Pain sizzled along Rudy's face as Chalk Tweezer slashed him. Rudy screamed as blood dripped into his eye. Shutting it didn't stop the stings nor the tears that followed.
"You're becoming blind... Open your eyes to the truth, boy...!" Chalk Tweezer's voice streaked out like steam from a kettle. "Already half blind... Don't lose your chance... Wake up...!"
Rudy's chest heaved and his throat dried up. His surroundings blurred out and swirled in chaos. Chalk Tweezer walked in the middle of this, it all centering around her as if she were the source. Rudy cowered at the shadows closing in around him, his body turning into ice.
How could he escape?
Chalk Tweezer's face nearly touched his, her smile never changing. Her fingernails dug against his skin. Rudy yelped and his leg snagged on one of the nails holding him down when he tried to kick. Chalk Tweezer cackled at Rudy's escape attempt and she stroked his hair.
"Look at you, boy... Pathetic dreamer... You wouldn't be in this mess if you just embraced reality..." Chalk Tweezer traced along Rudy's facial cut, ignoring the blood's burning effect. Rudy shuddered. "Too late for you, I see... Too far down the rabbit hole..."
Rudy choked out a sob. "I-I wanna go home..."
Chalk Tweezer said, "Now you long for the real...? Are you finally agreeing with me that living in fantasy will only harm you...?"
Rudy's voice was muted by trembling whimpers.
Chalk Tweezer caressed Rudy's cheek. "Let go of the unreal... It's not that hard... Close your eyes and..."
Rudy widened his eyes and screeched as Chalk Tweezer dragged her thumb down his injury. His kicks did nothing to free him. His arms sprang up, ripping free of the nails, and his nails clawed against her face. It had no effect on Chalk Tweezer. Pain erupted from his shoulder as Chalk Tweezer scratched down his shoulder, causing his body to seize up.
"..let go!"
Rudy trembled as his breathing became ragged. The cold sharpness snaked from his shoulder and down his arm. He stifled a cry as Chalk Tweezer grabbed his shirt collar and yanked him.
"I beg of you," Whimpered Rudy. "L-Let me go home..."
Chalk Tweezer cackled as she brought down her hooked fingers. Rudy screamed.
A flash of blue zipped by and Rudy could breathe once more. He coughed and spluttered, his heart aching to get out of his chest. Rudy struggled to lift his head, the nails pulling at him, and he gasped.
Snap...? How did he find him?
Snap wrestled with Chalk Tweezer, any fear of his own safety momentarily tossed to the side. Chalk Tweezer's scowling and bared sharp teeth didn't stop Snap from punching her cheek. Chalk Tweezer shook her head and clutched Snap's face. Tiny red marks appeared as Chalk Tweezer dug her fingers inward.
Snarling, Snap slugged Chalk Tweezer's throat. This sent her into a coughing fit. As she was distracted, Snap kicked her stomach. The wind was knocked out of her and she gasped for air. Snap seized his chance and held Chalk Tweezer to the ground.
"Leave my friend alone, you creepazoid!" Snap scowled. "Or I'll make you regret even looking at him!"
Chalk Tweezer opened her mouth past its joint. Her teeth tilted upwards, poised to strike. Snap faltered, still managing to hold on as Chalk Tweezer chomped at him. Snap jerked his body and dodged the subsequent attacks by a hair's width. Chalk Tweezer's eyes blazed as she delivered one more blow.
She didn't miss.
Snap gasped as Chalk Tweezer bit down on his cape. Rudy tried to call out for his friend. Coldness in his throat kept him muted. Chalk Tweezer wrenched at Snap's cape. Snap yanked at his cape as he was dragged closer. Chalk Tweezer swiped at him again.
Snap turned into a pretzel as he twisted to avoid the attack. His cape tore into pieces. The pressure relief sent Snap and Chalk Tweezer crashing into the ground. Trembling, Snap jumped to his feet and raised his fists. Chalk Tweezer dropped onto all fours and arched her back and hissed.
Another jerk and Rudy was freed. He rose up on shaky legs and leaned against a nearby dumpster. He fought with his stiff body to do something. Where was the magic chalk? Rudy scanned the area and held his breath. Chalk Tweezer stood the magic chalk.
