Thanks "attitude_chick", "NotAContrivance", and "Aaweth" for your reviews! Thanks "Aaweth" for replying about the 2 new Recess DVDs! I'm really sorry if I seem mysterious or rude in not answering any questions or comments you guys or any other reviewers have…but I want to let the full story to reveal itself before I explain my direction and ideas of the story so that YOUR thoughts and ideas of where the story is going, won't be somewhat influenced by me. Do you know what I mean?
Thanks, to all the reviewers, who have kept on reading the story. I know that reading a story this long (already past 20,000 words, LOL) can be discouraging for some others to read….but with all of your amazing and wonderful reviews it makes it all worth it!
Chapter Fourteen: A Change In The School and In Friendships...
Location: It's Next Monday in the early morning, in T.J.'s patient room
Spinelli and Ashley X have been released from the hospital during the weekend. Today, T.J. is scheduled to be released and Nurse Susan Keladwicz begins to clean his room up. T.J. feels better than ever and can't wait to meet everyone back at school so he can get back to his friends and usual pranking. He finally accepted, in the back of his mind, that if Spinelli and Tyler were a couple it was okay with him but it was an area of heartache he did not want to emotionally go back to.
Susan enthusiastically encourages to T.J., "Are you ready to surprise your family and friends?"
T.J. happily agreed, "You bet ma'am! Whompin' Bobbula I've been waiting to get out of here forever!" T.J.'s parents were waiting at the waiting room to be surprised by their adorable son.
T.J. was dressed in a white T-shirt and jeans, when he noticed that his green jacket was gone. T.J. quietly interrupted Nurse Susan, "Excuse me, but a...do you know where my green jacket went?"
Susan had no idea and continued with taking the linens out of the bed and replied, "Sorry T.J. I have no idea...you did not come here with any type of coat."
T.J. was confused about what happened with it, but was too excited to think about it long since he was leaving. T.J. was just about to leave with his red baseball cap when Nurse Susan interrupted him, "Hey T.J.! Before you go.....you know Ashley Spinelli, right?"
T.J. teasingly but politely answered, "Well duh! Of course, I mean I went to see her as often as I could." T.J. couldn't prepare himself for what was about to happen.
Nurse Susan was reminded of something she found in Spinelli's room while she was taking T.J.'s pillows. She reached in her pocket, handed a photo to T.J., and happily smiled with childhood innocence, "Could you give this photo to Ashley Spinelli? She forgot to take it with her when she left. Awww.....it's so cute how you and Ashley X....something, are about to kiss in a formal restaurant. He He He! Maybe Ashley Spinelli was trying to surprise you two by framing this for a gift. You kids are just sooo adorable!" It was the photo that Spinelli hid in her pillow that Ashley A gave to her.
T.J. at first wondered how or where this photo was taken. He looked in disbelief that it was actually him trying to kiss Ashley X. In an instant, he was completely floored and he understood Spinelli's behavior toward him. T.J. understood now that Spinelli believed he and Ashley X were dating and that Spinelli believed she had destroyed a romantic relationship. In another instant, he was hit again with shock and disbelief. He knew that this photo was taken from the Ashleys back at the night of the Olive Garden from the camera angle of the photo. Again he was shocked, but this time at the most obvious that the picture showed, that Ashley X was falling for him. These 3 things all came together. When T.J. wore his cap, said goodbye to the medical staff, and left the hospital with his parents....he knew that when he would arrive back at Third Street things would be changed..... Little did T.J. know, how much things have changed back in Third Street...
T.J. arrives back at Third Street School at 10 AM, just in time for recess. Just as T.J. is about to open the car door, say goodbye to his parents, and take a deep breath of the playground, he notices the playground and is beyond belief shocked. The entire playground has been transformed into an oil pumping station. The jungle gym, Old Rusty, Fort Tender, the baseball diamond, and even the Ashleys' clubhouse were not spared. The only thing that remains is the blacktop with the tetherball courts, basketball courts, and the dumpster. Despite the blacktop still being open...there were no students outside playing what-so-ever. T.J. was just staring at what used to be the playground and trying to soak it all in. T.J. then mindlessly waved back to his parents as they left. In an instant, T.J. now became determined to knowing what happened to recess, he felt that somehow the school betrayed its students by denying them recess.
