Murder On The Waterway: The Case Of The Kanaima Demon

Chapter Twenty Six

Jack Sexton had distributed the toxin-laden blue exercise books to each student in the classroom. The danger was real, and we had to act cautiously to prevent any harm from coming to the innocent children. They were sitting with the toxins in front of them, blissfully unaware of the peril that lurked.

I couldn't see the demons responsible for this trap, but their scent seemed to permeate the air, an ominous presence that was everywhere and nowhere. We faced a dilemma: either let the children pick up the books and risk their paralysis or get the children out to safety, allowing Jack to escape. The choice was a harrowing one.

As I watched Michael chat with the teacher, I realised that his charm might be our best way out of this predicament. Meanwhile, I counted the doors in the corridor, trying to assess our options. We were three doors down on the right, with three more doors to our left, near an exit. On the right, there were stairway doors, and just behind them, a corridor with at least five more doors. The release of these demons would undoubtedly sow chaos and confusion throughout the school.

The sun was setting, and time was running out. We didn't want to miss the opportunity to question Jack Sexton in his human form, but a school was a crowded and chaotic place for an arrest. None of us had ever encountered a Kanaima before, and no one had lived to tell the tale.

Amid the cacophony of children's heartbeats, I still couldn't detect the master's presence, Emily Fulton. I remained on high alert, my senses straining for any hint of her.

I pulled Michael aside and conveyed my concerns. "We can't push this," I told him, gesturing towards the classroom. "I can smell the two I chased, and there's a toxic substance on those books. They knew we were coming."

Michael's face darkened. "They knew? Do you think Miss Sexton warned them, familiar with the school layout?"

I contemplated the possibility that Miss Sexton had lied about her knowledge of the school. "If she did, then I have no faith in the truth. Her heart rate remained steady when I spoke to her. She would've shown fear if she'd known about my abilities."

I looked to Michael for guidance, his invaluable experience even in such an unprecedented case. We both agreed that it was not the right time to confront Jack Sexton. Then, I noticed the fire alarm. It was a risky plan, but it might be our only option.

"Michael, keep Sally occupied. I'm going to pull the alarm," I whispered, my eyes fixed on the fire alarm on the wall.

He chuckled, displaying a charming smile, as he pulled Sally aside to engage her in conversation. I silently reached the fire alarm, tiptoeing on the polished wooden floors.

As I stood poised by the fire alarm, I took a deep breath, preparing for the chaos when I pulled it. My finger was poised on the switch, and I couldn't shake the feeling that there was a sting in the tail awaiting us. My hackles bristled with tension.

And then I pushed the switch.

'Click.'

***

A chorus of thumps on saucepans reverberated through the school, echoing like the relentless drumming of a throttling engine. To me, the alarm had the piercing effect of a dog whistle, sinking beneath my skin like icy talons. All I wanted was to bury my head and hide from the world until it was over. The stampede of terrified children had begun.

I moved swiftly, my werewolf athleticism allowing me to bob and weave through the onrushing children. Michael, with an outstretched hand, beckoned the kids from Jack's classroom to safety. Amid the din of pounding hearts, I detected one heartbeat louder than the rest, steady but drenched in ominous anticipation.