"Rudy look out!"
Rudy screamed as Chalk Tweezer lunged at him. Rudy dodged and whipped around to face her. She turned and jumped at him again. Rudy trembled and headbutted her shoulder. As Chalk Tweezer sprawled on the ground, Rudy dashed for the magic chalk.
"No! You must embrace the real! Don't touch that ch... hurk!"
"You're not going anywhere near him if I have anything to say about it!"
"Then I will make sure you can't speak!"
As Snap kept Chalk Tweezer busy, Rudy lunged and his fingers caught the magic chalk between them. Rudy tumbled, spitting dirt before stopping in Chalk Tweezer's line of sight. Rudy struggled to get to his feet. The ground slicked underneath him and he wobbled. Rudy straightened his arm out and no hesitation began to draw.
Rudy's fingers slipped as he grasped the freeze ray. The bulbous tip teetered in his hands. His heart strangled his throat. He tugged on the trigger and stopped. What if he hit Snap?
Chalk Tweezer raised Snap by his throat and threw him like a ragdoll. Cold jolts tangled through Rudy's body as Snap tumbled against a wall. Snap shook his head and moved back as Chalk Tweezer tried to lunge at him. Snap jumped over Chalk Tweezer and bashed into her head. Chalk Tweezer howled and her body smacked into the ground.
Rudy pulled the trigger.
The swirling blue energy hit its mark. Chalk Tweezer jerked about as ice spread along underneath her, gluing her down. She howled as she yanked on her limbs. Rudy clutched the freeze ray and gritted his teeth. Was the ice going to hold?
With a shatter, Chalk Tweezer freed herself. Rudy screamed and tried to shoot again. Chalk Tweezer knocked the freeze ray out of his hand as she threw him against the dumpster. Rudy grasped his shoulder and let out another scream when Chalk Tweezer charged him.
Chalk Tweezer's body froze and rammed down. Snap's arms wrapped around her midsection, his teeth bared. Chalk Tweezer reached for him, her yowls taking on a new pitch. Snap returned with a roar of his own and swatted her hand away.
"Leave. My. Friend. Alone!" Snap rammed his fist against Chalk Tweezer's head.
The punch twisted Chalk Tweezer's neck as she gave out a gasp, her body stiffening. With a thud, she collapsed to the floor. The only sign that she was still alive was her shallow breathing.
Rudy couldn't tear his eyes away. The danger was over, but images still flashed before his eyes, words echoing in his head. Rudy licked his lips as he hugged himself. His body trembled, his breathing quickening. Everything closed in around him and tears swelled up in his eyes.
"Bucko! Are you alright?"
Rudy whimpered as his tears stung his eye cut. Snap laid his hand on his arm and looked at him with worry. Rudy forced out a smile and nodded his head. "I-I'm fine. I... Th-Thanks for the help." Another sting, another yelp.
Snap grimaced. "I'll help you get back. Just lean on me, okay?"
Rudy couldn't bring himself to protest. Snap slung his arm over to support him. Rudy's legs shook as he leaned against Snap to walk. Rudy fought back the urge to vomit as Snap led him away from there.
sss
"What is going on here? This...This isn't possible. No scientific sense..." Mr. Quillon muttered to himself.
Reggie rubbed his arm as Mr. Quillon was on his knees staring in shock at the sliver of light. Mr. Quillon hadn't even given him a spare glance since they came here.
Reggie's heart wouldn't stop clenching. The sickness that dwelled in his stomach and chest wouldn't relent. Mr. Quillon's face was plastered in the back of his mind, always watching, always judging. There was no escape.
Fear had never been something that Reggie ever matched with any teacher. Mr. Quillon wasn't interested in just disciplining him. Mr. Quillon wanted to tear him apart.
That chalk world no longer mattered at the moment.
With Mr. Quillon still distracted, Reggie made sure that the coast was clear before making his move. The school entrance wasn't far. Reggie dashed for it.
"Where do you think you're going?" Asked Mr. Quillon. Reggie cried out as Mr. Quillon yanked his arm. "You're still not offering any help for a lost classmate?"
Reggie remained silent.
