Chapter 28

The school siren chimed in a long screeching tone. Scholars slowly started gathering on a large paved square. There was a buzz of chaos as scholars exchanged their holiday episodes all at once. Soon the kids automatically formed untidy rows according to their new grades. Mr Lenard interrupted, speaking over a loudspeaker where he was standing in front of the crowd. A silence fell over the square with only a few whispers here and there of those who have not quite finished their exciting holiday tales. After a lengthy opening prayer, Mr Lenard regarded the scholars for a long time before he spoke again.

'Good morning and welcome back people. I hope you are all well rested after a long deserving holiday with your loved ones. I am very pleased to see you all back here, healthy and ready for the future that lies ahead of us. I want to welcome each one of the new faces here with us today and I want to assure you that you have made the right choice. E.D.S High is by far the most respected school on the West Coast. As for our grade twelve scholars, it saddens me to know that this is the final few months of your school careers.'

Andrew noticed Patrick was not quite interested in the principal's speech. Instead, he was looking around probably scanning for more friendly faces and beautiful girls. Andrew looked over the crowd and noticed his sister a few rows away, standing to the side, not fitting in with the new environment yet. He knew it would only be a matter of time before she would defrost. Andrew smelled the vile odour of nicotine behind him, almost as if the smell was stuck on his own clothes. He looked around casually not to make it too obvious. He noticed two of the scholars from the group earlier standing behind him. The ones who seemed to be smoking something other than cigarettes. They were standing too close for Andrew's liking, almost as if they had no respect for one's private space.

'Today however is a very sad day for all of us here at E.D.S High,' Mr Lenard continued. His face was sombre. 'I would like us all to take a moment to bow our heads in silence for the loss of our beloved Mr Robert Griffin.'

Andrew noticed how scholars exchanged confused expressions before they lowered their heads, eventually. The square fell completely silent as each student was forced to reflect and convey their respects towards the loss of Mr Robert Griffin. Although Andrew did not know him, he lowered his head and wondered what had happened to the man and who he was. Andrew felt a little annoyed by the strong smell of nicotine and whatever else.

'Mr Robert Griffin was a dear friend, a companion and a brilliant mathematics teacher here with us at E.D.S High,' Lenard interrupted the silence. 'I also want to pray to God to give strength to his family and loved ones during these times of pain and loss. Mr Griffin was reported missing by his wife at the beginning of the December school holiday. No traces of him had been found to date and we urge you to report any information that might help with the missing person's case. Help us fin – '

'Probably suicide,' Andrew heard one of the boys whispering in his neck. Andrew turned his head and noticed the scholar's dark eyes with a face that seemed too old for school. Andrew could not help to wonder if he had to shave every day for he had a tough beard. It seemed like he should have had a job by now instead of being in school. The least he could have done was to wash his untidy oily hair that clung to his forehead in blond wisps. Andrew turned his attention to Mr Lenard again.

'Let us join forces to find our beloved Mr Griffin for the sake of his family and the wonderful contribution he had made for the community and children.'

'That old fuck probably deserved what happened to him,' the boy spoke from behind Andrew again. Andrew heard a soft, but sly chuckle from the second boy. He realized that these guys had no respect for anyone but themselves, but judging by the way the one behind him smelled, they did not know the word or meaning of respect.

Andrew moved forward slightly to get away from the scum behind him, or at least to put a little distance between them. Not that there was much room for that with the row of scholars in front of him.

'Once again, we need all the help we can get,' Lenard continued. 'If you have any information that might help with the disappearance of Mr Griffin, please come see me. Finally, I just want to congratulate all of you for the hard work thus far and best of luck to all of you for this year.'

'You better watch your brother's attitude,' the boys from behind Andrew said before shouldering him deliberately. When Andrew turned around, the two of them already had their school bags in their hands and started walking towards a flight of stairs behind the square.

Andrew noticed how the rest of the scum gathered in front of the steps before they broke out laughing as if nothing happened. They probably made an obscene joke about the disappearance of Mr Griffin again which only they could find funny. What if something like that happened to Emily or any of his family members? It sure was not a laughing matter at all.

'What's up?' Patrick asked. 'You look stumped.'

'Those fucking pricks are trouble,' Andrew said still looking at them.

'Why, what happened?'

'They said you must watch your attitude.'

'What?'

'Yeah and made jokes about the missing teacher.'

'Don't worry about them, Andy. You know me, I don't get into trouble, but I'm also not scared when it comes my way. Besides, we haven't done anything to them.'

'Apparently, you did.'

'What, I looked at them this morning, so what, nothing wrong with that,' Patrick frowned.

'Yeah I know, let's go,' Andrew said. He picked up his school bag and headed towards Emily.

'You okay sis?' Andrew asked. He noticed Bernard and Delmar approaching as well.

'Sure,' Emily said.

Andrew could not shake the feeling that this was only the beginning of their troubles. He had a gut feeling that their last few months of school were not going to be as easy as he originally thought it would be.