The Son of Thunder

Janitor

On our way back to the classroom, everyone who saw the fight gave us the stare. But it wasn't cold and taunting; it was full of admiration and respect.
"Nice going, Dylan", a guy said as he smiled at me and walked past.
"Uh... Thanks", I replied. How did he know my name? I wondered.
"You did great out there kid. Way to show him not to mess with you", another guy, Derrick, a senior said.
"Sure", I replied nervously.
"Sweet moves, Dylan", Ashley said, as she smiled past. My heart almost stopped.
Ashley actually talked to me. She was my crush and one of the prettiest girls in school. Maybe I should fight more often to get her attention, I thought.
"Dude you still need to tell me how you did that back there", Noah said, bringing me out of my thoughts. "Something weird happened. I could have sworn I saw something elec..."
"Dylan, My office, now!" The potbellied Principal ordered.
"Oops", I said to Noah. I guess I'm in trouble.
"Just tell him what happened. It was in self defense. Caleb started the fight", Noah advised.
"Alright, then", I said as I walked towards the Principal's office.
I didn't usually get into trouble in school and have almost never been to the Principal's office before, until now.
"Have a seat", Mr. Watson said. I obliged.
"I got a report that you were seen fighting in the cafeteria at lunch break", he started.
"Sir, it was in self defense. I didn't start the fight. They assaulted me and my friend for no reason", I explained.
"And as a result of your actions, the students you beat up are in the sick bay. One is still unconscious", He continued.
Uh-oh! Caleb was still unconscious? I must have hit him pretty hard.
"You'd have to bring your parents here tomorrow for a meeting", he said handing me a letter. "But Sir, it wasn't my fault", I complained.
"I'll leave your detention till tomorrow", he finished, and gestured for me to leave.
I sighed and left.
As I turned to go to my class , I noticed the hallway was empty aside from the new janitor, a tall, black and well built man who never smiled or talk, cleaning at the far end of the hallway.
Then it hit me. It was so sudden that I stopped and turned around sharply. That feeling sent shivers down my spine -Bloodlust. I could sense it in the entire hallway as I turned back. It seemed to be coming from one source - the Janitor.
He looked at me with an intense stare sending shivers down my spine and I was paralyzed by intense fear. I could have sworn that I saw his eyes dilating and protrusions coming out of his head, but as suddenly as the feeling came, it disappeared without a trace.
"Dylan, what are you doing out here?", Mr. Leo queried. "Get into the classroom now!", He ordered.
I turned, finally free from the paralysis and walked fast into the class, Mr. Leo following closely behind occasionally glaring at the Janitor.
I couldn't stop thinking about it as I moved to my seat. The feeling was strangely familiar but I couldn't place my fingers on why it was.
"How did it go?" Noah asked, bringing me from my thoughts.
I showed him the letter and told him what the principal said.
"But it's not your fault! They asked for it", he stated.
"Don't you think I know that already?" I replied.
"Mr Dylan and Mr Noah, is there something you would like to share with the class?!" Mr. Leo asked, breaking up the conversation.
We hushed till the end of class.
For the rest of school, that day I was distracted. A lot had happened to me and I felt overwhelmed but I somehow felt it was all connected.
"Dylan!", Mr. Leo called me as we prepared to go home after closing .
"Yes sir", I replied.
"Be careful out there, and don't let the Janitor bite", he said and winked.
I stiffened and turned to go with Noah.
"What was that about?", Noah asked, a little confused.
"I don't know exactly", I said, trying to figure out what the hell was going on. How did he know? Was it just a random joke or something?, I thought.
"Let's just go home, I'm exhausted" I said. I realized I had bigger problems to take care of at home.