You never know how peaceful a bike ride at night in the middle of spring is until you experience it. I loved feeling of the wind blowing my long, brown hair behind me and feeling the burn on my legs as I pedaled towards my secret appointment. Although it was spring, it was cold enough that I had to wear a sweatshirt. So I had put on my favorite Pokemon sweatshirt, complete with Ash and Pikachu on the front of it. I only wore this glorious sweatshirt at home or on night excursions, simply because it was the only sweatshirt I owned that was black. And frankly, I was usually too embarrassed to wear it anywhere but my house.
As I neared the school, I looked around me. I was slightly paranoid after what had happened to me in the bathroom earlier. Nothing looked out of the ordinary. I saw no hidden figures lurking on the sidewalk, no mysterious car driver parked on the side of the street. This was a good sign.
I had finally made it to the school. Even though it was only a ten minute bike ride from my house, it wore me out. Sadly, I was never a fan of working out or getting in shape. And now I was paying the price. I dismounted and leaned my bike up against the nearest wall. I checked my watch: 9:58. Perfect timing.
Slowly and cautiously, I walked over to the school’s front doors. I was expecting another ambush, but nothing happened. The only thing I saw was Mr. Reeds, dressed in a green sweatshirt. Oh no. Mr. Reeds was Green? No way.
Mr. Reeds was the first to speak. “Hey Brundon, thanks for coming.”
I was in disbelief. My Algebra teacher was behind all of this? He had ordered his henchman to give me a swirlie? Why?
I was in so much shock I was stumbling over my words. “You-you’re Gr-Green?”
Mr. Reeds nodded. “I am. And I’m sorry I put you through all of this. But listen to me Brundon: I stole your rubber ducky to get your attention. You see, I know about your detective abilities. I have heard several kids talk about how you are always trying to solve some mystery. Well listen, I have a mystery on my hands and I need your help.”
I gulped. Even though I still resented Mr. Reeds for deceiving me and stealing my beloved rubber ducky, I also wanted to hear what he had to say. Maybe this mystery was the one that would finally get me famous.
“All right, I’m listening.” This had better be good.
“First of all, you need to know that I’m not really a math teacher. I am here because I am investigating an illegal operation that has been taking place in this school for the past year. I am part of an organization called CTU.”
“CTU? You mean, the CTU?” This could not be happening. Mr. Reeds could not be a secret agent.
“Yes, Brundon, CTU, Counter Terrorist Unit. We have reason to believe that there are terrorists attending this school.”
My mouth dropped open. Terrorists?! In my own school? This must be a dream. How was this even possible?
I started stammering again. “B-but why d-do you need m-me?”
“I need a student on the inside that can help me. Since I’m a teacher, I’m limited to one room all day long. But you could go wherever you wanted to. I need you to be my eyes. I need you to find out who is involved in this terrorist group.”
I nodded slowly. It made sense. If I helped CTU and found out who was part of this terrorist group, I could become big. This could be my breakthrough case.
“Ok, I’m in. But I just have one question, Mr. Reeds.”
“And what is that?”
“Where is my rubber ducky?” I hadn’t forgotten about my rubber ducky. It was the only reason why I came.
“Ah. Your rubber ducky is in my car in the parking lot. Since you are going to help me, I have to take you in to CTU headquarters to be debriefed. I will give you your ducky once we get in the car. Deal?”
I nodded again. “Deal. Can we go now?”
Mr. Reeds laughed. “Yes, we can. Follow me.”
I followed him to his car, which turned out to be a black Hummer. He quickly unlocked it and I climbed in on the passenger side, anxious to get my ducky back. I didn’t care about my bike anymore. I could get it once I was done at CTU.
The first thing I noticed when I got in the car was the rubber ducky, sitting on the dashboard. I snatched it up and held it close. I finally had my rubber ducky back! I felt complete once more.
And then I noticed it. Or maybe I should say, didn’t notice it. Let me explain: my rubber ducky is special. It is so special that I marked it permanently, so that it would never be mistaken with another rubber ducky. I had written in big, bold words BRUNDON on the underbelly of the duck. So when I flipped the rubber duck over to look at my name, I was shocked to see nothing. There was no name on it. Realization took over me: this was not my rubber ducky. I had been tricked once again.
I turned to Mr. Reeds and held the fake rubber ducky out to him. “Hey, this isn’t my—“
BAM! My head had just received a major beating. And it throbbed. Mr. Reeds had punched me!
BAM! He punched me again. I started seeing stars.
BAM! My brain couldn’t take it any longer. Why couldn’t I just black out?
BAM! This time I got my wish. My world turned to black.
oh boy this is getting intense...
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