Katies Box: Chapter 5 Little Miss Bighead

All was quiet in the half filled assembly hall. Suddenly Sally came crashing through the swing doors and with all eyes on her, she slid unceremoniously across the polished wooden floor, with her arms swinging wildly in the air and fell flat on her back with a loud thud.
The room was in an uproar, as the girls sitting in front of her laughed, giggled and guffawed loudly at the sight of her splayed out on the floor.
"Girls¦ girls¦ settle down now, said Miss Craig patiently and looking at the child she asked, "Are you alright Sally?
Sitting up and looking somewhat dazed, Sally grinned foolishly at the crowd of girls in front of her.
"Do get up and come and sit down quietly, added Miss Craig when the noise died down.
Mr Jacks a thin faced man, sitting next to Miss Craig hissed in an under tone, "Stupid child.
"Patience. whispered Miss Craig through the side of her mouth, as she looked down at his stern face.
The sound of Sally's tiny feet echoed through the hall, as she rushed towards the back row. With her face now bright pink she smiled weakly at Miss Craig and sitting down next to Jenny, she stared into her lap, as she tried to make herself as small as possible. She was so embarrassed and at that moment, she wished that the parquet flooring underneath her would open and swallow her up.

Every one in the hall was now quiet, "Good morning girls. said the Head of Year.
The girls, sitting cross-legged on the floor in front of her, replied lazily, "Good morning¦ Miss Craig.
The small woman with brown curly hair, dressed in a crimson suit and wearing red-rimmed spectacles hanging on the end of her nose, looked around the hall and smiled pleasantly at Katie, who was sitting in front of her.
Checking the list in her hand, she cleared her throat and after giving Mary a knowing look, she waited until the child spat out her chewing gum into her hand and then she began.
"Today I have the pleasant task of giving out the prizes for both effort and academic achievement
Miss Craig read out the long list of prize-winners, as Mr Jacks helped her to hand out the prizes of book tokens and red fountain pens.
The girls clapped enthusiastically as Christina, a plump-faced child with a bright pink clip, holding back a long brown fringe, accepted her prize for outstanding pupil progress. She barely touched Miss Craig's hand, when the teacher went to shake hers and nearly dropped the envelope containing her prize.
Class Seven Blue whooped and cheered when they won the cup for the tutor group with the most merits. Jane, a small skinny girl with blonde frizzy hair, ran up the steps to the stage, snatched the small silver cup from Miss Craig's hand and after kissing it, she held it up in the air victoriously, dashed back down to her seat and joined in with the girls in her form who were wildly congratulating each other.
Miss Craig waited for the girls to calm down. Standing with another, but slightly larger silver cup in her hand, she announced, "And for the pupil with the most merits for academic achievement this year, with an amazing three hundred and sixty four merits, this silver cup goes to¦. Chloe Splayor.

Chloe stood up proudly as the crowd clapped, but this was a forced clap, not the enthusiastic clapping given to Christina and Jane, but a slow, soft clap, but Chloe was used to this.
"Their all jealous. she thought as she flicked her black hair over her shoulders and putting her nose up in the air she strutted up onto the stage.
Miss Craig handed her the cup and said, "Well done Chloe. What a marvellous achievement.
Chloe smiled and said proudly, "Thank you Miss, I did do well, didn't I.
Walking back down the stage steps, she watched Mary whisper something into Katie's ear and after looking up at her they giggled. She knew they were laughing at her and as she sat back down next to Katie, she jabbed her elbow viciously into Katie's arm.
"Ouch! What do you think your doing? Katie blurted out at the top of her voice, as she rubbed her arm.
Chloe gave her a slimy smile and said, "Oh I'm sorry my arm must have slipped.
Mary shot her a dirty look, but could do nothing more as Mr Jacks was scowling down at them from the stage above.
*
In class, Chloe bragged loudly to her friends about her prize, as she waved the twenty-pound book voucher up in the air.
"You only got that because you hassle the teachers to give you a merit every lesson. said Mary pointedly.
"No I don't. said Chloe indignantly, putting the token into her bag and getting out her pencil case.
"Yeah, you're always trying to get around the teachers, trying to be teacher's pet. joined in Sally.
"Well, if I help them, then why shouldn't I get a merit, anyway your only jealous because I won the cup and you didn't. snapped Chloe angrily, as she poked her tongue out at them rudely.