T.J. rushed to and opened the school doors and went to the cafeteria. He was surprised to see the hallways and classrooms all remodeled and restored. It appeared as if the school was brand new. He focused back on his mission and he knew that this was the place where students would be if recess wasn't held outside. He violently opened the cafeteria doors and he was surprised to see kids were actually having fun inside. T.J. looked around the cafeteria and couldn't believe his eyes...the kids did not really care about ever going outside. Gus was playing the 'Army Navy Game' with Cornchip Girl on the cafeteria floor and noticed T.J.
Gus happily and excitedly ran to T.J., "Teej! You're back! How are you doing? It's really great to have you back Teej!"
T.J. was relieved and happy to see a familiar face, "Hey buddy! I'm glad to see you again too! I'm doing fine and the doctors have fixed me up!" T.J. looked around for the rest of the gang. "Hey, uh....where is everyone else?"
Gus replied, "Well...everyone else went to different parts of the school." Gus was counting his fingers to keep track of who went where. "Vince is practicing hoops in the new, remodeled gym. Gretchen is doing more of her experiments in the new lab. Mikey is enjoying practicing his opera singing in the music room. And Spinelli is at the new gymnastics room where she is practicing her fighting techniques."
T.J.'s eyes bulged out, "New gym?!? Gymnastics room?!? New lab?!? What happened to this place? This school looks like it's new!"
Gus explained to T.J., "Well Teej, since the tornado damaged parts of the school. The school decided to remodel and restore everything but they also went beyond that. They gave new facilities like the new gyms and labs. Even an entertainment room for kids to enjoy video games Teej! Isn't it the coolest!?!"
T.J. still couldn't believe what he was hearing, "AN ENTERTAINMENT ROOM?!? But what about the playground, doesn't anybody want to play outside?!?"
Gus teasingly dismissed T.J., "Are you crazy Teej?!? Every kid is having fun being inside; it's almost like Chucke Cheeses or something!"
Cornchip kindly interrupted Gus, "Gus! It's your turn!"
T.J. tried to get Gus' attention back but couldn't, "But...but...Gus...." Teej quietly sighed and walked down the hallways to find the rest of the gang as he kept looking at how much the school has changed in disbelief. T.J. arrived at the gym and saw Vince playing 3 on 3 basketball on the court. T.J. tried to enter the gym unnoticed but Vince did notice him and froze for a second. Vince was distracted from the game and yelled, "Teej!" Soon another guy from the team knocked him down and a time out was called.
T.J. rushed to Vince "Hey Vince my man! Are you okay?"
Vince looked up at T.J. and said, "More like I should be asking you that question. What are you doing here? I thought you were still in the hospital. I was planning to see you after school again."
T.J. assured Vince, "I'm doing well Vince. I'm doing well....I'm completely healed."
Vince happily remarked, "That's great man! Have you met the rest of the gang?"
T.J. replied, "I saw Gus, but I'm still have to see all of them. Man, I can't believe how much this place has changed."
Vince commented, "Yeah, isn't it great? Finally Third Street has the equipment for all of us to enjoy our hobbies."
T.J. was stunned by Vince's comment. T.J. thought that Vince would have shared his same opinion that these changes in Third Street were not for the best. T.J. quickly said, "Great?!? But look at the playground, the oil wells took over it and no kid wants to go outside!"
Vince tried to calm down T.J., "Whoa Teej! Cool off man! Just because Third Street has received money from some companies and wants to improve it for us doesn't mean it's bad."
T.J. couldn't believe what he just heard, "Third Street....receiving money!?!?"
