Book 2-Alex Bishop in Follow That Mystery

Alex Bishop in Follow That Mystery

                                                                                       Chapter 50

                                                                                       Avery Thorn

     One Monday at noon in the middle of November, Alex and his friends, including Jed North, Hank Nettles, Tom Feister and Ben Potts were sitting at their table in the cafeteria enjoying their lunch.  "Does it seem to you all that there are more students here than usual?" Jed asked, looking around at the crowded tables.

     "It's probably because the nine below zero temp today, kept some of the seniors from going out to lunch at the fast food places as they usually do," Dawn said.  When Jed didn't reply, Dawn looked over at him, to see he was staring at one particular table where only one diner was sitting.  "What is it Jed?  she ask him.  "Who are you staring so hard at?"

     Jed glanced around at his new friends and said, "Do any of you know that boy over there; the one sitting all by himself?"  Everyone at the table looked to see who Jed was referring to.  "By his height and weight, I'm guessing he's a freshman or a sophomore," Lee said.  "But I don't know him."  Everyone else said they didn't know who the boy was either.

     "Why do you ask?"  Alex said.  "Because he looks like he's been beat up,"  At his words, everyone looked again.  "I think you're right," Glenna said.  "Look at that black eye.  And he has a cut on his lip too," she added.  "He does," Dawn whispered in concern.  "Anyone want to join me?"  Jed asked, "I'm going over to talk with him."

     "I'll go," Alex said, standing.  "Me too," Fletch said with a nod.  "Count me in too," Lee said, finishing his last bite of burger.   So as the girls, Chet, Hank, Tom and Ben watched, their four friends walked across the floor to the other side of the room.  When they reached the boy's table, Jed said, "Hey.  I'm Jed North.  And this is Alex Bishop," the boy's eyes widened upon hearing the name, "This is Lee Martin and Fletch Clark."

     "May we sit down?  We'd like to talk to you."  Jed said in a gentle tone.   Alex noticed that the young man's hazel eyes were full of sadness and that his thick blond hair was unkempt.  He also noticed that the boy hadn't touched his food.  The young man nodded that they could sit, so they did.  "Can I ask your name?" Jed ask in a kind voice.  "My name is Avery Thorn," the boy said timidly.  "What happened to your eye and lip?" Jed said abruptly.

     "Uh....I walked into a door," Avery said, while lowering his eyes.  "I think you and I both know that's not what happened."  The boy looked up at him and said sadly, "It doesn't matter what happened.  Nothing can be done about it."  "I'll have to disagree with you again, Avery.  Something can be done if the "right" people are aware of the problem."

     Avery suddenly focused on Alex's face and asked, "Are you the leader of the North Side Detectives?"  Lee grinned, and answered before Alex could, "Yep.  He's our fearless leader alright."  Everyone laughed, including Avery.  But then he was serious again, "I wish I was brave like you all are," the boy said, hanging his head.

     "Why don't you come and sit with us at our table?" Fletch invited, ignoring what Avery had said.  "You'll get to meet the other North Side Detectives."  Avery's face lit up and he said, "Sure."  "But, I have to warn you Avery," Lee said, standing, "Our blond friend over there," pointing at Dawn, "probably already has her first aid kit out and will began work on your fat lip as soon as you sit down."

     "Let's go," Avery said excitedly.  Everyone chuckled at the glee on his face.  Lee was right.  As soon as Avery sat down next to her, Dawn pulled out a small first aid kit she kept in her blue bag, and gingerly started to dab his lip with a wet wipe.  While Dawn was cleaning Avery's wounds, Jed asked,  "Are you going to tell us who did this to you?" 

     Avery looked around at Jed's large friends before he answered.  "If I tell you, are you all...." he glanced around the table again,...."going to protect me?  because the guys who did this... told me if I told anyone, they would do worse the next time," he finished, while a few tears fell on his cheeks, and he turned red with embarrassment for having cried in front of The North Side Detectives.  "Dawn.  May I have a sheet of paper from one of your spirals?" Jed asked her.

     Dawn was just handing Avery a brand new comb she had pulled from her bag, when Jed asked his question.  "Sure," Dawn answered, handing him a lose sheet of paper and a pen.  "It's amazing to me that you always have what anyone needs in your bag Dawn,"  Anna told her.  "It's my whole world," she said with a grin.

     "Okay Avery," Jed addressed him, "Give me your class schedule.  I'll make copies for everyone," Jed assured his friends, after seeing the look on Dawn's face.  Then Dawn smiled and nodded at him.  So, with his lip looking a lot better and his short blond hair parted and combed, Avery gave Jed his schedule.

     While he was doing that, Dawn reached again into her bag and pulled out a couple of breakfast bars and handed them to Avery.  "Lunch time is almost over and your food is cold and you need something to eat."  Jed stopped in his writing while Dawn was speaking.  Avery took the bars and thanked Dawn for them.  Then in between bites, he continued to give Jed the info on his last two classes.

     Jed had a satisfied look on his face when he finished the list.  He looked over at Avery with a big smile and said,  "My guys and me, him focusing on Hank, Ben and Tom, "can make sure by just being where you are, that what happened to you today, won't happen again."  Avery beamed at him.

     "But, you gotta know Avery; that you aren't the only one being bullied by this kid or kids.  Don't the other victims deserve to be protected too?"  Jed said soberly.  "Yeah they do," Avery agreed quickly.  "Being a Freshman is hard," he said, with a shake of his head.  "It shouldn't be this hard," Alex said wisely.

    Jed went on, "We need to talk with Principal Fuller, your teachers and your parents."  Jed told Avery.  "You will go with me?"  Avery asked in a worried voice.  "I will go with you," Jed promised.  "The principal's gonna want to know who did this to you," Jed told him while wearing  a serious look on his face.  "I don't  know who did it,"  Avery said,  "But I will never forget what they looked like." 

     "Good," Jed said, then, "Hank.  Here's my homework.   Will you take it to the the "teach" in Bio Chem and tell him that I'm down at the office and I'll get a note explaining, before I come back to class?"  "Sure," Hank told him, taking the folder that Jed handed him.  Everyone stood and collected their school bags as Jed said, "Okay pal.  Let's go."

                                                                                        Chapter 50