At the end of the lesson Chloe, waited behind with her best friend Grace as usual.
Pushing in all the chairs and picking up the litter from the floor, they waited beside the teacher's desk and Chloe said brightly, "We've cleared up for you sir, do you want us to do anything else?
"No thanks Chloe, Sally's beaten you to it, said the teacher nodding his head towards the door where Sally stood with a large pile of maths books in her arms and smiling smugly, "you go with Grace and have your break for a change, he said as he escorted them out of the classroom and locked the door.
Chloe was livid and complained bitterly to Grace as they walked down the stairs towards the library.
"How dare she help him, she's never asked to help him before, she did it deliberately just to spite me. Chloe said resentfully and of course, Grace agreed with her as she always did.
However, Chloe cheered up when Grace reminded her that in the next lesson she was bound to get a merit, maybe even two.

For the Geography lesson, she had drawn a beautiful map of her imaginary Island. It had taken her hours. With green woods and forests made from crepe paper scrunched up and stuck down on a piece of thick cardboard, beaches with real sand stuck on them, three small villages with perfectly drawn houses and shops, fields painted yellow and green and a brown mountain in the middle made from cardboard to show off the contours of the land.
Chloe always went over board with her homework, word processing not only the answers, but also the questions and always adding a word-search or a crossword puzzle for the teacher.
All the teachers and of course her parents were very pleased with her efforts, but a lot of the girl's in her class were not. It was always Chloe who got the prizes and always Chloe, who got the praise, but that was not the real problem; Chloe was a big head and got on people's nerves by continually boasting about her successes.

During afternoon registration she began to show off to Grace, "My mum gave me the new Clarisse Reid book yesterday and look she also brought me this locket at the weekend, it's real gold, she said loud enough for the rest of the class to hear. Pulling out the heart shaped locket from inside her shirt she dangled it in front of Christina's eyes and added, "And if I win the prize for the English essay, my mum's going to take me to Paris for the weekend.
Christina rolled her eyes to the ceiling and thought, "Here she goes again.
She wasn't interested in what Chloe had, but didn't like to admit that she did envy her. Everything was easy for Chloe; her mother was always buying her presents and taking her places. It was so annoying Chloe seemed to remember everything so easily, whilst poor Christina had to sometimes struggle all evening, in an effort to complete her homework and if there was a test the following day, then she would have to stay up most of the night trying to revise for it.