Vince was slightly confused by T.J. not knowing, "I thought we told you that....but, psst, keep it a secret okay? We told Menlo that we wouldn't let it spread on the playground."
T.J. quietly commented, "Or what's left of it....."
The kids from the 3 on 3 basketball game called Vince back to play. Vince asked T.J., "Hey Teej, you want to join me in the next game?"
T.J. sighed and dispirited that Vince did not share his opinion replied, "No thanks man....I'm gonna check out the place some more."
Vince said, "Okay...maybe next time" and happily went back playing basketball. T.J. continued seeing Spinelli, Gretchen, and Mikey during recess but they all shared Vince's view, that they enjoyed how things are now and did not care about the playground. T.J. tried to get a chance to speak with Spinelli about the photo but Spinelli was too busy trying to deviate her mind from that heart aching issue by practicing martial arts in the gymnastics room.
At the second recess T.J. feels more dispirited than ever about reclaiming the playground back and his drifting friendships. He can't seem to convince his friends, much less the rest of the kids in Third Street how much the playground is needed. Despite during his recesses to visit and spend time with all of his five friends, he begins to notice that their friendships are slowly drifting apart since they are all spending so much time away from each other. In addition, he can't find Ashley X anywhere during recess. T.J. decides to go the boys restroom, no one else is there he assumes, and just before he enters the stall door...Ashley X enters the boys' restroom.
T.J. is suddenly shocked not only for finding her but also for her being in the boys' restroom, "Ashley! I've been looking for you!....but a...what are you doing right here?" T.J. pointed downward implying the restroom.
Ashley X wanted to meet with T.J. secretly and locks the boys' restroom. She slowly walks to T.J. like a lion creeping up to his prey.
T.J. nervously laughs, "Hiya, Ashley...um....what are you doing?"
Ashley X slyly replies, "I just wanted to spend some alone time with you." Ashley X was getting ready to seduce T.J.
T.J. remembered the photo Nurse Susan gave him and slowly backed away from Ashley X to the end of bathroom. T.J. nervously spoke, "Look Ashley...you're really a nice girl and all but I'm just a kid...I'm not ready for that lovey-gushy stuff."
Ashley X teased with T.J. and whispered in his ear, "Oh c'mon T.J.... I promise I won't bite." and giggled afterward.
T.J. quickly moved to the left side and climbed onto the sinks. He crawled down the wall of sinks toward the door, but when he tried to unlock the boys' restroom door the knob broke off. SAL 4000 actually let the knob break off. T.J.'s mind was racing, he was trapped in the boys' restroom and the only escape was a window at the back at the end of the restroom where he fled from Ashley X. Randall was walking down the hallway when he heard the knob broke off. He rushed over to try to open the boys' restroom door, but after hearing some of T.J. and Ashley X's discussion, he decided to sit next to door and listen in.
Ashley X faced T.J. and moved toward him, "T.J. don't worry...the other kids don't have to find out about you and me.....and besides.....since I rule the playground I can make all of your wishes for the playground come true. C'mon T.J. you don't have to hide your feelings..."
T.J. wasn't at all attracted to Ashley X, he just saw her as a great friend and nothing more. T.J. thought about how familiar he met someone crush-crazy over him like Ashley X a long time ago, but he couldn't remember. T.J. fished around in his pockets to find the photo and just before Ashley X was 2 feet away from him, he presented her the photo in front of her face. T.J. breathed heavily trying to avoid her and said, "I know about how you tried to make a move with me back at the Olive Garden and I know you have to do with something about the kids not wanting to go on the playground."