Mr. Quillon shook his head. "Tsk tsk, what would your parents think?" Mr. Quillon tapped his chin. "They must already be so upset with what you did to that Penny girl. If they find out about this..."
Reggie gasped and gripped Mr. Quillon's arm. "Please leave them out of this!"
Mr. Quillon chuckled as he tightened his hand around Reggie's arm. Mr. Quillon leaned in and said, "Maybe I will consider that. If you don't tell me everything you know about this chalk world, I guarantee you I will talk with your parents. Understand me?"
Reggie swallowed and nodded.
"Good boy," Said Mr. Quillon. He released Reggie. "Out here isn't a good place to discuss this. In our next meeting, we will talk." A pause. "And remember, I want every detail."
Reggie bit his lip, his hands fumbling together. Needle pricks spread deep into his stomach. His head ached with every beat of his heart. He couldn't bring himself to move.
Shouldn't he be happy for this? He got someone to listen to him and had managed to prove that he was right. Rudy couldn't humiliate him again. No one could call him crazy for claiming that a chalk world existed. He should be grateful.
What happened to Mr. Quillon's fear for Rudy? Why hadn't Mr. Quillon acknowledged the silence? What was going through that man's mind?
Telling Mr. Quillon was a mistake.
Reggie whipped his head up the moment that Mr. Quillon nudged his back. The look on Mr. Quillon's face was all that Reggie needed to see before following his silent orders. With no other option, Reggie kept his head low as Mr. Quillon guided him back to the school.
sss
Thoughts swam through Rudy's head as he entered Penny's room. His voice was still frozen. His stomach burned. How was he going to tell her about what happened?
A part of him wished that he had been able to do this the other day. His parents refused to let him out of their sights. They fussed over his eye cut and gave him enough lectures about wandering out alone to last him through the summer. Every request to see Penny was denied; his parents insisted that he stay home.
No one would tell him why Penny wasn't in the office when he arrived. Rudy's efforts to find out were buried under the weight of how relieved and angry his parents were with him. Rudy scolded himself for not trying harder to get away from those zoners.
Penny sat on on her bed with her back to him. She sat cross-legged, hugging her knees to herself. She hadn't acknowledged his presence but no doubt she'd heard him enter. Rudy swallowed and neared her.
"Hey, Penny?" When he got no answer, Rudy bit his lip. "Can we talk about what happened yesterday? I...I feel really bad about, you know," Said Rudy as he rubbed his head.
No answer. A sting shot through Rudy's heart.
Rudy said, "I don't know what got into me. I'm really sorry about taking off like that."
Penny growled, distorting her voice."You should be."
Rudy stiffened up and stepped back, widening his eyes. He choked on a lump in his throat. Was this Penny?
"Do you have any idea what happened to me because of you?" Penny's voice darkened. "Do you want to know the situation we're in now thanks to you?"
"Penny...?" Rudy moved back further.
Penny reached for him. Rudy raised his hands to defend himself. His vision warped as Penny wrenched him close, her bared teeth mirroring his own. Her eyes stopped him from struggling. His body shook as he took in gulps of air.
Ice filled Rudy's chest. Penny's nose was covered in bandages. Bruises decorated the skin under her eyes. Red specks were the last remnants of a nose bleed. Other darkened patches were visible along her face. Thoughts swam through Rudy's mind as he fought with himself to say something.
"What happened?" That was all Rudy managed to say.
Penny gritted her teeth. "Reggie Bullnerd happened to me, that's what!"
Rudy gasped. "R-Reggie? Why did h..."
"He saw you go through the portal!" Penny cut him off. "He knows about ChalkZone!"
Rudy stammered, words failing to form. His head pounded with each beat of his heart. Heat and cold simultaneously ran underneath his skin. Fuzziness clung around his mind. Faces sneered from within and taunted him with silent accusations.
Gulping, Rudy asked, "D-Didn't you try to t-tell him that...uh..."
Penny said, "Tell him what? What was I supposed to say?"
Rudy flinched at Penny's tone. Penny didn't give him a chance to respond.
"Oh I'm sorry. Did you expect me to come up with some brilliant comeback while Reggie was turning my face into a pancake?!"
