The Bullworth Never Ending Story

[BloodChuckZ]

Tony and Karen were waiting by the School Store early Monday morning when Mr. Riddle rolled up the awnings behind the windows.  As he saw them, a ghost of a smile played on his lips.  He glanced left and right, as far as he could see, into the hallways.  “Anybody else around out there ?”, he asked.

“No, nobody”, Tony said, taking a sweep around with his eyes, “That’s why we came early.  Sorry I couldn’t come see you earlier, we been, like, real busy and all.”

“It’s all good”, Mr. Riddle said.  He looked at Karen.  “This must be the Lady Karen....I see you were successful then ?”

“That we were, and thanks to you”, Tony told him.  “Your riddles were actually spot-on, they helped out a lot.”

“And the other girl ?”, Mr. Riddle asked.  “I hear she got out too ?”

“She did”, Tony replied, “She’s been staying with Nick, at his bedside, while he recovers.”

“I heard there was some casualties”, Mr. Riddle said, “But you knew that was a possibility going into this.  Were there many hurt badly ?”

“One girl was hit real bad”, Tony said, referring to Tiffany.  “There were others hurt, some are still in the Clinics, though....I don’t know how many.”

Mr. Riddle arched an eyebrow.  “Girls went into this fight also ?”

“A few”, Tony admitted, “Although I tried to see that they stayed behind the lines....Most stayed up on the Chem Plant roof.  A couple came along on the raid of the third level, though”, he said, thinking of Lola.  “But, only the one girl got hurt.”

Mr. Riddle mulled that over.  Then he said, “You probably got a lot to tell, and I’d like to hear it all....But not here.  Why don’t you kids meet me, say, 5 O’clock, after school, and we can talk about it all ?”

Tony looked at Karen, and she nodded.  “Sure thing, Mr. Riddle.  Should we meet you here ?”

Mr. Riddle shook his head.  “No...Come to the outside basement door.  Sneak down the stairs without being seen.  Rap on the door, like this...”  Here Mr. Riddle rapped out a code on the counter -- RAP RAP RAP...RAP RAP RAP...RAP RAP RAP RAP RAP -- “And I’ll let you in.  Got it ?”

Tony nodded.  3 Raps, then 3 Raps, finishing with 5 Raps.  “Got it.  We’ll be there.”

“Good”, Mr. Riddle said.  “You better scram now, before the others start coming in.”

“Mr. Riddle”, Karen said suddenly, “Tony’s told me a little about you....But I have a question.”

Mr. Riddle crossed his arms and looked at her.  “Make it fast”, he said.

“Well”, Karen began, summoning up her courage, “If you knew where we were being held, then why didn’t you just tell Tony and Nick where to find us ?  Why the Riddles ?”

“Because”, Mr. Riddle said, looking Karen in the eyes, “I didn’t know.  I only had Clues, which I had to pass along as Riddles.  It was up to Tony to solve them and track you down.  It had to be his doing....His Karma.”

“But...I’m confused”, Karen said.  “Who did know ?”

“I’ll answer you questions, as much as I’m able, when we meet later”, Mr. Riddle said, not unkindly.  “Now, you really must go.  I see people coming in the front door.”

Tony glanced towards the Great Hall and saw that was true.  Mr. Riddle turned away from them then, ignoring them.  Tony touched Karen’s arm and urged her to walk down the hall, towards the Chemistry classroom.  There would be time for answers later.
____________________________________

[BloodChuckZ]

To the surprise of many, the News Conference called by Mr. Galloway went off rather smoothly.  Calling out of class as many of the male Students available that were known to have participated in the raid on the Chem Plant, they were assembled on the patio at the front steps.  The Reporters were let in the front gates and led to the front quad at the steps.  One by one, the the Students were allowed to tell their stories and then afterword answer questions from the Reporters. 

Although reluctant to have to re-tell his story again for the umteenth time, Tony went last.  This was whom the Reporters really wanted to hear from, as he and Nick had been the actual ones to free the girls from their Townie captors.  Tony knew he had to give a highly censored account of the rescue, there could be no mention of the VX Nerve Gas that was found at the plant, since the Government was keeping that under wraps.  The Gas Canisters had been removed in utmost secrecy last Friday night via a special train chartered by the Government and loaded by the Agents themselves, and was by now at a disposal facility in New Jersey.  Still, the Government had wanted the fact that the Nerve Gas had been housed in the Vale Valley kept quiet until the secret incitements against Harrington and Spencer would be revealed in the future.  Also, the fact that the VX Nerve Gas was stored at the Chem Plant during the recent bombings, one of which was a large one that had been detonated inside the Chem Plant, would have caused a public outcry, if known, and would have undoubtedly led to a large-scale investigation and perhaps public panic, even though the threat had been removed.

One standing rule of the Press Conference was that the treatment of the girls while they were in captivity was not to be discussed.  Only Tony, Nick, and the Townies themselves even knew about the rapes which had occurred, outside of the Agents themselves and the medical personnel who had treated the girls and were sworn to secrecy.  This was seen as being protective of the girls, who were still minors, and no public record would ever be released on the matter.  In fact, in exchange for the Press Conference to even take place, the Press Core had to agree that none of the girls involved in the raid were to be questioned or interviewed at any time. 

Many of the questions then centered on the weaponry that was used, and just how a rag-tag group of Students had attacked and defeated the Townies with just homemade Spud Guns, Bottle Rocket Launchers, Firecrackers, and Stink Bombs, all the while being shot at with the much more potentially deadly Air Rifles by the Townies.  The strategy of using the Box Barricades, the Shields, and the Super Spud Gun to break in were revealed, but it was stressed that these minor weapons were only employed in the assault to gain entry, while the Townies were using the Air Rifles stolen from the Carnival.  It was the planning and execution of assault, along with the surprise factor, that carried the day for the Students, the Press was told.  It was also emphasized that hitherto unprecedented cooperation between the various Cliques and other Students had also been a major factor in making the rescue successful. 

There were many questions about the actual rescue of the girls themselves, to which only Tony and Nick had been responsible for.  Tony told the Press that they had indeed been the ones to affect the actual rescues, but he and Nick could not reveal any details of that, since it could possibly jeopardize the upcoming court cases against the Townies for the kidnappings.  Other than that, he told them, all were very happy that everything had worked out for the best, and that he and the other Students wanted to move on with their lives and just be regular High School Students from then on.

To Tony’s relief, the Press Core seemed unaware of Omar’s death, the Government was withholding that information, just as it was about the arrests and detainment place of the Townies.  In actual fact, the Townies were being held at the Blue Skies Clinic under heavy guard.  National Guard forces had been brought back to the Valley and had virtually sealed off Blue Skies from the rest of the Towns at the bridge leading from New Coventry.  No one was allowed to pass through except the Factory Workers and Dockmen, and they were carefully checked, and threatened with arrest and jail if they were to reveal anything they saw or heard.  This also had the effect of sealing off Happy Volts Asylum from the outside world, it’s personal were forced to live at the Asylum with their whacky patients for quite a while afterwards. 

It was getting close to Noon, so Mr. Galloway stepped forward and announced the Press Conference was over.  The Press Core hadn’t gotten all they wanted, but certainly more than they expected.  There would be lots of juicy stories to write on just what they had learned today that would keep them busy for quite awhile.  In return for this access the Press had been granted today, they were to be banned from the Bullworth Peninsula, which included that stretch of road which ran between the two bridges, from the South Bridge that ran from the Vale to the Steel Truss Bridge which led into Bullworth Town.  Students would no longer be harassed anywhere near the gates of the school, although the Press would still be free to interview them elsewhere.

As the Students left the Patio to head for the Cafeteria for lunch, Tony caught Mr. Galloway. “Now, that I’ve done this for you, Sir, I’d like you to do something for me.”

“Why sure, Tony, anything I can”, Mr. Galloway said warmly, “Anything I can !”

“I’d like to meet with with you, about the future of the School”, Tony told him. 

“Why, it seems things are pretty calm right now”, Mr. Galloway.  “That’s a start !”