Ashley X teasingly dismissed T.J., "T.J. that ridiculous! I have nothing to do with the kids not wanting to be on the playground and besides it's their choice. As for the photo, well I'm glad you finally know about my feelings toward you after these years...Now you can kiss me with passion"
T.J. was confused. He only knew her for a couple of months and not years. T.J. was almost terrified seeing Ashley X's behavior, but he quickly tried to focus on the playground. T.J. carefully thought over that Ashley X had something to do with the kids not wanting to go the playground, because he thought over how the oil wells were built around the same time as Ashley X arrived at Third Street and assumed power of the playground. T.J. also knew that the oil being pumped out was probably worth millions of dollars which thus contributed to improvements of the school. T.J. angrily responded to Ashley X, "I'm sorry I have to do this Ashley.....but if you don't do something about restoring the playground....I'm gonna have to spread the word on this!" T.J. pointed toward the photo of them. T.J. knew that despite losing a chance with Spinelli and being laughed at throughout the school, he knew it had to be done to save the playground.
Ashley X immediately became angered by T.J.'s threat. She knew that if the photo was released in school, the kids of the playground would ridicule and tease her and therefore not take her seriously anymore. Furthermore, she could then be taken over by King Freddie who was gaining public support. Ashley X angrily and sarcastically replied, "So much for you keeping your promises on not questioning my rule."
T.J. answered back, "Oh....I'm not questioning....I'm demanding changes!"
Ashley X knew exactly how to turn the situation in her favor, she teasingly and sarcastically said, "Fine, Detweiler you can go and turn in that photo...but mind you, expect to see Spinelli again back in the hospital..."
T.J. did not expect this blow, "WHAT?!? What are you talkin' about?"
Ashley X sinisterly delighted in her threat, "You remember those 'friendship' bracelets I gave to you and Spinelli, right? Well with one touch of my cell phone I can give Spinelli another shock that can weaken her heart..."
T.J. did not believe Ashley X's threat and did not even realize he was still wearing the bracelet, "Sure....whatever Ashley....try me if you wish..."
Ashley X slyly said, "As you wish, Detweiler...." She dialed a code on her cell phone that sent a signal on T.J.'s bracelet. T.J. was hit with a mild painful shock that caused him to kneel down on the restroom floor while his right hand tried to comfort his left wrist (which had the bracelet.) It felt like someone had stabbed his wrist with a fork where the pain radiated out toward his left arm. She continued, "And don't you think about taking it off T.J. because you expect something far greater..."
T.J. knew that he couldn't let Ashley X shock Spinelli. T.J. cared too much for Spinelli to let anything happen to her. Again, T.J. was faced with the dilemma of choosing between a friend and the welfare of the playground. T.J.'s image of Ashley X being the thoughtful and kind girl who used to give candy and play with them was completely extinguished and now T.J. was beginning to see Ashley X's true colors and became completely angry toward her. He became furious realizing how Ashley X played with Spinelli's and his emotions in the past several weeks. Randall ran to catch Ms. Finster to end the situation before it would get out of hand.
Ashley X angrily questioned, "So what's your decision Detweiler?"
T.J. reluctantly replied, "Fine, I won't do anything and I'll keep quiet." T.J. knew that he had nothing else to go against Ashley X and that he couldn't bare to see Spinelli back in the hospital. Ms. Finster arrived at the door of the boys' restroom and with her blowhorn she yelled, "Attention, T.J. Detweiler and Ashley X come out of the boys' restroom now! Otherwise I'm comin' in." Randall then informed Ms. Finster the door was jammed and locked. Ms. Finster then left to get Hank. By now, a crowd of kids were forming near the entrance of the boys' restroom to see what was happening but they could not hear the discussion inside the restroom.
Ashley X also made another demand, "One more thing T.J....."
T.J. irritated replied, "What is it?"
Ashley X simply said, "You have to kiss me, right here, right now!" T.J. still couldn't believe that after their argument, Ashley X still wanted him to kiss her. Ashley X pulled T.J. to the end of the bathroom, near the opened window.
Ashley X seductively demanded, "C'mon T.J....I'm waiting unless you like shock pain...."
