The Clock Strucks Danger

Cat Got Your Tongue ?

A case of..I don't know. You decide.

The following story is written in third person. Never leave your books unattended.

Dominique "Dom King" was a rebellious teenager. He came to school late, never did his assignments and always seemed to get mixed up in nasty fights. You would think that he came from a poor family but it was quite the opposite. In fact, his family was rich and respectable. Why did then, young Dominique, did all such things ? Maybe he craved attention. He gained a lot of it from his notorious deeds. He seemed to revel in it.

But often, at the price of his bad boy image, came lots of complaints and detentions from his teachers, especially his principal Miss McGilroy. Miss McGilroy was an young beautiful and dynamic teacher, perhaps a little too young to be a principal of such a big school at thirty five years of age. As sweet and generous as she was with the good students, she was equally stern and iron fisted to the black sheep.

One Friday afternoon of 2004, she caught Dominique stealing school supplies from the teachers room. Pens, staplers, markers - nothing too expensive but she flew in a terrible rage. If there was one thing she could not tolerate, then that was stealing. She gave Dominique a good solid scolding and sent him off his way with a white detention slip. Dominique just smiled as he accepted the slip and walked away obediently to his classes.

After school was a s over, Dominique arrived promptly for his detention at the second classroom of the first floor. He handed over his slip to Mr Joe. There were no other students there.

"You have been here for the fifth time this month, Dominique, and it is not even the fifteenth day yet" remarked Mr Joe.

"I know, sir. I guess Miss McGilroy really hates me" Dominique casually shrugged his shoulders.

"Well, if you look at the bright side then you have ample time to do homework without any disturbances" Mr Joe said.

"Yeah. I will do the history lessons then". Dominique sat on the first seat and plopped down his bag. He searched his bag and fished out the large history textbook and a small blue notepad.

" Okay" Mr Joe gave him a smile and waked back to his teachers desk. He pulled out a bunch of test papers and started correcting them. There was absolute silence in the room as the older man and the young teenager were engrossed in their respective work.

After half an hour passed, Mr Joe sneaked a peek at Dominique and he was pleasantly surprised to see him hunching his back over the bench and scribbling intently on the notepad. Nodding his head approvingly, Mr Joe got back to his correction. The other half hour flew by fast and soon enough it was time for the detention to end.

Mr Joe statshed his papers neatly into the drawer and walked over silently to Dominique's seat. There he was. Still making notes. Probably, on World War - I.

"Dominique ?" Mr Joe called out to him softly.

Dominique looked at him in a jolt. He was not expecting the teacher to come by his desk. Hurriedly, he slammed his text book shut and hid the notepad under the heavy cover. He gulped.

"Sir ?" His hands were shaking. His actions did not go unnoticed by the older man.

"One hour is up. You may leave now" Mr Joe smiled at him curiously.

"I..I will go now sir. But first, I need to rush to the loo" Dominique stuttered as he stood up shakily. He attempted to smile weakly.

"Okay but come fast. It is time to close the school soon" Mr Joe dismissed him and Dominique sprinted his way out of the classroom.

It was only Mr Joe in the classroom. He craned his neck and looked at the door. Dominique was no where close. He took a deep breath as he stared at his books on the desk. Unable to contain his curiosity any longer, he quietly sneaked his hand in the cover of the textbook and bought out the notepad. He checked the door once again. Dominique was not there.

Heaving a sigh of relief, but still with a twinge of nervousness in the pit of his stomach, Mr Joe opened the notepad. At first, it looked like a simple diary or journal to him. Probably, filled with adolescent dreams and despairs. He chuckled to himself. So, this is what Dominique had been writing all along. Just then, his eyes caught on a word at the end of the paragraph. He looked at it closely and did a double take as he read.

21-May-2004

I went to McGilroy's apartment again. I hid behind the bushes so she would not be able to see me there. I peeked into the living room. She looked really gorgeous in that satin camisole that she wore. Her hair was open, flowing over her back lusciously. A far cry from her uptight hair do at school. She was chopping carrots from what I could make out and also humming a tune, maybe, because once in a while she broke out into a smile and did a little solid jig. Its a pity that she is so mean and rude at school. Many people will miss her. She doesn't know I am here. I never will know. She trusts her colony's guard too much. It is a pity that I killed him. Maybe today..I will kill her. Now, wouldn't that be mighty fun. She will be sent off to a long detention. Oh the joys !

I am really looking forward to...

"I see that you know my secret now, sir". Mr Joe jumped up in fright and threw the notepad to the ground. At the doorway was Dominique, looking smug and smart as ever. He winked at his teacher who stood there sweating profusely.

" What happened ? The cat got your tongue ?"

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Yes. This is the end of the story, guys, not a cliffhanger. What happened after that particular incident is upon you to imagine. I would like to give my readers that freedom. Thanks for reading.

Stay creepy !