The visualization of that description made Rudy shudder. Reggie was no stranger to beating up other students and Snap almost became one of his victims. Reggie rarely went after girls. Penny becoming a target of Reggie's aggression left bile climbing its way up Rudy's throat.
Tears welled up in Penny's eyes. "The other students, they just... They just watched! They didn't try to help me! I couldn't get away! A-A-And Reggie, he..." Penny's voice faded. Her hands slipped from Rudy's shoulders and covered her face. Cries intermixed with her tremulous breathing.
Rudy's mind turned into ice as it struggled to process what he had been told. The ground beneath him trembled as if this information frightened it as well. It took all that he had to break out of this mental block.
Rudy stood up and leaned in as he wrapped his arms around Penny. She gave a choked cry and clung to Rudy as if her life depended on it. Rudy paid no heed to the burning in his stomach. There would be time later to be angry. He firmed his embraced as Penny pressed against him and cried.
"H-Hey now, it's okay. I'm here," Rudy choked. "Everything's going to be okay."
Was it?
Mental images of Chalk Tweezer chilled Rudy's blood.
Penny said, "I wanted blame you for what happened. I was just s-so angry, I..." Penny paused to sniffle. "I never thought that Reggie w-w-would..." Penny gripped Rudy harder. "And now he knows about ChalkZone."
Rudy's chest stung. "I shouldn't have ran off like that. I'm so sorry."
"...why didn't you come back sooner?" Asked Penny. "They kept asking me where you were. It got so bad that my mom had to force them to let me go home."
Tears welled up in Rudy's eyes. "I tried to get back, Penny. Really I did. But these zoners... They wouldn't let me leave. They forced me to stay and do repair work and no matter what I did, it wasn't good enough for them. I-If it hadn't been for this chalk Ms. Tweezer, I wouldn't have..."
"Wait, what?" Penny nudged Rudy back as she locked eyes with him. "What did y... Rudy, your eye!"
"It's nothing to worry about," Said Rudy. "It's not as bad as your..."
"How did this happen?" Penny asked, her voice a whisper.
Rudy clenched his teeth. "It...wasn't just those zoners who kept me from getting back..."
Penny recomposed herself. "A zoner that looked like Ms. Tweezer...attacked you?"
Rudy fought back tears as he nodded. "I-I-I don't know where she came from. I don't know how long she's been there..." Rudy gripped his head and shut his eyes. "D-Did the real Ms. Tweezer send that thing after me? I thought she was still locked away in that mental hospital. Does she still want to get back at me for what I did?"
Penny gripped Rudy's shoulder. "It couldn't have been her. She doesn't have access to any chalk or chalkboard where she is."
"Then how do you explain why this zoner targeted me, just me? She only fought Snap because he came to save me," Said Rudy as he rubbed his facial cut. "She a-a-acted like she was going to take out my eye because 'I was b-blind'. If it weren't for Snap, she might've succeeded."
Penny bit her lip. She pulled Rudy into a hug, nuzzling him. "I'm so sorry you had to go through that."
Rudy returned the hug. "Heh, I guess we both had a bad day, huh?"
Penny nodded.
Rudy closed his eyes and rested his chin on Penny's shoulder. His chest stung to the same beat as the throbs in his head. What happened in Chalkzone was bad enough. What did Penny do to deserve what she got?
Rudy fought back the nausea as his body shook. Visions of Reggie breaking Penny's nose haunted him. Poor Penny must've been terrified, and no one stood up for her. Rudy's blood boiled.
...Reggie knew about Chalkzone...
Rudy's heart filled with ice. What were they going to do about that?
"Rudy, I know what you're thinking." Penny said.
Rudy pulled back. "You do?"
Penny nodded. "Don't. We have enough to worry about with this Tweezer clone that went after you."
"But Reggie..."
"...doesn't have access to Chalkzone right now. I'm not saying don't worry about him. But we should address one problem at a time. Let's deal with the Tweezer zoner first. Then we can figure out what to do about Reggie." Penny said. She narrowed her eyes as she shifted her gaze. "Neither will be easy."
"Chalk Tweezer can't get into the real world! She isn't the one we should worry about!" Rudy spread his arms apart. "Reggie might know how to create zoners! He could send one of his creations after us!"