T.J. closed his eyes and slowly and reluctantly tried to meet his lips to Ashley X's lips. Suddenly there was a huge WHACK sound on the wooden boys' bathroom door. Hank decided to ax the door down since SAL 4000 was refusing to open the door. Ashley X grabbed T.J.'s white T-shirt collar to pull him in close, but just before their lips could make contact, Hank chopped the bottom half of the door down in one swing of the ax. Ashley X jumped onto the sink and squeezed through the open window just in time before Hank managed to open the door completely. Ms. Finster was overjoyed planning to catch Ashley X and T.J. and before she could notice she said, "Okay...you little lovebirds....it's time to....WHAT? WHERE IN THE HECK IS ASHLEY X? RANDALL! What's going on?!?" Ashley X was already outside the school and was sneaking back inside school.
T.J. let out a huge sigh of relief for not kissing Ashley X and said to Ms. Finster, "I never thought I would be so glad to see you, Ms. Finster."
Chapter Fifteen: An Unlikely Alliance That Leads To An Unknown Destination
Location: Coach Kluge's classroom, it's just after Ms. Finster and Hank are able to open the boys' restroom door
Ms. Finster has taken T.J. to Coach Kluge's empty classroom, where she substituted for him, to serve detention after she believes that T.J. deliberately locked the door for some type of prank. The cafeteria is completely busy with kids spending their recess which made Ms. Finster to choose this room. The classroom is empty except for the two of them. Once T.J. sits down at a desk Ms. Finster begins her lecturing.
"Blast you Detweiler! Must you always make these recesses so difficult?" grumbled Ms. Finster.
T.J. was disappointed over serving detention, but at least it was break to think about what just happened with Ashley X. "But Ms. Finster I wasn't planning on doing anything!"
Ms. Finster dismissed his excuse, "Hog wash Detweiler! Randall already told me that you and Ashley X were doing some hanky-panky business, and I won't tolerate it!"
T.J. tried again to make Ms. Finster understand his point of view. "But, but, Ms. Finster, but I..."
Ms. Finster annoyed said, "Stop staying that awful word!"
T.J. knew it was useless trying to convince Ms. Finster with him knowing full well about their past history together. Ms. Finster reclined back in her teacher's chair and put her orthopedic shoes on top of her desk and began reading a magazine. After a long pause, T.J. decided to question Ms. Finster.
T.J. cautiously questioned the old beast, "Um....Ms. Finster....may I ask what do you think about Ashley X?"
Ms. Finster grumbled while continuing to read, "Another hooligan like yourself Detweiler!....Why do ask boy?"
T.J. whistled, tapped his fingers, and looked around the classroom, "Oh....nothing....."
Ms. Finster took a look above her magazine to see any suspicious behavior on T.J. but she couldn't detect anything. Suddenly, Ms. Finster noticed T.J.'s left wrist (that was tapping the desk) and noticed his bracelet which was similar to hers. Ms. Finster uncertain about T.J.'s response with her cracking voice asked, "Hey T.J.....where did you get that metal bracelet on your left wrist?"
T.J. stopped tapping and whistling and pulled back a bit to see his bracelet that Ashley X had given to him. He was peeved thinking about it because instead of the bracelet being a symbol of friendship...he saw it as a symbol of betrayal. T.J. carelessly responded, "Eh....it's just some bracelet Ashley X gave to me, that's all..."
Ms. Finster silently gasped. She knew there could be a possibility that Ashley X had got T.J. too. Ms. Finster got up and started pacing in front of T.J. She began questioning like an attorney at a court case, "Say T.J.....has this bracelet ever been a....pain to wear?"
T.J. did not have a clue what Ms. Finster was implying he calmly replied, "I guess so...."
"Very interesting....yes...was the bracelet a shock when you received it and still is a shock, Detweiler?"
T.J. now knew something was up, when Ms. Finster greatly emphasized the word 'shock'. He looked around the room, "uh....yeah...."