“True, things are good right now”, Tony said, “But it won’t be long before kids start bickering and fighting again.  It’s just their human nature.  By next fall, things will be right back to where they were, unless we do something.”

Mr. Galloway was intrigued.  “What do you have in mind there, Tony ?”

“An Agreement”, Tony told him, “Between all the Cliques and Students.”

“Agreements can be broken”, Mr. Galloway observed.

“Not this one”, Tony said.  “It’ll be a Binding Agreement, one that they all agree to, with sanctions and penalties if they violate it.”

“Hmmm....Sounds interesting”, Mr. Galloway said.  “And, just how do plan to enforce such an Agreement ?”

“That’s what I need to talk to you about”, Tony said, “I need some help from your end.”

Mr. Galloway clapped Tony on the back.  “I’ll do what I can....But this may be a hard sell, you know.  Just how on Earth are you going to get those boys to agree to anything ?”

“Simple”, Tony said, “Something you taught me, Sir.  Negotiation.”
_________________________________________

[BloodChuckZ]

Tony kept a sharp eye out.  When he saw the area was clear with no one looking their way, he hustled Karen and himself down the outside basement steps and out of sight.  It was nearly 5 PM, and they waited for a bit before Tony knocked out the code on the door.

RAP-RAP-RAP....RAP-RAP-RAP.....RAP-RAP-RAP-RAP-RAP.  Tony and Karen waited, and in a few seconds, the door was unlocked and squeaked open.  Mr. Riddle eyed them and motioned them inside.  “Anyone see you ?”, he asked.

Tony shook his head.  “No, nobody saw us....It was empty out there.”

“Good”, Mr. Riddle smiled.  “Come on over here, to the table I set up.” 

Mr. Riddle led the way to a round table with some chairs set around it.  “I reckon my predecessor just took his meals at the bunk over there”, he said, pointing to the small bed in the nearby alcove.  “Me, I always like to eat at a table.  More homey-like, y’know ?”

There was some food and plates on the table.  Mr. Riddle said, “Help yourself, that’s good food, not from the Cafeteria here....I order out.”

Tony and Karen sat down.  There was some Roast Beef and Vegetables, along with some Rolls, with a tub of butter nearby.  They all took some helpings on their plates and began to eat.  The food was good, to Tony’s surprise, almost like Shea Lewis food.  They ate in silence for awhile, and Karen thanked Mr. Riddle for sharing his food. 

“Aw, that’s Ok”, Mr. Riddle said, “I don’t get much company.  Being a Janitor seems to be a lonely job.”  He turned to Tony.  “Well, tell me what happened, after I last saw you. It must have been a hell of a battle, from what I’ve been hearing.”

“It sure was”, Tony said, and began again to re-tell the story of the Chem Plant assault.  Karen had already heard this, but still listened with interest as Tony described the attack on the rooftop, and the sending in of the Preps with the Shields with Melvin following behind with the Super Spud Gun, then Tony, Nick, and Laurent behind them.  The three had been able to gain access through the shed door to the inside, and from there to eventually find the elevator and get down to the ground level, where they encountered and attacked Jerry.  Mr. Riddle half-smiled as Tony related how Nick literally beat the shit out of Jerry to get him to reveal the secret passage that led to the lower levels.  From there, Tony told Mr. Riddle about their descent into the bowels of the Chem Plant.

When Tony began to tell about the Animal Testing Lab on the second level, Mr. Riddle interrupted him.  “What about the Gas, Tony ?  Where did you boys find that ?”

Tony actually gasped.  “The Gas ?  How do you know about that ?”

Mr. Riddle smiled.  “I have my sources, as I’ve told you.  It was the VX Nerve Gas the Feds were really after that night....But you know that, don’t you ?”

“Yeah, we do”, Tony responded.  “The hell of is was, they had totally put the search for the girls on their back burner and went looking for those Gas Canisters....And the Townies were getting ready to bug out with Karen and Melody to another city, somewhere where they’d never be found.”  Tony shook his head, and said, “Nick found the VX on the first level, in these long crates, to answer your question.”

“I see....Good thing it all worked out in your favor then”, Mr. Riddle observed.  “Well, tell me what happened next....Something about an Animal Testing Lab ?”

“Oh, that place was Horrible !”, Karen interjected before Tony could speak.  “All those poor dead animals, they were all starved to death !  Someone just left them there to die !”

“Yeah, that place was gross, all right”, Tony added.  “Karen and Melody had escaped, but only got as far as that place before the Townies captured them again.”

Interested, Mr. Riddle turned to Karen.  “You actually managed to escape ?  How did you manage that ?”

“It was because of a spring in one of those Toilet Paper holders”, Karen said, and went on to tell how she had used it to unshackle herself and Melody from their bonds and sneak out past a sleeping Townie.  They had been spotted by Omar, though, and the chase was on.  Karen led Melody to the darkened Animal Testing Lab to hide out, but the Townies had found them anyway just by turning the lights on, causing Melody to scream at the gruesome sight that confronted them. 

“That must have been horrible”, Mr. Riddle said sincerely.

“It was, but it brought Melody out of her Cationic State”, Karen said.  “She had become almost like a Zombie after all the things those Bastards did to us.”

“I won’t ask you to talk about that”, Mr. Riddle said softly.  Turning back to Tony, he asked, “So tell me, after that, how were you able to invade the third level ?”

“Well, we snuck down first”, Tony said, “Me and Nick, to check it out.  I went back to get the others, and a lot got through, before being spotted.  Then the Level Battle really began.”  Tony went on to tell about the battle, about Nick shooting Duncan, about putting up the barricades and about the standoff that eventually occurred as it was made clear the girls were inside the Rec Room with Omar and Gurney.  Then, Tony related about the new barrage, Omar’s sudden demand for ransom, and the attempt to send the Preps in with the Shields as a bluff.  The sudden appearance of the cutting torch flaring through the steel doors had thrown everything in disarray, causing Omar and Gurney to cut and run with the girls in tow to the secret tunnel.  Tony described how he had to shoot Leon after he had cut down Tiffany, and then how he and Nick had chased the Townies through the tunnel, having to hold up when they caught up to Gurney, who was dragging Melody.  Tony related how Nick got shot while rescuing Melody, and how he continued on, chasing Omar, who still had Karen.  He wound up by relating the events on the boat and his shooting Omar.  Karen chipped in with details, including Omar’s apparent drowning and the arrival of the Federal Agents.

“Wow, that’s quite a story”, Mr. Riddle said, “You were lucky to survive all that.”

“I guess we’ve been lucky to survive the whole year at Bullworth Academy”, Tony allowed wirily, “After everything that’s happened.  Not the kind of High School experiences that are considered anywhere normal.” 

“Tell me, Tony....How are your dreams now ?”, Mr. Riddle asked suddenly.

“Well, they’re....”, Tony began, then stopped when he realized something.  “I guess....I haven’t had any since the raid.  Maybe that means....Everything is gonna be alright now.  Maybe, we can start living like normal people now, real High School kids.”

“I certainly hope that will be the case”, Mr. Riddle said.  “But....If you ever need help, I plan on being here awhile.”

Tony started to speak, but Karen suddenly said, “Mr. Riddle...I don’t know you....But...Who are you, really ?”

“I’m the Janitor at Bullworth Academy”, Mr. Riddle answered, and held up his hands as Tony and Karen started to protest.  “I’m also here to look after you two, and help in any way I can.”

“Then...You’re here because of us ?”, Tony asked.  Mr. Riddle nodded.  “But...How ?  Why ?”

“There are those who value your protection”, Mr. Riddle said, “And before you ask, I am not a liberty to reveal who they are." 

“Does this have anything to do with Mr. Luntz ?”, Tony asked, “Can you tell me that ?”

“I’ve told you before, I don’t know anybody by that name”, Mr. Riddle said.

“Alright then, the guy who was Janitor here before you”, Tony said, flustered.  “Is he a part of this ?”

Mr. Riddle lowered his head before answering.  “I’m not supposed to tell you.....But Yes.”