Penny sighed. "Come to think of it, you're right. Maybe we should handle Reggie first."
Rudy pressed his thumb to his chest. "I'll take care of that tomorrow at school. I have a few words I want to say to him."
"I don't think you shou..."
"Why not? Reggie's gone and hurt you! I can't let him get away with that!" Rudy clenched a fist. "It's not fair! You shouldn't have had to deal with that... I should have..." Rudy wiped his nose and sniffled. "I'm so sorry..."
Penny's expression shifted into sympathy. "Don't keep blaming yourself. We'll figure something out." Penny squeezed Rudy's arm. "Promise me you'll be careful tomorrow."
Rudy tried to force a smile. "I promise."
sss
Reggie quietly groaned to himself. If the brain were a muscle, he'd have sprained it by now. Aches spread across his head and compounded with the coldness. This office had become a prison and there was no door to run through.
This wasn't how things were supposed to go.
Reggie's mind stiffened into stone as Mr. Quillon's eyes pierced him. There would be no escaping these eyes until he did what Mr. Quillon wanted. Having someone believe him about the chalk world was enticing. But was it worth this?
"Such fascinating details," Said Mr. Quillon. "And you say you stumbled into this world on accident?"
Reggie had to force out, "Y-Yes, that's correct. I-I found some chalk under the desk a-a-and when I started writing with it, there was that world."
"You went in there and immediately began terrorizing anything that so much as looked in your direction." Mr. Quillon said with an eyebrow raised. "Don't give me that look. You know I'm right."
Reggie shook his head. "I just talked to them!"
Mr. Quillon sniggered. "You talked to them first...and then you terrorized them."
"No, that's not...!" Reggie's voice trailed off as he widened this eyes.
"There you see? Just as I expect from you." Mr. Quillon growled. "All you know how to do is hurt others. I'll bet creating things made you feel powerful. So powerful that you took it out on this chalk world."
Reggie cringed when Mr. Quillon closed the gap between them.
"Now don't misunderstand me. I can't say I care much about this world. There's no telling what could lie within it. I never even met these creatures before and I'm not taking your word about their 'frirendliness'," Said Mr. Quillon, adjusting his shirt collar. "Still, I don't approve of your actions."
Reggie turned his head down. "You don't even know what happened."
"I know enough. You used the chalk against those creatures, didn't you?"
Reggie attempted to speak. His voice stopped before words could form. A cold chill rushed up his spine. Mr. Quillon was right.
A moment of silence, and then a sigh from Mr. Quillon. "What...did you do?"
The walls closed in and squeezed Reggie as he struggled to answer, stuttering. The look on Mr. Quillon's face was enough for Reggie to shut his mouth. There was nothing he could say that wouldn't upset Mr. Quillon. Lying wasn't an option.
"I-I did draw some...things and m-m-maybe they... I...," Stammered Reggie. He tittered, "Th-There's a p-p-possibility that they might have... Well..." Reggie pressed his fingertips together. What more could he say?
Mr. Quillon blinked and then narrowed his eyes. "You stumble into a new world and your first instinct is to attack. It's befitting of you. Is that why you attacked that Penny girl?"
Reggie cringed. "I'll apologize to her. I promise!"
"Even if she were to forgive you, what about these creatures you've harmed? Would they accept your apology?" Mr. Quillon shook his head. "No, very likely not. You've shown them what you really are. You can't pull the wool over their eyes anymore."
Reggie said, "It's not like that! I wasn't trying to trick them! I was just talking with them! And the red chalk..."
Mr. Quillon said, "Yes?"
Reggie paused for a moment, then continued, "I drew some things. I was...I just wanted to have a good time. B-But everything I drew was out of control!" Reggie panted as the memories crowded inside his head. "I didn't know that would happen...I tried to make it better, but..."
Mr. Quillon chimed in, "But you felt enticed by the power. You were reeled in like a fish on a hook and you showed them all how monstrous you could be. It filled you with a rush, didn't it? I'll bet it felt good when you crushed them."
Reggie shifted in his seat. He licked his lips and bit into them. His fingers twitched inside his closed palms. A cold burn settled in his chest and stomach, causing his heart to murmur. "Sh-Should I finish the story?"