Once again, at the start of the history lesson, Chloe put her hand up to answer all of the teachers' questions.
The history teacher, a small woman, who always wore dark sunglasses, even in winter, said patiently, "Please Chloe ,I really do appreciate that you know all the answers, but could you do me a favour and let someone else answer for once.
Much to Chloe's annoyance most of the girls around her, murmured in agreement.
"In Medieval times, who were the villains? asked the teacher looking around the faces looking up at her.
Katie shot her arm up in the air, Ooo, miss I know, I know. she cried jumping up and down in her seat and waving her hand frantically.
"Yes, go on Katie.
Katie stood up and said proudly, "They were criminals miss. and then sat back down.
"Err¦ no not really Katie, although you are right villains are criminals, but not this type of villains, but I don't think you were here when we learnt this.
Chloe's hand shot up and Miss Sands nodded for her to answer, In Medieval times the villains were the peasant farmers miss. she said smugly, looking back at Katie and poking out her tongue.
Katie was so embarrassed; she didn't know where to put her face, as she felt the blood in her neck rush up into her cheeks.
"It's alright Katie; she thinks she knows everything, that's why we call her little miss big head. said Mary,
"Miss, Miss ¦Mary's being rude to Chloe. bellowed Grace.
"No I am not, I'm just telling Katie the truth. said Mary boldly.
Turning around to Mary, Chloe spat, "You're just jealous¦ just because you're brainless and brain dead.
Mary got out of her chair, stood over Chloe and shrieked into her face, "What did you say, say that to my face if you dare.
"You deaf as well as daft. said Chloe insolently, standing her ground in front of Mary.
Mary's face went purple with rage and suddenly she slapped Chloe soundly around her face.
Chloe stood dazed for a moment and then pulling Mary by the hair, she kicked her hard in her ankle. Mary hung onto Chloe's shirt and dragged her down onto the floor while screaming "let go of me you cow!
Hair, fists, arms and legs wrestled on the floor as the whole class ran towards the front of the room to watch the fight screaming, "get her Mary.... Go on Chloe hit her.
Miss Sands watched, at a safe distance, there was no way that she was going to get hurt while trying to separate this pair. She had damaged her eye the last time she had intervened in a fight and that was why she had to wear the sunglasses. She was not going to get hurt again.
"Katie¦ Jenny¦get Mary¦ Susan¦ don't just stand there girl do something. yelled Miss Sands as she pushed Susan in the back towards Chloe.
Katie and Jenny pulled Mary off Chloe, who was now flat on her back on the floor. Susan held Chloe around the chest, dragged her away from Mary and towards the door.
"What on earth is going on in here? bellowed Miss Craig standing at the open classroom door as she seized hold of Mary, who was just about to pounce on Chloe again.
Suddenly there was a great race as every child in the classroom ran to its seat.
"Miss Sands, said Miss Craig looking at the pale-faced teacher and waiting for an explanation.
"I think it started with name calling again, Miss Craig. Chloe was showing off and insulted Mary.
"She called me brain dead and daft. said Mary indignantly pointing at Chloe.
"Is that right Chloe? asked Miss Craig softly.
"She called me a big head, retorted Chloe sulkily. "she's just jealous because I've got more brains than her.
"You know it's not good to brag Chloe and that's not a good enough reason to be fighting on the floor, like a pair of animals.
"You can't say that, I'm not an animal! shouted Chloe resentfully, glaring at the teacher, "and my mum says that if you've got brains then you should not be afraid to use them.
"I'm sure your mother didn't mean it like that Chloe, now go and get your bag. said Miss Craig.
Straightening her hair Chloe suddenly let out an ear-piercing scream, as a large clump of her hair came away in her fingers, "LOOK WHAT SHE'S DONE TO MY HAIR, she shouted waving a mass of matted hair at the teachers.
"I'm going to tell my dad on you, she yelled at Miss Sands, "I'm going to tell him that you just stood there and did nothing to stop her doing this to me, just look at it. Then looking at the hair again, she began to wail.
"You wait Mary, I'll get you back for this. she said angrily as she wiped her eyes on the sleeve of her jumper.
Then turning to Miss Craig, she asked impertinently, "Well, what are you going to do about it, she started it, she slapped me around the face first, I'm going home and I'm going to tell my dad. she said as she headed towards the door.
"Oh no you don't young lady, come on Chloe let's get you to the nurse. said Miss Craig holding Chloe by the arm and turning to Mary, "Mary you will go to room six and wait for me there please.
"But miss it wasn't my fault she started it. said Mary sitting in her chair and folding her arms stubbornly.
"But you've been fighting Mary.
"Yes, but so has she, snarled Mary, giving Chloe an angry look, "she always gets away with it, just because she's a teachers pet.
"Chloe's not getting away with anything, she will join you there when the nurse has seen to her, NOW GO.
"But what about my face? asked Mary holding her hair away from her cheek to reveal two purple and red scratches stretching from her temple and down to her ear.
Miss Craig looked at the scratches, "Mmm, they look nasty, all right, you can come too, but you will both go into room six straight afterwards, for fighting, and I will be calling your parents. said Miss Craig as she waited for the girls to collect their bags.