Tony sat back in his chair, openmouthed.  He remembered when the Federal Agents were hauling Dr. Crabblesnitch and Ms. Danvers away, and the Limo on the other side of the street, Mr. Luntz inside, giving a thumbs up before driving off.  “So....He’s keeping tabs on us ?”

“Only conditionally”, Mr. Riddle said.  “You are still to make your own way, follow your own Karma.  When trouble comes, you must be the one to figure things out.”

“That’s why the riddles”, Tony said, the truth dawning on him at last.

“That is why the riddles”, Mr. Riddle repeated.  “Beyond that, I can tell you no more.”
______________________________________

[BloodChuckZ]

Melody and Nick both stared at the unexpected visitor that suddenly appeared in Nick’s Vale Clinic room.

“What are you...Um, doing here ?”, Melody asked uncertainly.

“Oh, I thought I’d come see how Nick is doing”, Beatrice answered breezily.  “I heard he got injured....Oh, My, is that a neck brace ?”

Nick, who was half-awake, just glared at Beatrice.  Melody noticed his look, and turned her eyes back to Beatrice.  “Um, excuse me....Do you even know Nicky ?”

“Sure...Everyone knows Nicky, all the girls, you know.  He’s quite the stud”, Beatrice replied.

Melody rose from her chair by Nick’s bed.  “Just what do you mean by that ?”

“Just that he’s well-hung”, Beatrice said in a matter-of-fact voice.  “Don’t tell me you never measured his Rod, it’s quite impressive, you know....Or should know.”

Melody began to get angry.  “How would you know about anything like that ?”

“Because I measured him when he was hard”, Beatrice told her.  “Part of my ongoing experiments for my dissertation paper on male sexuality.”

Melody couldn’t believe what she was hearing.  “You did WHAT ?”

“Measured him”, Beatrice explained, as if she were talking to a Moron.  “Then, I tried out the goods, and it was exceptional !  Better than those clueless Med School boys, at any rate.  That’s why I’ve decided to marry Nick when I finish Med School and have his babies.”

Shaking, Melody advanced on Beatrice.  “We haven’t got time for your fantasies.  Nicky needs to recover.  Just get out !”

Although Melody had known Beatrice a long time, she barely had ever interacted with her.  None of the girls did.  Mandy, in particular, had been having an ongoing hostile relationship with Beatrice for as long as Melody could remember.  It had long been rumored that Beatrice 'pounded the Nerd boys’ and in particular Ernest, the former Nerd leader.  It had further been said that Beatrice had dumped Ernest for being 'too small’ and that was what had driven him into his sex addiction abyss that ultimately led to his complete breakdown, being removed from Bullworth and taken away to a Sex Addiction Clinic, where he remained to this day.  Beatrice had left to go to a Medical Prep School soon after, so the truth of all that never really came out.  It was also well known that Beatrice engaged in wild fantasies concerning the more 'Stud’ boys at school, as Jimmy Hopkins could attest to.  So Melody was unsure if what she was saying had any truth to it, or was just more shit she was making up.  The matter was dispelled at what Beatrice said next.

“Oh, I’m serious”, Beatrice said in a matter-of-fact voice, “Nick was up against my Cervix, and still had more of his rod not in me....He’s really huge, and we’re going to make excellent, strong babies together.  You’ll see.”

Melody balled up her fists.  Beatrice had never considered Melody a threat, just a little kid.  Melody stood a foot shorter that Beatrice, but that didn’t matter today.  Melody swung a hard right at Beatrice, smashing her fist dead center in Beatrice’s nose, crunching it.  Blood gushed from Beatrice’s nose as she staggered back against the doorframe, her glasses knocked off in the process.  Melody’s left fist smashed into Beatrice’s mid-section, doubling her up as she suddenly gasped for air.  Melody then reared back and kicked Beatrice, her foot landing on her boobs.  Beatrice was pushed back in the hall and tumbled to the floor in a heap.

“Bitch, I told you to leave”, Melody hissed.  Looking up and down the hall, she called, “Nurse ?  There’s Someone Injured Here !”  She waited until she saw someone coming, then shut the door.

Unable to really move, Nick had watched the whole thing rapidly unfold with wonder and new-found admiration for Melody’s hitherto unknown fighting skills.  Melody returned to the chair by the bed and sat down, rubbing her fists. 

“Nicky”, she said softly, “That wasn’t true, what she said....Was it ?”

Nick sighed and closed his eyes.  Better get it over with.  “YESSS”, he answered.

Tears sprang to Melody’s eyes.  “But....Why, Nicky, Why ?”

“FERRR INFERMAASHOIN”, Nick managed to get out.

“Information ?”, Melody asked.  “I....Don’t understand....What Information ?”

“DEVILLS CODE”, Nick hissed through gritted teeth. “GEETS INTO CHURRCH....OURR FIRRRST CLUU....”

“What clue was that ?”, Melody asked, trying to understand.

“YER SELLL FONNE”, Nick responded, “WASS IN THEER”

“So....Beatrice wouldn’t just tell you that Code ?”, Melody said slowly, “She made you....Nicky, did she make you fuck her for....Before she would tell the Code ?”

“YESSS”, Nick answered.  “CRAZEE....MEASUREED ME....DURRIN IT....”

So that was it.  “That Bitch”, Melody muttered.  Seemed like there was still going to be a score to settle, and soon.

“MEL...”, Nick said, “LUV ONNLY YOUU.....NO ONE LLSE...”

“I know, Nicky, I understand”, Melody said.  She grasped his hand and squeezed it.  Oddly, she felt a bit better.  Seems she and Karen weren’t the only one forced into sex as a result of the Kidnapping, and somehow, that made her ordeal a bit easier to bear.
________________________________________

[BloodChuckZ]

That evening, Tony and Karen made the rounds of the Clinics, to see and thank those who had been involved in the rescue for their efforts.   Lucky, Wade, Davis, and Tom were in the New Coventry Clinic still, and Dan, Bo, Bucky, Donald, Justin, Parker, and Casey were in the Bullworth Clinic.  Tony stopped beside each of their bedsides and praised them for their bravery in the raid, which lifted their spirits.  The more seriously injured of Troy, Gord, Johnny, along with Nick, were at the Vale Clinic, and Tony and Karen visited them in their private rooms in turn.

Troy was still bemoaning getting shot stupidly, but Tony told him that could have happened to anyone, and that he showed bravery nonetheless by joining in the fight.  Troy felt a little better at that about himself, and even though he had nothing to brag about, began to understand that it took the efforts of everyone for the raid to have succeeded. 

Tony especially praised Gord for manning the Shields along with Bryce, it had made the pivotal difference in the raid....Without gaining access, there never would have been any rescue.  Gord, who was unused to any kind of praise whatever, was nearly brought to tears by their thanks, especially that of Karen’s, one of the rescued hostages.  He began to feel lots better about himself from that day on, and that would prove to be a turning point in his life in the future.

Johnny accepted Tony’s thanks as a matter of course, as befitted the King he believed himself to be.  It was all in a day’s work, he said, and gave some of the credit to Peanut and Lola, who had shot and then bashed Otto in the head with her Spud Gun.  Lola, who was sitting by his bedside, just smiled, and when neither Johnny or Karen were looking, dropped a wink at Tony, letting him know their secret was still safe.  Tony just smiled blandly in response, and soon he and Karen took their leave, headed off to see Nick.
_________________________________

[BloodChuckZ]

Entering Nick’s room, Tony and Karen found that Nick was asleep.  The past few days had been rough, and he needed his rest.  Melody said in a hushed tone, “He’s asleep now...He’s going to get all better now, I just know it !”

“We know he will”, Tony said softly, “Nick’s a tough character, everybody knows that.  He be back, better than ever, you can count on that.”

A small sob escaped Melody and she lowered her face in her hands.  Karen went to her and embraced her.  “Mel, have you eaten today ?”, Karen asked her.  Melody shook her head no.  “Look, Mel, you’ve got to keep your strength up, for Nick’s sake.  Why don’t we go get you something to eat ?”

“I...I don’t want to leave Nicky”, Melody moaned.  “I....I can’t.”

