The Scorpish g**g

Chapter 10

Today the school will be opened after four long days. All the students are coming back to school. The 8th graders are very disturbed by looking at their classroom. The desks are broken as before, no change in the doors or windows. Even the wall did not get any paint job, it is as faded as before.

The disturbance is higher because of the homework they received from English teacher as it was very long but almost all of them are happy that they have finished and they will get rid of the English teacher through this. It is heard that many of them completed it by paying someone else. All of the discussions are going on about these. When the Scorpish g**g reach school, they fall in intense anxiety. The English teacher is very tough to be avoided punishment. They were so busy in their little adventure and other stuffs that they literally forgot about this danger.

Peter says, “s**t Elliott! Why didn’t ya’ remember this hell before?”

Elliott says, “Don’t blame me, I was with you guys all the days. I forgot this too. We are doomed.”

Peter says, “Ross, your video game didn’t work out?”

Ross says, “It obviously would only if I had remembered. There’s nothing left for us today. Let’s go home. Better than the tolerating the sticks.”

Jonas says, “Your mom and dad won’t tell anything?”

Ross says, “I’d say I’m not feeling better and I think I need medicine.”

Peter says, “My mom and dad will be very mad at me. The school was off for four days and they were literally pissed off at this.”

Elliott says, “Look who it is!”

They are talking standing in the corridor, in front of their classroom. When they have a glance at the beginning of the corridor they get a bit shock. Paul Ericson is walking, behind him there is that suited man from the factory they saw two days earlier and before that day when he urged them to leave the forest. He is in a suit today too.

Peter says, “We aren’t going home lads. At least I’m not.”

Ross says, “I’m with ya’ fella.”

For a moment it was out of their minds that Paul reads in his school and he might come. But it was not sure as his father or maybe some other relationship he had with him, died two days ago due an accident. But as he comes to the school the g**g is ready to sacrifice themselves on the hand of their English teacher. Another thing they are noticing is that Paul does not have that bandage sort of thing worn as he is looking slim and his shirt is not swelled.

The periods started as usual. Mr. Arnold comes in. He becomes very happy to see Paul coming back to school. He also mourns for a while to see no changes in the classroom. It is normal and improvements are rare for this school. In the second period Mr. Watson jumps into the classroom. Everyone stands up and greets as a usual way. Then he has a stare around and starts to make a sound of disappointment. With all the students he was also expecting some improvements around but he gets nothing but a sigh.

Mr. Watson says, “I thought they will take care of the classrooms too. Now I see that only the office and teachers’ room got some touch.”

No one says anything. It is better to keep listening up Mr. Watson than replying. Suddenly he yelled, ‘HOMEWORKS!!!”

Students tremble once because of a sudden scream. Then the classroom fills with the noise of papers, exercise books, zipping and unzipping. Only 5 or 6 of them have forgot to bring the homeworks and 4 of them are from the Scorpish g**g. After collecting the homeworks Mr. Watson says, “Stand up those little brats! STAND UP!”

6 students stand up trembling, with fear in their minds.

“Come front angels, move your butts!” he again yelled.

All of them slowly move to the front and stand in front of the board. Mr. Watson takes out his legendary stick out, it is actually made from a bamboo branch and he has been using it for years. Everyone gets a taste of it. The sound seems like blade hitting the ears. And their faces are dull, red.

Mr. Watson is not in a good mood today. He is not satisfied with the stick. So he decided to send them to the principal’s room for further punishment. After the period ends, the 6 students start walking with Mr. Watson. When they have a glance inside the principal’s office the g**g of four get a bit surprised. The suited man is laughing with a cup of tea in his hand, the principal is giving him a good company at this.

Mr. Watson says, “May I come in, sir?”

Principal says, “Yes, Mr. Watson. What’s the matter?”

Then Mr. Watson says and follows the common stuffs what usually happens. He elaborates his complaints against the kids. The principal tells them that their guardians will be informed soon and the punishment will increase if such acts repeat further. He tells the students to return to their classrooms then and again gets busy with that man.

The g**g starts to hate that man as he is seen everywhere these days. Who knows what his intentions are. Besides they think the man is also observing them. He saw them at the forest that day, he might have also seen at the factory and now in the school. Something strange is creating doubts in their minds.

When the bell rings, everyone rushes to get out of the classroom included two of the scorpions. The others remain in the room. They come after Paul leaves the room. Paul comes out of the school gate and crosses road. At the other side they see that the man is standing. He gives a packet to Paul and also some money. Then he gets into a car and leaves the place.

Paul walks by the road for a while and after going about quarter mile he leaves the road and takes a short cut. The g**g is following him from distance. Many questions are rising in their minds. If this kid lost his only one shelter, then where he is going. Is it possible that he started to live alone? If the company has taken all the responsibilities of him then why a small boy is living alone.

