What You Least Expect

A new face opened the door to classroom 108. Mr. Holmes was out sick again as usual. Everything seemed normal, but in my gut I felt like something was about to go terribly wrong.

“Can I have Ella Moore here for a moment please?” The substitute’s high pitched squeaky voice is annoying as soon as I heard it, but her words had an edge to them that was hard to figure out.

 It was impossible. She couldn’t know me, like, at all. Her piercing black eyes weaved around the hallway until they met mine. I let out a yelp then followed her inside the classroom.

Keys jiggled in her hands telling me my one-way ticket out was gone. Numerous thoughts went through my head. What if she’s a serial killer who escaped from prison? What if she’s some crazy villain let loose and the police are looking for her? What if…

Stop, I tell myself, What could possibly go wrong? But in the back of my mind there’s a lot of things in this situation that could go wrong.

“Um, can I help you?” I asked, thinking of nothing much else to say.

“Oh, you’re so sweet, hon,” she said, “but I’m afraid you can only help me by standing still and being quiet.”

“Uh, okay.”

The words were barely out of my mouth when things started to change. Everything happened so fast, I hardly blinked. The blinds on the windows shut so loudly, it almost made me jump. The lights grew dim and I had a very vague feeling more than one pair of eyes were watching me…

I had barely recovered my wits when I realized Miss Coles ( as she had called herself, but I doubt that was her real name) was standing on the other side of the room as scarier than ever. I thought I was hallucinating or something but slowly she began to transform. Her fingers had turned into long black talons. She had grown sharp metal wings the size of our Smart board and apparently she had gotten really angry or insane. Her hair had erupted in flames. But the creepiest thing was her face. Her pale skin was so sickly green it looked like she was going to vomit. Her eyes danced in bright red. She looked like she was ready to pounce on me with her yellow fangs. Someone did not brush their teeth. So basically, Miss Vampire Bat Lady looked like a very angry Christmas tree ready to attack.

“Now, honey,” she hissed, “I can kill you more quickly if you stand still like a smart little girl.”

I should have known better. Usually, when your teacher’s substitute turns into a freaky monster that gives you the creeps you

a.) run and hide

b.) shriek in terror

c.) scream for your life

d.) do all the above

But, as often as these events occur, I wasn’t prepared. My situation was unique in a way that I couldn’t do anything except defend myself, get the key, and get out. Oh, and make sure I make it out alive. That would be nice, too.

Fortunately, Mr. Holmes was also a history teacher. Medieval swords and shields covered part of the walls as if to scream, Hey, look at me! I’m a deadly weapon that can kill you! Miss Monster was across the room, but was advancing quickly. Sadly, actual huge chicken feet (which I had not noticed before and looked very unattractive) can walk a little bit faster than you think.

I picked off a bronze dagger with a leather hilt. Before I knew it, she was right behind me and I barely had enough time to duck. Like a flash, my instincts took over. I rolled to one side, and turned around to face my opponent. Her claw swooped down on my head, but I defended her strike with my new toy, careful to avoid her ever flaming hairballs. I constantly kept on crashing into tables and it didn’t help that this bat woman could fly. She tried to attack me from behind, but I was able to stab her on the side of her waist.

She let out a petrifying shriek. I could tell I’d hit something solid, but somehow my blade had slashed right through it. My strike must of just angered her even more. She charged, her talons raised like a fork to its meat. ( Maybe she was hungry?) She seemed wobbly and slow and no longer as fast as before when I had first hit her.

This is your advantage, I thought. Use it!

With all my strength I charged, this time slicing off her wing. She screamed, but now she seemed defenseless. This time I aimed my dagger for a clear shot and plunged.

I expected her to melt into a puddle of some sort like the Wicked Witch in The Wizard of Oz, but instead she disintegrated in a second into a puff of smoke. I probably would need ten bottles of Febreeze just to get rid of the stench.

Just as relief filled my lungs and and the terrifying shock of it all dissipated, a raspy voice very much like Miss Coles, spoke inside my mind. (At the time, I was so frightened, I didn’t think how it was possible.)

This is only the very beginning, the chilling voice rasped, and sadly you will not make it to the very end.

“Get out of my head,” I had said aloud before realizing it.

“Who are you talking to?” a startling voice asked behind me that almost made me jump.

Oh great, another monster I have to face, I thought. But when I looked back, I only saw an open doorway leading into the hall of bustling kids. The glare of the sun hit my face from the windows as the fluorescent light bulbs blinked back to life. Suddenly, the vague feeling of someone else in the room had vanished.

Chicken, I thought.

I hung my bronze sword back on the wall and took my things. I walked out, but it felt as if no time had passed whatsoever. The halls were still filled with high school teens and the bell hadn’t rung yet. But that voice, Miss Coles--I knew it would haunt me for the rest of the day.