“Then we’ll go get you something and bring it back”, Karen said, “But you have to promise to at least try to eat something, Ok ?”

“Well...Alright”, Melody said.  “But Karen...I need to talk to you.”

Karen knew what Melody meant...Girl to Girl, in private.  “Ok, sure Mel.  Tony, would you go and get us some meals from Chef’s, please ?”

Tony looked at both girls with a slight frown, then he got it.  Girl talk.  He sighed and said, “Sure...And I guess I should take my time, right ?”

“That’s right”, Karen told him with a knowing look.  “Now you’ve got it.  Bring back the Boeuf Bourguignon, would you ?  We all like that.”

Shrugging, Tony left the room and headed out of the Clinic.  On the way out, he noticed something he hadn’t seen on the way in....At a far corner of the open ward, a girl lay on a bed with what looked like a bloody towel covering most of her face.  She was sobbing, which was what caught his attention.  Looking closer at the dark-blond haired girl, he saw that it was that Nerd girl, Beatrice.  What was she doing here ?

Back in the room, Karen and Melody had moved to the guest chairs, away from Nick’s bed.  “Karen, I got to tell you something”, Melody began, and the proceeded to tell her about the recent visit from Beatrice.  Karen gasped as she heard what Beatrice had said.  When Melody finished off by telling Karen she had punched Beatrice in the nose and guts, Karen said, “Well, good for you !  What a Bitch !  Do you think she was just making that up ?  She does do a lot of fantasy stuff.”

Melody shook her head.  “No”, she said miserably, “She described Nicky’s....You know....And Nicky admitted it was true.....But he told me it was to get information from her to help find us.”

“What sort of information could she possibly have had ?”, Karen asked, slightly confused.  “She had nothing to do with any of this !”

“Nicky told me it was about....Some kind of ‘Devil’s Code’, to get into the old Church”, Melody said.  “They found my Cell Phone in there, and that was their first clue, he said.”

In the rush of days since their rescue, Tony had yet to tell Karen about what had led he and Nick to the Chem Plant, or the clues they had followed to determine that was where they were being held.  In fact, she really hadn’t wondered about it until just now.  She would have to ask him.  Karen was sure it would be quite a story.  Aloud, she said, “We can’t let Beatrice just get away with this.  You know how she used to hound Jimmy when he was here.  Zoe Taylor was ready to kick her ass just before she left school, remember ?  She just wouldn’t quit with that fantasy stuff about her and Jimmy.”

“But I don’t think she ever trapped Jimmy into... Doing that”, Melody said, “Least I never heard so....But she did trap Nick !  And she won’t quit, you know her, she’s a Psycho !  What am I going to do ?  I don’t want that Bitch hanging around him !”

Karen knew how Melody felt, as she felt the same about Pinky’s attempts to hang around Tony.  It had taken a couple good ass-whippings to get Pinky to back off, but she still approached Tony even after that with requests for 'Help’ with one thing or other.  Karen thought for a few minutes.  What was the best way to get Beatrice never to even look at Nick again ?  Or for that matter, Tony either.  “I know what we can do”, Karen finally said.  “I can go talk to Mandy about this.  She hates that Crazy Bitch.  She’ll know what to do.”

“But...What if she says something ?”, Melody asked fearfully.  “I don’t want this getting around, it’ll make Nicky look like a Cheater or...Or worse !”

“Mandy won’t tell anyone”, Karen said, “She’ll keep it quiet if I ask her to.  Fact is, I’ll bet that we’ll be rid of Beatrice as soon as the Summer Term is over with.”

“How can you be so sure about something like that ?”, Melody asked.

“Because”, Karen said, “With the right kind of persuasion, even that Nut-Job Bitch will figure out that she would be much better off somewhere else.”
________________________________________

[BloodChuckZ]

After school, Melvin and Jimmette had come to the Dragon’s Wing after finding the Observatory empty.  There, in the basement, they discovered Fatty and Cornelius, who was still nursing a minor wound from the Chem Plant roof battle.

“Here you guys are !”, Melvin exclaimed.  “I couldn’t find anyone at the Observatory.”

“Well, if it isn’t Mr. Hero”, Fatty said nastily from the other side of the room, where he was sitting by a table.  “Nice of you to grace us with your presence, O Mighty One.”

The good humor slid from Melvin’s face.  “What...What do you mean by saying that ?”

“You oughtta know, since you’re such a big man now”, Cornelius said sourly.

“That was some speech you gave at the Press Conference”, Fatty mocked, “You made it sound like you defeated the Townies all by yourself.”

“And not a mention of us, or the others, either”, Cornelius added in disgust.

Melvin’s momentary confusion began to turn to anger.  “Well....I did beat them...On the roof, anyway, and that counts !”  He stabbed a finger at Fatty.  “I didn’t see you putting yourself in any real danger !”

“You know I couldn’t go out there because of my bad leg”, Fatty whined, “Otherwise I would’ve been doing the shooting myself !”

“If you hadn’t fallen off the stage, you wouldn’t have broke your leg”, Melvin pointed out.

“Hey, that’s not fair”, Cornelius interjected, “That wasn’t his fault !”

“And you got yourself shot”, Melvin turned to and said to Cornelius.

“And you lost the Super Spud Gun, which I BUILT !!”, Fatty yelled.

Melvin looked back at Fatty.  “Is that what this is all about ?  That those Feds took the Super Spud Gun ?”, he snorted.  “So what ?  You can build another one !  Fact is, you and Thad need to start making more Weapons again, anyway.  What’s the big deal ?”

“I’m not making any more Weapons”, Fatty declared.  “You can make them yourself if you want them, I’m done !”

“You’ll make them if I say so !”, Melvin said, raising his voice.  “I’m the Leader here, maybe you forgot that !”

“Some Leader”, Fatty jeered, “One who takes all the credit while we do all the work !  I won’t do it, I tell you, and you can’t make me !”

“You will so, and I will make you, even if I have to beat you !”, Melvin exclaimed, Raising his fists and getting closer to Fatty.

“Well...You just....Bring it on !”, Fatty cried, raising his fists and moving forward. “I still outweigh you !”

Both Nerds moved closer and began swinging on one another.  Watching Nerds trying to fight was rather comical, and of the punches thrown, most missed.  Melvin did manage to hit Fatty’s arm, to which he exclaimed “OW !!”, and Fatty did get to strike Melvin’s wrist, to which he also said, “OW !!”, but they both kept trying to hit one another.

Jimmette had been watching all this unfold with trepidation, and then outright horror.  Suddenly, she screamed, “STOP IT !!!  JUST STOP IT RIGHT NOW !!!”

The Nerds had quite forgotten that Jimmette was even there.  “What’s Wrong With You ?’, she continued.  “Is This How Nerd Brothers Act To Each Other, By FIGHTING ??”

Melvin and Fatty lowered their fists, suddenly ashamed.  Jimmette was right.  This wasn’t their way.

“I, um...Guess I was too hasty”, Melvin said.  “I’m...Sorry.”

“Maybe...We should talk this over”, Fatty said, his face reddening.  “I didn’t mean...”

“No...It’s alright”, Melvin said, “We’ll just get Thad to make some weapons....We will need some, you guys know that, right ?”

Fatty reluctantly nodded and said, “Yeah.”  Off in the corner, where he hadn’t moved from, Cornelius nodded too.  Nerds at Bullworth had never been weaponless, it was how they survived.

“Say, where is Thad ?”, Fatty suddenly asked.  “I didn’t see him at school.”

“He wasn’t at the Press Conference, or the Observatory, either”, Melvin said, thinking.  “Strange...Wonder where he can be ?”
___________________________________

[BloodChuckZ]

Pinky went to the Beach House after getting a Meal at Shinjo’s.  As she walked in the door, she greeted Bryce.  “Hi there, handsome !  That was some speech you gave at the Conference-thingy today !”

Bryce was happy to see Pinky, but blushed.  “Aw, it wasn’t that good”, he said shyly.  In fact, he had stumbled and mumbled through most of it.  Bryce was unused to talking to people in general, not to mention doing public speaking.  His part had only lasted a few minutes, but had felt like a hour.

