Pairing: Ric/Tyler-Matt-Jeremy (M/mmm) school paddle

Prompt and plot input from Gar, Gaylor, Riv, Jade, Guest, Andylara510, and Jazmine from .

Friday, April 6, 2012

Mikaelson Mansion

Late Morning

Wes had finished creating his bag of poisons and arranged for Dorian to watch the rest of his classes. Wes slipped out in the dimness of the room as the video played. With some amusement he realized that Nessie had switched to a more appropriate video, though it was lost on the sleeping and chatting students. Wes looked for her but realized that the next class was already in session. He really wasn't cut out for high school.

Wes pulled into the mansion kitchen hearing Sage chiding the children to wipe their feet.

"Oh, it is afternoon already?" Sage asked Wes, as she tried her best to wipe mud from the dogs' paws.

"No, um, is Finn around?" Wes inquired.

"Ah, he's in the den making some calls. Damon and Enzo took off. Elijah and Klaus are out looking for them," Sage said quietly.

"I see. I'll just find him. Thanks," Wes said. The dogs trotted over to him and sniffed his leather satchel. "Nothing in there for you fellas."

Finn looked up and made a motion for silence.

"I see. Thank you, Sheriff. You'll call us then? Appreciate it," Finn was saying. He clicked off and turned to Wes. "Sorry, we have a bit of a situation here."

"I heard from Sage," Wes replied, pulling out the manilla envelope. "I'm sorry to spring this on you like this, but I have a favor to ask."

"Oh, from me? I shall help if I can," Finn said, crossing the sheriff off his list of calls to make. They were hoping that Damon headed home, but Katherine had said they had seen no sign of him at the Salvatore Boarding House.

"I need to go. I heard about the mayor and his wife leaving. I remember seeing them at a fundraiser a year or so back. They made not have been on any official Augustine rosters as members, but I think they were involved. Can you look after Aaron for me?" Wes asked abruptly, handing him the envelope.

"You're leaving? Now?" Finn questioned, taking the envelope.

"I was going to wait to say goodbye to Aaron, but I think it would be better this way. All his guardianship papers are in there. You should have them notarized, but I don't think that will be a problem," Wes said anxiously, looking around Elijah's study.

"Have you spoken to my brothers about this?" Finn wondered.

"Klaus knows, but Elijah wanted me to wait. I-I need to do this for Aaron, but they come for me and get him, I can't imagine what lengths they will go to control his fortune," Wes confessed. "I can't explain it, but I feel like something is coming. Something bad."
"And you feel like we cannot protect you here?" Finn prompted.

"No one can protect me with enemies like this. If they get their hands on me, the secret of the ripper virus and other things make that too much of a risk," Wes concluded. He patted his bag. "If it comes down to it, I am prepared to make sure that doesn't happen."

"You would take your own life?" Finn asked, his eyebrows arched.

"Yes, if need be," Wes responded.

"Here, take my blood. If something happens, it will heal you or...," Finn said, biting into his wrist.

"I'll turn," Wes finished.

"Aye, it seems that you made up your mind, but at least give yourself a fighting chance," Finn implored, holding out his wrist.

Wes nodded and took the outstretched hand and drank. Finn then gave him a small vial of blood to take with him.

"You may be surprised at that lengths you will go to survive when it comes down to it," Finn said. "I'll take good care of the boy."
"I know you will. I haven't had all that much success settling him down, but there is a bag from the hardwood store in my room. I had promised to take him back there to exchange the paint. The receipt is in there and a few other items the owner recommended," Wes said, with a small grin. "Thank you, Finn. You are the only one besides Sage and Rebekah that I didn't worry would drain me."
Finn shook Wes's hand and patted him on the shoulder.

"Farvel, Dr. Maxfield," Finn said. "Return to us in good health."

"Farewell to you, too," Wes said slowly. "Good luck finding Damon and Enzo. I'd check all the bars."

Finn nodded, "That tis not a bad idea."

Wes went to his room to get his bag and then left. He hated goodbyes and hoped he would be back someday, but he was doubtful.

