Chapter 18
Andy clutched the blanket tight as he opened his eyes. The rain had stopped and there was a pale light in the east. It was morning, day 5 in my new home. Maybe everything last night was some horrible dream. He sat up and saw that he was still in Molly and James' bed. They were gone, only him in the bed. Him and his uniform waiting for him neatly folded on the end of the bed. Change that theory to a fact. Andy put his hands to his face, it was real. What happened last night with Tyler and Chucky. It was déjà vu all over again.
How did he come back? Then Andy remembered the ad on tv. "Good Guys are back!" Should've seen it coming, they must've used what was left of him in that factory to build a new doll. He held his head in frustration, why can't people just leave it alone.
A creature part human, part Gorilla, one of Lochwin's Gourmet chefs plopped a ladle of Mac and cheese onto Andy's outstretched plate. The yellow glop landed on top of two sausages that looked to have the consistency and probably flavor of sticks. At least the Oj looked wet and yellow. Andy looked down at his 'meal.' The cheese was dark yellow, and had a bit of green to it. Gross! I think I'd rather just go hungry. The cafeteria was packed with rows of rectangular tables. Perfectly spaced the students to sit on the circular seats with whomever they pleased.
Andy saw Bennet waving to him, an open spot right next to him. Andy went and sat down.
"You want to play me Andy?" Bennet dangled the game boy in front of him. Andy shook his head. "Come on, I'll give you a ten point lead." Andy didn't acknowledge him, just searched with his eyes, searched for Tyler.
He wanted to talk to his only friend but there were more important matters right now.
He saw Tyler past the army of other kids in the hall. Tyler was sitting with the older boys.
Andy stood up and made his way over. Bennet looked up.
"Andy? What are you doing? You can't just get up in the middle of lunch."
Andy didn't care if he got in trouble he pushed closer but there was still a big wall of students in his way. Only feet away Andy pushed closer more. He heard someone laugh but he kept on walking. When someone tripped him Andy tried to get his balance, to stop his fall but he tumbled forward with his tray out in front of him. He watched his plate of macaroni and sausage go sliding off the end of the tray, tumbling, upside down. And all the tables surrounding him broke out in laughter. Andy's knees smacked into the floor hard and he winced.But he got up, he scraped the egg off the floor, grabbed the two stick sausages. He mopped up the orange juice, and an older boy walked by him.
"Kinda clumsy geek, watch where you're walking."
The boy threw some napkins to the ground. Andy nodded and wiped up the mess, surrounded by the giggles. I wish I wasn't here.
He picked up his tray and walked to Tyler's table.Tyler was talking to some other rough looking boys.
"Tyler," Andy said. The boy didn't respond. "Tyler"
Tyler turned around, "what do you want, pleb?" His friends gave Andy the death stare.
"I have to talk to you about Chucky."
"Who the hell's Chucky?" He paused, "Your doll?"
"Yes, whatever, listen there's stuff you don't know. Have you seen him?" His eyes darted around the room looking to every possible entrance. He's followed me to school before, he could be here now.
"Him" Tyler snickered, "you really care about that stupid thing don't you." His friends smirked.
"Have you seen him?!" Andy asked again more stern. Tyler only shrugged.
"Not since your little stunt last night. Where'd you hide the damn thing anyway."
"I didn't." Andy said,
"So what did it do? Get up and walk away?" He turned back to his friends. Andy almost found that funny. Hey you guessed right.
"Wow your brother's a fuckin dweeb" one of the boys said. And Tyler laughed.
Andy wasn't listening, he looked around again. Where are you Charles? Where are you hiding? He got up to his feet and went back to his table.
Tyler watched him get up and look in every direction as if preparing for an attack. What the hell is wrong with that kid.