immense trouble." Alyson smiled sweetly, and the stern face melted. "I was worried, so I brought my friends, and the reason we were so worried is the fact that Crystal's an-orphan." The secretary looked at the weak Crystal. "Were the two supposed Glass people your parents?" Crystal smiled faintly. "Never seen them before. I was terrified they'd take me again." The secretary looked at Alyson. Alyson's eyes widened.
*You're delirious, but you can't keep the truth from the false?*
"You've never seen them before, but they've taken you before?"
Crystal ended the argument by fainting. Eli and Alex were persistent in staying with her, but the secretary allowed only Alyson, as Sakura hadn't confessed friendship. The group went back, slightly worried, but mostly relieved.
Alyson watched Eli and Alex go after they'd moved Crystal to the Nurse's bed.
*Some love you have! The minute true danger comes, you ignore me, and go for my sister!*
Crystal's eyelids fluttered as a smile appeared on her face.
No, he's now even. The matron went after me instead of you.
Alyson laughed softly. "I can't stay mad at you, sister. You do realize you're going to have to uncover their plot, and bring them to justice, don't you?"
Crystal's smile vanished. Not yet. Anomalous will be a foster child in their home. I have to hope she can reach them. Just a little more time...
Alyson's temper burst. "Why? So they can succeed in killing you? I don't think so! Mom wouldn't like this game any more than I would, Crystal!"
Crystal smiled again. You don't have a choice, Alyson. Mom can't enter here. It's not part of my test. The Grey's are. And this is as much a game as my other tests will be.
Color now drained from Alyson's face as Crystal's regained color. "What are you being tested for?"
A cloud passed over Crystal's face. I do not know anything other than the fact that the bird has told me who I must bring to my next, and I have not truly woken from my coma. Back at home, I'm being given this vision.
Alyson shivered. "Crystal?" ...
Crystal was now out. Alyson smiled. "Sleep well, little sister."
~*~*~
When Crystal woke, Alyson had gone, and the nurse stood over her. "I told your faithful friend to go home for dinner. Now it's time for you to answer some questions."
Crystal smiled. "The Grey's are not my parents, but my last name is not Glass. It is Raphael. You may call Ms. Raphael and confirm that. She thinks I am still in a coma in an unknown hospital, as the Grey's have been telling her that. I am thankful Alyson recognized the Grey's. I've been afraid they'd find me again, and try to kill me again."
The secretary gasped, and recovered. "But you said you'd never seen them!"
Crystal smiled. "I was born as all other infants are, unable to open my eyes. The Grey's paid a nurse to put a certain kind of poison in my body, and instead of killing me, it made me comatose. They've been trying to poison me for years, but I just 'slept' it off. Sakura Avalon found me, woke me up, and chose a last name for me. I was fortunate my sister chose to follow the Grey's, thinking it would lead her to me. I don't know what I would have done if she hadn't stepped in."
the secretary gulped, and said, "I think you should lie down while I call your mother. That was a large dialogue."
Crystal gladly accepted, as she wasn't sure that she could stand hearing her mother's voice, knowing she wouldn't see her.
A few minutes later, the secretary returned, upset. "Your mother will bring the documents in tomorrow, but you are to stay with your sister until further notice." Crystal smiled. "May I call my sister?" The secretary smiled. "No, but you can call your temporary guardian."
Crystal smiled.
*Li and Meilin are living alone.*
"Okay, but I do not know the Rae number. I do know my sister's cell phone number."
The next scene shocked the secretary, but Crystal wasn't really surprised.
Ms. Abijar didn't see anyone in the office, and made a phone call. "What do you mean, you couldn't take the brat? Two kids you knew were there? Well, you should have interrupted them before they spoke! The secretary was suspicious? Didn't you flash your fake identity? Fools! You let her examine it? Must I do everything myself? YES I KNOW I CAN'T!!! Kill the brat next time you see her! Leave Alyson alone. She's innocent. SHE gave you away? You're lying! You just don't like her! FOOLS! If you don't kill Crystal, I'll find someone else! Good? GOOD? YOU !@#$%^!!!! Can you do ANYTHING right?"
The secretary appeared, and Ms. Abijar abruptly hung up. The phone rang, and Abigail viciously ripped the cord from the base. The phones on the other desks continued to ring. "Ms. Jones! I didn't know you were still here!" The old woman smiled. "Who were you talking to?" Abigail Abijar blushed. "Well...um..hmm...a friend?" Ms. Jones smiled condescendingly. "You called your friend a fool twice, plus a word not allowed spoken by our students."
Ms. Abijar smiled. "You have no way of proving this!" Crystal popped up. "Yes, she does." Crystal held a case for a recorder. Abigail gently removed the box from Crystal's hands, shaking with effort, trying to break free of a constrainment that held her from ripping the girl apart. As soon as she'd backed 5 feet away, she threw the box at the floor, and stomped on her. A stupid grin appeared. "Fools! Your plan's been ruined!" Crystal smiled. "I wouldn't be so sure." Abigail pulled the recorder out of the case. She took the tape out, and ripped the ribbon apart. She then broke the tape in half. She threw the box in the trash. "One more thing, teacher. What was the number you called?" Ms. Abijar smiled. "You know."
"Say it."
"1-800-GREY-CHARITY"
"Or?"
"1-800-4739-2427489"
"And which trash can did you throw the tape in?"
"The one by the door."
"You are trying to kill me?"
"Yes."
"Name all of your victims."
"Crystal Glass, Eli Moon, Li Showron, Meilin Rae, Madison Taylor, and Sakura Avalon."
"Your accomplices?"
"Barbara and Charles Grey."
"Thank you."
"You're not welcome. I'll kill you yet, brat."
Abigail Abijar walked out.
Crystal smiled, and picked up her recorder, and spoke into it. "This is Crystal Glass's taping of Abigail Abijar's confession. It is witnessed by- " Crystal nodded to Ms. Jones.
"Sharla Jones, secretary."
"This tape recorder was hidden on the desk, taping all that occurred from 10:08 am to-" Crystal glanced at the clock. "5:37."
Crystal hit the stop button. She handed the tape to Ms. Jones. "I assume we'll have a substitute tomorrow?"
The old woman smiled. "You and your sister are amazing young women. Your mother has done a spectacular job." Crystal smiled, bittersweet. "A shame I can't meet her yet. I'll see you tomorrow afternoon to hear about Ms. Abijar's exit."
The woman allowed the girl to leave. She'd just masterminded a criminal plot that had been planning to kill her. The child could be forgiven for turning white in fear. *For all I know, that may be an act to keep them from believing she's the reason they were caught.*