Mystic Falls High School

Dorian told the older librarian that he had to cover a class and left the sunny library. There were a few students at desktop computers typing and several others studying at tables, but it was a slow day.

"Would you be a dear and take one more box to storage?" the older lady asked.

"Ah, sure. I guess those chem kids can hold it together for a few more minutes," Dorian chuckled, putting up the box full of old magazines. They were quickly rot in storage, but he wasn't going to argue with the librarian.

Dorian made his way into the empty hallway and put down the box and opened the door. He flicked on the lights and waiting a beat for them to flicker on. The air was cooler in here, but still stagnant. Tyler had smelled humans, but Dorian didn't know who would be down here. He shoved the box in the storage room and then found himself at the rusty metal door. Then, he heard something. Dorian pressed his ear to the door and then backed up when he heard a clanking noise.

"Jesus!" Dorian hissed, as the door was pushed open.

A tall Asian man stepped in.

"Ah, Dr. Williams, what lovely timing," the man purred.

Dorian stumbled back until his back was up to the wall.

"I-I know you! You are-," Dorian struggled to recall, but his mind was blocked.

"You will remember everything," the well-built vampire purred.

Dorian blinked, "I will remember...everything."

"That's better," the man cackled.

"Mohinder! From the Armory!" Dorian gasped.

"Not really," Mohinder replied smoothly. "But we can go over that in time. She wants to see you. It is time."

"Who?" Dorian asked, his mind reeling. He recalled bits and pieces from his days working at the secret compound. There were vampires there? But that wasn't possible.

"Why, Aya Al-Rashid, our leader, of course," Mohinder responded. "Best not keep her waiting..."

Dorian followed the man into the newly opened corridor. He saw several other figures carrying flashlights, casting an eerie light.

"Oh, it's coming back. You aren't from the Armory, you are Strix!" Dorian exclaimed, backing up again.

Mohinder grabbed him. "Yes, that is correct. Now, come with us."

Lunch

Matt was chatting with Rebekah at lunch when she noticed that Jeremy had left his sketchbook and folder on the table. He had left to show Annabelle something in the art wing.

"I'll see if Elena can give it to him," Rebekah started to say.

Matt frowned, "Bekah, can I see that black book a sec, please?"
"Ah, sure," Rebekah said. "Us girls will just doing the clearing up as usual. You just sit." She got up to help April clear the lunch table. The sarcasm was lost as Matt began to flip through the pencil and charcoal drawings.

"Son of a bitch," Matt seethed.

Tyler shifted Caroline, who was sitting on his lap.

"What?" Tyler asked. Caroline bounced up to go discuss details for the car wash with Tiki.

"Look at this. That little son of a bitch! I'm going to kill him," Matt threatened, showing Tyler the nude of Vicki.

"He said he got rid of those!" Tyler fumed, tearing out the sketch quickly and folding it. "Or is the little perv drawing more? We'll get him later. Stay cool, Elena's coming back."

Tyler shoved the drawing into his back jean's pocket.

"What are you two plotting?" Elena said, sweeping her long hair over her shoulder, her heart-shaped face smiling.

"Nothing," Matt said. "Here. It's your brother's sketchbook."

"Oh, I swear if his head wasn't connected, he'd lose it," Elena mused. "Thanks."

Mystic Falls Caves

Damon dragged Enzo to the spot of light and had him help him punch through the rock.

"Hurry, Enzo. I don't know who that is, but it isn't good," Damon warned. He started to use his entire body to crack through the ancient stone. Enzo shuddered as rock descended.

"It's working. You are stronger now. Go!" Enzo encouraged.

Damon used his strength for a time, creating a shaft of light. He then told Enzo to move and used his magic to make a hole large enough for both men to slip through.

"Go first," Damon said, brushing rocks and debris from his hair.

"Aye, if you insist," Enzo quipped, eager to get out of the oppressive darkness.

Enzo went to help Damon through but the tribrid had already leapt through.

"Shit, this is the Lockwood property," Damon said, after surveying the land.

"Damon, I know you are pissed at your fa-, Klaus, I mean, but what is our plan?" Enzo demanded, trying to brush off dirt from his shirt.

