Golden Gooses

9

     The time for recess had arrived. "Alright everybody, line up in front of the door!" Mrs. Montgomery directed, pointing to a yellow door leading outside. The kids cheered and jumped out of their seats, running towards the door. Some kids jumped to peer through the window on the door, seeing the massive playground. Mrs. Montgomery shuffled through her desk drawer to find the keys to the door. She grabbed them and headed over to the door to unlock it. Immediately, the kids raced out onto the playground so fast, they could've broke down the door without a key. As the kids dispersed into different parts of the playground, Joshua grabbed Evan while Avery went to go play house with the other kids. "So, what you wanna play?" Joshua asked. Evan thought for a moment, sitting on the playground's woodchip bedding. "Let's play knights!" Joshua nodded vigorously, very interested in the idea. "A good knight needs a good sword! Let's find some sticks!" Joshua suggested before running off to a tree to rip off the branches. Evan glanced around to also look for a twig, and caught a glimpse of a very enticing branch. It was apparently from a birch tree, and smoothed finely. He picked it up and waited for Joshua. Joshua ran over with a common, jagged branch. Right when Joshua came over, it began to rain and the sky rumbled. All the kids looked up at the sky, disappointed. Mrs. Montgomery told all the kids to stop playing, and that they were heading back inside. The kids whined in defiance. Mrs. Montgomery sighed, annoyed. She pinched the bridge of her nose and looked at the rain again. It's just a drizzle, I'm sure nobody'll get sick. They seem fine with it. She thought. "Ok then, we can stay out just a little longer!" The kids cheered and went back to their pretend storylines. "Let's keep going." Evan said. "I challenge you to a duel!" He exclaimed, waving his branch around triumphantly. "Ok." Evan responded. "Step back!" Joshua commanded. Evan followed his orders and stepped 10 paces back. Joshua began to count down. "1, 2, 3!" He shouted. Joshua charged towards Evan, gripping his stick. Evan shot out his arm, pointing it towards Joshua. A bolt of lightning flowed through the twig and burst out, launching Joshua back and slamming him into the tree. An audible thud was heard all throughout the playground, as the tree shook with the weight of the impact. Mrs. Montgomery and Avery ran over, and all eyes were on Evan and Joshua. Avery knelt down to Joshua. "What did you do?!" She shouted at Evan. Evan dropped the branch, tearing up. "I- I don't know, I-" he whimpered. Mrs. Montgomery also questioned Evan as she picked up Joshua and prepared to carry him inside. "What happened here?" She asked. "I don't know! We were playing knights, and we had swords, but they were actually sticks, and I pointed my sword to him, and, and-" Evan rambled and stammered before sobbing. Mrs. Montgomery took a deep breath and ordered all the kids to come inside, her tone more stern now. They all listened this time and slunk back into the building. Mrs. Montgomery carried Joshua inside as well, but not before he yelled at Evan, who was still frozen with shock, staring. "Monster!" He cried as Mrs. Montgomery passed Evan. Avery trailed behind, raspberrying Evan on her way. Evan followed behind the three, still frightened at what he had done.