“Oh, poo, you were great !”, Pinky said, coming closer.  “And I think it was sweet, you giving all the credit to Gord.”

“Well, he deserved it”, Bryce answered, “After all, he got shot up pretty bad for his efforts.”

Pinky came closer and put her arms around Bryce’s neck.  “Well, I think you’re both Heros.  Without you two, the whole thing wouldn’t have worked, now would it ?”

Bryce had to allow that was so.  “I guess not....We probably wouldn’t have been able to break through the roof and get inside without those Shields.”  He liked having Pinky so close, and his longing for her began to heat up.

“But you’re my Hero”, Pinky breathed, gazing at his blushing face, “You went and did this just because I asked you to, without expecting anything in return.  So, you’re my Hero, mister.”  Pinky brought her face closer to his.  “And Heros deserve a reward.”

Pinky brought her lips to his in a tender kiss.  Bryce slowly brought his arms up and encircled her.  Her kiss went deeper, and became a French kiss, her tongue swirling in his mouth.  His reserve broke as he pulled her to him. 

After some time, breathless, Pinky pulled back.  “Oh, Bryce....You’re not like the others....You’re all Man.  Make love to me....Please ?”

Unable to speak and breathing heavily, Bryce nodded.  Pinky took him by the arm and led him to the bed.  There, she let him go and undressed in front of him in a slow, sensual manner.  Bryce felt like he was going insane as she stood naked in front of him.  Then, she kissed him once more, helping him remove his shirt, and then his pants.  His bludge was firm and hard, and she fondled it, feeling her passion rising.

“Oh, Pinky”, Bryce panted, “I’ve wanted you for so long....”

“Then have me”, Pinky said, and lay on the bed, pulling him on top of her.  “Take me, you Rouge, take it all !!”  And as Bryce entered her, she found out that his muscles weren’t the only big thing about him.
_______________________________________

[BloodChuckZ]

Laurent took Nina out to the Chef’s Restaurant that evening.  It was the first time they had been out in awhile, with everything that had been going on.  But now, trouble was behind them, and it was safe to be out again. 

The Kidnappings had loomed large in Nina’s mind.  Naturally fearful about things to begin with, just the thought of being taken like Karen and Melody had been unnerved her beyond all reason.  And what had been truly upsetting was that she was there that night when they had been snatched.  Why, if she had known them better, she might have gone along with them, and those evil people who had taken them would have took her as well.  It made her shudder with fear just to think about it.

But this evening was a celebration.  Laurent had gone on that dangerous rescue mission, been in the thick of things, and had returned without a scratch.  He was back to protect her again, and that served to put her mind somewhat at ease.  Every since she had met him, she had been attracted to him in ways she really didn’t understand.  Needing to feel safe was one part of it, yes...But Laurent was unlike anyone she had ever met.  He was brave, daring, flamboyant, and...Exotic.  Being from a far away land fabled for romance was probably a part of it too. 

They had a meal of  French Onion Soup, Quiche, and Cassoulet.  There was also a bottle of French Red Wine at their table, some Merlot.  Technically, they were both underage to be having Wine, or any other alcoholic drinks, at a Restaurant.  But in France, where Laurent came from, it was very common for teens to have Wine with their meals, as it was seen as a meal accessory.  As the Chef was also from France, he saw no problem serving it to a fellow countryman within his Restaurant.  Nina went along, matching Laurent drink for drink, although she really wasn’t used to drinking Wine.  But, it was all so Exotic.

Midway through their meal, Laurent’s friend Tony came in.  Nina had conflicting emotions about Tony and his friend Nick.  On the one hand, they appeared to be decent fellows, unlike some of the others around here....But on the other hand, it was their girlfriends who had gotten kidnapped, and it seemed to Nina that they had been less than alert in their failing to protect them.  It was because of that, of them, that Laurent had undertaken such a dangerous mission to go and help his friends rescue them.  Still, they were Laurent’s friends, and she had resolved to not try to stand in the way of their relationships, as they had been formed long before she ever knew Laurent.

Tony came and sat at their table for awhile, as he was waiting on some orders of take-out Boeuf  Bourguignon to take back to the Clinic.  Karen was there with Melody, he explained, and Melody had been keeping an around-the-clock vigil at Nick’s bedside.  Tony told them that the Pellet had been removed and Nick was well on the road to recovery, but it had been a close thing.

“That Pellet just missed his Carotid Artery”, Tony told them.  “It was a good thing you kept pressure on that wound, you probably saved his life.”

“It was just a good thing I was there to help”, Laurent said.  “I am glad Nick is going to be all right, is all.”

“You should come by the Clinic and see him”, Tony said, “He’s mostly awake now, it’s just that he can’t really talk with his jaws wired shut.”

“Ah, then I will go and see him then, but not tonight”, Laurent said, “For I am on ze date with the lovely Nina.  But I will be sure and do that.”

Tony could tell that Laurent was a little tipsy, and seeing the half-full bottle of Wine on the table, he could understand.  “Maybe, later would be best, at that.”  Looking at Nina, he said, “It’s nice to see you again, you’re looking very well.”

Nina managed a smile and said, “It’s because Laurent is back and safe, to protect me.”

“Yes, and I’m happy about that”, Tony said.  “With all the bad people finally gone from the Valley here, maybe there won’t have to be any more missions like that.  I’m looking forward to the rest of my time here as being peaceful....In fact, I’m gonna work real hard to make that so.”

“What about the Cliques ?”, Laurent asked.  “Do you not think they will start fighting again ?”

“I have a plan for that”, Tony said, “I’ll explain it to you sometime....Maybe you can even help.”

“Maybe, could be”, Laurent said, slurring just a tiny bit.  “We will have to see, no ?”

“Yes, we will”, Tony said.  “I think it will be of great benefit to everyone.”

Just then, Tony’s food order was called and he took his leave, bidding Laurent and Nina goodbye.  Long after he left, the food was eaten and the Wine bottle was empty.  They rose to leave, but Nina was suddenly very unsteady on her feet.  She had worn some high-heels for the occasion, which made it doubly hard to walk, given that she was now in a partly-intoxicated state, being unused to drinking.

The Chef saw them as they approached the counter, Laurent wavering and Nina wobbling.  “Mon Dieu !  Where are you going ?  I cannot let you go back to the School in such a state !”

“We are...All right”, Laurent said, then belched.  Nina giggled.

“Non, I can not let you go”, the Chef said.  “Did you drink that whole bottle of Wine ?”

“Um...Nope”, Laurent said, “She helped.”  Nina giggled again.

“Dieu dans les cieux”, the Chef muttered.  “Listen....Go and sleep on the Matelas in ze basement for this evening.  I will wake you by morning.”

“Sounds bonne to me”, Laurent said.  “Come, mon amour, let me show ze way.”

Nina giggled some more, as Laurent took her to the stairs and they started down, one challenging step after another.  By the time they had reached the mattress in the basement, a good 10 minutes went by.  Nina managed to pull off her dress and undo one of her shoes, while Laurent was able to remove his shoes and pants.  The mattress had pillows, sheets and blankets on it, and they managed to pull back the blankets far enough to fall onto the mattress and pull the blankets over them, Laurent now laughing to go along with Nina’s giggles.

They lay there for awhile, oblivious to the world.  Still giggling, Nina said, “Laurent, my dear boy, you know that I love you ?”

“Ah, but it is I who loves you, mon cherie”, Laurent replied.  They both looked at each other in the semi-darkness and moved closer together.  Unbidden, they kissed, their heads heady with the Wine.  Hormones flared in the both of them, and soon Nina was fondling Laurent’s bludge. 

“Oh, Laurent, I wish to be with you forever”, Nina breathed, “Will you....Make love with me ?”

“Oui, sweet Nina, I will, and will be with you always”, Laurent said, his desire raging.

Nina clumsily managed to get her panties down.  Laurent was at the ready.  “Please....Be gentle with me, my love ?”, Nina breathed softly.