"Honestly, I don't know. I was trying to save your ass, literary," Damon answered. "And melting that hairbrush felt amazing, better than partying with the entire Tri-Delta pledge class that one time..."

Damon touched his temple and felt blood. He wiped his hand off on his sweats, still away that they had no shoes on and had nothing with them.

"I don't even want to know," Enzo said, looking around. "I mean, I appreciate it, but maybe we were a little hasty. You know?"

Damon frowned and scratched at his head, his wounds were healing. , "I did abandon my car...Fuck!"

"I just cannot believe Klaus would hide you for a mistake...," Enzo added ruefully.

Damon bit his lip. "He didn't. I got walloped for calling myself a freak and saying I was going to leave. That's it...He didn't want me to go."

"So he didn't skelp ya for biting Kol?" Enzo demanded, feeling stupid.

"No, no, of course not," Damon said quickly. "It wasn't like that at all. But when Klaus took Stefan on that Ripper binge, he hated me. He treated me like an idiot. It's hard to equate now that he totally adores me just because I'm his son. Like what if it is all some kind of act? But at the same time, I can feel his...love for me. I know that sounds weird but...I don't know what the hell I am talking about. Forget it."

Enzo put an arm around Damon.
"So then we go back and explain it was a misunderstanding. Your father will get it," Enzo tried. "But I bet he finishes building the fire he started on my hide...I hear the islands are nice this time of year. Fancy a cruise?" He breathed and closed his eyes a minute, so glad to be out of that dark cave. The sun shone through the clouds a minute.

"Yeah, maybe Enzo. It's been a while since I had a relaxing vacation. Damn, I just don't think I can face him right now. I shouldn't have debilitated him with that pain spell," Damon fumed, starting to walk off.

"Wait, you know what this means?" Enzo asked with a grin.

"That we are dead men?" Damon answered, still walking.

"Nah, mate, your magic is good. You got us out of that bloody cave, didn't ya?" Enzo said, looking back at the hole they had left behind.

"Yeah, I did, but who the fuck was in there with us? Enzo, we should try to get to town," Damon said, pausing.

"You have no idea where we are, do you?" Enzo said, giving Damon a hard look.

"Shut up, man. Of course, I do. It's just so cloudy," Damon said. "I'm just not sure what we are going to do, but we can't stay here. When in doubt, head west."

"And what shall we find there?" Enzo asked.

"Follow me and find out," Damon chirped, already starting to walk, his bare feet squishing into the damp ground.

Tunnels Under Mystic Falls High School

"Mr. Williams. Thank you for meeting us here," the striking Black woman said, her voice warm.

" -Rashid, I presume," Dorian replied, struck by her beauty. "I think I saw you once-at the Armory."

"Aya, please," she breathed. Her head was close shaven and she wore a snug pants suit that flattered her lithe form.

"Okay, Aya, what do you need from me? Have we met before? You'll have to excuse me, my mind is a little fuzzy," Dorian apologized, looking into Ava's brown eyes.

"Ah yes, I am sure. Come, walk with me," Aya said, leaving four minions in dark suits behind. "These tunnels were built long ago. They connect the entire town of Mystic Falls. We recently dug a passage from the Armory library. It took some doing, but it needed to be done."
"Why? What do want with the school?" Dorian inquired, walking slowly alongside this woman. Someone had lit torches that lines the walls, throwing shadow forms on the walls.

"Today, we needed you. You really don't remember, do you?" Ava asked wryly, pausing. She gazed into his eyes and bade him to remember.

Dorian blinked a few times and then it hit him like a boulder.

"The prophecy!" Dorian hissed. "How could I have forgotten?"

"Yes, out of all those scholars burrowed away day and night in the Armory and you were the only one who discovered it. You remember the significance?" Aya asked coyly.

Dorian nodded, "They hid it in the Book of Daniel...The 'abomination of desolation', when he comes will raise all the dead. Oh hell, it's happening now, isn't it?"