Chloe winced as the nurse put the ice pack onto the bald spot on the side of her head, but Mary didn't flinch as the nurse wiped the scratches with a wet piece of gauze, even though it did sting, she wasn't going to give Chloe the satisfaction of seeing her cry.
The girls sat on opposite sides of the room scowling at each other.
The nurse looked worried and took Miss Craig over to the window to talk to her in private.
"I don't think that bald spot will grow back again, she whispered solemnly, "the hairs have been pulled out by their roots.
Miss Craig sighed deeply, "Oh dear, I'll have to telephone her parents about the fight, so I'll try and explain it then, but it will have to be after school. Could you keep them here for the last lesson? I have to go and teach.
The nurse nodded in agreement and as the bell sounded in the hallway, Miss Craig ran off down the corridor towards her classroom.

However, Miss Craig did not remember to telephone the girl's parents; an urgent call from her own daughter's school asking her to meet her daughter at the hospital had pushed it right out of her mind.

Arriving back at school the following day she found several notes in her pigeonhole, from Chloe's father, they all basically said the same thing, although some were ruder than others. He thought that it was disgusting that nobody had telephoned him about the fight and that she should telephone him urgently.
Picking up the telephone and taking a deep breath first, she dialled the number and waited as it rung.
A man's brusque voice on the other end of the line said, "Yes, who is it.
"Hello, I'm Miss Craig is this Chloe's father?
"About time too, what the hell did you think you were doing sending my daughter home with half of her hair pulled out? Do you know that she had to come all the way home on the bus like that, all by herself and you didn't even have the decency to telephone us, it's disgraceful. You people at that school are useless, useless do you hear me, I knew we shouldn't have sent her there. I want an explanation NOW. he yelled down the phone all in one go.
"I can understand how upset you are. said Miss Craig sympathetically.
"Upset! Of course we're upset what did you expect, you stupid woman?
Miss Craig took a deep breath and ignored the remark.
"I'm afraid there was a terrible mix up. I thought that the nurse was going to telephone you and she thought I was, I am so sorry. My daughter broke her arm at school and I had to go to the hospital. I thought someone would have rung you it was a terrible misunderstanding and all I can do is apologise. said Miss Craig sincerely.
"Yeah, you were all right weren't you, your daughter's school rang you up, but you didn't bother about my daughter, and what about my girl's hair. Who is this girl who pulled it out? I want to meet her and her parents, so that I can give them a piece of my mind.
"I can understand your feelings, cut in Miss Craig, "but they are children and sometimes, like adults, they don't get on.
"The girl's nothing but a bully, my girl has told me about her, proper little ruffian by the sounds of it. She's jealous, just because my girl has more brains than she does.
Miss Craig was not going to get dragged into an argument and be made to take sides, "You know we all do things wrong and Chloe isn't perfect either, is she Mr Splayer. said Miss Craig as diplomatically as possible
But she had said the wrong thing. Mr Splayer went off alarmingly, swearing and cursing at her down the line and calling her the most insidious names.
When he finally ran out of breath Miss Craig cut in again, "I am sorry that you feel that way and of course you have the right to change Chloe's school, but we would hate to lose her. she said lying, "what would you like me to do. she added quickly, trying to hold her own tongue in check.
"I don't want you to do anything, he shouted down the phone, "I've already made an official complaint to the Head and the governors, as far as I'm concerned you're an incompetent fool and what you need is the sack and I'm going to make sure that you get it. he said slamming down the telephone.

Katie could see that Miss Craig had been crying when she entered her office.
"You alright miss? she asked standing beside the teacher and looking concerned.
"Yes, it's all right Katie, I'm fine. What can I do for you? said Miss Craig as she wiped her eyes with a tissue and smiled at the girl.
"Mr Jacks asked me to tell you that you should be on break duty miss.
"Oh, yes, she said picking up her keys from beside the telephone, "I completely forgot, thank you Katie. she said walking towards the door.
"Chloe's dad had no right to talk to you like that Miss. said Katie her eyes flashing red as she left the room and ran off down the corridor.