And Laurent was, as it turned out to be her first time.
___________________________________________

[BloodChuckZ]

Peanut was excited, and in more ways than one.  He had gotten to tell his story at the Press Conference, and mainly talked about the ‘Battle of the Hallway’, as he coined it, and how he and Hal had shot down Otto after he had wounded Johnny severely, and how Lola had charged in and bashed Otto in the head for good measure, and then how they had driven off Gurney afterwards and forced the Townies to make a run for it.  He gave such a glowing account, in his Greaser-laden language, that everyone was ears-open and furiously writing and recording his every phrase.  Clearly, he was the hit of the Conference.

Now there was no question.  He WAS the Greaser leader, and his confidence was never higher.  A new level of respect was being given to him by the other Greasers, and while there was certainly enough glory to go around for many who fought the in the third level, the Greasers believed they were the best of the lot.  Nobody would be messing with them now. 

In the hallway after the conference, Binky approached him.  Looking at him with lustful eyes, she said, “I’m gonna rock your world tonight, Hero.  You better be primed and ready !”

Not only did Binky make that pronouncement, she took every chance to stoke the fires of their desire during that afternoon and evening.  They finally wound up at the Blue Balls Bar, just as Steve the Greaser was closing up.  Seeing the electricity sparking between the two of them, Steve just grinned and said, “You got the whole place to yourselves....Have fun !”  Steve shut off the lights, locked up, and left.  Peanut and Binky headed for the back room.

A wild kissing session ensued, as they tore at one another’s clothing while stumbling towards the bed.  Peanut removed the last remnants of his clothing only to look up and see Binky in all her glory, all naked except for her thigh-high high-heeled black Greaser boots.  She roughly pushed him backwards onto the bed and the drilled her crotch onto his hardened buldge, slamming him savagely over and over again, his cries and her screams escalating as their passion climbed ever higher and higher, until they both suddenly exploded, Binky taking as much as Peanut could give her, and wanting more.

Binky had fired up Peanut all day, and the more she wanted soon came.  She laid back and had Peanut have his go at her, lifting her short legs and resting them on his shoulders as he drilled her.  The feel and smell of her boots on either side of his head made him plunge deeper and harder, as Greasers are well known for their obsession with Leather.  Their passions ramped up again to heights unknown, and stayed there for the longest time before each of them shattered in release.

But this night was far from over.  After a brief nap of exhaustion, they were at each other again...And then again. 
_____________________________________________

[BloodChuckZ]

Mandy was feeling a bit queasy, so instead of sex, she just gave Ted a blow job, hoping to settle her stomach.  Just after she had finished up and Ted had fallen asleep, there was a soft rap at the door.  Mandy opened the door a crack and peeked out.  It was Juri. 

“извините....er, sorry”, he said, taken aback to see Mandy in her nightie, “There is Karen here too see you, waiting below.”

“This late ?”, she wondered.  Must be something important.  “Tell her I’ll be right down.”  Juri nodded and she closed the door.  Quietly, as not to disturb the sleeping Ted,  Mandy slipped on some old jeans and pulled on a top, then she headed to the downstairs of the Clubhouse. Swallowing the last traces of her encounter with Ted, she decided her stomach DID feel better.  Nothing like Milk ‘O ManTediga to settle her tummy.

Karen was sitting on a bench over by the Equipment Cage and motioned Mandy over.  It had been a long exhausting day, and after visiting with so many of the injured and then staying some time with Nick and Melody at the Clinic, both her and Tony had just decided to return to their Dorms for the night and get some rest.  But Karen felt this should be taken care of first.

“What’s up, Jellybean ?”, Mandy said, plopping down beside Karen, using her pet name for her.

Karen sort of smiled at the mention of the nickname that Mandy had bestowed on her when she first came to the Jocks for protection the previous summer.  Then she said, “It’s that Slut-Bitch Beatrice.  She forced Nick into having sex with her while we were Kidnapped !”

“I know”, Mandy said, while rubbing her belly.  Her stomach really did feel better.

“You Knew ?”, Karen stared at her, open-mouthed.  “How ?”

Mandy brushed back her hair from her face.  “Nick came to me and told me what happened, how she pulled that little trick on him and then seduced him.”  She went on to explain about Beatrice hiding her Diary in Mandy’s own Gym Locker and then sending Nick to retrieve it, then faking gratitude for the Diary’s return and seducing Nick for another one of her ‘Human Sexuality Experiments’.  “Nick was really upset about it, so I told him I’d take care of it.  I caught her later alone in the Dorm and gave her a new painful sensation in her crotch with my knee, told her to keep away from Nick or else.”

“Well, it didn’t work”, Karen said glumly.  Mandy sat as Karen began to tell, her anger growing.  “Beatrice showed up at the Clinic today, in Nick’s room.  Right in front of Melody, she related how she had ‘tried out the goods’, as she put it, and how she was going to marry Nick and have babies with him.  Then she went on about how huge Nick was, and how they were going to have strong babies together.”

“That’s Outrageous !!”, Mandy exclaimed.  “That Sanctimonious Bitch !!!”

“She’s nuts alright”, Karen agreed.  “But Melody stood up to her.”

“Really ?”, Mandy asked.  “What did she do ?”

“Well, she bashed Beatrice in the nose, punched her in the guts, and kicked her out into the hall”, Karen replied. 

“She did that ?”, Mandy exclaimed, “Little Melody ?”

“Not so little now”, Karen said, “She...And I, too...Have been through a lot.  She had to grow up, or die in that hole we were in.”

Mandy hadn’t yet heard what had happened to Karen and Melody during the time they were held hostages.  “Really rough, huh ?”

“You don’t know”, Karen said, suddenly subdued.  “Those filthy animals...They...They Raped us, over and over.”

Mandy was horrified at what she was hearing.  “Oh...My God !”, she exclaimed.  “That is so...Terrible !  How awful for for the two of you !”  Mandy rarely showed any empathy for anyone, as she was usually so self-absorbed.  But in Karen’s case, they had developed a bond since Karen had first come to the Jocks seeking protection. 

“Yeah, it really sucked”, Karen said, reluctantly revisiting her recent captivity at the hands of the Townies.

“I wish now that I would’ve come down there with the rest of them, with a big knife, and cut all their cocks off, those stinking Bastards !”. Mandy said with venom in her voice.

Karen had to half-smile at that, as the picture of Mandy slashing away with a knife hacking off the privates of the Townies rose in her mind.  “Well, it’s over now, and those assholes are gonna serve the rest of their lives in Prison, getting butt-fucked by big hairy men.  So, I just hold on to that, every time I feel like going crazy over it.”

“Just for Kidnapping and Rape ?”, Mandy asked, “Won’t they get out someday ?”

“There’s other things they’re charged with, serious things, and they’ll never get Parole”, Karen said without elaborating.  “They will never get out, ever.”

“I guess that’s some relief”, Mandy said.  “But Karen...You should have told me sooner !  I had no idea that you, and Melody, went through all that !”

“There just hasn’t been time until now”, Karen said.  “But...Mandy, keep this secret and never tell anyone, Ok ?  If the other girls find out....”

“I promise I won’t ever say anything”, Mandy said, and she meant it.  “I’m your protector, remember ?  But if you ever need to talk about it, you can always trust me.”

Karen did smile then.  “Thanks...You don’t know how much that means to me.  But, I’m really worried about Melody, this thing with Beatrice could really drive her over the edge, with all she’s been through, plus having Nick hurt really bad...I’m afraid she might have a breakdown and never recover !”

“I don’t even know why that twit came back here”, Mandy said, “What, for a couple of credits ?  She could have gotten them anywhere....Why here ?  Tell you what, she needs to be run out this school for good.”

“If there was only a way to do that”, Karen remarked, “It would really be a big help to Melody.”

Mandy was thinking, and a gem of an Idea was forming in her mind.  “There is a way....And we don’t even have to kick her ass.  Though I probably will, just for the fun of it”, Mandy told her. 

“What do you mean ?”, Karen asked.  “We could get rid of her ?”

“Get rid of her forever”, Mandy said, her voice smug.

“But...How ?, Karen asked, hopefully.

