The Scorpish g**g

Chapter 1

"They are here."

Every one of them are here except Peter. Peter is in 8th standard. His friends Jonas, Elliott and Ross are waiting for him to come. All of them are in the same class and they are known as the “Scorpish g**g”. Maybe it’s because of their deeds in the campus were as poisonous as a scorpion. But the origins can’t be identified spectacularly as there are millions of things in a school which start at a point and continue for years and the bearers of these traditions are often indifferent to the origins.

As Peter hops in the discussion, the others were quite relieved. Peter is like their commander or anything of that perspective. So most of the times he does the talking to plan some violent things around.

It’s 8.35 in the morning and 25 minutes are left for their class to begin. Suddenly they saw a newbie entering the classroom. He is a medium heighted boy with black hair, brownish skin color, improper uniform, shows full with dirt and a face full of diffidence. It’s a usual sight because it is January, beginning of the year, and every year 5/6 newbies come and almost the same amount of students leave. Their faces are filled with naughty smile because eventually they get someone to target.

Peter, after a quick thought, takes his water bottle out and started faking to drink water. When the boy passes him by, he intentionally splashes water right on his shirt. The boy’s shirt becomes wet and gets attached with his skin. He gets surprised for a few second and leaves the room immediately. Everyone is laughing at him and suddenly they notice that there is something on his back and it’s something unusual. Everyone else is indifferent to what’s going on because it’s a usual thing run by the wicked ones.

The Scorpish g**g followed him to the washroom- to see what he does next and if they could play another hand on him. In the washroom the boy puts off his shirt, tries to fix something tied around his chest but he is unable to fix it properly. Some red sort of liquid is leaking from there. Now it is on the floor too. The boy is frightened and trembling with fear. He puts an extra handkerchief beside the cloth made bandage and somehow makes the blood stop. Then he just vanishes away from the school campus.

Seeing the blood, the boys get scared too and returns to the classroom immediately. They were whispering at a very low sound about what they just saw. They are used to do naughty stuffs, bullying people. But blood is just a new thing for them.

Their Mathematics teacher, Mr. Arnold entered the classroom. He is a handsome young man. Pretty tall, golden hair with brown eyes. His first task of the day is to separate this Scorpish g**g to maintain peace in the classroom. He does it as usual. Then he starts to take attendance. After calling 36 students he yells, “Paul Ericson?”

There is no response. Everyone whispers among themselves about this new name.

Mr. Arnold says, ”There should be a new comer here. Has anyone seen this boy around?”

A boy from the second row stands up and tells him that he saw a boy entering the room but now he’s not seen anywhere. He added that he took a walk to the washroom. Mr. Arnold thinks to inform his guardians later on and concentrate on the class now.

“Everyone, take out page 34 and not a single more sound!!!”

The school period is over like every day. But this bunch of 4 furious kids aren’t cheerful like other days. They are silently walking towards their homes. Some distinct thought is ruining their mind over and over again. It doesn’t need to be said that they are thinking about the same thing.

Jonas says, “Is it okay after what we’ve done?”

Peter says, “Have we even done anything?”

Jonas says, “What was the blood about?”

Peter says, “How would I know?!” he said it in an indistinctive way.

Elliott crossed them over and stopped Peter and said, “Did you do anything but splashing water in that boy’s face?”

Elliott is the one in the team who dares to protest Peter sometimes. But deep in everyone is very close and helpful. In acknowledgements and sense of humors, Elliott is on the top for sure.

Peter says, “Why would I do such a thing?”

Elliott says, “If his guardians find out and complains against you?”

Ross says, “Oh c’mon dude, Elliott!! Do ya’ really think the teachers really give a s**t? Have you seen anything like those happen in last 5 years?"

It’s like this. Their School Great Oak Academy is just a place for studying. Other infrastructures are nowhere to be found except teachers taking classes. Every one of the trustee board, Principal, teachers don’t care about what else going on. There is no sports or cultural functions. No debate teams, no science clubs. It’s been like this for years and no one even talks about these at all. It has been normalized and this school is producing nothing but bookworms.

Peter says, “That’s right. There’s no need to freak about this. We’ll find out what’s the matter and take steps next day. Don’t be late fellas”

Ross says, “Look who’s talkin’ eh.”

Jonas says, “Better be punctual, Mr Pete hahaha.”

Peter says, “Oh, sure I willz Mr Jones.” Perverted names are common to chill out.

Elliott says, “We’ll gather here tomorrow at 8 says,15; ya’ll get it?”

Peter says, “As you command boss.”

Ross says, “Ok, bro. Not a problem” At this part everybody takes leave and moves to their homes.

NEXT DAY

Everyone gathers around the oak tree beside the turn of block-d, about half a mile away from the school, exactly on time. Oak trees are pretty common in these areas. As a small town, cutting down oak trees are not a common thing around. They have heard that the founder of their school had an oak wood business. He started the business from one oak tree and later one planted thousands of them. At the 80’s of his life long, he founded this school and named it “Great Oak Academy”.

Peter says, “Has anyone ant plans what to do with that nerd?”

Elliott says, “We shouldn’t mess up today if he comes. We’ll just observe from far and that’s all.”

Ross says, “Only if he shows up!”

Jonas says, “We’ll see that, let’s go for now.”

