The Only Thing We Have To Fear

Mistitled Part 101

Frieda stopped running at the McDonald's at the corner. She may have done cross country the past several years, but she was not a sprinter. She panted hard as she waited for her side stitch to go away. Slowly, she began to pace around the building with the pace of a snail. The smell of French fries cleared her mind, and she focused on nothing but food for a moment. She thought of the last time she had eaten there, which was a few months ago when she had first met Pepper. Pepper didn't want to do anything, yet Frieda had insisted they do something. She managed to drag Pepper down the block. She had ordered a small Sprite, then the two of them shared fries, and they parted ways.

After thinking about that old memory, Frieda had calmed down enough to process what just happened. Here's what she figured out: 

1. Roman and Bill just attempted to kill a teacher.
2. Dr. Frankston's blood was blue.
3. Dr. Frankston was probably a spider creature like Roman talked about in his speech.
4. They were in deep trouble now.

She did not expect to be in trouble as well. Nor did the rest of her classmates, but she wouldn't discover that until later.

"Excuse me," Mr. Fish started once he caught up to her. "I need to see you in my office."

"What?" she wheezed.

"Immediately. I need you in my office right now," he insisted.

She studied Mr. Fish for a moment. He was tall, blond, and handsome. He was lithe like a runner, and he was certainly dressed to impress, however, she didn't recognize him.

"Where?" she asked suspiciously.

"Come on," he seethed, grabbing her arm. He grabbed her lightly at first, but when she pulled away, his grip tightened. "We have much to discuss. I don't want to keep the others waiting," he growled.

"Who are you? Get off of me!" she cried.

"I am the Dean of Students," he explained shortly. His expression made it clear that he was not in the mood to be argued with. "I have something I would like to discuss with you."

She struggled against him, but he was stronger than her and managed to pull her up the road toward the school. Her suspicions slowly faded as they neared the school, but they were replaced with worry. She heard of students being on "The Dean's List," but the problem was, the dean had two lists. The list she wanted to be on was for academic achievement. The other, she feared she was about to be on.

Mr. Fish dragged Frieda up the driveway and in through the front doors. Since Frieda had left, everything had turned to mayhem. Someone, most likely Tristan and Pierce, had gotten into someone's, most likely Tristan and Pierce's, slime reserves and had started a slime battle in the middle of the hallways. A handful of multicolored goop smacked the door next to them as Mr. Fish led Frieda in through the main entrance.

"Hey! All of this stops now, or I'll be calling home for every single person involved in this!" Mr. Fish yelled. He was the dean of students for a reason. He was downright scary when he was mad. Everyone within earshot flinched and parted like the Red Sea.

Mr. Fish pushed Frieda up the front steps and into the administration hallway through the entrance by the attendance office. It was then that he let go of her. "Follow me," he growled, stepping in front of her. He led her directly into his office. To his surprise, both Roman and Bill were seated and waiting patiently for him.

"Good, you're here," he snapped. He slammed the door behind Frieda and took his seat across from the three of them. "So, care to explain yourselves?" he seethed.

Bill shifted uncomfortably in his seat, and Frieda ooched awkwardly toward the third chair in the corner of the room.

Roman flexed his fingers a few times around the arm of the chair, sat forward, and then said, "I take no responsibility for what happened."