Countdown

Chapter Four

“This looks like a nice park,” Justin pointed out a small area blanketed in snow. Barry nodded his agreement.

“And the best part about it is-”

“The snow?” Justin asked, beginning to build a snowman.

“No, you idiot! That no one is here!” Barry said, smiling his mischievous grin.

“Oh,” Justin said, “Hey, do you want help me build a snowman?” He noticed Barry’s glare directed to him.

“Right. I’ll shut up now.”

“Good, now let’s plan out what we’re going to do,” Barry said, sitting on a wooden bench that was covered with snow. Justin sat down as well.

Barry held out a map and started to point his fingers around. They were so engrossed in planning their scheme, that they didn’t notice a boy entering the park. And by boy, I mean Philip Easton.

Philip was too busy looking at the snow to notice the two men. After walking around the park, he sat down on a white coated bench and stared at the gray sky. He slowly closed his eyes.

“We’re going to the place the bomb here-” A voice said. Philip jolted awake from his day dream. Who just said that?

“There? But isn’t that obvious?” Another voice asked. Philip turned around and saw two men sitting on a bench. From the back, one had blonde hair and the other had dark, brown hair.

Philip’s heart raced. Who were those people? Why were they planting a bomb? Are they terrorists? Should he call 911?

He decided to listen in a little more to their conversation, so he could tell the police more about their scheme. Philip crept behind the bench and crouched.

“Ok, so tomorrow-” The dark haired man started.

“Tomorrow?” His partner groaned. “Can we take a break? We came all the way from Wyoming. Can’t we just chill for like two days?”

“Ugh, fine, Justin,” his friend said, “On Friday, we go there and place the bomb. In the evening, we’re going to activate it.”

“And then, in half an hour the place will blow!” The two men laughed.

Philip gulped. What were they going to blow up? And why?

Oh no. Oh no. He felt a sneeze coming on. He can’t sneeze now! These people are bad guys! They’ll probably kill him if they find out he’s right behind them.

“C’mon, let’s check in to our hotel,” Justin’s friend said. The two men got up. Philip felt relieved. Good, they were leaving.

Suddenly a face appeared right in front of Philip. Philip screamed.

“Aha!” Before the boy could run away, Barry grabbed him by his shirt collar.

“Well, look it’s a little boy. Aren’t you supposed to be in school, kid?” Barry asked, fiercely.

“N-no,” Philip whispered.

“Why so quiet, little creep? How long have you been under there?” Barry demanded.

“Not for very long,” Philip managed to say.

“He heard our plans, Barry! What do we do?” Justin asked, frantically.

“Well, we’ll have to dispose of him for good,” Barry said, smiling evilly at Philip. Philip gulped.

“Ooh! Can you hypnotize him? He can work for us!” Justin eagerly suggested.

“Now that’s a good idea,” Barry said, starting to drill his eyes into Philip’s.

C’mon, Philip! Think of something! Philip was trying hard not to stare right into the weirdo’s eyes as he thought of a plan.

Philip quickly bent his head down a little and bit Barry’s index finger.

“OWWWW!” Barry shouted, breaking his concentration and letting go of the boy. Philip didn’t wait a second longer. He started to run as fast as his legs could carry him.

“Don’t just stand there! Get him!” Barry yelled at Justin and starting to run, while holding his injured finger.

“He BIT you! He’s a cannibal!” Justin screamed.

“Just chase after him! He knows our plans! If he gets to the police, that’s it!” Barry shouted. Justin caught up with Barry and they both went in hot pursuit.

Philip paused for split second to take a break. He wondered what to do hastily. He couldn’t go home, because then they would know where he lives. He…can go to school! He’ll be safe there! He can alert the Bulldog and she would call the police.

Philip ran and ran. The two men were about to catch up to him. He needed to do something to slow them down. He spotted a frozen pond and smiled. Philip quickly pulled out his ice skates and in record time, put them on. He jumped on to the pond and started to skate.

Barry and Justin didn’t stop in time and ended up slipping and sliding all over the place. Philip skated over to a thin layer of ice and waved.

“Hey suckers! Come and get me!” Philip waved.

“Why you little-” Barry struggled to get to the boy and when he did, Philip skated away.

“Have a nice swim!” Philip smiled and jumped off the pond to head towards his school.

Barry looked beneath him and saw that the ice was cracking.

“I’m coming, Barry!” Justin slid over to his friend, who was protesting and insisting for him to stay where he was. When Justin reached Barry and toppled over him, that was all the ice needed to give away.

SPLASH! The two men fell into the cold icy water.

“That little weasel! I’ll get him for this!” Barry angrily said, as he got out of the water and pulled out his friend.

“He’s a clever boy, you gotta admit,” said Justin. He got pushed back into the water for the comment.