Aya nodded, "We believe so and we cannot let it continue. This is now our singular purpose."
"The Armory is just a front for the Strix," Dorian remembered.

"No, we took over the Armory, absorbed it into our sphere of influence. The good works there are still being done, we used to monitor it from afar. Until now," Aya shared.

Dorian looked into Aya's eyes. "You want to kill the Tribrid, don't you?"
"Niklaus Mikaelson's son? Yes, I am afraid so. We aren't not even sure he can be killed, but we must try," Aya admitted, not blinking an eye.

"But I don't think he is the-," Dorian started and then stopped.

"Dorian, speak freely," Aya demanded, cupping his chin.

"The Mikaelsons will never let you do this and I can't betray them," Dorian said, his voice rising. "I don't want anything to do with murder."

"Here's the truth, Dorian. The Mikaelsons will kill you if they find out you were our spy-," Aya started.

"But you compelled me!" Dorian shouted in his defense.

"Aye, but did you think they will care. They will kill, as will the Strix, if you betray our plan. However, we will kill you slower, much slower. I will even turn you myself just so I can squeeze every drop of humanity out of you until you beg for death. I have done it before," Ava promised. "Now, speak or I will turn you right now."

Dorian gulped. "Damon is not the abomination in the prophecy, there's a new witch at the house. A little girl named Ava, she can bring back the dead."
Aya backed away from Dorian.

"No, it cannot be," Aya said. "A child?"
"She's a siphon, too," Dorian shared. "Does this throw a wrench in your plans?"
"It does, indeed," Aya said, recovering. "I suppose I have no choice but to see my sire again, Elijah Mikaelson. I think he'll be very unpleasantly surprised to see me."

Cave System

Elijah was glad he didn't have his twelve thousand dollar suit on.

"This cave is filthy," Elijah snarked, as he held up his cell phone light.

"You used to like it when we were boys," Klaus muttered. He was trying to catch the boys' scent, but wasn't getting much.

"Yes, dirt and mud didn't bother me much as a child, to Mother's chagrin," Elijah reported. "Niklaus, are you getting anything?"

Klaus shook his head. "Nothing...Wait, I think I caught the scent. Follow me."

Klaus morphed into his hybrid side and hunted. He vamped through the darkness until they came to the opening.

Elijah looked up. "They must have exited here. There's blood."

"Stop right there!" a voice called from behind them.

Klaus turned, his eyes lighting up yellow.

"Who are you?" Klaus growled, stepping closer.

"We have white oak in this," a man called out.

The Originals saw the crossbow in both of the vampires hands. They were wearing all black armor and boots.

"You will never be fast enough," Elijah snarled, getting behind the man closest to him, as Klaus grabbed the other one. He snapped off the bolt and examined it.

"It could be white oak, but no matter, your lives are forfeit," Klaus said tightly. They didn't have time for this.

"Wait, Brother!" Elijah urged. "We need to know who they are...first."

"We work for the Armory," the man Klaus held exclaimed.

"And what are you doing in this cave?" Klaus asked, pulling off his helmet and letting it clatter to the dirt floor.

"Waiting and watching," the other man interjected. "That's all we were supposed to do. They know you are here!"

"Who?" Elijah demanded, his pale hand snaking to snap the younger, weaker vampire's neck if needed.

"Tell them, Lorenzo!" Klaus' man squeaked.

"The Strix!" Lorenzo gulped, as Klaus' breath got closer to him. "Aya wants to see you!"

"Aya?" Elijah said, loosening his grip slightly. "I cannot believe she is still...Take us to her. Now."

Mystic Falls High School

Tyler yawned and raised his head.

"Where the hell is Dr. M.? I thought we had some lab today," Tyler asked.

Matt shrugged, "Who knows? This lady doesn't care what we do. What do you say we take off?"

A young office secretary was overseeing the class as Mr. Williams seemed to be missing.

"Nah, I don't want to get my ass busted again," Tyler groaned. "I'm going back to sleep."
"Yeah, this video sucks," Matt said, as the office lady hushed them.

Matt drummed his fingers on the table for a few moments, gazing longingly out the open classroom door. He saw Jeremy and Nessie passing by, laughing.

