The Choir He Wanted, The LIfe He Had

Monday, September 16, 1936

I found my usual place in the dining hall across from Roger and sat down. He was smiling, something I'd rarely seen him do, but it wasn't a good kind of smile. There was menace in it. I knew instantly that he had an evil plan.

"Good afternoon," he said. His tone of voice unnerved me, and I feared for the safety of the other students.

"Hello," I said.

"How are you?" Roger asked.

"I don't know," I replied. "You're kind of scaring me."

Roger chuckled.

"I have a task for you today," Roger said.

"What kind of task?" I asked.

"A task to help you be more...powerful." Roger's smile turned into a rather evil smirk.

"What do you want me to do?" I asked.

"Use someone's fears against them," Roger said.

"Okay," I said. "Who?"

"Ralph." Anger flashed in Roger's eyes. I saw it instantly.

"Why?" I asked. I frankly didn't want to hurt Ralph. We used to be friends. I didn't think I could bring myself to do to him what Roger was suggesting.

"He's a pain in the ass," Roger replied.

"He's my friend!" I said.

"Oh really," Roger said. "When was the last time you two hung out. I doubt he even likes you."

"But—" I started, but Roger interrupted me.

"What about that day he got sick and your father had to take him home? Your mother didn't come to pick you up, right? I'm sure that made you mad, didn't it?"

I thought about that day, and I remembered how mad it made me. Not to mention I got sick a few days later because of him.

"I guess he has been ignoring me," I said, "And I was mad at him that day."

"See?" Roger said. "What did I tell you? He's annoying and childish."

"I still don't think that scaring him is the right thing to do," I said.

"Stop thinking about the past!" Roger yelled. "That doesn't matter! Think about the present! You're acting childish yourself!"

"I'm not a child!" I growled.

"Then prove it!" Roger said.

I shoved my lunch bag back in my school bag, then looked at Roger sternly and asked,

"Where is he?"

...

We walked outside to the schoolyard, where kids were gathered into groups, talking, laughing, or playing sports. It wasn't long after we arrived there that Roger pointed and said,

"There he is."

Ralph was in a group of people who were standing near the wall of the school. I could easily pick him out of the crowd. He was talking and laughing, and for some reason, it made me mad.

"What is he afraid of?" Roger asked.

"Worms." I answered almost instantly. I knew for a fact that that was Ralph's biggest fear. More specifically, he was afraid of them climbing into his ears and living in his brain.

"Perfect," Roger said. "You hold him down, I'll grab the worms."

"Sure," I said. Roger walked away, and I began walking towards Ralph. I called his name, and when he looked over at me, he smiled.