Mr. Quillon gave him a look before curtly nodding.
"A-A-After I...had some fun and got th-the hang of things, I...I drew my dad's dumpster to drive a-around. Y-You know...like... my dad wants me to inherit his b-business and I thought wh-why not get some practice here?" Reggie wiped his cheek to rid himself of the sweat beads. "I was just taking it for a joyride. I didn't mean anything by it, I swear...!"
Mr. Quillon raised his hand. "Just continue."
Reggie said, "I never expected Tabootie to be here. I thought he came in through my portal. I...I didn't like it when he told me to leave. S-So I..." He gulped. "I attacked him..."
"Why didn't you ask Rudy why he wanted you to leave?" Mr. Quillon folded his arms. "Did that thought never enter your mind? Do you think punching people solves all your problems?"
Reggie shut his eyes tightly as wetness dug underneath them. He pressed his fingernails against his palm and struggled to keep his mouth shut. It didn't matter what Reggie said; Mr. Quillon would flip it against him.
Why was Rudy so protective of that strange world anyway? What was the big deal about having a little fun? Who fell and made Rudy king?
Reggie whispered, "I didn't want to leave."
"And that was an excuse to attack someone?" Mr. Quillon raised an eyebrow.
Reggie clenched his teeth. "I wasn't about to let Tabootie order me around."
Mr. Quillon replied, "But it's okay for you to order others around?"
"That's dif..." Reggie's voice trailed off. A cold chill shot through his stomach.
"I knew you couldn't let go of your true colors, boy. You never tried to escape them and they will continue to be with you for the rest of your life."
Reggie yelped when Mr. Quillon pounded the desk. One of the toys Mr. Quillon used in their first meeting wobbled and dropped on the ground.
"But there might be hope for you yet." A pause. "And for Rudy too."
Reggie quivered under Mr. Quillon's inescapable gaze.
"If what you said about this chalk world is true, then perhaps...it could be worked into your rehabilitation," Mr. Quillon said. "Do you agree?"
Reggie quivered and slipped from his chair. He was snatched back by his arm. Reggie whimpered as Mr. Quillon beamed. "Where do you think you're going? There's still time left. Why don't you tell me more about this world of chalk?"
Reggie widened his eyes and swallowed.
sss
Was this happening? Was he dreaming? A pinch did nothing to wake him. The world retained its fuzziness, increasing the confusion.
Rudy was so focused on Penny that he hadn't time to fully register the mess he had gotten himself into. He would have tried to get out of it, but Mr. Wilter wouldn't dare let him do that. No doubt Mr. Wilter would make things worse for him if he didn't go through with this.
Every step filled Rudy's veins with more ice. His head whirled as scenarios played out in his head. He swallowed as the nausea grew in his stomach. Would he ever be ready for this?
Rudy paused in the school hallway, his breath catching in his throat. Mr. Quillon's office was not far now. The door seemed to glow, as if anticipating his visit. The iciness gave way to sharp burns and his breathing forced its way out, turning into an visible racer. Rudy rubbed his throat to calm his nerves. It was useless.
His friends had told him there was nothing to worry about. Mr. Quillon was just a guidance counselor and didn't have control over what the future had in store. There was no conspiracy aimed at getting getting students to give up their artistic dreams.
Rudy wished he could be that optimistic. Why couldn't Penny and Snap see that Mr. Quillon presented an opportunity for both his own dad and Mr. Wilter to get him to abandon art? There was more ammunition now and it was going to be used to...
Rudy stiffened Mr. Quillon's office door creaked. He stepped back and cringed as he tried to prepare himself for Mr. Quillon's judging face.
"...Tabootie...?"
Rudy shook his head as Reggie stepped out of the office.
The hallway vanished, leaving only Reggie. His mouth moved with no words. Just static that warped with each passing second. Distortion lingered around, encasing everything within it. Heat seeped in as if a volcano had erupted.
Penny's voice echoed, growing in volume, reverberating off the walls.
"Reggie Bullnerd happened to me..."
"...while Reggie was turning my face into a pancake..."
"...knows about ChalkZone..."
With previous fears fading and everything turning crimson, Rudy charged.
"You...jerk!"
"Wai... hurk!"