"Ty, wake up. Gilbert and that goth chick are out there. What do you say we have that chat with him now?" Matt inquired with a cheeky grin.

Kol was behind them, scrawling in a notebook.

"What's going on?" Kol asked, bored.

Tyler leaned up. "Hey Kol, can you distract the sub a minute? Matt and I need to take care of some business. Little Gilbert disrespected Matt's sister."
"His sister! That is wretched. Aye, you two go, I shall see this this lass," Kol promised, giving them a smile. She was an attractive lady and he was happy to help out the lads.

"Cool," Matt said, waiting for the right moment to get up.

Hallway

Last Class

"So you and Aaron...? Are you like a thing now?" Jeremy asked awkwardly. Jeremy had caught up with the new girl in the hallway. He had asked for the pass in English and she was getting something from her locker.

"No, we're just friends. What about you and Annabelle? She seems nice," Nessie remarked, struggling to open her locker. She still couldn't open the damn thing without help as it stuck.

"Here, let me try," Jeremy said, jiggling the combination lock. "They sometimes are a little off...There!"
"Thanks," Nessie enthused.

Jeremy flinched as he heard a voice from behind him.

"Hitting on a new girl already, Gilbert?" Tyler challenged.

Jeremy rolled his eyes. "Fuck off, Tyler. Ignore them, Nessie, we should get back to class."

"Oh, so now you don't wanna skip?" Matt snarked.

Nessie glared at the blond, baby-faced boy.

"Leave him alone," Nessie warned. "Or I'll get..." She remembered that Dr. Maxfield had already left for the day.

"What? Your boyfriend Dr. M. is gone. Maybe you should get your old man?" Tyler seethed. "Or the undertaker for Jeremy here. He doesn't know when to stop, even after he is told."

"I told you that the stuff with Vic was done," Jeremy said.

Matt shoved Jeremy back into the locker.

"You're a damn liar, Gilbert," Matt roared.

Nessie gasped, "Stop! Right now!"

"Get out of here," Tyler said, elbowing her aside. He grabbed Jeremy and threw him on the ground.

Nessie shut her locker and ran to Mr. Saltzman's room. It was empty.
"Damn," Nessie gulped.

"Hey, whoa, what's the hurry?" Ric asked.

"In the science wing-! Hurry, the boys are fighting," Nessie gulped, huffing from her run.

"What? Oh crap, lead the way," Ric said, tossing the handouts he had copied on a student desk.

Nessie and Ric found Tyler holding Jeremy's arms behind him.

"You like naked people? Huh, well, try this," Matt said as he yanked Jeremy's jeans down to his ankles.

"Dude, you just pantsed him!" Tyler snickered.

Jeremy struggled as his pants met his boxers.

"Stop, I don't know what you are talking about," Jeremy yelled. Other students were gathering around the debacle. Tyler shoved Jeremy away and he struggled to cover his smiley faced boxers with his jeans. To Jeremy's horror, he saw Annabelle at the door of a nearby classroom. She ran out.

"Jeremy, are you okay?"

"I'm fine," Jeremy said gruffly, his face aflame.

"Jesus Christ, Tyler, let him go," Ric yelled, jogging over. "Nessie, thanks. Now, all of you, go back to class. Now!"

The crowd dispersed as Matt and Tyler tried to disappear.

"Oh no, not the three of you! My room now," Ric thundered.

Ric's Classroom

"Mr. Saltzman, it wasn't Jeremy's fault. They just attacked him," Nessie said heatedly. "They are bullies!"

"He's a pervert!" Matt yelled back as the slight goth girl. She glared at him with her green and blue eyes and mouthed "Fuck you."

Ric said, "Okay, thanks, Nessie. You head back to class. I'll take care of this."

"Ric, we-," Tyler started.

"Tyler Lockwood, why it is when there is bullying you are always involved? Now, tell me what the hell is going on?" Ric demanded, leaning against his desk as the three boys stood in front of him.

"We're not snitches, Ric," Matt determined after a pause.

