The Wild Scientist

Chapter 3

Next day at school I walked over to my locker, put my things and got ready for my Mathematics session. I walked down the hallway and Xander joined me.

"Late as usual." I told Xander.

"Who? Me? Okay I was late because I went to grab the newspaper." He continued. "I want to show you something."

Just then the bell rang and we both hurried to our class.

"Maybe at recess." I told him just as we entered the class.

The Maths session was quite interesting to me. I was able to finish all the sums Mr. Madison gave us. As for Xander, he kept yawning and scratching his head.

The bell rang and we sat down in the cafeteria to have lunch.

Xander rolled out the newspaper from his backpack and handed it over to me.

"Look page 7." He exclaimed.

I slid my fingers through the newspaper, my excitement growing up.

The newspaper read;

"More poisoned bodies near Hillwood Lake. The police are inspecting the crime scene but no criminal has been found yet. The local authorities have imposed curfew for Hillwood from 6pm tonight."

"I pray everyone's safe in Hillwood." I told Xander. He looked at me with shock in his eyes. "They have confirmed that this isn't a suicide."

"Hmm yeah." He said. I folded the newspaper and kept it aside.

Just then Tyler walked up to us and asked if we needed fruit cake baked by his mother.

"Of course, we'll have three pieces!" Xander exclaimed.

"Three? Wait! Don't tell me you are going to gobble up two pieces Xand." I almost spilled my soda can while laughing.

"Ok here you go my friends!" Tyler said as he placed the pieces of cake on a sheet of paper.

We emptied our lunch boxes and headed to the science lab for our sessions. Mr. Fand showed us the reaction of acids and bases when they are put together. It was quite satisfying to see the salts forming in the test tube.

And there, Xander was wearing gloves and getting ready to do his own scientific experiment. I laughed when I saw him wearing eye protectors or whatever they are called. He was getting ready with two test tubes in his hands and reading the instructions out of a Lab guide.

Suddenly I remembered something which made me gasp. The freaking lab guide! The old man whom I stalked the other day, wanted it very badly. And the scene of poisoned bodies rushed through my mind. I was getting unexplainable thoughts which really made me sit down and think for a while.

I felt suspicious of the old man but I couldn't believe myself since he was a fellow old guy. But something kept me questioning.

"Why did he want the guide so badly?"

As I was busy thinking, Xander walked to me and asked what I was doing there. I thought it would be better if I kept my thoughts to myself only for now.

"You know. Science is boring to me. I don't love it as much as you do" I replied.

"Well, I really enjoyed my work here. I'm in love with science." He exclaimed.

We laughed and left the science lab as the bell rang.

Later, as the school ended Xander and I headed home as usual. We bought ice creams and on our way we suddenly ran into that old man. He was acting like he was searching something. I had the sudden urge to stalk him again and I begged Xander to let me do that.

"Alright I'll come with you. Follow me."