Alternative Endings

Chapter Two

“D-I-I-I-I-NG!” The school bell rattled with age as Scandler High school finished for the day. I slowly and stiffly walked down the hall to my locker bay, now buzzing with students trying to leave.

“Hey, man,” a voice called from behind me, but I kept walking. Soon the owner of the voice submerged at my side.

“Hey Johnny,” I said, briefly glimpsing to see if it was the person I thought it was. It was Johnny, my best friend since primary school. He was wearing his usual clothes: A black jacket covering a slightly overused shirt with a tie hanging at his neck. His hair was in a typical Elvis style, and he wore loose jeans.

“So, whatcha gonna do for the History Assignment man?” He asked, slurring his words in a sort of lazy style.

“I don’t know yet, probably do some research and make a song or story about it. But, I don’t know yet.”

“Ah, same man. Anyways, if I come up with some idea I’ll tell ya, ok?”

“Ok, thanks man. But nothin’ you don’t want to tell me.”

“Yeah, sure. Well I gotta be goin’ bro, catcha later.” He then slowly parted and headed down a street while I stopped at the bus stop. About a minute after the familiar chugging of the school bus arrived. I got on, and took a seat. I knew that the bus ride would take around about 10 minutes, so I decided to go over my exercise book for History.

 ***

“Hey Mum, I’m back!” I yelled down the hall. She had obviously been cooking, because the smell of Spaghetti Bolognaise traced the air.

“Oh, hi Andy. I was just making dinner. Spag-Bol sound nice?” She said, straining her voice over some music.

“Yeah, sure… Hey I’ll be in my room, studying.”

“Ok, Andy. I’ll call you when foods ready.”

“Ok, Mum!” I then shut the door and turned on my laptop. I opened the Internet and started looking at facts about World War 2. It was strange though, I could hardly find anything. It was like it hadn’t even happened. So I decided to do some research on the American Civil War. And again, it was like it hadn’t even happened. So I decided to try one last thing: The Assassination Of Martin Luther King. Nothing. There was absolutely nothing on any of my searches. Now I was starting to get worried. Why wouldn’t it show? Why wouldn’t there be any recollection of past wars and assassinations? And that’s when I remembered the note. The note that I had been given by Mr. Deity. I immediately ripped it out of my pocket and picked up my phone. I was about to dial in the number on the note when I stopped.

“Wait, I don’t even know this number,” I thought to myself, slowly thinking about what I was just about to do, “This could belong to anyone, anywhere. I don’t think I should ring it. It just doesn’t feel right.” As soon as I had thought about it, I remembered that my history teacher gave this to me.

“I mean, he’s a bit weird but he wouldn’t do anything to put me in danger.” I assured myself. I noticed I was starting to sweat, so I tried to calm down as quickly as possible. Sweating never led to good results in my family. Never.

I came to a conclusion that I should try and do some more research and if I couldn’t find anything, then, and only then, would I ring the number. So I flicked through a couple of pages from my Dad’s old encyclopaedia, but even then there was nothing. So, sticking to what I had said earlier, I reluctantly dialled the number. I fiddled impatiently with my exercise book, growing bored of the toneless “BEEP… BEEP” of the phone. I was just about to hang up when someone picked up.

“Alternative Endings Inc. How may we assist you?” The voice at the other end was deep and crackly, obviously belonging to a man. But through the harsh tones there was a hint of formality.

“I’m, uh, looking for some help with my History assignment. I know it sounds kinda weird but someone recommended you to me.” I answered, unsure of what I was supposed to say.

“Yes, I have been expecting you. But enough of that. What is it exactly that you would like to know?”

“Well, I was hoping for some information on previous wars and battles.”

“Oh, we can help you with that. Yes, but we would need to meet up somewhere.”

“Uh… I’m not so sure~”

“Oh, and we’ve already talked to your Mother, she says its alright to meet. How about your school, tomorrow. Scandler High School, if I’m not mistaken.”

“Er… Yes. That’s right. Tomorrow is good, yes. Ok bye.” I slammed the phone into its holder and hung up. How did he know what school I went to? He had already told my Mum? This was too much for me to take in. How could he know so much about me? I was just about to break into a fit of hysteria when Mum knocked on the door.

“Andy, dinners ready.” She said, her voice muffled by the closed door.

“O-okay Mum. I’ll b-be right through.”

“Ok. Wait, are you all right? You sounded a little bit, you know, scared.”

“I’m fine mum, I just… need to go to the toilet.” It was a weak excuse, I know, but it seemed to work. After I heard her walk back down to the kitchen I ran to the toilet, and made sure I didn’t look worried. I then walked down the hall into the kitchen.

“How was your day, Andy?” Mum asked, her voice a little worried.

“It was good. Got bombarded with homework though. History, Maths, English, Everything!”

“Oh, History. That reminds me, Andy. I got some call today from a weird sounding man. Claimed he was from some company. Alternative Endings, I think it was called.”

“Alternative Endings Inc.” I replied, correcting her. I was feeling frustrated that I didn’t know what was happening.

“Oh, so you do know them. That’s good. They’re going to visit your school tomorrow, I think.”

“Yeah, that’s what I heard to.”

“ ‘Yes’, Andy. Not ‘Yeah’”

“Yes, Mum.” At this point my voice was heavy with sarcasm, showing my obvious annoyance at her correction.

“Ok, Mr. Grumpy. Now eat your food!”

“Yes, Mum.” I started to help myself to the food in the middle of the table, and as soon as I started eating, I forgot everything.