Code Red

Kill The Rat!

Chapter 3

"Why are you doing this? Don't you remember what we promised each other?!" Jackie said to a man once prominent in hers and Clarissa's life, "There must be another way! Maybe if I get out of the service, Maybe..."

"Look, I've tried. I'm a father but I'm just not meant to be a dad, ok?! I never wanted a child in the first place remember?" Clarissa overheard. from the next room.

Clarissa sighs as she recalls that terrible day.

"Well Martin, you can take both of us or you can leave both of us. You can't just have me,"

"Jacqueline, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry,"

The memory fades back into the past when she refocuses her attention back on the professor. He begins rocking back and forth on his heels scanning the crowd as he smiles broadly. He appears to be searching for someone in particular. Danielle sits up straight in her chair when his eyes pause in her direction. His smile widens just before addressing the new class.

"Once again students, my name is Professor Kratt, Department Head of Bio Genetics and Research. I'm sure you're all eager to get your college life jumpstarted. I assure you, you will not miss a thing but for now we must break you down," Professor Kratt tells the new students.

"If you have been invited here to attend the Iron Eagle Program, please remain seated, there are further instructions you will need if your orientation experience is to be a success today. Everyone else, please gather all of your belongings and make your way to the freshman dormitories and register for your room assignment and school id."

Danielle quickly stands and begins moving down the aisle. she looks down at Clarissa and smiles, "Excuse me". Clarissa smiles back hoping their frosty beginnings are over. "Hey, maybe later when you're not busy, we could go and grab a bite to eat or something." Danielle's smile quickly changes as swiftly as her scooting to reach the main aisle.

Clarissa watches as Danielle makes her way to the professor and eagerly shakes his hand. She grins from ear to ear as the tenured professor speaks to her briefly. He points to the back of the auditorium and Danielle complies with his request.

"Brown noser," Clarissa grumbles under breath.

It takes about 15 minutes for those gathered in the back to vacate. After the last moves on to freshman dorms, the doors are closed and Professor Kratt steps down from the platform.

"I gather all of you who remain have been invited to attend the Iron Eagle program, no?" he asks unmic'd.

About 15 students scattered around the room begin heading down front to hear the elder statesman. Clarissa slides down the aisle and sits on the second row behind two twins who seem more interested in last night's American Idol voting than anything else. A young man comes and sits next to her, "what's up?". He smiles before leaning between the two girl's heads.

"Naw, I think Johnny was better than all them!" he chirps in.

"All right, let's settle down now. There's lots to discuss and not much time to do it before you will begin processing. Welcome to the Iron Eagle program. Here is where true magic happens and where the future is brought here to the here and now."

Clarissa looks around at her fellow classmates.

"Here? Really?"

Her eyes turn back to the professor only to find him watching her, She straightens up as he continues.

"Now, this year will be like none other you have experienced."

"I hope so," Clarissa says remembering events that led her up to this point.

"Now enough jabber, head to the back and give the young man your name so you may receive your full access pass for free meals and books. That pass also empowers you to sit in on any class or lab if your personal time permits."

There is a light giddy chatter that rises after the small group hears of free meals and books. They all stand and head for the back.

"Clarissa Morgan?" Professor Kratt calls out.

Clarissa turns as the professor smiles, heading her way.

"Clarissa Morgan?"

"Yes?"

"Welcome, Miss Morgan. I am truly honored to make your acquaintance. Your coming has been anticipated here at McCastle. I personally look forward to hearing of your many adventures with Red Clay."

"Yea, Red Clay. It was an adventure alright."

"For now, though, follow your classmates to the dorm, get yourself a roommate and we will talk again soon."

"Ok."

Clarissa heads outside to find Jackie waiting for her carrying a box of doughnuts.

"Is Miss Clarissa ready to go?"

"Where? Home?" She says in an unsettling tone, reflecting on her brief introduction with Professor Kratt.

"No, to your new normal life, and mine."

They head over to the dormitory and sign in. Clarissa is assigned room 106 after bringing up the rear. It appears no one else really wants that room. The room key card look lonely lying on the table after being picked over by all the other freshman.

"Well, I guess this is mine. I wonder who iI'll get as a roommate? Hopefully someone who is fun, but also serious when it comes to studies." she says, "Maybe a girl who plays the guitar so we'll always have cool interesting people hanging around and there will always be cool music!"

"Or maybe someone who came to college to get a degree and get on with their life." Jackie jokes.

"Hahaha."

They head down the first floor hallway. Some girls are hanging around the visitors desk chatting away while others leave with some of the male students. Clarissa and Jackie head down the main floor's hallway to 106. Clarissa slides the key across the magnetic entry slot turns the handle and leans against the door.

"What? you've got to be kidding me!" Clarissa and Jackie hear bellowing from within from an upset Danielle who is sitting on the edge of the bed in pj bottoms, bags half packed.

She is on her cellphone so she pretends to be too involved with the conversation to speak to Clarissa or Jackie. She points to the other side of the room and the two drop Clarissa's things on the bed.

"So friendly, this one." Jackie snips.

"Mom, please. I need to have a good year, ok? I need to start out on a good foot. let me handle any drama, please."

"Hello, my name is Jackie and you are?"

"Danielle, ma'am."

"Well, Danielle it is nice to meet you, This is my daughter Clarissa and she's your new roommate. I hope you get along well."

"We will, ma'am."

"Good good good, cuz I don't wanna have to hear her crying about you all fighting about this and that, this boy or that boy," Jackie rambles.

"No worries ma'am, we won't be fighting over guys."

Clarissa turns red as she gets flustered by her mom's typical entry and steps into the bathroom to avoid any further displeasure. The room has two beds, each position against opposing walls. It has two closet cabinets and one study desk, of which Danielle has placed a culture of her family and her alarm clock.

Suddenly, a girl's voice shrieks down the hall.

"It's a rat! A rat!"

Jackie and Danielle rush to the door to see what all the ruckus is about. Clarissa sticks her head out of the bathroom, thinking slightly that her mom is killing Danielle. Danielle shuffles back to her bed and Jackie heads over to the desk and plops down.

"What was that?" Clarissa asks.

"One of your freshman dorm mates claims to have see a rat." Jackie says, "But in this place? you can eat off the floors, it's so clean. Hey, maybe he's a French chef like the rat in that movie." She jokes.

"Mom."