"Oh really? Jeremy, you too?" Ric pressed, looking sternly at all three. "Because something is going on and if you won't tell me, I have other ways of 'getting to the bottom' of it."

Jeremy paled, "Ric, it's nothing. Really? Can I go back to class?"

Ric stomped over and locked his door and shut the blinds.

"I guess you want what Kol Mikaelson got in here, huh?" Ric questioned. He went in his closet and took out the big wooden paddle.

"Ric!" Tyler gulped.

"It's Mr. Saltzman when we are in school," Ric fired back, taking a practice swing. "Now, you three either tell the truth about this beef now or you will do it with a red backside. Choose."

Tyler scowled and looked at Matt. He didn't like being challenged. He stepped up to the desk and then put his hands on his knees.

"Fuck that shit. I'll take the paddle," Tyler snarled.

"Me, too," Matt said, swallowing hard. He had barely recovered from the spanking they had gotten in the coach's office, but he had to stand by his friend.

"Jeremy? You really want to do this? Paddled at school means-," Ric begun.

"...Spanked at home. I got it, Ric. I'm not talking," Jeremy said, as he joined the other two in front of the desk.

Ric was a little worried about the noise and went and turned on his stereo to a hard rock station.

"Take out anything in your back pockets," Ric ordered, swinging the big paddle. "Don't get up or you will get extras. And boys, you don't want extras with this paddle."

"Whatever," Matt said, still wanting to kick Jeremy's ass. That picture of his now vampire sister was burned into his skull. Who would draw something like that?

"We'll start with five," Ric announced grimly.

"Five?" Jeremy said, his voice cracking. Tyler let us a laugh, but it was cut short but the blazing whack he received across both cheeks.

Crack!

"OWWWW!" Tyler said, standing and rubbing the seat of his pants.

"That didn't count. Back down, Lockwood," Ric said firmly.

"Damn," Tyler said, through clenched teeth, as he gripped his knees.

"Butt out more," Ric said.

Pop!

"Ah," Tyler hissed as his backside erupted into hot flames again. He stomped his feet as Ric gave him a few seconds to recover.

Pop!

"Ohhhh," Tyler moaned as he marched a little in place, trying to keep his position.

Pop! Pop! Pop!

Ric gave him the last three whacks a bit lower and faster, wanting to move on to Matt.

"You change your mind yet?" Ric asked, as Tyler rubbed and tried to stomp out the sting.

"NO!" Tyler fumed.

"Stay down, we're not done," Ric warned. Tyler turned and looked at Ric with incredulous eyes.

"But you gave me five swats!" Tyler whined.

"Over your pants. Next set will be on your underpants. Get your jeans down, Tyler," Ric said, stepping over to Matt.

Tyler sniffed, but unbuckled his belt and took down his jeans to his knees. He wore black boxer briefs and couldn't help but continue to rub, though it didn't help.

Pop!

Matt shrieked and kicked up his right foot on the first swat. The sting was intense and settled into a deep burn.

Whack!

"Wait," Matt cried out.

Swat!

Matt let out a short sob, he couldn't take the swats as well at Tyler, but he was new to this. He swore his bottom was still tender from before. It wasn't fair.

Swat!

Pop!

"Arggggghhhhh," Matt said, popping up and clutching his throbbing behind. "Ric, no more, please."

"You gonna tell me what the hell you were doing out there?" Ric asked. Matt wiped away tears and didn't reply. "Then, pull down your pants, too."

"I'm the victim here, Ric. They pulled down my pants in the hallway. Anna even saw!" Jeremy whined. "Come on..."
Matt grabbed the folded paper off of Ric's desk.

"This is what he did, Ric! Check it out yourself," Matt said, done with this bullshit.

Ric unfolded the paper and winced as he saw the nude drawing of Vicki at the graveyard. She was clearly passed out.

"She asked me to draw it," Jeremy said, his voice high.

"While she was unconscious?" Ric fired back, holding up the drawing.

"Yeah," Jeremy said lamely. "I meant to destroy it like the others, but that one was my favorite...Sorry, Matt."