"Ah ha! I knew it boy! It was all a matter of deduction thanks to watching all of those episodes of 'Murder She Wrote' with Angela Lansbury! You and I are under the control of Ashley X, my boy! Take a look for yourself T.J.!" Ms. Finster stuck her wrinkled arm out in front of T.J. to show him that she had a similar bracelet to T.J.
T.J. couldn't believe it. He tried to speak, "How...is...that...possible? Hey! It makes sense, no wonder you never punished Ashley X after that micro-skirt incident!"
Ms. Finster sighed and went back to her seat. "Yes, T.J., it was a very dark day for me. I never thought that I...Muriel Finster...would be under the control....Oh I can't say it.....a child." Ms. Finster turned her head back in shame.
T.J. was instantly reminded of what Butch and Randall said earlier about her. T.J. interested, asked, "Randall told me that some guys took you right out of school and into a car! Is it really true?!?"
Ms. Finster looked up at the classroom windows in shame, trying to avoid looking at T.J. "Yes T.J. that's true...the men took me to the city and did unimaginable things to me. I tried to fight them with everything I had but they were too much....they constantly scowled and shouted at me. They forced me to wear this bracelet and to do whatever Ashley X wanted me to do."
T.J. made a fist and hammered the student desk with it. He was furious, he knew that Ashley X had gone too far by gaining power of the playground and threatening the faculty. He shouted, "Ms. Finster we have to stop Ashley X, before it gets worse...."
Ms. Finster with lost hope looked at T.J., "What do you mean T.J.? How can we even begin?"
T.J. smirked and cleverly said, "Don't worry Ms. Finster.....I have a plan...."
T.J. and Ms. Finster continued to discuss about their plan to stop Ashley X. Ms. Finster chuckled knowing what clever tricks and schemes they would use to stop Ashley X. Little did they know that SAL 4000 was watching and listening over them....
Meanwhile, back at the cafeteria, lunch was being served right after recess. Lunch Lady Irma was blushing over Mikey giving her flowers from Prickly's garden, as always. Mikey received both side dishes. Ashley X was right after him and before Lunch Lady Irma could ask her what she would like, Ashley X got a phone call. Ashley X moved aside and listened in on the phone.
She heard SAL 4000's rigid computer voice say, "Ashley X, I have supervised Theodore Detweiler and Muriel Finster like you wanted me to. According to what I have observed, they are planning to sabotage you. What shall I be programmed to do?"
Gretchen, Mikey, Gus, Vince, and Spinelli were all sitting together at the lunch table. Spinelli shouted to Ashley X, "Hey Ashley X! Are you gonna sit with us or what?"
Ashley X kindly and loudly replied, "I'll be there....just a minute."
Vince questioned the rest of the 4, "Hey guys, is it me or is Ashley X always talking on her cell phone?"
Gretchen scientifically responded, "It's not you Vince, she has been spending 34.7% more time on the phone these past few days in comparison to when we first saw her."
Gus commented, "Well....we haven't really seen her at all lately."
The five continued to discuss about Ashley X's changes ever since the school changed. Back at the other side of the cafeteria, Ashley X was thinking of what to do to Ms. Finster and T.J.
Ashley X cockily said, "Give Ms. Finster and T.J. the Silent Darkness treatment."
SAL 4000 replied, "Initiating 'Silent Darkness' treatment."
Back in Coach Kluge's classroom, Ms. Finster and T.J. were laughing and smiling together at Ms. Finster desk knowing what their fool-proof plan would be to bring down Ashley X. Without warning, SAL 4000 locked and covered the classroom door. SAL 4000 closed the window shades and turned off all the lights. T.J. and Ms. Finster were stunned, looking around all over the classroom, not knowing what was happening. Despite it being in the middle of the day and it being the busiest time (recess and lunch) in school, Ms. Finster classroom was plunged into near pitch black darkness and the door and windows were sealed so tightly no noises could be heard from outside or in the hallways.
Ms. Finster yelled, "WHAT IN THE BLAZES IS GOING ON?!?"