Thinking about all these they keep walking on the trail. Paul crosses a small bridge at one point. Below the bridge there is a very narrow river with crystal clear water flowing by. Stones are easily seen from the top. It stops the g**g for a moment and then they continue their work. After walking for almost 30 minutes the boy reaches a slum. Five or six small huts are there. He goes inside one.

Peter says, “Looks like he lives here.”

Ross says, “Shouldn’t he live with someone?’

Peter says, “Maybe he should. But that man is dead. So I don’t know if he lives alone or not.”

Elliott says, “We must head for home now. It’s late. Besides I don’t think I remember the way back properly.”

Peter says, “We’ll wait here a few more minutes and then leave. Let’s see if he comes out or not.”

Jonas says, “Our houses will turn into hell today. Firstly, principal’s call. And now we’ll almost one or one and half hour late.”

Peter says, “I don’t think sir remembered to call, he was quite busy with the other mister.”

Elliott says, “Our guy is coming out boys.”

Paul comes out of the hut a few moments later with dirty clothes. These clothes somehow catch the same pattern of a worker’s clothes. He starts to walk fast. And the g**g keeps following. Sometimes they have to run literally to keep pace with his walking. He soon reaches a factory and gets inside it. It is the factory where they visited yesterday, where a deadly accident occurred and the boy’s guardian died of it.

They think it is because the company is his guardian now. They see that suited man’s car standing in front of the factory. Then they decide to head back home. There is nothing to see here anymore. So they passed the factory by to the back side of it. This is the shortest way to go home. They notice there are same boys from the forest checking out the timbers.

Today they are cleaning the uncovered logs and giving them numbers by marker pens. They are watching this scenario and keep walking. At one point Paul came out from the back door of the factory and joined others in the same work. So Paul is still working as a labourer for them. It is necessary to mention that they are not even touching the covered stacks. The boys are crossing at a distance and soon get out of that place.

On the way,

Jonas says, “I’m feeling bad for the boy now. He just lost his only family and now earning his own bread.”

Elliott says, “That suited man gave some money, didn’t he? What was that for then?”

Peter says, “Some sort of show off I guess. Letting people know he is with the boy. In the end the result remains the same.”

Ross says, “And the protestor workers?”

Peter says, “Do you think all of them will still protest if their mouths are shut with notes?”

Ross says, “That’s obviously possible. And here we are, can’t do anything about it.”

Peter says, “We will, Ross. One day, maybe now we’re too young.”

Elliott says, “Of course!”

Suddenly they feel a combined feeling of patriotism, principles and morality. It is like they are not teen agers anymore. They are talking and thinking like grownups. They feel in their gut that they should do something for Paul and stop these happenings. Having all these type of thoughts they reach home with fear. Fear to get scolded pretty hard.

Peter says, “So, here’s the time to say goodbye comrades.”

Jonas says, “We’ll meet once again if we remain alive. Good luck scorpions.”

Ross says, “Shut up please. You don’t need to scare the s**t out of me now. I’ve already made a huge mess in my room. And now all these. May God save me.”

Elliott says, “I hate Mr. Watson. First those bullets from that stick and now call at home.”

Peter says, “I’m pretty sure he’s forgot it. So I don’t have much worries.”

Jonas says, “Can we skip the chitchats today? It’s already very late.”

Peter says, “That’s right. See you guys tomorrow at school. Tata.”

Jonas says, “Hey wait. Uncle Rick had called us for some works. Will you be able to join us Peter?”

Peter says, “I don’t think so I’ll be able to go there. You know granny’s staying with us now and dad has told me stay at home as more as possible to give her proper company.”

Ross says, “That’s alright. Maybe he needs some help for his garden. We’re going there this afternoon.”

Peter says, “Ok, guys have fun. I think I’ve missed many dishes of Aunt Sarah.”

Elliott says, “Don’t worry. We’re gonna have your part too.”

Peter says, “Enough now. Goodbye,”

Elliott says, “Sayonara.”

It is the time to go home. After reaching home everyone was tensed except Peter. He believes in his heart that everything will be fine. And he is right. There is no call from his school. His mom is just asking why he is so late. He says that he was with his friends and walking slowly to home. She does not feel to ask any more questions. His grandmother is sitting beside the balcony and taking rest.

Grandmother says, “You’re home my boy! Can you check my medicines and bring them here? I’ve forgot them after lunch.”

Peter says, “What! Don’t be such a careless woman granny! You don’t wanna go back to that prison you said, do you?”

Grandmother says, “Of course not! This is the last time dear.”

Then Peter brings her medicine and water. The day is spent with family. And the other three are enjoying some tasty dishes at Uncle Rick’s.