Adrenaline boiled in Rudy's blood as he pinned Reggie against a locker. Rudy's hands gripped Reggie's shirt collar like a vise. It didn't matter how many times Reggie pushed back; he wasn't getting away.
"Tabootie, what do you think you're doing?" Reggie's face didn't carry his usual confidence. His eyes reflected back only shock. "What's wrong with you?"
Rudy seethed through clenched teeth. "I should ask the same of you." Rudy leaned closer. "Why did you attack my friend?"
No reply.
"I'm not waiting for an answer!" Rudy tightened his grip. "You hurt my best friend! Why?!"
"I'm sorry about that! Okay? I'm sorry! But please, you have to listen to me!" Reggie twisted himself to try to get free. "I need to..."
"You need to 'teach me a lesson'. I know, Reggie. That's your game. If you want to wail on me, first you will tell me why you hurt Penny!"
Reggie took in several deep breaths before he snarled. "You don't understand what I went through when..." Reggie paused to collect his thoughts. "You both stood there and laughed as I tried to tell the nurse about something grabbing my foot when it was stuck in the playground."
Before Rudy could respond, Reggie found the strength to push him back. Rudy grunted and scrambled not to fall, stopped only by Reggie grabbing his arm. Rudy gasped, chills spreading goosebumps along his skin. Thoughts vanished as he instinctively cringed, preparing for the first blow.
"As for you, I know you've lied to me about that dream! It was no hallucination! I was having fun and you took it away!" Reggie's voice darkened. "You and Sanchez arranged it! You two wanted to get back at me and y...!"
"Shut up!" Rudy stomped Reggie's foot.
Reggie hissed and released Rudy.
Rudy said, "You brought it on yourself, Bullnerd!"
Rudy stopped himself before he continued. What was he doing? Didn't Penny tell him to be careful? This wasn't going to solve anything. He shook his head, the fires inside cooling down.
Confronting Reggie was a mistake. This whole thing wasn't even Reggie's fault. He wasn't the one that ran off from school in a panic. Rudy's heart clenched as reality closed in on him: it was his own fault that Penny got hurt.
Heat briefly flashed in Rudy's chest. Reggie still chose to hurt his friend. That shouldn't be ignored.
Rudy gasped and stepped back when Reggie tried to grab him again.
"Will you just hold still and let me talk to you?!" Reggie shouted, raising his fists. "I just want to talk!"
Rudy widened his eyes under Reggie's glare. Rudy flinched and covered his face.
"Tsk tsk tsk... It wasn't enough for you to hurt Penny? I'm disappointed."
Reggie's body became rigid, horror dawning on his face. Reggie's arms slowly loosened at his sides and he kept his gaze forward, avoiding Mr. Quillon's glare. "I-I wasn't gonna..."
Mr. Quillon patted Reggie's hair. "I'm sure you won't let this happen again, right?"
Reggie gulped and nodded. "Y-Yes, sir..."
Mr. Quillon smiled.
Rudy's heart skipped a beat. If Mr. Quillon could get someone like Reggie to listen without a fuss, what was going to happen when it was...
"And hello to you, Rudy Tabootie."
Rudy cringed under Mr. Quillon's stare.
"So sorry we had to meet this way. I hope this won't cause any problems between us." Mr. Quillon said. "It would be unfortunate if this first impression affected how you feel about me."
Rudy's voice left him and only gasps and stutters remained. Rudy could have sworn that Mr. Wilter's face flickered over Mr. Quillon. Rudy jerked when Mr. Quillon laid a hand on his shoulder. When Mr. Quillon smiled again, Rudy stifled a whimper.
There was something wrong with that smile.
"Are you ready to begin?" Mr. Quillon asked. "I've been looking forward to meeting you. I hope that I can help you work out your problems."
Everything distorted like a glitch. Mr. Wilter's face appeared, then Rudy's father. Rudy shook his head, chasing off the visions. Rudy tittered and said, "Y-Y-Yeah I...I hope so t-too..."
Out of the corner of Rudy's eye, Reggie cowered.
Mr. Quillon nudged Rudy towards the office. "Come on now. Don't be shy. And don't worry so much. You can tell me anything."
The door closed.