SAL 4000 replied, "I'm sorry faculty Finster and student Detweiler but you two have violated your conduct behavior."
T.J. angrily yelled back to SAL 4000, "What conduct behavior?"
SAL 4000 with his monotonous rigid computer voice answered, "I believe student Detweiler that you have been fully warned before."
T.J. ran to the door and tried to open it every possible way. He first tried the knob, then ramming the door, and trying to unlock it with a paper clip like Spinelli taught him. No matter what T.J. did he couldn't open or budge the door, it was like trying to break through a brick wall. Ms. Finster tried throwing books at the windows, but little did she know that the shades that were drawn were made of reinforced steel protecting the glass windows. Ms. Finster and T.J. tried yelling for help for 15 minutes but no one could hear them since SAL 4000 sealed the doors and windows so tightly.
The classroom had a silence and darkness to someone being locked in the bedroom closet with no lights.
SAL 4000 impatiently commented, "You two appear to be difficult in disciplining. I shall correct that...." Before T.J. and Ms. Finster could start throwing things at SAL 4000 they were shocked heavily. They both walked dazed and confused for a few seconds, and fell over on the floor of the classroom. The two could not tell if they were entering into unconsciousness because there appeared to be no change in darkness...
After 15 minutes when lunch was over, the students of Coach Kluge's class arrived near the door but SAL 4000 told them that Ms. Finster was suddenly feeling ill and decided to take a few days off. When the students of Ms. Finster's class came back, Ms. Grotke worriedly asked, "Has anyone seen T.J. around?" No student had a clue where he was.
Vince replied, "The last time I saw him was at recess. None of us know where he is! He didn't even show up to lunch!"
SAL 4000 interrupted the conversation and said, "Ms. Grotke, one of Ms. Finster's students, named Theodore Detweiler, has been feeling sick and has went home."
Ms. Grotke was comforted knowing that T.J. was not missing but still worried about his condition, "My, my, my I hope it's not too serious..."
Gus commented to the gang, "But T.J. was feeling just fine last time we saw him."
The class continued to talk and gossip about what happened to T.J. SAL 4000 tried not to arise any suspicion on T.J.'s situation, "Class of Ms. Finster's there is no need to worry. T.J. has just been feeling nauseous. I suggest you all return to your studies."
Spinelli sarcastically commented to the gang, "...Probably after smelling the cafeteria food."
Ms. Grotke quickly settled the class back into learning their math.
The hours passed in school, 7, 8, 9, 10 PM....way past when the faculty, students, janitors, and everyone else left for the day. T.J.'s parents called his friends all day after school about where T.J. was. His parents and the gang's parents (parents of Mikey, Vince, Spinelli, Gus, and Gretchen) all went out searching for T.J. around the neighborhood, the least place they expected to find T.J. (in school) was actually where he still was. It was around 11 PM.....T.J. felt groggy and had a throbbing headache. He and Ms. Finster were still in her classroom. T.J. could barely recognize the time in the darkness. When T.J. got up he was soon bumping into the desks and tables of the classroom. He felt almost blind, he was trying to feel his way though the classroom. Ms. Finster, on the other hand, was still unconscious. Before T.J. could realize what happened to him hours ago, the classroom door slammed open and a group of tall, shadowy figures stood in the doorway.
T.J. recognized Ashley X's voice but couldn't see where she was in the pitch darkness, "Take these two to the city! Now!"
Before T.J. could fight back, he was shocked from his bracelet and fell into unconsciousness again. The men dragged their limp, seemingly lifeless bodies through the unlit, darken hallways of Third Street. It was a dark, blue lit eerie night with no moon. The men finally arrived at their dark blue van and carried and placed Ms. Finster and T.J. into the back. The men quickly drove the van out of the school's parking lot and onto the nearest freeway. T.J. and Ms. Finster were still unconscious throughout the trip. By the time they would wake up....they would have wished that they wouldn't have...
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To Be Continued…