“Metal-Mouth has a weakness”, Mandy pronounced, “And that weakness is...Her Diary.”
____________________________________

[BloodChuckZ]

Trent wandered about after school was out for the day.  He had managed to escape injury in the Chem Plant raid, which had sort of made him the Bully spokesman at the Press Conference.  He told his story, as brief as it was, but there had been no heroics by the Bullies at the third level battle.  Troy, Wade, and Ethan had caught it on the roof, and Davis and Tom had been taken down at the first strike down below.  Russell had not even came down to the third level, he had been having too much fun chasing and stomping Townie heads up on the roof.

So, that just left him alone down below, and he was unspectacular, to say the least.  He hadn’t even hit any Townies he fired at, and the most that could be said was that he did well in his backup role.  So, while he could tell of the actions of others, there wasn’t anything to say for himself.  As the Reporter’s questions opened up at the conclusion of his short speech, one of them made a striking connection with an earlier event.

“Say, weren’t you the boy who shot that Punk during the bombings ?  We never got the full story on that”, the Reporter shouted.

Because that wasn’t really his finest hour...Trent had been scared and shaky the whole time...Trent had never really talked much about the incident.  It had just been pure dumb luck, as it turned out, that he had even been able to hit Kenny the Punk with that Bent-Coin Bullet at all.  Trent had just taken his hero status from that day and avoided telling about his actions. Sure, he made the jump over the shortcut gap in the wall with the best of intentions, had ran and recovered the gun from Wade’s room, found a way to load the gun with a Beam Cola tab for a firing pin, Gunpowder he found in Tony’s room, a few torn strips for wadding, and a bent coin from Ethan’s room.  While he successfully loaded the gun in the Dorm, he couldn’t reload it at the wall for a second shot.  Badly shaken, had had cut and run, hiding like a coward, until the Soldiers found him later. 

But the question had been asked, in open public now, and Trent had to answer.  So, he told them of a more heroic story that what it really had been, saying the gun had failed to fire the second time and he had retreated to safety, as any sane person would.  The Reporters bent to scribble down his words, while others ran cameras to capture the high points of Trent’s story.  At the end, Trent felt better about the whole thing.

But Trent knew who he really was.  He was a coward inside, just as any Bully was, as well as a thief, a liar, and a dumb fuck.  He was also a half-queer, which was pretty much common knowledge.  He had a girlfriend now, but Trent suspected she was half-butch, and swung both ways herself.  Hanging around the empty Parking Lot, he dwelled on these things.  The school grounds were nearly deserted, with so many in the Clinics still.  Of all his injured Clique, only Ethan was out of the Clinic, and Trent had no idea where he was at.  Same with Russell, who hadn’t shown up at the News Conference either.

Eventually, it began to get dark.  Trent decided to try Russell’s house, that was where he usually went when he wasn’t around.  It took him a good half-hour to find a bike to steal, one that looked like it had seen it’s better days.  Biking away from Bullworth at a slow pace, Trent was struck with the thought of how much had changed this summer.  He had no clue about what this meant for his future, or that of his fellow Bullies.  He had always relished beating up the new kids that came to the school every September, but now he wondered if that would ever happen again.  Things were changing, and Trent was as a loss to understand what HE would do.

He finally arrived at Russell’s house.  Russell’s parents were almost always gone, out of town for one reason or other.  Russell’s place was on the Circle Street in the Vale, just across from Happy Endings Retirement Home.  From Russell’s block, and to the East of the Retirement Home, lay the middle-class homes of the white-collar working folk, including some of the Bullworth Teachers.  To the West of the Retirement Home was the homes of the Rich, the movers and shakers of the Vale Valley, and until recently, the homes of Mr. Spencer and Mr. Harrington.  It was unlikely now that they would ever return, but the other rich would move up to take their place.  Just like Trent’s world, theirs was Dog Eat Dog, just on a higher plane. 

Trent found Russell there at home, alright.  He was moping around, watching wrestling on TV. 

“Say Big Guy, where you been ?”, Trent asked, trying to sound cheerful. “Missed you at school.”

He didn’t answer for a bit.  Then, “Russell In Funk.  No Clique To Lead.  No Nerds To Beat.  Russell Sad.”

“They’ll be back, don’t worry about that”, Trent said, trying to cheer Russell....For the hundredth time ?  More ?  “The Clique will be whole soon, and everything will get back to normal.”  But even as he said the last part, Trent didn’t believe it.

“It No Matter”, Russell said morosely.  “Things Different Now, World Different Now.”

In that, Russell showed some insight, unusual for him.  “We’ll get it all back”, Trent tried again, “It’ll be even better.”

“No”, Russell said sadly, “It About All Over.”  With a look at Trent, Russell revealed something else.  “Besides...Russell Can Not Come Back To School For Next Year Anyway.”

“What ?”, Trent asked, not sure he was hearing that right.  “Why Not ?”

“Because”, Russell wailed, “Russell Going To Be 21 Soon.  Can’t Go To High School Then.”

“What ?”, Trent said again.  “Who says ?”

 “The State Says”, Russell Moaned, “No Can Go To High School At 21.”

“Geezus, Russell, I didn’t know you was that old”, Trent said.

“Russell Feel Like Old Man”, Russell moped.

“Well...", Trent said, “That don’t mean nothing, we can still hang around and all that....”

“No”, Russell shook his head, “Not At School.  Maybe Outside, Not In.”  Russell looked at Trent in a real serious manner.  “Trent, You Must Take Over, Like Before.”

“Take Over ?”, Trent echoed.  “But, there’s still some time to go before your birthday, isn’t there ?”

Russell shook his head sadly.  “Not That Long.  Be Soon.  Russell Done.”

Trent didn’t know quite what to say.  He was silent for awhile as he thought. Russell was offering to him the Clique, lock, stock, and barrel.  Was this his future ?  Was this what he was supposed to do ?

“So...When do you want me to take over ?”, Trent asked, “When school starts ?”

Russell didn’t hesitate.  “Take Over Now.  Make Decisions.  Russell Through.”

Trent didn’t quite understand why Russell wanted to quit now, especially since he wasn’t 21 yet, and was technically still a student.  “Why now, Big Guy ?  There’s still the Summer left.  You could stay on, till school starts in the Fall ?”

“No...Things Different Now”, Russell said.  Then he related, “Russell Have Good Time, Beating In Townie Heads Up On Chem Plant Roof.  But There Will Be No More, Different Now.  Russell Go Out On Top, Not Just Fade Away.”

So there it was.  When the rest of the Bullies returned from the Clinics, they would have Trent as their leader once more.
___________________________________________

[BloodChuckZ]

Along about Midnight, Tad Spencer and what was left of the rest of his Prep Clique were standing out in front of the gates of Spencer Estates on Vale Valley Road, smoking ciggys.  Tad was having a little rant-on bitchfest to his captive audience, which consisted of Bif, Derby’s former lap-dog and now Tad’s lap-dog, Chad, who was the only person at the school to actually have a dog, and Vanessa, who stood coolly taking drags of her own Virginia Slims.

“Did you hear that Twit, going on about how Gord and him played the Heroes ?”, Tad fumed.  “Never even mentioned that I was the one who offered him the Shields !  What an Ingrate !”

The others knew that wasn’t so, Bryce had come asking for the Shields, but nobody said anything.

“Then he had the audacity to talk to me like that !”, Tad went on, “Like he thinks he's better than us !"

“We could have gone along”, Bif said mildly, “Joined in the battle.  Everyone else did.”

“Shut The Fuck Up !”, Tad yelled.  “What do you know about it ?  What do know about ANYTHING ?”

“You shouldn’t ought to talk to me like that”, Bif said, still in a mild tone.  But there was steel in his eyes.  “I was only making an observation.”

Tad’s eyes bulged. “You best show Respect !  I’m the Leader of this Clique !” Already angry, Tad felt highly insulted by Bif’s insolence.

“Some Clique”, Bif said, “Bryce is gone, and when Gord gets out of the Clinic, he will probably go join him.  Justin and Parker too.  We’re all that’s left.”