During the following days, Chloe was a nightmare, as she boasted to the rest of the class about how her father was going to see the Head teacher and get Miss Craig the sack.
"My dad's coming to see the head today. said Chloe pompously, as she got out her pink, fluffy pencil case and put it on top of the desk.
"Why don't you give it a rest. said Sally who was sitting in the desk behind her.
"Why should I, Miss Craig was in the wrong, my dad said so. said Chloe through clenched teeth, pulling out her pencil and ruler and slamming them down on the desk in front of her.
"But she had to go to the hospital for her daughter didn't she. Didn't you think to ask if you could ring home yourself? asked Jenny.
"Nope, that wasn't up to me, my dad said it was Miss Craig's responsibility and she didn't bother. said Chloe, smoothing down her hair and checking in a small mirror that the bald patch on her head was covered up by the strand of hair she had swept over it.
"Her father was so rude to Miss Craig you know. whispered Katie to Mary who was sitting next to her, "he made her cry.
"He spoils her, thinks the light shines out of her fat ar¦.but she stopped as she looked at Katie's innocent face, "she's such a spoilt brat. Just for once, I wish someone would teach her a lesson and take that self-satisfied look off her face. If only someone else could come top in a test for once, instead of her, that would be so great.

Mr Batardas the science teacher gave the class the news they really did not want to hear.
"We will be having the end of unit test tomorrow, as I told you last week. he said.
A groan echoed through the group of girls sitting in front of him that is all except Chloe and Grace who looked at one another delighted, as they said in unison, "Yeah, great. as they slapped their hands together in the air.

After school, Chloe sat in the library with her Science revision book out in front of her and turned to the section on plants.
A cold shiver ran down her back as an icy breeze blew through the open window behind her.
Looking around the near empty library, all was quiet.
Katie sat in the corner, reading a large book with black and gold leather binding. Looking over the top of it every now and then, she stared wickedly at Chloe. After closing the book and putting it back on the shelf, Katie waved at Chloe cheerfully, walked over to the table where Chloe was sitting and sat in the chair opposite her.
"I'm going to get top marks in the science test tomorrow, boasted Chloe, "I doubt if you'll do very well.
"Do you think so? asked Katie as she folded her arms and put them on top of the table.
"Yes, of course I will, I'm the brainiest one in the class and I always come top.
"And the biggest head. said Katie quietly to herself, you know I've got a feeling that you won't be able to remember a thing in the test tomorrow, in fact I think you're going to fail. said Katie confidently, as she got up and walked away towards the door not waiting for an answer.
"Don't be so stupid, I never fail at anything. shouted Chloe as she watched Katie leave through the swing doors.
Chloe went back to her book mumbling to herself, "Stupid girl she doesn't know anything. but was distracted when she heard a strange sound behind her.
Looking around she saw an opaque wispy cloud, hovering next to the window, with its edges shimmering in the sunlight, and whistling softly like the wind. Swivelling around and holding onto the back of the chair, she watched as it flew slowly towards her.
Petrified by the sight and with her mouth and her eyes wide open, she could hear her heart racing hard inside her chest, as the cloud began to take the shape of a ghostly hand, which pointed an ugly gnarled finger at her.
Wide-eyed and unable to move she watched, as the finger hovered menacingly before her eyes. She tried to scream, but no sound came out of her dry mouth. Suddenly the whole hand spread open and clamped itself around her face. Everything went quiet as she felt one of its icy fingers poke its long pointed nail deep into her left ear. With her eyes bulging, a searing pain shot through her whole body as the nail entered into her brain. Tugging frantically at the hand, she managed to pull the finger out of the ear and ran to the other side of the table.
"Help, help, she shrieked, as the hand moved slowly towards her. Running in and out of the bookshelves the hand followed her doggedly as she tried to get to the exit, but it seemed to know exactly what she was doing and suddenly it shot out in front of her to block her escape. Not knowing what to do next, she looked anxiously around the room and headed for the library cupboard rushing inside and slamming the door shut She found a chair inside and lodged it under the door knob to stop the door from opening.
Leaning on the wall and panting hard she placed her right ear against the door and listened. She couldn't hear anything. Wiping her ear with the bottom of her shirt, she was horrified to see a smear of blood on it.
A green glow shone through the keyhole as the finger made its way in.
"NOOOO¦ she shouted as she tried to block the keyhole with the palm of her hand, but the gaseous finger snaked its way through the gaps between her fingers and into the room. Suddenly wrapping itself around her hand, it pulled the hand up behind her back, and slammed her whole body down on top of the small table covered with books and paper next to the wall. Kicking her legs out aimlessly, she knocked over the chair, but this didn't help, she was still in the creatures clutches and no matter what she did, she could not get free. The ghostly hand waited patiently as she screamed, wriggled, and squirmed about, but all of it was in vain. Finally exhausted she lay quietly, but panting hard as she waited to see what was going to happen next. Her eyes darted anxiously from side to side, but there was no way she could see what was going on. Then the hand turned her head on to its side and the finger, once again, bore deep down inside her brain.
The door to the cupboard suddenly flew open and as the monster pushed deeper and deeper down into her very soul, pictures from her childhood, people's faces, familiar places, facts and figures, flew out of her left ear and floated away, out of the door, across the library and out of the open window like small-multicoloured butterflies and disappeared.
Sitting on the chair motionless, no longer struggling, nothing seemed to matter as she felt her memories empty from her brain. Everything was peaceful and as she walked through the open door, the hand turned back into a mist, flew out of the window and vanished.

