Shadow Walker

Chapter One- A Horrible Beginning

Seymour Birkhoff sat at a lunch table, watching the other kids of his school excitedly talking and eating their lunches.  He sat alone at a table in the corner of the room.  It wasn’t uncommon for some reason Seymour just did not quite fit in.  It had always been that way since he had started sixth grade.  While all the other kids were making friends and social groups, Seymour was too awkward.  He was far smarter than them- he just seemed to understand everything- and they didn’t like him showing them up.

                Lunch was excruciating for Seymour.  He wanted to have friends, but he couldn’t quite figure out the social skills side of things.  He walked to class after lunch and took his seat as the other kids came into class.  Seymour was somewhat excited as he typically was for his science class.  Once the bell rang, Seymour excitedly listened as the teacher started the lesson.  He only got a few minutes into the class before the classroom phone began to ring.  As the teacher talked the kids began to talk amongst themselves, whispering about what could possibly cause the teacher to get a call in the middle of class.  After a couple of minutes the teacher hung up and slowly walked back through the class, stopping next to Seymour’s desk.  Seymour didn’t even look up- he was embarrassed enough already.  “Mr. Birkhoff.” the teacher addressed him, “You are wanted in the principal’s office.”

                All the other kids laughed and pointed as Seymour walked out of the room after packing up this backpack.  He swung the backpack over his shoulder; he had never been more embarrassed in his life.  He had enough problems with his classmates and this definitely wasn’t going to help anything.  Trudging slowly down the hall, he flashed his hall pas to the monitor.  Finally he opened the door to the office and went up to the secretary.  “Seymour Birkhoff” she asked him.

                Seymour nodded.  “Yes.” He replied, rolling his eyes.

                “Have a seat.  I’ll tell Principal McMillan that you are here.” The secretary gave him a smile.

                Seymour couldn’t figure out what was going on.  Normally the secretaries were so crabby to the students, like they were perpetually annoying them, but today they were smiling and talking gently to him.  Even an idiot could tell something was very wrong.  When his eyes caught a police car pulled up outside the school, his heart began to pound.  “Mr. Birkhoff.” Principal McMillan came out of his office and greeted the young man.  “C’mon in.”

Following the principal into his office, Seymour was surprised to see Judy Walker, one of the school’s social worker waiting in the office.  “Seymour.” She greeted him with a nod.

                “Have a seat.” Principal McMillan gestured to the seat.

                Seymour sat down and Principal sat down behind his desk.  Everyone was silent for a minute or two before Principal McMillan asked “So how are things going for you Seymour?”

                Birkhoff shifted uncomfortably in his seat.  “Okay I guess.” He replied.

                “Getting along with your classmates” Ms. Waller questioned.

                “I guess so.” Birkhoff was slightly irritated to be in the principal’s office.

                A knock at the door startled them.  “Come in.” Principal McMillan calmly replied.

                When police officers knocked on the door and then walked in, Seymour’s heart began to pound.  When the police were involved it was never good. “Principal McMillan, Ms. Baker, you must be Mr. Birkhoff.”