“They’re Loyal To Me !”, Tad shouted.  “They’ll all be back.  Where else to do they have to go ?  The God Damn Beachhouse ?  That’s real fine Prep living quarters !”

Bif shrugged.  “Are any of us loyal, really ?  We’re Preps, you know.  We have no loyalties.”

Tad sneered.  “You did.  You were Derby’s slave.  Anything he wanted, you jumped like a puppet on a string.  He had you seduce Christy, remember ?  You went right along with his program, just like always.”

Bif’s face reddened.  He was now ashamed of how he had played Christy, on Derby’s orders.  He had the chance to have a real girlfriend, even though she wasn’t a Prep.  But he went about it in the wrong way, he knew that now.  After the word of that had gotten out, there wasn’t a girl on Campus who would ever go out with him again.  “Not my finest hour”, he admitted.  “Derby was obsessed with Pinky and those Rocker boys.  He wanted his revenge, and I helped.  But you’re not any better yourself, you know.”

“What do you mean by that ?”, Tad said, shocked.  “YOU’RE the one who came crawling back, practically begging for us to take you in after Derby cut and ran to save his hide.  You have no right to talk...About Anything !”

Chad watched the strange interplay between Tad and Bif without saying anything.  Used to his role as the Token Prep, he kept his trap shut.  He had witnessed the change in Tad since taking over the Clique, and it seemed to him that the players may change, but the game never does.  But being far down in the Prep pecking order, he had no choice.  He would stick with whoever was the Prep Leader.  Besides, if he wasn’t at Harrington House, who would feed Chester, his dog ?

“You know”, Bif said idly, “I could challenge you for leadership, and I’d win.  You know I’m the better fighter.”  He paused while Tad’s anger built.  “But I won’t.  I don’t have any interest in it.”

Tad’s face was near purple with rage, but he knew Bif was right.  Bif could knock him out in one round.  Tad decided not to rise to the challenge and take a Prep’s graceful way out.

“I don’t have to stand here and listen to this crap”, he declared loftily.  “It’s late, and I’m going into the Mansion.  If you whiners want to come along, that’s fine.  Otherwise, you can do what you want.”  Flicking away his long burned-out ciggy, he turned to Vanessa, who had been just standing against the wall, taking it all in.  “Let’s Go."  She gave a small nod and followed Tad in through the gates.

But she cast a look back at Bif.  She had come to Bullworth to be the Prep Leader’s girl, and she would be just that, no matter who the Prep Leader was.  That was her only Loyalty. 
________________________________________

[BloodChuckZ]

Early afternoon the following day, the Jocks were having a workout at the Football Field.  Statistically, the Jocks had lost the least amount of participants in the raid, with only four boys hit by Pellet fire.  True, the Preps had only lost three to Pellet fire, but there had only been four of them in the raid.  As a fact, the Jocks now had the most uninjured Students left of any Clique.

Three of the Jocks were still in Clinic care, the most serious was Casey.  Dan and Bo were due to be released soon, possibly today or tomorrow.  Kirby had been released the day after the raid, he suffered a broken wrist when a Pellet struck him.

Wearing a cast on his right wrist was the reason Kirby was excused from most of the workout, and stood beside Coach Sanders as he oversaw the others, now doing jumping jacks with Ted leading.  Across the field, Mandy was trying out some new Cheerleader prospects, including the new Prep girl Vanessa and the Reform School girl Whitney. 

“Gonna whip these boys into shape, despite themselves”, the Coach commented.  “Gonna win some games this year, isn’t that right, boy ?”

Kirby, who would be poundcaking anybody for quite a time to come, just nodded.  “If you say so, Coach.”

“We’re gonna get you rehabilitated so you’ll be able to catch a Football again, hey ?”, the Coach went on.  Inwardly, he thought, You little twit, getting yourself shot.  Dumbass.

“Um...Sure, Coach.  I’d like that”, Kirby replied. 

“No one can hear us here”, Coach Sanders chided, “You can call me Uncle Jerry, just like when we’re out on our Special Workouts.”

“Oh, sure Co-, um, Uncle Jerry”, Kirby said, a little more at ease now.  “Do’ya think I’ll be Ok in about a month or so ?  I wanna be a starter.”

“Maybe...Maybe six weeks”, Coach Sanders said, “Just about when the new season starts.  But we’ll get you in the line-up, don’t you worry none.”

“That’s good”, Kirby said, relieved.  “I promise I’ll keep in shape...I can still run and do squat-thrusts, stuff like that.  And I’m a fast healer, just ask the others !”

“I’m sure you are”, the Coach said, closely watching the other Jocks exercising.  Coach Sanders was very pissed when he first learned Kirby had been among those injured, he was certain it would disrupt the secret private training sessions he had been having with the boy.  He had been slowly working hard to gain Kirby’s complete trust, and initially feared that it would mess up his plans to further groom the boy.  But he was beginning to realize that might give him a new advantage.  Making sure no one was looking, he laid his hand on Kirby’s shoulder, caressing it gently, an action that Kirby had grown used to over the past month. 

“And, I’m sure everything will work out fine”, Coach Sanders said, “Just Fine.”
______________________________________
 

[BloodChuckZ]

Before the final class that afternoon, Tony saw Melvin in the hallway at school.  “Hey Melvin, I got to see you a minute.  Got time ?”

“Um, yeah, I guess so.  What’s Up ?”, Melvin said somewhat uneasily. 

“Follow me to my locker”, Tony told told him, and they began to move down the hall.

“Great speech, by the way”, Tony said, referring to the Press Conference.

“Er...Thanks...I just told the story, as it happened.” Melvin said, leaving out that he had neglected to include the part about the Agent disarming him and the loss of the Super Spud Gun.

“When’s the next time you Nerds are gonna have a Knight’s Council ?”, Tony asked him as they turned the corner into another hallway.

“Ahh...End of the week, when Bucky and Donald are back”, Melvin said.  “Cornelius got released today.  Why ?”

“Because”, Tony said, reaching his locker, “I need to see all of you together.  It’s Important.”

“It always is”, Melvin half-groaned as Tony fiddled open his locker.  “What is it now ?”

“You’ll find out”, Tony said, plucking an envelope from among his stacked schoolbooks.  “Here, I got this for you.”  Tony handed Melvin the envelope.  “Here.”

Melvin took the envelope and looked inside. There was money.  “Whoa”, Melvin said.

“There’s $300 dollars”, Tony said, “That oughtta cover those Weapons you guys supplied for the raid.  Sorry Nick leaned on you kinda hard, but we was in a tough spot, y’know.”

“Wa-all, this should be enough, sure”, Melvin, wondering how Tony came up with the money so fast, and in hundred-dollar bills.

“How would you like to make even more ?”, Tony asked, pulling out a book and closing his locker.

More ?  How ?”, Melvin asked, already knowing the answer.

“I’m gonna need more Weapons”, Tony told him, “Quicker the better.”

“Gee, I don’t know”, Melvin stalled, thinking of Fatty and another possible argument.

Tony stared hard at Melvin, and Melvin started to get nervous.  “Well, I don’t !  The others aren’t going to like it !”

“I could send Nick to convince you, when he gets well”, Tony said, watching Melvin start to tremble slightly, “But I don’t have that kind of time.”  Tony eyed Melvin a bit longer, then relaxed his features.  “What say, a Private Commission, me to you, that no else needs to know about ?”

“A...A Private Commission ?”, Melvin stuttered.  “H-How Much ?”

“A couple of those C-notes”, Tony said, indicating the envelope in Melvin’s hand.  “Just convince your guys to go along, and you’ll be a bit richer.”

“Um...Gee, I don’t know”, Melvin said slowly, but Tony could tell he was leaning.  Leaning hard.

“Just think, you could take Jimmette to Shea Lewis for dinner....And the night”, Tony told him.  “I think she’d like that.”

Melvin wavered, then gave in.  “All right”, he said, “But I don’t know how I’m going to convince them....”

“You’ll think of a way”, Tony told him as the bell rang for the last class.  “Oop, gotta go.  Later.”

Melvin just stood there for a minute, thinking.  He wound up being late for class.
_____________________________________