Grace found Chloe sitting in front of her science book smiling idiotically as she turned over the pages slowly.
"Look pretty flowers, she said as she stared up at Grace wide eyed, "I like flowers. she said smiling broadly.
Pushing Chloe's hair out of her eyes Grace rubbed her back, "What have you been doing to yourself? she said concerned as Chloe started to caress and hug her hand, "Come on Chloe I think I'd better get you home.
"But I haven't finished¦I know I was doing something here, but I can't remember what it was, isn't it funny I can't remember. said Chloe giggling as Grace packed up her bag and led her out of the library.
*
Mr Splayer, Chloe's father, a small beady-eyed man, in a brown, tweed suit with a canary yellow cravat around his neck, ran out of the Head teacher's office red faced, spluttering and swearing as he rushed back down the stairs. He was livid.
The meeting had not gone well, in fact the Head, who also apologised for the misunderstanding, understood his feelings completely, but took the same stance as Miss Craig.
She told him firmly that if he was unsatisfied with his daughter's treatment and education at the school then he had every right to move his daughter to another school of his choice.
He was not well pleased with this and after he had finished his long tirade of abuse, aimed personally at both Mrs Hunter and Miss Craig he was asked politely to leave.
Mr Brown, the deputy head, who was twice the size of Mr Splayer, came to escort him off the school premises, after politely telling him that the school would send him a list of other schools in the area, where he may wish to enrol his daughter. Mr Splayer told Mr Brown just where he could put his list and informed him plainly that he did not need him to escort him off the premises, as he was perfectly able of making his own way out.
Mr Brown stood at the top of the stairs and watched as Chloe's father stamped down the long winding staircase still cussing and waving his fist back at him and thought, "Silly little man, as he went back into the Head teacher's office.

