"We can't just let this go on!" Spinelli stated. It had all but killed her when TJ had limped out of his detention. She had never in her life wanted to hurt anyone as much as she wanted to hurt Reilly.
They were sat in Vince's room thinking about the horrible situation they found themselves in. Do nothing and Reilly would continue torturing TJ. Do something and Reilly would kill their best friend.
It was a lose-lose situation and TJ's life hung in the balance.
"What can we do?" Vince asked, not taking his eyes off his best friend. TJ had fallen asleep half an hour ago and he didn't have the heart to wake him. This was probably the only peace the boy had had since Reilly came to town.
"If we try to fight Reilly then he gets mad at TJ. If we tell Prickly then Reilly will k-kill TJ", he finished stuttering over the word kill.
Whilst the gang continued discussing their seemingly hopeless situation, their words penetrated TJ's dream.
TJ was running with Reilly in hot pursuit. He didn't even want to entertain the idea of what would happen if Reilly caught him. Part of him knew he was dreaming, because there was no way he would ever get up the courage to run from Reilly.
He was running to Prickly's office, but no matter how far or how fast he ran, Prickly's office just seemed to get further and further away. Looking over his shoulder TJ saw Reilly was gaining on him, so he turned left and continued running.
When he turned the corner he saw a door, but unlike with Prickly's office, this one seemed to be getting closer and closer. When he reached it he closed the door and bolted it behind him.
Staying quiet for a moment he simply listened for any indication that Reilly was trying to get through the door. His moment of silence was shatter however as someone wrapped their arms around him holding him tight.
TJ began to struggle and scream. "It's alright", said the person, "You're safe now".
TJ's eyes shot open.
He looked around noticing all his friends but Vince had left. Looking out the window he noticed it was night time.
"Hey Teej", Vince said from where he sat at his computer, "Your mom said you could stay over".
"No time for sleep Vince", Tj said getting up, looking stronger than he had since Reilly's first class, "I have something I need to do. I'm not going to be afraid anymore".
Leaving no room for argument TJ got up and left, leaving a stunned and confused Vince in his wake.
TJ walked with purpose through the streets, not allowing himself to stop and think about what he was doing, as he knew the moment he did, he would not go through with it.
It was time to face his fear.
Bravely he knocked on the door he had arrived at, and waited patiently. Seconds later the door was opened, and TJ felt his courage drain away.
"Detweiller".
Was so tempted to leave it at that cliff hanger but then this chapter would be very short.
"Where is he?" Gus asked, frantically scanning the playground.
"When I called around this morning his mom said he spent the night at Vince's", replied Spinelli equally distraught.
"But Vince said he left and didn't come back", Gretchen said, so worried she was unable to even think about the upcoming test Reilly had threatened them with.
"Reilly must have done something to him", cried Mikey.
"That's Mr Reilly", the gang turned, gasping in unison as their dreaded teacher appeared behind them, "Shame about Detweiller though. Let's hope nothing awful has happened to him".
Reilly turned on his heel and walked into the school. Behind his back the gang exchanged nervous glances. He had done something to TJ.
"Now class take out your books and revise for the test while I go see Principal Prickly about Detweiller. That boy just seems to love detentions", Reilly said.
Gretchen raised her hand, shakily trying to ignore the man's last comment, "What will the test be on?"
Reilly smirked at her, "It's a secret". Reilly was interrupted by a knock on the door, before it was timidly opened by a pale TJ. Reilly's smirk grew wider when he noticed the child was trembling as he entered.
He advanced on his shaking prey like a predator. Reilly grabbed TJ by his wrinkled T-shirt and pushed him against the door, slamming it shut. Reilly leaned in close enough that TJ could feel his breath on his face, "What did I say about being late to my class?" Reilly hissed.
TJ closed his eyes and took a deep breath, before opening them and glaring at Reilly. "Do you ever brush your teeth?"
The class took in a collective gasp, and Reilly's eyes, glowed with fury. He threw TJ into his desk and TJ cried out as the desk hit his stomach, knocking the wind out of him.
The class could only watch in horror as Reilly leaned over their almost limp friend and breathed, "Why don't we show them what we get up to in private then?"
"No!" Shouted Spinelli running towards their sadistic teacher. He lifted his foot and kicked her in the stomach, effectively ending her attack by sending her flying back into the first row of desks. Her heaed hit a desk and her eyes fluttered closed as she fell unconscious.
Before Reilly could take a breath Vince had leapt onto his back with his arms around Reilly's throat. Reilly frantically clutched at Vince before getting a grip on his T-shirt. Using one arm Reilly flipped Vince off his back and Vince fell to the ground, groaning in pain.
"Vince!" TJ yelled and moved to help his fallen friend but Reilly stopped him.
Pushing TJ so he was lying on the desk Reilly reached for TJ's jeans and undid the button.
"Stop!" Cried someone in the class and Reilly noticed there wasn't a dry eye in the room. Whilst someone had yelled no one moved to help TJ as they saw the result this would have by looking at Vince and Spinelli, "Please!"
"Please don't", TJ whispered as Reilly moved to pull down his jeans, "Please".
Behind Reilly the door flew open, "Get off that child!"
Thats it for now ;)