Matt looked at Jeremy in disgust. "I would never do something like that to Elena. Never."

"I know," Jeremy said, with guilt washing over him.

"So this is what this whole thing was about?" Ric asked, brandishing the paper in his left hand.

"Yeah," Tyler said.

"Fine, well, you guys want to go to the principal's office and get suspended for fighting or take the rest of your swats here?" Ric asked, tearing up the drawing and disposing of it in the trash. Jeremy's eyes waters.

"Swats here," Jeremy determined.

"Get your pants and boxers down. You are getting all on the bare," Ric said.

Jeremy's face reddened as he slipped down his pants and boxers and then grasped his knees.

"I think you better hold onto the desk. I don't want you flying and hitting the wall," Ric said.

"Oh crap," Jeremy muttered.

"Yeah, exactly," Ric said, lining up the paddle with Jeremy's pale full behind. He reached back and popped him, swatting both cheeks evenly.

Swat!

"Oaffff," Jeremy yelped, he tried to lean up but Ric pushed him back into position.

Pop!

"OWWWWWWWWW," Jeremy howled, hopping from side to side as his palms splayed covering his searing rear. The pink marks from the paddle formed two bull's eyes circles on Jeremy's rounded bottom. Ric patted it a moment, the kid still had some baby fat.

"Didn't count. Stay down," Ric warned.

Jeremy was crying loudly and fussing.

"Look, I was looking for Dorian when this happened. I don't have all day, Jer. Lean over," Ric ordered, losing patience.

Crack! Crack!

Ric held down Jeremy and gave him three last hard cracks.

Whack! Whack! Whack!

"OWWWWWWW," Jeremy sobbed, jumping up and down in agony. He didn't care if he was flashing the others in the room. His butt felt both burned and welted.

"Hands on head, go stand in the corner," Ric yelled.

"That's all he gets?" Matt whined.

"You two bozos did pants him in the hallway," Ric pointed out.

Matt frowned. "I guess."

"Hands on the desk. Instead of five on the underpants and five on the bare, I'll give you seven on the bare," Ric reasoned.

Tyler exhaled as he peeled down his snug black underpants.

Whap! Whap! Whap! Whap! WHAP! WHAP! WHAP!

Tyler groaned and 'ohhhed' with every swat and was crying loudly by the last one.

"Corner, Tyler. Come on, Matt. I got to go find Mr. Williams. I'm kind of getting worried," Ric said.

"Maybe he is in the storage room. You know, by the library?" Matt offered. He glanced over at Tyler and Jeremy shuffling in the corner with bright red bottoms shining. That would be him in a minute, Matt realized with fear.

Ric nodded, "Maybe? You just got yourself four less paddle swats. Good job."
Ric waited for Matt to place his hands on the desk and swatted his bare butt hard three times in quick succession.

POP! POP! POP!

"AHHHH! OWWWW," Matt shouted as he clasped his buns and hopped around.

"Now, pull your pants up. We need to find Dorian. I had texted him our emergency code and he didn't answer. I'm afraid he's in trouble," Ric shared, glancing at his mobile phone.

Ric put the paddle away and then surveyed the three teary boys as they struggled to pull up their pants.

"Now, I want you guys to shake hands. I don't think your butts can take anymore paddling, but I can relight those fires with my hand pretty good. Now, make up," Ric ordered, putting his copies on his desk as the boys shook.

Tyler blew his nose noisily. "If Mr. Williams got trapped in that storage room, then you may need me to help. There's a weird door back there, rusted shut..."

Ric nodded, "Okay, you guys can come. The bell is going to ring anyway. Come here, guys."
Ric held up his arms and all three boys came in for a hug.

"I hated to paddle you so hard, but you are lucky you didn't get suspended. Aren't you?" Ric asked the three. Jeremy nodded, and Matt and Tyler realized they would be kicked off the baseball team for good.

"Thanks, Ric," Tyler said, still whimpering a little.

Ric reached over smacked his jean's clad bottom. Slap! "'Mr. S.' when we are at school. I know you guys can do better, but for now, let's find Dorian. Now, let's go."