At the bottom of the stairs, Mr Splayer walked a long time down several narrow corridors not paying any attention to where he was going and mumbling to himself. Eventually he found himself walking down, a dimly lit, oak panelled hallway towards a large oak door at the other end with an emergency exit sign lit above it. There were no other doors leading off this passageway and hearing a small cough from behind him he stopped to look back and saw Katie leaning nonchalantly on the wall, studying the fingers on her right hand.
"Is this the way out? he yelled at her.
"Yes, go through that door and the stairs will lead you out. said Katie smiling sweetly.
Sucking his teeth irritably, Mr Splayer strode off towards the door still mumbling to himself.
The door was beautifully carved with a small dragon in the middle. Mr Splayer rubbed his fingers over the elegant eyes staring back at him as he pushed the heavy door open with his shoulder.
Inside he found himself standing on the top of an unusual wooden spiral staircase. Stepping on the top step, it groaned ominously under his weight, but he took no note. He was far too busy trying to work out how he could get his own back on those two stupid women, to notice just where he was going.
Running down the circular staircase, he began to feel quite queasy and had to stop. Holding tightly onto the banister the steps beneath his feet suddenly began to move up and down like a roller coaster ride. Mr Splayer screamed loudly, "Help...p¦p¦p. as he fell flat on his back. With sweat now running down his face he tried to pull himself back up the way he came, but then the lights flickered and went out.
All of a sudden, the steps jerked beneath him and Mr Splayer found himself sliding down a slope, like a helter-skelter ride, and towards a green, sickly light pulsating beneath him. Hurtling downwards, he managed to hold onto the banister by the tips of his fingers and stop his decent, but to his horror, as he looked over the banister, he watched as a large, dark hole appeared at the bottom of the stairs.
Two bright, yellow eyes stared up at him in eager expectation, as a creature with a large bulbous nose oozing green slime and a face like a prickly cacti, opened its monstrous mouth to reveal four sets of purple and green pointed teeth. The banister he was holding onto seemed to have a life of its own, as it unexpectedly whipped itself ferociously, like a long piece of rope and flicked him off. There was nothing to hold onto as he slid down on his back round and around and down towards the sinister light below.
Screaming frantically, he shot off the end of the stairs and into the air.
A large green tongue, with thick purple veins, shot out of the mouth, curled its way around his body and pulled him in.
Kicking his legs frantically and hitting the tongue with his fists, he managed to wriggle free. Stumbling around on the slimy surface, one of his shoes slipped off his foot and slid down the monsters throat. Panic-stricken he tried to run out of the mouth, but the huge pointed teeth now barred his exit and as the mouth closed on him slowly his cries for help died away.
Katie ran down the stairs and stopped in front of the monster with her mouth wide open in horror.
"NO, KROAK NO, DON'T EAT HIM SPIT HIM OUT.SPIT HIM OUT RIGHT NOW! she screamed, as the monster stared at her nonplussed.
Was she too late?
The great monster grimaced and all of a sudden spat out the contents of its mouth onto the steps in front of her.
Looking at Katie apologetically, it blinked its great sad eyes and disappeared back down the dark hole.
"Oh Kroak, good boy, said Katie as she watched Mr Splayer struggle to his feet and wipe the green saliva from the monsters mouth off of his face.
A black door with another red exit sign above it appeared in front of the stairs and as Chloe's father stumbled forward, the door swung open letting him drop onto the wet grass outside.
The door slammed shut behind him leaving Katie on her own.
*
Katie watched Grace at the school gate trying to get Chloe to put on her rucksack, but Chloe was finding it very difficult to get her arms into the straps.
Chloe grinned stupidly at Katie and unexpectedly, and to Graces' horror, Chloe suddenly took hold of Katie by the shoulders and gave her a big wet kiss on her cheek.
"I like you, you're my friend. said Chloe as she twiddled with Katie's curls playfully.
Pulling Chloe off, Grace told Katie that Chloe had bumped her head in the library and that she was taking her home.
Smiling broadly Katie said, "Does that mean she won't be here for the test tomorrow?
"I don't think so, not if she's like this, look at her. said Grace staring at the idiotic smile on Chloe's face.
Chloe was now trying to get her bus pass out of her pocket and as she pulled on it, it ripped in half, "Oh look what I've done, it's all broken. she said petulantly.
"That's a pity. said Katie, "I have to go now, see you tomorrow Grace, bye Chloe. she added as she pulled her hand away from Chloe, who was busily planting small kisses on it.
*
Katie stood at the corner of the street and laughed as she watched Grace trying to persuade Chloe to get onto the bus. Katie walked towards the white limousine parked in front of the school gate, the driver, still wearing a black suit and silver sunglasses, opened the back passenger door for her and waited for her to get in .
"I see that you've had a good day Katie. said a deep silky voice from inside.
"Yes, it was most satisfying. she said as she sat down.
"Have you made sure that your charges are safe and sound in the box?
"Of course I have. said Katie confidently, sitting back into the black leather seat and fastening up her seat belt.

J.A.Evans