They wait beside the canteen of that school. The canteen is apart from the main campus. So it can easily be seen who is entering the building and who is leaving.

It is a three storey building with an average size of playing field in front of it. Oak trees can be seen above the building. There is a garden lying beside the field, in negligence, like no one even takes a glance at it. The canteen is at the other side of the field. There are benches beside the field to sit on. Many students are sitting there, gossiping. Maybe they are gossiping about these 4, about who is going to be their next target. But they did not know that they are up to totally different thing today. They are just standing there and talking among themselves. There is no sign of that boy. It’s almost time to move into the classroom.

Peter says, “Looks like he’s not gonna come.”

Jonas says, “You bet?”

Ross says, “Okay, if he comes we’ll give Peter a treat. And if he doesn’t the expenditure is yours bruh!!”

Elliott laughs and says, “Hell yeah boy!!”

Peter says, “Okay okay let him come first and then show your faces”

Ross says, “He’s gonna come I bet ya."

As soon as Ross yelled out the last sentence, the boy is seen to enter the building. Four of them literally forgot about the bet and rush to the classroom to see what he does next.

The boy is holding his backpack’s shoulder straps tightly. He takes a glance into the room first, then right, left behind. He just missed this bunch of four somehow and gets into the room. He does not hesitate to go to the back row at once. He puts off his bag after taking the seat, as if he is hiding something at his back. He does not want anyone to know what is there. He sits there quietly, thinking thousands of things, with that look of diffidence. His uniform is same, like the last day, dirty. Eventually no one is taking a seat beside him.

Even

the bunch of four who always sit at the back decided to leave that sit for today. Hence, they sit according to what Mr. Arnold says, separately. Elliott is sitting just in front of him. Mr. Arnold comes in exactly on time. All the time these 4 is having one eye on him.

Mr. Arnold yells like yesterday, “Paul Ericson!!” at the end of the attendance session. Today he is not disappointed as there is a sound, “Present, sir!”

Mr. Arnold says, “Did you come to school yesterday my boy?”

Paul says, “Yes, sir I did.”

Mr. Arnold says, “Why did you attend the classes then?”

Paul says, “Actually I accidentally poured water on myself and my dress got wet. So I couldn’t continue to attend the class.” He said in a low voice.

Mr. Arnold says, “Oh, I see. I expect you to come with me at the end of the period to take your syllabus, magazine and other documents.”

It needs to be said that this magazine was published 6 years behind. Every year some extra copies are printed to distribute among the new comers and freshers.

Paul says, “Yes, sir I will.”

Mr. Arnold says, “Ok, attention everyone. Take out your homeworks and start solving number 5 and 6 problem. I’ll go and check one by one…..”

The class ends with a bell. Mr. Arnold looks at Paul and asks, “Come along, will you?”

Paul says, “Sure, sir”

He stood up. Peter, Ross, Jonas and Elliott are eagerly waiting to see what he is hiding at his back. But they felt disappointed as he immediately took his backpack on with him. Mr. Arnold thought that he is afraid if his belongings get stolen or harmed, so he took the bag with him. When he returns the papers, magazine etc. are in his hands. He at first takes the seat, puts off the bag and then puts the things inside it. They find nothing at his back.

Today’s classes end, every one leaves. He leaves too, hiding his back with the bag.

The g**g takes the same road to home as every day.

Peter says, “He is quite suspicious, isn’t he?”

Ross says, “I do agree Mr.”

Peter says, “He didn’t leave his bag in the classroom while going with Mr. Arnold. Why would he do that?"

Elliott says, “Maybe he was afraid if someone did anything with his bag, or anyone might have warned him about us to be careful.”

Peter says, “No, I don’t think that. He doesn’t talk with anybody man!”

Elliott says, “He’s suspicious in another thing, he didn’t put those things inside at the office. Rather he came to his seat, put off the bag and then did the rest. Why?!”

Jonas says, “Let’s follow him tomorrow.”

Peter says, “That’s an obvious thing now. We will find out where he lives. If he bleeds, he needs to be checked up. Or if it’s something else we need to do something about it.”

Ross says, “Ok dudes. Tomorrow will be following task then. And please come to the spot exactly on time. Late comers are irritating.” He said it pointing his eyes at Peter. Everyone else starts smiling except Peter.

Peter says, “C’mon man! It happened just for once!”

Jonas says, “It happened at least, didn’t it?”

Peter says, “Ok, my apologies your highness. Now we can leave this topic, all right?”

Elliott says, “Fine fine. Let’s leave this kitty alone and keep peace.”

Peter says, “Look who’s talkin’ kid!”

Ross says, “Ok guys enough. What are you doing this afternoon?”

Peter says, “Going to my grandmas. She called me for some works to do. What about others?”

Ross says, “I’m free. ”

Elliott says, “I thought to do some paintings, but if you plan something I’m in.”

Jonas says, “I have nothing to do.”

Ross says, “Let’s go to Uncle Rick.”

Peter says, “I could feel what you’re gonna say. Whatever if you stay long enough, I’d like to join.”

Ross says, “We’ll be there until 7. Is it okay punks?”

Elliott and Jonas nods their heads in an affirmative way.

Peter smiles and says, “That’ll be fine. Granny won’t hold me for long hehe.”