The Conductor

Chapter Twenty Six- Robert Jones

I sat in complete enchantment as the Head Split roared with rage.

"I see you've met my new friend." the Drum Major cackled. "I control its every movement. Your silly baton is no use against it, it only makes it more angry."

The Drum Major lifted her hands and the beast rose up on its legs, towering above me. I grit my teeth in a stressful manner. What was there to do now? I was going to be the cause of everyone's death if I didn't think of something.

The menacing thing walked towards me, gnashing its teeth and balling its fists, breathing heavily with anger at me. It stared me square in the face with its red eyes, threatening to murder me.

I kept a firm expression, trying to keep my composure for everyone's sake, while the thing heavily breathed in my face.

"Are you scared Conductor?" The Drum Major laughed as she moved her hands to make the creature stalk me. "Are you threatened by this newly born creature? Does it make you feel small, is what I'm asking."

I rolled my eyes to match the creature's movements as it surrounded me. What was I to do?

I suddenly remembered something I had done almost twenty years ago, when I dealt with the Wood Splits. If I lit the thing on fire, it would combust and burn.

"No." I replied, staring down the Drum Major. "If you want me, you're going to have to come get me!"

I grabbed the lighter I used for instrument repairs from my desk and stuffed it in my pocket.

"STUDENTS RUN!!!" I screamed, shoving past them and holding the door open. They rushed out at my command, the Head Split closely following them behind. I ran out the door and bolted down to the soccer field. The door swung open as the Head Split bolted towards me, the Drum Major floating in the air above it.

I made sure my students were a safe distance away from me as I pulled the lighter out of my pocket and waited for the monster to catch up. Once again it roared in rage as I lit the stick aflame.

I prayed my plan would work as I threw the stick into the monster's mouth. It suddenly froze.

The Drum Major struggled to move the beast, screaming in frustration.

"Run Mr. Jones, run!!!" my students screamed.

I turned towards them and ran as fast as I could, the monster blowing up behind me. I could feel the unsettling heat against my back as I continued to run towards my students, the Drum Major roaring in rage.

I sat down next to Jason and held his hand as all evidence of the Drum Major ever being there slowly melted away. The ground wasn't burning, nothing seemed to be damaged, and the Drum Major had vanished.

I turned towards my students to find them happily rejoicing in sweet victory. Jason was holding onto his gut and looked pale.

"Jason?" I beckoned.

He slowly turned towards me, trembling.

"We won." he replied.

"Yep." I beamed excitedly.

"We won!"

I grasped Jason tightly against my body and held him there, squinting tightly as he placed his chin on my shoulders.

I suddenly heard a familiar voice.

"Robert?" she asked.

I turned around to find Brenna standing halfway across the field.

"Brenna!!!" I laughed, standing up and running towards her to engulf her in a big hug.

"You're safe." she sighed happily as she squeezed me.

"So is Jason. Are you?"

"Yes. Oh my gosh, you were out in such a rush. You didn't come back for a while so I came to find you."

I let her go but still placed my hands on her arms and sighed happily.

"Brenna, my love, thank you," I sighed, "But I was more worried about you."

Jason suddenly came running over.

"Mom!" he yelled excitedly. Brenna gasped with delight.

"Jason!" she hollered, running towards him. Jason tightly wrapped his arms around his mom. She was taller than him, so she had to lean over a bit.

"Oh, my boy!" she cried.

"Mom!" Jason laughed.

I stood there with a huge smile plastered on my face. Brenna must've spotted the slit in Jason's ear because soon after she gasped in shock.

"Jason, your ear!" she sighed with concern.

"Oh, yeah." he sighed. "The Wood Splits did that."

"Are you alright?" she asked, clutching him by the sides of his arms.

"Yes, it just stings a bit but I'm fine."

I walked over to them and held them both close to me. Those two meant the world to me. Brenna was my love, and Jason was my son. I had no clue where I'd be without them. They meant so much that I couldn't describe it in words.

I walked over to my students.

"Don't get too excited." I cautioned.

"Why not?" Megan questioned.

"Because there's plenty more where that came from."